Backstage With The Book Babes

Backstage With The Book Babes
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Welcome to Backstage With The Book Babes, the podcast where your favorite romance writers spill the tea. Hosted by romance authors Alby Blake and Nikki Jewell, we're taking you behind the scenes of the romance industry. From spicy storylines and smutty scenes to burnout, bad reviews, and why we still write through it all. It's real talk, racy revelations, and unfiltered author life from the babes behind the books.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Author Aubrey Taylor

    Summary: In this episode The Book Babes have a chat with the amazing Aubrey Taylor. She writes romance in a variety of genres including sports, small town, and cowboy romance. We chat about all things author life including her 2000’s CW TV show inspiration, wildly varied playlists, and some real life inspiration. She shares info about her baseball romance series, her co-authored cowboy romance series, and her amazing supportive family. There was definitely laughter and some shenanigans, but if you love our chaotic vibes then we know you’re going to love Aubrey. Takeaways: Aubrey Taylor is an indie romance author who writes in a variety of subgenres Her writing origin story started in the fanfiction space She’s got some majorly rabid fans who even get tattoos inspired by her books Aubrey creates her own branding and social media herself Creating a safe space for her readers is very important to her She’s got her own found family in the writing community Her spice levels vary by book and depend on her characters and their stories She’s got an amazing, supportive family Empowering women in sports in the real world and in fiction is crucial Music by Christopher Tallon About Our Guest: Aubrey Taylor is a 33-year-old mom living in chilly Canada with her two kids and wonderful husband. Raised by Dean Winchester, Percy Jackson, and horror movies. She's a loud, nerdy, sarcastic lover of stories. Her favourites always include chosen families and adventure. With massive emotions of her own, she puts her entire heart into her characters and stories. Here’s where to find Aubrey: Website: https://www.aubreytaylorauthor.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1007852113638005 Find her books on Amazon and KU here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aubrey-Taylor/author/B0BKLPNN4Z? Keep Up With The Book Babes: Social Media: Backstagewiththebookbabes Email: backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Links & Guest Author Applications: linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes Find Alby Blake & Her Unique Sports Romance Books: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com Find Nikki Jewell & Her Spicy Contemporary Romance: Social Media: @nikkijewell_books Website: authornikkijewell.com Event Links: ://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks

    1h 15m

  2. FEB 11

    Author Charlie Dee

    Summary: The Book Babes talk to sports romance author Charlie Dee about the highs and lows of life as an indie author. They discuss the journey of becoming an author, the intricacies of writing sports romance, and the importance of community support in the indie author world. They explore the creative process, marketing challenges, and the significance of celebrating milestones in an author's career. Charlie shares insights into her writing rituals, the inspiration behind her books, and her plans for future projects, including a new hockey series. The discussion also touches on reader engagement, cover design, and the fun of writing fiction, making it a rich resource for aspiring authors and romance readers alike. We had a super fun and hilarious conversation with Charlie, and we hope you enjoy the ride. Takeaways: Charlie Dee is an indie author specializing in sports romance. The journey to becoming an author often involves community support. Writing rituals can enhance creativity and focus. Marketing is a constant challenge for authors. Celebrating milestones is important in an author's journey. Charlie draws inspiration from her love of baseball. The spice factor in romance varies by character and story. Readers enjoy interconnected stories within a series. Cover design plays a crucial role in branding for authors. Engaging with readers through questions fosters community. Music by Christopher Tallon About Our Guest: Charlie Dee loved reading romance so much she decided to write the stories in her head. She lives on the East Coast with her family and her dog that looks like a mini cow. When she's not escaping reality with her writing she's spending time with her family & friends, cheering on her favorite sports teams or reading. She loves being able to meld her favorite things in life into her writing. Here’s where to find Charlie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcharliedee Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WdxYrwH6/?mibextid=wwXIfr Newsletter: https://substack.com/@authorcharliedee?r=47ayzk&utm_medium=ios Find her books on Amazon and KU here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Charlie-Dee/author/B0D4889JDQ? Keep Up With The Book Babes: Social Media: Backstagewiththebookbabes Email: backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Links & Guest Author Applications: linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes Find Alby Blake & Her Unique Sports Romance Books: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com Find Nikki Jewell & Her Spicy Contemporary Romance: Social Media: @nikkijewell_books Website: authornikkijewell.com Event Links: ://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks

