Podcast appearances and mentions of Susan Elizabeth Phillips

A Re!mance for an extremely special ocassion. Plus an update on Ice Wine Deux.

Hey HBs! Mel and Sabrina are mad and they are recapping IT HAD TO BE YOU by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. This is a doozy! Good news, though, Mel's bringing back the custom intros... so that's fun! Content Warnings: episode includes discussions of sexual assault, including in young childhood, on-page violent rape, statutory rape, rampant misogyny, malicious thinness, kink shaming, slut shaming, fat shaming, Madonna/Whore Complex, racism, and more. Lady Loves: Sabrina: having a group of badass, wonderful friends who will lift you up and remind you how you've advocated for yourself in the past after a terrible experience with a medical doctor. Mel: deciding to never read another SEP book on pod or off. Whatever author shows you that you can't trust them to take care of you as a reader, don't read them anymore! Romancelandia is huge and gorgeous and there's something out there for everyone! Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - Banter, context, and content warnings 21:38 - Recap starts 02:27:22 - Lady Loves

This episode is devoted to small town romance and why we romance book readers love it so much! I'm joined by the lovely Laney Hatcher to talk about her two new romance book releases that epitomize small town romance, Take It or Leaf It and Fall Me Maybe. We also discuss why we love small town romance and share some of our small town romance book favorites for you to add to your TBR list!To hear even more from Laney, when you join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club, you can gain access to the exclusive, extended video interview to learn why she loves reading and writing romance, the book that hooked her on reading, and more!BOOKS & SERIES MENTIONED:Take it Or Leaf It/Kirby Falls Series by Laney Hatcher: https://amzn.to/3TplJ6fLovelight Farms Series by B.K. Borison: https://amzn.to/3T18mIVWinston Brothers Series: https://amzn.to/3Xhw8TuBootleg Springs Series: https://amzn.to/3XeNy38Drive Me Wild/Bellemy Creek Series: https://amzn.to/4czhADbDance Away With Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: https://amzn.to/4cByt07Fall Me Maybe/Cozy Creek Collection by Laney Hatcher: https://amzn.to/3T3cqZj FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/ LEAVE A REVIEW! If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer is a great time for travel, especially if road trips are your jam. This week, Natalia, Shannon, and Stacy are sharing some fabulous road trip-centered books. Titles mentioned include: Emily Henry, People We Meet On Vacation Alison Cochrun, Here We Go Again Sadie Bosque, A Bargain with the Rake (Necessary Arrangements #3) Beth O'Leary, The Road Trip Jenna Voris, Every Time You Hear That Song Kandi Steiner, On the Way To You Kate Clayborn, The Other Side of Disappearing Sidney Karger, The Bump Tess LeSue, Bound for Sin (Frontiers of the Heart #2) Susan Elizabeth Phillips, First Lady (Wynette, Texas #4) Holly Jackson, Five Survive Jessica Joyce, You, with a View You can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting: https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/ You can also send an email to: TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.com For more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/book-bistro

If you've always wanted to hear about a romance that takes place within a traveling circus and features a telepathic tiger, hang onto your trapeze bar: Emma from the Substack Restorative Romance and the Reformed Rakes podcast is here to talk about Susan Elizabeth Phillips' “Kiss an Angel,” a contemporary romance that feels like a historical and features an arranged marriage that leads to circus life. In a highly contentious conversation between rival podcasters, the one thing we can agree on the importance of conflict and character flaws in creating a compelling story.Discussed: Kiss and Angel by Susan Elizabeth PhillipsGuest: Emma, a law librarian and writer at Restorative Romance on Substack, and a member of Reformed Rakes.Substack | Reformed Rakes Website Shelf Love:NEW! Substack for original writing and stuff | Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeEmail: Andrea@shelflovepodcast.com

