Why Sports Romance Is Booming: Bella North on Oakwood Ranch, Spice Levels and Pen Names
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The romance genre is experiencing a cultural renaissance, and author Bella North is at the heart of it with her Oakwood Ranch series—a blend of sports romance, cowboy aesthetics, and emotional depth that’s redefining reader escapism. In this candid conversation with Philippa Hall, North reveals how she’s successfully navigated multiple pen names (Lauren North, LC North, and now Bella North) to write across genres, from psychological thrillers to spicy, trope-rich romances. She argues that the stigma around romance is outdated and that its structured tropes—like enemies-to-lovers and friends-to-lovers—are not weaknesses but intentional frameworks for emotional payoff. What sets Oakwood Ranch apart is its immersive world-building: a fictional ranch in Colorado with three NFL brothers, a loyal dog named Buck, and a bartender who becomes central to the series. North also shares her writing rituals, including retreats in Devon that help her recharge, and her surprising self-restraint with chocolate hobnobs—dunked briefly, never devoured. Her insight that 'the world isn’t going to end if you say no to an event' underscores a crucial truth for creatives: protecting mental energy is as vital as writing time. The episode also unpacks the paradox of spice in romance: what one reader rates as '4 out of 5 chili peppers' might feel mild to another, proving that taste is personal.
Romance readers are deeply invested in characters, often creating fan art and sharing 'book boyfriend' content, making them one of the most supportive communities in publishing.
The Oakwood Ranch series blends sports romance with cowboy aesthetics, creating a fantasy world that offers escapism through rich setting and recurring characters like dog Buck.
Spice levels in romance are subjective—what one reader rates as '4 chili peppers' may feel mild to another, proving that personal taste, not genre labels, defines the experience.
Writing under multiple pen names allows authors to serve different reader expectations across genres, with no need for different personas—just different stories.
Protecting mental energy is crucial: after events, North schedules admin or cleaning days instead of forcing writing, recognizing that emotional drain harms creativity.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening Rant: Hoodies and the String Dilemma
Philippa Hall opens the episode with a humorous, slightly exasperated rant about the uselessness of hoodie strings, questioning why they exist and proposing a petition to eliminate them. She frames this as a metaphor for small frustrations that accumulate during a low-energy day.
Book Reviews: Crime, Thriller, and Fantasy
Philippa shares her recent book haul from Birmingham, reviewing three titles: Simon Mason’s crime novel *The Dangerous Stranger*, Anna Maloney’s mixed-media thriller *The 1012*, and Rebecca Armitage’s royal fantasy *The Air Apparent*. She praises the crime series for its humor and timely themes, admits she struggled with *The 1012* due to character connection, and expresses strong enthusiasm for *The Air Apparent* as a modern royal fantasy.
Bella North’s Writing Retreat Dream: Devon’s Urban Writing Retreats
Bella North shares her ideal writing location—a retreat in Devon hosted by Charlie, where she enjoys meals, community, and a view of the valleys. She reveals that first drafts are her favorite stage to write at retreats, while structural edits are emotionally taxing and less enjoyable.
The Nightmare Writing Location: Emotional Drain After Events
“For me, my worst location is actually is a space in my head. So if I'm quite drained emotionally and socially from doing an event, I then the next day cannot write.”
Pen Names and Genre Fluidity: From Lauren North to Bella North
North discusses her multiple identities: Lauren North for thrillers, LC North for book club thrillers, and now Bella North for romance. She explains that genre separation helps readers, retailers, and publishers, but she maintains the same core self across all names.
“For me, my worst location is actually is a space in my head. So if I'm quite drained emotionally and socially from doing an event, I then the next day cannot write.”
“I almost selectively choose a biscuit which I can like but not love.”
“It's less about relating to the situation and more about relating to some of the characters, I think.”
Host
Guest
Bella North
person
Philippa Hall
person
Oakwood Ranch series
other
Score to Settle
book
Lauren North
person
LC North
person
Urban Writing Retreats
organization
Chocolate Hobnob
other
Simon Mason
person
The Dangerous Stranger
book
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The Ending Writes Itself Campaign with HQ Publicity Team – Part 2
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Publishing Secrets Revealed: How Book Marketing Really Works (with Transworld PR Director Alison Barrow)
Quick Book Reviews with Philippa Hall • 33m • 4/17/2026
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