Q&A: Nikki Payne, Author of ‘The Princess and the P.I.’
We chat with author Nikki Payne about The Princess and the P.I., which follows an amateur online sleuth must enlist the help of a jaded PI to clear her name while taking down a shady tech start-up in this exhilarating romantic suspense novel.
Hi, Nikki! Welcome back! It’s been about 18 months since we last spoke! How have you been and what have you been up to?
Busy in the best way. I’ve been in my Romantic suspense bag so the girl is out here PLOT- TING ok?
Your latest novel, The Princess and the P.I., is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Sexy, twisty, tender, dangerous, swoony.
What can readers expect?
A street-smart PI with insomnia and a sheltered Reddit detective with a deadly secret teaming up in Prince George’s County. There’s high heat, attempted virgin sacrifice, and one big, tangled case. Expect an actual mystery that keeps you guessing, romantic tension you could cut with a butter knife, and a love story that won’t look away from my character’s flaws.
Where did the inspiration for The Princess and the P.I. come from?
I’ve always been fascinated by how people curate these hyper-competent online personas, Fiona’s Reddit sleuthing, and how unprepared they often are for real-world mess. Maurice is my ode to the kinds of men who think they’re too broken for love, until someone challenges them to show up differently. It’s a little bit The Bear Fanfic if you squint.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
My favorite part was when Fiona is bold enough to ask Maurice for what she wants, and it completely flips the power dynamic on its head. I love a heroine who claims her desire, no apology.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Romantic suspense walks a tightrope—you’re always balancing tension from the case with the tension of the heart. Sometimes one thread tried to pull too hard. I had to remind myself: these aren’t separate stories. The mystery and the romance are in conversation. When I leaned into that, the pieces clicked.
With this your third published novel, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned when it comes to writing and publishing since your debut in 2022?
That writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We become better because we’re in community—with editors, critique partners, readers who push us to grow. And on the publishing side, I’ve learned to hold both patience and persistence. The industry moves at its own rhythm, but your job is to keep showing up.
What’s next for you?
More romance that isn’t afraid of shadows. I’m deep in another suspense project. And got to celebrate a Milestone: 1.3 million dollar Kickstarter with Adriana Herrera and Ali Hazelwood!! I’ve been listening to my Id for sure.
Where can readers connect with you?
Follow me on Instagram at @nikkipaynebooks. I also have a Substack, The Payneful Truth, where I dissect cultural moments with an anthropologist’s eye. Check my tour dates to see when I’m in your town—I love meeting readers face to face.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
This year, I devoured Aurora Palit’s Honey and Heat and Ruth Ware’s One Perfect Couple. I’m excited to dive into Beverly Jenkins’ To Catch a Raven—because Miss Bev is eternal