A classic among classics, we're talking enemies to lovers this week! We get to the bottom of what we think of as “enemies,” and how it differs from “rivals-to-lovers” and “friends-to-enemies-to-lovers” and “friends-to-lovers” (jk, we'll never understand friends-to-lovers). We revisit some of our very favorite romances, talk about stakes, about impossible situations, and about how sexy hating someone can be. There are a handful of tickets left for Fated Mates LIVE in Brooklyn, NY, on March 23, at the gorgeous William Vale Hotel! Join us, along with Kate Clayborn, Lauren Billings (one-half of Christina Lauren), Nikki Payne, and a roomful of other romance-obsessed listeners for a night of romance shenanigans at a live taping of Fated Mates! While we're never sure quite how it's going to go, we can guarantee there will be books, booze and bantr…and you'll leave full of joy from all the fun. We've even got The Ripped Bodice on hand to sell books, and the room will be available for hanging with other Firebirds after the live! Preorder Kate's The Other Side of Disappearing three days early (and books from everyone else!) from The Ripped Bodice—links, tickets and more info are at fatedmates.net/live. If you just can't get enough of us, consider joining our Patreon! You get an extra episode of banter every month and access to the Fated Mates discord, full of people who love romance as much as we do. It's pretty great, we have to say. Learn more at patreon.com/fatedmates. Our next read along is Heather Guerre's Preferential Treatment, one of Sarah's favorite romances of 2022. Get it at Amazon, or with your monthly subscription to Kindle Unlimited.Show NotesPandora Ravenel owns a boardgame company, but I don't think she made ouija boards. You should watch Only You (1994), directed by Norman Jewison who also directed Moonstruck! Don't forget how charming Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is, a very different vibe from Ripper Street.Jen thought about Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips when she read an article about the updating of the gorilla enclosure at the Brookfield Zoo. IYKYK, and if you don't, listen to Jen on Learning the Tropes.Sarah said there's only one friends-to-lovers romance she likes. It's Christina Lauren's Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating.

Tune into this episode for some of the best meet-cutes in romance books. These books will have you completely hooked on the characters and love story. I'm sharing my favorite meet-cutes in romance books as well as some reader favorites mentioned in my Facebook group. You don't want to miss them!BOOKS MENTIONEDIn A New York Minute by Kate Spencer: https://amzn.to/48KppURNatural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips: https://amzn.to/4bZ7L2BOne Is A Promise by Pam Godwin: https://amzn.to/48JJo5VThe Bet by Max Monroe: https://amzn.to/3TeNI7MThe Real by Kate Stewart: https://amzn.to/3PaYD14My Oxford Year by Julia Wheelan: https://amzn.to/3TpGq2bThis Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens: https://amzn.to/49PCuh6Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover: https://amzn.to/3wNQv04All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover: https://amzn.to/3Tq3o9qLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEJoin the 2024 Romance Book Reading Challenge: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/reading-challenge-2024/Write Your Own Romance Fill-In-Stories: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/fill-in-stories/ A Year of Reading Romance Card Deck, Grab Your Copy: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/a-year-of-reading-romance/If you're a romance book lover like me, join my email list so you never miss a podcast episode or new book list, and I'll instantly gift you my list of Top 10 Book Boyfriends. https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/join/ Every romance book reader needs a Romance Book Reading Journal. Grab your copy today! Buy Now on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RV37H3ZFOLLOW ME! Blog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LOJ Book Club: Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Julia's Random Thoughts and Hollywood Speak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LOJ Book Club: Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Julia's Random Thoughts and Hollywood Speak! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Charles in conversation with Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jenn McKinlay

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

2/12/24: Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: school receivership & more. Amilcar Shabazz w/ Black Business Assoc Amherst Chair Pat Ononibaku & White Lion Brewing's Ray Berry. Prison Radio's Noelle Hanrahan on Mumia Abu-Jamal. Megan Zinn with romance writer Susan Elizabeth Phillips: "Simply the Best".

Content warning: Discussion on the use of rape fantasies in early romance books.We're so happy to have gotten the chance to sit down with romance author extraordinaire, Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Tune in for an interview full of laughs, knowledge, and Jackie even saying "yes ma'am" on more than one occasion. Questions/comments/concerns/recommendations? Email us at ragingromantics@nopl.org! Susan Elizabeth Phillips websiteTour info! Titles:The Copeland BrideJust ImagineFancy PantsSimply the BestGlitter BabyNatural Born CharmerWhen Stars CollideHappiness for Beginners by Katherine CenterFlame and the Flower by Kathleen WoodiwissFlowers in the Storm by Laura Kinsale (sp. The Fabio Cover)Lorelei JamesMariana ZapataSarah J Maas interview with Jenna Bush Hager on the Today Show (Youtube)"The Mortal Queen of Faerie Smut" (VanArendonck, 2024)

