The very stoic Wesley Bishop. Writing opposites-attract romances is especially satisfying when one half of the pairing is as immovable as Wes. He is rigid, disciplined, and unapologetically set in his ways. So pairing him with a woman he swore he couldn’t stand felt like an irresistible challenge. As he so aptly admits in his serial, Jazmine Reeves is the only person who truly sees him. Wes is the kind of character you don’t forget once you meet him, and because he guards himself so fiercely, there’s far more to his story than what appears on the surface.

So, let’s get to know Wes Bishop a little more intimately.

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Honestly, Hassani stole my heart the moment his character profile was complete. There was something about this boy from Long Island—a humble athlete who dreamed of seeing something different in his hometown—falling for the girl from Brooklyn that felt like magic.

It didn’t take long for readers to fall for him either. Hassani and Ayla might’ve frustrated us with their push and pull, but they stole our hearts in the process. We were invested in his growth. In whether or not he’d get the girl he clearly fell for at first sight, and what he’d do to keep her once he did.

Hassani has a way with words. He knows how to make people feel seen, valued, even adored. And while he sometimes struggles to read people’s true intentions, deep down, he’s a lover of love. A romantic at his core. And he’s never been afraid to show it. He doesn’t shy away from commitment. He wants it. He thrives in love, and when he’s in it, he’s all in.

So what archetype does that make him?

The Charmer.

Hassani Franklin’s Archetypes

• Primary: The Charmer
• Secondary Influences: The Hero, The Lover

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Jazmine Reeves was always going to be a challenge to write. I knew that the moment I finished her character summary. She’s an infectious personality and unforgettable from the instant she appears in Episode One of I Hate That I Love You. Loud in presence, bold in opinion, and fearless in conviction, Jazmine is the kind of woman who takes up space without apology. But beneath that tough exterior is a true sweetheart for the people she loves. She’s a lover before she’s a fighter… though make no mistake, Jazzy will roll up her sleeves and stand her ground when necessary. As one of the FMCs anchoring this sub–book world, Jazmine isn’t going anywhere. We’ll be seeing plenty more of her in the future.

For now, let’s get to know Jazmine a little more intimately.

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Esme Bennett is the kind of character in my book world who quietly exists on the sidelines, offering support, warmth, and insight to the main characters we fall for. I create side characters like her intentionally, always with the hope of returning to them later, keeping the thread between stories alive. And Esme is worth returning to. She’s a gentle romantic, optimistic about love but not consumed by it. Love finds her unexpectedly in When Love Just Happens, and I loved that journey for her. As a friend, she’s steady and sincere, and that same steadiness spills into her love story. You’ve come to know Esme through the eyes of others and through her own quiet strength.

Now, let’s get to know Esme a little more intimately.

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In In Love, I Trust, Kelli Sutherland was the perfect side character. She asked the kinds of questions that forced her best friend, Serenity, to think and offered support even when she knew her friend was standing in her own way. I’d always planned to give Kelli her own story after creating her character summary for In Love, I Trust. And while I was brainstorming Ryder’s character for One Mic—after deciding he would be a Rose Hill, NY resident—I knew Kelli would make a great addition to my book world.

She’s already given us glimpses of who she is, but let’s get to know Kelli a little more intimately.

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Ryder Wallace became an instant favorite the moment I began shaping my reality-show romance, One Mic. Even on the page, he had the kind of presence that refused to stay in the background. Ryder is an anomaly in the best way… tough on the surface, but soft-spirited beneath it, especially when it comes to his best friend, Kelli Sutherland. We first met him in One Mic, but truly witnessed his heart in From Friends to Forever. Now, we get to peel back more layers.

Let’s get to know Ryder a little more intimately.

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Keith Aaron had been mentioned in passing in my book world, but I always knew I’d give him his own story. I’d been wanting to write about a hip-hop artist for a while, so please know, I’m not done with him or Alexis just yet. I love his character makeup. He’s a guy’s guy, but also a Loverboy at heart. An intellect in every sense of the word, but street smart too. What I loved most was seeing readers fall for him the same way I did. There’s still so much to learn about Mr. Keith Aaron.

