Episodes

Today’s episode is a very special one! It’s been two years since I started Historical Fiction: Unpacked. To celebrate this milestone, Michelle Ule is hosting the show! I’m in the hot seat as she interviews me about my life, my writing, my favorites (and least favorites) when it comes to historical fiction, and what gave me the idea of starting a podcast at all! Join us to hear more about us and how learning about history through story has impacted our lives. Important links: The episode in whi...

Today’s conversation is a perfect way to wrap up Season Four. I spoke with Elena Gorokhova about her debut novel, A Train to Moscow, which released in March. Elena’s insight was enriching. We discussed how her own family’s story inspired her novel, what it was like to grow up in Soviet Russia, her immigration story, and her perspective on what’s happening in Russia today. Purchase A Train to Moscow on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase A Train to Moscow on Bookshop (affiliate). Purchase Elena’s mem...

I’m thrilled to have author and screenwriter Owen Pataki on the show today. Last year, his Historical Fiction adventure novel Searchers in Winter released. It continues the story begun in the novel Where the Light Falls, which Owen wrote with his sister, Allison Pataki. In this conversation, we discuss his latest novel (set during the Napoleonic Wars), his work in the film industry, and what it was like to cowrite a book with his sister. Purchase Searchers in Winter on Amazon (affiliate). Purc...

In today’s episode, I’m happy to host engineer-turned-mystery-writer Lisa E. Betz for the second time. We’re talking about the latest installment in her Livia Aemelia Mystery series, Fountains and Secrets, which released in January. We spoke about Rome’s elaborate water system, Lisa’s love of Ancient Rome, the roles of women in that time period, as well as the Roman concept of honor (aka dignitas) and how it conflicted with the teachings of Jesus. Purchase Fountains and Secrets on Amazon (affili...

Today I’m sharing a conversation with Kerry Chaput. Her latest novel, Daughter of the King, released in December. It’s about a fascinating little gem of Canadian history that I knew nothing about! Here’s the description: La Rochelle France, 1661. Fierce Protestant Isabelle is desperate to escape persecution by the Catholic King. Every day she defies the powers that threaten to destroy her — until she meets a handsome Catholic soldier who softens her will. She fights off an attack by a nobleman...

Tracie Peterson is on the show today! Often called the “Queen of Historical Fiction,” she is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, most of them historical. Today we talk about her new series, Love on the Santa Fe, and specifically the second installment, Beyond the Desert Sands, which released July 5. We discuss her love for the railroad, her mission in writing books, and how her books have touched the lives of readers. Purchase books from the Love on the Santa F...

Today I’m excited to share a conversation I had with New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis. Her most recent book, The Magnolia Palace, released in January. In this episode, we talk about the beautiful setting for the novel, The Frick Collection in New York City, as well as the Frick family and the unique characters in this novel. The protagonist was based on a real life artist’s model, Audrey Munson. Purchase The Magnolia Palace on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase The Magnolia Palace on Bo...

Jody Hedlund is back on the show talking about the latest installment in her Waters of Time series. Never Leave Me was released in January and continues the story started in 2021’s Come Back to Me. Jody and I discuss how she decided on the genetic disease that would play a role in this series, how characters with limitations live life to the fullest, and how she grew into such a prolific writer! Purchase books from the Waters of Time series on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Never Leave Me on Boo...

Today I’m sharing a conversation I had with author Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah and I discuss her novels, most of which feature American Indians. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma herself. Not only did she speak to me in Choctaw, we talked about her story of surrendering everything to God, how he gave her writing back to her, and her Choctaw heritage of faith. We discuss why she’s chosen to independently publish her novels. However, she just signed her first traditional publishi...

Today I’m sharing a conversation with Terry Roberts about his book My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black, a hard-boiled detective story set on Ellis Island in the 1920s. Terry and I discuss the idea that lead him to write this novel: the human “need” to look down on or despise the “other.” We also talk about the real-life inspiration behind the story and the problem of eugenics during this time period. Purchase My Mistress’ Eyes Are Raven Black on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase My Mistress’ Eyes Are...

Today I’m sharing a conversation I had with Scott Gates, whose latest novel, Gone, the Redeemer, just released June 15, 2022. We discuss the difficult task of acquiring an agent, how historical facts can derail the planned plot of a novel, and what it’s like to write in different genres. Scott grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and has worked as a writer and editor in Colorado, Virginia, and North Carolina. His first novel, Hard Road South, was a finalist in the debut author category of the Feathe...

Today’s episode is a conversation with Rachel Fordham. Her latest novel, Where the Road Bends, released Tuesday, June 7. We discuss the lessons apparent in this book, what it’s like to write contemporary after writing historical fiction, and how she uses the five love languages in her novels. Here’s a description of the novel, from Revell: For Norah King, her family land is all she has left—and she can’t lose it, even if it means marrying someone she doesn’t love. Days before the wedding, sh...

