Talk Spicy To Me

Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner
  • 4.7 (19)
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Talk Spicy to Me is a podcast where bestselling romance authors Kandi Steiner and Giana Darling go rogue and talk all things romance — the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between. From behind-the-scenes writing stories and industry myths to swooning over messy book boyfriends and the spiciest reads, nothing is off limits. Grab your favorite drink, curl up in your reading nook, and get ready — it's about to get spicy.

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    Romance, Murder & Plot Twists: Writing Romantic Suspense w/ Catherine Cowles | Talk Spicy To Me

    In Season 3, Episode 6 of Talk Spicy to Me, bestselling authors Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Cowles to talk all things romantic suspense - from crafting believable villains and planting red herrings to using suspense to push the romance forward. Catherine also gets candid about career milestones, setting boundaries as a woman in publishing, and the reality of going from indie to traditional publishing. Plus: true crime research, romance adaptations, murderous book boyfriends, and whether a cold-blooded killer is actually a red flag.  💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe → https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe TIMESTAMPS  00:00 - Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me 00:58 - Life updates & author signings 07:49 - Meet Catherine Cowles 10:45 - The Spice Report 19:07 - Romance adaptations & dream casting 23:16 - Why Catherine writes romantic suspense 24:29 - Balancing romance & suspense 25:40 - Catherine's plotting process 26:27 - Red herrings & tricking readers 28:51 - Finding inspiration for suspense plots 30:37 - Planting clues & creating believable villains 36:22 - Career goals & author milestones 38:44 - Learning to celebrate success 44:54 - Writing from the villain's POV 51:05 - When true crime research gets TOO real 53:19 - Balancing darkness, emotion & hope 57:03 - Using setting to build suspense 1:03:00 - People pleasing, boundaries & business 1:05:03 - Catherine's advice for romantic suspense writers 1:08:24 - Red Flag or Green Flag 1:13:46 - Indie vs. traditional publishing 1:21:27 - What's coming on After Dark FOLLOW CATHERINE COWLES: Website: https://catherinecowles.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinecowlesauthor/?hl=en SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero. Follow Lauren Blakely: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.com BOOK CLUB: We're reading The Hot Shot by Piper Rayne! Join us for the September 9th episode when Giana and Kandi break it all down. 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

  2. Aug 5 ·  Video

    How Bestselling Romance Authors Build Unforgettable Worlds w/ Ava Rani | Talk Spicy to Me

    In Episode 5 of Talk Spicy to Me, hosts Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by USA Today bestselling author Ava Rani for a deep dive into one of the most important (and often overlooked) aspects of storytelling: world building in romance novels. Whether you're writing fantasy romance, dark academia, sports romance, mafia romance, small-town romance, or contemporary romance, this episode is packed with practical advice on creating immersive settings, weaving sensory details into your scenes, and making your fictional world feel like a character of its own. The conversation also covers Ava's exciting four-book publishing deal, the importance of setting in series, balancing description with pacing, research tips for writers, and a thoughtful discussion about comparison, confidence, and finding joy in the writing journey. 💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe → https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me 02:22 - Kandi's Knoxville signing & Close Quarters special edition 05:39 - Sponsors: Lauren Blakely & Cat Singleton 06:59 - Introducing Ava Rani 11:02 - Ava's new Legacy series & four-book publishing deal 13:15 - Spice Report: Reality TV, TikTok obsessions & Will Ferrell 20:01 - Confidence, authenticity & why people judge confident women 28:19 - What makes world building feel immersive? 31:37 - Building romance, plot & setting together 33:12 - Why Book One builds the foundation of a series 37:48 - How to balance world building without slowing the story 39:30 - Using sensory details to make readers feel transported 44:02 - History, culture & creating unforgettable fictional worlds 51:38 - What authors actually cut during edits 57:11 - Finding the right balance in genre-specific world building 1:00:04 - World-building process: maps, Pinterest, playlists & research 1:10:17 - Red Flag, Green Flag: Sex in Public 1:13:07 - Listener Question: Dealing with comparison as an author 1:22:39 - Where to find Ava Rani & After Dark preview FOLLOW AVA RANI: Website: https://www.authoravarani.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoravarani SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero.  Follow Lauren Blakely:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.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

