Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

I’m Mellanie Szereto, a USA Today Bestselling Author of nearly forty romcoms and contemporary romances, most with characters who have plenty of life experience like myself. Whether you call them older, seasoned, mature, experienced, or later-in-life protagonists, they deserve love too! My stories are often set in small towns with quirky main characters, fun secondary casts, and lots of humor. I enjoy gardening, cooking, and baking—as well as hiking to work off the fruits of my labor—and incorporate food into all of my stories. I live in an old farmhouse in rural Indiana with my husband of thirty-six years.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I’m mostly a pantser, so the first book iusually takes a bit longer than the others in the series. I spend time getting to know the characters, naming the characters, learning details about the setting, etc. as write the first story. Ideas for additional books in the series start to develop during book one and tend to go a little faster.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I always make notes as I’m writing. I track character details, story tropes, and other information so I don’t overuse conflicts, plots, and other elements within the series. One of the main ways I keep things fresh for myself is to remember that every character is an individual just like real people!

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

Time time to recharge and exercise self-care on a regular basis. Burnout is real, and preventing it takes significantly less time and energy than trying to recover from it.

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

I typically spend 4-6 hours writing and another 4-6 hours working on writing-related tasks like engaging on social media, writing newsletters, and promoting my books.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

My favorite character is often one or more that I’m actively writing. Right now, Kyle Morton from Hot Tamale Nights (Love on the Menu 3) and Cerise Wethers from Hang-Ups (Romancing the Phone 3) are most interesting to me. Kyle is an incredibly private person and he has a complicated personality and a touching backstory. His story arc has really surprised me. Cerise, on the other hand, is very much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get woman with intelligence, loyalty, snark, and loads of sex appeal. I’m just learning what makes her tick, and I have a feeling she’s going to have more layers than I expect.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

I would love to see The Homegrown Café Book Club series made into a movie, but I’ll settle for Makin’ Bacon (book 1). Jason Mamoa would make an awesome Big Jim Cochon (pig farmer and all-around sweetheart) opposite Amy Adams as Tate Madison (Jim’s lifetime crush and his best friend’s older sister)!

What is your definition of success?

Making money is nice, but doing what I love, loving what I do, and entertaining readers are just important to me.

What are your social links?

Website: https://www.mellanieszereto.com
Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/mellanieszereto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormellanieszereto
Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/worththewaitseasonedromancereaders
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mellanie-szereto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mellanie_szereto
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mellanieszereto

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/mellanieszereto
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/mellanie-szereto/id540431015
Audible: Audible page: https://www.audible.com/author/Mellanie-Szereto/B00GYKKZ7I
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mellanie Szereto
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Mellanie+Szereto
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/author/mellanie-szereto

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

My name is Loren Beeson and I write spicy contemporary romance and romantic suspense books! I live in Texas with my hubby, son, and two dogs. It’s rare to find me without a Cabernet or coffee in hand, and I love a good vampire romance!

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

I would say the books that follow. Especially if they’re like my Betting On Love trilogy where each book has a HEA but the background drama continues through each one.

Romantic Suspense is so fun but challenging to write because as the author, I’m having to maintain two separate story lines as well as making sure all the plot points get connected along the way.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

My absolute favorite thing is to lead the reader to believe they know what’s going to happen… and then flip the script! I love surprising people by keeping predictable tropes or certain situations fresh and UNpredictable.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

It’s all about your circle! Sometimes writing can be lonely. You’re strapped to a deadline you had no business making so tight, back against the wall with only the voices in your head to keep you company.

Who is your voice of reason in the writing world?

Your mom might tell you your book is a best seller, but would she have a keen eye for how your hero was going from hot to cold and back again within a few paragraphs? How about story pacing or plot holes?

I’m huge on having at least a couple of people I can call at any point to ask questions like, “How stupid does this idea sound?” Or, “Please help. I’m stuck on chapter twelve, my dialogue is trash, and I need a brainstorm sesh.” (Don’t forget the wine 😉 )

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

8-9 hours. Some of the best advice I ever received was to treat my writing career like a day job. Working from home is the ultimate challenge no matter how disciplined you are! But setting a work schedule for yourself even if it’s a couple hours a night will do you some good!

