CANR
WORK TITLE: Mr. Nice Spy
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://tianasmith.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: one son.
EDUCATION:Graduated from Westminster University.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Has worked as a copywriter.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
[open new]Tiana Smith is an author of fun and flirty fiction. She grew up in small-town Montana and earned an English degree with a focus in creative writing at Westminster University, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Smith told VoyageUtah regarding her creative beginnings, “I’ve always wanted to be an author. My parents and teachers were all really supportive of my writing from a young age, which helped me feel like this was something I should pursue.” She wrote three novel drafts, steadily honing her craft, before trying to secure an agent. About the provenance of her debut novel, Match Me If You Can, Smith told Book Bratz, “I’ve always loved rom-coms. Movies, TV shows, books, it doesn’t matter which medium. So I wanted to write a book that gave readers that Happily Ever After satisfied feeling.” She added, “I loved the idea of multiple couples getting caught up in one huge comedy of errors.”
A high-school retelling of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Match Me If You Can finds Mia trying to lean on friend Robyn’s matchmaking service to get lined up with Vince for the homecoming dance. Robyn would rather set her up with the irksome Logan—who proves appealing when Mia leverages a pairing with Vince anyway. In School Library Journal, Abby Hargreaves described Smith’s debut as a “teen romance with the usual moments that will make readers squee with delight.” Smith’s second young-adult novel, How to Speak Boy, is an adaptation of the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks film You’ve Got Mail. In an Idaho town, high-school senior Quinn is co-president of the debate team alongside competitive Grayson. Anonymous online correspondence with a fellow government student leads Quinn toward surprising romance. School Library Journal reviewer Karin Greenberg observed that Smith’s prose is “straightforward and uncomplicated, and gets to the heart of the teenage experience … imbuing her characters with depth and authentic traits.” Greenberg praised How to Speak Boy as a “fun, enjoyable story.”
Asked by the host of Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb about the origins of her “My Spy” series of adventure rom-coms for adult audiences, Smith remarked: “I’ve always loved spy stories—whether in movies or literature. I already have a few young adult novels out and my agent asked me how I felt about writing for the adult market. I came back to him with, ‘yes, but how about with spies?’”
In Washington, D.C., introverted data analyst Dove Barkley avoids getting back into the dating scene, as sister Madison advises, with the occasional hacking to a Taylor Swift soundtrack. An interview with journalist Sam Olsen gets Dove’s pheromones pumping for once, but when she tries to spill the beans to her sister at a restaurant that night, someone mistakes her for Madison and gives her a briefcase with a fake passport—and then gets shot. It turns out Madison is a CIA agent suspected of collaborating with an arms dealer, leaving dashing agent Mendez, aka Sam Olsen, to recruit Dove’s help in trying to get to the bottom of things.
Library Journal reviewer Nanci Milone Hill affirmed that Smith’s adult debut delivers “thrills, both heart-pounding and steamy,” as the narrative proves “fast-paced, mixing twists and turns with humor and not a small amount of chemistry.” A Kirkus Reviews writer observed that Smith “packs her tale with action, comedy, and … similes” as Dove proves a “relatable underdog thrown into a bizarre scenario.” Calling Dove’s faith in her sister’s innocence a “commendable character trait,” the reviewer summed The Spy and I up as an “amusing spies-to-lovers tale that’s more comedy than romance.”
For the second “My Spy” novel, Smith was partly inspired by her husband. About the character of Chan in Mr. Nice Spy, Smith told Robert Lee Brewer of Writer’s Digest: “Chan is hard of hearing, and so is my husband. I wanted to write a book where that could be an asset, and showcase a love interest who was kind, smart, and had a disability. I had so much fun writing Mr. Nice Spy and including all the things I love when reading—suspense, action, romance, and humor.”
In the second “My Spy” book, the criminal mastermind from book one resurfaces in the life of fireworks engineer Andee Paxton. Although Andee was told her biological father was a famous actor, “infamous” would be more accurate. When Holt escapes from jail, the CIA aims to use his biological daughter Andee as bait to catch him, staging a fake relationship with Adam Chan. When Holt one-ups the feds by kidnapping Andee and Chan, only heart-racing teamwork—with the relationship growing less fake all the while—can ensure their survival. A Kirkus Reviews writer appreciated how Chan proves “devilishly charismatic and capable, and his hearing loss works seamlessly as a critical part of the story.” In Library Journal, Hill affirmed that Mr. Nice Spy “has it all: romance, intrigue, mistaken identity, and a race against time.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2023, review of The Spy and I; October 15, 2024, review of Mr. Nice Spy.
