In Episode 207, Sarah chats with author Regina Black about her newest novel, August Lane. A second-chance romance about two people healing from trauma, August Lane is set in Arcadia, Arkansas, with themes of family, generational scars, and a unique thread of Black country music. Regina also talks about how she got into writing Romance on top of her job as a law school administrator, how long she's been writing, and what spurred her on to seeking publication. Plus, Regina shares some of her top book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Books by Regina Black: The Art of Scandal and August Lane A brief, spoiler-free overview of August Lane. How long Regina has been writing and what moved her to seeking publication. Her unique journey to finding an agent What exactly does it mean to have a likable character? The way Regina uses and leans into typical romance tropes. Her decision to step away from social media to write like "no one's watching." A bit about the novel she's working on. Regina talks about how a lot of writers become lawyers rather than the reverse. Regina's Book Recommendations [34:41] Two OLD Books She Loves The Space Between Worlds (The Space Between Worlds, 1) by Micaiah Johnson (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:57] Indigo by Beverly Jenkins (1996) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:54] Two NEW Books She Loves The Princess and the P.I. by Nikki Payne (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[38:59] Black in Blues:How a Color Tells the Story of My People by Imani Perry (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:03] Other Books Mentioned South to America by Imani Perry (2022) [41:14] One Book She DIDN'T Love Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:41] Other Books Mentioned Persuasion by Jane Austen (1817) [44:54] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About Where the Wild Flowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris (February 17, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:36] Books From the Discussion Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [7:34]

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