Black Romance Podcast

Eboni Snoe is the best-selling author of seventeen books. In this episode, we discuss her experiences publishing her first romance novel A Shiek's Spell with Odyssey Books in 1992 as well as her experiences publishing with Arabesque and Avon Book. We deep dive into her novels Beguiled, Tell Me I'm Dreamin', her forthcoming autobiography The Altar, and her publishing company Beyond Maya Press.

Eboni Snoe's Facebook: Eboni Snoe: The Life, Books, and Times

https://www.facebook.com/ebonisnoe/?ref=page_internal

Beyond Maya Press: https://beyondmayapress.com/about.html

A Shiek's Spell: https://www.amazon.com/Sheiks-Spell-Eboni-Snoe-ebook/dp/B00G1Y8H9A/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Beguiled: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GFW6Z9M/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6

Tell Me I'm Dreamin': https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXY3GNG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Celeste Norfleet, a best-selling writer of over twenty-five novels, joins me this week. We talk about her 2002 debut novel Priceless Gift and its curious ending, which became the inspiration for the novels in her well-loved Mama Lou Matchmaker Series. She recounts her experiences at the beginning of her career and the supportive environment of Romance Slam Jam among her well-known sister writers and readers. We also discuss her current release One Night in Georgia, which tells the story of three friends on a road trip in 1968 from New York to Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Celeste Norfleet's books have gained critical acclaim and stellar reviews, including nominations for The Rose Award, the Romantic Times Book Review's Reviewers Choice Award, the RT Book Review's Lifetime Achievement Award, and numerous Romance Slam Jam Emma Award nominations.

Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media

Artwork: Kyle Gabb Marciano_arts

Celeste Norfleet's website: https://celesteonorfleet.com/e-books/

Priceless Gift: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005Y57900/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3

Mama Lou Matchmaker Series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XXBX6LJ?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks

One Night in Georgia: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G14MH1D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Adriana Herrera, a USA Today bestselling author, joins me this episode to talk about a converging series of experiences and events that led her to write and publish romance: her experiences as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic; the dissonance she felt between her studies on Black Feminist Thought and the colonial images she read in romance; the demoralizing rhetoric about immigrants in the 2016 elections and her need to affirm the existence of immigrants; and her need to create romance novels that center diverse characters who are Black and LGBTQ. In this conversation, she and I also talk about her Dreamer series as well as her additional publications: Finding Joy, Mangoes and Mistletoe, Here to Stay, "The Duke Makes Me Feel," and her newest release One Week to Claim it All.

Her Dreamers series has received starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly and Booklist and has been featured on The TODAY Show on NBC, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Library Journal and The Washington Post. Her debut, American Dreamer, was selected as one of Booklist's Best Romance Debuts of 2019, and one of the Top 10 Romances of 2019 by Entertainment Weekly. Adriana is an outspoken advocate for diversity in romance and has written for Remezcla and Bustle. She is one of the co-creators of the Queer Romance PoC Collective: https://sites.google.com/view/pocqueerromanceauthorscommunit/home?authuser=0

Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Editor: Randall Spriggs with rsvideophoto_media. Website is www.rsvideophoto.media

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Adriana Herrera's website: https://adrianaherreraromance.com/

One Week to Claim it All: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P3M3S7L?tag=ahromance-20

American Dreamer: An LGBTQ Romance: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SVY14Z1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

Finding Joy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085TRV833/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i5

Mangoes and Mistletoe: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081135L42/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4

Here to Stay: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086R2QY77/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

Today's guest is Katrina Jackson, best-selling writer of over twenty novels. She joins me to discuss her prolific career. Katrina discusses some of her early reading practices, writing her first romance, a self-published book titled Encore, and why she publishes affirming images of Black women. She also recounts how her life as a pre and post tenured historian in the Academy informs some of her novels' themes. She and I also discuss several of her books: From Scratch, Office Hours, The Hitman, Encore, Grand Theft New Year's Eve, and her current release Back in the Day.