Tons of great books are coming out in February, so the women of Book Bistro are here to tell you what they're looking forward to. Join Amber, Sara, Shannon, Georgina, Stacy, Melissa, Brooke, and Natalia to find out what they can't wait to read. Titles mentioned include: The Authors Guild, Fourteen Days: A Collaborative Novel Ruby Barrett, The Friendship Study Rae Giana Rashad, The Blueprint Tessa Bailey, Fangirl Down (Big Shots #1) Kristin Hannah, The Women Tia Williams, A Love Song for Ricki Wilde Edward Underhill, This Day Changes Everything Marissa Meyer & Chuck Gonzales, With a Little Luck (Fortuna Beach #2) Yangsze Choo, The Fox Wife Charlotte Stein, When Grumpy Met Sunshine Anita Kelly, How You Get the Girl Nikki Payne, Sex, Lies and Sensibility Kristina Forest, The Partner Plot Freida McFadden, The Teacher Kristen Ciccarelli, Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth #1) Samantha Young, Through the Glenn (The Highlands #3) Katherine Arden, The Warm Hands of Ghosts Olivia Dade, At First Spite (Harlot's Bay #1) Nia Davenport, Out of Body Jonathan Kellerman, The Ghost Orchid (Alex Delaware #39) Cara Bastone, Ready Or Not Tracy Brown, Brooklyn Hafsah Faizal, A Tempest of Tea (Blood and Tea #1) Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Simply the Best (Chicago Stars #10) You can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting: https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/ You can also send an email to: TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.com For more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/book-bistro

Hear from our LibraryReads winners! We are thrilled to share that Gareth Brown's THE BOOK OF DOORS has been selected for the February LibraryReads list! We also are thrilled to announce that Olivia Dade's AT FIRST SPITE, Susan Elizabeth Phillips' SIMPLY THE BEST, Kate Quinn and Janie Chang's THE PHOENIX CROWN, and Tessa Bailey's FANGIRL DOWN have made the Hall of Fame! Congratulations to all! Find show notes on librarylovefest.com We also have a phone number! Call 212-207-7773 and leave us a message! You can find us on Facebook and Twitter @librarylovefest or on TikTok and Instagram @harperlibrary.

Folx, it's a rough review this week. We wanted to cover something that people are in denial about. We settled upon Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. We've read amazing novels from this author, however, this was not one of them. If you wanted to hear us lose our minds for an hour, this is the episode for you. Also discussed: the wonders of Reddit, how the 90s held different standards of human behavior, and what a swinging dildo actually does. Tattoo Numbing Cream Up Next: The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson What We're Reading: Wanting Alex: An MFM Cowboy Romance by Danielle Hart Snowed in with a Dragon by Sara Ivy Hill 100 Lifetimes of Us by Maggie Gates What We're Listening To: Rifftrax Christmas  SHOW INFORMATION:  Follow us on Spotify! Website: www.chicklitbookclubpodcast.com Merch: https://chicklitbookclubpodcast.threadless.com/ Instagram and Threads: ChickLitBookClubPodcast TikTok: ChickLitBookClub Pinterest: ChickLitBookClubPodcast BlueSky:@clbcpodcast.bsky.social Youtube: @ChickLitBookClub Email: chicklitbookclubpodcast@gmail.com

#oqueachei #livro #review

#myopinion #book #review

WAPL librarians Desirae and Katie talk about their favorite love stories. They chat about sports themed romance, as well as other novels they recommend. Plus, they talk about fanfiction and romance tropes they love and hate. Titles and series discussed in this episode include: The Hellions Angles series by Lia Riley; the Playbook series by Alexa Martin; the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; the Spoiler Alert series by Olivia Dade; the Hundred Oaks series by Miranda Kenneally; If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy; One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London; And They Lived by Steven Salvatore; and the Beast of Beswick by Amalie Howard. Also mentioned: The After Series by Anna Todd and Disney Twisted Tales Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

Lady Emma has two weeks in American to lose her reputation and not be forced to marry the dastardly duke.  Kenny has to drive her around Texas to get back in the good graces of the PGA Tour so he can play pro golf again.  Why yes, this does seem radically mismatched stakes!  It's Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!  This is one of those wild Susan Elizabeth Phillips joints, so all of the content you should be aware of is simultaneously 100% for real and also 100% ridiculous - everybody in this is incredibly over the top.  The two that feel actively distressing is a major deception by the hero and this whole "blackmailed into marriage" business; on the "less realistically portrayed" side you've got a well-intentioned roofie-ing, a woman struggling with infertility who is cured by a big dick, emus in peril, a SEP-trademark parking lot throwdown, some family trauma drama, and a state fair baby race gone bad.   If you like this one, check out our previous Susan Elizabeth Phillips episode about a book that shares some characters with this one, Fancy Pants!  Until I went looking for that link I forgot that Eva Peron fat-shames somebody in that one! That's wild!

