Watch Sharon and Elsa M on WMAR’s Midday Maryland
Stories rarely begin on the first page and they don’t end there either. Between the Lines with Sharon Virts is Sharon’s bi-monthly feature on WMAR’s local lifestyle show, Midday Maryland, where she joins host Elsa M to bring history to life in a fresh and engaging way. Each segment dives beyond the surface of her novels, uncovering the real people, places, and events that inspired the stories and the surprising truths that history often leaves untold.
Through these on-air conversations, Sharon shares the research, creativity, and personal passion that shape her writing. Whether she’s exploring early American history, revealing the backstory behind a character, or connecting past events to present-day themes, Between the Lines offers viewers a richer, more meaningful way to experience her work, hobbies, and passions one story at a time
Episode Offers & Giveaways
Discover the extras from each episode, including giveaways, ways to connect, and special ways to dive deeper into Sharon Virts’ world.
Between the Lines Episode Guide
March 2026: Inspired by History
In this March 2026 episode of Between the Lines, Sharon Virts shares the unexpected journey that led her from restoring a long-abandoned historic home to becoming a bestselling author. What began as a challenging renovation project soon evolved into a deeply creative pursuit as Sharon uncovered the rich history of the house and its former residents.
Fascinated by the life of Armistead Mason, a War of 1812 veteran who died in a duel, Sharon found inspiration for her debut novel, Masque of Honor. She reflects on how the home’s generational stories, spanning centuries of American history, shaped her storytelling and deepened her connection to the past. Through themes of forgiveness, family, and resilience, Sharon brings history to life; demonstrating how place and story are often intertwined in powerful and unexpected ways.
February 2026: Write Your Own Story
In the February 2026 episode of Between the Lines, titled Write Your Own Story, Sharon Virts shares her unconventional path from entrepreneur to bestselling novelist and encourages viewers to embrace their own creative journeys. Drawing on a lifelong habit of journaling and storytelling, Sharon explains how her background in business helped shape her ability to inspire others through narrative.
She offers practical advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of knowing your story’s ending, developing a compelling protagonist, and simply getting started. Sharon also highlights the power of empathy in bringing historical figures to life, using a journal-style approach to connect with her characters. To help others begin, she introduces her prompted journal designed to spark ideas and reduce overwhelm. Ultimately, this episode is a motivating reminder that it’s never too late to start writing your own story.
January 2026: The Fields of Honor Series
In this episode of Between the Lines, Sharon Virts returns to share exciting updates on her award-winning novel The Grays of Truth, recently named Best Historical Fiction at the 2025 International Book Awards. She also introduces her expanding Fields of Honor series, beginning with the re-release of Masque of Honor, set in the politically charged early 1800s.
Sharon explores how the themes in her work, integrity, ambition, rivalry, and moral conflict, mirror both historical and modern-day politics. Drawing inspiration from real events and family dynamics, including her own experience raising four sons, she brings authenticity and emotional depth to her storytelling. With new titles on the horizon, including Bargains of Fate and Swamp of Lies, Sharon continues to craft compelling narratives that reveal how history echoes into the present.
April 2025: The Love of Reading
In this episode of Between the Lines, Sharon Virts highlights the continued growth and success of her virtual book club, Read with Sharon, which has expanded from a small group of friends into a thriving community of more than 3,000 readers nationwide. What began during the early days of the pandemic has evolved into a dynamic monthly experience, with live discussions and a loyal audience tuning in from across the country.
Sharon shares how the club offers a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective by inviting featured authors to join each session, creating engaging, author-to-author conversations. Focused on current historical fiction, each selection is carefully curated to deliver compelling storytelling and meaningful discussion. Through this growing community, Sharon brings readers closer to the creative process while fostering a shared love of literature.
December 2024: The Grays of Truth
In this episode of Between the Lines, Sharon Virts discusses her historical thriller The Grays of Truth, set in 1872 Baltimore and inspired by a real-life mystery within the powerful Wharton family. The story follows a woman determined to uncover the truth behind a series of suspicious deaths; despite resistance from authorities and her own family.
Sharon shares insights into her research-intensive writing process, from studying court records and genealogy to uncovering the realities of the 19th-century legal system, particularly the challenges women faced. She explains how she builds her narratives by mapping key events, developing strong protagonists, and writing the ending first to guide the story. Blending fact with fiction, Sharon aims to make history vivid, accessible, and emotionally engaging for modern readers, bringing past events to life with the pace and intrigue of a contemporary thriller.