An Associate Professor of history, Katrina is a college professor by day who writes romances by weekend when her cats allow. She writes high heat, diverse and mostly queer erotic romances and erotica. She can be reached at @katrinajax.

Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Katrina Jackson's Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Katrina-Jackson/e/B01GAF7X2Q%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Office Hours: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086HXGL86/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Back in the Day: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B091G63SW9/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6

From Scratch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077RCHLQJ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6

The Hitman: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CGS9YJ8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i8

Grand Theft New Year's Eve: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z268N51/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p2_i0

Best-selling writer Piper Huguley joins Julie to talks about her experiences writing, publishing, and marketing historical novels with African American Christian characters. She talks about developing her online platform to self-publish her novels, including her first The Lawyer's Luck and the books in her "Home to Millford College Series." In addition, she talks about A Virtuous Ruby from her "Migrations of the Heart Series" as well as her forthcoming books: her Hallmark novel Sweet Tea, and By design: The Story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best Kept Secret, a historical fiction which will be published by William Morrow.

Piper Huguley is an Amazon Bestselling writer for her books The Lawyer's Luck and The Preacher's Promise. The Preacher's Promise was also named a top ten Historical Romance in Publisher's Weekly by Beverly Jenkins. She is a 2013 Golden Heart finalist for A Champion's Heart, a first place winner for the 2013 Golden Rose Contest for her novel A Virtuous Ruby, and a 2014 Golden Rose Contest finalist. Huguley was named 2015 Debut Author of the year by Romance Slam Jam and Breakout Author of the Year by AAMBC, the African Americans on the Move Book Club, Inc.

Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Website: https://piperhuguley.com/about/

The Preacher's Promise: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00M77K09U/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3

The Lawyer's Luck: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LBIKE38/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6

A Virtuous Ruby: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087XX47Z3/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i7

Sweet Tea: A perfect heartwarming romance from Hallmark Publishing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08LDYJKT1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

By design: The Story of Ann Lowe, Society's Best Kept Secret: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Story-Lowe-Societys-Secret-ebook/dp/B093ZXPRXH/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=By+design%3A+The+Story+of+Ann+Lowe%2C+Society%E2%80%99s+Best+Kept+Secret&qid=1623716471&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Best-selling writer Kennedy Ryan joins Julie to talks about how she developed her writing craft, which led to the 2014 publication of her first book, When You Are Mine. She talks about her experiences self-publishing, starting a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, and she recounts her experiences at the 2019 RWA award ceremony when she won the Rita award for her self-published novel Long Shot in the Contemporary Romance Long area. They deep dive into her books series All the King's Men, Queen Move, and her latest release Reel.

Kennedy Ryan is a RITA Award Winner and Top 25 Amazon Bestseller. She has also published her writings in Modern Mom Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today, and many others. The founder and executive director of a foundation serving Atlanta families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an advocate for families living with autism.

Thanks to @cbddepaul and @romancewriters for sponsoring this podcast.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Website: https://kennedyryanwrites.com

Reel: https://www.amazon.com/Reel-Standalone-Hollywood-Renaissance-Novel-ebook/dp/B091G3LF8S

Queen Move: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086R7S4GX/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

All the King's Men Series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081NBYRCZ?ref_=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_tkin&binding=kindle_edition

Long Shot: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BLZ7S7T/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i6

Best-selling writer LaQuette joins Julie to discuss her successful writing career, which began with the 2013 publication of her first book, My Beginning. They discuss how she came to write and publish romance, her role as the current President of the Romance Writers of America, her publishing company Brooklyn Girl Ink, and her books Jackson and Bedding the Enemy.