One of the wildest romances we've ever read. A telepathic tiger, exploding cigarettes, and a brooding circus whip-master named Alex... it's Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Kiss an Angel!Follow us on Instagram and show us some love with a five star review on Apple Podcasts! Buy Steph's books HERE and check out Helen's yoga and comedy schedule HERE .We love you very much!

This week, Shannon, Brooke, and Natalia are recommending books with puns in their titles. Books mentioned include: Angela M. Sanders, Bait and Witch (Witch Way Library Mysteries #1) Pintip Dunn, Dating Makes Perfect Victoria Laurie, What's a Ghoul To Do (Ghost Hunter Mysteries #1) Yasmine Galenorn, Scent To Her Grave (Bath and Body Mysteries #1) Tiffany Jenkins, High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict's Double Life Julie Kenner, Carpe Demon (Demon Hunting Soccer Mom #1) Kwana Jackson, Knot Again (Real Men Knit #2) Christina Lauren, Autoboyography Karma Brown, Recipe for a Perfect Wife Amanda Foody, Ace of Shades (The Shadow Game #1) Isla Frost, Dragons Are a Girl's Best Friend (Fangs and Feathers #1) Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Match Me If You Can (Chicago Stars #6) You can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting: https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/ You can also send an email to: TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.com For more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit: http://anchor.fm/book-bistro

When two superstars collide...a romance between a quarterback and an opera singer. 

Esta es una muestra de "Una chica a la moda (Golfistas 1)". La versión completa tiene una duración total de 21 h 21 min. Encuentra este audiolibro completo en https://bit.ly/3J6PIcFNarrado por: Ana RagasolCuando Dallas Beaudine encuentra a Francesca Day, ella está arruinada, furiosa y cojeando por una carretera remota con un vestido de época de dama sureña. La situación no hace sino empeorar para esta improbable pareja de amantes. Él es un tejano realmente atractivo, de carácter relajado. Ella, una belleza inglesa malcriada que ha tocado fondo. ¿Quién podría haber predicho que se convertirían en dos de los personajes más famosos de la novela romántica contemporánea? © 2022, Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, S. A. U.#penguinaudio #audiolibro #audiolibros #Elizabeth Phillips #SusanElizabeth Phillips See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's a Very Special Episode™️ of Fated Mates today, celebrating the rerelease of Sarah's first book, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake! We talk about the book that started Sarah's romance career, about why it still resonates, about new covers during a pandemic, and yes…we get to the bottom of the age old question: Will Benedick Ever Get a Book?You can buy the new Nine Rules at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and get signed copies at WORD. This episode is sponsored by Adriana Herrera, author of The Duke Makes Me Feel and The Romancelandia Shop.Our read along next week is Diana Quincy's Her Night With the Duke, which was on our Best of 2020 year-end list! Get it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, or at your local bookstore. You can also get it in audio from Chirp Books!Show NotesThis tweet about Car Talk made Jen laugh. It really was the greatest NPR show of all time, and since they are no dummies, they have in fact made it into a podcast.Buy the books with stepbacks now, because we aren't sure how long they are going to last. Lots of folks participate in #StepbackSaturday on Twitter and Instagram to share their favorites. Sarah's agent at the time was Alyssa Eisner-Henkin, who is still a great YA and children's agent!Sarah's editor is still Carrie Feron, who has edited romance for her entire career. Authors she has edited include Lisa Kleypas, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sally Thorne, Jude Deveraux, Elizabeth Lowell and Eloisa James. The name of the documentary about romance is called Love Beneath the Covers (2016), which is a fascinating look at the romance genre. Where's My Hero is a romance anthology that featured some of the good guys, and it's available in eBook and print.

