Steam Scenes

On this episode of Steam Scenes, Emma Barry is on the steam seat! Emma is a teacher, novelist, recovering academic, and former political staffer. She lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, and she occasionally finds time to read and write. Emma and I talk about how English studies weaponizes taste, how any writing you do is intrinsically valuable, and that literary fiction and romance are not as far apart as readers (ahem some readers) think. Then we get real about how sometimes we have a hard slog through the rough patches of being a writer and Emma shares how she managed to overcome it. And I read a steamy excerpt from her book Chick Magnet. Buckle in, my friends, we're in for a steamy ride! Grab your copy of Chick Magnet.Follow Emma on the internet: AuthorEmmaBarry.com TwitterInstagramPinterestSpotify

Noué Kirwan joins me for this episode and our conversation is everything! We're dissecting the chili peppers, digging into her introduction to the romance genre, and talking about the importance of being a black woman writer. Get your ears ready, this one is fire! 

Hey there my steamy friends. After an unexpected hiatus, Steam Scenes is coming back with new episodes!

Lee Blair is on the Steam Seat this week and this is an awesome conversation. We drill down into what makes a book low angst, why she prefers writing low angst to high, and what drew her to writing in the M/M genre. Plus I read a naughty bit from her book Eternal Hoptimist (I am HERE for the punny titles!) and we talk about her excellent podcast Low Angst Library.  Visit Lee online: InstagramFacebookTikTokFacebook groupLowAngstLibrary.com 

Maggie Sims went from romance addict to romance author when she was laid off from her tech job. She scratched her author itch by penning a contemporary romance. But when the pay phones in the novel dated it real quick, she decided to go all in on Regency romance. We dig into how language does a lot of work for us, erotic romance vs. erotica, and whether she will ever pull away from the kink. Plus I read a steamy bit from her book Sophia's Schooling, the first book in her School of Enlightenment Series. (BTW, Regency fans, book 3 in the series, Althea's Awakening, just released in April!) Connect with Maggie:MaggieSims.com InstagramTikTokTwitter FacebookBookBub

Slow-burn romance author Sandra Young joins me on the latest episode of Steam Scenes! Find out how vintage fashion inspires her writing, learn about her wild background as an actor and rock and roll frontwoman, and how her different creative lives fuel each other, and why she opted to lower the heat level of her book. Plus we dissect women's fiction and romance fiction, and I read an intimate scene from her debut romance novel Diving Vintage. Connect with Sandra online: SandraYoungAuthor.comGoodreadsInstagramBookBub

It's time for a new episode of Steam Scenes and Kelly Ohlert is this week's guest! We talk about her debut rom com To Get to the Other Side and, of course, writing the naughty bits. It's a great conversation filled with lots of talk about sexual freedom and independence so you know I was there for it! Connect with Kelly online:TikTokInstagramTwitterFacebook

Meredith Schorr is on the steam seat this week and all cheer for the single pov writers! We talk about writing Big City settings, getting inspo from our fave TV series, and how to write naughty bits using less naughty words. And I read a steamy excerpt from her debut novel As Seen on TV. Grab a copy of As Seen on TV.Connect with Meredith online:MeredithShore.comTwitterInstagram 

Erin La Rosa is on the Steam Seat and this is a fun one! This episode is all about one number and it starts with a 6, and ends with a 9. And yes, feel free to giggle! Erin and I talked about why she left what she thought would be a dream job in publishing, how her work in the pop culture trenches inform her writing, and I read a naughty bit from her punny rom-com For Butter or Worse. Plug in your earbuds – fun episode ahead! Interested in pre-ordering an anthology that features my short story The Devil's Tattoo? Grab your copy of Reckless Deck's anthology Tabula Rasa. Connect with Erin online:ErinLaRosaCreative.comTwitter Instagram TikTok  Finally, love this podcast? Don't forget to rate and review on your fave podcast app! 

AC James is on the Steam Seat this week and we need to start this with a content warning. We have that conversation about the Amber Heard/Johnny Depp trial and the troubling things we noticed around romancelandia and society doubts accusers and protects abusers. We also talk about representation and conversations around women's bodies and women's pleasure and the shame that swirls around that. We lighten things up by chatting about very close encounters (wink wink) with aliens. And I read a steamy bit from her book Nin: Earth Girls Aren't Easy, the first book in her  Intergalactic Dating Agency series. If you are up for the conversation, spending time with AC is well worth it.  Grab a copy of Nin and Not Well Behaved Women, her multi-author group project for charity. Connect with AC online:ACJames.comTikTokFacebookTwitterInstagramBookBubGoodreadsIf you enjoy Steam Scenes, don't forget to rate and review on your favorite podcast app!

