13 romance authors making space in the genre from Kirkus Reviews

I was deeply honored to be included in this Kirkus Reviews article "13 Romance Authors Making Space in the Genre” from Jennifer Prokop with powerhouse authors I respect deeply. Romance can reach wide and far to tell so many varieties of stories and provide so many examples of love under the ultimately comforting umbrella of a happily-ever-after.

Angelina M. Lopez has written an entire pantheon of women who refuse to be pigeonholed by society’s expectations—the type of character who challenges romance readers’ patriarchal notions of worth and likability. Like society itself, romance readers can be remarkably forgiving of the flaws in male characters while criticizing the smallest imperfections in female characters: On the “there be” scale, it’s unlikable heroines right after dragons. Lopez’s debut, Lush Money, presents a thorny, difficult heroine who is firmly in the power position of the relationship, a billionaire who hires a prince to father her child.  In her latest series, Lopez levels up once again. She writes deep, complex women who have been pulled back home, but with interesting dilemmas and nuanced conflicts rather than the commonplace and cliched Hallmark movie–style homecoming. In Full Moon Over Freedom, Gillian Armstead-Bancroft chooses assimilation and social mobility over Freedom, Kansas. Everything seems perfect, she’s the “pride of the East side,” but it’s all a lie. Gillian is a bruja, desperately trying to fix the curse that’s ruined her life. Lopez effortlessly tackles the realities of life in a small town while unpacking Latine stereotypes and exploring the failures and triumphs of the misunderstood heroine.

Click here to read the full article.

From the Writer's Mouth: Angelina on Podcasts, Radio, and YouTube

I can talk. A lot. I was fortunate to be invited to talk — a lot — on two podcasts, a radio show, and YouTube publishing show in the last year. If you’re interested in learning more about my 20-year journey to becoming a published author, the inspiration behind my gender-bending, trope-spinning debut novel, Lush Money, how I got connected to a California vineyard or who’s the biggest supporter in my personal life, check out the interviews below. Click any of the images to listen or view.

Angelina on the Wicked Wallflowers podcast

“We could not be more excited to be joined by Angelina M. Lopez to talk about her outstanding debut, Lush Money! Angelina was one of our earliest listeners when she was still prepublished and now her first book is out in the world! We also chat about Fated Mates, her twenty year path to publication, the upcoming books in her series, and the state of publishing. This is one of Jenny’s favorite books of the year–go read it immediately!”

Angelina on WERA’s Story Hour Radio with Wendy Mann

“A lush conversation with debut author Angelina M. Lopez. Her new novel, Lush Money, features a woman billionaire who wants the perfect baby and a prince who needs money to save his small Spanish country. This romance novel has a unique story and a powerful female protagonist. The story arc conveys both big feelings and big ideas. Our lively conversation veers from wine to characters to upbringing to love. A layered story that resonates.”

Angelina on the KT Literary Podcast

"Today we welcome Angelina M. Lopez the author of LUSH MONEY. I could have talked publishing with her all day! We discuss the importance of writer's groups like RWA, the delicate balance of leaning into vs. subverting tropes, and what it takes to write a Latinx billionare woman.

We also talk about her long, but incredibly fascinating journey to being a published arthur (such a cute origin for that word!) and we fangirl over her agent, Sara Megibow, a little bit."

Lush Money discussed on Not Your Mom’s Romance Book Club

“Ellen and Mom discuss the babies, billionaires, and bonkers-ness of Lush Money by Angelina M. Lopez. Plus, the rules of Love Club and taking back the b-word. Come hang out with us!”

Angelina on PubTalk Live with host Sarah Nicolas, agent Sara Megibow, and fantasy writer L. Penelope.

PubTalk Live is a publishing talk show, broadcasting live to YouTube every 2nd and 4th Saturday at 9pm Eastern. Host Sarah Nicolas is joined in each episode by a Guest Co-Host and at least one Special Guest. They talk about all aspects of the book publishing industry, including its intersections with other media and libraries. This episode of PubTalk Live features Guest Co-Host L. Penelope and Special Guests Sara Megibow and Angelina M. Lopez

---

Angelina and "Lush Money" in the Media

Folks, there’s buzz. The cover release for my debut book, Lush Money, has created the faintest hint of buzz. It’s surreal and awesome to see my name mentioned in publications and beside authors I deeply admire. It’s surreally awesome. Here’s a roundup…

Lush Money in Publishers Weekly

I was thrilled to discover that Lush Money was featured in Publishers Weekly at the end of May in an article about upcoming “royalty” stories with a modern tone. To see my cover next to Alyssa Cole’s fabulous A Prince on Paper was really awesome. Also discussed in this article is Casey McQuiston’s massively popular, Red, White & Royal Blue, as well as Jasmine Guillory’s Royal Holiday. You can click the image below to read the full article.

Lush Money in Frolic

I’m hiding deep in my writing cave this week to finish the first draft of the second book in the Filthy Rich series, so I planned to stay offline. Thank goodness I broke my own rule: When I poked my head up on Twitter on Tuesday, I discovered I’d been featured in a Frolic story, “4 Upcoming Romance Novels By Latinx Authors I’m Most Excited About.” Featured along with Lush Money in the article are books by Adriana Herrera, Andie J. Christopher, and Zoey Castile.

Angelina Talking Craft on DIYMFA Interview Series

I gave my first craft talk with Gabriela Pereira for the DIYMFA Writer Igniter Romance Summit. I truly loved the topic: I talked about how to write alpha heroines, how to make them distinctive from alpha heroes, and how their femininity is an aspect of alpha heroines’ strength. My billionaire businesswoman Roxanne Medina taught me a lot about strong women! It will air next Wednesday, June 19, but if you sign up now, you can get two weeks of romance craft from phenomenal authors like Roni Loren, Tiffany Reisz, Jodi Thomas and Heather Graham.

Sign up now to hear episode on Wednesday, June 19