Please meet my new hero, Christina Diane. Like so many of the best people, she and I met through Nicole Frail’s social media challenges. I’ll let her introduce herself.

I started writing and creating when I was young, creating a comic strip that I called Grizzly Grouch. I was an avid reader, always with my nose in a book, and then as I became an adult, my writing and reading both shifted to non-fiction for a long time. I read a lot of business and mindset books, while my writing was mostly editorial type of freelancing. I sat down in 2023 and decided that I'd try my hand at writing a memoir-style book and did just that. (Who knows when/if I will ever publish it. I haven't done a single pass back through it yet!) In early 2024, characters and storylines wouldn't leave my thoughts. I've always had that, throughout the years. I'd dream storylines that I would say would make an interesting book or movie and then I'd never write them down and just keep on with my usual routine. But that time, I decided I'd try my hand and putting the characters on page. Once I did, I was hooked. I have just continued to write like crazy all year during all of my free time! (I also have a family and a corporate job, so I gave up TV to have time to write.)

Her second book The Earl and the Vixen just launched on Tuesday, Nov. 26 and it’s a bestseller! And she’ll be releasing each book in the series every six weeks.

• The Rake and the Muse - Releases Tuesday, Jan. 7

• The Marquess and the Earl - Releases Tuesday, Feb. 18

• The Viscount and the Wallflower - Releases Tuesday, April 1

• The Duke and the Widow - Releases Tuesday, May 13

• Romancing the Ton Series - First book releases in November 2025

• She also has a few anthologies and collaborations releasing in 2025, too!

JEN: Christina, I’m excited to have this conversation with you. Thanks for doing this. I know people are excited to learn about your publishing story. Let’s start there. You’re both an indie author and trad?

CHRISTINA: I am hybrid! When I first started this journey, I assumed I'd chase being traditionally published. Then the more I started learning from the community, the more appealing that indie pub became! I queried my target publisher with the first novel I wrote, not really expecting much to happen. But then they offered for the entire series (six books)! I was so thrilled and hoped that it would help expand my reach and get my name out there. I am also indie publishing at the same time, hoping for the best of both worlds!

JEN: My motto has long been por qué no los dos. I’m excited for you to get to do both. Tell me, what's your favorite genre to read? And to write?  

CHRISTINA: Regency romance, dark romance, and thrillers are my favorite genres to read. Currently most of my writing has been Regency romance, and I am dipping into some dark themes with the Regency era constructs in some of my current writing! I am inspired a lot from my reading, and dynamics that I encounter in real people, shows, etc. I love seeing how I can translate more modern themes to the historical setting, or how I can explore something that would have been difficult in that era.

JEN: Who is your favorite author?

CHRISTINA: I have to say Julia Quinn and Ella Quinn, because their books made me fall in love with the genre that has since become my absolute favorite. I have read so many amazing authors that I have so many favorites! I'm continually influenced by all of the amazing authors in the historical romance genre. The group is like a family, and I can't believe the support the group provides for each other. I am learning and growing every day because of them.

JEN: Your covers are gorgeous. Who does them for you?

CHRISTINA: Erin from EDH Professionals is my go-to cover artist. Not only is she extremely talented, but she is invested in my success and has provided valuable insights to help in ensuring we have the right marketing for my books.

JEN: What other creators are you friends with, and how do they help you create better?

CHRISTINA: I have met so many amazing people in this journey and know that will continue to be the case. There are two that really stand out. First is Florence A. Bliss, another historical romance author. We met in a smutty follow train and have been besties ever since. We read each other's work, give feedback, and help each other grow. The other is Lizzie C. Koz, as she has become my ride or die as we continue to figure out indie publishing. We have similar writing styles and write in the same eras, so we created a shared reader group and continually support each other in learning the ins and outs of promo and marketing with the goal of becoming fulltime authors.

JEN: What sort of themes do you most enjoy tackling in your work?

CHRISTINA: I'm really enjoying giving voices to different types of characters in the Regency era. For a society that had a lot of rules and even laws in place that negatively impacted so many people. Those people still existed then, even if society had less accepting beliefs. I observe a lot from the different personalities and happenings in my corporate job, that definitely offers inspiration to dynamics in my stories. I don't do a lot of writing for my job, which I don't mind. Since it leaves my writing time more focused on something for me and what I want for my future.

JEN: In what ways does writing energize or exhaust you?

CHRISTINA: I love that feeling when what is in my head is reflected on the page, or when I craft a line that I really love. I don't typically get overly exhausted from creating, but I feel it a bit more when I get closer to various deadlines.

I am probably my toughest critic. The imposter syndrome is very real and let it in far more often than I should. I will read a regency novel and immediately compare the writer's style to my own, and then find my own style lacking. I have had to do a lot of mental self-talk to continue to overcome the imposter syndrome and not allow myself to slip into such thoughts. I have a team of ARC readers who are great at giving me feedback and their compliments help to keep me going. I know that my writing craft will continue to evolve and grow over the years, as it should!

JEN: What does your writing routine look like? 

CHRISTINA: Right now, I typically write a bit in the morning before work and then typically after dinner once we’ve had family time. Then I write throughout the day on the weekends depending on what we have planned. I have to fit it in when I can!

I can actually be both a morning bird and a night owl. But I am probably more of a morning bird and prefer to get my creative time in the morning before the day gets away from me. My husband and kids are exceptionally supportive. My husband frequently takes care of cooking meals, cleaning, etc. to give me more time to write. He frequently talks through story ideas with me and flushes out different elements. It would be quite difficult to take this on without his unwavering support.

JEN: What is your non-bookish obsession?

CHRISTINA: The Grinch. I don't know why, but I have always been obsessed with the character and the movies (all versions). I have many Grinch mugs, cups, shirts, etc. and typically use some version of the Grinch as my avatar at work!

JEN: Oh, this is your time of year, then! I love it. Share some advice for aspiring writers. What advice would you give to your younger self?

CHRISTINA: Don't let fear hold you back. That is the advice I would give in both cases. If you want something, keep working every day towards it. Find ways to overcome the negative thoughts and do what you love.

JEN: It’s obvious that you’re following that advice now, Christina. What's coming next?

CHRISTINA: I have over 10 releases scheduled for next year! I currently have collaborations and shared world projects that go all the way out to 2027. When I am not working on collabs, I am world building for the next series I will start. I am not sure yet if I will indie pub or trad pub the series, but I am so excited for it!

My hearts, please follow this rising star! Visit her website, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest. Please “Want to Read” her books on Goodreads and join her reader group on Facebook!