So, for now, let’s get to know him a little more intimately.

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Alexis Hamilton wasn’t as new to my book world as some readers initially thought. She made her first brief appearance in my Christmas story Rekindled, and her line about heading to her parents’ home for Christmas dinner was enough for me to put a mental bookmark on her character, promising I’d return to her when the time was right. When I began brainstorming a Thanksgiving story (I’d told myself the year prior that I wanted to release one), she immediately came to mind—and I’m so glad she did. Once I finished outlining her backstory, I became a fan. Her friendship with her best friend Keith and how it formed was one of my favorite things to write. It was so pure, so natural, that I couldn’t wait to explore it further. If you’ve yet to meet her in Second Serving, hopefully this gives you a reason to.

Let’s get to know Alexis a little more intimately.

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To say Micah Black is a new favorite of mine would be an understatement. He’s one of the few MMCs leading us into a new era in my book world, and prayerfully, you’ll love him as much as I do. When developing his character, I let his personality do the heavy carrying. He truly is a man among men, with heart and soul like no other. From the moment he appears on the page, it’s impossible not to want to see him again. His presence in How to Lose Control in 42 Days is not only a treat for our FMC, Arielle St. James, it’s a treat for us, too. Though his role in the story is both poignant and pivotal, there’s still more to learn about the soulful bartender at The St. James’s bar and lounge, Vesper.

Let’s get to know Micah Black a little more intimately.

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Arielle St. James will be a new addition to our world. Mentioned briefly in My Only, the heiress and CEO of one of New York City’s premiere hotels, Arielle’s life—when we meet her—is built on structure, control, and order. On the surface, she appears to have it all together. That’s because she does, and it’s exhausting. But someone has to do it, and Arielle has been that someone for far too long, prioritizing everything and everyone outside of herself… until now. You’ll get to know her fully in How to Lose Control in 42 Days, but for now, let’s explore what makes Arielle St. James the woman in control.

Let’s get to know Arielle a little more intimately.

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Oh, Jordan Gabriel. The handsome villain who gave off the illusion of being a knight in shining armor. Many readers were shocked at the turn of events in the continued story Indecent Arrangement. When readers first met Jordan in the short story from Forbidden: An Anthology, which Indecent Arrangement picks up from, it seemed as though Joelle was leaving a bad marriage for a relationship with promise. But in truth, she was jumping from the frying pan straight into the fire… and the fire was Jordan Gabriel. Because Jordan never received a POV in Indecent Arrangement (the story was told entirely from Joelle’s perspective), we didn’t get to know him all that well. So, let’s dive deeper into his background to see what shaped the man we met.

Let’s get to know Jordan Gabriel a little more intimately.

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When it comes to Levi Weston, you either love him or hate him. Impulsive, secretive, and a lover boy, Levi made his first appearance in my book world in Cali & Lee and has been unforgettable since. His growth in my first serialized romance was beautiful to watch, and seeing that growth carry into My Only was a rewarding continuation. Though Levi wasn’t shy about revealing plenty in his serialized romance, there are still parts of him left to uncover… pieces that give deeper insight into his personality.

So, let’s get to know Levi more intimately.

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Ms. Calese Marie Monroe had been a character I’d plugged into so many potential stories, but Cali & Lee was the perfect fit for her after much deliberation. Her personality was one I loved because she was adventurous, daring, and a free spirit who didn’t take life too seriously. That sometimes led to questionable decisions, but Calese was Calese, and always entertaining to write. We learned a lot about her in Cali & Lee, but as always, there’s more beneath the surface to uncover about the woman we met and what makes her tick.

Let’s get to know Calese a little more intimately.

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Much like Jaide Belair’s character, Lucas “Lucky” Cassidy was also an amalgamation of magnetic reality show stars and male singers I’ve admired over the years. He’s mysterious, talented, and holds so much to himself, yet he isn’t the hardened man his experiences could have shaped him into being. Lucky is likable, layered, and compelling—an MMC who truly earns the happily ever after he gets. He’s one of my favorite male characters I’ve developed, maybe even the quintessential one. Flawed but still soft for the person he feels most comfortable with. There’s so much to him beyond what One Mic revealed.

