I spoke with Measha Stone, a dark romance author of spicy and complex psychological thrillers such as Dolly and Marked, as well as mafia romance series, Mafia Brides and Vicious Sinners. We explored Dolly, one of my favorite reads of 2024, a psychological thriller that blends survivor healing, trauma bonding, and gloriously cathartic revenge, and how she crafts protective heroes, powerful heroines, and that sigh-worthy “ahh” ending after the chaos. Measha shares her writing process, what inspires her, including her favorite authors and films, and how dark romance can be a safe place to feel hard things. We discuss her Vicious Sinners series, including Devious Corruption, her newest book, arriving October 17 on Kindle Unlimited. We also discussed the Mafia Brides series starting point (Taken by Him), her Stalked by a Monster collaboration with Zoe Blake and Sarah Fields. Measha shared a tender love letter to readers to round out this intimate, empowering conversation.

Connect with Love Letters and Books

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelettersandbooks

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lovelettersandbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelettersandbooks/

Write me a love letter: lovelettersandmixtapes@gmail.com

Connect with Measha Stone

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meashastoneauthor

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@meashastone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormeashastone/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meashastone/

Newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vbvyo5r3s1

Website: https://meashastone.com/

I spoke with Tawnya Torres, a dark romance and fantasy romance author, who writes about underrepresented characters. We discussed her latest book, A Taste of Candy, about an unhinged yet tender hacker–stalker FMC who sets her sights on Jeremy, a sweet, lonely office worker living with a chronic heart condition. We talk flipping power dynamics (soft MMC/shameless FMC), compassionate chronic-illness representation in dark romance, and how fanfic roots plus inspiration from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Haunting Adeline shaped this sparkly-pink, vigilante love story. Tawnya also shares her creative restart during lockdown, her audiobooks and fantasy books (A Silent Discovery, At the Castle of Eternal Winter, and Heart of the Machine), and closes with a beautiful love letter to readers about visibility and belonging. And don't miss the wild cold-open recording saga we experienced that could be a book itself.

Connect with Love Letters and Books

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelettersandbooks

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lovelettersandbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelettersandbooks/

Write me a love letter: lovelettersandmixtapes@gmail.com

Connect with Tawnya Torres

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyewestwriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnye_westwriter/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tawnya-Torres/author/B0F798NF83?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1758485618&sr=1-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=cf5fe43b-58dd-46e6-b111-f6c7f7013b08

I spoke with Amanda Jones, author of the Queen City series, a dark forbidden romance series, and the Guardian series, a fantasy romance series. We dive into I Stop Somewhere Waiting for You (Maverick & Jonesie’s forbidden romance across rival gangs), how it sparked We Were Together, and the forthcoming conclusion, As Long As We Live, exploring how redemption, reinvention, and found family power her character-driven plots. Amanda and I discuss the influence of Walt Whitman, Frank O'Hara, and Richard Brautigan, as well as the playlists that score pivotal scenes, and the moments when characters “take the wheel” of her writing. Amanda also shares a moving love letter to her younger self about resilience, believing in yourself, and dreaming big.

Connect with Love Letters and Books

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelettersandbooks

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lovelettersandbooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelettersandbooks/

Write me a love letter: lovelettersandmixtapes@gmail.com

Connect with Amanda Jones

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatauthorchick_ajones

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thatauthorchick_amandajones

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatauthorchick_amandajones/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatauthorchick.amandajones