Friday, August 26, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Christi Barth!

Joining me today in The Loft is USA Today best-selling author Christi Barth. Christi typically writes contemporary romantic comedy, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.  On October 25, she will release her first paranormal romantic comedy novel. A part-time writer, Christi can be found stirring up trouble in a wide variety of locales with a wide variety of characters after working at her day job, usually between the hours of 8 to 11:30 p.m. each evening. A resident of Baltimore, Christi took time from her annual vacation in Ocean City, MD, to visit The Loft and chat about her latest book.

Author Christi Barth

S:  Good morning, Christi. Thanks for joining me today!

What was your worst date ever?

C:  My blind date was a sales rep for Proctor & Gamble. He gestured to his stuffed back seat and offered me all the feminine hygiene products I could possibly want. That was not sexy!

S:  I would have grabbed a handful and fled!

What do people get wrong about publishing a book? 

C:  That's a two-part answer. First, that if you write a book and pay an editor, it is automatically good enough to publish. Just because you can publish something doesn’t mean it is necessarily ready. Finishing a book is a huge accomplishment to be celebrated – but there is a lot to be learned by doing, and two or four or more books might have to be written before one is truly ready. And second, that writing a book is all you have to do as an author. That is not true. You are a full-time business owner. Even with traditional publishers, you have to market your books. I’m super happy to be chatting with you today, but this takes time. Now imagine doing 15 of these blogs during release week--all with different questions to answer – and 15 more when there is a sale, and multiply that by your back list. Actually, writing the book is the easiest part!

S:  That is so true. Book marketing is not only a series of trials and errors, but also time-consuming.

What inspires your stories?

C:  Often, it is travel. My first book idea came from a visit to Charleston. I tripped over a tree root in the cobblestones and landed on the fence around a cemetery. Instantly, I had a book idea. Same thing happened when I visited the Finger Lakes--my Shore Secrets series--and took a cruise, Cruising Toward Love." But my fave inspiration story comes from when I was sitting in "Anastasia" on Broadway. I knew I had to write a book with similar themes. I spent all of intermission scribbling the idea down on the back of my ticket--and it became my Sexy Misadventures of Royals series.

S:  How has romance changed in your lifetime? 

C:  I don’t think romance itself has changed, aside from it being more of a two-way street. I think the romance genre has changed, and for the better. I grew up on absolute bodice-rippers. Loved them at the time, but see them now as very, very not okay. Today’s romances are more balanced--the hero and the heroine are both smart, both have careers that matter, and the dumbing down of women has very much dissipated.

S:  When I was studying for the bar exam, someone passed around a big bag of "bodice-rippers" their mother had sent. Those books were a great source of entertainment, and a nice break from studying, but so removed from reality that it was a little disturbing.

What attracted you to your current partner?

C:  We were great friends. He was married--nothing hinky was going on, I promise--and we played romantic leads in an operetta. We didn’t flirt or anything, we just had a lot of sitting around time to talk and laugh and do crosswords and we became fast friends. Okay, I did notice how handsome he was, but would never, ever have done anything about it. And I truly think that is the secret to a great marriage--sure, you love each other, but being best friends is truly the foundation.

S:  What inspired "Hottie On Her Shelf?"

C:  It was actually a suggestion from my publisher. I know, not a super eventful inspiration story. She suggested that a librarian run against a mayor. Period. Which yes, sounds fun, but is actually incredibly hard to make into an entire book. Because in these partisan times, I had to ensure that this election romance had zero politics in it--since everyone deserves to enjoy a romance no matter their political leanings.

S:  Is there anything special you want people to know about "Hottie On Her Shelf?"

C:  I, myself, visit small towns and break out in immediate emotional hives with the thought of everyone knowing my schedule and thinking they can comment on my life. But I do adore reading--and writing--small town romance. And this book takes place in a tiny coastal Maine town, full of quirky, adorable side characters. They are my favorites. Plus, there is a--no spoilers--dream date for a reader--because my heroine is a librarian. Trust me. You’ll all want to go there and this date is a real place!

Here's the blurb--

Hallie Scott expected the hangover from her thirtieth birthday. She did not expect to find her calm, orderly life as Swan Cove’s head librarian to completely change overnight when her best friend added Hallie to the mayoral ballot because of one little remark. One. Now she’s going head-to-head with the small coastal town’s prominent “prince,” Fitz Montgomery…whose charm is about to get seriously checked.

All Fitz wants is to prove himself, beyond being the latest in the unbroken line of Montgomery mayors. Nobody, least of all Fitz, expected the town’s cute-as-hell librarian to step up and run against him. Hallie’s definitely in over her head, which is a problem, since Fitz wants a fair fight. But is he helping Hallie level the playing field…or arming his opponent?

