The Trail to Rom Com Land
I’m known for my ugly-cry books. I’ve always landed on the dramatic end of the scale, which has served me well for my biggest bestselling books like Forever Innocent and Baby Dust.
I’d written a few rom coms here and there, almost by accident. (I’m funny? No. No one thinks the Queen of the Ugly Cry is funny.) But they sold way better than I thought they would. So when the pandemic began, I leaned in to my humorous side.
It didn’t really feel right to publish those books under Deanna Roy, where an unsuspecting reader with a box of tissues by her side was ready to go full-on emotional. So I chose my pen name known for her sports romance, JJ Knight.
And wow, did readers love them. Wow, wow, wow. Big Pickle hit the Top 100 on Amazon, then Hot Pickle did, too. I decided I had a series going, so I wrote more. Spicy Pickle. Royal Pickle. You can probably tell from the titles that I was not taking myself very seriously. But they ARE set in a delicatessen — where did your brain go? 🙂
These days I find myself working in two spaces: drama and comedy. It’s a good place. If you’re looking for my latest work, head over to JJ Knight, because that’s where the action is. But don’t give up your tissue box. I have a doozy of a Deanna-book in the works. It’s right up there with Forever Innocent.
No matter which name you’re reading me as, you can always find me on social media, especially in my private Facebook group, which is very active, full of Pickle jokes, and frequently doing giveaways of signed copies. I’m even on TikTok! Here are some of the crazy books in my Pickle-verse! I think you’ll still find that emotional connection inside, even if the crying comes from laughing too hard.
Thank you all for being crossover fans!

Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:14:56
I have read them all but if I had to choose my favorite it was second chance Santa
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:12:14
Really! How fun!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:18:18
Big Pickle
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:12:27
The original!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:19:59
I have royal pickle waiting for me to read. These all sound so good though. I’ll definitely be making my way through them all
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:13:13
Oooh, you’ll have so much fun with it. Sometimes I still picture the prince diving beneath the tables of Grammy Alma’s deli and laugh and laugh.
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:24:57
Not met any pickles yet, all on tbr list can’t wait to read them you are a new author to me
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:13:39
WELCOME TO THE PICKLE-VERSE! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:27:20
Royal Pickle!! Cant wait to read more of them!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:14:02
I’m writing Lili’s story now!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:34:05
I really enjoyed the Tasty Mango
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:14:40
Yeah, as soon as I thought of her in labor in a limo, I knew I had to write that book!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:37:15
I have read all the pickle books. Big pickle is my favorite only because it started the series and gave you the beginning to a great series. I really want to read royal rebel but my book budget was cut to zero due to all this freaking inflation and havent gotten my kindle unlimited back up and running. So I am a sad girl since I havent been able to one click yet.
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:15:58
Inflation is crazy! I keep passing the gas stations and going wut!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:39:47
The Big Pickle is sentimentally my favorite of the pickleverse since it is the first one that introduced me to all things pickle
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:40:34
I haven’t read any yet but big pickle and Hot Pickle sound amazing!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:16:48
I laughed so much writing that one! As soon as I looked at what bodybuilders wear, I was all I’VE GOT IT!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:43:16
Royal pickle is my fave! Can’t wait to read more!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:43:27
Big pickle
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:47:41
I love love love the Pickle books so much <3
Jun 24, 2022 @ 11:58:27
I’ve read them all but I love Spicy Pickle
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:08:19
My favourite was Royal Pickle
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:09:43
I have read all except the latest pickle one..to be done this weekend…i would have to choose the pickle series because those made me laugh the most.
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:13:32
I’m new but Hot Pickle sounds good!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:31:08
Big Pickle it is how I first met you. I couldn’t put it down.
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:35:01
I love them all, I can’t pick a favorite. I need all of them in paperback except Big Pickle and Spicy Pickle lol
Jun 24, 2022 @ 12:57:14
Big Pickle
Jun 24, 2022 @ 13:04:47
I have read them all and loved them as well.
Jun 24, 2022 @ 13:07:16
Tasty Mango
Jun 24, 2022 @ 13:52:05
I want to read the whole series!!!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 14:26:31
I’ve read the entire series and I believe my favorite has to be Royal Pickle! I love them all though!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 15:03:37
Hot pickle but I want to read the entire pickle series!!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 15:51:36
I loved big pickle and the title still has me giggling
Jun 24, 2022 @ 16:18:48
I’d love to read Tasty Mango!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 17:13:12
I loved spicy pickle!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 20:00:26
I’ve read all of the original Pickle series and loved them all! I think I liked Spicy Pickle the best. Really enjoyed the characters in the story! Still need to read all the royal pickles but someday I will!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 20:41:03
Love them all. I think Spicy Pickle for me….hot hot hot!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 20:49:19
I love them all, but I think Spicy Pickle might be my favorite!
Jun 24, 2022 @ 22:43:31
The OG – Big Pickle ❤️
Thanks for keeping the laughs going
Jun 24, 2022 @ 23:19:21
I haven’t read all of them but I loved the ones I have. I’m excited for Royal Pickle.