Maggie Blackbird

Today, USA Today bestselling author Delaney Diamond is guesting. She’s talking about her new release, Thiago, book six in the Family Ties series, a contemporary romance. Don’t forget to enter the contest.

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Sisters of the Heart: Why Female Friendships Matter in Romance by Delaney Diamond

Romance novels are all about romantic love and often show the passion and emotional growth of a couple over the course of the story. However, there’s another type of relationship that can also take center stage: female friendships.

In my novel, Thiago (Family Ties, book 6), India Monroe’s journey is not only shaped by her relationship with the hero, Thiago Santana, but also by the lifelong bond with her best friend, Kiara.

Female friendships provide encouragement:
India is driven and intelligent, which are qualities that serve her well in her role as the vice president of marketing for Santana International. But even the most self-assured woman has moments of self-doubt. When she questions whether she’d make a good mother, Kiara—who has known her since childhood—won’t allow her to doubt her abilities.

“I imagine you treating motherhood like one of your projects. You’ll study it inside and out and become the best damn mom on the planet, putting the rest of us to shame.”

Then she adds, “You’re nurturing. God forbid Thiago eats a protein bar after work. You feed him every time he comes to your house, though you can barely boil water.”

With a little tough love and a sprinkling of humor, Kiara gives India a reality check. It’s not flattery. Kiara helps India see herself the way she does and reassures her that she is enough.

Female friendships provide companionship:
When Thiago finds out that India is dating other people, he is not happy. Of course, no billionaire CEO worth his salt would be pleased that his lover—the woman he’s seeing exclusively—has started seeing other men.

Their sex-only relationship is humming along just fine, as far as he’s concerned, so this throws his world off-kilter, forcing him to step up and ask her on a date. (Side note: He’s jealous but won’t admit it!)

Before the date, India confides to Kiara that she’s nervous about this new, unexpected element in her relationship with Thiago. Of course, her friend has her back, and when India insists she has nothing to wear, Kiara quips, “Now I know that’s a damn lie.”

Eventually, she helps India pick out the perfect dress.

Kiara tilted her head to the left. “It’s sexy without being over the top, and the apricot color looks good against your skin. It’ll be a nice date outfit. That’s it. That’s the dress.” She grinned and clapped.

“Finally,” India said with a sigh.

Having Kiara to confide in is invaluable, and throughout the story, their sisterly bond helps India navigate her evolving relationship with Thiago.

Female friendships illustrate women supporting women:
Female friendships in romance highlight the beauty of women supporting women, with characters who use humor, real talk, and a listening ear to show their love for each another.

In an age where technology seems to keep us apart rather than bring us closer together, these fictional friendships are a reminder of the importance of real-life connections.

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Title: Thiago
Series: Family Ties, book six
Author: Delaney Diamond
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: 4 Flames (sexual scenes with graphic language)
Length: 67,000 words/275 pages
Release Date: September 26, 2025

A no-strings workplace affair spirals into a tug-of-war of emotions.

Blurb:  Thiago Santana didn’t claw his way to the top of Santana International to get sidetracked by love. As CEO, he’s driven and focused, taking his only break on Friday nights when he indulges in the one temptation he can’t resist: his VP of marketing. But when she starts canceling their meetings, it throws his carefully constructed life into chaos.

India Monroe has always played by her own rules. Sharp, independent, and very ambitious, she has never needed anything beyond her no-strings arrangement with Thiago. But a health scare jolts her into wanting more—more time, more emotion, more commitment.

Now their relationship has changed. Every touch carries tension. Every glance holds a question. If neither surrenders, they might lose the one thing they never meant to risk at all: each other.

Goodreads | Books2Read

After the door closed behind them, tense silence reigned between Thiago and India.

One hand on her hip, she fixed her dark eyes on him.

“Do you have something to say to me?” Thiago asked, taking a seat on the edge of the table and folding his arms.

“You undermined me in front of my team.”

“You brought me an unacceptable strategy.”

Her jaw tightened. “We’re marketers, not magicians. I brought you a strategic rollout after you asked for a proposal less than two weeks after the scandal hit the news. You want quick results, then expect half the quality. Unless you want me and my team to pull all-nighters every night.”

His eyes flicked over her, the way she stood with one hand on her hip, her full lips pressed together in anger, challenging him with her voice and a deadly stare. She was acting as if she was the one in charge, looking at him as if she were ten feet tall.

So damn sexy. He fought the smile threatening to pull the corners of his mouth upward.

“Careful,” he said, his tone low and dangerous, hiding his amusement.

He watched as she moved closer. “You don’t scare me, Thiago.”

“Hmm. That’s a problem, don’t you think?”

She held his gaze, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Electricity crashed between them—anger laced with sexual awareness. He ached to reach for her but resisted the urge. They didn’t cross the line at work. Too risky.

“Was there a reason you asked me to stay behind?”

“I wanted to make sure you can meet my… demands.”

She flicked her tongue to the top left corner of her mouth, toying with him. “Don’t I always?”

Thiago clenched his hand into a fist on the table. Damn, this woman. Insatiable desire for her consumed him with no end in sight.

India turned on her heel. “If I’m going to meet your deadline, I have to go.”

She was halfway to the door when his voice stopped her.

“India.”

She stopped but didn’t look back.

Thiago pushed off the table and took a few steps in her direction. “Are we still on for tonight?”

She turned her head slowly, eyes narrowing into an expression hot enough to curdle milk. “Maybe,” she said coolly.

Thiago exhaled through his nose, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. Then she walked out without waiting for a response. She was infuriating, but she was the best part of his week.

Knowing her, she’d remain pissed right up until he saw her later.

Which meant the sex tonight would be incredible.

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Delaney Diamond is the USA Today Bestselling Author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels, and dozens of romance short stories. She reads romance novels, mysteries, thrillers, and a fair amount of nonfiction. When she’s not busy reading or writing, she’s in the kitchen trying out new recipes, dining at one of her favorite restaurants, or traveling to an interesting locale.

To get sneak peeks, notices of sale prices, and find out about new releases, join her mailing list. And enjoy free stories on her website at delaneydiamond.com.

Follow Delaney:  Website | X | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter Sign-Up

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Who is the “Kiara” in your life? That one friend who always tells you the truth, makes you laugh, or reminds you of your worth when you forget? Tell Delaney about her in the comments for a chance to win an eBook copy of the first two books in the Family Ties series, Audra – The Prequel and Ethan.

One winner will be randomly selected by Delaney Dimaond and announced in the comments.

The contest is open to international entrants from Monday, November 24, 2025, to Friday, December 5, 2025.