Library Journal, November, 2023, Nanci Milone Hill, review of The Spy and I, p. 52; September, 2024, Nanci Milone Hill, review of Mr. Nice Spy, p. 74.
School Library Journal, December, 2018, Abby Hargreaves, review of Match Me If You Can, p. 85; December, 2019, Karin Greenberg, review of How to Speak Boy, p. 93.
ONLINE
Book Bratz, https://thebookbratz.blogspot.com/ (November 10, 2018), author interview.
Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb, https://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/ (March 18, 2024), author Q&A.
Tiana Smith website, https://tianasmith.com (January 30, 2025).
Transmedia Mutts, https://www.transmediamutts.com/ (January 10, 2019), Jocelyn Rish, “Tiana Smith, Author of Match Me If You Can, on Not Comparing Yourself to Others.”
VoyageUtah, https://voyageutah.com/ (January 4, 2023), “Rising Stars: Meet Tiana Smith.”
Writer’s Digest, https://www.writersdigest.com/ (November 4, 2024), Robert Lee Brewer, “Tiana Smith: Publishing Is a Weird Game of Skill and Luck.”
hello! i’m tiana
Author of flirty, funny books
I won’t mock you if you say it wrong, but I (and all the other cool people) pronounce my name Tee-ON-uh. I’m the author of Match Me If You Can and How To Speak Boy, from Macmillan. The Spy and I just released, and Mr. Nice Spy is coming from Berkley/Penguin Random House in November of 2024.
I graduated with an English degree with a creative writing focus from Westminster University. To see what I’m working on now, check out my Books page.
Growing up in Montana taught me how to build a fire better than my husband. But even though I grew up in a small town, I consider myself a city girl at heart.
It’s too bad I love ice cream so much because I’m lactose intolerant and can’t have it anymore. Coconut ice cream just isn’t the same. And don’t even get me started on dairy-free cheese.
I must be a real writer, because I’m a chronic insomniac. Do you ever wish for more hours in the day? I’d say, be careful what you wish for. It’s a superpower I wish I didn’t have. But if I did have a superpower, I’d want the ability to teleport, because traffic is the worst and I love to travel.
I decided I needed another hobby besides reading, so I’ve recently fallen down the rabbit hole of nail design and doing my own manicures. Want to get on my good side? Just compliment my nails and I promise we’ll become best friends.
If you want a few more random facts, check out my FAQs, and if you want to know even more, find me on Instagram so we can hang out! If you’re looking for a more official bio to use for press or media, please head over to my press kit.
FAQs
Where can I find you online?
Out of all the social stuff out there, I’m on Instagram the most. I also have a Twitter and Facebook account, but fair warning, I’m not on them too frequently.
I’m just starting to use TikTok more, but just so you know, it’s mostly my nail art, so if you’re into that kind of thing … (I also match my nail art to book covers on a second Instagram account, so, never claim I didn’t give you options).
What was your publishing journey like?
Everyone’s path to publication is different. I wrote three books before querying. Then I sent out a lot of queries and got back a lot of rejection on my fourth book. There was also a lot of interest. A small press made me an offer, which I ultimately turned down.
Because of that though, I got an agent. Unfortunately she left the industry before my book could even go out on submission. Then I submitted to Swoon Reads/Macmillan and they picked up my book!
After that, I signed with my second agent, who is Eric Smith of P.S. Literary. He sold my second book to Macmillan as well. Then Swoon Reads shut their doors, and since it was something I’ve always wanted to do, I decided that was the push I needed to try my hand at writing adult romance.
Which brings us to where I am now! Two spy rom coms coming out with Berkley/Penguin Random House.
My advice is to keep trying. It’s a hard process, and it’s incredibly long, but it’s the only way to succeed.
Can you send me a free copy of one of your books?
I would love it if you supported me by buying my books! This shows my publisher that there’s interest and allows me to keep writing more books for you to enjoy. I am more than happy to sign your copy, but please don’t ask me to give away years of hard work for free.
Can my book club read your book?
Umm, of course! Is that even a question? If you’d like, I can also do Skype interviews to answer any questions your book club might have. If you live around me (Salt Lake County or Utah County) I can sometimes swing by for an in person visit, but that totally depends on my availability.
Will you read my query/synopsis/WIP?