  3. Jul 29 ·  Video

    The Truth About Creative Burnout w/ Giana Darling & Kandi Steiner | Talk Spicy to Me

    Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me! In Episode 4 of Season 3, bestselling romance authors Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are getting honest about burnout, motherhood, creativity, author life, and the pressure to keep producing when your brain and body are begging for a break.  This week, Giana and Kandi dive into what burnout really feels like, how it starts with overwhelm, the warning signs they've learned to look for, and the habits that help them protect their creativity before they hit a wall. They talk about the difference between pushing through and fully burning out, why social media comparison can make everything worse, and how authors, readers, and creators can start taking real care of themselves again. They also chat about the beautiful chaos of motherhood, clingy baby phases, childcare struggles, the mom sisterhood, finding little pockets of writing time, and why having friends in the same life stage can feel so grounding.  If you've ever felt creatively drained, overwhelmed by your to-do list, exhausted by social media, or like the thing you love has started to feel like one more thing you have to do, this episode is for you. 💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe → https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me 06:34 - Introducing today's burnout conversation 06:42 - Season sponsors: Kat Singleton + Lauren Blakely  07:36 - Spice Report 23:53 - Let's talk about burnout 24:13 - What burnout really means 26:30 - Burnout vs. overwhelm 28:35 - Why burnout can derail creative careers 30:57 - Warning signs of burnout 36:39 - Avoidance as a burnout red flag 39:03 - How social media feeds burnout 43:47 - Keeping joy in your creative career 50:43 - Comparison, jealousy, and author friendships 52:54 - Practical ways to prevent burnout 54:37 - Making space for things that are just for you 1:01:20 - How to refill your creative well 1:02:24 - There is no one right way to build a career 1:03:20 - How to come back from burnout 1:06:19 - Reader burnout, ARC pressure, and bookish social media 1:08:17 - It's okay to change, pivot, or take a break 1:09:40 - Share your burnout experience with us 1:10:31 - After Dark Preview: Dating hall of shame 1:10:47 - Red Flag, Green Flag 1:14:21 - Reader question: writing to market vs. writing what lights you up 1:17:22 - Art first, business second 1:18:16 - Patreon, book club pick, and closing SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero.  Follow Lauren Blakely:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/\  Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.com BOOK CLUB PICK: Read along with us! Our Talk Spicy to Me book club pick is The Hot Shot by Piper Rayne. We'll be discussing it on our September 9th episode, including favorite moments, favorite characters, and of course, the spice. AFTER DARK: Join us on Patreon for this week's After Dark episode, where we're talking about the dating hall of shame and the dates that went completely off the rails. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more romance author conversations, behind-the-scenes author life, spicy book talk, romance writing advice, reader questions, and unfiltered conversations about the romance industry.

