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

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

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