Ashlyn Drewek writes dark, gritty MM romance but after her characters slay their demons (personal or otherwise)  they always have a happily ever after. Ashlyn joins me on this episode to talk about writing in the dark space – including writing dubcon and noncon — while retaining your own mental health, why she prefers to read and write MM stories, and how she always stays authentic to her characters. Grab a copy of Malum DiscordiaeConnect with Ashlyn online:AshlynDrewek.com

Jess Everlee had rejection after rejection before she submitted for A Gentleman's Book of Vices and got her first book deal. It's a story of perseverance, not paying attention to market forces, and researching those naughty Victorians. Plus Hustler Hollywood makes an appearance! Plug in those headphones and get ready for the steam!Grab a copy of A Gentleman's Book of Vices. Connect with Jess online: JessEverlee.com www.jesseverlee.com FacebookInstagramNewsletter signup

New year, new episode! This week, I chat with book blogger Laura Nelson, also known as Tangents and Tissues. Laura and I dig into how she ended up as a book blogger and bookstagrammer, her fave tropes and heat levels, and how reading is a form of therapy for her.  I loved recording this episode. Laura has been a massive supporter of my writing, and I wanted to point a spotlight on the incredible work she does for the author community. Laura, you are a star! xo Connect with Laura online:InstagramFacebookAmazonBookBubGoodreads

Happy New Year and good riddance 2022! This is a special Steam Scenes solocast where I get very, very real about 2022, share my word for 2023, and read a naughty bit from Free Falling, the fifth book in my LA Rock Star Romance series. I wasn't planning on being so honest for this New Year episode, but I spent much of the holiday week in contemplation (also called, running through my financials in preparation for tax season).  And I realized that we never talk about the hard shit. I probably look like I'm out there killing it to so many people, but the reality is pretty different. And I wanted to talk about that because you know what? It's okay if your year wasn't what you wanted it to be. Mine definitely wasn't.  You can grab Free Falling over at Amazon (it's in KU!). And if you would rate and review Steam Scenes on your favorite podcast app, I'd love you forever. It helps with this podcast's visibility (and also gives my ego a little boost).  Cheers to an epic 2023. I think we all deserve it! 

Tarin Lex writes short-form steamy romance – think under 10,000 words. How do you get a full story told in such a compressed story? Tarin explains her process. Plus we talk about what makes forbidden romance so sexy and how she feels like as a writer she has permission to go really over the top because she's writing shorter works  Plus, I read a steamy bit from her book Wanted by the Hitman (which she wrote as an experiment to get into darker, edgier work).Connect with Tarin online:TarinLex.com FacebookInstagramBookBubGoodreadsThis episode is brought to you by my own shorty, Vegas Wonderland. This insta-love holiday novella is a prequel to the LA Rock Star Romance series and features fan favorite Vivienne and it's the start of her love story with Jack Casey. Available on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. Happy hols! 

The Queen of Christmas Romance Samantha Chase joins this very special holiday episode! This one is filled with a ton of laughs and we go there! How we both feel about aging in the TikTok era, writing naughty but not too naughty, Hallmark holiday movies, and tons more. Plus I read a steamy moment from her book His for the Holidays. Crack open the egg nog; it's a very special episode!  Grab a copy of His for the Holidays on Amazon.  Hang out with Samantha online:Chasing-Romance.com Facebook InstagramTwitterReader Group Mailing list (featuring exclusive content and chances to win members-only prizes!) And don't forget! You have one more day to join Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Launchpad. The doors close tomorrow -- December 1. If you are a brand new author who wants to supercharge your career or an intermediate author who would like a little more guidance on growth, the Launchpad is the perfect place to gain knowledge and grow your author business. Details here! And, since I am an affiliate, using that link to purchase helps support this podcast!