Today’s episode is a unique and fascinating one! Jim and I discuss his historical novel, Hunting Teddy Roosevelt, about an attempt on Roosevelt’s life orchestrated by J.P. Morgan. Jim had a lot to say about industrialists Morgan, Carnegie, and Hearst. We talked about the political climate of their day and how Jim tackled the tricky task of writing a fictional tale about real historical figures. James A. Ross has at various times been a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Congo, a Congressional Staffer...

Today I’m sharing a conversation with Amanda Cox. We discuss her latest book, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery and how this novel brought out the dynamic between mothers and daughters. We also talk about her background in counseling and how that affects the development of characters in her books. Here’s a description of the novel, from Revell: How do you respond when hidden things are revealed? Professional counselor and author, Amanda Cox plunges readers into a dual-time tale in The Se...

Today’s episode is a long-overdue chat with Joanna Politano about her book A Midnight Dance. We discuss how Joanna comes up with the intricate mysteries in her books, what was going on in France during the Victorian era, and how she went from knowing nothing about dance to being able to write a book set in the Victorian ballet. Purchase A Midnight Dance on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase A Midnight Dance on Bookshop (affiliate). Check out Joanna’s website, Facebook, and Twitter! Join my communi...

Karin Tanabe and I talked about her book, A Woman of Intelligence, which released last summer. In this episode, Karin shares that she wanted to write about the difficult aspects of motherhood. We also discuss the inspiration for her novel, the fact that the protagonist is based in part on American spy Elizabeth Bentley, and how historical fiction is a lovely way to learn about history. Purchase A Woman of Intelligence on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase A Woman of Intelligence on Bookshop (affilia...

Milree Latimer is a Canadian expat from Ontario who currently lives in central Oregon. On today’s show, we talk about her latest book, Out of Place, which released last year. We discuss Irish Home Children, PTSD, and the importance of person-to-person research as well as Milree’s own story of finding a second chance at love and a new career as an author. Purchase Out of Place on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Out of Place on Bookshop (affiliate). Check out Milree’s website and Facebook! Join m...

Today’s episode is a BONUS episode! I talked with debut author Janyre Tromp about her novel Shadows in the Mind’s Eye. This book deals with combat PTSD after the Second World War, and Janyre is a fount of knowledge about PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorder. You don’t want to miss this fantastic conversation, which I’m sharing today in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Neither do you want to miss Janyre’s book. Find it via the links below. Purchase Shadows in the Mind’s Eye on Amazon (affili...

Like last week’s episode, this episode focuses on nature. Ann H. Gabhart was a delight to speak with. Her sweet southern accent soothes the soul. Our discussion ranged from ravens delivering gifts to little girls to the way the Lord uses nature to heal our pain if we allow him to. Ann’s newest book, When the Meadow Blooms, releases next Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Get it via the links below! Purchase When the Meadow Blooms on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase When the Meadow Blooms on Bookshop (affiliate...

Regina Scott is the author of more than 50 works of warm, witty historical romance. A lover of history, she has driven four-in-hand, sailed on a tall ship, and learned to fence. In today’s conversation, we talk about her novel A View Most Glorious, which released last October, and was inspired by Fay Fuller, who was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Rainier. Purchase A View Most Glorious on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase A View Most Glorious on Bookshop (affiliate). More about Fay Fu...

Today’s conversation is with Todd M. Johnson. He has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd’s passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer. We talk about the real life inspiration for his novel, The Barrister and the Letter of Marque, why this book is set during the Regency Period, and how our faith is woven into the fabric of our writing. Purchase The Barrister and the Letter of Marque on Ama...

Today I’m sharing a conversation with multi-published award-winning author Renee Ryan. Her novel The Widows of Champagne released last July. “For readers of Lilac Girls and The Lost Girls of Paris comes a captivating novel of resilience, as three generations of women battle to save their family’s vineyard during WWII.” In this episode, we discuss the themes in Renee’s books, including how character is revealed under pressure and embracing the people we love even when we have nothing in common. ...

Today’s episode is a conversation with Adele Myers, author of The Tobacco Wives. We discuss the tobacco industry’s deceitful ad campaign, along with Adele’s family history, which inspired this novel. Adele Myers grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently works in advertising and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, son and their rescue dog, Chipper. The Tobacco Wives is her first novel. Here’s ...

Today I’m bringing you a conversation with USA Today Bestselling author Misty M. Beller. The first installment in her Brides of Laurent Series, A Warrior’s Heart, released last August. Misty and I talked about how this series was inspired by a podcast about Viking Shield Maidens as well as why she loves the Rocky Mountains and keeps writing about them. Here’s a description of A Warrior’s Heart from the publisher, Bethany House: Her heart longs for peace, but peace won’t keep them safe. Briell...