Washington Post national food reporter Emily Heil joins Cara and PJ on Skip to the Good Part to dish on her debut novel, A Pinch of Magic! Emily shares the deliciously fun concept behind her story - what happens when an introverted cookbook ghostwriter meets an actual ghost who has an unfinished mission - set against the cozy backdrop of a coastal Virginia small town (complete with a hunky carpenter and plenty of mouthwatering dishes). Emily and Cara talk about trading hard news deadlines for fiction, overcoming imposter syndrome, why food serves as its own emotional love language on the page, and PJ delivers an all-time pep talk on why authors should never let anonymous online reviewers steal their joy.

Pre-order your copy of A Pinch of Magic (available October 6th) wherever books are sold, including Bookshop.org.

Follow Emily on Instagram: @emilyaheil.

Order Kiss, Marry, Kill and check out Cara’s full book catalog at caratheauthor.com.

Award-winning author, actress, producer, and arts advocate Christy Scott Cashman joins Cara and PJ on Skip to the Good Part! Christy takes us inside her second novel, What Happened in Beulah, a twisty 1980s mystery set in the Smoky Mountains centered on town gentrification, missing persons, dark family secrets, and the magnetic pull of Dollywood's opening day. Christy opens up about transitioning from screenwriting and feature films (American Hustle, Joy) to novel writing, the power of letting characters take the wheel, and why reading creates a one-to-one emotional connection that movies simply can't match. Plus, Cara and Christy bond over childhood latchkey resilience, surviving the creative struggle, and plotting a dream writing retreat!

Pre-order your copy of What Happened in Beulah (out October 20th) and pick up The Truth About Horses wherever books are sold.

Visit Christy's official website: christycashman.com to find upcoming book events and join her newsletter.

Follow Christy on Instagram: @cashman_christy.

Order Kiss, Marry, Kill and explore all of Cara’s books at caratheauthor.com.

USA Today bestselling author Kristen Vale joins Cara and PJ to talk about her delightful world of queer, cozy romantasy! Kristen dives into her newest novel, A Spell of Heart and Havoc, introducing us to a half-dwarf thief, a disgraced noblewoman, and their deliciously chaotic "haters-to-lovers" romance. Plus, she shares how D&D and cooking inspire her whimsical world-building, what it really takes to balance a full-time publishing job with writing deadlines, and how a white stretch limo to the Renaissance Faire is the ultimate author move!

Grab your copies of A Tale of Mirth and Magic and A Spell of Heart and Havoc wherever books are sold.

Subscribe to Kristen’s Substack, You've Got Vale.

Follow Kristen on Instagram @kristenvalewrites.

Order Kiss, Marry, Kill and check out Cara’s latest books at caratheauthor.com.