J.R. Ward on Lover Enthroned, the Black Dagger Brotherhood Universe, and Defending Romance

This week, in the first of two episodes (a rarity since my early Not Before Coffee days), I am joined by bestselling author J.R. Ward to talk about the latest instalment in her massive Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Enthroned. Why she jumped the timeline, how the series became a TV adaptation, and what it's like building a fictional universe fans have lived in for two decades. We talked about everything from dark romance, vampires, and paranormal fantasy, and she makes an unflinching case for romance readers and writers in a publishing world that still seems to have a less-than-positive view of the genre. She shares what she admires about today's author business, how she approaches fandom and collectable editions, and how she keeps a long-running series accessible to new readers while planning connected arcs. Along the way, we talk about many things, including: What makes a darker romantic hero believable Why representation matters in romance The leap from lawyer to author How JR Ward defines success across books, adaptations, and sheer persistence. So grab a coffee, get your headphones ready and give this one a watch...it's an interesting and exciting ride!