This month the RePod is joined by Sherry Nicholas, a Customer Service Associate here at Muskingum County Library System. We talk a little bit about what the heck tech services is, how a book get processed and added to the system, and some of Sherry's favorite authors! For more information about MCLS, please visit us at muskingumlibrary.org If you'd like to submit your own Reread, Rewrite, Recommend books, or if you have any library questions for our guest hosts, please email Sarah at podcast@muskingumlibrary.org Books mentioned in this episode: Magic Hour - Kristin Hannah The Witch Haven - Sasha Peyton Smith The Klone and I - Danielle Steel Victories Greater than Death - Charlie Jane Anders Kristin Hannah, Mary Kay Andrews (Hissy Fit), Brenda Novak (Summer on the Island) (Silver Springs series), Emily March, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Danielle Steel Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner

Our Trailblazer episodes continue this week with Jayne Ann Krentz, who has done it all: writing for Vivian Stephens, writing historicals, writing contemporaries, writing space-set, fantasy, and paranormal romance, writing nonfiction about romance. In addition to managing life as JAK, Amanda Quick, Stephanie James and more, she's also a legend of the genre because of her vocal resistance to the way society, literature and academia talks about romance novels. In this episode, we talk about her journey and the way she continually reinvented herself to keep writing, about the importance of writers' core stories, about genre and myth making, and about the role of romance in the world. We could not be more grateful to Jayne Ann Krentz for making time for Fated Mates. Next week, our first read-along of the year will be Lisa Valdez's Passion, an erotic historical published in 2005 that is W-I-L-D. There is a lot of biblical stuff at the world's fair. Also some truly bananas stuff that…sticks with you. Get it at Amazon, Apple, Kobo, or B&N.Thank you, as always, for listening! If you are up for leaving a rating or review for the podcast on your podcasting app, we would be very grateful! Show NotesWelcome Jayne Ann Krentz, she has had lot of pen names, including Jayne Taylor, Jayne Bentley, Stephanie James and Amanda Glass. Now she publishes under 3 names: Jayne Ann Krenz (contemporary), Jayne Castle (speculative fiction romance), and Amanda Quick (historical). She has said, “I am often asked why I use a variety of pen names. The answer is that this way readers always know which of my three worlds they will be entering when they pick up one of my books.”We read Ravished for the podcast in 2021, or three decades ago. You know how it goes in these pandemic times.People mentioned by Jayne: editor Vivian Stephens, author Barbara Delinksy, author Amii Loren, agent Steve Axelrod publishing executive Irwyn Applebaum, author Susan Elizabeth Phillips, author Kristin Hannah, author Debbie Macomber, author Christina Dodd, author Rachel Grant, author Darcy Burke, editor Leslie Gelbman, editor Cindy Wong, editor Patricia Reynolds Smith.

