Romance in Colour

Back this week with my co-host @author_terri_ley and our guest, Canadian-Caribbean author Lindo Forbes. @lindoforbes SHe writes lush, complicated characters with heart and love.About Lindo:Lindo Forbes is a first gen Canadian of Caribbean-Latine descent which means shespeaks enough French to not disgrace herself when she visits Montreal but not enoughSpanish to please her abuela. She happily holds grudges against fictionalcharacters, and has fully embraced her role as Indulgent Wine Aunt. Her contemporaryromances are a love letter to her hometown of Toronto.To learn more about Lindo visit: LindoForbes.com Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠Follow Terri Ley on her Instagram  ⁠@author_terri_ley⁠ 

Hey you all! The podcast is back this week and we are introducing you all to one of our newest co-hosts, author Terri Ley! Terri is a talented author and creative in KY who loves all things romance.About Terri:I come from quiet noise, fans beating generating wind on sticky summer days. Notes of magnolias, roses, tulips, lilies scent the air with the aromas of good home cooking settling into my belly. Thick heavy scratch blankets scented with nicotine and a nap so readily conjured for a peaceful rest.Website: www.TerriLey.com

The podcast is back from our extended holiday break! And we are so excited to bring in 2026 with author @jbvampleAbout JB:J.B. Vample is an author who fell in love with the written word at a young age. While in her final year of high school, she came up with the concept of her new adult fiction series The College Life Series. After years of writing only for herself, J.B. published her debut novel College Life 101: Freshman Orientation in 2015. She has since written and published the other eight installments of TCLS and in 2022, she released her novel Right as Reign. Which was her first standalone, and debut into the romance genre. Her latest romance novel Unlike Before was released in 2024. Currently residing in Philadelphia, J.B. continues to write while managing her career as an indie author.For more info, visit her website. Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

We are back from the Thanksgiving break, heading solidly into holiday season with some sunshine from north of the border. We are excited to have @authorlilysflowers on the podcast. This Canadian-East African talent is giving us raw, real and courageous romance. We talk writing, culture and what she wants romance to be.About Lily:Lily S. Flowers writes Black romance that sinks its teeth into love, healing, and desire. Her stories center Black women finding tenderness, enthusiastic pleasure, and possibility in worlds that honor them. A lifelong lover of books, she weaves sensory-rich prose, ethical intimacy, and emotional depth across the stories she weaves.When she isn’t writing, she’s reading, parenting a fiercely curious child with her love, and building community in the indie author world. She believes in love with accountability, joy without apology, and stories that let Black women take up all the space they deserve.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

We are almost at our holiday break! We are so glad to head into the festive season with author Kimmie Ferrell. We talk romance, emotions, pushing through obstacles and a strong communitty that keeps her grounded. About Kimmie:Born and raised in the Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC, Kimmie Ferrell has enjoyed reading romance novels since the age of thirteen when she was gifted an enormous box of Harlequin and Silhouette novels from her late mother. Her passion for reading grew after discovering BET Arabesque novels at her local library. But it wasn’t until high school when Kimmie tried (and failed) to write her very first story. However, her love of writing would not be deterred, and in 2015, she was a Top Ten finalist for Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest.Kimmie crafts sensual and sweet contemporary romance stories featuring relatable characters dealing with real-world scenarios in the pursuit for the often-thought-as-elusive happily ever after.For more information and how to purchase her books, visit Kimmie's IG.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

