Special Guest Author Bailey Hannah

Special Guest Author Bailey Hannah

This week we’re joined by USA Today bestselling author Bailey Hannah, the mind behind the beloved Wells Ranch series! 🤠🌾 From writing her first drafts on her phone to building one of romance’s favorite cowboy universes, Bailey shares the story behind her journey as an author, the inspiration for Wells Ranch, and why authentic, messy characters are at the heart of everything she writes. We dive into: The real-life inspiration behind Wells Ranch Writing wherever inspiration strikes (yes, even on her phone!) Tackling trauma, healing, and difficult topics in contemporary romance Building unforgettable cowboys and emotionally complex heroines Character development, reader connections, and how stories evolve in unexpected ways Why Bailey hopes readers finish her books feeling hopeful Of course, we couldn’t resist talking about our favorite Wells Ranch moments, behind-the-scenes writing secrets, and the scenes readers can’t stop talking about. Whether you’re already a Wells Ranch fan or looking for your next cowboy romance obsession, this conversation is packed with laughter, honesty, and plenty of bookish goodness. Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and come spill the spice with us. A huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting this episode! Heathens & Heartbreakers Book Bash- Join us June 26–28, 2027, in Dallas, Texas for an unforgettable weekend celebrating romance books, your favorite authors, and an incredible bookish community. Bloom Stories- Looking for your next audio obsession? Bloom Stories offers over 1,000 immersive romance audio fantasies, roleplays, and guided experiences. Use code SPILLTHESPICE through our affiliate link to save on your membership. As always, thank you for listening and supporting Spill the Spice Podcast! 🖤🌶️

The Spice Stack Challenge

We’re back after a month away with our Spice Stack Challenge check-in! June didn’t exactly go according to plan, but we still made our way through some incredible reads, found a few new favorites, and (of course) added even more books to our ever-growing TBRs. In this mini episode, we’re sharing what we finished, what we’re still working through, our standout reads of the month, and whether our TBR challenge was actually a success… or just another excuse to buy more books. Join us for a cozy catch-up before we jump back into our regular episodes! 📚 Featured reads include:• Anathema by Keri Lake• Brutal Serpent by Kate Raven• The Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy• The Bourbon Boys series by Victoria Wilder• His Grace, The Duke by Emily Rath• Silver Elite by Dani Francis …and more! Because let’s be honest… buying books and reading books are still two completely different hobbies. 🌶️📖

Would You Date A Rubber Duck?

This week, we’re diving into the Sentient Object Holiday Series, a collection of romance novellas featuring everything from bathtubs and books to rubber duckies, white t-shirts, light bulbs, mountains, and more. Yes, really. We discuss our favorites, rank the stories, debate which object romances were surprisingly believable, and try to explain these books with a straight face. Along the way, we chat about curiosity, imagination, self-discovery, and why sometimes the most unexpected stories end up being the most memorable. What surprised us most wasn’t the premise. It was how much heart, humor, creativity, and genuine charm each story contained. We expected to have favorites. We did not expect to fall a little bit in love with every single story in the series. Join us for one of the funniest, most chaotic, and unexpectedly wholesome episodes we’ve recorded in a long time. This episode is sponsored by www.bloomstories.com [www.bloomstories.com] www.heathensandheartbreakers.com [www.heathensandheartbreakers.com]

Special Guest Author Lucy Smoke

This week on Spill the Spice Podcast, we sit down with bestselling author Lucy Smoke, also known as Lucinda Dark, for a conversation that moves through darkness, healing, power, and everything in between. We dive into her evolution as a writer, from lighter stories into the grit and intensity of dark romance and fantasy, and how personal experiences, trauma, and growth shape the characters she creates. From morally gray dynamics and taboo themes to the emotional weight behind vulnerability and connection, this episode explores what it really means to tell stories that don’t look away from the hard things. We talk about reverse harems and why choose tropes, the role of freedom in fantasy, the balance between emotional depth and storytelling, and how humor can exist even inside the heaviest narratives. Lucy shares insight into her creative process, her approach to writing complex characters, and the importance of both reader responsibility and connection in today’s book world. This conversation is raw, thoughtful, and unexpectedly fun, a reminder that even in the darkest stories, there’s always something deeply human at the center. Spoiler conversations are waiting on Patreon https://www.spill-the-spice-podcast.com/join-our-patreon [https://www.spill-the-spice-podcast.com/join-our-patreon] This episode is brought to you by our sponsors, Bloom Stories and Heathens & Heartbreakers Book Bash. Bloom Stories offers immersive, audio-based storytelling experiences designed to bring your favorite fantasies to life. www.bloomstories.com [www.bloomstories.com] Heathens & Heartbreakers Book Bash is a romance-centered book event blending authors, readers, and unforgettable experiences in a space where dark, spicy, and magical stories collide. www.heathensandheartbreakers.com [www.heathensandheartbreakers.com]

Special Guest Author Amelia Mist-Mercenary

In this episode with Amelia Mist, we dive into the evolution of writing, identity, and what it really means to grow, both as a person and as a storyteller . From character development and emotional depth to the way our own experiences shape the stories we tell, this conversation goes deeper than just books. From the shift between Thief and Mercenary to the deeper layers of character development, this conversation explores how our own experiences, beliefs, and even the harder moments in life shape the stories we tell. We talk about emotional depth, the weight of personal growth, and how characters begin to reflect the changes we’re navigating in real time. This episode goes beyond the surface. It’s about learning, unlearning, and allowing both yourself and your writing to evolve, even when it’s uncomfortable. ✨ Don’t forget, our giveaway with Amelia is still live until 04.25 ✨ And if you want the full, unfiltered conversations, spoiler chats are waiting for you on Patreon https://www.spill-the-spice-podcast.com/join-our-patreon [https://www.spill-the-spice-podcast.com/join-our-patreon] A huge thank you to our sponsors 🖤 Heathens & Heartbreakers Book Bash An immersive bookish event where romance, chaos, and magic collide. Think panels, parties, and a little bit of mischief. Bloom Stories Audio stories designed to awaken your senses. Intimate, immersive, and perfect for exploring your desires.