An unexpected conversation with author Carol Shaughnessy at DragonCon propelled Harper Michaels into finishing “ the damn thing.” She ended up releasing eight books (eight!) in a year! In this Steam Scenes episode, Harper and I talk about outing ourselves to our friends and family about our steamy romance writing, how we are still terrified when we release a book, and how to redeem irredeemable characters. Plus I read a steam bit from her novel Chasing You (check it out on Amazon). Hang with Harper online:AuthorHarperMichaels.comInstagramFacebookTikTok This episode is brought to you by Mark Dawson's Self Publishing Launchpad. The doors are now open but only until December 1. Are you a brand new author who wants to supercharge your career? Or are you an intermediate who would like a little more guidance on growth? The Launchpad is the perfect place to gain knowledge and grow your author business. Details here! And when you buy through my link, you help support this podcast! 

You are in for a treat this episode! I hosted Steam Scenes for the first time ever live at the Fall In Love New England conference and Lisa Olech was my guest. We're talking pirate sex and sexy pirates, erotica vs. steamy romance, and the differences in writing the naughty bits in historical vs. contemporary romance. And this was all LIVE in front of an actual audience! Plus I read a steamy scene from her book The Pirate Wore White. Don't miss this extra fun episode! Grab a copy of The Pirate Wore White.Connect with Lisa online:LisaOlech.com

Bethany Bennett has returned to the Steam Seat and I am HERE for it! Ever wonder why we have billionaires and dukes and all manner of wealthy men in our romance novels? Escapism and fun, sure, but our brains are telling us something more.  Bethany and I dig into that. Plus we talk about her penchant for tipsy baking, her new puppy, and I get schooled in Regency vs. Victorian fashion. Then we talk about how we climb over mountains of past shame to write the naughty bits. Stay for me reading a steamy scene (and you know Bethany does amazing steamy scenes) from her latest book Dukes Do It Better.Connect with Bethany online:Twitter Instagram Facebook Facebook Reader GroupGoodreadsBookbub TikTok 

Jo Wilde is on the Steam Seat this week and I loved this conversation. We're talking about writing a romance between married couples, keeping the romance alive in a long-term relationship, and how sexual tension is a big part of writing intimate moments. And Jo lets me in on a little hint about how she knows her steamy scenes are doing the trick. (Hint, it has to do with a tingle.) Plus I read excerpts from her lockdown love story Just the Two of Us. Connect with Jo online:Twitter Facebook This episode is brought to you by The Groomsday Prophecy, the first book in my NEW Pt. Jude series. Available for pre-order from Amazon! 

Michelle Major wrote 40 books in 10 years. Forty books! Ten years! We dig into a lot of stuff in this episode, including how she was 30 when she read her first romance and she turned to the genre as a form of solace for a super stressful day job, why we both think the romance community is the best community, and how we love writing the sidekick characters! And we both nerd out over The Boys. This was one of my favorite interviews to record – listen to the end because we're talking about throbbing c*cks! Plus I read steamy snippers from her book Wedding Season. Hawt, as the kids say.Connect with Michelle online:FacebookInstagram This episode is brought to you by The Groomsday Prophecy, my next release! This gender-swapped Runaway Bride kicks off a new small-town series. Coming out on October 6, the book is available for pre-order on Amazon and will be in KU!

Jo McNally is on the Steam Seat this week and we're talking about her book When Sparks Fly, which is part of her Rendezvous Falls series. Jo and I discuss why it's vital to write older characters finding love, why she enjoys writing the male POV, how Victoria Holt was her gateway to romance, and why writing kids into a story can sometimes take it to another level.This episode is brought to you by Canva. Get a graphic designer in your pocket and support the show!Connect with Jo online:WebsiteFacebookJo McNally's Reader Rendezvous (FB Group)InstagramPinterest

We have S.J. Tilly's day job to thank for her books. While she was on the road for work, she conjured stories in her head. By the time she wrote them all down, she had five books ready for rapid release. Our conversation is free-flowing and wide-ranging — moving from the mechanics of writing romance to the mechanics of sex to how writing and reading romance is part of our evil plan to dismantle the patriarchy. Plus, I read an excerpt from her super steamy book Smoky Darling. This podcast is brought to you by ProWriting Aid, the AI editing software that I use before shipping my manuscript off to my editor. Visit ElleGreco.rocks/ProWritingAid to give it a test drive! Hook up with SJ online:SJTilly.com InstagramFacebookTikTok

