PHOTO: DL White, Atlanta-based author of contemporary Black romance, known for her heartfelt stories, humour, and commitment to celebrating community and love.
Celebrating Black Romance And Storytelling With Heart
DL White reflects on her journey as an Atlanta-based author, weaving food, friendship, and cultural authenticity into heartfelt romances that highlight seasoned characters, small-town traditions, and the enduring joy of Black love.
DL White has built a body of work that celebrates joy, intimacy, and the power of community within Black love stories. From the bustling streets of Atlanta to the warmth of small-town gatherings, her novels create spaces where readers can recognise the richness of everyday life while being carried away by romance, humour, and heat. Her worlds are filled with seasoned characters who are not only falling in love but also finding themselves, reconnecting with friends, and honouring traditions that anchor them.
Her catalogue spans a remarkable range: the much-loved Ruby’s series (Brunch at Ruby’s and Drinks at Minks), the intimate Potter Lake novels, the sunlit escapes of Beach Thing and The Pearl at Black Diamond Bay, and her recent foray into romantic mystery with Missing Persons. Each book reflects her instinct for weaving heart, wit, and cultural truth into storytelling that feels lived-in and familiar, yet always surprising.
Beyond her novels, DL White’s voice extends into the literary community through The Bookcast podcast, where she speaks candidly about books, creativity, and the realities of being an independent author. Her love of reading, her passion for food and café culture, and her affinity for water and coastal spaces all find their way into her narratives, shaping them with authenticity and intimacy.
In every story she tells, DL White reminds us that romance is not merely about desire—it is about belonging, resilience, and the courage to embrace love fully, wherever life may set the stage.
What first inspired you to weave soul food and café culture into the heart of your stories?
Honestly, food is community. Especially in Atlanta and especially in Black culture, a lot of life happens at the table. For years I was part of a real-life brunch group, and that diverse mix of women inspired not only my characters and their backgrounds, but also the kinds of conversations they have. Our monthly meetups were funny, messy, tough, and honest, and I poured that into my books. And of course, I just love writing about food. It’s another way of showing intimacy.
How did Cassandra’s transition from security specialist to bakery employee mirror any personal career shifts you’ve faced?
Cassandra’s story is honestly about me stepping out of my own comfort zone with romance and women’s fiction writing. I still wanted to center a strong female lead, and I love a woman who knows her way around nefarious characters. In real life, she doesn’t mirror any career shifts I’ve made, but she does reflect my love for the scent of fresh baked bread.
Which real-life Atlanta tech spaces or start-ups influenced the backdrop of Grumpy Valentine?
Atlanta has a growing tech corridor in Midtown and Buckhead. A lot of investor-funded companies popped up in the early 2000s, and I worked for one for twelve years. It was me and a gaggle of software developers and technical staff, and I loved being in that environment surrounded by brainy people. I look back on that time in my career fondly. We moved from location to location and in several buildings, shared space with other tech orgs so it was like an early version of co-working. Like many tech companies, it was purchased and I moved on to my current career in beverages. But that landscape made such a perfect backdrop and I mine those memories for characters and setting all the time.
When revisiting Renee, Maxine and Debra a decade later, what surprised you most about how their voices had matured?
In Brunch at Ruby’s, Renee, Maxine, and Debra were still proving themselves to their families, in their careers, even to each other. Ten years later, their voices carry more weight. Renee is steadier but softer as she cares for her father with Alzheimer’s. Maxine, who once bulldozed her way through life, now has to juggle her ambition with motherhood and partnership. And Debra, who once spiraled under scandal, has rebuilt her career and is stronger for it. What surprised me most was how natural it felt to step back into their lives–like putting on an old coat. I fell right back into their friendship rhythm and tough love that anchors their bond. The new twist for me was giving them space for vulnerability and romance, scenes that weren’t present in Brunch at Ruby’s. Their voices felt lived-in and seasoned, but still carried the spark that made me want to write them in the first place.
Could you share the research or community input that shaped the small-town traditions in The Festival at Evergreen Falls?
The goal was to make Evergreen Falls read like a Hallmark movie…but steamier, where the rhythm of the year is marked by gathering together. I like to close out every year with something sappy, sweet, festive, and a little bit sexy. Think of it like a mug of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire with someone you care about, maybe even a puppy snoozing at your feet. That’s the feel I wanted for Evergreen Falls. My research was basically reading a lot of holiday romances and binging Lifetime and Hallmark movies. The twist was making Evergreen Falls a small Black town, which is something you don’t often see in fiction but was important for me to show.
In Olympia’s on King Street, the meet-cute hinges on a rainstorm. How important is weather as a character in your romances?
I think the rain really set the mood for Olympia’s on King Street. It wasn’t just background noise. It created that intimate, cozy space where Olympia and Pierce could cross a line. Weather can nudge characters closer, slow them down, or give them an excuse to be vulnerable and open. In this case, it was fun to take a stormy afternoon and build it into a twisty little romance that ended somewhere even I didn’t expect when I started writing it.
Your love of water is legendary. Has a lake, river or ocean ever inspired an entire plot or scene you can reveal?
Not directly a single body of water. My beach-set stories are inspired by visiting so many small beach towns—long weekends on St. Simon’s Island in Georgia, Destin in Florida, Galveston in Texas, Tampa Bay, even Myrtle Beach. I wanted to combine those experiences into lush romances where the characters live and love near the water, with stories all about escape. Water is also a source of clarity for me. There’s something about the sound of rushing water in my ears that gives me peace and clears my mind so I can write.
What single piece of advice would you give to other authors trying to balance a demanding day job with a prolific writing schedule?
Don’t chase speed. Chase consistency. You don’t have to write ten thousand words in a weekend, you don’t have to even write every day. You do have to show up for the story and your characters. A little bit every day adds up faster than you think.
