Rebel Reads Podcast-Join The Rebellion!

Buckle up, babes — because this episode is a whole EVENT.

The Rebel Reads Podcast drops tonight and I am feral-level excited.

Our guest? G.N. Wright — the mastermind behind:

Dark romance that grips your soul and doesn’t give it back

Hockey romance with very suggestive “locker room energy” 

Men who are morally gray, emotionally complicated, and completely unhinged in the best possible way

And yes… one of my top-tier, chokehold, standards-destroyed book boyf /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317790

Happy Halloween Rebel Readers!

This week on the Rebel Reads Podcast, we journey into the dark and alluring world of In The Shadows, the first installment in a powerful new fantasy romance series from breakout author L.B. August.

Once a nameless survivor, Lilith Clarke was meant to die at the hands of the vicious King Oren — yet fate had other plans. Now crowned Queen of Umbra and bound to the ruthless King Asher, she rules from the shadows while battling the darkness closing in around her. /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317795

Hello Rebel Readers,

Spooky season is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into the world of dark romance, danger, and a little monstrous mayhem? This week marks a special one, Episode 24 releasing on the 24th (talk about synchronicity!) and I’m thrilled to be joined by my fellow New Yorker, the incredible Nicole Rubino, author of The Monstrous Series, a thrilling dark fantasy, twisted romance with a splash of horror series that is a must read!

In this /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317800

Hello Rebel Readers,

October is here, and while most of us are leaning into spooky season, our guest this week takes dark romance to haunting new heights.

Author Melody Joanne is a Canadian author of dark romantasy whose stories are equal parts chaos, humor, and heart. Her bold, unhinged heroines and dangerously irresistible love interests redefine what it means to fall for the dark side.

In this episode, we dive into her latest novel, where one woman’s world unravels after she start /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317805

Hello Rebel Readers,

In this inspiring episode of Rebel Reads Podcast, host Cheryl Briggs sits down with acclaimed author Jacqueline Friedland to explore the story behind the storyteller. From her early days practicing law to finding her true calling in writing, Jackie opens up about the winding road that led her to become one of today’s most fearless voices in contemporary fiction.

Together, they unpack how Friedland channels her passion for /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317810

Hello Rebel Readers,

In the landmark 21st episode of the Rebel Reads Podcast, host Cheryl Briggs welcomes Taylor Cassidy, the TikTok powerhouse whose Fast Black History series (over 60 million likes) transformed short-form storytelling into a movement. Now, the author of Black History Is Your History, Taylor, opens up about turning viral influence into a lasting cultural impact.

Together, Cheryl and /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317815

Audio Only

Hello Rebel Readers,

In this powerful first episode, host Cheryl Briggs sits down with the incredible Jeza Belle—drag queen, comedian, producer, and award-winning author—for a raw, unfiltered conversation on faith, fiction, and fierce truths.

From laugh-out-loud cocktails in The Harlot’s Guide to Classy Cocktails, to her groundbreaking devotional Jeza’s Jesus Juice, to her acclaimed historical fiction series The Presence Collection—including her newest release Abominatio /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317825

Hello Rebel Readers!

This episode of the Rebel Reads Podcast is a truly special one—I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with the amazing Emily Goodwin. Emily is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen swoon-worthy romance titles. She writes the kind of stories she loves to read, filled with irresistible bad boys and unforgettable HEAs!

What made our conversation even more meaningful is that Emily and I share a background as nurses. She open /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317830

Hello Rebel Readers,

In this episode of the Rebel Reads Podcast, we’re joined by the incredible Zoraida Córdova—bestselling author of The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, the Brooklyn Brujas trilogy, Meant to Be Series, Valentina Salazar Is Not a Monster Hunter, and Star Wars: The High Republic: Convergence and many more.

Born in Ecuador, and raised in Queens, NY, Zoraida is a fellow New Yorker whose storytelling is deeply shaped by her life experiences, culture, and family roots. She /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317835

Hello Rebel Readers!

We’re serving up our very first Lunchtime Listen with the brilliant author A.M. Dunnewin! 

Growing up with a love for mysteries and thrillers, A.M. has carved her own unique path in the literary world. As an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association, her stories span across genres—often with a dark, unexpected twist. With a B.A. in Psychology, a deep love for chai tea, and a bookshelf stacked with everything from classics to graphic novels, she brings her pa /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317840

Hello Book Lovers,

This week on the Rebel Reads Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Beth Kander—a genre-defying author and screenwriter whose work has been described as “riveting” and “habit-forming.” With tangled roots in both the Midwest and the Deep South, Beth’s writing beautifully weaves together old and new worlds, often with a darkly funny twist.

Beth’s highly anticipated debut novel, I MADE IT OUT OF CLAY (MIRA Books / HarperCollins), hit shelves in Decem /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317845

Hello Book Lovers,

This week, I’m joined by Author Bianca Miller — a self-proclaimed bubbly introvert who thrives in the beautiful chaos of storytelling. She pours every ounce of herself into her romance novels, crafting stories that are raw, tender, and healing — the kind that break your heart before piecing it back together with even bigger, brighter happy endings.