Cat Wynn joins me on the steam seat this week! We're talking about achieving the perfect snack, what makes alpha males alpha (it's not what you think!), and why Partner Track was the first book she ever finished. Come for the snacks but stay for the steam when I read an intimate moment from Partner Track. Connect with Cat online:InstagramTwitterTall, Dark & Fictional podcast 

Jenni Bara's day job as a paralegal in family law (“writing real life unhappily ever afters”) made her an avid romance reader turned writer.  We talk about character compatibility, second chance romances, and how her job helped her write stories. AND! Fun fact! Her nitpicky boss (!!) proofreads all her books, steamy bits and all! Hers was the very first romance he ever read. We also get down and dirty about housework — Roomba should sponsor this episode. Plus I read a steamy moment from her book More Than a Hero, the third book in her Becoming An Evans series.Connect with Jenni online:TikTok FacebookInstagram Twitter JenniBara.com

Charlie Beauvoir is on this week's Steam Seat and it's another epic conversation. When Charlie considered writing romance, they wanted to write emotionally aware men and strong women as well as add to the queer romance canon. Charlie shares with me about working as a phone sex operator, how their job in security was just like Stephanie Plumb, how they wanted to re-write the romantic hero, and writing sensitively and accurately about trauma. Plus, I read a super steamy scene from their debut novel Captivating. Grab your copy of Captivating.  Connect with Charlie online: CharlieBeauvoir.orgInstagramTwitterPatreon

Would you consider having a male crime writer Beta read your steamy romance book? That's exactly what Evie Alexander does! In this Steam Scenes episode, Evie shares the madness to her writing method, how her career as a filmmaker helped (or hindered!) her work as a novelist, and how she deleted 19,000 words of pure sex from her first novel. We go deep, talking about how romance writing (and reading) aligns with women's pleasure and female empowerment. Plus, I read from her brilliant rom-com Hollywood Games.Grab a copy of Hollywood Games.  Connect with Evie online:EvieAlexanderAuthor.comInstagramFacebook PinterestTwitter GoodreadsBookBub

Buckle up friends, this is one a wild ride! The brilliant Mia Michele is this week's guest and this one is a doozy! Our totally 80s conversation spans soap opera tropes and Greek shipping tycoons and we both fangirl over Sidney Sheldon. And, Mia talks about writing authentic BDSM in romance. We even divert to a converstion about wine! So it's a boozy doozy. Be sure to check out her astounding epic Mafia romance Faultline on Amazon.Connect with Mia online:MiaMichele.com Facebook: MiaMicheleBooksInstagram @MiaMicheleAuthor 

Contemporary romance author Kitty Berry manages to release three to four books a year even with a full time job, a family, and running RomanticConn, Connecticut's premiere romance author signing event. Hear how 50 Shades turned her on (heh) to romance, how she leans towards writing dom/sub stories,  and how she manages to get so damn much done in a day. Plus, I read a steamy excerpt from Blossom Springs: Book 2.Connect with Kitty online:Website: http://www.kittyberryauthor.com Facebook Profile Page: https://www.facebook.com/kitty.berry.334 Facebook Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/197426327440415 Kitty Berry Books, LLC. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kittyberrybooks Twitter: https://twitter.com/kittyberrybooks Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Berry/e/B00DT2HUZ4 Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7166372.Kitty_Berry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittyberryauthor TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd5foQK3 

Julie Hamilton is on the Steam Seat this week! From plotting and pantsing, to fake dates and fake kissing, to the importance of reading women vocalize what gives them pleasure, Julie and I dig deep to mine the elements that go into writing her steamy scenes. Plus I read excerpts from a steamy moment in her book Just for Show and we talk about real estate porn.Connect with Julie online at:Twitter: twitter.com/JHamiltonAuthor Instagram: instagram.com/juliehamiltonauthor Website: juliehamiltonauthor.com

I know just enough about music to be dangerous (and write rock star romances!). So I am super excited to branch out on the podcast with singer-songwriter Katy Oberle. Katy also worked as a couples therapist before transitioning to creative mindfulness coaching so she knows a thing or twelve about intimacy. This is a fascinating conversation about the neurological functions of love and sex and how they are not all that different from how our bodies respond to things like music and romance books. Plus we discuss the lyrics from her beautiful love song Ghost Town. Connect with Katy online: KatyOberleCreative.comInstagramFacebookSpotify 