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.

Oh, Hazel. She’s a badass biker babe from the last book in the Betting On Love trilogy (Waging War) and man was she fun to write! I love creating strong females who know how to hold their own, but one of my favorite things to do is write them totally opposite of me—or in Hazel’s case, as a woman I aspire to be!

 What is your definition of success?

Oh! I have a quote for this. My male lead in my island romance ‘One More Kiss’ was giving some advice to the leading lady, Kate. He said, “Success isn’t determined by status or title…It’s determined by hard work, dedication, and pride in everything you do.”

Work hard, be authenticity YOU, and the rest will come.

Do you have anything you want to share that didn’t fit on one of these questions?

I love interacting and talking with readers! If you’ve ever read one of my novels, THANK YOU! And never hesitate to shoot me a message or email <3

What are your social links?

Facebook:
Https://www.facebook.com/lorenbeesonbooks

Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/789569931943483/u

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/loren_beeson_books

Tik tok:
www.tiktok.com/@authorlorenbeeson

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20860547.Loren_Beeson

Amazon author profile
https://www.amazon.com/Loren-Beeson/e/B08MWXHQ1R

Newsletter:
https://preview.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/m8x3v5

What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)

https://books2read.com/BettingBlind

https://books2read.com/DealingDirty

https://books2read.com/WagingWar

https://books2read.com/TheArtOfLovingEllie

https://books2read.com/TB-OneMoreKiss

https://books2read.com/TB-OneMoreNight

Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?

They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com

$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.

$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.

$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.

$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased the audible for this series just so I could enjoy the Reaper’s once again. Below is my original review from 2016.

Oh Holly Crap where to begin this story had it all. I was all over the place with my emotions with everything they were all dealing with from situations they were in to the natural disasters going on around them. Not only did I have emotions for Gage and Tinker but for the side characters too. WOW did Joanna Wylde tell a great story and make me feel like I was smack dab in the middle of it all.

Gage was sent to find out what was going down with the Nighthawk Raiders MC and as part of his cover he had to make Talia, who was the MC’s President Sister, his girlfriend. WOW was this chic a piece of work no scratch that she was psycho seriously she needed serious meds! I felt bad that Gage had to be with the crazy one. Anyway he had to secure a job and a place to stay and was able to do this by becoming Tinkers handyman and living in her building. Man oh man were the sparks flying between these two but no way Gage could cross that line and blow his cover.

Tinker left her ex moved home to take care of her Dad after her mom died. I loved her determination and she was dedicated to her dad and her business. The way she stood up to her ex I was cheering her on at that point. Loved her BFF and the moments they had on the porch drinking wine ‘man watching’.

This was an amazing book so many twist and turns I had my heart in my throat so many times wondering what was going to happen was there going to be a town, who was going to make it through everything. Oh to see the Reapers were great and the hard time Pic gave Gage each time he talked to him was priceless. This book has something going from jump and will not let me go until the last word was read. I so love these men and Joanna does a great job drawing me into the story and not letting me go. I cannot wait for the next one.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased the audible for this series just so I could enjoy the Reaper’s once again. Below is my original review from 2015.

I have been waiting on this book because Painter did not set well with me in the past and I wanted to give him a chance to redeem himself after everything he put Em through.

Melanie has not had an easy life. After her mother up and left her Loni took her in well she was Jess best friend. Melanie met Painter after she blew up Loni houseon accident. To Melanie he seemed nice after all he let her borrow his car for the day and that turned into a year when he got tossed in prison. So what’s a girl do she writes him letters. That’s right at this point I am yelling someone tell this girl he is not good for her. He does not do relationships she will only get hurt like Em.

OK anyway painter gets out and tries to stay away from Melanie but something is always pulling them together. Everytime I think Painter has changed and he does something good he makes a poor decision and I’m like yeap there’s the Painter I remember.

The finger painting scene was one of the best. Then to see him when he finally determined to be in Melanie’s life was great but was it a little too late for Melanie. When it came down to Standing by to watch things happen and standing up and doing something about really showed how much she changed throughout the book. No matter how hard things got or what was thrown her way she picked herself up dusted herself off and kept moving.