This week, we are honored to have author C.M. Barnes @thewritebarnes join Tati on the podcast. She's a wife, mom and engineer who is crafting hot romance and an even hotter series with her Winston Hills trilogy.About C.M.:C.M. Barnes is a Black and urban romance and erotica author with a voice as bold as it is tender. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, she brings both heart and heat to the page through vivid storytelling and emotionally charged narratives. With a background in civil engineering, C.M. crafts her stories with precision—laying the groundwork for characters who reflect the resilience, complexity, and beauty of Black love.Her writing is inspired by a deep belief that Black women deserve love, happiness, and devotion without having to suffer for it. Her stories celebrate joy, sensuality, and emotional honesty, making space for Black women to be cherished exactly as they are.When she’s not writing or reading voraciously, C.M. enjoys building intricate LEGO sets and spending quality time with her two children, diving into the things they love most.For more, visit her website: www.thewritebarnes.com Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Hi everyone! We have an amazing interview with author Ava Rani, a hybrid author who seemlessly blends her Indian-American hertiage with modern love stories with heat and heart. We talk about her widly popular Biotech Billionares series and her newest venture into New adult with Poisoned Ivy.About Ava:Ava Rani is a USA Today bestselling author writing messy rich people with HEAs.The daughter of two immigrants, her Indian-American roots peek out in different ways inall her novels. She loves to write diverse stories featuring flawed characters who have realproblems, powerful friendships, and chosen families who support each other.When she’s not writing, she’s probably traveling the world in search of new wines tostock her cellar and delicious food to satiate her latest craving. Stateside, she lives the city-girllife with her husband, adorable son and loyal labradoodle.Visit her website: AuthorAvaRani.com Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Aria Daze has amassed a rather cult following. In under four years, she published nearly 20 works. We talk to her about the importance of representation of Black, fat and queet women and why their joy and happiness is her priority in writing.About Aria: Aria is a die-hard romantic and her life goal is to always be drying her eyes from something sickly sweet. She has been dreaming up stories since she was seven years old, with the first one being a Toy Story fanfic. She focuses primarily on writing disability inclusionary and body-positive contemporary romance, because everyone deserves to get lost in love. Her dream is to one day write magical stories that center Black Folks full-time, but for now, she labors in fraud as a working stay-at-home mom. You can find her looking for epic eats, reading, writing, or enjoying time with her family in her free time. She's currently living out her own happily ever after in Saint Louis, Missouri with her middle-school-sweetheart turned-husband, and their adorably chaotic son.Follow Aria on her social media HEREFollow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

We are so lucky to have author Nina High on the podcast, She already has an impressive catalog and much more to come. We talk both her wildly popular Martin Brothers Series as well as her Teachers of Hardwood High universe.About Nina:Nina High writes fluffy, fun contemporary Black romance that will make you believe in love again. Raised in Oklahoma, she’s a veteran teacher with nearly 20 years of experience in the classroom. Nina's love for storytelling is inspired by her real-life romance: she married her high school sweetheart. Most days, she's taxis around her 3 kids, and when she’s not writing or shaping young minds, you can find her crocheting, reading, or binge-watching reality TV. Nina’s stories celebrate love, laughter, and the beauty of life, flaws and all.Visit Nina at her website HEREFollow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Welcome back! And welcome to Season 7.In this episode of Romance in Color, host Tatianna Richardson welcomes author Jaylee Fields to discuss her journey into romance writing, the importance of community, and the nuances of writing M.M. romance. They explore character development, the indie publishing process, and the challenges of marketing as an indie author. Jay shares insights on her upcoming projects, including the dynamics of her characters Ernest and Wendell, and the themes of age gaps and kink in her work. The conversation emphasizes the significance of representation and the need for a supportive writing community.Follow Jaylee at her IG for more info. LinkFollow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

It's our Season 6 finale! This week, Tati gives us her recap and rundown of the Black Romance Book Festival, the inaugural festival celebrating black authors, narrators and readers.In Watching Romance, Tati gives us a recap of Beyond the Gates and the Lifetime movie, Stolen from my Family.In Reading Romance, Tati and Yakini talk adult coloring books, and the book themed My Book Bae Coloring Book as well as hints of the upcoming Struck Speechless by Tati Richardson, coming 2026.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