Amish porn led Sarah Burnard to romancelandia and she hasn't looked back. But, Amish porn aside, she struggled with writing the naughty bits. To get comfortable, she wrote a “dirty, sexy, filthy” book, which got her into Pitch Wars and landed her an agent! See, filth works!  Listen to the end, when I read a sneak peek naughty bit from Sarah's “dirty, sexy, filthy” not-yet-published book Batteries Not Included. Connect with Sarah:Twitter @SarahABurnard Instagram: sarah_burnardWeb: SarahBurnardAuthor.com  

Nan Reinhardt pivoted her career from copy editing and proofreading computer manuals (sexy, right?) to writing romance. Nan and I swoon over the beta hero, discuss how an industry pro told her romances with older MCs weren't saleable, and we talk about steamy moments vs sensual moments and what's harder to write. Plus I read an intimate scene from her book The Valentine Wager (Book 1 in her Lange Brothers series), which was released in early February. Grab The Valentine Wager on Amazon. Connect with Nan online: http://nanreinhardt.com/ https://www.facebook.com/authornanreinhardt https://twitter.com/nanreinhardt http://instagram.com/nanreinhardt https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nan-reinhardt https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58524645-the-valentine-wager

Kelle Z. Riley is in the Steam Seat! In this episode, we talk about how she's a sucker for a Cinderella story, how her writing process includes interviewing her characters, and how she battles the beauty standards society sets on women in her writing. We also get into the similarities between cozy mysteries and romance, and why she loves writing women-centered stories. And we get into writing sexual tension vs. just writing sex. And I read a steamy scene from book one in her Riches and Royals series, Read My Lips. Kelle has some wild career and life experiences that inform her writing and talking to her all about it was such a treat! Pour a glass of wine or a cup of tea and settle in for a great convo! Grab a copy of Read My Lips on Amazon. Hang out with Kelle online:Website: https://www.kellezriley.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KelleZRiley Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellezriley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelle.riley/ Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/kellezriley Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/kellezriley BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelle-z-riley YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOS2wjhd3j2_DANos1Hlccw 

Eliana West is in the Steam Seat! Eliana never imagined being a writer. Originally, she was in retail. But when the economic collapse in 2008 shuttered her clothing boutique, she decided to do NaNoWriMo to “feed her soul” and she was hooked. (Fun fact: Her first book was handwritten!) There's a ton happening in this ep! We talk about why she chose to write sweet vs steamy, then we take a wide turn to discuss Victorian erotica, before veering back to discuss her work with Writers for Diversity. Oh, and there's wine! Come join us on this wild ride! Connect with Eliana online:FB: Facebook.com/ElianaWestAuthor IG: @ElianaWestBooks ElianaWest.comWriters for Diversity FB: Facebook.com/WritersForDiversity Grab a copy of her book The Way Forward, the first book in her Heart of Colton series, on Amazon.

Strip down and get comfy, because Rien Gray is on the mic and we have a whole lot to talk about. We dive into how writing mobile romance games were Rien's gateway into the romance world, writing non-binary and f/f romance, and why representation matters. Plus, we talk about how they wrote the MC romance that I've been dying to read! Also, did you know there's a Leather Archives Museum in Chicago? Me neither! And, in a first for the podcast, I make Rien pre-blush! But wait, there's more! I read a gorgeous steamy scene from their debut novella Love Kills Twice. This ep's epic! Connect with Rien online:Twitter: riengray Website: https://www.riengray.com/And grab a copy of Love Kills Twice and Her Wolf in the Wild! 

Michelle McLean is on the Steam Seat this week! We talk about how she waded through 200 rejections before landing a contract with Entangled, how Victoria Holt drew her into romance, nerd out on paranormal romance vs. urban fantasy, and just have a general blast talking all things hot and heavy. And she shares what it takes for her to get the steam scene from brain to page! Plus I read a smokin' hot scene from Hitched to the Gunslinger.  Want to hang with Michelle online? Get to all the stalking sites from here:https://michellemcleanbooks.com/social-media/Grab your copy of Hitched to the Gunslinger on Amazon. 