LaQuette is a 2021 Vivian award finalist for her book titled Under His Protection. This award-winning writer has received the 2016 Author of the Year Golden Apple Award and the 2016 Write Touch Readers Award

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Website: https://www.laquette.com/

Jackson: https://www.amazon.com/Jackson-Restoration-Ranch-Book-1-ebook/dp/B08DHD3V9L/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=LaQuette&qid=1622242588&s=digital-text&sr=1-3

Bedding the Enemy: https://www.amazon.com/Bedding-Enemy-LaQuette-ebook/dp/B0788W5HP6/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=LaQuette&qid=1622242474&s=digital-text&sr=1-7

My Beginning:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0991320301/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i15

Best-selling writer Reese Ryan joins Julie to talk about her successful writing career, which began with the 2013 publication of her first book, Making the First Move. They discuss Ryan's recent nomination for the Vivian Award in the Contemporary Romance Short area as well as her experiences writing and publishing romance. They also deep dive into three of her novels: Making the First Move, Second Chance on Cypress Lane, and Waking up Married.

Reese Ryan is the author of over twenty novels. She is the past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and the 2018 Donna Hill Breakout Author.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Website: https://www.reeseryan.com/

Making the First Move: https://www.amazon.com/Making-First-Move-Boys-Gone-ebook/dp/B00CC68FMU/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Making+the+first+move&qid=1621271266&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

Engaging the Enemy: https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Enemy-Bourbon-Brothers-Book-ebook/dp/B07JKYX4L7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BJEEUKKS3SMW&dchild=1&keywords=engaging+the+enemy+by+reese+ryan&qid=1621271705&s=digital-text&sprefix=engaging+the+enemy+%2Cdigital-text%2C192&sr=1-1

Second Chance on Cypress Lane:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085C72M17/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=reeseryanwrites-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B085C72M17&linkId=c5dc71d0d1d148c83a9b52b8afbcceed

Waking up Married: https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Up-Married-friends-Brothers-ebook/dp/B08GM6X989/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Waking+up+married&qid=1621271216&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Best-selling and award-winning novelist Shirley Hailstock joins Julie to talk about her successful writing career, and they deep dive into her novels Whispers of Love (Under the Sheets) and Love in Logan Beach.

Shirley Hailstock is the author of over 40 novels and novellas. She writes contemporary romantic suspense, paranormal, historical romance, and mainstream women's fiction. She holds a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York City Chapter of RWA, and an Emma Merritt Service Award from RWA. Her novel, Legacy is listed as one of the 100 Greatest Romance Novels of the 20th Century.

Hailstock is a past president of the Romance Writers of America, and she is active locally and nationally, having served on the National Board of Directors for seven years. She is also a past president of the New Jersey Romance Writers and a past officer of Women Writers of Color.

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley; a_caju_creative

Artwork: Kyle Gabb; Marciano_arts

Website: http://www.shirleyhailstock.net/

Whispers of Love (Under the Sheets): https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Love-Arabesque-Shirley-Hailstock/dp/0786000554

Love in Logan Beach: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Logan-Beach-House-Thorn-ebook/dp/B01M6B7V7K/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Love+in+Logan+Beach&qid=1621171793&s=books&sr=1-1

Best-selling writer Donna Hill joins Julie for the first episode of Season two of the Black Romance Podcast. They discuss Hill's experiences writing and publishing romance, and they deep dive into three of her novels: Rooms of the Heart, Chances Are, and Confessions in B Flat.

Donna Hill is a prolific writer who has published romance, women's fiction, chick lit, erotica, and mysteries. She has even had her books adapted for TV. Her career started in 1990 when she published Rooms of the Heart. Since then she has gone on to publish more than 80 novels and novellas, including her most recent book Confessions in B Flat.

Website: https://donnaohill.com

Rooms of the Heart: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Rooms+of+the+Heart+donna+hill&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss

Chances Are: https://www.amazon.com/Chances-Are-Essence-Bestselling-Author-ebook/dp/B001D3CR2W/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Chances+are+donna+hill&qid=1620155441&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Confessions in B Flat: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-B-Flat-Donna-Hill-ebook/dp/B0879HJ7S6/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Creator and Producer of the Black Romance Podcast: Julie E Moody-Freeman

Sound Design: Juelle Daley