Episodes

About the Author Tessa Afshar’s award‑winning novels have appeared on Publishers Weekly and CBA bestseller lists and have been translated into thirteen languages. A recipient of the ECPA Bronze Milestone Award, the Christy Award, the INSPY Award, and the ECPA Christian Book Award for her Bible study The Way Home, Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she served as co‑chair of the Evangelical Fellowship. Born in the Middle East to a nominally Muslim family, Tessa came to faith in Ch...

Kelly Goshorn is an old-fashioned girl at heart who loves Jesus, her family, and all things historical. A native Virginian, she developed a deep love for history, exploring battlefields and museums, which eventually led her to write inspirational historical romance. After earning degrees in social studies, education, and history, Kelly spent nearly two decades as a licensed childcare provider before returning to writing – a passion sparked by her youngest son. Her debut novel, A Love Restored, w...

Award-winning, bestselling author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying....

Today we have the pleasure of sharing an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, the Lit Ladies Podcast. Here is more about their show: We are three writers and moms exploring how to live out our faith in our literary lives. We span the country—from the coasts to the Midwest—and with different stages of life, careers, and favorite genres, we are sure to cover the literary landscape. In every episode, we’ll discuss books we love, reading life, and writing craft, using the Bible as our guide f...

In this episode, KyLee and Darcy share a few holiday highlights, then KyLee sits down with author Julie Klassen to talk about research, faith, and her latest Regency release. Key takeaways Holiday traditions can be simple, and still feel special. Teachers and read-aloud stories can shape a reader and a writer for life. Julie Klassen weaves themes of grace, forgiveness, and second chances into her fiction. Real places and local legends can add weight and texture to historical novels. Whispe...

Today we are joined by two guests to chat about the latest book they have co-written, An Unexpected Grace Book 3 in the Jewels of Kalispell series. We’ve visited with both of them individually before, and we’re so excited to have them on together today. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achieveme...

Grace Hitchcock is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in History. Grace lives near New Orleans on a hobby farm with her husband, Dakota, sons and daughter. Regency England — Austen or Heyer? Grace Hitchcock joins us for a conversation about all things Regency England. While Jane Austen may be the first name to pop to mind, Grace loves the adventure and humor of author Georgette Heyer’s Re...

Today KyLee and Darcy sit down with bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart to explore her decades-long writing career and her latest historical romance, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford, which transports readers to the “Saratoga of the West”—the luxurious and intrigue-filled Graham Springs, Kentucky, in the mid-1800s. Other appearances on the show include: A Bookchat about The Song of Sourwood Mountain, When the Meadow Blooms, and Episode 15- Along a Storied Trail. A country girl, born and raised on a...

Christine knew she wanted to write the day she finished Anne of Green Gables and she’s been lost in her imagination ever since. Winner of the ACFW 2022 Genesis contest for Historical Romance, she also won the 2021 West Coast Christian Writers Golden Goldie Best-in-Conference award. She lives in Ontario on a hobby farm with her family and a herd of entitled goats. When she’s not writing, she teaches high school French and tries out historical recipes on her (mostly) willing family. Follow her for...

Dana McNeely, a passionate writer of biblical fiction, invites readers into a world where ancient Bible stories come alive with adventure, danger, and romance. Despite never visiting the Holy Land personally, she relies on a vast collection of books and videos to authentically bring ancient tales to life. Whether you’re a long-time fan of biblical fiction or new to the genre, Dana McNeely invites you to deepen your faith through the power of storytelling. Discovering Inspiration in for Authenti...

You can listen to Jane’s chat about her book Beneath the Bending Sky from when she was on the show in 2022 by following this link. Jane Kirkpatrick, a New York Times and CBA best-selling author, graced the Historical Bookworm Show with her engaging presence. With over 40 successful books under her belt, including Beneath the Bending Skies and A Sweetness to the Soul, Jane captures the essence of historical fiction, earning prestigious awards such as the Western Heritage Center’s Wrangler Award ...

The Historical Bookworm Show is delighted to once again welcome Laura Frantz for a chat about her inspiration to write historical fiction, a couple marriage tips, her writing process, and of course, her latest release, The Indigo Heiress. A proud mother to an American soldier and a career firefighter, she has authored seventeen novels to date, each intricately weaving historical research and compelling character journeys. Indigo: Enduring Crop from the Past The Indigo Heiress centers around th...

This episode features a discussion with four authors from Wild Heart Books, including KyLee Woodley, Lorri Dudley, Megan Soja, and Sherry Shindelar. Meet Authors from Wild Heart Books In a delightful turn of events on the Historical Bookworm Show, we were joined by three talented authors along with our own KyLee Woodley to discuss four books from Wild Heart Books. This publishing house is renowned for its historical romance novels set before 1900, intricately woven with Christian themes. The sho...

