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.

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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.

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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.

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I spoke with K. Webster, bestselling author of over 150 books and the banned book queen of some of our favorite taboo romance books, including The Wild and The Free. Kristi opens up about writing as escapism, the fierce compassion she brings to her flawed characters, their complicated relationships, and how she navigated backlash and book bans. We discuss challenging happily-ever-afters, trusting the process, double standards for women in publishing, the layered, multi-generational storytelling that fuels books like The Wild, and the real-world research behind the mental health themes in her books.

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I spoke with Tylor Paige, the horror-romance author of Slash or Pass from her Final Girls trilogy, her follow-up novella, Thots and Prayers, and the forthcoming novel, Good For Her. We spoke at length about Tylor’s cult-survivor slasher romances where villains stay villains, the chemistry is electric, and a goth FMC steals everyone’s heart. We explore the difference between dark romance and horror romance, Tylor’s cinematic writing process, the nostalgic roots that inspire her writing (V.C. Andrews, Stephen King, Twilight Zone), and the indie-to-traditional journey that led to her upcoming Hollywood revenge novel, Good For Her. Tylor also shares a vulnerable and inspirational love letter to the readers who championed her work.

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I spoke with Kate James, paranormal romance author, to talk shifter romance, soul-deep bonds, and writing the kind of love that feels a little bit like magic. Inspired by a real backcountry rescue, Kate’s wolf-shifter firefighter novella, Rescued by the Wolf, delivers a tender second-chance romance with fierce pack/found-family vibes and an FMC learning to find her voice. We also dive into her nostalgic, beachy ghost romance Summer’s Ghost (think Gidget with a bit of spice), her Scottish Highlands Cameron Clan shifter world (Desiring the Alpha and Hunting the Alpha), plus witchy novellas (The Witches of Engels) and new books on the way. If you crave wolf shifters, firefighter romance, witches, vampires, and magic, and quick, satisfying novellas that still hit the mark emotionally, this conversation is your next cozy listen. Stay to the end to hear a beautiful love letter Kate wrote for her readers.

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I sat down for a solo episode today. It's my birthday week, and so much has risen to the surface as I process this rollercoaster year. I share a heartfelt, extended dance remix, stream of consciousness love letter from me to you for anyone who needs it today. Live well and love easy. xx Casey

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I spoke with Raya Morris Edwards, the dark cowboy/country romance author of the Sovereign Mountain series, which includes books Sovereign, Westin, Deacon, and the soon-to-be-released Jensen and Jack. We discuss Raya’s “Yellowstone meets 50 Shades of Grey” universe, set in fictionalized rural Montana, where timeless stories and wild landscapes collide with high-spice, age-gap, and BDSM-forward love stories, and themes of trauma and deprivation give way to storytelling about connection, autonomy, and self-discovery. We’ll also explore how Raya transforms a place into a character, a flawed main male character into the ultimate anti-hero, and all while building a life for her main female characters that go from harsh and hopeless to soft and sensual, and how these flawed yet beautiful relationships are explored through intimacy, communication, and kink as healing. Make sure to stay with us to the end, as Raya will share a beautiful love letter to her readers.

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