    46 min

  3. FEB 4

    Author Nuhaa Bardien

    Bridging Shakespeare and Romance: An Interview with Nuhaa Bardien Join the Book Babes as we dive into the creative process of Nuhaa Bardien, a South African author who reimagines Shakespearean tragedies into delightful contemporary romance and rom-coms. Discover how she blends classic storytelling with modern love, and get insights on writing diverse characters, crafting spicy scenes, and balancing motherhood with authorship. Key Topics: Nuhaa’s inspiration for her Shakespeare retellings and their adaptation into light romantic comedies. The process of developing characters inspired by real people, including diverse representation. Her approach to creating engaging, nostalgic scenes reminiscent of 2000s rom-coms. How she balances her roles as an author and a mother. The significance of illustrated covers and collaboration with cover artists. Strategies for staying motivated during long writing journeys. Stories behind her books, personal inspirations, and reader interactions. Managing cultural references and language differences between South Africa, the UK, and the US. The joy of sewing, gaming, and the importance of mental breaks while writing. Nuhaa was an absolute delight to talk to. Enjoy the laughs and the insights. Music by Christopher Tallon About Our Guest: Nuhaa Bardien is a romance author from Cape Town, South Africa, known for her By the Book series, a collection of standalone novels inspired by Shakespearean plays. She has a standalone Christmas Novella, One Turned True, that features a side character from the By the Book Series. Nuhaa writes romance novels with "swoon worthy men and strong women" and "happily ever afters". Her books often feature spicy, open-door scenes. To connect with Nuhaa, follow her on social media: Instagram: @nuhaawrites TikTok: @authornuhaabardien Website: https://nuhaawrites.com/ Books: By the Book series:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP2RG4CW?binding=kindle_edition&ref_=ast_author_bsi Christmas Novella: https://www.amazon.com/One-Turned-True-Christmas-Novella-ebook/dp/B0FG8DS8DN Keep Up With The Book Babes: Social Media: Backstagewiththebookbabes Email: backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Links & Guest Author Applications: linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes Find Alby Blake & Her Unique Sports Romance Books: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com Learn about Nikki Jewell & Her Spicy Sports & Contemporary Romance: Instagram/Threads/TikTok: @nikkijewell_books Website: authornikkijewell.com Event Links: ://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks

    41 min

  4. JAN 28

    Author Melissa Whitney

    In episode five of Backstage with the Book Babes, Melissa Whitney shares her journey as a contemporary romance author who focuses on disability and mental health representation. She discusses her unique writing process, the adaptations she makes as a blind author, and the importance of authentic mental health portrayals in literature. Whitney also highlights her experiences connecting with readers at events, the significance of book covers, and the challenges of balancing her writing career with full-time work. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the impact of reader feedback and the importance of self-care in the writing process. In this engaging conversation, Melissa Whitney shares her experiences as an author, discussing the balance between writing and personal life, her writing rituals, and the characters that inspire her. She delves into the importance of research, especially in paranormal romance, and explores the themes of consent and character development in her works. Whitney also reflects on her future goals as an author, the significance of celebrating book launches, and the joy of engaging with readers. With insights into her upcoming release, 'The Recovery Run', she emphasizes the importance of authenticity in storytelling and reader connections.. Music by Christopher Tallon About our Guest: Melissa Whitney hails from Western New York but resides in Southern California with her sports-obsessed husband and rescue pugs. With a master’s in social work from the University of Buffalo (UB), Melissa’s career has focused on people. What’s romance but the exploration of people? The transition from healthcare to romance author was a logical one (at least for Melissa). When not in search of the perfect scone at a local bakery, Melissa writes contemporary romances that, much like the perfect cup of tea, are steamy, warm the heart, and nourish the soul. As a legally blind woman married to an autistic man, Melissa’s stories explore themes of disability, mental health, trauma, and family through a steamy, comedic, and sometimes heartbreaking lens. Life is not always a romcom nor a drama, neither are Melissa’s stories. To connect with Melissa, follow her on social media: Instagram - @Melissa_WhitneyAuthorTikTok - @melissasuewhitneyFacebook – Melissa Whitney Author Page Keep Up With The Book Babes: Social Media: Backstagewiththebookbabes Email: backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Links & Guest Author Applications: linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes Find Alby Blake & Her Unique Sports Romance Books: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com Find Nikki Jewell & Her Spicy Contemporary Romance: Social Media: @nikkijewell_books Website: authornikkijewell.com Event Links: ://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks

