Q&A with Author Riley Edwards

I am an unabashed, unapologetic fangirl. When I meet someone I admire, I always want them to know how much I value them and the joy their stories have brought me. I am also an incredible introvert when it comes to actually doing that in person. And when I first met Riley Edwards, I was 100% prepared to turtle a little and be generally in awe, say something completely stupid because I couldn’t get my brain to function, and thank you profusely for attending our little event.

And then she walked into our planning meeting at CCR2024 wearing a shirt that said, “I’m just here for Susy,” and everything changed. It was the most amazing introduction to such an incredibly genuine, wonderfully down-to-earth human ever. Because while we were all there to celebrate her, she showed up to celebrate one of her superfans. And it spoke volumes!

I’m pretty sure Susy cried. I know I did. And then we laughed, and hugged, and found this extraordinary comfort level with each other. And one of our heroes became one of our humans.

We already knew Riley’s books were full of larger-than-life, edge-of-your-seat action with intense alpha male characters, strong female characters, and steamy, heart-stopping romance. We already knew her series were chart-topping best-sellers, her fandom solid and supportive, her name well-known in every romantic suspense crowd. Now we knew Riley was also one of us. A fangirl. With a fantastic sense of humor, a smile that lit up a room, and hugs that made you feel seen 

Since CCR2024, I’ve had the chance to chat with Riley on so many occasions. She has such a strong sense of the industry, and who she is as part of it. We’ve talked books, events, publishing in general, and I am always amazed and grateful for her insights, her knowledge, her advice, and her investment in everything she puts her hand to. Her commitment to the Romancelandia community, to her fans, is everything. And I cannot wait to see her again at CCR2025.

I can’t wait to see her on the panels again this year. She gave us a little insight into her writing for her Q&A, and I know she’ll be eager to share more at the event.

Where do you recommend a new reader start in your backlist? 

I probably shouldn’t admit this. but here goes…I always say, Damaged. Readers will suggest starting with Free (Book 1 the 707 series). My thought behind this is, I feel like by the time I wrote Damaged, I’d hit my stride. Same voice as the other books, same style, same found family and friendships as my earlier books, but I feel like the writing is stronger. So…if I can hook a reader and make them fall in love with these characters, when they go back to the beginning, they’ll remember how much they loved the Triple Canopy books and maybe won’t judge my earlier work so harshly. 

Do you have a favorite/most memorable scene/ part in a novel you've written? 

So many!
There’s a part in Cooper’s book (Blue Team) when Cooper is  talking with his heroine, Kira, about the loss of her family. Writing that scene hit hard. In Taking Liberty (Next Generation Series) there’s a scene after Liberty gets rescued from being a POW, and the hero, Drake, helps her out of the helicopter. Instead of carrying her across the tarmac, he sets her on her feet and watches as she proudly walks, beaten and bruised, on her own. Another part in Liberty’s book stands out when she finally breaks down about her capture in front of her father, uncles, and cousins. I loved the way they rallied around her. In Damaged, when the OG Jasper Walker turns to Brady and claims him as his son even though Brady is a grown man. In Conquered, when the OG ladies of the 707 find out that the heroine Sawyer’s mom is a nightmare, and they all jump at the chance to pull her into the family they’ve created. Seriously, we could do this all day. Every book I write, I have a favorite scene. What’s interesting is my favorite parts don’t always align with what readers find to be their favorite parts. But, that’s the beauty of a book, right? A hundred people can read the same story and have a hundred different interpretations, thoughts, feelings, takeaways.  

Is there a part of your career as an author you thought was going to be difficult but has wound up being really wonderful? 

Signings. 

It’s not that I’m anti-social exactly, it's just that one of my biggest fears is embarrassing myself in public.. And since I tend to embarrass myself a lot I get really nervous. However, I have learned that readers are wonderful and they pretend they don’t see me shaking nervously and are really kind when I embarrass myself and don’t call attention to it. LOL. Signings have turned into one of the best parts of this journey. Being able to connect with other book lovers and meet so many great women has been amazing. And the husbands/boyfriends/sons, I would be remiss if I didn’t give these men a shout out. I see them waiting in lines and  carrying books. It is Ah-may-zing watching them support their women. 

Are there specific themes, tropes, or subgenres you’re more drawn to as an author, reader, or listener?

 I love books and I’m an eyeball reader. I don’t pay attention all that much to tropes or themes. I love protector romance, however that protection comes about. I love suspense. I love romance. I love post-apocalyptic romance as a reader, but I would never try to write it. I love rom-coms, but I’m not funny enough to write them. 

What is your favorite part about being an author? 

Getting to tell stories. 

What do you like to read/listen to?  Any favorite authors you want to send a shout-out to? 

Oh boy…favorites?! You betcha! In no special order, and I’m not giving specific books because we’d be all day: Susan Stoker, Kris Michaels, Abbie Zanders, Kit Rocha, Olivia Michaels, Pippa Grant, Brittney Sahin, Lynn Raye Harris, Anna Hackett, Sybil Bartel, Maryann Jordan, Caitlyn O’Leary, Lucy Score. I told you, I love books. lol

Is there someone(s) who’s been influential in your life as it relates to your career?

Susan Stoker and Abbie Zanders. If it weren’t for those two wonderful women, I wouldn’t be writing.

I’ve told this story a bunch of times but it always makes me smile. Abbie was the very first person ever to read something I wrote. Nine years later it still amazes me, a wildly brilliant author took her time to read my manuscript. Plus, she gave feedback and suggestions. But the one thing that stood out was this: “Now publish it.” I thought she was a little crazy, or maybe I was, because a few weeks later I published Nightstalker.

Susan has been instrumental in my career. She has gilded me and walked me through every step of publishing. She is my sounding board, the person I go to when I need advice, the voice of reason and encouragement. I am blessed to call her my friend, and that is aside and separate from publishing. She is just a good human and a great friend. 

How have your life experiences influenced your career as an author? 

Well, if you’ve ever read any of my books, if nothing else, I hope you’ve picked up on the found family these men and women have created. I write romance. I write about kidnappings and explosions and all sorts of crazy situations. I use suspension of disbelief to pull you along while my heroes chase after human traffickers and all sorts of bad guys. But above all else, my books are about family - blood and found. They are purposefully written that way because not all of us were born into healthy or good families. Not all of us have strong women around us who support, encourage, and push us to do better. I write about love because not all of us have felt real, true, selfless love. So, yes, so many of my personal life experiences have influenced my books. There is a part of me in every single one of them. 

This or That: 7 random questions that may or may not be book related: 

Kindle or Paperback - kindle

Beach or Mountain Vacation - mountain

Dogs or Cats - dogs

Ice Cream or Cake - neither

Action Flick or Rom-Com - action

Tea or Coffee - coffee

Road Trip or Air Travel - Air 

Connect with Riley Edwards

You can find more information about Riley, her books, and how to connect with her on social media here:

https://www.rileyedwardsromance.com/