Category

Fiction

Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Jun 25: Ryan Steck with Gone Dark

June 25, 2025

As Montana goes up in flames, former marine raider Matt Redd isn’t looking for trouble, but it sure finds him.

Gone Dark with author Ryan Steck

Join Vicki with bestselling thriller author Ryan Steck, who celebrates the release of Gone Dark, the fourth installment in his exciting Matthew Redd series.

As smoke jumpers brave Montana wildfires, Matt Redd receives an unexpected call that leads him to protect a terrified young witness, confront a medical crisis linked to opioids, and face institutional corruption with a bombshell connection to Big Pharma.

Ryan Steck is known for blending intense action with emotional stakes. We dig into his approach to the writing craft, research, character evolution. And what it takes to write a thriller pulsating with authenticity.

Meet Ryan Steck

Ryan Steck is a freelance editor, author, and founder and editor-in-chief of The Real Book Spy. Ryan has been named an “Online Influencer” by Amazon and is a regular columnist at CrimeReads. He also coauthors with other novelists and continues the late Ted Bell’s legacy by authoring new books in the Alex Hawke series. Gone Dark is the latest in Steck’s Matt Redd Thriller series.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Jun 18: Robert Bailey with The Boomerang

June 18, 2025

A Desperate Fight for Family Uncloaks a Shocking Government Secret

The Boomerang with author Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey calls on his own personal challenges as well as a jarring conspiracy theory for inspiration in his exhilarating political thriller, The Boomerang.

The story follows Chief of Staff Eli James, who also happens to be best friends with the President of the United States. Upon the President’s terminal cancer mysteriously improving, Eli journey’s from the White House to New Mexico as he unravels a devastating cover-up involving the government and Big Pharma.

We discuss all of this, as well as Robert’s own journey with his family’s issues; writing The Boomerang; character development, and more.

Meet Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE BOOMERANG, the Jason Rich series, the McMurtrie and Drake legal thrillers, the Bocephus Haynes series, and the inspirational novel, THE GOLFER’S CAROL. Robert’s books are imbued with a keen sense of justice and a profound understanding of what drives people to commit the worst crimes and fight hardest for those they love, gained from his decades as a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.

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Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Writers on Writing

May 28: Martha Hall Kelly with Martha’s Vineyard Book & Beach Club

May 28, 2025

A love letter to literature. Resilient women. And a very special island.

Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club with author Martha Hall Kelly

A contemporary mystery that can only be solved by learning about the past, Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club is based on many aspects of Martha Hall Kelly‘s mother’s family history, making it the author’s most personal work to date.

The story discloses little-known facts of what took place on Martha’s Vineyard during WWII—that German U-boats cruised the surrounding waters, and Nazi spies snuck ashore. At the novel’s center, two sisters start a book club that changes history.

We discuss Martha’s writing and the power of storytelling through some of the literature discussed at the Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club. Martha shares her challenges in crafting the story. And how she got into the head of a woman growing up in WWII on Martha’s Vineyard.

Meet Martha Hall Kelly

Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters, and The Golden Doves. She was born and raised in Massachusetts, received Journalism degrees from Syracuse and Northwestern Universities, and worked as an advertising copywriter for many years before becoming a novelist. With more than two million copies of her books sold and translated in 50 countries, Martha lives in Litchfield, CT, Hobe Sound, FL, and New York City. 

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

May 21: Brad Taylor’s Back with a New Pike Logan Novel — Into the Gray Zone

May 21, 2025

Pike Logan uncovers a geopolitical scheme, spiraled out of control.

Into the Gray Zone with author Brad Taylor

Today we discuss the latest pulse-pounding thriller from New York Times bestselling author and former special forces officer Brad Taylor, Into the Gray Zone.

Where did Brad’s story ideas begin? With real life news, a lot of research, a trip to India, and a vivid imagination based on his indepth knowledge of military threats, covert operations, hybrid warfare, and special forces experience.

We talk about some of the topics of Into the Gray Zone, including Sikh revolutionaries, rare earth minerals, Brad’s travels in India. A little about writing. And what’s not in the news, that should be.

Meet Brad Taylor

A veteran of the US Army infantry and Special Forces, including eight years with Delta Force, Brad Taylor retired as Lieutenant Colonel, in 2010, after 21 years of service, including participation in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He’s written 17 NYT bestsellers and consults on asymmetric security threats for various agencies. Today we’re talking about his 19th book, Into The Gray Zone.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

May 07: Joanne Leedom-Ackerman on The Far Side of the Desert

May 7, 2025

A terrorist attack. A kidnapping. The ultimate vacation gone wrong.

