This week on Romance Thursdays I had the chance to interview Stacy Reid. If you haven’t checked out the rest of my interviews in this series be sure to and see what other romance authors have to say. Check out last weeks interview with Candace Harper were we talked about writing LGBTQIA+ romance books are more. 

Romance Thursdays is a feature that spotlights romance authors to highlight how amazing the romance writing community is. Each week I’m will be interviewing a different romance author from across subgenres as well as both traditionally and self-published. I want to share their experience writing romance and why they love it so much. While also focusing on their writing and books. 

Stacy Reid is the author of the Wedded by Scandal series, The Amagarians series, her newest series Sinful Wallflowers and more. You can check out her backlist now. 

Hi Stacy, and welcome to Angel Reads. For those that haven’t read anything by you yet. Tell us a little about yourself and your books?

Thank you for having me! I write sensual and sometimes very hot historical and paranormal romance. I live half of each year in Jamaica and the next half in Canada! I married my high school sweetheart; And I love Chinese historical romance dramas and ice cream. Hate snakes.

My most recent series is the Sinful Wallflowers, which features two of my favorite books I have written to date, My Darling Duke and Her Wicked Marquess. The Sinful Wallflowers follow six friends who are tired of being overlooked, so they decided to grab life with both hands and in the process finding their always and forever type of love.

Why did you start writing romance novels? Is there anything in particular that drew you to it over other genres?

My first set of books were Bobbsey Twins, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys. I devoured these from age 8 onward, and then at 12, I picked up a book called The Flame and the Flower and started my lovely relationship with romance novels. Writing happily ever after is simply a part of me. I cannot imagine crafting a story without an emotionally satisfying ending.

You mostly write historical romances and paranormal romances which can be quite different from each other. Do you have different ways of writing them? Do you feel more comfortable writing one over the other? 

They are quite different, but I love writing both so very much! I must give myself space between projects or find that my style bleeds into each other. Even though it is my HistRom that is normally affected. My hero/heroine/situations tend to feel more…powerful/edgy if I am not careful to give myself breathing room when switching subgenres. I also have more creative freedom when I write paranormal romance, and because of that, it feels more fun.

What is your favourite thing about romance as a genre? Why do you like reading and writing it?

I love that I can go into a story trusting that I will feel good at the end. I enjoy the journey of seeing or more like feeling two people falling in love. I’ve read a thousand romance books, and every book felt different and filled me with the same anticipation of chasing to the end to find out how the characters found their HEA.

What are some of your favourite tropes that you like reading and writing in the romance genre?

Enemies to lovers, revenge, opposite attracts, best friends to lovers, and taboo (stepbrother, age gap.) The genres I enjoy reading in are also the ones I write. 😊

Who are some of your favourite romance authors? Who inspired you to write?

I grew up reading Lisa Kleypas, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, Lora Leigh, Nalini Singh, and Kresley Cole. To date, they are my favorite authors. Though I loved these authors, and as a child dabbled with writing, my husband inspired me to write. His steadfast encouragement, support, excitement, and belief in me had an amazing impact on me taking up the pen (laptop) and giving a voice to the dreams in my heart. 

What are some ways that you think aspiring romance writers can find their way and spot in the genre?

I think a really good way is to read what is selling in the genre to understand the trope/style/ readers are enjoying. This is not to say write like this; knowing the kind of story readers are demanding is a plus and might spark the creative juice. And not just to read what is a hot seller now, but what were the top sellers last year, and the year before that, or even ten years ago? Read them for fun but to also analyse what made them outstanding. Do not be afraid to connect with established authors. Many I know are amazing and will give great advice or point you in the right direction to get that advice if they cannot help.

What are some of the ways that you think we can start overcoming the stigma of romance novels?  

I have experienced people calling what I do trash/mommy-porn to my face and in their reviews. There were times I froze at the shock of their ridicule, and there were other times I had a scathing reply. Even recently, a close friend laughed rather mockingly at my work, and then could not provide an explanation for her reaction. She blustered and mumbled and even seemed angry that I would put her on the spot. I have asked many other people who tried to dismiss my career the reason for their distaste, and their main comeback is that romance books are fluffy with little substance. The most amazing thing is none of these people had read a romance book!

I think a part of the fix is to get society to celebrate romance more, and that should start with us lovers of the genre speaking out more boldly/proudly that we read and write romance. I have met readers who are afraid to admit they read romance because they are fearful of being shamed for it, and I have also met authors with family members who have no idea what they do. Even at times, I am purposely vague about my genre if I sense the person I am speaking with might be unflattering. It is easier said than done, but one of the first steps is to push aside all discomfort (if they exist) and be more candid with our love of the genre rendering those bullies’ negative and unjust criticism to ash.

Our outspoken celebration and love for happy ever afters might invite more curious fascination than existing stigma.

Thank you so much for coming by Angel Reads. It was lovely having you here. And I can’t wait to read more of your books!

Thank you for having me!

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I hope you enjoyed this interview with Stacey Reid. I recently read her Sinful Wallflowers series and I adored it so much and I know I can’t wait to read more. Let’s hope that you do too. 

If there is an author that you would like to see featured here, please do let me know. And I will try my best. If you are a romance author and would like to be apart of Romance Thursdays, don’t hesitate to message me. 

Have you read any of Stacy Reid’s books before? What did you think of them? Are you excited for more Romance Thursday posts? Let’s Chat! 

About The Author 

USA Today bestselling author Stacy Reid writes sensual Historical and Paranormal Romances and is the published author of over twenty books. Her debut novella The Duke’s Shotgun Wedding was a 2015 HOLT Award of Merit recipient in the Romance Novella category, and her bestselling Wedded by Scandal series is recommended as Top picks at Night Owl Reviews, Fresh Fiction Reviews, and The Romance Reviews.

Stacy lives a lot in the worlds she creates and actively speaks to her characters (aloud). She has a warrior way “Never give up on dreams!” When she’s not writing, Stacy spends a copious amount of time binge-watching series like The Walking Dead, Altered Carbon, Rise of the Phoenixes, Ten Miles of Peach Blossom, and playing video games with her love. She also has a weakness for ice cream and will have it as her main course.

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