So let’s get to know Lucky a little more intimately.

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When I got the idea to write a story in the form of a reality show, I had all the characters mapped out in my head before writing a single thing down. Though the plot was the centerpiece of the story, the characters were my focus—especially Jaide Belair. She was an amalgamation of women I’ve seen on reality TV who I adored and who were universally lovable. She’s a wildflower, one to admire and leave as is, and while we got to know her well in One Mic, there’s still more to discover about this optimistic beauty.

Let’s get to know Jaide a bit more intimately.

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I swear Monah’s story started off with me just bringing to life a news story I stumbled upon online. I wondered what it would be like to have an adult playhouse where women could go and be catered to their every need. Monah felt like the perfect choice for a new guest. Her fish-out-of-water perspective helped us experience this unfamiliar environment right along with her. Her character first took shape in her original short story, Chateau Luxure. But with the Author’s Cut, I got the chance to dig deeper into her backstory and give it more weight. I’m glad I did, because I fell in love with her story all over again and brought new tone and texture to it. And as always, there’s more to uncover about the woman who followed her friends into an adult playhouse.

Let’s get to know Monah a little more intimately once more.

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Leo Vanguard’s transformation in Raising Love wasn’t easy. Change was never something he embraced—he was slow to it, resisted it even—but beneath all that stubbornness was a man with a soft heart. A big kid at heart, Leo didn’t take life too seriously until he was faced with a shift that pulled him from single and carefree to a guardian with responsibilities. We got to know him well in Raising Love, because he was written that way—layer by layer. But let’s get to the roots of the man behind the jersey to uncover the pieces that made him who we met.

Let’s get to know Leo more intimately.

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Ivy Pressman has been an idea for quite a while. She sat in a section of my notes app where I keep my story premises, waiting for the right time to make her debut, and I couldn’t imagine her being in any story other than Raising Love. She’s a character I really liked once I started to flesh her out—a perfectionist with a big heart, something I could relate to. We got to know her well in Raising Love through her honest, transparent POVs, but as always, there’s more to uncover about the woman behind the sportscaster persona.

Let’s get to know Ivy a little more intimately.

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I’m happy I was able to create more time with Maurice in the Author’s Cut version of Lena’s Ex-File. Revisiting his character in my short second chance romance gave me the opportunity to get to know a man I didn’t fully explore the first time around. The original Lena’s Ex-File was told from a single point of view, and while Lena did a great job telling their story, giving Maurice a voice helped round things out. There’s more to him than what we initially saw—and I’m glad readers finally get to experience that.
So, let’s get to know him a little more intimately.

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Lena was one of those characters during my earlier years of writing who helped me develop my voice. Back then, my focus was on single points of view, and through Lena, I was able to strengthen that voice and anchor myself in one character at a time. So much has changed since then, and I wanted to reflect that in the Author’s Cut version of Lena’s Ex-File. The original short story didn’t offer much insight into Lena as a character—shorts rarely do—but I think I was able to deliver a little more on our girl who thought she was done with her boyfriend… but was blissfully wrong.

Still, let’s get to know Lena a little more intimately.

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Though I’d only met Katrina through Omar at first, when I started to develop her character for her side story in Maybe This Time Will Be Different, I really fell in love with her spirit. She was fun, a little bit of a daredevil, but still very responsible. Katrina was the perfect mix of excitement and calm. And the way her love came about for Omar felt authentic and genuine. I really liked that. Even though she was very transparent in Maybe This Time Will Be Different and the prequel Different Strokes, there’s still so much more to know about the woman who stole Omar’s heart at the club.

Let’s get to know Katrina a little more intimately.

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Much like the FMC in Just Friends, Skylar, was the character that inspired me to return to my computer and continue my self-publishing journey, Noah was an MMC who pushed me to keep going too. Though his character didn’t get a point of view in the original Just Friends short, readers fell in love with him through Skylar’s eyes. That was one of the reasons I was so excited to revamp Just Friends—so we could finally hear from Noah directly. And I swear, it just made me want to spend even more time with him.

Let’s get to know Noah a little more intimately.