While I would love to, I just don’t have enough time in the day. I’m busy working on my own writing and edits. But! I recommend you find a great group of critique partners who can stick with you through thick and thin. There are lots of great resources online.
Can I email you for writing advice?
There is so much information already available online – and all these people are better than I am at handing out advice. Susan Dennard has some great resources. I also recommend you follow agent’s blogs and make connections online with other writers. There’s multiple paths toward publication, and you’ll need to find the best path for you.
My agent has a round up on his site full of resources with podcasts, query tips, information on how to find critique partners and more. It’s a great place to get started. I wish I had time to personally help every aspiring author, but when everyone else has already said it better tha
Tiana Smith: Publishing Is a Weird Game of Skill and Luck
In this interview, author Tiana Smith discusses how her husband’s disability helped inspire her new romance novel, Mr. Nice Spy.
Robert Lee BrewerNov 4, 2024
Tiana Smith is a web designer turned novelist who grew up in the Rocky Mountains. She graduated from Westminster University with double degrees in Honors and English with a focus in creative writing. In her spare time she’s learning sign language with her hard of hearing husband and she volunteers with special needs individuals attending the biweekly activities for Utah County’s SNAP program. Follow her on X (Twitter) and Instagram.
Tiana Smith: Publishing Is a Weird Game of Skill and Luck
Tiana Smith
Photo by Pepperfox Photos 2017
In this interview, Tiana discusses how her husband’s disability helped inspire her new romance novel, Mr. Nice Spy, her hope for readers, and more.
Name: Tiana Smith
Literary agent: Eric Smith at P.S. Literary
Book title: Mr. Nice Spy
Publisher: Berkley
Release date: November 5, 2024
Genre/category: Adult romance
Previous titles: The Spy and I; Match Me If You Can; How To Speak Boy
Elevator pitch: When a pyrotechnic engineer discovers her biological father is an international criminal, she must work with a sexy CIA agent to take him down in this thrilling adventure rom-com.
Tiana Smith: Publishing Is a Weird Game of Skill and Luck
Bookshop | Amazon
[WD uses affiliate links.]
What prompted you to write this book?
I’ve always loved spy stories. When it was time for me to write the second book in the My Spy series, I knew I wanted to delve more into the character of Chan, who was introduced as a side character in the first book. Chan is hard of hearing, and so is my husband. I wanted to write a book where that could be an asset, and showcase a love interest who was kind, smart, and had a disability. I had so much fun writing Mr. Nice Spy and including all the things I love when reading—suspense, action, romance, and humor.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
The first draft of Mr. Nice Spy took almost 10 months to write (which is on the long side for most traditionally published books). Edits took another couple of months if you include all the various rounds. Then all my work was done but not for my publisher, who does a lot of the marketing and promo between when my edits were done and publication. From idea to publication, I’d say it took around two years.
The idea as a whole didn’t change very much during the process, but specific scenes and plot points did. I removed a subplot about a double agent and changed the ending during edits (for the better!) My editor is great at helping me see areas that didn’t work or spots that needed more time and attention.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
With every book I write, I’m always in awe at how much goes on behind the scenes in publishing. So many people are involved in publishing a book and I’m grateful for each and every one of them. For this book, I was lucky enough to get notes back from a few additional people (such as a sensitivity reader and proofreader, in addition to my editor and copy editor), and I loved hearing all the different perspectives and things people questioned or liked.
Tiana Smith: Publishing Is a Weird Game of Skill and Luck
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
I was on a new migraine medicine while writing and editing this book, and I found that it changed my process quite a bit. Rather than writing chronologically, I would often jump all over a scene or chapter. This made it difficult for me to keep track of where I was in the story, but my mind just wasn’t wanting to work chronologically anymore. But it also allowed a lot of magic to happen, because a new idea for a character and subplot opened up that I hadn’t thought of previously, all because I could see things in a non-linear fashion.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I hope they’ll get a fun escape, with high stakes that will keep them turning pages to find out what happens next. I hope they’ll enjoy the disability representation for those who are hard of hearing. And mostly, I hope they’ll have a good time escaping reality for a moment.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Don’t give up! Publishing is a weird game of skill and luck, and you never know when your break will happen. My other piece of advice is to read as much as you can (as trite as it sounds), so you can subconsciously figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Writer's Digest Tutorials
With a growing catalog of instructional writing videos available instantly, we have writing instruction on everything from improving your craft to getting published and finding an audience. New videos are added every month!
