101: Matt Cain: The Castle of Stories, LGBTQ+ Fiction & Pansy Publishing

108: Jennifer Ross on Writing Every Lifetime After and Embracing Speculative Fiction

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by Jennifer Ross to discuss her genre-blending new novel Every Lifetime After. Previously known for her historical fiction as Jenny Ashcroft, Jennifer talks about why she wanted to move into more speculative storytelling and how Every Lifetime After combines World War Two historical fiction, romance, mystery and time-slip elements into one unforgettable story. We also discuss: * Why Jennifer doesn’t plot her novels in advance * Writing under a new name after publishing six novels as Jenny Ashcroft * The research behind both the World War Two storyline and the modern movie-set setting * Why speculative fiction has become such an exciting creative space for her * Her upcoming novel The Bureau of Second Chances * The books she’s recently loved and recommends to readers If you enjoy historical fiction, speculative fiction, time-slip novels, or stories about love, memory and second chances, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Find Jenny here: https://www.instagram.com/jennyashcroftauthor/ Buy Every Lifetime After: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/every-lifetime-after-jennifer-ross/8c23154611c9e0ef?ean=9780008753757&next=t Books recommended in this episode: Going Solo: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/every-lifetime-after-jennifer-ross/8c23154611c9e0ef?ean=9780008753757&next=t The Artist: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-artist-escape-to-provence-with-the-winner-of-the-waterstones-book-of-the-year-2025-lucy-steeds/ab6f46ef8ff5989c?ean=9781399819565&next=t The Heir Apparent: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-heir-apparent-rebecca-armitage/9c24bf95ccfe93f8?ean=9780008757687&next=t

107: Louise Beech | Wonderful, Historical Fiction, Marilyn Monroe & Reinvention

In this episode of In My Good Books, bestselling author Louise Beech joins me to discuss her extraordinary new novel, Wonderful. A lifelong Marilyn Monroe fan, Louise has spent years fascinated by the woman behind the icon. In Wonderful, she imagines an alternative history where Marilyn survives that fateful night in 1962 and is given the chance to walk away from fame and reinvent her life. Alongside Marilyn's story, we meet Flora, a working-class woman from Hull who is struggling with family responsibilities, grief and finding her place in the world. Connecting them both is an unexpected visitor: the Virgin Mary. We discuss: * Louise's lifelong fascination with Marilyn Monroe * The real woman behind the Hollywood legend * Why Marilyn was far more intelligent and complex than popular culture suggests * The surprising inspiration behind Wonderful * Working-class representation in fiction * Themes of motherhood, identity and reinvention * Blending history, spirituality and contemporary fiction * The realities of self-publishing after a successful traditionally published career * Why Louise was determined to publish this book on Marilyn's 100th birthday Louise also recommends two fascinating books about Marilyn Monroe, including a new release exploring the books Marilyn read throughout her life. If you've ever wondered who Marilyn Monroe really was, or love novels that explore what might have been, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Books discussed: * Wonderful by Louise Beech * Marilyn and Her Books by Gail Crowther * My Sister Marilyn by Berniece Baker Miracle Follow Louise Beech and find out more about Wonderful through her website and social media channels: * https://louisebeech.co.uk/ * https://www.instagram.com/louise_beech_swanson/ Link to the website Louise discussed in the episode: * https://www.wkwproductions.co.uk/ Subscribe to In My Good Books for more conversations with authors and book lovers.

106: Lindsey Kelk Talks Writing Spicy Sports Romance as Elle Kelk, Hit or Miss & Anxiety

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by bestselling author Lindsey Kelk, who many readers will know from the hugely successful I Heart series. This time, however, she’s joining me under a slightly different name. Writing as Elle Kelk, Lindsey has launched a brand-new series with Hit or Miss, the first book in her Junior Year Abroad series and her first venture into the world of spicy sports romance. We chat about why she decided to create a new pen name, the inspiration behind setting the story at the fictional Hemden University, and how her own experiences at university helped shape the character of Mia. We also discuss the growing popularity of sports romance, the appeal of fresh starts and reinvention, and why anxiety became such an important part of Mia’s story. Lindsey opens up about her own experience of anxiety, receiving a diagnosis later in life, and the importance of seeing those experiences reflected in fiction. Books discussed: • Hit or Miss – Elle Kelk • Undateable – Susan Lee • Daddy Issues – Kate Goldbeck • If Books Could Kill – Kate Eberlen

105: Eve Chase on The Secret Thread: A Historical Fiction Novel of Sisters, Secrets and Family Betrayal

Eve Chase joins me on this episode of In My Good Books to discuss her stunning new historical fiction novel, The Secret Thread. In The Secret Thread, we meet Mimi Mott, a celebrated interiors entrepreneur who returns to England to auction the contents of her estate. As each object is sold, she reveals another piece of her extraordinary life story. But her estranged sister Pamela remembers the past very differently, and as long-buried secrets begin to surface, the truth becomes harder to ignore. During our conversation, Eve shares: * The unusual real-life inspiration behind The Secret Thread * Why she structured the novel around an estate sale and auction lots * Writing complex sibling relationships and estranged sisters * The role of class and social change in 1960s Britain * Creating the glamorous houses and atmospheric settings readers love * Her plotting process and how her characters guide the story * Why sisters provide such rich material for fiction * The challenges of balancing multiple timelines and narrators * Her publication day plans * Two recent book recommendations she has loved If you enjoy historical fiction, family dramas, dual timeline novels and stories packed with secrets, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Books mentioned in this episode: * The Secret Thread by Eve Chase * Strangers by Belle Burden * The Queen's Painter by Wendy Holden You can find Eve Chase here: https://www.instagram.com/evepollychase/ You can purchase The Secret Thread  here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-thread-eve-chase/f51ac5ee4b7de9b5?ean=9780241633946&next=t

104: Dave Goodman on Solitary Agents: Secrets, Spies and Second Chances

This week on In My Good Books, I'm joined once again by author Dave Goodman, and this time we're recording in person on publication day for his brilliant new novel, Solitary Agents. Dave first appeared on the podcast as part of my Bloody Scotland Debut Prize series before going on to win both the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and the McIlvanney Prize. Since then, it's been a whirlwind year of book launches, awards, festivals and a brand-new book deal. We discuss Solitary Agents, the second novel in Dave's acclaimed Legends spy series, which sees Jamie Tulloch leave behind his ordinary life and step fully into the world of espionage. We talk about the inspiration behind the novel, the fascinating world of spy training exercises, and how Dave creates the realistic tradecraft that readers love. We also discuss: * Why Dave recently reduced his day job to part-time * The challenge of balancing writing with the business of being an author * Creating fan-favourite characters including Jamie Tulloch and Sam Lee * Researching espionage and intelligence work * Writing cinematic action scenes * The real-life locations that inspired the novel * Why readers often tell Dave his books feel like TV dramas * His newly announced science-fiction novel Shards of Starlight * Building multiple series and creating fictional worlds If you're a fan of spy fiction, crime thrillers, espionage novels or simply love hearing about the realities of becoming a successful author, this is a fascinating conversation. Find Dave here: https://www.instagram.com/davegoodmanauthor/ Buy Solitary Agents: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/solitary-agents-david-goodman/b24995e441e6b289?ean=9781035434145&next=t Rat Race by Callum McSorley: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/rat-race-callum-mcsorley/1023cf9154263b59?ean=9781805336396&next=t