From Small-Town Love to Sports Romance: Stacey Lynn’s Writing Journey

Stacey Lynn’s Writing Journey

Stacey Lynn’s writing career began in 2011, during what she refers to as a much simpler time in the romance industry. “When I first started, the romance world was young,” she recalls. “We had the boost of Fifty Shades of Grey, but it was still a very young market. There were no TikTok or Instagram influencers, just book bloggers and a few Facebook groups.”

Stacey’s life was just as busy as today, if not more so, at that time. Writing her first book while raising young children was challenging, but she found that creativity flowed when her kids were small. “When they were younger, it was almost easier to write. We lived in Minnesota, where winters were long. I would take them to the library, and they could play while I wrote.”

Despite the challenges of balancing motherhood and her dream of being a writer, Stacey completed her first book. However, she wasn’t happy with the initial result and rewrote many portions of the story. “I finished it, hated it, put it in a drawer. But a few weeks later, I pulled it back out, rewrote the middle third, and decided to just go for it.”

And go for it, she did. Stacey’s book was self-published; she began building a fanbase over time. What started as a small indie project has grown into a successful career with an impressive backlist of books and a loyal following.

Balancing Writing and Family Life

Stacey laughed when asked how she balances her writing career with the demands of being a mom to four teenagers. “It’s crazy because my kids were 1, 3, 5, and 7 when I started writing. Now they’re 13, 15, 17, and 19, and it’s harder in some ways. There’s constantly coming and going—who needs the car, where’s everyone headed?”

Though her older kids now drive themselves around, Stacey still finds it challenging to fit writing into her daily routine. However, she’s embraced the chaos. “I think you just get used to what you have and figure out how to live with it.”

Despite her busyness, Stacey has built a solid writing career that continues evolving as her family grows.

How the Romance Industry Has Evolved

Since Stacey first started writing, the romance industry has undergone significant changes. Back in 2011, the focus was on book bloggers and indie authors promoting their work through Facebook groups. Today, platforms like TikTok have revolutionized how books are marketed, with viral trends and influencer culture driving sales in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago.

While Stacey misses the days of more uncomplicated marketing strategies, she acknowledges the opportunities platforms like TikTok provide for new authors. “It’s definitely different now, but it’s amazing to see how much the romance world has grown,” she says.

Inside the Kelley Brothers Series by Stacey Lynn

One of Stacey’s most popular book series is The Kelley Brothers, a collection of small-town romances featuring five brothers who run one of the top cattle ranches in Colorado. Readers love the mix of sports romance, high drama, and steamy relationships that unfold throughout the series.

• Unending Love (Book 1) introduces Caleb, a professional hockey player who discovers he’s a father after a one-night stand. The story explores found family and Caleb’s journey to becoming the dad his child needs.
• Unstoppable Love (Book 2) follows Cameron, a grumpy quarterback, and his long-standing crush on his best friend’s younger sister. With plenty of tension and bossy hero energy, Cameron’s story is a fan favorite.
• Unbreakable Love (Book 3) focuses on Gavin, the youngest Kelly brother, raising his daughter as a single dad. His daughter, Josie, steals the show by attempting to match her dad with her second-grade teacher, Penelope.

The Kelley Brothers series delivers everything readers love about small-town romance—tight-knit families, emotionally rich characters, and swoon-worthy love stories. Stacey also weaves in elements of sports romance, making the series dynamic and relatable for fans of both genres.

Stacey Lynn’s Book Recommendations

In addition to writing romance, Stacey is an avid reader with many book recommendations. Her top picks include a mix of classic romance authors and hidden gems:

• Kristen Ashley: Stacey recommends any series by Kristen Ashley for readers who enjoy emotional depth, alpha heroes, and strong female characters.
• Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren: Although it’s an older book, Stacey still considers Beautiful Stranger one of her all-time favorites. “The beginning of that book, in the nightclub, just hooked me,” she shares.
• Chicago Vampires by Chloe Neill: For paranormal romance fans, Stacey recommends diving into this urban fantasy series. It combines vampires, werewolves, slow-burn romance, and a political twist, perfect for readers who love supernatural intrigue.

Where to Find Stacey Lynn:

• Website: staceylynnbooks.com
• Instagram: @staceylynnauthor
• Facebook: Stacey Lynn Books

Conclusion

Stacey Lynn’s journey as a romance author is a testament to her dedication, passion, and resilience. From balancing family life to navigating the ever-evolving world of indie publishing, Stacey continues to write love stories that resonate with readers. Whether you’re a fan of sports romance or small-town love, the Kelly Brothers series is a must-read, and Stacey’s book recommendations offer even more fantastic reads to add to your list.

Check out the full podcast interview to learn more about Stacey Lynn’s writing process and the books that inspire her!