Author SpotlightsWriter's Digest Author SpotlightromanceAuthor SpotlightAuthor Spotlight SeriesContemporary Romance
Interview with Author Tiana Smith!
Nov 10, 2018
Today on the blog, we have an interview with Tiana Smith, debut author of Match Me If You Can! So without further ado, let's get into it!
About the Author
Tiana Smith
Tiana Smith is a copywriter turned novelist who grew up in the Wild West of Montana. When she isn’t writing, she’s chasing after her ninja boy, reading, or binging the Disney Channel. She’d love to be fluent in sign language, but for now she gets by with awkward hand gestures and even more awkward French. She has double degrees in Honors and English from Westminster College but wants to go back to school to be a lion tamer.
Website / Goodreads Author Page
Author Interview
First of all, congratulations! How does it feel to be a debut author?
Thank you! Being a debut is a lot of things all at once. Exciting. Scary. Validating. Nerve-wracking. It's a lot to take in and a lot to try to juggle. But I'm learning as I go and I'm trying to not sweat the small stuff.
In your opinion, what is the hardest part of the writing/publishing process? What's the easiest?
I hate editing. A lot. I would much rather be writing a first draft. That's when things seem magical to me. I discover a lot as I'm writing, so a new shiny idea always holds my interest. But editing? When I've read the book 1,000 times and I feel like I've written the same sentence five different ways? Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of that.
The other thing that's been hard for me is trying to balance everything (drafting something new, editing something old, marketing, and promotion) all at the same time, with deadlines for everything. I'm getting better at it, but I still feel like there has to be a better way of handling things that I'm somehow missing!
What's some advice that you have for aspiring/fellow debut writers? What do you wish you could've told your pre-debut self?
Don't compare yourself to others. It's so easy to do in this industry, but so damaging to your sense of self. There will always be other people hitting lists, getting huge sale numbers, glowing reviews, and a host of other things. Comparing yourself to others is instinctive, almost inevitable. But all those things are outside of your control, and not worth your time.
Where did you find the inspiration for Match Me If You Can?
I've always loved rom-coms. Movies, TV shows, books, it doesn't matter which medium. So I wanted to write a book that gave readers that Happily Ever After satisfied feeling. Match Me If You Can came about because I was watching the movie She's the Man and I could not stop laughing. I loved the idea of multiple couples getting caught up in one huge comedy of errors. And that's where the idea started!
Who you do think was the hardest/most difficult character to write in Match Me If You Can? Why?
I think Elena was probably the hardest for me to write. I had to rewrite her several times, in fact. In the first draft she was so unbelievably cruel, it was hard to imagine why she and Mia (my main character) were even friends to begin with. Then she got softer in subsequent drafts, and while she still does some pretty harsh things, I think she's more rounded as a character.
Who was your favorite character to write in the story? Why?
I loved writing Logan. He's so suave and sure of himself. He gets some of the most flirtatious lines, and I really enjoyed getting to know him. I'm a little worried my future love interests in books won't measure up!
Do you have any plans for building off of Match Me If You Can in the future?
I've considered doing a companion novel, taking one of the minor characters from Match Me If You Can and giving them their own book. I left a few things open, especially with one particular character, so that I could if I wanted to return one day.
But for now, I don't have plans to do that. I have too many new ideas competing for my attention, and new ideas always seem so shiny compared to revisiting old ones. I'm a bit like a dog chasing after a squirrel in that way, I guess.
About the Book
34993791
Title: Match Me If You Can
Author: Tiana Smith
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Hardcover, 288 Pages
Publication Date: January 9th, 2019
Summary: Mia's best friend Robyn is known for her matchmaking skills, which is perfect, because homecoming is just around the corner. But Robyn refuses to set Mia up with the guy of her dreams, which forces Mia to take matters into her own hands. She uses Robyn's matchmaking service to make sure popular Vince Demetrius falls for her. Vince asks her out, but Mia doesn't count on Logan, the persistent school newspaper photographer who seems to like her out of the blue. Now she has to choose between Vince - the guy she knows is right for her - and Logan, who insists that she give him a chance. And she needs to make sure Robyn doesn't find out that Mia's been matchmaking behind her back. Mia has two weeks before homecoming. Can she fix the mess she made or will she have to kiss her perfect match goodbye forever?
We'd like to thank Tiana Smith for being awesome enough to stop by the blog and let us host this interview! If Match Me If You Can sounds like something you're interested in, then don't forget to add it to your Goodreads TBR, which you can do by clicking here. This was a great one that we enjoyed reading, and our review is coming to you next week!
