Talk Spicy To Me

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.
In this season finale episode, Kandi and Giana discuss the realities of life in the publishing trenches, the importance of genuine author friendships, what really happens at writing retreats, and answer reader questions about writing and the romance genre.
The podcast will return this summer after Giana begins maternity leave.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 – Season finale announcement & Giana starting maternity leave early
01:36 – Life in the indie publishing trenches
08:45 – Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster
10:07 – The Spice Report (current reads, shows, and obsessions)
27:58 – Kandi's word of the year: "Rooted"
30:11 – Industry advice: building genuine friendships
32:25 – Why meeting in person matters ("vibe checks")
43:56 – What really happens at writing retreats
52:58 – How to organize your own writing retreat
01:08:17 - Sponsor: Brittanee Nicole
01:12:59 – Red Flag / Green Flag trope discussion
01:18:11 – Reader question: why write romance?
01:23:29 – Book club discussion: Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
01:35:29 – Final Bump-Date
 
BOOK CLUB PICK
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
Tropes for that book: Mafia/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DDGX814Q
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanamalonewriter/
Website: https://nanamalone.com/
Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th.
 
 
 
SEASON SPONSORS
Brittanee Nicole
Darling Daffodils Farm :https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808533/darling-daffodils-farm-a-hope-harbor-novel-by-brittanee-nicole/
Website: https://www.brittaneenicole.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbrittaneenicole/
 
Lena Hendrix
Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1
Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix
 
Willow Aster
What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)
Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes
Website: https://www.willowaster.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
 
 
WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE
Talk Spicy to Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast
Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast
Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast
 
HOSTS
Giana Darling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor
Website: https://gianadarling.com/
Kandi Steiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner
Website: https://kandisteiner.com/
 
🔥 AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)
Want the extended, unfiltered conversation?
Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed.
Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
 
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.
In Season 2, Episode 9, the hosts are joined by bestselling romance author Liz Tomforde to break down the anatomy of a bestseller.
They also share personal updates, reality TV obsessions, and the importance of author friendships while navigating pregnancy, publishing, and the chaos of a writing career.
 
Liz Tomforde
Upcoming Release: In Her Own League
https://liztomforde.com/in-her-own-league
Website - https://liztomforde.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liztomforde.author/
 
💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe
 
 
 
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me
01:05 – Pregnancy updates & baby shower weekend
02:06 – Prenatal classes and unexpected anxiety
03:07 – Why friendships matter in pregnancy and writing
04:15 – Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster
05:20 – Surprise guest reveal: Liz Tomforde
17:39 – The Spice Report
17:45 – Kandi's obsession: Below Deck
21:38 – Giana's obsession: Bridgerton
25:46 – Liz's obsession: Love Is Blind
28:57 – The Anatomy of a Bestseller
32:49 – Why characters are the heart of a great romance
37:49 – Avoiding self-insert characters
38:89 – Writing empathy into character choices
40:14 – Purposeful pacing and emotional tension
44:45 – Building highs and lows in storytelling
46:26 – Adding compelling elements beyond the romance
51:03 – Conflict as the "bones" of a bestseller
01:17:50 – Red Flag / Green Flag
01:22:28 – Reader Question
 
BOOK CLUB PICK
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
Tropes for that book: Mafia/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DDGX814Q
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanamalonewriter/
Website: https://nanamalone.com/
Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th.
 
SEASON SPONSORS
Lena Hendrix
Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1
Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix
 
 
 
Willow Aster
What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)
Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes
Website: https://www.willowaster.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
 
WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE
Talk Spicy to Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast
Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast
Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast
 
 
 
HOSTS
Giana Darling
Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor
Website: https://gianadarling.com/
Kandi Steiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner
Website: https://kandisteiner.com/
🔥 AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)
Want the extended, unfiltered conversation?
Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed.
Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
 
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.
This week, we're joined by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shanora Williams for an honest, vulnerable conversation about boundaries, burnout, publishing contracts, and whether you can actually balance it all as a modern author.
 
Shanora Williams
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author known for emotionally immersive romance across contemporary and high-stakes worlds.
Upcoming Release: Mayhem and the Mortal: https://www.shanorawilliams.com/mayhemandthemortal
Website - shanorawilliams.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reallyshanora/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Shanora-Williams/author/B00BHQUULU
💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe
 
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me
01:01 – Chaos, travel, deadlines & overwhelm
02:56 – Season Sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster
04:10 – Introducing Shanora Williams
07:02 – Indie vs Traditional Publishing Speed
09:11 – Protecting Yourself in Publishing Contracts
10:27 – Why You Shouldn't Accept Every Deal
11:43 – Turning Down a Major Publisher (And Why It Paid Off)
12:44 – The Spice Report
13:27 – Interview with the Vampire
18:50 – Night of the Seven Kingdoms
21:26 – Wuthering Heights Film Adaptation
22:20 – Can You Actually Balance It All?
25:51 – Productivity Guilt & Burnout
27:11 – "Rest Is Productive"
31:07 – The Irregular Life of an Author
37:10 – Series Deep Dive: Anna B. Doe
40:10 – Motherhood & Writing with Three Kids
45:40 – The Invisible Load Women Carry
49:00 – Delegation & Building a Support System
01:13:49 – Red Flag / Green Flag
01:17:40 – Reader Question: Steamy Scenes
 
BOOK CLUB PICK
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
Tropes for that book: Mafia/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DDGX814Q
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanamalonewriter/
Website: https://nanamalone.com/
Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th.
 