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Skylar was the first FMC that got me back in front of my computer after I released part one of No Fraternizing to quiet results the year prior. I knew very little about self-publishing then, but I knew I loved writing what I loved to read. And friends-to-lovers was the trope I gravitated toward when I decided to give this self-publishing journey another try—and Skylar was the FMC that made me fall in love with writing friends-to-lovers stories. I never gave her a last name, and it just feels wrong to do it now. She was the around-the-way girl who had left Brooklyn but returned and found that everything was different—including her childhood friend, Noah.

The original short story Skylar appeared in didn’t allow us to get to know the girl from Brooklyn beyond a few pages, but the Author’s Cut edition of Just Friends helped with that.

Still, let’s get to know Skylar a little more intimately now.

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Xander Cox is one of those book baes you didn’t think you’d like very much but turned out to be a diamond in the rough… the rough being the circumstances that brought him into the spotlight. When Last Comes Love (the story Ready or Not spins off from) ended, readers weren’t exactly ready to watch the FMC, Rylee, move on from the MMC, Lennox. But then they met Xander—the new MMC in Ready or Not—and things got complicated. Xander is perfect, and I can’t wait to return to his and Rylee’s story to make us all fall even harder for him. There’s a lot more to Mr. Cox though.

Let’s get to know Xander Cox a little more intimately.

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Malika O’Shea as the baby sister of the O’Shea sisters is the most calculated. She’s my favorite because she lives in her head and isn’t afraid to manifest even the craziest of situations, but with a purpose. Her story was one of the most interesting. The first villain a lot of us were rooting for. And although Malika had the most salacious story among her sisters, there’s more to her than what’s shown in the parts of her story.

Let’s get to know Malika O’Shea more intimately.

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Mikayla O’Shea is one of those characters I really like on page. She’s impossible, unpredictable, and the girl has a fuse shorter than the fireworks used in the Macy’s July 4th fireworks show out here in New York City. She does not play and is the livelier sister, unapologetically. She’s passionate through and through, and sometimes that passion can come across as overwhelming, but she is Mikayla O’Shea to the bone. But there’s more than what meets the eye with this middle sister.

Let’s get to know Mikayla O’Shea more intimately.

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Hassani Franklin was an instant favorite in my book world. He was definitely a favorite for me. There have been several character breakdowns I’ve done on Hassani—that’s how much of a fan I am. He is the total package. The only thing missing for him was a love that gave him life, which he found in his friend Ayla.

Let’s get to know Hassani a little more intimately.

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Much like his love interest in No Fraternizing, Emmanuel “Manny” Perez was my very first male main character. The same day I created Lila Moore in my head, Manny came to life too. A flawed character who respected order and rules—even when doing so was complicated and inconvenient. Manny was the kind of character I connected with the moment he appeared on the page.

Let’s get to know Manny more intimately.

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Lila Perez (neé Moore) is the FMC who started it all for me. She was the very first self-published character to appear in my very first self-published story, No Fraternizing, Pt. 1. I thought her up after visiting a barbershop with my boyfriend (now husband), and she lived rent-free in my head from that moment on. Lila was the first character I ever fleshed out to completion—one who came alive on the page beyond anything I could’ve imagined. She’s like the Eve of my book world… the first to walk its terrain. And I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to go first.

Let’s get to know Lila Moore a little more intimately.

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Joelle Victors may not have had much airtime in my book world, with only a short story and an erotic suspense, but once you meet her you won’t forget her… or her story. I’ve toyed with the idea of giving Joelle a spinoff story, but nothing has come to me naturally yet. Still, I loved how twisty and crazy her tale was and really liked Joelle as an FMC. Some of her history was hinted at in her story, but there’s so much more to know about Joelle.

Let’s get to know Joelle more intimately.

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Dallas was an MMC we all loved from his short story in Forbidden: An Anthology. He was the brother with the level head and the friend of Ayanna Dale. He had love for her from the moment they met during their freshman year, but bad decisions and a fear of compromising the easy friendship they fell into kept both Dallas and Ayanna from taking things to the next level. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with Dallas wherever he is.

Let’s get to know Dallas a little more intimately.