Tiana Smith, author of MATCH ME IF YOU CAN, on not comparing yourself to others
by Jocelyn Rish
We’re delighted to have Tiana Smith with us to chat about her debut novel, MATCH ME IF YOU CAN.
Tiana, what was your inspiration for writing MATCH ME IF YOU CAN?
I’ve always loved rom-coms. Movies, TV shows, books, it doesn’t matter which medium. So I wanted to write a book that gave readers that Happily Ever After satisfied feeling. Match Me If You Can came about because I was watching the movie She’s the Man and I could not stop laughing. I loved the idea of multiple couples getting caught up in one huge comedy of errors. And that’s where the idea started!
What do you hope readers will take away from MATCH ME IF YOU CAN?
I just hope readers enjoy it. It’s meant to be a fluffy, fun book and I hope it leaves readers smiling after they’ve finished it.
What advice would you most like to pass along to other writers?
Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s so easy to do in this industry, but so damaging to your sense of self. There will always be other people hitting lists, getting huge sale numbers, glowing reviews, and a host of other things. Comparing yourself to others is instinctive, almost inevitable. But all those things are outside of your control, and not worth your time. Also, read lots!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Match Me If You Can
by Tiana Smith
Hardcover
Swoon Reads
Released 1/8/2019
Mia’s best friend Robyn is known for her matchmaking skills, which is perfect, because homecoming is just around the corner. But Robyn refuses to set Mia up with the guy of her dreams, which forces Mia to take matters into her own hands. She uses Robyn’s matchmaking service to make sure popular Vince Demetrius falls for her.
Vince asks her out, but Mia doesn’t count on Logan, the persistent school newspaper photographer who seems to like her out of the blue. Now she has to choose between Vince – the guy she knows is right for her – and Logan, who insists that she give him a chance. And she needs to make sure Robyn doesn’t find out that Mia’s been matchmaking behind her back.
Mia has two weeks before homecoming. Can she fix the mess she made or will she have to kiss her perfect match goodbye forever?
Purchase Match Me If You Can at Amazon
Purchase Match Me If You Can at IndieBound
View Match Me If You Can on Goodreads
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tiana Smith is a copywriter turned novelist who grew up in the Wild West of Montana. When she isn’t writing, she’s chasing after her ninja boy, reading, or binging the Disney Channel. She’d love to be fluent in sign language, but for now she gets by with awkward hand gestures and even more awkward French. She has double degrees in Honors and English from Westminster College but wants to go back to school to be a lion tamer.
—
Have you had a chance to read MATCH ME IF YOU CAN yet? Have any of your stories been inspired by a movie? Are you able to avoid comparing yourself to others? Share your thoughts about the interview in the comments!
Happy Reading,
Jocelyn, Halli, Martina, Erin, Susan, Shelly, and Kelly
Local StoriesJanuary 4, 2023Rising Stars: Meet Tiana Smith
Avatar photoLocal Stories
ShareTweetPin
Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Smith.
Hi Tiana, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always wanted to be an author. My parents and teachers were all really supportive of my writing from a young age, which helped me feel like this was something I should pursue. I wrote three books before even attempting to get an agent, while I honed my craft and figured out what genres best suited my writing voice. I now have two young adult rom-coms out from Macmillan (MATCH ME IF YOU CAN and HOW TO SPEAK BOY) with two adult spy rom-coms coming soon from Penguin Random House.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Publishing isn’t a career for the faint of heart. Because writing is so subjective, writers often face rejection. My path to publication was no different. Even after I landed my first agent, she ended up leaving the industry and I found myself in the query trenches once again. Then once I signed with my second agent and I had two books published, the imprint I was with under Macmillan shut its doors, which was discouraging to say the least. But ultimately it also led me to write in a different genre and sign a deal with Penguin Random House. So while there are obstacles that feel insurmountable, you never know what the path looks like ahead and how it might lead to something better.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write fun, flirty books. My young adult books are sweet and good for ages eleven and up. They’re titled MATCH ME IF YOU CAN and HOW TO SPEAK BOY. My first book is a contemporary retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream where two couples get mixed up and have to sort themselves out in time for homecoming, and my second book is an adaptation of You’ve Got Mail where two speech and debate competitors fall in love through anonymous notes.
My adult spy books won’t come out until 2024 and 2025, but I’m extremely excited about them – the first one is titled THE SPY AND I. It’s an action-packed rom-com about a case of mistaken identity, when the heroine is confused for her super spy sister and must work with a hot and mysterious covert operative to save the day.
