When life imitates art…

A Latinx romance novel is born!

I wasn’t always a romance writer. After over a decade of working in editorial as a Latina relationship blogger and journalist, I had lost my mojo. Writer's block was banging on my damn doorstep for the first time in 15 years! Blame #momlife, the stress of making a living as a freelancer, and the realities of adulting, I found myself struggling when brainstorming ideas to pitch to editors. I was not only bored of writing the same content (listicles and clickbait-y blogs, oh my!) but I was also ready to push myself creatively.  

I realize now that as I evolved as a woman it was only natural to shift as a Latina writer and author. I’ve identified as a writer since the early age of 12. Much like I stopped writing Sweet Valley High copycat stories by 15 (oh the lawsuits that would have ensued!) I outgrew writing about penises, sex positions, and dating fails. Especially with a newborn stuck to my tit. 

It’s only natural as a grown-ass woman and momma that this former relationship writer and journalist turned to fiction and popped out a romance novel.  

I wasn’t sure how to start. I just knew I had to. I sat down at my computer, opened Google Docs, and let the words flow. After 30 minutes, I had created my main character, Candi (short for Candida). I also realized that I had basically written a fictional story that wasn’t so fictional: that first paragraph was straight out of a scene from a fight that I had had with my ex-fiancé.

I didn’t get it right the first time or the second. But I didn’t give up. I continued to play with words, characters, and storylines. I took inspiration from my life - my mistakes, my lessons learned when dating, and even more mistakes - and who I am as a woman, sister, partner, and friend, and created Candi. 

A Latinx Romance Novel Is Born

Candi is as messy, funny, talented, and as energetic as I was in my 20s. Only her cocktail of choice is Fireball and mine was a Bacardi and Coke.

They say life imitates art. And that’s exactly what happened when I wrote my first Latinx romance novel, Heights of Love: Candi. Although I didn’t get in as much trouble as Candi does in my debut novelette (you must read that sexy scene that goes down in a car!) I had as much fun as she did before I became a responsible adult and momma. 

So, no more penis stories from me. But you’ll definitely get some sexy stories from Candi. 

Grab your copy of Heights of Love: Candi on Amazon. Available in paperback and Kindle.