Lisa Montanaro
Lisa Montanaro is part no-nonsense Italian American New Yorker and part sunny Californian. She has a unique background as a performer, teacher of the Deaf, lawyer, coach, speaker, and author. Lisa writes book club fiction featuring complex characters breaking barriers and fighting to truly be themselves despite obstacles in their way—including the time they live in and societal stigmas.
Her debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, released January 2025 by Red Adept Publishing. It won first place for LGBTQ Fiction in the 2024 International Firebird Book Awards, honorable mention for General Fiction in the 2025 Los Angeles Book Festival, and finalist for LGBTQ Fiction in the National Indie Excellence Awards. Her chapter, “The Brand Called
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Maggie Smith
In a career that’s included work as a journalist, a psychologist, and the founder of a national art consulting company, Maggie Smith added novelist to her resume with the publication of her debut, Truth and Other Lies, a women’s fiction novel set in Chicago and released in March 2022 by Ten16 Press. It won NIEA’s Juror Grand Prize, the Star Award for Debut Fiction from Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Foreword INDIES Gold Metal for General Fiction, and was selected for the Women’s Book Association Great Group Reads. Her second novel, a psychological suspense called Blindspot, releases in May 2024.
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In addition to her writing, Maggie hosts the weekly podcast Hear Us Roar (225+ episodes), blogs monthly for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and -
Kay Smith-Blum
Kay Smith-Blum is a former business owner and Seattle School Board President. A lover of the natural world and an avid gardener, Smith-Blum founded Environmental Endeavors, the first greenhouse program in Seattle Public Schools. A fan of mid-20th-century history, Smith-Blum has penned two other manuscripts set in Texas, but the recent upheaval over leaking waste tanks at the Hanford site drew her in. A meticulous researcher, Smith-Blum felt compelled to write the Hanford story in a way that would educate and entertain readers, redefining historical fiction. The result is her debut novel, TANGLES, coming December 3, 2024. Smith-Blum’s published short works may be found in multiple literary journals. A companion short story to TANGLES is incl
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Joan Fernandez
Joan Fernandez is a historical fiction author, speaker, and former senior marketing executive dedicated to elevating the overlooked stories of courageous women who shaped history—often from the margins.
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Her debut novel, Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh (April 2025), tells the remarkable true story of Jo van Gogh—Theo’s widow, mother, and art dealer who preserved Vincent van Gogh’s legacy and helped elevate his work to international acclaim.
“Saving Vincent... forces readers to become deeply invested in Jo as a woman, creating an unforgettable portrait of resilience and passion.” — 2025 Readers' Favorite Book Awards Gold Medalist in Historical – Personage.
Joan is also the author of “A Parisian Daughter,” about a defiant young socialite, -
Thomas J. Noss
Tom's international ministry focuses on helping fellow truth-seekers prepare spiritually and physically as we enter the great tribulation at the Biblical end of the age.
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In his previous careers he was an air cavalry scout helicopter pilot in Vietnam, served as an IT Security manager in the Air Force, and worked as a senior cybersecurity project manager at IBM and Wells Fargo Bank.
In 2014 he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Leadership University. Since 2015 he and his wife share a four-acre Virginia homestead with livestock, chickens, and honeybees. -
Catherine Matthews
Catherine Matthews is an award-winning Pacific Northwest author. Through her novels, she tells the stories of strong women finding the courage to face the storm and live their dreams—usually in the company of a faithful hound.
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Catherine’s debut novel, Releasing the Reins, earned first place in the 2024 BookFest Awards for Women’s Fiction Mystery and Suspense and was the 2024 Fall Pencraft Award Best Book for Women’s Fiction. It is a finalist for the 2024 BookLife Prize for Mystery and Suspense and was a 2022 Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) Literary Contest Finalist.
Her essay, Deeper Than Social Connections, is featured in the anthology Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19 (Jennifer Haupt, Ed.), winne -
C. D'Angelo
The Gift (Vintage Vines Series Book 1) highlights:
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NYC Big Book Awards Chick Lit Winner 2025
Readers' Favorite Book Awards Chick Lit Finalist 2025
Best Book Awards Women's Fiction Finalist 2024
Indies Today Finalist 2024
Besides introducing problems that many of us face and characters that feel genuine, the novel features tantalizing culinary tastes, mesmerizing musical elements, and compelling glimpses into Italian culture. Such sumptuous writing will transport audiences... A blend of flavors and textures that will entice any reader, The Gift is a modern-day midlife adventure about being brave enough to find and follow our passion.
- Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today
Rich in Italian culture and little-known pieces of history, The Gift delves deeply -
Louise McLaughlin
Louise was born in the same hospital where George Orwell wrote 1984. When growing up in East Kilbride in the 80s, it was clear to see the legacy he left; there was a library on every corner and two nuclear bunkers. She went to Glasgow University and achieved a Master of Arts. She then joined the sensible corporate world of paper shuffling. For the last 25 years, her career has culminated in various promotions to the heady heights where she now tells stories for a living. She still shuffles paper, but virtually now, so that’s progress.
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Follow Louise on Bluesky for updates about books, thoughts of the day and cats ... there will be posts about cats. -
JT Baldwin
Just a dude that thinks about logistics entirely too much and craves good scotch.
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Jennifer Coburn
Jennifer Coburn is the author of CRADLES OF THE REICH, a historical novel about three very different German women who meet at a Nazi Lebensborn breeding home.
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She is the author of a travel memoir, six contemporary novel, and contributor to five literary anthologies. Jennifer has written for U-T San Diego, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Mothering magazine, The Huffington Post, Salon.com, and numerous other newspapers and magazines. She lives in San Diego with her husband William and their daughter Katie. -
Tova Mirvis
I am excited to share that I have a new novel WE WOULD NEVER coming out in February, 2025. This book was inspired by a true crime story that I have followed over the years and could never quite stop thinking about. How, I wondered, could this tragic story - and so many others like it - happen? Not how did the actual crime occur, but how does a family do something so awful? How does a divorce spiral so out of control? While the news supplied me with an endless array of facts, I always came away from my Google searches feeling dissatisfied, my questions unanswered. As a novelist, I relish the way that fiction lets us go inside character's heads and really delve into their inner lives and all the complexities that we might otherwise hover abov
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Susan Meissner
Susan Meissner is a USA Today bestselling novelist with more than a million books in the hands of readers, and in eighteen languages. Her critically acclaimed works of historical fiction have been named to numerous lists including Publishers Weekly’s annual roster of 100 best books, Library Reads Top Picks, Real Simple annual tally of best books, Goodreads Readers’ Choice awards, Booklist’s Top Ten, and Book of the Month.
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She attended Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego and is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper. Susan’s expertise as a storyteller and her thoroughly researched topics make her a favorite author of book clubs everywhere. Her engaging and warm speaking style appeal to all manner of women’s groups, literary o -
Kaira Rouda
Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and #1 Amazon and Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary fiction exploring beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER, THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER, ALL THE DIFFERENCE, THE NEXT WIFE, SOMEBODY'S HOME, THE WIDOW, BENEATH THE SURFACE, UNDER THE PALMS, THE SECOND MRS STROM, WHAT THE NANNY SAW and JILL IS NOT HAPPY. Her next novel, WE WERE NEVER FRIENDS, is out February 3, 2026.
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She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Visit her webiste, KairaRouda.com for more. Connect with her on Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books.
If you'd like to host Kaira at your book club, please reach out through h -
Rochelle B. Weinstein
Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today bestselling author of multiple contemporary fiction novels, most recently We Are Made of Stars. Her work has been featured in People, Deadline, Entertainment Weekly, Country Living, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, First for Women, Kveller, Totally Booked with Zibby, BookBub, and more. Rochelle is the book columnist for AQUA Magazine and a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. A former entertainment industry executive and NBC-6 Miami book correspondent, Rochelle splits her time between South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina.
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Kerry Lonsdale
Kerry Lonsdale is the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon Charts & #1 Kindle bestselling author of standalone and series-based romantic women's fiction and emotionally charged domestic drama with over twenty-seven foreign language translations. She is the mother of two twenty-somethings and minion to three rescue cats. She resides in Northern California with her husband.
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Camille Di Maio
Camille recently left an award-winning real estate career in San Antonio to become a full-time writer. Along with her husband of 27 years, she home schooled their four children - most of whom are now grown. She has a bucket list that is never-ending, and uses her adventures to inspire her writing. She's lived in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California, and spends enough time in Hawai'i to feel like a local. She's traveled to four continents (so far), and met Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. She just about fainted when she had a chance to meet her musical idol, Paul McCartney, too. Camille studied political science in college, but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmers markets
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Marilyn Simon Rothstein
Marilyn Simon Rothstein is the author of Lift and Separate, winner of the Star Award presented by the Women’s Fiction Writers Association for Outstanding Debut. Husbands And Other Sharp Objects is her second novel.