The Far Side of the Desert with author Joanne Leedom-
Ackerman
Conversations Live On Air guest photo - headshot of Joanne Leedome-Ackerman holding her book and handwriting on a notepad.

Visit the The Far Side of the Desert today with storyteller Joanne Leedom-Ackerman as we discuss her latest novel — an international political thriller that takes us from Spain to Washington to Morocco to Gibraltar to the Sahara Desert.

What would you do if a loved one was kidnapped before your eyes in a foreign country? How far would you go to rescue them? What if you were the one kidnapped? Would you hold on to the faith that your family would find you?

We also discuss writing: What to consider when creating an international thriller, challenges of pacing and plot, character development, and more.

Meet Joanne Leedom-Ackerman

Award-winning author, journalist, and human rights advocate Joanne Leedom Ackerman — known for her powerful storytelling and deep insight into global issues — illuminates the human condition through her fiction and nonfiction works. Her fiction includes Burning Distance, The Dark Path to the River, and No Marble Angels. Joanne’s recent nonfiction book, PEN Journeys: Memoir of Literature on the Line, drew inspiration from her job as a vice president of the worldwide writers and human rights organization PEN International. She is also on the boards of the American Writers Museum, the International Center for Journalists, Words Without Borders, and Refugees International. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Texas Institute of Letters. The Far Side of the Desert is her latest novel.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Apr 30: The Boomerang with Robert Bailey

April 30, 2025

One Man’s Fight for Family Uncovers a Shattering Government Secret

The Boomerang with author Robert Bailey

The Boomerang is a gripping political thriller inspired by a conspiracy theory and the author’s personal challenges.

Robert Bailey‘s story follows Eli James, Chief of Staff and best friend to the President of the United States. When the President’s terminal cancer mysteriously improves, Eli uncovers a devastating cover-up involving the government and Big Pharma, taking him from the White House to New Mexico..

We discuss all of this, as well as Robert’s own journey with his family’s issues; writing The Boomerang; character development, and more.

Meet Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE BOOMERANG, the Jason Rich series, the McMurtrie and Drake legal thrillers, the Bocephus Haynes series, and the inspirational novel, THE GOLFER’S CAROL. Robert’s books are imbued with a keen sense of justice and a profound understanding of what drives people to commit the worst crimes and fight hardest for those they love, gained from his decades as a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.

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Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing, Young Adult Fiction

Apr 23: Hayley Krischer with You Belong to Me

April 23, 2025

What if living your most authentic life leaves you dead?

You Belong to Me with author Hayley Krischer

Hayley Krischer joins us to dive into You Belong to Me — a dark, atmospheric, emotionally charged YA novel that’s captivated teens and adults alike.

We discuss the underbelly of the wellness industry, a multi-trillion dollar economy encompassing many false claims and scams.

We look at character development and motivation. And why Hayley’s favorite characters were inspired by followers of an infamous cult (think Charles Manson). The challenges of pace in plot. And some of the themes at the heart of You Belong to Me such as the need for belonging, and what it means to trust yourself.

Meet Hayley Krischer

Hayley Krischer is an award-winning journalist who has written for the The New York Times, The Atlantic, Elle and more. She has an MFA from Lesley University. Her books include fiction and nonficiton. Find out more at her website.

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Fiction, Historical, Writers on Writing

Jan 22: Hold Strong with Robert Dugoni & Jeff Langholz

January 22, 2025

A Novel Inspired by the Deadliest Accident in US Military History. A Story of Courage. Perseverance. Faith. Resilience.

Hold Strong with coauthors Robert Dugoni and Jeff Langholz

When Chris Crabtree discovered a little known historical story from WW2, he found a personal connection with someone from the true event. That began a 12 year odyssey. Chris mentioned the story to Jeff Langholz who went down a research rabbit hole for the next decade, as they tried to recreate the event in novel form.

So how, when, and why did bestselling author Robert Dugoni get involved? We discuss that today with two of the three coauthors – Robert Dugoni and Jeff Langholz.

They share the significance of the title, Hold Strong. How they collaborated as authors, and who played what role in the development and writing of the book. Where the authors took creative license and why. Which characters were a composite of multiple characters and why. And much more.