Vibe Check Gwen is BOOSTED! And she is glad she has planned for Thanksgiving in advance. Danielle is working through THE ACCIDENTAL PINUP's pass pages and book 2 revisions, and had an awesome chat with Denise Williams on the 11/19 episode of the Boozy Book Broads. Gwen is thankful for her move across the country, meeting silly dogs and pets in her neighborhood, and feel-good TV like Ted Lasso and Rick & Morty. Danielle is thankful for the health of her family, her dream coming true of becoming an author, her pandemic hobby (watercolor painting), Harlequin Desire romance novels (we chatted with Naima Simone and Reese Ryan on the pod), and Ted Lasso.  * Main Discussion Thank you to EVERYONE who sent in questions! Best New-to-You Author D: Edie Cay, Kaia Alderson, Bolu Babalola G: Abby Collette, Olivia Dade, Preslaysa Williams Holiday Book Recs D: YA-Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant, Cookbook-Simply Julia by Julia Turshen, Historical-The Kat Holloway Mystery series by Jennifer Ashley or Bombshell by Sarah MacLean, Mystery/Suspense: The Final Hour series by Juno Rushdan G: YA-a nice omnibus of a beloved YA classic series like The Hunger Games, Narnia, or Percy Jackson, Historical-anything by Lauren Willig, Mystery/Suspense: David Baldacci Favorite thing about the podcast G: having a creative outlet and building on our friendship D: working with Gwen! And doing deep dives. Holiday Shopping in 2021 D: we can actually go to stores, paring down on spending, and buying local as much as possible G: more online shopping for me, and trying to be thoughtful about gifts Movies We Are Looking Forward To G: King Richard and Tick, Tick... Boom! D: House of Gucci, Spider Man: No Way Home, The Hating Game, Downton Abbey: A New Era Favorite holiday food and Tradition D: Food-corn pudding. Tradition-Thanksgiving is the holiday we don't go anywhwere! G: Food-chunky mashed postates. Tradition-watching the dog show and the Macy's parade EBook Organization G: Impossible. Although I do love folders, but I can't ever find what I'm looking for again D: I don't! It's chaos!!! Guests on the Pod D: dream guests-Beverly Jenkins, Brenda Jackson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. We've been so lucky in our guests who have been so generous with their time, like Alyssa Cole, Talia Hibbert, Naima Simone, and Lauren Willig (and seriously, everyone else). G: we'd love to interview industry professionals-editors, agents, cover designers, screenwriters, actors, more film & tv critics, etc. * Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle watched a TON of TV (Succession, Dickinson, Call the Midwife, Only Murders in the Building, Howards End, Ted Lasso, Queen Sugar – goal achieved! This week she would like to finalize her holiday shopping lists. Gwen started journaling daily because Danielle sent her a one line a day journal! Her new goal is to sleep 7-8 hours a night, and trying to go to bed by 10pm. Danielle's Comfort: Harlequin Holiday Romance Novels! Moonlight, Menorahs, and Mistletoe by Wendy Warren, Christmas at the Chateau by Rochelle Alers, What He Wants for Christmas by Brenda Jackson, Christmas Miracle in Jamaica by Ann McIntosh and breakup albums (Adele's 30, Taylor's Red, and Kacey Musgrave's Star-Crossed) Gwen's Comfort: Cowboy Bebop, both the original anime and the new live action show. * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? Email us at danielle@freshfiction.com. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Today we're joined by Farrah Rochon, author of The Dating Playbook, to talk sports romances! We talked sports way back in season 1 (links below), but this is one of those tropes we're always happy to dig into! We get to the bottom of Farrah's love of football, we talk about competence porn and the human body as a superior tool, and we recommend a LOT of B O O K S! Don't miss Fated Mates LIVE! to celebrate the release of Sarah's next book, BOMBSHELL! Join us and some of our very favorite people on August 24th! Tickets are a copy of the book, and available at five participating romance friendly bookstores. Get them here! NEXT WEEK IS BOMBSHELL WEEK! Get it at Amazon, Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, or Bookshop.org, or at one of the participating romance-friendly bookstores hosting the Fated Mates Live/Virtual Bombshell Launch! Orders will come with a Fated Mates Sticker! Thank you, as always, for listening! Please follow us on your favorite podcasting app, and if you are up for leaving a rating or review there, we would be very grateful.Show NotesWelcome Farrah Rochon! Her newest book, The Dating Playbook just came out yesterday. She has another football series, the New York Sabres.The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing begin on February 4th, 2022. Here's an explainer for dressage, an Olympic equestrian event. The horse at the club dressage video on twitter, Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart watching the same video.The 1984 category romance about a woman competing in Equestrian events at the Olympics was originally called Summer Games and later changed to Remember Summer (which is available as an eBook), and it was by Elizabeth Lowell not Iris Johansen.How the horses travel to Tokyo, how the ice is made, and other articles about new sports at this year's Olympics. All about Rune, the Danish Destroyer. In season one, we did a fake engagement interstitial, but it's a very popular trope in 2021. Texas football culture is legendary, just look at some Texas high school football stadiums, including the one in Katy. If you're ever in Katy, we highly recommend a trip to Katy Budget Books.You might be interested in this article with statistics breaking down the average age of professional athletes by sport, and this list of oldest professional athletes by sport. The question of which Olympics sports have the oldest and youngest athletes is always a fascinating one. This year, the youngest athletes were 12: Syrian tennis table player Hend Zaza and Japanese skateboarder Kokona Hiraki. The oldest athlete is Australian equestrian Mary Hanna, who is 66.We interviewed Susan Elizabeth Phillips and also did a deep dive on the third book in the Chicago Stars series, Nobody's Baby But Mine. Pitch was a Fox show that was cancelled before its time. It turns out there are two real life ex-NFL players, Brian Orakpo and Michale Griffin who opened Gigi's Cupcake shop in Texas. So just read this article over and over again until we get all the deets on Jamie Wesley's forthcoming series.

