Join Ashley Michele and special guest Amy Oliveira, a contemporary romance author with Brazilian and Irish roots, for a candid deep-dive into all things romance, Omega verse, and the real-life struggles that inspire truly unforgettable characters. In this episode, we unpack why piercings, cozy vibes, and “nesting” make Omega verse irresistible, swap favorite comfort reads, and chat about the value of deeply flawed protagonists who still find love.

Amy shares her unique journey of writing in her second language, explores the intersection of mental health and steamy fiction, and reveals how authors like Cassandra Gannon and Laurel K. Hamilton shaped her creative process. Expect honest talk, great book recs, and lots of praise—plus a celebration of the power in loving yourself (crusty PJs and all). Whether you’re a smut lover, mood reader, or simply love stories about messy, relatable characters, this episode has your next TBR hit covered!

You can find out more about this week’s guest on thefollowing platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyOliveira.author/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/amyoliveira.author/

Website: https://theamyoliveira.com/

Smut Lovers the Community is a group of individuals celebratingsexuality, kink and smutty romance in a safe, loving, and inclusiveenvironment. For more information on our up coming conference go to our websiteat https://smutlovers.org/home/conference/.

If you'd like to join our Facebook group, then youcan find us HERE.

Podcast Production by Smut Lovers

Host: Ashley Michele, Assistant Director – Smut Lovers: The Conference

Affiliate links may be included.

The podcast episode features a discussion on spicy literature, with Alicia sharing her journey into reading erotic books, starting with "50 Shades of Grey" and progressing to authors like Colleen Hoover and Pepper Winters. Alicia emphasizes the importance of reading what you enjoy and the value of beta and arc reading. Follow Alicia here:

https://www.instagram.com/locsnliterature

Smut Lovers the Community is a group of individuals celebrating sexuality, kink and smutty romance in a safe, loving, and inclusive environment. For more information on our up coming conference go to our websiteat https://smutlovers.org/home/conference/.

If you'd like to join our Facebook group, then youcan find us HERE.

NOTE: This episode was recorded/produced prior to community revelation regarding certain titles from Tillie Cole’s backlist. The creators/guest do not support or condone the harmful themes or romanticization of hate groups present in those controversies.

Podcast Production by Smut Lovers

Host: Ashley Michele, Assistant Director – Smut Lovers: The Conference

Affiliate links may be included.

Alexia Onyx, a dark romance and horror author, discusses her writing journey, focusing on her representation of plus-size, queer, and mental health themes. She highlights her transition from thrillers to dark romance, influenced by authors like Gillian Flynn and Jillian. Alexia emphasizes the importance of raw, realistic mental health representation in her books.

Follow them here: https://www.instagram.com/alexiaonyxauthor/

NOTE: This episode was recorded/produced prior to the 2024 allegations against Neil Gaiman. The creators do not support or condone his actions.

Smut Lovers the Community is a group of individuals celebrating sexuality, kink and smutty romance in a safe, loving, and inclusive environment. For more information on our up coming conference go to our website at https://smutlovers.org/home/conference/.

If you'd like to join our Facebook group, then youcan find us HERE.

Podcast Production by Smut Lovers

Host: Ashley Michele, Assistant Director – Smut Lovers: The Conference

Affiliate links may be included.