Skip to the Good Part
We interview your favorite romance authors! Join your co-hosts, Cara Lockwood/Cara Tanamachi, a USA Today bestselling author of more than 35 books whose first novel, I Do (But I Don't) was made into a Lifetime Original movie, and her co-host, husband, and real-life romantic hero, PJ, (co-host of the Braving Business Podcast) as they get to know the writers behind your favorite Happily-Ever-Afters.
We'll skip to the good parts - of new books, backstories, and inspirations. Join us and add a little more Happily Ever After to your day!
Want to be on the show? Have questions or comments? Email Cara at caratanamachi@gmail.com!
Episodes
42 episodes since 2022
Karaoke Queen Author Dominic Lim spills tea about Karaoke, Being Beat, and His Heartwarming Tale of Love and Acceptance
Dominic Lim’s debut novel, All the Right Notes, was named a 2023 best book by USA Today, Harper’s Bazaar, Go...
September 17, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 17
•
32:08
Sam Tschida talks Errands and Espionage and hobnobbing with Hollywood for her Movie Deal!
Sam Tschida (pronounced cheetah) braves the Minnesota winter with her four resigned children, two goofy dogs, and one sizzling-hot husband. Besides writing her own books, Sam helps others do the same through
September 10, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 16
•
34:51
The Amazing Founder of Steamy Lit Con, Mel Saavedra, talks about Building Community, Empowering Women and Promoting Diversity
Mel Saavedra is the amazing founder of Steamy Lit, an annual gathering of romance authors and their fans each year in Anaheim, and she’s a proud Latina, Navy Veteran and Dog Mom. She also started the Steam Box, a subscription for romance fans. ...
August 20, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 15
•
45:15
Writing about Love and Family with Just Playing House author Farah Heron!
Farah Heron is the critically acclaimed author of romantic comedies for adults and young adults filled with huge South Asian families, delectable food, and most importantly, brown people falling stupidly in love.Farah’s books have been p...
July 02, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 14
•
41:58
Romance is in the air - and at the vineyard with bestseller Mia Heintzelman!
Mia Heintzelman is a bestselling author of novels including Monopolove,
June 11, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 13
•
32:15
We dance the night away with the amazing writing duo Karelia and Faye Stetz-Waters!
Ambassadors of real-life happily-ever-after, Fay and Karelia Stetz-Waters have been together for twenty-three years. Their writing process involves many afternoons spent at local coffee shops and brewpubs outlining scenes, going over draf...
May 21, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 12
•
36:23
USA Today bestselling author Xio Axelrod talks about writing, making music, and much more!
Xio Axelrod is the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl with Stars in her Eyes, Girls with Bad Rep...
May 14, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 11
•
33:48
Bachelorette fan-favorite Hannah Brown talks about her new rom-com, Mistakes We Never Made
Hannah Brown is a television personality, lifestyle expert, podcast host and New York Times bestselling author of God Bless This Mess. After winning Miss Alabama USA in 2018, she went on to star on season 15 of ABC’s hi...
May 07, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 10
•
34:57
Sonya Singh is "Sari, not Sari"!
Sonya Singh, a bestselling author, has ventured into the world of film and television writing after the success of her debut novel Sari, Not Sari. Sonya has also secured a deal with Crown Media/Hallmark to create a South Asian Ch...
April 23, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 9
•
45:10
Violet Marsh talks about writing (with a concussion!) and why Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man
Violet Marsh is a two-time Golden Heart finalist and a former lawyer who decided it was more fun to write witty banter than contractual terms. She writes historical romances filled with unconventional women – and the men stro...
April 16, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 8
•
30:18
The Wartime Book Club and Sunday Times bestseller Kate Thompson Talks about Historical Fiction and Hero Librarians
Sunday Times bestseller Kate Thompson talks about her latest book, The Wartime Book Club, based on the true story of the occupation of the Isle of Jersey during World War II. Nazis have ordered Grace La Mottée, the island's only librarian...