Hallie and Fitz are on completely different sides. Their backgrounds, their lives, their ongoing ebook vs paperback argument. But they’re both about to learn that the art of war is nowhere near as complicated as falling for the enemy...

S:  That sounds entertaining. Where can readers buy your book?

C:  It's available at--






S:  Christi, thanks so much for taking time from your vacation to join me today. If you'd like to learn more about Christi and her books, please visit--





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Friday, August 19, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Pauline Baird Jones!

Joining me today in The Loft is USA Today Bestselling Author Pauline Baird Jones. Pauline writes in a broad range of romance sub-genres, including gothic and time travel romance, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and science fiction. For motivation, she devours chocolate and bacon, and collects flamingoes and mid-century modern anything. She also enjoys reading and building Lego houses. After living with her husband in the south for 34 years, they have returned to the state of their birth--Wyoming.

Author Pauline Baird Jones

S:  Good morning, Pauline! Thanks for joining me today.

What would you like people to know about you?

P:  I am from small town Wyoming, homemade bread, from black and white television, 8MM movies with no sound, and drinking soda pop from bottles with caps that didn’t twist off. I am from long, hot summer days that began at sun up and ended only when the sun went down--reluctantly—with a nap in the middle for my mom’s sanity. I’m from sleep outs under the moon and snow angels and sledding in the winter. I’m from a grandma who raised her family in a two-bedroom log cabin, and another who came from the city, but married a cowboy and moved to Wyoming. I am from short, from wishing I were taller. I’m from jowls. I’m also from Louisiana. I’m from pastries I can’t forget, beignets and bread pudding. I’m from Texas. I’m from barbecues, the Cotton-eyed Joe, and hurricanes. I’m from the USA, from Earth and the Milky Way and from when Pluto was still a planet. I’m from books that introduced me to the world and inspired me to become a writer.

S:  That's quite an adventurous introduction! What attracted you to your current partner?

P:  One of the hub’s most enduring qualities is his ability to look past the surface of people to the person inside—and to like them. People see that and they are drawn to him because he is truly interested in them. From the first moment I met him, I felt like I could be better with him around. And I wasn’t wrong about that. We’ve been married for 47 years now and I still feel special when he looks at me.

S:  What inspires your stories?

P:  I always struggle with this question and I answer it because it is good for my character to answer difficult questions. The thing that drives me to write, I think, is because there is a book in my head that I want to read. I want to read it bad enough that I wrestle with the story, argue with characters, and write-delete-write until I find out what happened. I think I also write to figure out who I am. I grew up in a time of flux and change for women and their roles, so that seems to run through my books quite a bit. And I write to entertain myself and others, to escape sometimes challenging reality. What I hope is that those who read my books will laugh, shiver with fear from time to time, and sigh at the happy ending achieved.

S:  What is the best/worst thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?

P:  My best and worst thing are the same thing. I had an agent and I was on the cusp of making a sale to a major, New York publisher. I balked when they insisted I add sexual content to my book. I thought about it and realized I just wasn’t comfortable with that. I said, "No," and I lost the agent and contract. I thought it was the biggest setback of my career, but it turned out to be a wonderful blessing. When independent publishing arrived, I owned the rights to all my books. I love managing my books and my own business. I won’t lie, it is challenging at times to be author, publisher, publicist, designer and more. I do all my own formatting, but I do have a wonderful cover designer, and editor. I like being in charge of what happens to my books and what goes inside them. And if I had taken the contract? My Big Uneasy series would be completely different from what it is--the editor didn’t want 13 siblings! 

S:  Sounds like you were true to yourself and reaped the benefits. If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

P:  Completely and utterly yes! I love being a writer. When I’m asked about my dream job, well, I am living it.

S:  What inspired "The Family Way?"

P:  "The Family Way' is a story about Alex and Nell,  from "Relatively Risky," having a baby. It was inspired by two things. First, Alex is the oldest of 13 siblings. When his mom and then his step-mom died, he helped to raise them. He never wanted to have any more children to take care of. But then he married Nell. Nell attracts kids to her like flowers to bees. Second, Nell is related to the mob, which are sometimes called Family. And when she got “in the family way," well, I knew I had to write the story.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "The Family Way?"

P:  I personally only go to baby showers out of friendship and for the cake. So it was kind of a peculiar punishment for me to write about a baby shower. And of course, because I write comedy romantic suspense, things were going to go wrong. Early reviews call it “a short, sweet funny read,” “…a fun-to-read romantic suspense/cozy mystery…” and also said that “This book had all the feels. It was charming and quirky and you simply cannot help but love all of the characters.”

Here's the blurb--

Alex and Nell are expecting!