    1h 11m

  5. JAN 21

    Episode 4: Author Ruan Willow

    In this episode of Backstage with the Book Babes, hosts Nikki Jewell and Alby Blake chat with author Ruan Willow about her diverse writing journey across multiple romance subgenres. They discuss the challenges of balancing reader expectations, market trends, and the importance of female empowerment in romance literature. Ruan shares insights on her writing process, the significance of book events, and the impact of reader feedback. The conversation also touches on the role of humor in romance and the influence of real-life experiences on character development. Music by Christopher Tallon About Our Guest: Ruan Willow is a multi-pen name author who writes in spicy HEA romance subgenres, spicy romcom, alternative lifestyle (Ruan Willow), both queer and heterosexual, and open door Romantasy/magical/paranormal/dark romance (R.U. Ann). Her writing ranges across various levels of heat—but don't pen her in a box! Writing about love and relationships, especially open door, are her jam. She writes about empowered women seeking pleasure with their partners for mutual satiation, no needs ignored and mutual enjoyment a must. Her characters love to explore their sexuality and pleasure in unrestricted consensual ways. She's also a podcaster at Oh F*ck Yeah with Ruan Willow, and an audiobook narrator. . Links: http://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/ https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow https://ruanwillowauthor.com/ http://instagram.com/ruanwillow https://www.facebook.com/ruan.willow/ Threads: ruanwillow and ruanwillowauthor TikTok ruanwillow . Keep Up With The Book Babes: Social Media: Backstagewiththebookbabes Email: backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Links & Guest Author Applications: linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes . Find Alby Blake & Her Unique Sports Romance Books: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com . Find Nikki Jewell & Her Spicy Contemporary Romance: Social Media: @nikkijewell_books Website: authornikkijewell.com Event Links: ://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks

    57 min

  6. JAN 14

    Episode 3 Author Willa Drew

    In this episode of Backstage with the Book Babes, hosts Alby Blake and Nikki Jewell welcome authors Gala Russ and D.L. Croisette, who co-write under the pen name Willa Drew. The conversation explores the origins of their unique pen name, their co-authoring journey, and the evolution of their writing process. They discuss the importance of character development, the themes and tropes in their romance novels, and the varying spice levels in their books. The authors share their experiences meeting readers, memorable moments from book events, and their writing rituals that help them stay focused and creative. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and joys of being a co-author and the emotional connections that come from writing romance. In this engaging conversation, the authors discuss their writing processes, the significance of character names, and how personal experiences shape their narratives. They explore cultural insights through their characters, the quirks of research, and the importance of reader engagement. The discussion also touches on the challenges of writing certain tropes, the emotional depth in romance, and their upcoming projects, providing a comprehensive look into the world of writing and storytelling. Backstage with the Book Babes is perfect for romance readers, authors, and anyone interested in the romance book community.Music by Christopher Tallon Meet Willa Drew: Two authors. Two countries. One obsession with love stories. Willa Drew’s contemporary slow-burn romances are full of feels, playful banter, cinnamon roll vibes and high-stakes emotions. Their globetrotting characters fight for love as they discover who they are and where they belong. Willa, a proud Canadian and devoted Leafs hockey fan, and Drew, a Russian American with a lifelong love of languages, always search for the perfect words to capture heartbreak and connection. Their romance books guarantee swoon-worthy kisses and happily ever afters. Come hang out with them @willadrewauthor or at willadrew.com Find the Book Babes on social media: @backstagewiththebookbabes Send us an email backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Join us as an author guest: linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes Connect with Nikki Jewell on socials: @nikkijewell_books Or visit her website: www.authornikkijewell.com Hang with Alby Blake on socials: @author_alby_blake Or visit her website: www.lovelunapress.com

