I’m excited to introduce Kalli Dean, an author who thrives on coffee, chocolate, and a sprinkle of Baileys while crafting sizzling romances set in worlds filled with strong heroines and irresistible alpha males. Kalli hails from the scenic Mid North Coast of Australia, and when she’s not plotting out her next story based on real-life experiences from her friends (sorry, not sorry!), she’s hiking, reading, or fueling up for her next creative adventure.
Kalli has made a name for herself with her Rose and Thorns series, a gripping mafia romance that has readers hooked on the fiery dynamics between her fiercely independent female leads and the protective, often brooding, men who can't help but fall for them. Additionally, her His Girl series delivers short but steamy instalove stories that feature bold and spirited women and the tough men they bring to their knees.
In today’s interview, we’ll explore Kalli’s journey from traditional to indie publishing, her penchant for fast-paced, emotionally charged romance, and her upcoming projects, including more mafia queens and college hockey hunks. If you love stories filled with tension, sass, and happily-ever-afters, Kalli Dean’s work is sure to capture your heart.
Follow Kalli on socials or website page.
A small (and very new) readers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1086127029697526
Link to Amazon books: https://www.amazon.com/author/kallidean
Firefly – gone too soon or overrated?
Love the show and gone way too soon, but please don’t come back as a reboot! It just wouldn’t be the same. And should we address the main question. What the heck is going on with Nathan Fillion? He doesn’t age. He made Firefly and I’ve watched everything he has been in since and he just gets better with age. There is something about him that is captivating.
A book that pleasantly surprised you?
The book that always makes me smile when I think of it is Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. Maybe it was that time in my life or the book itself, but I was fascinated by the whole series. I had never read any prehistoric fiction before; I am more of a futuristic/dystopian or romance kind of reader, but this series got me from the first page. I still go back every few years and reread the series.
Coffee, tea, or cacao?
If you want coherent answers from me, then the answer is always coffee. In the biggest mug available, with sugar. There is no substitute.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I shamelessly take my friends problems and give them to my characters. Of course, my characters are mafia and billionaires, and my friends (unfortunately) are not, but the issues remain the same. Bad first dates, break ups, missed opportunities and family problems. Add in some spice to the drama, think of a situation I can put my characters in and let them loose. There’s nothing more fun to read than situations you might have been in yourself.
I also put myself into the books. I was that awkward kid growing up, and even now I laugh at the wrong times and dress in black as my color coordination is nonexistent and its one less decision to make when choosing clothes. I retreat and recharge when there are too many people, and my often, my morning me makes plans that my night me doesn’t want to do.
I think that’s why I’m a pantser when I write. I let my mind wander and try not to put limits on who I want my characters to be as they normally emerge themselves on the page. If I plot and plan too much, I think of it as a rule and then I feel I have to break it. I know how I want my characters to meet, some issues and I always have a happily ever after or a happily for now ending. There’s usually death, sex and arguments along the way.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love being with friends and having long breakfasts and chatting to them (to get ideas for the next book). I like listening to country music, like Rascall Flatts and Lady A, and enjoy to day hikes around my local area and then sitting and people watching, wondering where they have come from and where they are going.
I would much prefer to read a book than watch TV, but I’m not strong enough to get rid of my TV yet. But that is a goal. I would love to be able to draw or paint but I struggle to draw a stick figure and I have no color coordination at all.
Is there a trope you find yourself going back to in multiple works? Or one you avoid?
Enemies to lovers and instalove. I love the bickering and the undercurrent of sexual tension that is there. It also creates so many ways to add in conflict and use all those stories I get from friends. I also like my males to be alpha males and my females to be quirky, independent and very smart mouthed. My females will never bend to a males will. They do like to make them work for it first.
With instalove, the characters will fall hard and fast for the other, but then they normally circle one another while doubting themselves or mine do). It’s great for tension again, and even though the reader knows they will probably be a happily ever after, there is no clear path to how that happens.
I tend to avoid the damsel in distress trope. I don’t want my females to wait for someone to save them, they can save their own selves. I want them strong and independent, even though they get themselves in some very tight situations. And I really don’t like the ugly ducking trope. There are no makeovers or trying to dress up to impress the boy in my books. My females are flawed and fabulous just how they are.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Not about the books, but about the community of authors. Knowing nothing more than a burning desire to write, I threw myself into the author community and found they are generous with their knowledge and excited to share what they know. I am part of several small groups of authors as we all encourage each other to take chances and do what we love. There is no judgement, just a shoulder to cry on when you need it, but mostly a lot of laughs. They give me the confidence to publish.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Thirteen books are out. Six with a publisher under another name. Three under Kalli Dean/Debra Deasey and four books under Kalli Dean.
My current fav is the Rose and Thorns series about the mafia queens (Emerald and Sapphire), as I had great fun writing them, but I think that spot will be filled by another series soon. It’s a small Hockey Hearts series about a college hockey team and curvy, quirky women who don’t like sports. I have two written so far and hope for another one, with a free story out in February that I will send with my newsletter.