At Nell’s baby shower, she’s hoping for a ceasefire between the law-enforcing Bakers and her criminal cousins (not to mention her scary grandmother, the mob doyenne).

The girls just want to have fun, but when the silly shower games are interrupted by some unexpected guests, it takes the “fun” right out of this dysfunctional family shower.

Can Baby Baker help these families inch closer to neutral ground and begin to heal old wounds and fractured friendships?


S:  Sounds entertaining! Where can readers buy your book?

P:  It's available at--





S:  Pauline, thanks for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Pauline and her books, please visit--





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Friday, August 12, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Dominique Wild!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Dominique Wild. Dominique pens erotic and contemporary romance, and erotica. Her stories explore love and sex through the lens of BDSM, polyamory, and queer relationships. Dominique loves a cozy blanket, cup of tea, and a sexy read on a cold night.  She spends her days in the warm parts of the U.S. and can often be found gardening, walking, doing yoga, and reading. Dominique believes the only sin is not following your heart.

Avatar for author Dominique Wild

S:  Welcome, Dominique! Thanks for joining me in The Loft!

Do you believe true romance--the wooing, courtship, passion, seduction, the little gestures of affection, etc.--is dead? 

D:  Nope – romance will never die. I do think it has changed. There’s a lot more acceptance of casual sex, which doesn’t require romance at all. I generally think that’s a good thing--women shouldn’t be shamed for wanting sex, like men aren’t--but that means you have to work at finding the romance, if that’s what you’re looking for. But romantic souls have always been here, and they aren’t going anywhere.

S:  I think that's what many miss. Romance requires work, it doesn't happen spontaneously. 

What do you appreciate more--Brains or brawn/beauty?

D:  Brains, for sure. Brawn and beauty are fantastic, don’t get me wrong, but if you can’t make me laugh or think or have a decent conversation we aren’t going to last very long.

S:  When I was younger, a much more mature man said to me, "Why don't you just sit there and look pretty?" I was pretty insulted, but since then, I cannot believe how many times I have wanted to say that to a man.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

D:  Absolutely. I’m a creative soul. I get depressed and cranky if I can’t express myself through writing. It’s how I explore, think, and process. Those needs will never go away, even if I don’t have as much time for it as I wish I did.

S:  When those stories are fighting to be told, the only solution is to put them on paper.

What inspires your stories?

D:  Tons of things. Personal experience. Fantasy. Articles I’ve read about kink, polyamory or the queer experience. Dreams. Movies or books I’ve watched or read that ended differently than I would have done it. The good old, “What if?” question. And sometimes, a desperate need to write something that has been knocking around in my head for ages, because I know it won’t go away until I write it.

S:  What famous book do you wish you had written? Why?

D:  I’ve got to say, "50 Shades of Grey," because then I would have made enough money to quit my job and write full-time. That’s a little bit of a facetious answer, though. I’d have written the books differently than James did, and they may not have been the same hit as hers. But love them or hate ‘em, she changed the public conversation around romance and kink, and I have to give her credit for that.

S:  While I am envious of the marketing machine James had behind her books, I felt she perpetuated a fantasy of what D/s and BDSM relationships are. A lot of newbies ventured into that world because of her books and were taken advantage of by posers and wanna-be Doms. They had this erroneous romantic fantasy of what they were getting into, to their detriment. 

What inspired "Sinful Liaisons?"

D:  This one was a combination of personal experience, fantasy, and “What if?” There’s a scene in the novel where Sarah’s lying on a trampoline with her boyfriend, Mike, and his best friend, Peter. They’re laying out with the intent of watching a meteor shower, but the boys both fall asleep. Sarah’s left cuddled in between them and she realizes that she’s in love with both of them. That’s a real experience from my life – sort of. My high school boyfriend, his best friend and I all really did fall asleep on a trampoline, but there was no meteor shower--I added that part in for romantic effect. We were just out in the backyard talking and laughing and goofing off late at night. But I remember lying there between them, knowing I had a crush on the best friend and hating that it could never go anywhere. I realized that I wanted them both, and it was never going to happen. At the time I’d never heard of polyamory--no one talked about it back then so I had no concept of it as a relationship choice. I did what good girls did, and tried to forget about it. So when it came time to write a novel, I took that experience and said, “What if?” What if Sarah didn’t totally dismiss her crush, but instead pushed for that relationship? What if the boyfriend was okay with polyamory? What would I want out of that life if I could live it, and what would a reader want to see from that experience? I took a young woman at the beginning of her adult life and gave her a relationship that I never thought was possible when I was younger. It’s a good time to be a young person right now. The acceptable life choices are so much more diverse than mine were, and I think that’s fantastic.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Sinful Liaisons?"

