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In today’s episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Courtney Walsh, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of heartwarming, low-spice romance and contemporary women’s fiction. A Carol Award winner and Christy Award finalist, Courtney is a storyteller devoted to crafting light-hearted yet poignant, character-driven novels that offer a safe and joyful escape.

We’re here to talk about her newest novel, Everything’s Coming Up Rosie, but as always, our conversation touches much deeper themes—life, creativity and how we show up for the people and passions that matter most.

Courtney shares what she’s learned through writing: about staying present in the story, parenting through different seasons and redefining priorities as life evolves. We talk about saying no with confidence, the comfort of rom-coms over thrillers and the kind of books that soothe rather than stir anxiety. Her goal? To be the writer readers turn to in their heaviest seasons—for warmth, laughter and a little bit of swoon.

Episode Highlights:

• Why setting boundaries is essential to honoring your priorities.
• The comfort of reading books that don’t trigger your anxiety.
• The evolution of priorities through the stages of life and motherhood.
• Writing older characters as a way to bring wisdom into fiction.
• The value of writing joyful stories in a heavy world.

Connect with Courtney:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh (mentioned in Ep. 95 with Amanda Cox)
• Cross Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh
• Alex - The Life of a Child by Frank DeFord
• Rocky Road by Becky Wade

Book Flight

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
• Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz
• The Good Part by Sophie Cousens

Ready for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE.

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

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• Facebook
• Website

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This episode marks the latest gathering of our BFF Book Club. This month, we’re discussing The Dressmakers of London with the author, Julia Kelly. Julia is the international bestselling author of emotional historical fiction about extraordinary women and intriguing historical whodunnit mystery novels. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and a tea waitress. Julia called LA, IA and NYC home before settling in London with her husband.

Highlights:

• A meaningful literary gift idea Julia’s mom gives every year.
• Revisiting the classics and why she recommends I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith to aspiring writers.
• The joys and challenges of writing emotional historical fiction.
• Behind-the-scenes insight into the women’s auxiliary branches during WWII and the realities of clothing rationing.

📚 Next BFF Book Club - Meet the Author
🗓️ Sept. 28th | 🕓 4 pm PST

We’re thrilled to welcome Emerson Ford, author of What the Silent Say! Inspired by a remarkable true story and brought to life with cinematic detail, this unforgettable WWII novel explores courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Set in the Pacific, it follows the journey of two brothers on the frontlines and the family waiting for them back home. 👉 Register Here.

Connect with Julia:

• Instagram
• Website
• Julia’s books

Books mentioned:

• The Light Over London by Julia Kelly
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
• Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
• New Grub Street by George Gissing
• The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
• Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
• Dracula by Bram Stoker
• The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

Book Flight

• I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Alle

Ready for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE.

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website

Send us a text

In today’s episode, I’m joined by author Phyllis Gobbell, who brings a rich blend of literary insight and Southern storytelling charm. A retired college English professor, Phyllis has written across genres—from gripping true crime (An Unfinished Canvas, A Season of Darkness) to immersive mystery fiction. Her latest novel, Prodigal, released in November 2024, is a contemporary retelling of the biblical parable The Prodigal Son. Set in a small Southern town much like the one she grew up in, Prodigal explores themes of homecoming, community and forgiveness—not only of others, but of oneself. Phyllis speaks about the importance of place as a character and how community shapes story. We also discuss her book flight—stories that inspired Prodigal—and how her background in true crime shaped her fiction writing in unexpected ways.

Episode Highlights:

• What compelled her to write Prodigal.
• The small-town dynamics that breathe life into the novel.
• How “place” can become its own character.
• The emotional complexity of forgiveness and redemption.
• A book flight inspired by Prodigal’s themes and tone.

Connect with Phyllis:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Website

Show Notes

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• Agatha Christie books
• The River We Remember by William Kent Kreuger
• This Tender Land by William Kent Kreuger
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
• The Gray Wolf by Louise Penny

Book Flight

• Ordinary Grace by William Kent Kreuger
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
• An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Dessert Pairing

• Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler

Ready for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE.

Support the show

Be sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Website