Lex.Btw.TheLines...

We sit down with horror and thriller author Kenya Ross Dyme to talk about why “Read Books By Black Women” is a mission, not a slogan, and what underrepresentation really looks like in publishing. Then we unpack her dystopian horror novel Seed, where satire, social media, and real history collide in ways that feel uncomfortably plausible.  • building visibility for Black women authors through inten...

We sit down with thriller author Talese Nicole to talk about how real anger, heartbreak, and therapy sessions can turn into unforgettable fiction. We dig into her psychological thriller process, the choices behind her twists, and what it means to go fully indie while staying true to her voice.  • starting as a childhood writer who builds worlds for emotions  • moving from reader and beta reader in...

We talk with urban fiction and contemporary romance author Faith L Smith about writing characters who feel real, even when the love gets messy. From Sincere’s heartbreak to Jelani’s steady presence, we dig into healing, family pressure, and what it takes to build a series readers cannot put down.  • Sincere as a layered “good girl” caught in a bad love cycle  • Kyro’s repeated chances and why read...

We hang out with Samya Alexander, author of The Hostage, and pull apart the chaos, the psychology, and the Halloween logic that makes this thriller so addictive. We talk craft, character motivation, audiobook surprises, and the real-life author grind behind promoting a backlist.  • Samara’s background as a licensed psychotherapist and how it shapes dark psychological fiction  • Spoiler boundaries...

We catch up with indie author SM Love and gush over the cozy Harlem summer vibe of Uptown Love while side-eyeing those “72 pages” that are not really 72 pages. We also get real about self-sabotage in love, what a patient partner looks like on the page, and how SM Love builds stories with editing, ARC feedback, and a lot of lived experience.  • SM Love’s background beyond writing, including being a...

I talk with author Inez Moon about turning a painful marriage and a hard-won restart into All Signs Point Forward, a story built around self-liberation, sexuality, and healing. We laugh, gasp, and get honest about why the messiest scenes can still carry the clearest life lessons.  • introducing Inez Moon and her debut novel All Signs Point Forward  • breaking down Shared Hunger and writing erotica...

We catch up with thriller author Keira N. James on the one-year anniversary of Orchid and why she now treats a release like an immersive experience. We talk craft, grief, revenge, and the real work behind showing up as an introvert while building a bigger platform and a live thriller community.  • rebranding Orchid for an anniversary edition with more intention  • using a business admin and social...

We sit down with thriller author and therapist Geletta Shavers to talk about how real trauma, caregiving, and anxiety helped shape The Inheritance of Amaya Montgomery. We dig into the gaslighting, the inheritance stakes, the characters who make you want to yell at the page, and what Geletta wants to explore next in book two.  • why the audiobook feels like a full production and changes the experie...

We sit down with author Samyra Alexander to talk twists, dark psychological thrillers, and how Road To Malevolence unexpectedly grew from a standalone into a full trilogy. We also unpack Janet’s choices through the lens of trauma, family secrets, and the uncomfortable truth that adults can create the very chaos they blame on kids.  • Samyra’s early influences from Hitchcock-style storytelling and...

outro

We talk with author Anna J about Rainy Days, her first romance, and why writing a “soft” love story takes just as much courage as writing a thriller. We also get honest about divorce, faith, red flags, and the kind of love that feels safe enough to be real.  • shifting from thriller author to romance writer without following “protocol”  • reader reactions to Rainy Days and the appeal of Reggie’s s...

We sit down with author S.M. Love and get honest about why her romance stories feel like real life, from messy past wounds to mature choices that actually make sense. We talk communication, boundaries, and the kind of self-love that changes who you date and what you will never compromise again.  • S.M. Love’s approach to women’s fiction romance that makes readers reflect  • Why The Space Between l...

We sit down with thriller author and audiobook narrator JR Mason to unpack how she turns books into fully immersive audio with sound effects, music, and performance level acting. Along the way, we get honest about burnout, reviews, writing from real life, and what it means to build suspense that actually earns the “thriller” label.  • getting into audiobook narration after a layoff and learning pr...

