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 5, hosts Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner catch up on life updates, celebrate major career milestones, and dive deep into one of the most important (and underrated) moments in romance writing: The Meet Cute!

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00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me

01:23 – Life updates & Kandi's 10-year publishing anniversary

03:03 – Why authors struggle to celebrate success

05:56 – Season sponsor spotlight: Willow Aster & Lena Hendrix

10:35 – Valentine Vaults: favorite Valentine's Day memories

15:12 – Why your partner should also be your best friend

17:47 – Generational shifts in parenting & partnership

19:06 – What is a "meet cute"?

23:29 – How meet cutes shape a story from page one

26:47 – Tips for writing a strong meet cute

35:54 – Favorite meet cute examples in romance

46:40 – Writing exercise: crafting your meet cute

49:32 – Sponsor spotlight: Jessica Prince

51:14 – Red Flag / Green Flag: Insta-love

59:03 - Reader Question: What's your favorite part about being an author?

BOOK CLUB PICK

A.L. Jackson

From Here to Eternity (Moonlit Ridge, Book 1)

Link: https://geni.us/FHTEAmznOP

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aljacksonig

Website: https://www.aljacksonauthor.com/

Join us for the From Here to Eternity discussion on February 18th.

SEASON SPONSORS

Jessica Prince

Beautifully Broken Pieces

Link: https://geni.us/BeautBrokenPieceebook

Website: https://authorjessicaprince.com/

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 uncensored conversation?

This week: Reality TV

Join the Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and exclusive content:https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast

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