I love giving back to the writing community and have served on many different conference boards and writing guilds throughout the years. Most notably I’ve enjoyed working with Author Mentor Match and the Storymakers Board of Directors.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Publishing is hard to predict, especially because it operates so far in the future. A book is acquired and finished months, if not years before it ever reaches the shelves of a bookstore. So trying to predict trends is tricky and can feel like looking into a crystal ball.
Barnes and Noble made some changes recently with how it allocated space to young adult titles which makes me think we might see fewer hardbacks in young adult books. More publishers might try out trade paperback for YA titles, even debuts. That would certainly be interesting to see, because for years they’ve operated on the model of publishing in hardcover first, then delivering a paperback a year later if the title sold well enough.
Something else that everyone will be watching in publishing is the possibility of more mergers. Right now there are five houses that make up the “Big Five” traditional publishing houses. But many authors, agents, and editors will be waiting to see if that changes, because the ripple effects will be felt across the entire industry for years to come.
Pricing:
Match Me If You Can – $12 on Amazon
How To Speak Boy – $9 on Amazon
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.tianasmith.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/tianasmithbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tianasmithbooks
Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tianasmithbooks
Monday, March 18, 2024
Q&A with Tiana Smith
Photo by Pepperfox Photos
Tiana Smith is the author of the new novel The Spy and I. Her other books include the young adult novel Match Me If You Can.
Q: What inspired you to write The Spy and I, and how did you create your character Dove?
A: I’ve always loved spy stories—whether in movies or literature. I already have a few young adult novels out and my agent asked me how I felt about writing for the adult market. I came back to him with, “yes, but how about with spies?”
Thankfully he was on board with my idea because we sold The Spy and I not shortly after that.
I think at the time I was watching a lot of the TV show Chuck and was really inspired by writing a character who was computer-smart and a bit introverted, but still an asset in their own way.
A lot of those characters in popular media are men, and I wanted to show readers that women can be just as technologically savvy. I still wanted to keep her out of her element within the spy world, however, because it’s always fun to see how a character reacts when they’re unprepared and in over their heads.
Q: The Library Journal review of the book said, “This mistaken-identity spy romance is fast-paced, mixing twists and turns with humor and not a small amount of chemistry.” What do you think of that description, and what did you see as the right balance between the spying, the romance, and the humor?
A: It was definitely tricky to balance the spy action, romance, and comedy. Primarily, I think readers are connecting to it most as a suspense novel with comedic romantic elements, and that makes me happy.
If you think of most of the spy movies you’ve seen, like Knight and Day or Argylle, I think they follow a similar vein. The spy story is what moves the plot forward, and the romance is there as a supporting element. Of course, I love romance, and I love comedy, so I’ll always put those things in when I can.
Q: Did you need to do any research to write the book, and if so, did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: I had to do so much research! It’s surprising how much information there is online about the CIA though. Or even specific tutorials on how to hack things (since my main character is a hacker). All the hacking scenes in my novel follow online tutorials, which is scary if you stop to think about it.
The CIA has many official sites that provide information on the infrastructure or common things that people get wrong.
One of the things that surprised me is that people who work for the CIA aren’t called agents—they’re called officers. As I say in the book, the FBI has agents, the CIA has officers. Anyone who says otherwise has been watching too much TV. 😉
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: I hope people just have a good time reading it. It’s meant to be an escape that takes you away from this world for a bit. Something lighthearted and fun.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working on book two of the My Spy series, Mr. Nice Spy. Both books can be read as stand-alones, so you don’t have to read The Spy and I first in order to understand what’s going on.
Mr. Nice Spy follows a different set of characters that happen to be in the same world. It comes out in November of this year. I’m excited for everyone to read it!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Nope! Thanks for having me!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
Posted by Deborah Kalb at 11:22 AM
SMITH, Tiana. Match Me If You Can. 288p. Feiwel & Friends/Swoon Reads. Jan. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250168719.
