I’m usually a sucker for second chance-at-love stories and I loved RESTING WITCH FACE. What made you decide to have it come out later in the series? Was it to deliberately build tension for readers? Yes, for a couple of reasons. Of course, I wanted to build tension, but also the characters needed to be seen “apart” before you could see them “together.” After you read RWF, you understand why they couldn’t stay together. And if you read closely the books that come before it, you’ll see how Ruben and Jules have both changed. It also makes their final reunion that much sweeter when you’ve seen them apart in other books but sense their obvious chemistry still sparking between them.   I liked both of the main characters in RESTING WITCH FACE – especially your vampire hero. I confess that – even when the book description doesn’t match – I sometimes visualize the paranormal hero looking a little like Jack Skellington from THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Are there any traits – either physical or personality-wise – that you like giving your heroes? I tend to like all my heroes tall. Lol. I simply like tall men, like my husband, so…

1–What is the title of your latest release? PARKS AND PROVOCATION, Book 2 in the Green Valley Heroes series 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Highschool nemeses reunite in an embarrassing moment back in their small town in the Smoky Mountains. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Originally, it would’ve been in a small town like my own in south Louisiana, but I submitted and was offered to join the Smartypants Romance team. So Jed and Lola ended up in Green Valley, Tennessee. It’s a dream come true because the Winston Brothers series is one of my all-time favorites. I’m a huge admirer and fan of Penny Reid. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Yes. Actually, most of my closest friends are very much like Lola, organized and put-together. (The opposite of me.) 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Loyal, caring, and passionate. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? It reminded me that we shouldn’t ever regret our past. Every moment makes up the person that we are, and we learn from our mistakes. It also had me remembering how I’d done something similar…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Juliette Cross!   Writes: Juliette writes paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary romance across the spectrum, both light and dark. She enjoys delving deep with the broody, wounded heroes and the snarky, kickass heroines they fall for. But she also loves to write funny—and always sexy—romcoms with her favorite tropes like grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, and opposites attract.   About: Juliette is a Louisiana native, so you’ll find most of her contemporary romance settings are right there at home in NOLA or Cajun country. She’s a mother of four and wife to her best friend. She’s a Star Wars, Marvel, LOTR nerd and a chocolate, whiskey junkie. She enjoys long nights binge-watching the latest craze on Netflix or Hulu. And if you know who Rip is and where the train station is, then you’re most probably kindred spirits. My ideal reader match for my latest Stay A Spell book, WITCHES GET STITCHES must love: Naughty limericks on New Year’s Eve A growly, pining werewolf Steamy scenes in a…

Last year, my niece Jessen Judice asked me to co-host her new venture–a review podcast for fangirls of romance who love to talk about the books they love. With positive vibes, our can-do attitudes, and Jessen at the helm, we started recording episodes for Smart Women Read Romance. As a writer of romance, I thought this would be fun, to step back into romancelandia as a reader. Besides joining the ranks of romance fans, it gave me an outlet to discuss what makes this genre so powerful for women and to celebrate it in a positive light. As our bio says for SWRR, “We started this podcast as a big middle finger to the stigma associated with reading and loving romance novels. We love to fangirl about our favorite books, authors, and characters and are challenging people to think of romance novels as more than just ‘mommy porn’–though there’s nothing wrong with a copious amount of sexy times.” Not only do we highlight the struggles of women in the modern world and cheer when they overcome adversity, but we also celebrate all aspects of womanhood–from career-climbing to parenting to falling in love. After a year of recording, 46 full episodes…

I had a conversation with a friend the other day, debating why independent-minded, strong-willed women crave alpha males. She, being one of these women with quite an affinity for the fictional Christian Grey, said “it’s not that I want to be dominated out in the real world—just in the bedroom.” So I mentally tapped my chin, pondering my own fascination with alpha males. Yes, I married one. So there’s no denying I’ve got it pretty bad for aggressive, protective men. This may be why they show up so often in my writing. Okay, definitely why. But I believe the lure is more primitive than we think. If we gaze far back to the caveman days, cavewomen followed the one with the biggest club and the baddest attitude to scare off dangerous predators and keep her safe. Even in the 21st century, you’ll find a line of women readers drooling over badass billionaires, dominant shape-shifter alphas, Highland warriors, and deadly demon hunters. I’ve not yet heard one of my friends panting over the pretty boy shopping for his skinny jeans and highlighting his overly styled hair. We want the modern caveman with the biggest stick (sexual innuendo intended) to beat our…

“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” –G.K. Chesterton Chesterton touches on a profound point that is relevant even in the modern age. Girls and women of all ages find fairytales alluring. Is it the damsel in distress? The knight in shining armor? The slaying of the dragon? Or the magical happily-ever-after? I’m going to venture to say it’s all of this which appeals to both little girls and grown women. Let’s take a closer look, shall we? The damsel in distress. What woman has not felt the danger of imminent peril in daily life? Whether she is struggling with family issues, financial strain, pressure at work, or relationship problems, she knows what it’s like to dangle from that emotional tower calling out for help. We have all been Rapunzel, looking away from the wickedness within our small worlds and seeking light and hope on the horizon. This is a scenario a girl of twelve or a woman of sixty can understand on an intimate level. The knight in shining armor. While not every boy or man lives up to the perfect prince…

Because I like to analyze and title just about everything (neurotic reader/writer that I am), I’ve analyzed and labeled each of the various, yummy types of men that make us swoon, giggle, and want to leap through the page, punch out the heroine, and take her place. As an alpha-loving girl, you’ll find my favorite leading men tend to lean toward the aggressive type. Sorry, beta girls. Still, I think there’s a book boyfriend out there for everyone. Let’s take a look at a few archetypes, shall we? MR. SNARK Devastatingly handsome, smoldering smile, and sarcastic with a bite—all of which makes you want to slap him or kiss him. Probably both, in that order. Why does he intrigue us so much? Well, hell, just look at that smirk! And you never know what’s really going on behind those scintillating looks (but we can pretty much guess). *gasp* *Examples: Edward Rochester in Charlotte Bronte’s JANE EYRE; Dorian the Fairy King in Richelle Mead’s DARK SWAN series PRINCE CHARMING Golden good looks with sparkling eyes and a smile that makes you melt into a pile of goo. This guy is exactly what his title suggests—all charm and sparkling wit. Though he…