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Marilyn grew up in New York City, earned a degree in journalism from New York University, began her writing career at Seventeen magazine, married a man she met in an elevator, and owned an advertising agency for more than twenty-five years. Marilyn received an MA in liberal studies from Wesleyan University and an MA in Judaic studies from the University of Connecticut. She enjoys speaking at book festivals and community events.
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Amy Mason Doan
THE CALIFORNIA DREAMERS out now
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"Unforgettable....an epic family story...escapist & warm."
Bestselling author of LADY SUNSHINE, THE SUMMER LIST and SUMMER HOURS, out now.
"Doan's characters leap off the page," says Publishers Weekly. "Sure to please fans of Kristin Hannah" -- Library Journal.
I grew up in California and now live in Portland, Oregon with my family, so I consider both states home.
As a writer for publications including The Oregonian, San Francisco Chronicle, Wired and Forbes, I've interviewed everyone from billionaire CEOs to beer-brewing monks. I have an M.A. in journalism from Stanford University and a B.A. in English from U.C. Berkeley.
Connect with me on Instagram or via my website, amymasondoan.com.
If I'm in my writing cave I -
Catherine Matthews
Catherine Matthews is an award-winning Pacific Northwest author. Through her novels, she tells the stories of strong women finding the courage to face the storm and live their dreams—usually in the company of a faithful hound.
Buy books on Amazon
Catherine’s debut novel, Releasing the Reins, earned first place in the 2024 BookFest Awards for Women’s Fiction Mystery and Suspense and was the 2024 Fall Pencraft Award Best Book for Women’s Fiction. It is a finalist for the 2024 BookLife Prize for Mystery and Suspense and was a 2022 Pacific Northwest Writers Association (PNWA) Literary Contest Finalist.
Her essay, Deeper Than Social Connections, is featured in the anthology Alone Together: Love, Grief, and Comfort in the Time of COVID-19 (Jennifer Haupt, Ed.), winne -
Jacqueline Friedland
Jacqueline Friedland is the author of award-winning novels Trouble the Water and He Gets That From Me. A graduate of The University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School, she practiced as an attorney before returning to school to receive her MFA from Sarah Lawrence College. She lives in New York with her husband and four children. For contact info, tour dates, and book clubs please visit www.jacquelinefriedland.com and Instagram @jackiefriedland
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Her new novel, Counting Backwards, will be out on March 11, 2025. -
Heather Frimmer
Heather Frimmer is a radiologist specializing in breast and emergency room imaging. Her first novel, Bedside Manners, was published in 2018 and has received several awards including National Indie Excellence, Readers' Favorite and Independent Press awards. She completed her medical training at Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York Presbyterian-Cornell and Yale New Haven Hospital. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Connecticut.
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Paulette Kennedy
Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, Paulette Kennedy now lives with her family in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles.
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When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets.
As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her stories and the experiences her characters might have had in the past.
This dedication to research infuses her world-building with realistic detail and creates a cinematic, immersive experience for the reader.
Paulette’s next novel is The Devil and Mrs. Davenport, a domestic gothic set in the 1950s about a homemaker who develops psychic abilities after a viral illness. -
Maggie Smith
In a career that’s included work as a journalist, a psychologist, and the founder of a national art consulting company, Maggie Smith added novelist to her resume with the publication of her debut, Truth and Other Lies, a women’s fiction novel set in Chicago and released in March 2022 by Ten16 Press. It won NIEA’s Juror Grand Prize, the Star Award for Debut Fiction from Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Foreword INDIES Gold Metal for General Fiction, and was selected for the Women’s Book Association Great Group Reads. Her second novel, a psychological suspense called Blindspot, releases in May 2024.
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In addition to her writing, Maggie hosts the weekly podcast Hear Us Roar (225+ episodes), blogs monthly for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and -
Heather Marshall
Heather Marshall lives with her family near Toronto. She worked in politics and communications before turning her attention to her true passion: storytelling. Her debut novel Looking for Jane was an instant #1 bestseller. Visit HeatherMarshallAuthor.com or connect on Instagram @heathermarshallauthor.
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Lisa Linwood
Lisa Linwood writes hockey romance with heat, heart, and just enough stick-handling to keep things interesting. Her stories feature swoon-worthy players, fierce heroines, and emotional stakes as tense as the Stanley Cup Finals.
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A longtime hockey fan and lifelong reader, she believes every shot on goal deserves a happily ever after. While plotting her next romance, she sips iced coffee and pretends it counts as hydration.
