I have a secret. And since it’s not my secret to tell, I’ll just let you know that I’m really excited about it. What I can tell you is that besides being a horrible tease, I am also a fantastic secret keeper. Because I understand the value and necessity in keeping some things under wraps until it’s time for a big reveal. Things like pen names and pseudonyms.

When I first started reading romance novels in 2020, I fell into a world I kinda knew (words and stories) and kinda didn’t. So, I spent a lot of time googling stuff. Y’all, be careful with that. Some things cannot be unseen. Ugh! But along my journey to learn more, I stumbled upon a podcast and Facebook page for Boobies & Noobies, created and hosted by Kelly Reynolds.

Kelly’s always had a way with words, and in late 2022, she made the leap from reader to writer when she published her first novella, Meet Me in Los Feliz. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to see how Kelly’s thoughts and ideas on romance novels translated to her own writing. I was definitely not disappointed.

Know what happens when one of your book besties who becomes a booksister raves about an author over and over again? You ask them to guest blog for that author’s Spotlight. well, St@lkerSister Susy raves about Giulia Lagomarsino, so I asked her all the things. And she delivered. Susy heard about Giulia’s books when someone posted about her in a FB reader group.

“They mentioned military and protective heroes and I knew I had to add her to my tbr, but I wasn’t expecting a twenty-seven book series. Did I add all twenty-seven and binge read them in a week? Sure did!”

Two very different authors, one beautiful human? Sounds like a sci-fi movie plot, but it’s actually quite common in real life. Many authors are finding the best way to write multiple and diverse subgenres of romance is to create multiple pen names for their different subgenres. And Cecelia Mecca, who also writes as Bella Michaels, is one such author.

I reached out to my St@lkerSister and dear friend Rhon to fill me in on all things Cecelia and Bella. And in this week’s Author Spotlight blog post, I’m bringing you all the details directly from Rhon.

You know those people who just radiate amazing energy? You could be having the worst day, but you see a picture of their smiling face and your mood is instantly brightened. Or you’re in a massive reading slump, so you pick up a favorite read or their newest release and are instantly immersed in a happy place.

Or they walk into a room and the lights seem brighter and everyone’s vibe amps up to another level of happy.

If you’ve met, read a book by, or even seen a photo or video of Kathryn Nolan, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Being an editor has given me the opportunity to work with authors in a variety of stages in their careers. Some come to me after having written multiple books, some after a very few, and still others enter my professional life at the same time they're entering their own. One of those authors is Koko Heart.

I knew Koko as a reader before she became a writer. So when she said she was taking the plunge and writing her first novel, I was ecstatic for her. And when she hit publish, I cried happy tears. Being there to see that debut dream become a reality was incredible. And reaffirming. And heartwarming.

If you haven’t hopped onto Facebook and joined the Shades of Romance Reader Group, you are definitely missing out on some great times with a group of really wonderful authors. And today you get to meet another one of the amazing women I know and love, collectively referred to as The Shaders.

I already know Blye is an incredible author, writing wonderful small-town romance. I also know I look forward to each new release from her. Now you all get to know more about Blye through the words of her Shades Sister, Nina Bloom.

How many stories do we read that start with two people meeting in a bar? It’s such a cliche, but it exists for a reason, right? To be honest, I think it’s amusing and weirdly apropos that it’s how I met three of my favorite romance authors, including Stephanie Rose. Even more amusing considering the first book I ever read by Stephanie was Safeguard—a book about two people meeting at a bar.

I was a chaotic mess, so I don’t remember much after that, but I know they made me feel comfortable. Seen. Appreciated. Part of the community.

At this point in my romance reading journey, one hundred percent of the new-to-me authors I read arrive on my radar thanks to other readers and authors. As much as she likes to accuse me of being a shameless TBR enabler, Julie Collier is no slouch in that department herself. Thanks to her, I found Aly Stiles, and just reading her blurbs makes me want to dive into her entire backlist and live there for a while. But since I haven’t had a chance to do that yet, I dove into Julie’s brain for details about why she loves Aly so much.

I love it when authors fangirl/guy each other, because quite often they can express what they love so much better than I can. When I found out authors Suanne Laqueur and A.M. (Amanda) Johnson fangirled each other, I reached out to Amanda for help with Suanne’s author spotlight blog. And Amanda delivered.

So here, in Amanda’s words (because her words are some of my favorite words on the planet), are all the reasons you should not wait to dive into Suanne’s books.

I love looking back at the many ways I’ve connected to so many amazing authors over the past several years. Some I’ve found through social media and groups, some through other readers, and still others through other authors. Quite often I connect with an author as a person and friend before I even read their books. And Angela Taylor is one of those authors.

I met her through Charissa Gracyk, an author and dear friend, and decided to turn the reins for this week’s blog over to Charissa. Because hearing about an author from another author who knows them so well is a really wonderful way for other readers to see what we love so much about Angela.

One morning, I opened my Kindle and there was an ad for The Real Deal by Brittney Sahin. I’m not sure what drew me to it, but when I looked it up and noticed it was book three in a series, I dug a little deeper. And as I read the blurbs and reviews for the other books in the series, I became more and more convinced this was a series I absolutely needed to read.

I binged the books that were already out (books 1-4), then reread them.But my binge wasn’t over, because then I discovered the rest of Brittney’s backlist, and whoa! Talk about your deep dive into amazingness…

The Protector Romance Reader Group on FB just keeps pulling me in to new authors and leading me to some seriously deep binge dives. Patricia D. Eddy, one of the authors popular in that group, is one of those authors very bingeable authors. A multi-subgenre author, in addition to romantic suspense, she also writes paranormal/shifter and fantasy romance.

Personally, I love how those subgenres seem to blend for a lot of writers. And I love a good suspenseful shifter story. So I looked closely at her backlist to pick my first Patricia book. Instant Superfan! Wan to know more?

LJ Evans is one of those authors—nope, one of those people—who feels like they’ve always been part of my world. It’s weird to look back and realize I’ve been reading her books for less than two years. That I’ve known her for such a short amount of time. Because LJ is that person who instantly puts you at ease and makes you feel seen and valued.

Maybe it’s her background as a teacher? Maybe it’s her smile and how bright her eyes get when she’s talking to you? LJ is a lyrical human, a combination of light and song that infuses its way into her stories and very presence.

I love checking out what other bloggers are reading. Because, let’s be honest, TBR enablers gotta stick together. And that’s how I found Author Kaylee Rose, aka The Redhead’s Book Blog.

But Kaylee is also a talented swag goddess, designing all manner of things from tumbers, to mugs, to stickers, and other fun bookish swag.

For more info on her writing talent, I reached out to my St@lkerSister and Kaylee fangirl, Susy. And she brought me up to speed on all thing awesome about Kaylee the author.

It’s kinda cool that I get to read and write about so many amazing authors. I truly have so many favorites. And yes, I can have as many favorites as I want. Who created the rule that you can only have one favorite of something. That’s ridiculous. I’m ignoring that rule. And as such, I have lots of favorite authors. And I kind of get to skirt that rule anywhen when three of my favorite authors are actually the same person. Curious about how that happens? Read the full blog post :-)

I’ve had the good fortune and honor to meet Jaime in person as well, and yep, I agree, Jaime is a stellar human being. She is truly kind, genuine, and personable. Her books are high on my TBR, but I’m still working my way to her backlist.

So, I asked Cheryl to help me out with some info on why all y’all should join me in reading all of Jaime’s books. Who’s in for a buddy-read with me?