This week we talk to a return guest, author Rita Gordon about her newest book, Troy- a bodyguard romance. What's Troy about:To get to her, you have to get through him.Dr. Kennedy Green has always been focused on her work, pushing the boundaries of biophysics to create groundbreaking technology that could change the world. But as word of her recent breakthrough leaks, dangerous figures emerge, eager to claim her knowledge for their own. Immobilized by a freak accident, Kennedy has no choice but to accept the protection of Troy—a hardened bodyguard known for his stellar reputation, sharp aim, and strict rules against becoming involved with clients. Forced to stay at Troy’s secluded mountain house, Kennedy races to complete her research under his watchful eye. With a looming deadline and her work still incomplete, Troy proposes a strict care regimen to accelerate healing. However, this comes with conditions that lead to unexpected consequences for both as they walk the razor-thin line between professionalism and passion. Meanwhile, as her enemies close in, Troy must decide: can he keep his promise without compromising her safety, or will they risk everything for a chance at love?“Troy” is a standalone, bodyguard, contemporary romance.Themes:🖤Touch her and die🖤Forbidden love🖤Forced proximity🖤Suspense🖤Slowburn🖤BodyguardFor more about Rita and all her social media, visit: https://www.ritaagordon.com/ In Heart Topics, we talk Victoria Monet's sexuality, a Reality TV Drama round up, and baby news for one of our favorite dating show couples.In Watching Romance, Tati gives us a Beyond the Gates wrap up.In Reading Romance, Tati talks about the Black Romance Book Fest, Brianne Denae's Turn Me Out audio book, and Aria Daze's novella Group Trip.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here 

TW: Brief mention of DV in this week's Heart TopicsThis week, we have an interview with up and coming audiobook narrator and voice actor, Lawrence Baldwin. We talk the landscape of narration, how he got into the romance genre, and how he approaches a project. LB the Voice aka Lawrence Baldwin is a narrator of romance, thriller/suspense and fantasy. He enjoys books that call him out of his comfort zone. His dream is to be a voice actor of games and animated films and shows. He has narrated books like “Luke and Adonis” and “Closer Than Blood” He is currently narrating the Capri series by Jahquel J. (Interview starts at 20:45- 1:17:48)Social Media HEREIn Heart Topics, we talk Tina Knowles memoir, Matriarch and how she is not settling in her golden years. Halle Berry shows us that menopause can also be sexy. In Watching Romance, we talk renewals and upcoming projects like Forever, Bridgerton, and Sinners. And in Reading Romance, Tati talks upcoming projects and the Black Romance Book Fest (1:17:50)Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Hey everyone! No guest this week! just yaki and tati yapping about everything from Reality TV to the Met Gala.Join us for this extended filler episode! Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Hey you all! We are back this week with just a yap session with Tati and Yaki. Just a catch up!We talk about our birthdays, turning 46. A run down of Heart Topics that we missed. In Watching Romance, we talk the slate of Lifetime movies featuring Black leads. In Reading Romance, Tati gives us a run down of things she's read (Plus size Player) and her own books that are coming out (The Opportunity) ,as well as the events she has coming up.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

This week's episode is an extended, uncut interview with the one and only, Vanessa Riley. She is the preeminent voice in historical romance and fiction, writing Black characters who feature prominently in Regency Romance. A PhD in Engineering from Stanford and author of well over 25 books, Vanessa combines her love of learning, facts and figures with... well... love.We talk about her process, how she chooses her topics, and what is it about the Regency that she is drawn to.Bio: Vanessa Riley is an acclaimed author known for captivating novels such as Island Queen, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, and Queen of Exiles, an ABC View Lit Pick. She was honored as the 2024 Georgia Mystery/Detective Author of the year for Murder in Drury Lane and the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the Year for Sister Mother Warrior. Her craft highlights hidden narratives of power, love, and sisterhoods of Black women and women of color in historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. Her works have received praise from publications like the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publisher Weekly, and the New York Times. In addition to penning over twenty-five novels, Vanessa holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and STEM degrees from Penn State, adding a research-oriented approach to her writing while emphasizing inclusive storytelling about the Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras. As a member of Regency Fiction Writers, Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, Women's Fiction Writers Association, Christian Book Lovers Retreat, and the Historical Novel Society, Vanessa advocates for diverse voices. She's also working to increase Sickle Cell Anemia awareness. When she's not writing, she can be found baking, crafting her Trinidadian grandma's recipes, or relaxing on her southern porch sipping caffeine. For more on Vanessa, visit her website. VanessaRiley.com Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