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When I developed Ayanna’s character, I just knew a time would be had with her. She was the around-the-way girl who wasn’t quite raised to be that way. Her parents did everything they could to raise a suburban princess, but Ayanna just wanted to be around people who were down-to-earth. Her story in Forbidden: An Anthology was so scandalous, but it’s the lick-back many dream of after being done wrong. Her spontaneous “act now, think later” attitude is entertaining to read on the page. She lives life by the seat of her pants and isn’t too hung up on herself to be seen doing it. She’s one of my favorite heroines who frustrates me to no end—and I love her.

Let’s get to know Ayanna a little more intimately.  

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Genesis Garner’s story in Forbidden: An Anthology was the only romance amongst the five stories. It was based on a random question I wanted to see played out on the page. A woman who believed she was living her forever, only to be faced with two crushing situations in one night, felt too layered not to explore. And Genesis, to me, was an intriguing character. Her continued story, Meant to Be, was one of the first unconventional romances I’ve written—and I’ve been hooked ever since. Genesis carries a lot of pain, and much like her friend-turned-lover, August Hall, she experienced the loss of a parent at an early age, which helped shape who she is.

Let’s get to know Genesis a little more intimately.  

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August Hall is a character that started as just a plot point. I loved that I got to give him a voice by the time we reached his story in Meant to Be. We first met him through Genesis Garner in her short story in Forbidden: An Anthology, and from there, I always knew I wanted to build him out. I’ve always wanted to create a main character who was a chef. There’s just something about a man who knows his way around a kitchen. And in August’s case, his kitchen is where he transforms healthy food into savory cuisine. 

The situation he found himself in with Genesis was one I really enjoyed writing. The angst and quiet determination that pulsed through his character helped Meant to Be stand out in the Forbidden series. August is like a quiet storm—and we loved getting caught in him.

Let’s get to know August a little more intimately.

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Joi Friday’s story was one not many people were excited for when I announced I’d be continuing her short story from Forbidden: An Anthology. Readers simply didn’t like her—and honestly, I couldn’t blame them. But I also couldn’t resist the challenge.

When I created her for “Decadent Contradictions – Sponsor for Hire,” I fleshed her out completely, flaws and all. But I also made sure to include the why. Her choices weren’t always great—many were incredibly selfish—but Joi lived a life that made her think happiness was tied to what she could touch, wear, or spend. And I was more than ready to show her otherwise. But let’s see what really makes our girl tick, shall we?

 Let’s get to know the infamous Joi Friday a little more intimately. 

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Jeremiah Rhames made his first appearance in the No Fraternizing series when he interrogated Lila Moore after she was picked up during Romello “Mello” St. Claire’s arrest. From the moment I created him, I knew there was more to his story. He wasn’t as much of a standout as Mello, but as a young NYPD detective, I saw the potential for depth, struggle, and growth. What started as an outline quickly turned into a fully realized character. Jeremiah was an old soul, a man who had every opportunity to leave the hood he grew up in but chose to stay and make it better. And for that, he’s a favorite.

Let’s get to know Jeremiah Rhames a little more intimately.  

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Though we didn’t get to experience They Call Me Mello through Rayelle’s eyes, seeing her through Mello’s perspective gave us a clear enough picture. This headstrong, independent woman switched her hips into Mello’s world and turned his temporary stay in Miami into a permanent one. She was just what he needed.  

I personally loved her character. She was flawed, real, and genuine at heart. She had the kind of quiet strength that made Mello reflect on everything he thought he knew about love. And much like her now husband, Rayelle has a story of her own.  

Let’s get to know Rayelle Bell a little more intimately.  

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Romello “Mello” St. Claire was a character that stole attention from the very first scene he appeared in. We couldn’t forget the way he pulled up in front of Kuts Kings or the presence he made known when he stepped into the shop in part two of the No Fraternizing series. From his first appearance to his final one in part three, readers have always wanted more Mello. And they got it in both his short story in Forbidden: An Anthology and his spinoff romance, They Call Me Mello. There’s a lot to love when it comes to Mello, and just like the other characters we’ve dived into, he’s got an interesting backstory. 

Let’s get to know Mello a little more intimately.  