  4. Jul 22 ·  Video

    What It's REALLY Like Being Married to a Romance Author | Talk Spicy To Me

    Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me! In Episode 3 of Season 3, bestselling romance authors Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by two very special guests: their husbands, Haden and Jack. In this episode, Giana and Kandi pull back the curtain on what it's really like being married to a romance author. Haden and Jack share how they were first introduced to the romance book world, what surprised them most about the size and passion of the reader community, and what it's like watching their wives build careers in the romance industry. They also get into the hilarious misconceptions people have about spicy romance authors, including the assumption that steamy scenes are autobiographical, what it's like attending book signings as "the husband," and how much they are actually involved in the business side of their wives' author careers. Plus, Giana and Kandi talk current obsessions in the Spice Report, including the World Cup, The Bear, House of the Dragon, and balancing TV time with parenthood. Kandi also shares her new forbidden sports romance, Illegal Formation, and the group plays Red Flag, Green Flag with the messy trope of dating your best friend's ex. If you love romance books, author behind-the-scenes conversations, spicy book talk, romance tropes, and getting a peek at the real-life relationships behind your favorite romance authors, this episode is for you. 💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe → https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 - Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me 03:05 - Patreon shoutout + After Dark episodes 03:33 - Season sponsors: Lauren Blakely + Kat Singleton  04:23 - Introducing the husbands: Haden and Jack 05:10 - Proposal nerves and engagement stories 07:18 - Spice Report 07:42 - World Cup obsession + taking a baby to the game 11:11 - The Bear, House of the Dragon, and TV obsessions 15:25 - Kandi's shameless plug: Illegal Formation 16:33 - Why authors feel awkward asking friends for help 18:09 - How Haden and Jack entered the romance world 19:26 - Haden's first romance signing experience 21:00 - Jack finding out Kandi was a romance author 23:36 - Being recognized as the romance author husband 25:34 - What surprised the husbands about romance readers 30:30 - Are spicy romance scenes autobiographical? 34:53 - What romance trope fits their marriages? 39:08 - How involved are the husbands in the author business? 42:10 - What it's like working with your spouse 46:40 - Separating work, marriage, and the romance business 49:46 - The pressure of being a full-time author family 51:40 - Do the husbands benefit from spicy romance? 52:26 - Haden has read all of Giana's books 55:48 - What readers may not know about Giana and Kandi 59:20 - Jack on Kandi's work ethic and generosity 1:00:47 - Why supportive partners matter 1:02:19 - Talk Spicy to Me Book Club Pick: The Hot Shot by Piper Rayne 1:03:47 - Red Flag, Green Flag: dating your best friend's ex 1:07:03 - Reader question: writing third-act breakups 1:09:46 - Where to find the husbands + closing BOOK CLUB PICK: Read along with us! Our next Talk Spicy to Me book club pick is The Hot Shot by Piper Rayne. We'll be discussing it on the September 9th episode, including favorite moments, favorite characters, and, of course, the spice. The Hot Shot: Tropes: Best Friend's Older Brother/Little Sister's Best Friend, Fake Dating, Athlete (Sports Romance), Found Family, Single Guardian Follow Piper Rayne: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorpiperrayne/?hl=en Website: https://piperrayne.com/ SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero.  Follow Lauren Blakely: I nstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.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 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more romance author conversations, publishing behind-the-scenes, spicy book talk, romance tropes, and author interviews.

  5. Jul 15 ·  Video

    The Truth About Being a Hybrid Author w/ S.J. Tilly | Talk Spicy to Me

    Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me! In Episode 2 of Season 3, bestselling romance authors Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by the hilarious, wildly talented, and always chaotic S.J. Tilly for a deep dive into what it really means to be a hybrid author. In this episode, Giana, Kandi, and S.J. talk about the realities of balancing indie publishing and traditional publishing, how Kindle Unlimited helped change the game for indie romance authors, why going traditional can help authors reach new readers, and what authors need to know before signing print-only deals, planning book tours, or handing over any part of their brand. They also get into the importance of advocating for yourself as an author, fighting for your covers and creative control, learning the business side of publishing, and why author friendships and community are some of the most valuable tools in the industry. Plus, because it's Talk Spicy to Me, there's plenty of chaos along the way: motherhood updates, dental horror stories, SJ Tilly's Jurassic Park obsession, dinosaur fossils, digital closets, Rivals on Disney+, romance author deadline spirals, spicy red/green flags, and a reader question about the hardest part of writing a book. If you're a romance reader, aspiring author, indie author, traditionally published author, or just nosy about the behind-the-scenes world of romance publishing, this episode is for you! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me  03:29 - Season sponsors: Lauren Blakely + Kat Singleton 04:32 - Introducing S.J. Tilly 05:40 - SJ's iconic one-word chapter 12:09 - Spicy Hot Salsa 21:40 - What is a hybrid author? 22:31 - SJ Tilly's indie-to-hybrid publishing journey 24:45 - Why being indie first can help authors go traditional 25:20 - The biggest benefit of traditional publishing 30:10 - Kindle Unlimited, Amazon, and indie authors 31:41 - Why authors want to reach every kind of reader 33:15 - The difficult side of being a hybrid author 35:08 - Traditional publishers, creative control, and author branding 38:20 - Print-only deals and author advances 40:09 - Questions to ask before signing a publishing deal 41:07 - Authors are running empires 42:20 - Why author friends and industry community matter 46:24 - New Release Spotlight: Upgraded by Abby Millsaps 47:29 - The reality of book tours 1:02:21 - The biggest takeaway: advocate for yourself 1:07:03 - Why preorders matter for authors 1:09:04 - Special editions, sprayed edges, and limited print runs 1:13:01 - After Dark preview 1:13:42 - Red Flag or Green Flag 1:16:11 - Reader question: What's the hardest part of writing a book? 1:16:43 - SJ Tilly on beginnings, endings, and writing chronologically 1:21:37 - The chaos of finishing a book 1:23:33 - Long chapters, long books, and author style 1:24:34 - After Dark: romance author group chat exposed 1:25:12 - Where to find SJ Tilly 1:25:38 - SJ Tilly's Bonded Soul series and upcoming releases FOLLOW SJ TILLY: Website: https://sjtilly.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjtillyauthor/?hl=en SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero. Follow Lauren Blakely: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en  Website: https://authorkatsingleton.com This episode's featured book is Upgraded by Abby Millsaps, a Formula 1, ex-boyfriend's dad, forbidden romance with tension, found family, and plenty of high-speed drama on and off the track. Follow Abby Millsaps: https://authorabbymillsaps.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