NOTE: This is a long, unabridged episode. So get some snacks! and settle in!Romance in Colour is back this week with a legend! Vivian Award winner and author of over thirty romances, Reese Ryan. A master of the craft, Reese drops some jewels about writing romance, complex storytelling and the business of romance publishing.About Reese:Award-winning author Reese Ryan writes sexy, emotional, “grown folks” romantic fiction. Her characters find love while navigating career crises and family drama. The two-time recipient of the Donna Hill Breakout Author Award is an advocate for the romance genre and diversity in fiction. Reese’s books have been featured on Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, and BookRiot. Follow Reese's social media and links on her website:ReeseRyan.comHeart Topics is all about engagements! From Normani to former Love is Blind cast members, love is in the air!In Watching Romance, we recap the latest offerings from Lifetime, Tyler Perry, and Tati gives us a run down of Beyond the Gates.In Reading Romance, Tati talks upcoming Black Romance Book Fest, events and some dope Danielle Allen books that are soon to come.Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠⁠@RomanceInColour⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram ⁠@OurNycHome⁠Follow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠⁠here⁠

Welcome! This week's episode is all about poetry, featuring talented poet and artist, Texas native Dre Hill. We talk about his writing journey, his process, and what makes a love poem good. About Dre: Dre Hill is an artist, storyteller, and educator from Fort Worth, Tx. He holds a B.A. in Animation and Writing, which reignited his childhood passion for the written word. Dre works to actively question and articulate the magic derived from being black, through romance, joy, excellence,religion, and even hardship. Hill is the author of multiple poetry collections, including, Crossroads, and the award-winning, (No) I am (not) okay. When not creating, Dre is often snuggling with his puppy Jet while watching Marvel movies. Find Dre at @drehillart on all platforms. His website is drehillart.comFollow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

Hey Colour Crew!We are back from our extended winter break It's just your hosts this episode as we play catch up in the weeks that we missed. From engagements to baby rumors, we cover the gamut of romance related celebrity news for Heart Topics.In Watching Romance, Tati talks about the newest CBS Soap Opera, the Black cast-led Beyond the Gates. (2 PM Daily). In Reading Romance, we catch up with Tati and talk about the current Losing Sight book tour, what's on her audiobook list, and what she plans to read next (when she's done writing!)Follow Romance in Colour on Social MediaIG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHomeFollow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠

We are back with a special episode. Our very own Tati Richardson is in the interview seat to talk about her latest book, Losing Sight (coming 2/11 on Generous Press). We have guest host Shirae Ravenell from Curls in the Hood, an avid reader and journalist taking the helm to talk to Tati about her inspiration for the book, her plans for the series, and a deep dive into the magic behind the story. About Shirae: Shirae D. Ravenell is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Curls in the Hood, a digital platform where Black culture, beauty, and storytelling collide. A lifelong lover of music, fashion, and literature, Shirae has built a career at the intersection of creativity and commerce—developing and producing apparel and textiles for some of the most recognizable luxury fashion brands.Currently serving as the Senior Director of Product Development and Production for a premium lifestyle brand, she thrives in bringing visions to life, working alongside designers, technical teams, and factories to turn concepts into reality. But beyond the boardroom, her passion lies in storytelling—whether through fashion, media, or the written word.At her core, she is a curator of conversations that matter—especially for Black women carving out space in media, literature, and fashion. Whether amplifying Black romance novels or dissecting cultural moments in Curls in the Hood, Shirae is dedicated to keeping Black stories at the forefront. In Watching Romance, we talk how Black shows are being cancelled and the need to support and create Black stories. Tati expresses excitement for the new black soap, Beyond the Gates and Paradise with Sterling K Brown. In Reading Romance, Tati praises Briann Denae's "Talk to Me Nicely" audiobook and their fabulous narrators (Full book coming 2/14). Follow Romance in Colour on Social Media IG ⁠@RomanceInColour⁠ Twitter: ⁠@RomanceNColour ⁠ Facebook Groups: ⁠www.facebook.com/groups/RomanceinColour⁠ Follow Yakini on her Instagram @OurNycHome Follow Tati Richardson on social media and pick up her books here, ⁠here⁠