In Sole Survivor by Derek Hansen, Rosie Trethewey leaves her unhappy city life after inheriting a remote shack on New Zealand’s Great Barrier Island, hoping for a fresh start. There, she meets two isolated and troubled neighbors, Red O’Hara, a traumatized former prisoner of war, and Angus McLeod, a bitter retired policeman, whose lives she gradually changes. As outside forces threaten their island home, the three form an unlikely bond and learn to heal from the pain of their pasts.

My guest this week is author Heather Morris. In 2003, Heather met Lale Sokolov, whose story inspired The Tattooist of Auschwitz, now one of the 21st century’s bestselling books and adapted in 2024 as a widely acclaimed Stan Original Series. It was followed by Cilka’s Journey and Three Sisters, completing the Tattooist trilogy.

Her first contemporary novel, The Wish, was inspired by her years working in a public hospital, alongside families facing the toughest of times with love and courage. The Wish’s US publication date is May 5, 2026. Her upcoming novel, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse, releases in October 2026, and tells the story of French Resistance fighter Andrée Levallois, who risked her life to protect one of her students during the war. Heather’s books have sold over 19 million copies worldwide.

The drink this week is one Heather enjoys on vacation, and I enjoy most days: Chardonnay! I have to note that since Heather is in Australia and I am in the US, during the actual recording of this she was enjoying her morning coffee while I sipped a cold glass of wine.

In this Episode

Books by Heather Morris

Pākehā population New Zealand

Māori People

Crowded House Band

Neil Finn

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck is a surreal love story about newlyweds Wren and Lewis, whose marriage is upended when Lewis is diagnosed with a rare condition that will slowly transform him into a great white shark. As they confront grief, change, and the limits of love, the novel uses magical realism to explore what it means to stay connected when life becomes unrecognizable.

A nonprofit leader by day, Ashley spends her free time volunteering; chasing down Richmond’s best hikes and restaurants with her friends, family, and pup; and adventuring across the globe. A recovering English major, she’ll take any excuse to turn a good read into a great conversation.

Ashley is the Executive Director of Communities in Schools Chesterfield, and on May 12th they are having their first ever Adult Spelling Bee Fundraiser! You should definitely come to raise some money for a great cause, also - I will be one of their “Celebrity Spellers” so come witness me failing horribly at spelling!

Spelling bee tickets: https://cisofchesterfield.networkforgood.com/events/96878-cis-c-adult-spelling-bee-extravaganza

Searn more about CIS: www.cisofchesterfield.org

Our drink this week is the Metamorphosis Cocktail, which I absolutely loved - it literally changes colors!

Metamorphosis Cocktail

Ingredients

2 oz gin

1 oz butterfly pea tea (cooled)

¾ oz fresh lemon juice

½ oz Simple Syrup

Ice

Optional flair:

Edible glitter

Black sugar or salt rim

Lemon twist or edible flower

Directions:

Brew butterfly pea tea by steeping 1–2 tsp dried flowers in ½ cup hot water for 5–7 minutes; strain and cool.

Fill a glass with ice and add 2 oz gin + 1 oz cooled butterfly pea tea.

Slowly pour in ¾ oz fresh lemon juice and watch the color change from blue to purple.

Stir in ½ oz simple syrup to taste, then garnish if desired.

In This Episode

Shadowlands Film Quote (I could not remember who to attribute this to while we were recording)

Speculative Fiction

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger is a techno-thriller and family drama about the moral fallout of a fatal crash involving an autonomous minivan. The novel follows the Cassidy-Shaw family as they confront guilt, secrets, and the ethical questions surrounding AI after their teenage son, Charlie, is involved in the accident while the car is in self-driving mode. It explores themes of technology's impact on human relationships, corporate greed, and the complex dynamics between parents and teenagers.

My guest this week is Barbara Ferrara. She is a librarian, mother, lifelong learner, passionate reader who loves to travel and is currently learning Spanish.

Our drink this week is an Old Fashioned, since it is the opposite of AI. I also made sure to pick a Virginian bourbon, since the author, Bruce Holsinger, lives here in Virginia! I went with the Tarnished Truth Bourbon, which is brewed in the famous Cavalier Hotel at Virginia Beach!

Old Fashioned Recipe

1 teaspoon sugar

3 dashes Angostura bitters

1 teaspoon water

2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey, if preferred)

Garnish: orange twist

In This Episode

Meta AI book heist

Descript

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger

Tickets to Live Show with Meg Medina April 18th