  6. Jul 8 ·  Video

    Queer Joy, MM Romance & Happily Ever After w/ Chip Pons | Talk Spicy To Me

    Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me and welcome to SEASON THREE! 🌶️ We're kicking off the new season with the amazing Chip Pons, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary gay romance, including Winging It With You and Dearly Departed. In this episode, Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner sit down with Chip to talk all things queer love, queer joy, MM romance, found representation, grief, romance tropes, reader expectations, and the power of happily ever afters. This conversation dives deep into why joyful queer stories matter, how romance can help readers feel seen, the difference between fantasy and realism in spicy books, and why queer characters deserve love stories where their sexuality isn't the source of trauma. Chip also opens up about his own journey, the stories that shaped him, writing grief through a softer lens, and why joy is at the center of his work. Plus, we're bringing back some favorite Talk Spicy segments, including the Spice Report and Red Flag, Green Flag, along with a listener question about why indie authors might still want an agent for things like audio rights, foreign rights, and contract protection. If you love romance books, queer romance, MM romance, contemporary romance, author interviews, bookish conversations, and behind-the-scenes publishing talk, this episode is for you.     TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me 1:44 - Season 3 life updates, motherhood, and postpartum chats 5:04 - Season 3 sponsors: Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton 7:40 - Introducing Chip Pons 9:14 - Celebrating Chip's USA Today bestseller news 9:38 - Kandi's Blindside adaptation news 10:27 - Chip's book tour, family, and Dearly Departed inspiration 13:27 - Welcome to the Spice Report 19:20 - Talking all things queer love and joy 22:03 - Chip's background and why he centers joy 27:10 - What "queer joy" means in romance 31:47 - The book community, acknowledgements, and connection 34:24 - Being an own voices author in queer romance 38:13 - Why joyful books can still be emotional 41:35 - MM romance, FF romance, and reader expectations 43:41 - Representation, publishing trends, and reader habits 44:48 - Sponsor spotlight: C.K. Darling 45:51 - Why readers connect with queer romance 50:54 - Romance books, fantasy, realism, and sex education 54:37 - How romance books can change perspectives 56:05 - Book tours, reader connection, and writing for community 1:01:31 - A powerful reader story about wanting more for yourself 1:06:06 - Red Flag, Green Flag: Pet Names 1:11:56 - Listener question: Why indie authors may still want an agent 1:15:23 - After Dark Patreon episode teaser 1:16:19 - Where to find Chip Pons 1:16:35 - Closing out Season 3, Episode 1   Follow Chip Pons: Instagram/Threads: https://www.instagram.com/booksovrbros Website: https://www.chippons.com/   SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero. Follow Lauren Blakely: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.com   This episode also includes a sponsor spotlight for C.K. Darling's Embers of Fate, a cozy, witty, spicy small-town romance with forced proximity, found family, a protective hero, and a man who falls first.   Follow C.K. Darling Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ckdarlingauthor/ Website: https://ckdarling.com/

  7. Mar 18

    Building Author Friendships & Writing Community | 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.

  8. Mar 11

    The Anatomy of a Romance Bestseller w/ Liz Tomforde | 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 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.

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4.7
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Talk Spicy to Me is a podcast where bestselling romance authors Kandi Steiner and Giana Darling go rogue and talk all things romance — the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between. From behind-the-scenes writing stories and industry myths to swooning over messy book boyfriends and the spiciest reads, nothing is off limits. Grab your favorite drink, curl up in your reading nook, and get ready — it's about to get spicy.

Information

  • Creator
    Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Talk Spicy To Me

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