Cozy In The Stacks Merch.....Coming Soon!!
Pull up a seat and let’s give some shine to the storytellers who keep our hearts full and our Kindles busy.
Each month, Cozy in the Stacks highlights one incredible Black romance author — the creative minds behind the love stories that make us swoon, laugh, and text our besties at 2 a.m. like, “Did you read THAT part?!”
Here you’ll find interviews, fun behind-the-pages conversations, and a peek into the author’s world, from what inspires their characters to their favorite cozy reads. Think of it as a love letter to the writers who pour so much heart into every chapter.
Monica Cox
So light that candle, grab your softest throw blanket, and get to know this month’s featured author. Trust us, your TBR list is about to grow (again).
Can you introduce yourself to my readers in your own words?
I'm author Monica Cox and Dr. Monica Cox. At my core, I'm a storyteller and disruptor who believes in starting conversations, even if they make people uncomfortable. I believe in moving past the status quo and centering Black women and men who are more than stereotypes. I write stories that permit Black people to be soft, vulnerable, truthful, valued, and loved thoroughly and without apology.
What first inspired you to write romance? Do you remember your "aha!" moment?
During the pandemic, I met with three other professors as a creative outlet to share our workplace stories as professors. I wrote one character for a romance novel and continued writing. It was healing for me as I was a caregiver for my mother. I also experienced workplace trauma. Fiction allowed me to write the happily ever afters that many people don't see quickly in real life. When a professional door closed for me, being a novelist liberated me. It allowed me to minister beyond the classroom and directly to people who needed to hear my words.
Were there books or authors who made you fall in love with Black romance in particular?
I love Beverly Jenkins and Brenda Jackson. Brenda Jackson brings contemporary spice, and Beverly Jenkins presents layered, independent women who didn't cower in the face of oppression. My mentor and friend, Monica Walters, is the first author I read who wrote grown and sexy professional characters (i.e., 40+) who didn't play games about love. I combine elements of all of them in my writing.
How would you describe your writing style and the kind of love stories you tell?
When I asked another author to describe my writing style, she said it was like ballet. Others say that even when I'm writing crude words or situations, it sounds eloquent. I think that's my academic voice coming out. Although I've learned how to transition from technical writing to fiction, I retain an element of sophistication and solid communication that transitions to my characters. I enjoy sharing real-life, relatable stories where people can see themselves and learn lessons for living good lives.
What themes (healing, family, ambition, etc.) tend to show up in your stories the most?
My characters are "up and out" professionals, mostly in the workplace, who go through more personal and professional drama than meets the eye. I also pull current events and research about black feminism and critical race theory into my stories. My ultimate goal is for people to heal and to be restored, so even when it looks like my characters are down and out, they're going to come out on top in the end. I also throw in social justice and technology, as well as caregiving.
Which of your characters has stayed with you the longest, and why?
Although she's one of my newest characters, I love Dr. Gracelyn Toliver from A Taste of Grace. I allowed readers to move with Grace through suicidal ideation after losing her federal job. She had to start a new life in a new city after her mother's death. Her story of healing and connecting to Pastor Caleb Stallings was raw and real. Readers see her evolve and root for her as she walks in wellness throughout the book.
What's one book of yours you'd recommend as a "first cozy intro" for new readers?
Coming Home is a cozy book, although the character, Dr. Ressa Hooks, is a domestic abuse survivor. This book is about her returning to the Alabama community where she is loved back to life. She faces the loss of her work identity and an unexpected pregnancy by her ex-husband. The themes of healing and restoration come through Dr. Tuscan Sims, who is healing from scars of his own.
Do you have a favorite romance trope you love writing (or reading)?
Arranged marriages, accidental marriages, and marriages of convenience are my jams, since I love committed, married couples being nasty in the marriage bed. Those scenes allow me to show readers what healthy, committed, covenant love looks like.
Who's your ultimate book bae—one you've written OR one from another author's work?
I love the complexity of Love Belvin's Ezra Carmichael. I often say that she was a master at "playing in church," offering a great balance between holiness and smut. That model guides me in my books, especially A Taste of Grace. Black men and women are not a monolith and deserve all good things in romance.
If your books were snacks or drinks, what would they be and why? (Yes, we're that cozy over here).
I'd say strawberry cheesecake for the richness of the plots, spiked hot chocolate for the sweet spice, sparkling lemon water for the transparency and the kick, and aged cheese for the grown and sexy characters.
What can readers expect next from you? Any upcoming projects we should be hyped for?
I'm exploring professions outside higher education and putting characters together who don't seem like they belong together. I want to add more plot twists and complexities in my relationships. I also want to continue pushing the boundaries of spirituality, spice, and romance.
Where can readers connect with you online (social media, website, newsletter)?
You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (@authormonicacox), and join my mailing list at bit.ly/authormonicacox . Please check out more about other books and my private Facebook group (Monica's Truths and Tales) via the links at https://linktr.ee/authormonicacox .
What's your personal cozy reading setup—blanket, candle, music, snacks? Paint the picture.
I love reading in bed with my cozy socks on and with a blanket over me. I turn on my white noise machine and relax my body as I dive into my Kindle. Sometimes, I bring my books to the public library in my city and sit outside or near large windows and take in the atmosphere as I people-watch and read.
Finally, what does "Black love" mean to you in three words?
Respect, communication, healing
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