Romance writer Jody Holford is this week's guest and she's bringing the sweet and the cozy! We talk about how to bring intimacy without writing naughty bits, the struggle with reader expectations, and I learn that the one kiss rule is Hallmark Sweet! And I read an exclusive (!!) advance excerpt from her book Home is Where the Body Is, which comes out on August 23, 2022.  Connect with Jody online:Where can listeners find you on the internet/social media? Please provide links.https://twitter.com/jody_holford https://www.facebook.com/Authorjodyholford/ https://www.instagram.com/jody_holford/ https://www.pinterest.ca/jholford/_saved/ http://www.jodyholfordauthor.com/

Janet Walden-West is on this week's Steam Seat! Janet and I get honest about how we both struggle to trust that conflicts developed through relationships are enough to sustain our books. Plus we talk about consent and dubcon, and the importance of sensitivity readers. And I read a naughty bit from her book Agent Zero, which is part of her Region Two urban fantasy series. Hook up with Janet online: Website: http://www.janetwaldenwest.weebly.com FB: www.facebook.com/janetwaldenwestauthor Twitter: @JanetWaldenWest Instagram: janetwaldenwest Grab a copy of Agent Zero on Amazon. 

Kelsey McKnight and Sarah Fischer join me this week to talk about heat hoping! (Yes, it's a twofer!) Separately, they write steamy. But when they write together, they keep it sweet. We talk about writing with your BFF, penning Grammy-approved romance, and how an emotional connection can bring intimacy but maybe not the heat. (And that's okay!) And I read excerpts from Sarah's book Third Wheel and Kelsey's book What Happens in the Ruins. Grab a copy of their book Operation Valentine, Sarah's book Third Wheel, and Kelsey's book What Happens in the Ruins. Connect with them online: https://kissatmidnight.wordpress.com Instagram: @akissatmidnight TikTok @kissatmidnight Twitter (Kelsey): https://twitter.com/kelseymmck Goodreads (Kelsey): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16607432.Kelsey_McKnight BookBub (Kelsey): https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kelsey-mcknight Twitter (Sarah): https://twitter.com/SarhAlexander7 Goodreads (Sarah): https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3315970.Sarah_Fischer BookBub (Sarah): https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sarah-fischer  

Tricia Lynne is steaming up the mic with me this week. In this episode, Tricia and I talk about the importance of mentorship, writing curvy heroines, and what it's like to write an erotic masterpiece. Plus we dig into imposter syndrome and writing sex for the over-40s. Then I read a smoking hot excerpt from her book Protective Instinct. Connect with Tricia online:https://linktr.ee/tricialynnewritesGrab a copy of Protective Instinct: The Unloveabulls Book 1.  

Katie Frey popped her romance cherry with Janet Oakely's When Calls the Heart. We talk about how her husband may or may not look like Kevin Costner, where she gets her inspiration for steam, and her Outlander obsession. And we ask the question: Is there such a thing as too much steam? Plus, I read a naughty bit from her novel Nearly Her.  Connect with Katie on: https://www.instagram.com/romanceinthealps https://www.tiktok.com/@romanceinthealpshttps://twitter.com/SwissMissKate www.romanceinthealps.com

CJ Warrant's romance writing spans just about every trope in the genre. Dark, thriller, m/m, sweet(ish), you name it, she's probably written it. On this episode of Steam Scenes, CJ and I talk about writing dark moments, how she loves torturing her characters, and writing about cancer and falling in love. And I read a steamy scene from her novella Four Days. Grab her latest romantic thriller Dance of the Mourning Cloak on Amazon.Connect with CJ online: www.cjwarrant.com/newsletter www.cjwarrant.com www.facebook.com/cjwarrantauthor/ www.twitter.com/cjwarrant www.instagram.com/cjwarrant/ www.pinterest.com/cjwarrant/ www.goodreads.com/cjwarrant/ 

Paris Wynters is a thrill-seeking author who writes adrenaline-fueled romance that celebrated diverse characters. We talk about the importance of representation in romance and the importance of own voices, how writing sweet romance is more difficult than steamy, and how the internal struggles of the characters in romance turn her on (as a writer). We dissect a scene from the first book in her Navy SEALs of Little Creek series, Issued, and it may just be the steamiest excerpt I've read to date!  Connect with Paris online:facebook.com/pariswynters instagram.com/pariswynters twitter.com/pariswynters www.pariswynters.com And check out the latest book in her Navy SEALs series Assigned.