Gr 8 Up--With homecoming approaching quickly, Mia is counting on her matchmaking friend Robyn to use her application process and get soccer star Vince to ask her to the dance. Robyn, meanwhile, has other plans for Mia involving setting her up with the irritating Logan. But once Mia manipulates the system to pair herself with Vince, she's not so convinced she was right, and Logan is well on his way to wooing her. This is a standard teen romance with the usual moments that will make readers squee with delight, if outdated in its tropes. Smith builds her plot around the concept of boys treating their crushes poorly as a way of showing romantic interest. Coupled with the idea of a lack of consent from Mia's manipulating Vince into a relationship and the matchmaking service itself (to some extent) to Mia's unwillingness to date Logan--these plot devices and social attitudes can be distractingly problematic for many. This debut also sometimes struggles with wooden prose that glosses over major events. Characters are without nuance or much personality, in most instances. VERDICT While not a necessary addition, this may still find readers in fans of Kasie West and Shannon Klare. Readers who prefer more socially aware and complex characterizations, however, will want to skip this one.--Abby Hargreaves, District of Columbia Public Library
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Hargreaves, Abby. "SMITH, Tiana. Match Me If You Can." School Library Journal, vol. 64, no. 12, Dec. 2018, p. 85. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A563769404/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b3c399af. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
SMITH, Tiana. How to Speak Boy. 256p. Feiwel & Friends. Jan. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250242211.
Gr 9 Up--High school senior Quinn lives alone with her mother, a waitress who is building a photography business on the side. Living in a small town in Idaho, Quinn faces the typical teenage drama--social insecurity, academic overload, and relationship woes. She has her two close friends, Naomi and Carter, in whom she confides, but recent events have caused some distance between them. Her main focus is the Speech and Debate team, for which she has been elected co-president with her competitor, Grayson. As the two leaders attend meets to with Matty, meets Quinn and begins together and oversee the running of the club, they enter into flirtatious banter, which alternates between friendly and accusatory tones. When Quinn starts an anonymous correspondence with a mystery student in her AP Government class, she wonders if the writer could be someone she knows. As she begins to feel a close connection to this person, she makes questionable decisions that lead to unexpected outcomes. Rumors fly and friends become suspected enemies. Quinn struggles to figure out her future, while simultaneously facing pressing issues that are right in front of her, including her unspoken desire to jump-start her love life. Smith's prose is straightforward and uncomplicated, and gets to the heart of the teenage experience. Although she occasionally falls into formulaic writing, she makes it work by imbuing her characters with depth and authentic traits. VERDICT A fun, enjoyable story that explores the world of high school seniors. Recommended for libraries with students interested in realistic YA romance novels.--Karin Greenberg, Manhasset High School, NY
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Greenberg, Karin. "SMITH, Tiana. How to Speak Boy." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 11, Dec. 2019, p. 93. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A607579828/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=72a94cf9. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Smith, Tiana. The Spy and I. Berkley. Feb. 2024.352p. ISBN 9780593550304. pap. $18. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
YA author Smith's (Match Me If You Can) first adult offering uses the spy romance genre to deliver thrills, both heart-pounding and steamy. Data analyst Dove Barkley, who is being interviewed by the hottest guy she's ever seen, is mistaken for her sister by the kind of people one doesn't want to meet in a dark alley. Unbeknownst to Dove, her sister is a spy for none other than the CIA. It also turns out that Mendez, the guy assigned to interview her, is a spy too. Before Dove knows it, she's knee-deep in espionage with a man who is both annoying and annoyingly sexy. How are they supposed to beat the clock and save her sister when Dove can't keep her mind--and hands--from wandering? Despite Mendez's frustration with out-of-her-element Dove, sparks fly between them as she finds her way to saving the world. VERDICT This mistaken-identity spy romance is fastpaced, mixing twists and turns with humor and not a small amount of chemistry. Recommend to fans of Gina Robinson's "Agent X" series and The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter.--Nanci Milone Hill
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"The Spy and I." Library Journal, vol. 148, no. 11, Nov. 2023, p. 52. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A773380724/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a3f1ada4. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Smith, Tiana THE SPY AND I Berkley (Fiction None) $18.00 2, 13 ISBN: 9780593550304
An introverted Washington, D.C., computer hacker joins forces with a handsome CIA operative in Smith's first adult rom-com.
