What is the title of your latest release?
ANY MEANS NECESSARY
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
ANY MEANS NECESSARY is a spicy dark romance with a confident plus-size main character and the dangerous, tattooed mafia man who becomes obsessed with her.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I needed a major city that’s commonly associated with organized crime. So, as an east-coast girl who was born and raised in New York, picking New York City just felt right.
Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
Absolutely! I wrote my main character to be realistic and relatable with the goal of creating the perfect addition to my friend group. Lexie knows how to have a good time.
What are three words that describe your hero?
Omniscient, powerful, and complex.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned so much while writing this book, it was my first experience finishing a story. But the most important thing I learned was that the best thing your can do as an author is stay true to yourself and write the story on your heart. Someone out there needs your story and your readers will find you.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I absolutely edit as I draft. As I read back what I’ve already written, I just can’t help but edit as I go.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Sushi. I’d sell my soul for a good sushi roll.
Describe your writing space/office!
My home office is very pink and girlie, which is in high contrast to the dark and twisty books I write. I went back and forth about what aesthetic my office should have, and I decided I needed the space to feel like me–instead of the genre - to write as authentically as possible.
Who is an author you admire?
I really admire J.T. Geissinger. Her dark romances all get you hooked and keep you coming back for more. She’s an incredible storyteller.
Is there a book that changed your life?
THE MADDEST OBSESSION by Danielle Lori solidified my love for dark romance, especially mafia romance.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published). Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was speechless and overjoyed. It took a few minutes to wrap my head around the idea that the book I’d self-published was going to be traditionally published by my amazing publisher. I was amazed that the story I hadn’t really expected anyone to pay attention to would be in book stores everywhere. And I couldn’t help but be proud of the story I’d written.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’m a romance reader, especially dark romance. There’s just something about an unhinged romance story that reels me in.
What’s your favorite movie?
The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. Everything is gorgeous - the sets, costumes, and movie score. Plus, the yearning in that movie is perfection.
What is your favorite season?
My favorite season is Spring - it means warmer weather, flowers, and birthday time for me and my besties.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Just like my main character, Lexie, I love a good karaoke night with my friends. And sushi.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
It’s not a niche pick, but Heated Rivalry consumed my life when it first came out. I couldn't get enough.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I don’t like to play favorites, but I’d definitely say Japanese or Italian food.
What do you do when you have free time?
When I have free time I’m either watching reality TV, or outside walking with my cocker spaniel, Honey.
What can readers expect from you next?
They can expect more spicy dark romances with unapologetic plus-size main characters who know their worth, and the dangerous, tattooed men who will do anything to have them. And lots of organized crime with unexpected twists.
This previously self-published debut is a charming and spicy dark romance featuring a plus-size, body confident nurse and the dangerous, tattooed man who becomes obsessed with her. Now with an all-new cover and a never-before-seen chapter.
After a traumatic event at work, plus size ER nurse Lexie West decides to get away from it all and house sit for a friend in New York City.
Callum Russo is a “fixer”—someone who solves problems for powerful people by any means necessary. Not much can shock him…until he returns to the city and finds a vivacious blonde standing in his kitchen.
These two very different people strike a deal that allows Lexie to stay as long as she minds her own business. But it’s not long before she’s being pulled into his world, and Lexie uses her nursing skills to get Callum and his men out of a jam. As Lexie navigates the dark world Callum lives in, mutual attraction begins to grow but is their newfound love strong enough to survive?
Romance Dark | Romance Suspense [ Atria/Emily Bestler Books, On Sale: March 10, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781668218891 / eISBN: 9781668218907 ]
Lila Herron writes dark romance novels with confident, plus-size main characters who are comfortable in their skin and know their worth. She decided to make it her goal to write books she wished she could read and where her readers could see themselves in the stories. When she’s not writing or reading, you can find Lila watching trashy reality TV with her cocker spaniel puppy, Honey.
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