The Florida native has called our city home for over a year now (and says she loves being a Chattanoogan). | Photo by Jack Hamm
Picture this: The star quarterback falls for the head coach’s daughter. A kindergarten teacher becomes the nanny for a single dad who happens to be a top goalie on a professional hockey team. An angsty tattoo artist moves in with the standout running back after her apartment floods. Spicy shenanigans ensue.
This is just a glimpse into the many worlds created by author Kandi Steiner.
She recently celebrated a major milestone: 10 years of publishing as an indie romance author. And for the last year, she’s been proud to call Chattanooga home.
Steiner has published 36 novels, including “Hail Mary” — a No. 1 Amazon Bestseller in February 2023 — “Close Quarters” about a scorching affair on a yacht in the Mediterranean, and “The Becker Brothers,”a romantic mystery series about four brothers uncovering family truths (and falling in love) in small-town Tennessee.
Steiner loves interacting with members of Kandiland (aka her fan club) at signings, events, and festivals.
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Photos by Jack Hamm; GIF created by NOOGAtoday
Steiner’s latest book, “Learn Your Lesson,” is the third installment of the “Kings of the Ice” series. Fun fact: She’s also a Swiftie. One might even call Steiner a mastermind, as her latest three books were released on the same days as Taylor Swift’s latest albums.
We caught up with Steiner to learn more about her writing process and sources of inspiration.
Q: How do you want to make readers feel?
A: When a reader picks up one of my books, they can expect an emotional ride. I love to tap into characters and show their flaws — just like we all have as people.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
A: Developing the characters to such an extent that they feel like my best friends. I want my readers to see themselves in my characters, to be able to relate and understand as they also are entertained by a journey they might otherwise never live — like studying abroad in Florence in the summer of 1996.
Keep reading to learn more about Steiner’s upcoming projects, hear her advice to aspiring writers, and download a free e-book exclusively for NOOGAtoday readers.
Knitting for Beginners | Thursday, May 23 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Knot & Needle, 3803 Dayton Blvd., Red Bank | $49.99 | Dive into the fundamentals of hand knitting as you craft a cozy hat.
Friday, May 24
“Footloose: The Musical” | Friday, May 24-Sunday, May 25 | Times vary | Chattanooga State Community College, HUM Building, 4501 Amnicola Hwy., Chattanooga | $16-$24 | See this stage production based on the classic 1980s film.
Just Love Coffee Cafe Grand Opening | Friday, May 24-Saturday, May 25 | 7 a.m.-4 p.m. | Just Love Coffee Cafe, 67 E. 4th St., Chattanooga | Free+ | Celebrate Nooga’s newest coffee cafe with a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Friday and two days of raffle drawings, giveaways, free food and drink samples + more.*
Saturday, May 25
Pizza and Pies | Saturday, May 25 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | McDonald Farm, 16705 Coulterville Rd., Sale Creek | Free+ | Slice your way through this festival that features pizza, a pie-eating contest, and a vendor market.
Isaiah Rashad | Saturday, May 25 | 8-11:59 p.m. | The Signal, 21 Choo Choo Ave., Chattanooga | $58.02-$85.93 | This Chattanooga native will return home on the “Cilvia Demo 10th Anniversary” tour.
Sunday, May 26
Street Food Festival | Sunday, May 26 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | First Horizon Pavilion, 1826 Reggie White Blvd, Chattanooga | Free+ | From donuts and tacos to kabobs and rice bowls, you can try it all as you walk around the Sunday market.
Pretty in PJs | Sunday, May 26 | 6-8 p.m. | The Daily Ration, 1220 Dartmouth St., Chattanooga | $15 | Enjoy breakfast for dinner with The Girls and shop from local vendors.
Add to cal: Broadway masterpiece “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Acting legend Richard Thomas headlines the all-star cast. | Photos by Julieta Cervantes via Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird National Tour
An Emmy-winning lead actor. An Academy-Award-winning playwright. A Tony-winning director.
Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s iconic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” has already been called one of the greatest plays in modern history — and you can see it live right here in Nooga at the Memorial Auditorium, Friday, June 7-Sunday, June 9 as part of the national tour.
Psst: There will only be five performances, so we recommend securing your seatsas soon as possible.