Bianca’s journey began in 2008 with late-night fanfiction and has grown into powerful tales that /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317850

Hello Book Lovers,

In this wildly entertaining episode, I sit down with the hilarious and fearless Jennifer Rose to talk about her steamy, chaotic, and emotionally addictive romance that had me laughing out loud, blushing, and rooting for a possessive HEA that should probably come with a warning label.

We get into everything: dark romance, morally gray men who absolutely need therapy (but want their heroine more), sharp-tongued heroines who bite back, and why readers can’t get /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317855

We were thrilled to welcome Krystal Marquis, author of The Davenports, to the Rebel Reads Podcast!  She joined us to chat about her swoon-worthy historical debut, her love of libraries, and the real African American history that inspired her stunning novel. 

The Davenports—is a sweeping romance set in 1910s Chicago that follows one of the few African American families of immense wealth and status, inspired by the groundbreaking legacy of C.R. Patterson, the first Black car manufacturer in the /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317860

Calling all hockey romance lovers—this one's for you! On this episode of the Rebel Reads Podcast, Cheryl sits down with USA Today and International Bestselling Author Rachel Leigh, whose steamy and suspenseful romances are impossible to put down. Known for her flawed bad boys, strong heroines, and just the right amount of darkness, Rachel dishes on her bestselling Ice Lords series—an explosive college hockey, enemies-to-lovers, why-choose saga that will leave you breathless.

We d /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317865

Hello Book Lovers,

In this enchanting episode, we sit down with debut author Kristen Kandibo to explore her sweeping fantasy novel, The Sibyl of the Wind. Kristen shares the inspiration behind her richly imagined world—where widows face impossible choices, wolves roam forbidden woods, and a group of outcasts dares to defy the rules of a kingdom built on control. We also dive into her dual life as a Speech-Language Pathologist, how storytelling plays a role in both her profession and passion, and /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317870

Hello Book Lovers,

Cheryl sits down with KJ Micciche, a Queens-born rom-com author and nonprofit founder who’s spinning stories—and a few unexpected poles—into unforgettable love stories.

We chat about KJ’s hilarious new novel, where Cape Cod collides with calamity: seafood trays fly, jobs are lost, and an underground bachelorette party venue becomes the last resort for two unlikely partners. It’s flirty, chaotic, and full of heart.

KJ opens up about her /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317875

Hello Book Lovers!

In this episode, Cheryl sat down with Meredith Schorr to chat about the release of her brand-new romance novel and much more.

They chatted about everything from the nostalgic influence of Judy Blume and the evolution of teenage slang to the rhythms of life in New York City, the quiet joy of libraries, and the lasting imprint grandmothers leave on our lives—and our fiction.

Meredith’s new book is a warm, witty roommates-to-lovers romcom that is perfect for curlin /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317880

In this episode, Cheryl spoke with bestselling author Mia P. Manansala, the cozy clairvoyant behind the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series and the new YA novel Death in the Cards. This tarot-infused mystery blends youthful sleuthing with Mia’s signature warmth, wit, and deep-rooted Filipino family ties.

They dive into Mia’s writing process, her path to traditional publishing, and how she infuses her work with cultural identity and cozy suspense. From Arsenic and Adobo to her lates /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317885

Hello, book lovers!  

Cheryl sits down with Bronx author Justine Manzano, whose New Yorker spirit shines through tales of Keys & Guardians, and the magic of saying “never say never.” They connect over their shared love of novels, strong family ties, and living outside society’s norms. Justine opens up about the inspiration behind her imaginative stories and the power of connection through fiction.

This episode is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and finding your voice—bo /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317890

In this episode, Cheryl welcomes dark romance author Britt Reign to the Rebel Reads Podcast for a thrilling deep dive into love stories that live on the edge. Britt talks about what makes dark romance so irresistible. Join Cheryl for a captivating conversation full of laughs, heart, and the irresistible pull of the shadows.

In this colorful episode of the Rebel Reads Podcast, host Cheryl welcomes bestselling author Jessica Anya Blau to celebrate the NYC launch of her newest novel, Shopgirls, on May 6th. Set against the dazzling backdrop of 1980s San Francisco, Shopgirls is a bold and vibrant novel of self-discovery, friendship, outrageous fashion, and chosen family. Jessica opens up about her California upbringing, how her life experiences shaped her writing, and what inspired the unforgettable world of Shopgirls. From pers /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317900

The second Rebel Reads Podcast episode of the week is here — and it’s a powerful one! Cheryl had the pleasure of sitting down with author Tiffany Marks, and their connection was instant.

They shared a heartfelt conversation about motherhood, identity, and the personal journey of rediscovering yourself while raising others. Tiffany’s story of resilience is both moving and inspiring — and her newest novel, which just released, is already on Cheryl’s reading list!

This episo /episode/index/show/fe42292f-e593-4f67-8c9e-105af7ffe43a/id/39317905

Hello Book Lovers!

In this episode, host Cheryl Briggins takes us behind the scenes of debut author Zakiya N. Jamal’s captivating enemies-to-lovers queer romance, set in a historic Black-owned movie theater on Long Island. Cheryl dives into the inspiration behind Jamal’s characters, the significance of the setting, and how love can blossom amid popcorn, pride, and a little bit of rivalry.