I did like this story it was hard to watch all of the poor decisions Painter made time and time again was glad to see Melanie get some closure regarding her mother. I did enjoy the Bonus Epilogue. Oh I hope things are able to work out between these two.

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased the audible for this series just so I could enjoy the Reaper’s once again. Below is my original review from 2014.

I have read every book in this series and I don’t know how Joanna Wilder does it but the books get better and better. I know I said Devil’s Game was my favorite, but Picnic past all of them by far. I was drawn in from the minute I started the Prologue and didn’t want to put this one down.

This is different than the other in this series as Picnic is older and has no intention of taking on an Old Lady. London has been taking care of her cousin’s daughter, Jessica, and has no interest in becoming a part of the MC world only to work for them to pay her bills, until London has to ask Picnic for help. We all know when you ask for help it comes with a price..so she has to clean his house. They both deny their feelings refuse to give in. However, the chemistry between these two is hard to deny.

Jessica is your typical teenage kid. Doesn’t like rules and it hell bent on showing everyone including London she is an adult and can make her own decisions. Problem comes when her decisions are bad ones and makes London have to make choices she doesn’t want to make but believes she only has one option. WOW can I say is a whole new side to Picnic was seen shaking in my boots and not in a good way.

This has been my favorite of the series so far. The drama was remarkable and the twists that occurred were so unexpected and had me clutching my e-reader I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. The chemistry between Picnic and London was explosive. I loved being able to see the rest of the guys too. I cannot wait to see what happens next there are so many possibilities.

Some of my favorites:

“Sorry to interrupt,” I said, wondering if my voice sounded as shaky as it felt. “Do you want me to reschedule, or can you move to your bedroom? I generally frown on cleaning around people while they’re having sex. All sorts of potential OSHA violations.”
“You know, I want to stay pissed at you, but you’re just too cute sometimes,” he said finally. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you, London.”

I didn’t need a man, but if I wanted one I’d take him and use him and then pass him along without a second thought, because I’d become a sophisticated, modern women if it killed me. Sure. And I would lose ten pounds and age backward, too. Right after I learned to fly my invisible jet.

Don’t fuck with a mama bear, Reese. Doesn’t end well for anyone – not even big, bad bikers.”
He burst out laughing, then shook his head.
“I guess it doesn’t.” He leaned down and gave my nose a quick kiss. “I’ll be careful not to piss you off in the future.”
“You do that. I’m small, Reese, but I’m persistent. Like a rabid ferret. Don’t make me bite you, because my teeth are very sharp.” “Didn’t know you were into that,” he whispered. “You keep surpisin’ me, London.”

“Drink up, bitches! If God wanted us sober, he wouldn’t have made shot glasses so cute!”

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased the audible for this series just so I could enjoy the Reaper’s once again. Below is my original review from 2014.

This was my favorite so far in this series. I loved Em although I was worried she was going to be a weak, passive character, boy did she surprise me. Liam “Hunter” WOW who wouldn’t love him.

This starts when Em is starting high school and I have to say the way she is escorted to school on the first day is priceless…embarrassing for Em but unforgettable for everyone. Since Em is the daughter of the MC President no one will date or come near her. She tries to get Painters attention but he is a wussie that never could find the balls to fight for Em, she deserves a man who will fight for her and stand up for her not one that’s a coward.
This forces Em to take matters into her own hands and as we know from Reaper’s Legacy she meets Liam “Hunter” Blake online and sets up a date.

Liam “Hunter” Blake was a Devil Jack and a rival of The Reapers. He was assigned to scope out Em. However, Em became something more to Hunter during that one day of watching her. There is the texting and online back and forth between Liam and Em that shows their flirting playful side.

I love that we get to see the whole kidnapping scene but through Em and Hunter view. I also like that it was not like we were re-reading the entire scene even though there are some overlap scenes they were told in a different pov and had added information. Hunter messes up so many times and Em is there to “kick” him back into place. The best part was between Hunter and Picnic where respect was gained by all.

