Keely Stephens Interview Published on: 07, Mar 2025

Romance has always been a genre that held my interest, and for a long time, I wrote stories with romantic elements in them. I never really thought I'd write a true romance, though, until I stepped back and switched perspectives. I asked myself, Why not? And the answer? Well, I didn't have one. So I allowed the characters from a fun story idea take root in my mind, and they did not disappoint! That idea turned into a series.

To be honest, I'm not sure. I know they influenced my reading and my writing, but I haven't given that much thought to how they've shaped my perspective and storytelling. What I can say is that romance leaves readers happy, and I want to add happiness to the world.

Twelve years of Catholic school and conservative parents took their toll on me. I had turned inward so far, stuffed so much away, that I was looking for a way to feel free. Did I think it would be writing romance? No, I did not. But then I found some virtual friends who write sex-positive romance (some scenes more explicit than others), and I thought, Why not? What is holding me back from writing something like that? I had an answer to this one: Me. I was holding myself back. So I tackled the story and had a fun time writing. I smiled the entire time I wrote or revised. As for whether the story is spicy or not? That depends on the characters. They always tell me what they want and need.

Flawed characters are a must, but I also want my characters to be thoughtful, kind, and generous. I want them to find humor in the unexpected and be keen observers. These people usually find themselves in relatable situations, and I almost always strive for effective communication with the characters because that's what I strive for in my own life.

I could write a book just on this question alone! Suffice it to say, having grown up when I did and with the parents I did (see above question) means that I've carried a lot of shame around for a long time. Shame about my body, what it can do, what it's not supposed to do (according to some people), and what I should allow it to do (again, according to some people). I don't want readers to think there's shame in having sex--with yourself or anyone else, as long as it's consensual--and so I try to keep that in mind with each story. My characters sometimes have some hangups, but over the course of the story they learn to love themselves and their bodies. Once they learn to love themselves, they have an easier time of loving someone else and allowing that person to love them.

That's the conflict in the book! Both have dreams, and they are, for a time, almost working against one another. I don't want to spoil the plot of Breakfast with the Billionaire, but I will say this: their attraction can't be ignored, and they both care enough about one another to take a second look at what their dreams mean to them.

So. Many. Challenges. And I don't mean that in terms of any issues with my partner or my kids. I love the family we've created, and would do everything over again in a heartbeat. But one of our four children has multiple health issues that require a lot of time and energy from me. I've had to rely more on setting aside writing time in large chunks--a writing retreat weekend or writing day with my writing buddies--whereas I used to be able to write in small bits of time.

I love it when readers write to tell me that they connected with my characters or they learned something new! One of my favorite pieces of feedback came from a new reader who said, "The story was like a support group in a book. Where was this book when I needed it?"

I'm a teacher at heart (and in real life), so I hope they learn something from my stories. It could be anything--a new word, a new perspective, a new emotion, whatever. And of course, I hope my readers walk away satisfied.

Real life for the win! Sort of. My stories are set in a fictional version of where I currently live, and some of the places the characters visit can be found there. Conversations I've held with people--or at least variations of them--end up in all my books. Of course, the majority of the books, indeed most of it, is fiction.

That's a tough question to answer because every one of my characters has a little bit of me in them. But if I had to choose, I think it would be Josie Hampton from Business with the Billionaire, which is Book 2 in the Billionaire series. She's a therapist who has a lot to learn about herself, and she's not ready to do so until she meets Byrd Forelle. Their relationship helped Josie's growth find its feet, and I feel that way about my own partner.

A reader told me that she knew I had a fun time writing the book because the book radiated joy. Does that set them apart? I don't know for sure, but like I said above, I smile the whole time I'm writing and revising. I can't complain about that!

So many, in fact too many, to count, but one romance author who has been incredibly influential is Christina Berry. If you haven't read her books yet, you should!

A few things come to mind. I have a project in the works that features a hair stylist who is fashioned after my own phenomenal hair stylist, and I've actually been thinking about just sharing my stories, one chapter at a time, on a blog. I write because I love it, and since I don't have as much time as I'd like (and I hate everything to do with promotion), I'm leaning toward a different method of release. Aside from that, my alter-ego has a book coming out in May 2025 (called The Marriage Debt).

I've been a part of it for a few years, mainly as a way to connect with other authors and readers. The support has been appreciated, and I'm so pleased I took the plunge! Thanks for all you do!