With her passion for life, history, and story, Liz Tolsma is the author of several novels ranging from World War II to Amish fiction. While she thought she’d write one book and be done, her debut novel was a finalist for two awards. Now she’s a full-time author and editor, and she has never looked back. She joins us today to share about topics close to her heart, and to introduce her latest release, When the Sky Burned. A Word of Inspiration Liz Tolzma’s writing journey began much like other a...

In this captivating interview on the Historical Bookworm Show, hosts KyLee and Darcy delve into the remarkable career of Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning and bestselling author known for her historical novels that vividly bring past eras to life. An Author’s Dream Lauraine Snelling began her writing journey with Tragedy on the Toutle her first young adult novel, published in 1982. Since then, she has authored over 140 books, with more than five million copies in print. Living her lifelong dr...

Join Darcy and KyLee in welcoming Joanna Davidson Politano back to The Historical Bookworm Show! You can listen to previous episodes featuring Joanna or her work The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple, The Lost Melody, A Midnight Dance, and A Midnight Dance. In this episode of The Historical Bookworm Show, Joanna Davidson Politano discusses her latest Edwardian-era novel, ‘The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. Known for her captivating blend of mystery, romance, and gothic elements, Politano delve...

Selah Award finalist and winner of the 2024 Caleb Award, Jennifer Mistmorgan is a must-read author of WWII historical romance. She writes imperfect characters “who grapple with God’s grace and love in a world at war,” swoony romance, and adventure sure to keep you turning pages and leave you with new friends by the last chapter. At Home Down Under Jennifer Mistmorgan is a native of Australia, and shares her perspective of why she loves her home in beautiful Canberra. While her stories take pla...

In our latest chat on the Historical Bookworm Show, bestselling and Christy-award winning author Sarah Sundin returns to share about her newest release, Midnight on the Scottish Shore. Known for her engrossing World War II novels, Sarah delves into not just the historical intricacies woven throughout her story but also the deeply threaded spiritual and personal themes. A Lifelong Fascination with History Sarah has long been captivated by history, beginning with the Civil War, Revolutionary War...

In today’s exciting spotlight on the Historical Bookworm Show, we welcome back Crystal Caudill, a gifted author known for her signature “Dangerously Good Historical Romance.” With impressive accolades to her name, including her 2023 Carole Award finalist debut novel, “Counterfeit Love,” and her Christie Award-winning novella “Star of Wonder,” Crystal’s works have enchanted readers with their unique blend of history, romance, and suspense. Romance In Her Own Words Despite declaring herself not ...

A Constant Love: An Interview with Best-Selling Author Tracie Peterson In this episode of the Historical Bookworm Show, best-selling author Tracy Peterson discusses her extensive career, including her new book, ‘A Constant Love.’ Tracy shares insights on her favorite historical places, her love for Captain Kangaroo, and the challenging personal experiences that influenced her writing. She also talks about the themes of loss, grief, and faith in her new series set in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and gives ...

In this episode we had the pleasure of conversing with Jill Eileen Smith, an esteemed best-selling author known for her biblical novels. Jill has enthralled readers with her series on the Wives of King David and is now set to release a new novel, Dawn of Grace, which navigates through the life of Mary Magdalene, slated for release in February 2025. Highlights from the Interview A Writer’s Process: Jill shared her meticulous process of researching and crafting her novels. She uses tools like Sc...

In this episode of the Historical Bookworm Show, co-host KyLee Woodley is interviewed about her debut novel ‘The Bandit’s Redemption.‘ The episode provides an in-depth look at KyLee background as a preschool teacher at Baylor University, her experiences growing up in the Pacific Northwest and Texas, and her deep commitment to God, family, and writing. KyLee discusses her journey into teaching and the serendipitous route that led her to Baylor University. She also shares the inspirations behind...

Welcome to the Historical Bookworm Show blog post, where we dive into the captivating interview with Mary Connealy, bestselling author known for her romantic comedies set in the wild west. In this post, we explore Mary’s latest release, “Whispers of Fortune,” the first book in her new series, Golden State Treasures. Join us as we unravel Mary’s creative process, inspirations, and what’s next in her literary journey. Meet Mary Connealy Mary Connealy is celebrated for her lively and action-packe...

Jennifer Deibel joins us for a chat about living in Europe, her love for The Lord of the Rings, Irish traditions, and her latest release, Heart of the Glen. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! About the author: Jennifer Deibel is the bestselling and award-winning author of A Dance in Donegal, The Lady of Galway Manor and The Maid of Ballymacool. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experie...