I have also written stories for multiple anthologies in both pen names and often use these stories as free books in my newsletters.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I get an email from a reader about once a fortnight and I love it. I wish it happened more. They will ask if a certain character will get their own book, or what they loved about my books and even if they pick up on an error, which I’m really thankful for. I always write back and I keep the emails as a reminder to keep going, as they took the time to email me as they enjoyed what I created.
If you read my books, feel free to reach out: kallidean1@gmail.com
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Fear. Fear of so many things. Fear of starting, of failing, of bad reviews, of not being good enough, of being judged. Fear then stops you from moving forward. But what’s the worst that can happen? Someone doesn’t like your book? That’s okay. Everyone had an opinion, let them have theirs and move on. You don’t want to fail? Well, you have by not trusting yourself. Just do it.
I also got caught up in how everyone else was writing. Their habits and plotting and what I should be doing (by their standards). It didn’t work for me. My brain does not work that way. So I failed many times until I figured out what worked for me. But through it all, I wrote. Are they sitting at the bottom of a deep draw? Hell yes. But I still wrote., and I did that because that is my happy place.
Find yours and just write what you want. Let your imagination free again.
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?
I do. My pen name is Kalli Dean. I did write under my real name for a short time, but I felt I was censoring what I was writing by doing this, so I pivoted in May 2024 and am very glad I did. I also wanted to write darker romance under Kalli and to try different genres as well. I will go back to my own name for some books, but I wanted to keep it for some future projects I have planned.
Do you write novels, novellas, short stories, episodic fiction, poems, screenplays, or something else? What is your preferred format?
I write novella length stories, around 20,000-30,000 words. I write these in series, with each character getting their own book. At the moment I have three series I am writing. One is a mafia queen series, and the other is a MC series. The first two books are out in each. The third is a steamy college hockey series, with the first two books out early next year.
Writing shorter suits my brain, as it short-circuits if I write long. I envy the people who can write sweeping dramas, over generations and time spans. I am definitely a more here and now sort of person.
Are you traditionally or self published? Or both? Do you feel there are advantages to one over the other?
I started with a small publisher – the Wild Rose Press – under my name (Debra Deasey). They published six short length books. Five in a series and one standalone. The experience was good, but I am a control freak, and I wanted more control over my books. I then self-published The Braxton Brothers, a three books series under Debra Deasey and then this year pivoted to Kalli Dean and I have published two books in the Rose and Thorns series (with another two to come soon) and two books in the His Girl series (with another two books to come soon). And I am in multiple anthologies.
I would advocate for indie publishing over traditional publishing. Although I’m not great on the marketing side, I really like that I dictate my own schedule and releases. Indies have come a very long way and most other writers I know are indie published. Readers in your genre also seek out indies now, which is brilliant.
As an author, it is a question that comes up time and time again. I had one very smart author ask me what my goals were in writing. Was my goal to have a book in Target or a similar shop, did I want eBooks or print or both. That is something I had to figure out, and for me it was having control over when I published and what I published.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
So very many. I’m great at the new ideas (especially when I’m deep in the book I should be writing), so I half-finished a lot of books to get the idea out of my head, so I can continue on with the one I should be writing. A lot of my unpublished full books are the very first books I wrote, and I hope to one day revisit them and rewrite them again. I don’t want to hide them away at the bottom of my drawer, or deep in my computer, as they were my first attempts, and their mistakes made me a better writer today.
What do you have coming next?
Loads. Before Christmas I have several books coming out.
The third book in the Rose and Thorns Mafia Queen series – Ruby
Aria Conti is the queen of the Italian mafia, ruling her empire with an iron will and unwavering control. But when a mysterious hacker named Diamond targets her organization and a vengeful rival resurfaces, Aria’s carefully built world teeters on the edge of collapse. As threats close in from all sides, Aria is torn between safeguarding her empire or listening to her heart.
In a world where nothing is guaranteed—and no one can be trusted – will Ruby make the right decision?
The third book of the His Girl series – Saving His Girl
Raven thought she had it all figured out—wild nights, no strings attached, and no room for vulnerability. But everything changes when the Grizzlies MC silver fox, Ace, caught her eye. She just had to get him to want her as a woman and not his friend’s little sister. And when Ace’s protective instincts kick in, the Grizzlies know they’re in for another wild ride. Get ready for a story full of fierce love, loyalty, and undeniable heat.
And early next year I have two books in the Hockey Hearts series. The first book is Jace.
When Allie takes on the challenge of helping star hockey player Jace raise his grades, she expects a battle of wills and egos. What she doesn't expect is the intense attraction that sparks between them.
Allie finds herself falling hard and fast for the campus heartthrob. But with Jace's reputation as a player both on and off the ice, can she trust that his feelings are real? Or is Jace really the perfect score for Allie?
Advantage love is part of the Sexy as Sin series, coming March 2025.
Avery Carter is a rising star in the world of professional tennis, driven by ambition and sworn off men forever, especially her ex, Luke Bennett. But when Avery finds herself facing her biggest match and needs a new coach, Luke steps in. Old wounds are reopened, and mind games threaten to throw her off her game. Will her ex bring his A-game this time, or is it all just a game? A steamy enemy to lover’s romance.
Huge thank you for letting me tell you about my books.
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