Spill The Spice Podcast

In this episode of Spill the Spice Podcast, we’re joined by indie romance author MJ Hughes for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply honest conversation about writing, creativity, and letting stories evolve in unexpected ways.
MJ Hughes takes us inside her River Road series, a hockey romance that blends college life, cheerleading, found family, and slow-burn tension. We talk about how her characters often write themselves, how spice levels naturally rise when chemistry takes over, and why trusting the creative process leads to the most authentic storytelling. MJ also shares her inspiration for sports romance, and how personal life moments influence her character dynamics.
The conversation dives into character development, romance tropes, and crafting intimate scenes that feel organic and emotionally grounded. We explore the realities of indie publishing, the risks and rewards of self-publishing, balancing marketing with creativity, and the importance of community and reader engagement.
This episode is about connection, creativity, and honoring the stories that demand to be told, even when they surprise us.

We’re also excited to share an exclusive offer from MJ Hughes herself. Shop her Etsy store for bookmarks, character art, and bookish goodies, and use the code SPILLTHESPICE for an exclusive discount until February 14.
https://authormjhughes.etsy.com?coupon=SPILLTHESPICE

This episode is proudly sponsored by Bloom Stories, where desire, tension, and immersive audio storytelling collide. Bloom Stories curates sensual, emotionally charged audio experiences that invite you to explore romance, fantasy, and connection in a whole new way.
We’re also honored to be partnered with Heathens & Heartbreakers Book Bash, a reader-favorite romance event celebrating indie authors, bold stories, and the beautifully chaotic heart of the bookish community. From panels and signings to unforgettable themed events, Heathens & Heartbreakers is all about connection, creativity, and supporting authors who aren’t afraid to push boundaries.

Some stories aren’t meant to be comfortable.
They’re meant to be honest.
In this episode, we sit down with Luna K. Wicked to talk about erotic horror, feminine rage, realism, and emotional catharsis as tools for healing and reclamation. We explore why writing taboo stories matters, how rage can be a pathway back to power, and what it means to create characters who hold the anger, grief, and truth we’re often told to silence.
This conversation dives into self-forgiveness, accountability, cultural roots, and the cathartic nature of dark fiction, especially for readers who need to know they’re not alone in what they feel. We talk about confronting uncomfortable truths, challenging societal norms through storytelling, and why these stories deserve space.
If you’ve ever found yourself inside a character and felt seen, this episode is for you.

www.spill-the-spice-podcast.com

✨ This episode is sponsored by ✨
🖤 Heathens & Heartbreakers
A bold, inclusive bookish community and immersive author event celebrating romance, rebellion, and stories that push boundaries. If you love dark romance, unapologetic desire, and readers who don’t look away, this is your people.
www.heathensandheartbreakers.com

🌙 Bloom Stories
A romance-focused audio platform centering pleasure, connection, and stories that honor desire in all its forms. Bloom Stories creates intentional, empowering audio experiences that meet listeners exactly where they are. Use code SPILLTHESPICE for an exclusive discount, and make sure to check out our current obsession The Game: Hunted.
www.bloomstories.com

In this episode of the Spill the Spice Podcast, we’re joined by Jenny Grimes for a soul-deep conversation about her completed four-book Soul Magic series and the stories that grow with us as we change.
We dive into her writing journey, the evolution of a fantasy series built around interconnected characters, and why pacing, accessibility, and emotional depth matter when you’re asking readers to stay for the long haul. Jenny shares how each book follows Opal’s arc while also honoring the journeys of her friends, weaving together love, trust, sacrifice, and growth in ways that feel deeply personal.
We also talk writing rituals, balancing motherhood and creativity, the role of music and playlists in shaping her worlds, and what it means to write characters who hold both light and darkness at the same time. From complicated relationships and redemption arcs to reader reactions and emotional stakes, this episode is a reminder of why fantasy can be both a comfort and a catalyst for healing.

✨ For bonus content and spoiler-filled conversations, head over to our Patreon for deeper dives into characters, plot twists, and all the moments we couldn’t fully unpack here.

✨ This episode is proudly sponsored by Heathens & Heartbreakers Book Bash, a romance-forward book convention celebrating indie authors, readers, community, and unapologetic love for stories that push boundaries.

www.spill-the-spice-podcast.com

In this episode of the Spill the Spice Podcast, we’re joined by authors Madison Chase for a fun, honest, and feral conversation about writing, collaboration, and creativity.

We talk about co-author chemistry, developing characters through roleplay forums, world-building with intention, and navigating the emotional and practical realities of being indie authors. The conversation dives into Dance with the Devil and Pack or Prey, unpacking themes of good and evil, morally gray characters, family dynamics, and what it means to write dark romance and anti-romance with care.

We also explore mental health, community support, content warnings, and the power of storytelling to connect readers on a deeper level, plus a peek at what’s coming next, including excitement around an upcoming vampire series.

This episode is thoughtful, funny, and full of insight for writers and readers who love stories with depth, tension, and heart.

✨ This episode is proudly sponsored by www.heathensandheartbreakers.com

It’s our Naughty or Nice Holiday Special, and we’re closing out the season the only way we know how: cozy, chaotic, and full of spice.
In this episode of Spill the Spice Podcast, we catch up on life updates, dating experiences, family dynamics, and all the feelings that tend to surface during the holidays. We talk about navigating relationships, managing family expectations, and the realities of dating in today’s world, all with plenty of laughs along the way.
We also dive deep into our holiday reading, from cozy comfort romances to darker festive reads and the wonderfully world of sentient object romances. We share our favorite books, surprising emotional moments, standout tropes, and the characters that completely stole the spotlight this season.
To wrap things up, we reflect on our reading year, memorable episodes, and what we’re carrying into the new year, before handing out some very unofficial holiday awards in a fun Naughty or Nice segment.
Grab something warm, settle in, and join us for a festive, spicy, and heartfelt end-of-year episode. 🎙️✨

This episode is sponsored by Heathens & Heartbreakers
heathensandheartbreakers.com