Em is my favorite female character so far she is strong, has a backbone, and stands up to Hunter. IDK Maybe because she grew up in the MC lifestyle and didn’t have to have everything explained helped but anyway she has been my favorite and that surprises me considering I thought she was going to the weak passive character in the beginning. I am so ready for the next book the teaser we got I am itching to read more about Pic. This was my favorite Reapers book yet.

Some of my Favorites:
“You fucking kicked me in the balls,” I said, looking up at the sky.
“Yup. Enjoyed it, too.”

‘Love’ is a word that doesn’t mean a damned thing to me. ‘Em,’ though? That’s a work that means everything. I’d die for you, babe. Kill for you, too.

“Let’s be honest here,” I said, throwing it all out. “We both know I’m gonna fuck up. But I’m pretty sure I love you, Em.”

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased the audible for this series just so I could enjoy the Reaper’s once again. Below is my original review from 2014.

Where do I start? First off thank you to m

I purchased this book because I was hooked on this series after reading Reapers Property. I was so caught up in this book from the time I picked it up that I didn’t want to put it down. If there was a way to get in the book to slap some since into both Ruger and I wanted to do in on many occasions.

Sophie decides that she is going to lose her virginity to Zach. However, she doesn’t get the romantic setting with flowers for her first time instead she gets a quickie on Zach’s stepbrothers couch. Only to be humiliated by having said stepbrother barge in see her sprawled out on his couch and toss them out. Then Zach informs her that the condom broke and she better not be pregnant. Well eight months later begins a cycle of Ruger being called to help Sophie out when Zach who should won’t and little Noah arrives into the world.

Jump ahead seven years and once again Ruger is called because Noah is in trouble. When Ruger arrives and sees the living arrangements Sophie is in he takes it upon himself to move them out and in with him since his step brother is not stepping up to take care of his responsibilities Ruger decides he will.

They live in the same house she is hesitant to get involved or let Noah around the Reaper’s. Ruger and Sophie both fight the feelings they have for each other. Ruger wants her to be his old lady but she wants a commitment and Ruger is having no part of that. Therefore, as long as he won’t commit to her she refuses to commit to him.

She makes friends with some of the old ladies and others. One night she goes out with Emma and Kimber. Things turn bad when Em and Sophie are kidnapped by a rival Motorcycle club. When Ruger is able to get Sophie back he decides that he is willing to give her the commitment she wants but is it a little too late for Sophie.

I loved the friendships and bonds that Sophie was able to make with the ladies. The makeover the ladies do on Ruger’s basement for Sophie and Noah was amazing and heartwarming. They welcomed her and Noah with opened arms and no judgments. I loved that we got to see Horse, Maria, Em, and Picnic again. I cannot wait to start Devil’s Game to learn about Emma’s story.

Some of my favorites:

He watched as the newborn opened its little eyes for the first time and looked right at him. They were blue and round and confused as fucking gorgeous. They closed again as the baby screwed up its tiny mouth, sucked in a deep breath and let out a piercing wail.

“Sophie’s my nephew’s mom,” Ruger said, voice going hard and flat. “One of her in dirty sweats is worth ten of you naked on your knees, so get the fuck out.”

Goodreads

Review by Twinsie Melinda

I purchased the audible for this one just so I could enjoy the Reaper’s once again. So good to see all the Reaper guys again. Below is my original review from 2013.

Where do I start? First off thank you to my Friend Angie for suggesting this book to me.

Marie just left her abusive husband and moved in with her druggie brother, Jeff. She is trying to get her life back on track when Horse, a member or Reapers Motorcycle Club, shows up at her trailer to talk “business” with her brother. Horse and the other 2 members of the MC scare the you know what out of her but Horse sees her and decides she is going to be his.

Jeff is caught stealing from the Reapers. Big mistake…now he must pay in blood. To save his life Marie agrees to go with Horse giving Jeff time to repay the debt. She has to do what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants it no questions asked and no complaining. She can walk at anytime but the blood debt has to be paid.

Horse wants Marie to be his ‘old lady’, but Marie wants no part of being someone’s property. There is a ton of miscommunication between the two since Marie has no clue what the biker life is about and Horse doesn’t do a great job of explaining it to her plus his timing on explaining things are bad at times.

I cannot wait to see who the next book is about. There are so many characters that were introduced that I want to know so much more about them all.