SEASON SPONSORS
Anna B Doe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabdoe/
Website: https://www.annabdoe.com/
Lena Hendrix
Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1
Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix
Willow Aster
What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)
Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes
Website: https://www.willowaster.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
 
WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE
Talk Spicy to Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast
Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast
Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast
 
HOSTS
Giana Darling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor
Website: https://gianadarling.com/
Kandi Steiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner
Website: https://kandisteiner.com/
 
🔥 AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)
Want the extended, unfiltered conversation?
Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed.
Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
 
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.
In Season 2, Episode 5, hosts Kandi Steiner and Giana Darling are joined by special guest Ambar Cordova for a deeply honest conversation about messy characters, third-act breakups, reader reactions, and why raw, emotionally complicated romances hit harder
Please note: Due to technical difficulties, audio quality may not be up to par in the first half of the episode. We appreciate your patience.
Ambar Cordova
•NEWSLETTER: acordovabooks.com/newsletter
•FACEBOOK: facebook.com/acordovabooks
•FACEBOOK READER GROUP: facebook.com/groups/735186988190607
•INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/acordovabooks
•TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@authorambarcordova
•WEBSITE: www.acordovabooks.com
 
💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe
 
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me
01:31 – Pregnancy updates & writing while sick
02:46 – Balancing indie and traditional publishing
05:17 – Patreon shoutouts: Ghost Pepper Goddesses
06:23 – Season sponsors: Willow Aster & Lena Hendrix
07:28 – Introducing Ambar Cordova
11:20 – The Spice Report
19:06 – Motherhood, high-risk pregnancies & body changes
21:31 – Discovering romance in 2020
22:16 – Writing the stories you wish existed
23:41 – Reader reactions to messy characters
31:38 – Writing as therapy & emotional processing
37:45 – Why women write men who show up
40:19 – Writing slow-burn spice & emotional tension
42:52 – The third-act breakup debate
46:17 – Why flawed heroines get more hate
50:00 – Sunshine heroines who are secretly struggling
52:15 – The miscommunication trope discussion
58:05 – S.J. Sylvis
59:19 – Red Flag / Green Flag: When he texts you constantly
01:05:11 – TSTM Book Club: Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
01:07:03 – Reader Question: Special Editions
 
BOOK CLUB PICK
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
Tropes for that book: Mafia/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DDGX814Q
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanamalonewriter/
Website: https://nanamalone.com/
Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th.
 
SEASON SPONSORS
S.J. Sylvis
Overtake: A Rivals to Lovers F1 Romance (Vanstone Racing)
Tropes: Rivals to Lovers/Enemies to Lovers, F1 Romance, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity,
link: mybook.to/vanstoneracing1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsjsylvis/?hl=en
Website: https://www.sjsylvis.com/
 
Lena Hendrix
Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1
Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix
 
Willow Aster
What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)
Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes
Website: https://www.willowaster.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
 
WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE
Talk Spicy to Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast
Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast
Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast
 
HOSTS
Giana Darling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor
Website: https://gianadarling.com/
Kandi Steiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner
Website: https://kandisteiner.com/
 
🔥 AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)
Want the extended, unfiltered conversation?
Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed.
Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
 
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.
In Season 2, Episode 6, hosts Kandi Steiner and Giana Darling share life updates, celebrate publishing milestones, and break down exactly what they would do differently if they were building an indie author career from scratch today.
 
💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe
 
00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me
00:55 – Travel episode & Kandi's ski trip in Deer Valley
02:31 – Learning to ski
04:38 – Season sponsors
05:18 – Spice Report
18:03 – Main Topic: Building an indie career from scratch
18:34 – Step 1: Identify your author identity
20:37 – Step 2: Start with a series of standalones
22:28 – Series strategy & saving the fan favorite for last
23:42 – Step 3: Market research & branding
25:52 – Recovering covers & packaging pivots
27:40 – Thinking like a business person
29:16 – Testing covers, blurbs & ads
31:02 – New Release Spotlight: Safe Haven by Kristen Proby
32:00 – Courses & free resources
36:11 – Write more than one book
37:45 – Rapid release strategy
39:02 – Newsletter & reader funnel
41:20 – Film everything (sell the journey)
42:43 – Building super fans
44:02 – Stay positive in the community
45:36 – Sponsor spotlight: Piper Rayne
46:34 – Red Flag / Green Flag: Office Romance
50:32 – Reader Question: Special edition book process
 
 
 
NEW RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
Safe Haven by Kristen Proby
Hockey romance, best friends to lovers, found family, and a protective hero.
Link: https://amzn.to/4gkydGd
 
SEASON SPONSORS
Piper Rayne – The Hot Shot
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hotshot-Piper-Rayne-ebook/dp/B0F3FP2WHQ
Lena Hendrix
 
Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1
Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix
 
 
Willow Aster
What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)
Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes
Website: https://www.willowaster.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
 
WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE
Talk Spicy to Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast
Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast 
Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast 
 
Hosts
Giana Darling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor
Website: https://gianadarling.com/
Kandi Steiner 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner
Website: https://kandisteiner.com/
 
AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)
Want the uncensored conversation?
 
Join the Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and exclusive content:https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
 
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, writing advice, and unapologetically honest romance talk.