The Kelly Administration has unveiled a plan for a $16.9 million supplement to the fiscal year 2025 proposed capital budget. The funds will be used to make strategic investments in areas like “housing, parks, infrastructure, public safety, and early learning” — subject to approval by the City Council.
Cause
The United Way of Greater Chattanooga recently named the five nonprofit recipients of this year’s Celebrate Awards. The ceremony honors “the movers, shakers, and difference-makers in our community.” See the winners.
Arts
The Downtown Library will host the opening reception of “Voices & Vision” tomorrow, May 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Attendees can experience stories and artwork from Chattanooga’s unhoused community presented by artist Robin Howe. Note: The works will be on display through Wednesday, July 31.
Kids
Have a Dino-loving kiddo? Bring them out the Jurassic Quest at the Chattanooga Convention, happening tomorrow, May 24 through Monday, May 27. Deemed the “largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in the US,” you’ll see true-to-size models + participate in games and activities.
Pets
The East Ridge Animal Services Department and Shelter has temporarily closed to the public + stopped all animal adoptions due to “an outbreak of an undetermined illness spreading in the facility.” The shelter will resume normal operational hours on Wednesday, June 5, following the required quarantine period.
Community
It’s o-fish-al, the Tennessee Aquarium has teamed up with the Chattanooga Public Library to offer free family passes. Folks with a current library card can visit any library location to check out tickets for up to two adults + five children. See where else you can visit.
Biz
Jonathan Susman has been appointed as the new executive director of local nonprofit music organization SoundCorps. Susman has worked with the City of Chattanooga to spearhead several initiatives “elevating the city’s profile as a dynamic hub for arts and entertainment.” (Chattanoogan.com)
Job
Want to put your green thumb to work? Crabtree Farms is currently hiring a greenhouse assistant to “develop and implement a successful greenhouse operation” + facilitate the volunteer program. Folks interested can apply by Saturday, June 1.
Try This
Grab your blankets + chairs for Reflection Riding’s final Campfire Concert Series of the season, happening next Friday, May 31. We attended the Luke Simmons & the Lovestruck concert back in April, and yes, it was even more magical than we imagined.*
Travel
Get your glow on this summer with a (much needed) vacay by the sea, at the lake, or in some of the US’ hottest cities. See Chattanooga Airport’s flight deals, vacation packages + more. Wondering where you can get to from here? Their Destination Map says it all.*
Family
With schools wrapping up for the year, that only means one thing: Summer camp season is here. Check out the adventures that await kids + teens 8-17 years old at ChattState’s Summer Camps (hint: it includes robotics, musical theater, and more). Register before spots fill up.*
Finance
Need a new couch thanks to your dogs? Had an unexpected spring cleaning injury? Said “drinks on me” too loudly in Cherry Street Tavern? These four credit cards offer 0% intro APR for up to 18 months — aka nearly two years of no interest charges for when life piles up.*
Travel
🚗 It’s time for cruise control
Take the scenic route around Chattanooga this summer
Traveling for Memorial Day weekend? Thanks to Thrive Regional Partnership + the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, here are four scenic routes to take:
US Hwy 321 + TN State Route 320 | Avoids I-24/I-75 congestion
Use if traveling from Ooltewah to Ringgold, GA + Ooltewah to downtown Chattanooga.
TN State Route 58 | Avoids I-75 congestion (along Chickamauga Lake + Tennessee River)
Connects downtown and leads to Harrison, continuing through Decatur to I-40 at Kingston.
TN State Route 318 |Avoids Moccasin Bend + congestion on I-24
Use when driving from the St. Elmo and Lookout Mountain area towards Wildwood, GA (or near Trenton, GA).
TN State Route 111 (toward Cookeville) and TN State Route 8 | Avoids I-75 / I-24 split, Missionary Ridge + Moccasin Bend
Can take you from the Cleveland and Soddy-Daisy area through McMinnville to I-24 in Manchester, TN.
Bonus: Traveling a longer distance? Check out another route through North Georgia.
The Buy
Drunk Girl Art Prints. Celebrate National Wine Day with a new piece of wall art for your bar cart.
True crime was the leading genre in our poll on podcasts from earlier this week — and you all are speaking my language. Let me know what true crime podcasts I need to tune in for.
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