On today's episode... Danielle traveled and hung out with a bunch of kids! Gwen survived the Seattle heatwave and didn't murder her husband in the process! Host Check-in! Gwen has had an eventful 2021 so far, including moving across the country, bringing back the FF podcast, finding her perfect Costco in her new city, and starting a new event planning job. Danielle has a pub date for her debut novel (but she can't share it just yet). Get ready for Summer 2022! What we've been READING Danielle: Bombshell by Sarah MacLean (August 24), The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon (August 17); Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson (August 3), The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (September 14), and slowly reading Emma by Jane Austen and will follow it up with Northanger Abbey. (PS: Danielle is moderating a virtual panel on Friday August 6 with Alexis Daria, Melonie Johnson, Sarah MacLean, Scarlett Peckham, and Farrah Rochon, all about BFFs in Romance) Gwen: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, The Checklist by Addie Woolridge, and I just started To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne (You've Got Mail reimagining!) What we've been WATCHING Gwen: Below Deck Med and Real Housewives of Potomac (Bravo) are back, baby! Kevin Can F Himself (AMC+), This is Pop (Netflix), Top Chef Portland season finale (Bravo), The Hustler (ABC), Starstruck (HBO Max), Hacks (HBO), Woolfgang (Disney+) Danielle: The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu), Much Ado About Nothing (Amazon Prime), Shadow and Bone (per Gwen's rec! On Netflix), In the Heights (HBO Max), We are Lady Parts (Peacock TV) PS: Look at all the pretty people in Much Ado About Nothing! What else we've been CONSUMING Danielle: Podcast: Unladylike. All the Trader Joe's snacks, specifically the Giant Peruvian Inca Corn Snacks and Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns. Gwen: Podcast: I Am All In with Scott Patterson. Carrie Underwood's Calia brand athleisure. Millionaire Cheesecakes and Lemon curd Cheesecakes from Costco. Ellenos Yogurt (Whole Foods and other specialty shops nationwide)   More Summer Fun! Gwen wants to see more friends and has some upcomiong visitors that will be very exciting! She and her husband are also trying to explore Western Washington more, and went to Mt. Rainier recently. She really wants to go to Forks, WA, and Danielle wholeheartedly supports this, even though neither of them got into Twilight AT ALL. Danielle is taking a family trip to a smalltown in Michigan to live that lake life. Also, she had brunch with friends recently and now wants to do that more (safely and within reason). * Recs from Marissa and Roseann Check out LSA's surprise boxes and their YouTube channel! Roseann loved the virtual event they hosted with Beverly Jenkins and Marissa has enjoyed the Boozy Book Broads, including Rosie Danan, Diana Biller, and Jackie Lau All the recs from our rapid fire section! Comfort Reads: Anything Beverly Jenkins, Anything Barbara Delinksey, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, Born in Fire by Nora Roberts. Books we think should be adapted for TV/Film: The Worst Best Man  by Mia Sosa, Modern Love Series by Alisha Rai, Jemima J by Jane Green, You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria. Dream Author Guests for store events or the podcast: Beverly Jenkins (in person!), Alyssa Cole, Suzanne Brockmann, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts Marissa is loving the warmer weather, Frappucinos, Skinny Pop Popcorn, and her dogs. Roseann is finding joy in warmer weather and getting outside more. Follow LSA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, shop their online store, sign up for their newsletter, and check out their Patreon! Also, head to their website for the latest info on events, store hours, and everything else: https://lovessweetarrow.com/ **After this interview was recorded in the springtime, Love's Sweet Arrow and the Boozy Book Broads have put together a NEW Summer Sultry Box with handpicked items by the BBBs, LSA, and a special Novelly Yours Candle called Boozy Books on the Beach!** Goals/Comfort & Joy Gwen did not start un-crossing her legs while working, but it's a work in progress. Gwen's new goal is to find GP/doctors for her and her husband in WA and a vet/groomer for their dog. This week, she has found joy in having her brother and his partner visit soon! Danielle successfully traveled across the country and didn't spiral (too much). Danielle's new goal is to survive family vacation! And this week, she wants to give a special shout out to Novelly Yours Candles. Some of her faves: Book Club, Tarot Reading, Rose All Day, Thriller, and The Muse.   Follow Up: The Worst Best Man [DD1]

The Fab Five celebrate the launch of Kristin Harmel's The Forest of Vanishing Stars by putting on a short, stirring, and emotional Broadway-style mini-musical (with a gravitas that honors the subject matter) written and composed by the uber-talented Kristin Harmel. Special musical guests include Broadway actress Christina Sivrich Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg, and F&F's behind-the-scenes A/V whiz Shaun Hettinger, composer of TV theme songs and the lead singer of the band MEMORYY. Later in the episode, the authors are joined by bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips along with Brenda & Lisa of the The F&F Official Book Club who each present an original cocktail recipe inspired by Kristin's book.