D:  "Sinful Liaisons" explores polyamory and Shibari--rope bondage. It was a fantastic dive into each of them. Figuring out how to describe bondage through words so that the readers could envision it without getting bogged down in too much detail was hard, but a fun challenge. "Sinful Liaisons" is the start to my Club Sin series. It’s set in a BDSM club, called Sin, where all kinds of kinky things happen. Each novel in the series will feature a new relationship with its own kinky dynamic. There are so many areas of the BDSM experience I’d love to explore, and so many interesting kinks other than Shibari. This series gives me a great way to get into it all.

Here's the blurb--

Does the good girl who always plays by the rules dare to walk on the wild side and make her deepest wish come true?

Sarah has the hottest boyfriend on campus. Mike is the University’s star quarterback and he’s got the hard abs and killer smile any girl would swoon over. And he’s totally devoted to Sarah. So why can’t she get over her secret love for his best friend, Peter?

Peter makes her laugh, and he brings the kink to her life that she never knew she wanted. She should forget him and focus on her smoking hot, sweet boyfriend – but a moment of weakness during her twenty-first birthday party makes that impossible.

When Mike finds out will that be the end of their relationship? Or is there a way for Sarah to have both of them without a scandal that would ruin her in the process?

One thing’s for sure: Sarah’s tired of playing by other people’s rules.


S:  That sounds like a very hot story! Where can readers buy your book?

D:  It's available from--


S:  Dominique, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Dominique and her books, please visit--

Website:  https://dominiquewild.com/
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Friday, August 5, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Judythe Morgan!

Joining me today in The Loft is award-winning author Judythe Morgan. A military child and wife, Judythe is a native Texan who returned to her roots after years of roaming the world. Her stories tend to blend several genres, but all end with a happily-ever-after. Life with three children, eleven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and an Old English sheepdog named Finnegan provide Judyeth with plenty of ideas for her stories. Her fifteenth book is set for release in November. 

Author Judythe Morgan

S:  Good morning, Judythe! Thanks for joining me today.

What is the best thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?

J:  Lots of good things have happened to me as a writer. I’ve made great friends. I have had great writing teachers. I’ve had my writing recognized with awards. But the best thing is when a reader tells me they’ve loved a book I wrote.

S:  It's always gratifying when your writing is appreciated, isn't it? 

What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

J:  My father told me to “Just keep going. No matter what.” That coupled with my favorite quote from author Ray Bradbury, “Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.” The two complement each other and remembering both keeps me going when obstacles cross my path in my life or my writing.

S:  That's sound advice, just keep writing.

What do you want inscribed on your tombstone? How do you want to be remembered?

J:  I’d love to have, “Irish She Was, In Love with her God.” The words come from an Irish poem titled “Irish She Is.” Those who know me well will recognize the truth. Those who don’t know me personally will be able to remember who I was.

S:  I love that!

What inspired "Claiming Annie's Heart?"

J:  The idea for "Claiming Annie’s Heart" was born on my first trip to Ireland and nourished by my Irish roots and other trips to Ireland. On one of those trips, I visited an Irish girls’ boarding school in Connemara, County Galway, where I experienced one of those rare writer moments—a character sprang fully formed into my head, commanding me to tell her story. That character was Annie Foster, the heroine of "Claiming Annie’s Heart."

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Claiming Annie's Heart?" 

J:  "Claiming Annie’s Heart" blends two genres--Women’s Fiction and Romance. That’s why I call it an Irish love story. It’s sprinkled with a bit of an Irish history lesson and a touch of suspense. One reviewer called the story a sonnet to Ireland. Another reviewer wrote that Ireland and its people become another character in the story. I hope you enjoy reading Annie’s story and all my stories as much as I’ve enjoyed writing them.

Here's the blurb--

He never doubted he’d find her.
She moved on without him.
Can he reclaim her heart before it’s too late?

Annie Foster’s outraged parents discover she’s living with her boyfriend Chad Jones and banish Annie to a remote boarding school in Ireland. Believing Chad has deserted her, Annie refuses to return to Texas when she graduates. Instead, she remains in Ireland to nanny a widower’s infant daughter. Five years later, she accepts the widower’s marriage proposal.

Chad has never forgotten Annie or the way her parents tore her from him. He refuses to give up hope that someday he’ll find her. A private security contractor with NSA, he arrives in Belfast weeks before Annie’s wedding.

The only problem is, he’s there to investigate her fiancé’s connection with terrorists. Without revealing his role, Chad must protect Annie while convincing her she still loves him because he’s never stopped loving her.

Unexpectedly faced with truths she never anticipated, Annie must choose between the man she’ll always love and her fiancé and his child, the daughter she has promised not to abandon.


S:  That sounds like a very suspenseful romance! Where can readers buy your book?

J:  It's available at--


S:  Judythe, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Judythe, please visit--

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