Dove Barkley is what you might call an honest hacker: All she needs is four minutes (and a Taylor Swift tune) to slither past a company's security system and reveal how vulnerable their database is. As a self-proclaimed computer nerd, however, dating is the one thing Dove has never been able to hack. Her last date was two years ago, something her older sister, Madison, seldom lets her forget. As a travel photographer, Madison rarely stays in one place, but she's never too busy to check in on her baby sister and nag her about getting back out there. But when Dove is interviewed by Sam Olsen, a broodingly handsome journalist, she can't wait to spill the flirty details to her sister over dinner that night. Dove's evening turns sour, however, when a man sits down at her table in the restaurant, hands her a briefcase containing a fake passport with Madison's photo on it, and is promptly shot dead in front of her. In a series of Jason Bourne-level capers, she learns that not only is Madison a CIA agent who's allegedly in cahoots with an arms dealer, but Sam Olsen is actually Mendez, the government agent trying to track her down. ("And your first name?" she asks him. "That's on a need-to-know basis," he responds.) Dove can't believe Madison would switch sides so easily, and she agrees to work with Mendez to clear her sister's name. Smith packs her tale with action, comedy, and perhaps one too many unnecessary similes. Dove is a relatable underdog thrown into a bizarre scenario: "My idea of a good time was more likely to include a sugar rush than a rush of adrenaline." And while her relationship with Mendez leaves a little to be desired--his flirtation is often more inappropriate than charming--Dove's determination to save Madison out of pure sisterly trust is a commendable character trait.
An amusing spies-to-lovers tale that's more comedy than romance.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Smith, Tiana: THE SPY AND I." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Nov. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A772515542/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6aabde21. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Smith, Tiana. Mr. Nice Spy. Berkley. (My Spy, Bk. 2). Nov. 2024. 352p. ISBN 9780593550328. pap. $19. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Pyrotechnics engineer (a.k.a. Fireworks designer) Andee Paxton has always been told that her biological father was a famous actor. When she decides to take a DNA test, she's surprised by the results. Her dad is famous, but he's not an actor. Those who read the first book in this series will remember criminal mastermind Holt. He's back, and this time, he's the heroine's father and has escaped prison. The CIA wants to use Andee as bait in order to catch Holt. Enter Officer Adam Chan. Before they can execute the CIA's plan, Holt kidnaps Andee and Chan. Soon, lines are blurred, and their fake relationship is starting to look like it might have promise. Between all the flirting, they're racing to stop Holt and save the world. Though this can be read as a stand-alone novel, those who enjoyed The Spy and I will be happy that Adam's getting his own story. Two unique main characters (a heroine in the engineering field and a hero with hearing loss) only add to the appeal of the story. VERDICT This second book in Smith's "My Spy" series has it all: romance, intrigue, mistaken identity, and a race against time.--Nanci Milone Hill
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Hill, Nanci Milone. "Smith, Tiana. Mr. Nice Spy." Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 9, Sept. 2024, p. 74. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A808228700/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ce2b3004. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Smith, Tiana MR. NICE SPY Berkley (Fiction None) $18.99 11, 5 ISBN: 9780593550328
The daughter of a drug kingpin is kidnapped alongside a charming CIA operative in Smith's action-packed sequel toThe Spy and I (2024).
Andee Paxton is used to things blowing up...literally. She's a fireworks designer, and while there aren't many sparks in her love life, her career is literallly on fire. For 26 years, Andee has been under the impression that her father is Oscar-winning actor Keith Huxley-Beck, a fact she regrettably shared with her coworkers, who enjoy teasing her about it. Though Andee has never met Keith, her single mother swears he's the one. Andee even studied American Sign Language for him, since he'd learned it once for a movie role. But then Andee decides to take a DNA test to prove her claim, and the results are nothing if not explosive. The same day Andee learns she's not descendant of Hollywood royalty, she comes face to face with a handsome CIA operative named Adam Chan who happens to know the identity of her real father--and it turns out to be a man known as Holt, one of the most wanted and dangerous drug lords in the world. As fate would have it, he's been searching for her, too. Just as suddenly as Chan fills Andee in about her father's evil deeds, Holt arrives and kidnaps them both. Locked in Holt's secret hideout within the French catacombs, Andee and Chan devise a quick plan to parade as a couple, which offers them some privacy under the guise of romantic rendezvous. They also have a secret advantage: Chan is hard of hearing, and since Andee is fluent in ASL, they can communicate virtually undetected. Can Andee stop her father's nefarious plans and score the hot CIA agent, or will her plan crash and burn? In Smith's second My Spy novel, it's Chan's turn to play the hero, and Andee is another savvy-smart heroine. While Holt and his henchmen are caricature villains, all guns and bravado, Chan is devilishly charismatic and capable, and his hearing loss works seamlessly as a critical part of the story.
Sparks fly and guns blaze in Smith's latest.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Smith, Tiana: MR. NICE SPY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Oct. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A811898591/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4ce78a08. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.