Christina Berry joins me for Steam Scenes! We talk about vampire princes in four-poster beds, have a fascinating conversation about Cherokee Nation history, and dive into how romance novels give a voice to feminist issues. And I read an excerpt from her novel Up for Air so you know that brings the steam!Connect with Christina online: https://christinaberry.com https://www.instagram.com/authorchristinaberry/ 

Sloane Steele joins me and spills ALL the tea on book-to-TV adaptations. (Guess who liked the Virgin River Netflix series more than the book?) She shares how Nora Roberts was her gateway to romance, how the TV show Leverage inspired her to write a heist romance, and how writing sex in public doesn't phase her. And we talk about pre-writing with enneagrams because writing heists are hard!Connect with Sloane:www.SloaneSteele.comhttps://www.instagram.com/sloanesteeleauthor/ https://twitter.com/SSchroeder_ https://www.facebook.com/shannyn.schroeder And check out It Takes a Thief on Amazon 

What does having a pet squirrel have to do with writing steamy scenes? Nothing! But Squeaky stole the show in this interview with Contemporary Romance writer Claire Marti. We laugh about ex-fiancés, she teaches me about Phantom Mares, and we discuss how a string of personal tragedies brought her to write Happily Ever Afters. Plus hear super-steamy excerpts from her novel The Wonder of You. Connect with Claire online: Website: www.clairemarti.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMartiAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairepmarti Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Claire-Marti/e/B01N9VOWLL Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8203678.Claire_Marti Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/claire-marti Romance Chicks Partypalooza: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605836599714577  Check out The Wonder of You on Amazon. 

Kilby Blades is this week's guest! We have a fantastic (and topical) conversation about what it means to write feminist romance, genre expectations in women's fiction vs romance, and how understanding food and food writing helped her write her steamy scenes. Plus we dig into Alpha and Beta heroes. And for the first time on the podcast, Kilby shares a First Time scene from her book The Art of Worship.  Connect with Kilby online:https://www.kilbyblades.com/readersubscribe (Newsletter) · https://www.amazon.com/Kilby-Blades/e/B01N4770M0 (Amazon)  https://www.facebook.com/groups/kilbyskorner/ (FB Reader Group) · http://www.facebook.com/kilbybladesauthor (FB Official Author Page) http://www.twitter.com/kilbyblades (Twitter)  http://www.instagram.com/kilbyblades (Instagram)  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kilby-blades (BookBub) · https://www.goodreads.com/kilbyblades (Goodreads)

This episode's steam talker is Renee Rocco. After a thirteen-year hiatus, Renee returned to romancelandia with Wraith, the first book in her gloriously sexy Masters of Mayhem series. We talk about ignoring the romance haters, taking time off to start her own romance imprint that was bought out by Harlequin, and writing at the intersection of sex and violence. She also shares some fun facts about she makes her husband squirm!  Follow Renee online:https://reneerocco.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reneeroccoauthorBookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/renee-roccoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneeroccoauthor/ 

USA Today best-selling author Melonie Johnson, aka #thewritinglush, is this week's guest! We talk about writing taboo topics, what it's like to narrate your own books, and the impracticalities of having sex on a horse (or in a Papasan chair). Get your ears ready. This is a fun one!  Find Melonie on the internet onWebsite: https://meloniejohnson.com/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18305208.Melonie_Johnson BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melonie-johnson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelonieWrites Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelonieJohnson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meloniejohnson/ And on Instagram as The Writing Lush: https://www.instagram.com/thewritinglush/And don't forget to grab a copy of her latest book, Too Good To Be Real! 

Bethany Bennett admitted that she collects best friends and now I count myself as one of them! We talk about how the writer of a leprechaun alien story turned into the author of these wonderful, steamy historical romances. She also shares novel ways to burying bodies and we talk about how romance books helped heal her after an abusive marriage. So this episode comes with a major content warning, so please take care.  This episode comes with a Content Warning. If you can handle discussions around abuse, this is an epic conversation about women reclaiming their pleasure through romance novels and writing Regency romance. Plus I learn what a French letter is! (Hint: And it's not a French person with something to say.)Connect with Bethany online: Twitter: https://twitter.com/bethanyromance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BethanyBennettHistoricalRomance Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bethanybennettshive Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19789823.Bethany_Bennett Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/bethany-bennett  And grab a copy of Any Rogue Will Do on Amazon!