Meet Coauthors Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, & Chris Crabtree

ROBERT DUGONI is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite series, the Charles Jenkins series, the David Sloane series, and several standalone novels. He’s a multi-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. And a recipient of the Nancy Pearl Book Award for fiction.

JEFF LANGHOLZ is an award-winning teacher, researcher, entrepreneur, and writer. His work has appeared in more than 250 media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and National Geographic. He’s a professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, CA.

CHRIS CRABTREE (not joining us today) teaches middle and high school English language arts in Costa Rica. Chris’s discovery of Father Tom Scecina’s heroism and sacrifice during the deadliest accident in US military history (the sinking of the Arisan Maru) sparked the journey of HOLD STRONG.

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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Jan 01: Happy New Year! NYT Bestselling Author Grant Blackwood on Successful Author Collaboration

January 1, 2025

Red Star Falling coauthored by NYT Bestselling Author Steve Berry & Grant Blackwood

Grant Blackwood coauthor of Red Star Falling

Grant Blackwood joins us to discuss Red Star Falling, his latest thriller collaboration with Steve Berry,

In the waning days of the Cold War, Steve Berry’s returning protagonist Luke Daniels, sets out to find the legendary lost library of Ivan the Terrible. Will that unlikely key end a looming threat orbiting two hundred miles above the Earth?

Since more authors are collaborating these days, curious minds want to know how they work together and why. What are the benefits? The challenges? Who drives the plot? The story? The action scenes? Do they each adopt a specific role or do they dig in together and hash things out? And what about research and travel? Did Steve and Grant both visit Russia and Ukraine for Red Star Falling? Listen in to find out.

Meet Grant Blackwood – NYT Bestselling Author

Grant Blackwood is the New York Times bestselling author of the Briggs Tanner series. He’s also the coauthor of The Fargo Adventure Series with Clive Cussler. The New York Times bestselling Dead Or Alive with Tom Clancy. And Kill Switch with James Rollins. A US Navy veteran, Grant Blackwood spent three years aboard a guided missile frigate as an operations specialist and a pilot rescue swimmer. Red Star Falling is the second book he has coauthored in Steve Berry’s Luke Daniels Thriller Series.

Steve Berry originated the Luke Daniels character and thriller series. Steve is the NYT and #1 Internationally bestselling author of 18 Cotton Malone novels, five stand alone thrillers, and several works of short fiction. He has more than 26 million books in print, translated into 41 languages. Steve Berry is the founder of History Matters; serves as an emeritus member of the Smithsonian Libraries Advisory Board; and was a founding member and former co-president of the International Thriller Writers. Steve Berry has been our guest on many occasions – to find conversations with Steve, type Steve Berry into Conversations Live search box.

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Fiction, Suspense, Writers on Writing

Dec 11: Rachel Kushner Introduces Creation Lake

December 11, 2024

“Brain-spinning tale of lies, greed, surveillance, crimes against nature, and ecowarriors…” Booklist Starred Review

Creation Lake with author Rachel Kushner

Rachel Kushner’s protagonist, Sadie Smith a former U.S. spy and ruthless observer of human behavior, has total faith in her ability to manipulate that behavior. She’s hired to infiltrate an anarchist commune in rural France and stir up trouble. Meanwhile, a radical from an earlier generation is living in a network of caves — a life that Sadie finds increasingly appealing.

Rachel Kushner joins us to talk about Creation Lake and its storyline. She shares insight into the character development of her protagonist, and why Sadie is the opposite of the author. How the story’s structure was inspired by noir fiction, yet Rachel says her book doesn’t exactly follow noir storytelling. And more.

Meet Novelist Rachel Kushner

Rachel Kushner is the author of the novels CREATION LAKE, THE MARS ROOM, THE FLAMETHROWERS, and TELEX FROM CUBA, a book of short stories, THE STRANGE CASE OF RACHEL K, and THE HARD CROWD: ESSAYS 2000-2020. She has won the Prix Médicis and been a finalist for the Booker Prize, the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Folio Prize, the James Tait Black Prize, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and was twice a finalist for the National Book Award in Fiction. She is a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow and the recipient of the Harold D. Vursell Memorial Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Rachel’s books have been translated into 27 languages. Her fiction has been published in the New Yorker and the Paris Review, and her nonfiction in Harpers and the New York Times Magazine. 

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