    1h 14m

  7. JAN 7

    Episode 2 - Author Kade Charest

    In this episode of the Book Babes podcast, hosts Alby Blake and Nikki Jewell welcome their good friend author Kade Charest to discuss her journey in writing romance novels. They explore Kade's experiences at the Author Nation Conference, her writing process, and the various sub-genres of romance she writes. The conversation touches on character development, the spice levels in her books, and the influence of her nursing career on her writing. The hosts also share personal anecdotes about their romantic lives and the challenges of adapting books into films. With humor and insight, they delve into the world of romance writing and the connections formed within the author community. The book signing event Kade mentioned she'll be attending is Romance Atlanta Writers and Readers. It will be held on June 27th, 2026 in Columbus, Georgia. Music by Christopher Tallon You can find Kade Charest at https://authorkadecharest.com/ https://www.instagram.com/authorkadecharest/ https://www.threads.com/@authorkadecharest https://www.facebook.com/authorkadecharest https://www.tiktok.com/@authorkadecharest Her books are available on bookshop.org or check her website for links to independent book stores who carry her works. They're also available on Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited. Find the Book Babes on Instagram, Threads, and Tiktok @backstagewiththebookbabes Send us an email to backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com or if you're an author interested in a guest spot, you can find our application at linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes You can find Alby here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/479556357934706 Bro Amazing: https://books2read.com/BroAmazing https://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks

    1h 6m
  8. Episode 1 - Meet the Book Babes

    12/29/2025

    Episode 1 - Meet the Book Babes

    In the first episode of 'Backstage with the Book Babes' you'll get to know your hosts, romance authors Nikki Jewell and Alby Blake. We'll let you know all the details of our brand new author interview podcast. The Book Babes are all about sharing knowledge, building a community, and being inclusive. We'll share our 'fated mates' meet-cute story, discuss upcoming events and signings, and delve into the life of a romance author. We'll even be spilling the tea on our upcoming sports romance books in a brand new subgenre. This podcast episode is a fun little way to dip your toe in and get to know the babes behind the books. The writing gloves Nikki mentioned are by Storiarts. We are not affiliated or sponsored by them, just happy to share. Follow us on social media: Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @backstagewithebookbabes. Send us an email: backstagewiththebookbabes@gmail.com Or apply to be an author guest at linktr.ee/backstagewiththebookbabes You can find Alby here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_alby_blake/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alby_blake Website: www.lovelunapress.com FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/479556357934706 Bro Amazing: https://books2read.com/BroAmazing You can find Nikki here: Link tree  https://linktr.ee/nikkijewellbooks Website: authornikkijewell.com Instagram: Instagram.com/nikkijewell_books TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nikkijewell_books Threads: @nikkijewell_books BookBub: BookBub.com/profile/Nikki-Jewell  Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/author?ref=dbs_G_A_C&asin=B0C94MJ2LX FB Profile: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.jewell.author Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nikkijewellreaders

    35 min
  • 8 Episodes

About

Welcome to Backstage With The Book Babes, the podcast where your favorite romance writers spill the tea. Hosted by romance authors Alby Blake and Nikki Jewell, we're taking you behind the scenes of the romance industry. From spicy storylines and smutty scenes to burnout, bad reviews, and why we still write through it all. It's real talk, racy revelations, and unfiltered author life from the babes behind the books.

Information

  • Creator
    Backstage With The Book Babes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Backstage With The Book Babes
  • Show Website
    Backstage With The Book Babes