See all of Lisa’s social media and links at linktr.ee/lisalinwood -
Kitty Johnson
Kitty Johnson is an awarding-winning writer of emotional stories about empowerment and living your best life. She lives in Norwich, Norfolk in the UK, with her partner and teenage son. Her novel Five Winters was awarded the Star Award 2024 by the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.
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A nature lover, Kitty enjoys walking in the local woods and by the sea in Norfolk with her dog. Also an artist, she paints and makes collages in her studio when she has time. Kitty enjoys a challenge and once performed stand-up comedy as research for a book - an experience she found very scary but hugely empowering. Kitty has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and has also published as Margaret K Johnson. -
Louise McLaughlin
Louise was born in the same hospital where George Orwell wrote 1984. When growing up in East Kilbride in the 80s, it was clear to see the legacy he left; there was a library on every corner and two nuclear bunkers. She went to Glasgow University and achieved a Master of Arts. She then joined the sensible corporate world of paper shuffling. For the last 25 years, her career has culminated in various promotions to the heady heights where she now tells stories for a living. She still shuffles paper, but virtually now, so that’s progress.
Buy books on Amazon
Follow Louise on Bluesky for updates about books, thoughts of the day and cats ... there will be posts about cats. -
Thomas J. Noss
Tom's international ministry focuses on helping fellow truth-seekers prepare spiritually and physically as we enter the great tribulation at the Biblical end of the age.
Buy books on Amazon
In his previous careers he was an air cavalry scout helicopter pilot in Vietnam, served as an IT Security manager in the Air Force, and worked as a senior cybersecurity project manager at IBM and Wells Fargo Bank.
In 2014 he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Leadership University. Since 2015 he and his wife share a four-acre Virginia homestead with livestock, chickens, and honeybees. -
Joan Fernandez
Joan Fernandez is a historical fiction author, speaker, and former senior marketing executive dedicated to elevating the overlooked stories of courageous women who shaped history—often from the margins.
Buy books on Amazon
Her debut novel, Saving Vincent: A Novel of Jo van Gogh (April 2025), tells the remarkable true story of Jo van Gogh—Theo’s widow, mother, and art dealer who preserved Vincent van Gogh’s legacy and helped elevate his work to international acclaim.
“Saving Vincent... forces readers to become deeply invested in Jo as a woman, creating an unforgettable portrait of resilience and passion.” — 2025 Readers' Favorite Book Awards Gold Medalist in Historical – Personage.
Joan is also the author of “A Parisian Daughter,” about a defiant young socialite, -
JT Baldwin
Just a dude that thinks about logistics entirely too much and craves good scotch.
Buy books on Amazon -
Lisa Malice
Since you're reading my bio, it’s likely you and I have one big thing in common. We love mysteries, we're passionate about murder, suspense, and thrills in the stories we read—to be more precise, the books we devour. Because that is what it is like to have a really good crime novel in front us. We pour through it until we're stuffed, forced to put it down until, sometime later, we're hungry again and can't fight our craving to read more.
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I grew up reading mysteries I pulled off my mother's vast shelves of books—Agatha Christie, P.D. James, and others. Sunday was mystery night, whether it was watching Columbo or MacMillan and Wife on The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie or listening to The CBS Radio Mystery Theater. I fell under Sherlock Holmes's spe -
Pamela Stockwell
Pamela Stockwell was born in Texas and raised in South Carolina. In between, she lived in the Philippines and, along with her big sister, became fluent in Tagalog name-calling. She abandoned her foreign language studies at age five but went on to earn a BA in journalism from the University of South Carolina. She lives with her husband in central New Jersey. She is a member of the Princeton Writers Group and Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Her writing has appeared in several anthologies and online literary magazines. Her first novel, A Boundless Place, has won several awards and her second book, The Tender Silver Stars, will be coming out in 2024.
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Rachel Del Grosso
Rachel Celeste (also writing under Rachel Del Grosso) was born in Ontario, Canada. She began writing at a young age, but has since learned to write in complete sentences. She writes fiction about imperfect marriages, messy friendships, and complicated families. She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and son.
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Rachel Stone
Rachel Stone writes stories of hope and redemption, often set against vibrant Canadian backdrops. Her writing placed first in the 2022 OBOA Writing Contest and has appeared in international literary and visual arts magazines, journals and blogs.
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Rachel holds degrees in psychology and industrial relations, and once worked seven summers at a flower market. She lives near Toronto with her family, and on weekends you’ll find her along the south shore of Georgian Bay, belting nineties pop rock from her paddleboard. The Blue Iris is her first novel.