In episode 18 of Backstage with the Book Babes, we interview contemporary romance author, JD Harbor. He writes cruise ship based romances that are humorous, heartfelt, and character driven.

JD tells us all about his love of cruising, and shares how he met his wife on a singles cruise. These experiences inspired him to write romance novels where the characters meet on a cruise ship and carry their relationship back to the real world.

His current books are all connected as part of the Romantisea Serenades series. The first two books feature a unique dual POV perspective with the first book, Scarlet Wave telling the story from the female main character’s POV and the second book, Golden Shores, telling the same love story from the male main characters POV.

The mystical cruise host matchmaker of the series, Maude, was inspired by the real life cruise host who helped JD connect with his wife. And he tells us about how he was able to reconnect with her later on to share their story and her part in his books.

He tells us about the very unique experience of traveling on board the LoveLit cruise with a small group of readers and other authors. We learn all about the deeper connections he was able to form with readers during this five day adventure.

And what skills has JD learned to support his writing? He’s become an amateur mixologist learning how to mix all kinds of fun drinks. His wife really appreciates this skill.

JD’s dream is to have a contract with a cruise line to stock his books. Any cruise ship operators listening out there?

We had so much fun talking with JD. Enjoy the show.

Music by Christopher Tallon

Help Support the podcast:If you listen and it brings you joy, make sure to leave a review or help support the podcast through Buy Me A Coffee.

Buy Alby a tea: https://buymeacoffee.com/albyblake

Buy Nikki a tea: buymeacoffee.com/nikkijewell

About Our Guest:

JD writes contemporary romance that feels like a true escape, set in sun filled destinations where connection comes easily and emotions run deep. His stories focus on slow burn chemistry, found family, and characters who discover love when they least expect it. Expect sharp banter, heartfelt moments, and relationships that feel earned from the first spark to the final page.

Here’s where you can find JD:

linktr.ee/jdharbor,

jdharbor.com,

instagram.com/jdharbor

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

Summary:

In episode 17 of Backstage with the Book Babes, we interview contemporary romance author, Monique Fisher. She writes spicy but cosy romcoms featuring lovable characters. These include her Richardson siblings trilogy and the Decadence series.

We chat about the reasons behind Monique choosing to write romcoms including her love of 90s romcom movies like Pretty Woman and Boomerang. Her background in theater has also been a big influence on her writing career. She has tried her hand at various writing mediums, but really found her love with romance novels. She calls her books low angst, cozy romcoms, and believes the world needs this sort of fiction.

Monique also talked about the opposing sides of life as an author. The stress of balancing a job with her family and her writing. But on the other side, the joys of creating fictional worlds. She particularly loves writing in series, so readers can follow the Easter Eggs as they read through.

Revisions are one of her favorite parts of the writing process. She likens them to rehearsals from her theater days. And she loves to analyze sentences, dialogue and character arcs in order to make her books the best they can be.

One of Monique’s other endeavors has been to create an amazing community of black romance authors. Not only does she collaborate with black cover designers, beta readers, and sensitivity readers, she also connects and uplifts other black authors. She tells us about how she created an online community of black women authors and all about their weekly video meetups.

Monique’s question for readers is, will you buy my books and tell your friends to as well.

What a fascinating conversation.

Music by Christopher Tallon

If you listen and it brings you joy, make sure to leave a review or help support the podcast through Buy Me A Coffee.

Help Support the podcast:

Buy Alby a tea: https://buymeacoffee.com/albyblake

Buy Nikki a tea: buymeacoffee.com/nikkijewell

About Our Guest:

Monique Fisher is a theatre and comic book geek who always has her hands glued to the keyboard conjuring up happily ever afters. She writes modern, fun, real-life romances set in cities and small towns featuring a diverse cast of big-hearted, lovable characters. She has written and released nine books including seven which serve as the introduction to her MRCU (Mo’s Rom-Com Universe). She lives in Los Angeles with her two boys Michael and Alexander. Her dream is to write full time without the aid of a

nine to five. Fingers crossed!

To connect with Monique, you can find her here:

HOME | Monique Fisher

IG/Threads: @moniquefisherauthor

Tik Tok: monique.fisherauthor

Substack: moniquefisher

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

Summary:

In this episode of Backstage with the Book Babes, we interview Canadian romance author, Cortney Murchie. She writes in a variety of contemporary romance subgenres, but her current published works include the Unmatched series, where she gets to dig into her personal experiences with online dating and share the chaos. If you’ve got any online dating horror stories, she’d be happy to hear about them.

We get into the varying spice levels of her books including Sleigh Your Name, her self-professed Smutty Christmas Romance book. This includes some research into candy cane toys and questionable uses of tinsel.

We learn about some of the staples of her writing process including snacks and trashy reality TV shows. We also discuss her poetry books and her failed foray into using a typewriter to create typewritten poetry. Apparently it’s a lot more work than a regular computer keyboard.

She tells us about her experience making audiobooks with her narrator Casey Montgomery, and the editing services she offers other authors.

Book Babe Nikki initially met Cortney at the Romance, Eh? Event in Edmonton, Alberta, so we reminisce a little about that and hear about her first signing events.

If you love a little chaos, a lot of heart and similar vibes to the book babes, you’ll love this episode.

If you listen and it brings you joy, make sure to leave a review or help support the podcast through Buy Me A Coffee.

Music by Christopher Tallon

Help Support the podcast:

Buy Alby a tea: https://buymeacoffee.com/albyblake

Buy Nikki a tea: buymeacoffee.com/nikkijewell

About Our Guest:

Influenced by her wild imagination and life experiences, Cortney loves to explore the depths of emotion and the unconventional.

When she isn’t lost in her writing, you can find her nose buried in a good book, watching hockey or spending time with her favourite people—her twins.

Cortney pours her heart and soul into every piece she creates and has been writing from a very young age. She likes to take her readers on a journey through shadows and light and reflects on the complexity of human nature and the beauty you can find in the darkness.

To connect with Cortney Murchie, follow her on social media:

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

Her books can be found on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.ca/stores/Cortney-Murchie/author/B0DFYXCSXD?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true ), at Under The Covers and Grismby Books, with more coming soon. And can be purchased directly from her.

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