We sit down with author Adrian Thomas to talk about her nine-year writing hiatus, her return to indie publishing, and why Hooked On Onyx hits so hard even when it makes you mad. We unpack dark urban fiction choices, reader expectations like trigger warnings, and the craft behind characters who feel too real.  • stepping back from writing because of procrastination and discouragement after leaving...

We sit down with Anna J, Octavia Grant, and Olivia Renee Wallace to unpack Vengeance, a thriller built around a funeral home legacy and a family inheritance that comes with rules, secrets, and consequences. We talk craft, research, and how three distinct writers create a single voice while still keeping the story wild, funny, and grounded.  • how Vengeance is born through community connections and...

We sit down with therapist and author Geletta Shavers to unpack the real emotions and ethical choices behind her Dragged Into Darkness books. We talk horror, trauma, bullying, manipulation, and how indie publishing lets her protect her voice while building a supportive author community.  • how a mental health background shapes writing and boundaries around trauma  • what inspires Jasmine’s vengean...

We talk with erotic romance author Skyline A. Millbow about writing My Kind of Love with heat, consent, and emotional weight after life changed her relationship to romance. We dig into Club Inana, character inspiration, indie publishing lessons, and what it takes to keep writing when the story keeps talking back.  • moving from erotica reader to debut author and choosing erotic romance on purpose ...

Get ready for a literary experience like no other! In this episode of Lex. Btw. TheLines , we’re sitting down with event coordinators Toni Larue and Tanisha Stewart to talk all things Licensed 2 Thrill o ne of the first-ever events dedicated to celebrating the brilliance of Black authors in thriller, horror, suspense, and speculative fiction. We’re diving into everything you need to know before yo...

We trace Lex’s path from closed-door romance to dark romance and into horror, breaking down why anti-heroes, revenge arcs, and detailed prose changed how we read and review. We trade messy trope confessions, memory hacks for multi-reading, and how BookTok helped us show up on camera with our full voices. • shifting from soft romance to dark romance, thrillers and horror • why revenge horror and sp...

We meet author Anna J, trace her path from urban drama to erotic thriller, and dig into how she builds unforgettable characters like Monica and Dylan. We unpack why representation matters, how warnings protect readers, and what’s coming next in her expanding thriller universe. • creating the book she wanted to read when no one else was writing it • designing Monica as a disruptive, cautionary forc...

Thriller author Toni LaRue shares her journey from urban fiction to becoming an NBCC-nominated author with several number one releases on Amazon. She discusses her meticulous character development process, representation challenges for Black thriller writers, and how she approaches trauma and emotional depth in her stories. • NBCC-nominated thriller author with 10+ novels and multiple #1 Amazon re...

Keira N James, bestselling indie thriller author, joins us to discuss her journey from a small town in Georgia to becoming a powerful voice in the thriller genre with 15 books under her belt. • Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences to create what she calls "exaggerated realities" • Transition from urban fiction to thriller writing after finding her voice in the "dark side o...

Louisiana author Lakisha Burkett shares her journey from avid reader to published writer, revealing how personal experiences and her grandmother's stories shape her emotionally charged novels. • Writing journey began with husband's support, who bought her first book cover • Draws story inspiration from real-life experiences and family stories • "Dear Diary" inspired by grandmot...

In this episode, we explore the creative journey of Selena Brooks as she discusses her latest projects, including "Southern Sizzle" and the upcoming "Southern Scramble." Her insights provide a unique look into character development and the spice of Southern drama. • Introduction and trigger warnings  • Background of author Selena Brooks  • Overview of "Southern Sizzle&quot...

This episode explores the rich themes of love, trauma, and personal growth depicted in Christian Cashelle's book 'Loving You Blind.' With discussions on character development, the writing process, and the publishing journey, listeners gain insight into how real-life experiences shape fictional narratives. • Christian introduces herself and discusses her accomplishments  • Trigger wa...