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Danyelle Hayes (now Danyelle Ali) started as a side character in When Life Gives You Sunsets. While we first meet her now-husband, Clyde Ali, in earlier chapters of the summer romance, Danyelle makes her appearance when Clarke needs a little guidance while unexpectedly falling for a grieving Yusuf Baldwin on vacation. Though Danyelle didn’t appear in many chapters, her story with Clyde had me hooked. When I started developing her character for the When Life Gives You Sunsets spinoff, I wasn’t just locked in on her love story—I was locked in on her.  

Let’s get to know Danyelle Hayes a little more intimately.  

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Amir Jones is by far my favorite book bae of them all. And trust me, with every new story and character I create, there’s plenty of competition. But Amir? He still stands in a league of his own. What I love about him is that he’s not perfect, and he never pretends to be. His flaws are what make him real, and he owns them without hesitation. He stepped onto an outline one day and has been living in my head rent-free ever since.  

Let’s get to know Amir Jones more intimately.  

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Much like his wife, Danyelle, I took a liking to Clyde based on his and Danyelle’s story. Whenever I develop side characters, their stories are never as detailed as the main characters. I usually create their profiles as brief summaries, and if I feel there’s a story worth telling, I don’t hesitate to explore it. That’s exactly what happened with Clyde Ali. His love for Classic R&B and the intrigue of his relationship with Danyelle—starting when she was just his little sister’s best friend—were all driving forces behind me taking a trip down memory lane to tell the origin of their love story.  

Let’s get to know Clyde Ali more intimately.  

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I knew from the outline for Girl Code that I would really like Melodee. Truthfully, her story started as a what if question that my mind ran away with. I loved how much of an around-the-way girl Melodee was—down-to-earth and deeply devoted to the people she loved, for better or for worse. She’s a lover girl at heart, someone who cherishes her relationships and the idea of love and romance. Despite the heartbreak she experiences and the disappointment of divorce, she still believes in love. And she and I have that in common—we love love.  

Let’s get to know Melodee Delon-Jones a little more intimately.

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There’s not enough words to express how much I love Everett Peters and his emotionally and self-aware self! I always wondered how the children of therapists would be like, and I got the chance to live vicariously through Everett and his sister Eryn. Everett’s story, Gluttony, is the longest story I’ve written to date. It was pages of detailed development that resulted in a story rich enough to sink our teeth into. For a seven deadly sin I thought I wouldn’t know what to do with, Everett made that journey such a pleasure.  

Let’s get to know Everett Peters more intimately.  

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Desiree Armstrong’s story was short but impactful. Readers fell in love with her and her husband almost immediately upon meeting them. This is the magic of a short story—it demands getting to the heart of the characters quicker than a novella or slow burn. Her story was unforgettable (pun intended) and left a lasting first impression. It takes a special kind of person to navigate the journey back to themselves the way Desiree had to after losing her memory.

Let’s get to know the FMC from Twice in Love more intimately.

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Apryl Wilde is definitely one of my standout characters. She’s successful, headstrong, and has a knack for turning life’s hardest hits into fuel for her fire. She’s one of my alpha women characters, a type of FMC I truly love writing. Apryl was, and still is, the perfect other half of the fifth book in the Love is Cure series, with most readers liking her instantly. Let’s dive deeper into Apryl’s story and uncover what makes her tick.

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Readers loved Zane Armstrong from scene one. His patience stood out immediately, followed by his unwavering, devoted love for his wife, Desiree. After her near-tragic car accident left her without any memory of him, Zane didn’t feel defeated—he rose to the challenge. Through heartfelt efforts, he guided them both down memory lane, recreating their cherished moments and taking readers along for the emotional ride. Though Zane and Desiree’s story in Twice in Love is short, it’s undeniably sweet.

Let’s get to know Zane, the man who stole hearts from the very beginning, more intimately.

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Jaleel Gordon is a fan favorite. He’s loyal, devoted, and loves him some Eva Gordon. When we first meet him, he’s a husband and father excited to return home for the holidays. This theme continues throughout the follow-up story to the holiday short, Home for Christmas, titled Home Before Midnight. And the follow-up only made us love him more.  

Let’s get to know Jaleel Gordon more intimately.  

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