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 9, the hosts are joined by bestselling romance author Liz Tomforde to break down the anatomy of a bestseller.
They also share personal updates, reality TV obsessions, and the importance of author friendships while navigating pregnancy, publishing, and the chaos of a writing career.
Liz Tomforde
Upcoming Release: In Her Own League
https://liztomforde.com/in-her-own-league
Website - https://liztomforde.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liztomforde.author/
💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me
01:05 – Pregnancy updates & baby shower weekend
02:06 – Prenatal classes and unexpected anxiety
03:07 – Why friendships matter in pregnancy and writing
04:15 – Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster
05:20 – Surprise guest reveal: Liz Tomforde
17:39 – The Spice Report
17:45 – Kandi's obsession: Below Deck
21:38 – Giana's obsession: Bridgerton
25:46 – Liz's obsession: Love Is Blind
28:57 – The Anatomy of a Bestseller
32:49 – Why characters are the heart of a great romance
37:49 – Avoiding self-insert characters
38:89 – Writing empathy into character choices
40:14 – Purposeful pacing and emotional tension
44:45 – Building highs and lows in storytelling
46:26 – Adding compelling elements beyond the romance
51:03 – Conflict as the "bones" of a bestseller
01:17:50 – Red Flag / Green Flag
01:22:28 – Reader Question
BOOK CLUB PICK
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
Tropes for that book: Mafia/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DDGX814Q
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanamalonewriter/
Website: https://nanamalone.com/
Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th.
SEASON SPONSORS
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
Intagram: 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 extended, unfiltered conversation?
Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed.
Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.
