Beth O'Leary - "Swept Away"
The Fiction Files
Imagine waking up lost at sea… with your one-night stand. In this episode of The Fiction Files, Laura Owens and Jan Black sit down with bestselling author Beth O’Leary to talk about her newest novel, Swept Away. It’s a story about two strangers, an untied houseboat, and what happens when a casual encounter turns into the adventure — and romance — of a lifetime. We dive into how Beth brought Zeke and Lexi’s unexpected journey to life, the fun (and challenges) of writing forced proximity romance, and why survival stories bring out some of the deepest emotions. If...
info_outline
Mary Alice Monroe - "Where the Rivers Merge"
The Fiction Files
In this episode of The Fiction Files, Laura Owens and Jan Black sit down with bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe to talk about her newest novel, Where the Rivers Merge. Set against the sweeping backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the story follows two women from different generations as they navigate grief, identity, and the complicated legacies of family. Mary Alice shares the inspiration behind the book, how she brings settings to life so vividly, and what it means to write about healing and hope after loss. If you love character-driven stories, powerful...
info_outline
Bridget Morrissey - "Anywhere You Go"
The Fiction Files
What does it really mean to start over — and find home somewhere you never expected? In this episode of The Fiction Files, we’re joined by Bridget Morrissey to talk about her new novel, Anywhere You Go — a heartwarming story about second chances, messy families, unexpected love, and the courage it takes to build a life that’s truly your own. We dive into writing about belonging, queerness, chosen family, and why the bravest thing we can sometimes do… is just say yes to the unknown.
info_outline
Amelia Ireland - "The Seven O'Clock Club"
The Fiction Files
Join hosts Laura Owens and Jan Black as they kick off the very first episode of The Fiction Files with a heartfelt conversation featuring debut author Amelia Ireland. In this warm, candid interview, Amelia opens up about her moving novel, The Seven O’Clock Club, a story inspired by her personal experiences with grief, love, and human resilience. She shares her journey crafting relatable characters, balancing heartache with humor, and incorporating a stunning plot twist readers won’t see coming. Amelia discusses why exploring grief through the unexpected bonds of strangers became so...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Fiction Files, Laura Owens and Jan Black sit down with bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe to talk about her newest novel, Where the Rivers Merge.
Set against the sweeping backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the story follows two women from different generations as they navigate grief, identity, and the complicated legacies of family.
Mary Alice shares the inspiration behind the book, how she brings settings to life so vividly, and what it means to write about healing and hope after loss.
If you love character-driven stories, powerful landscapes, and books that linger in your heart, this conversation is for you.