April 09, 2024
•
Season 2
•
Episode 7
•
38:44
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn talks about her acclaimed debut novel, Yinka, Where is Your Husband?
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is the best-selling author of Yinka, Where is Your Husband? which follows the story an Oxford-educated British Nigerian woman with a good-paying job, wonderful friends, and a family who continually...
December 27, 2023
•
Season 2
•
Episode 6
•
26:31
The Second Chance Year Author Melissa Wiesner About Writing Romance and Do-Overs
What would you do if you got to re-live the worst year of your life? Melissa Wiesner's new release, The Second Chance Year, answers this question in the most delightful of ways.
December 05, 2023
•
Season 2
•
Episode 5
•
47:32
Salaam, with Love Author Sara Sharaf Beg Talks about writing YA and Much More!
Sara Sharaf Beg is a Pakistani-American Muslim author whose debut YA contemporary novel Salaam, with Love was released in 2022. This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary novel follows...
November 29, 2023
•
Season 2
•
Episode 4
•
38:25
How to Change a Life and Wedding Girl Author Stacey Ballis talks about food, love, and being a child prodigy!
Stacey Ballis is the author of ten foodie novels, including
November 22, 2023
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
1:08:28
Addie Woolridge talks about her latest, The Homecoming War, and why all's fair in love and HOCO!
Addie Woolridge is the author of The Checklist, The Bounceback,
November 01, 2023
•
Season 2
•
Episode 3
•
44:31
Kiss and Spell Author Celestine Martin Brings the Whimsical Paranormal Romance - Just in Time For Halloween!
New Jersey native Celestine Martin just released her second book in the Elemental Love series, Kiss and Spell, which brings us back to Freya Grove and the Caraway witch family! A follow-up to her amazing debut, Witchful Thinking, she brin...
October 25, 2023
•
Season 2
•
Episode 1
•
42:17
Kristen Mei Chase: Talks about Parenthood, Women's Fiction, and Healing Relationships
Kristen Mei Chase, writer, blogger, marketer, podcaster, and publisher and CEO of the Cool Mom Picks Network, which includes Cool Mom Tech and
April 26, 2023
•
Season 1
•
Episode 24
•
47:13
Author Reading: Addie Woolridge Reads from Anatomy of a Meet Cute!
Addie Woolridge, author of The Checklist, The Bounce Back, reads from her new release,
March 29, 2023
•
11:24
Addie Woolridge on: Writing Complex Characters, the Perfect Meet Cute, and Opera Singing
We're delighted to have Addie Woolridge, author of The Checklist, The Bounce Back, and most recently,
March 08, 2023
•
52:42
Nisha Sharma: On Writing Authentically and the Importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Romance
Nisha Sharma is the critically acclaimed author of YA and adult contemporary romances including My So-Called Bollywood Life, Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance, The Singh Family Trilogy and the If Shakesp...
March 01, 2023
•
56:22
Author Reading: Karelia Stetz-Waters
Karelia Stetz-Waters reads from her hilarious new romcom,
February 09, 2023
•
Season 1
•
Episode 21
•
13:59
Author Reading: The Second You're Single by Cara Tanamachi
Cara Tanamachi, also known as Cara Lockwood, reads from The Second You're Single - out Jan 31!
January 31, 2023
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
11:40
USA Today Bestselling Author Evie Dunmore: Talks Historical Romance, Feminism, and Much More!
Evie Dunmore is the USA TODAY bestselling author of Bringing Down the Duke. Her League of Extraordinary Women is inspired by her passion for romance, women pio...
January 25, 2023
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
37:49
Karelia Stetz-Waters: Talks about finding writing inspiration at her favorite sex toy shop in Portland, writing authentic romance, and much more!
Karelia Stetz-Waters writes happily-ever-afters for women who love women. She's the author of her new rom-com, Behind the Scenes, and ...
January 11, 2023
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
46:27