We are so excited to have absolute romance legend Susan Elizabeth Phillips with us to discuss every fangirly question we had for her! We talked about her new book, When Stars Collide, the latest in the Chicago Stars series, about her role in inventing the sports romance, about the opera and the way she thinks about her career after a few decades of writing. We had the BEST time. Our next read along, sometime in July, is Cat Sebastian's wonderful Unmasked by the Marquess. Get it at Amazon, Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, or Bookshop.org. Thank you, as always, for listening! Please follow us on your favorite podcasting app, and if you are up for leaving a rating or review there, we would be very grateful! Show NotesWelcome Susan Elizabeth Phillips! We talked about an earlier book in the Chicago Stars series, Nobody's Baby But Mine in season two. Speaking of amazing stories about opera singers, last week, an opera singer in Pennsylvania gave birth in the car while her husband was driving. As it turns out, the Opera in Verona is a pretty big deal! If you're ever in Chicago, go to The Lyric Opera and then let Jen know because she wants someone to go with her. The Chicago Children's Choir is amazing, too and they often collaborate with the CSO and Lyric Opera.All you need to know about the totally awesome Chicago Flag, and why it's better than most city flags. The Dangerous Men, Adventurous Women anthology, which explored the genre from the perspective of romance authors instead of academics, was published in 1992.Jen was on Learning the Tropes to talk about Kiss an Angel if you want to hear more about it. There are really cool things and really bad things about the Chicago River. You can preorder signed copies of Bombshell from Word Bookstore in Brooklyn.

John Charles in conversation with Susan Elizabeth Phillips

info@podcastone.comc31276ba-9285-447e-925a-0368b84

We're back to read alongs this week! We're big Kylie Scott fans here at Fated Mates, and we talked about her Stage Dive series all the way back in Season One on our very first interstitial, and now we're doing a deep dive. We'd intended to do book three, Lead, but we ended up talking about all four, and honestly, rereading this was pretty great for us. We hope it was great for you, too. Our next read along, sometime in July, is Cat Sebastian's wonderful Unmasked by the Marquess. Get it at Amazon, Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, or Bookshop.org.Thank you, as always, for listening! Please follow us on your favorite podcasting app, and if you are up for leaving a rating or review there, we would be very grateful!Show NotesSarah has a book coming on August 24th! Preorder Bombshell now. You won't regret it.Everyone is struggling with getting dressed again. It's a 1001 in the 1001 Dark Nights series as an homage and allusion to Scheherazade, the story-teller of the Arabian Nights. We also love the VIP series by Kristen Callihan, and the 4th book in that series, Exposed, comes out next month, July 2021.On our upcoming episode with Susan Elizabeth Phillips, where she told us that back in the day, “rock stars, actors, and athletes” were not allowed in the early days of romance. We aren't sure why, but we speculate that it was fear of putting “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” and other high roller lifestyles on page. If you want to join the OSRBC group (Old School Romance Book Club) on Facebook, make sure to answer the three questions if you want to be admitted.Beverly Jenkins liked the Stage Dive series, too.Andi Arndt is the narrator of all Kylie's books, including the entire Stage Dive series, and Jen thinks she is terrific. The Captains' Vegas Vows has a similar set up to Lick: waking up married in Vegas, and only one of them remembered what happened. “Retcon” is a word that started out as shorthand for retroactive continuity, and here's a piece from Merriam-Webster explaining its remarkable elasticity.Hyperemesis gravidarum is the medical term for severe morning sickness, which affects about one percent of pregnant people. DC comics claims that Batman doesn't go down, but the internet and everyone else on twitter and even Zach Snyder disagred. But in all seriousness, maybe it's just another interesting data point about America turning back towards the Hays Code and continuing to remove sex from all kinds of media.Thelma and Louise does have a great ending, you can't argue with that. And since 2021 is the 30th anniversary of the film's release, there are lots of interesting retrospectives on the movie.Desmond Morris is an English zoologist who outlined the 12 stages of intimacy -- hey, humans are animals, too! Our July interviews will be with Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nicola Yoon, and Nikki Sloane. Our July read-along is Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian.

Vibe Check This week, Gwen is feeling good about moving around more throughout the day and getting settled in her new city! Danielle has been reading a TON lately. She's working her way through the Y: The Last Man graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, and she read a magical Ethiopian Jane Eyre retelling (yes, you read that right) called Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood (Sorry, it doesn't come out until November, but you should totally preorder it!). INDULGENCES When D thinks of indulgences in pop culture she thinks of shows in the early Aughts, like Gossip Girl and Revenge. Also, the Harlequin Desire line of category romances, which are described as being about the “American elite.” Back in the Texan's Bed by Naima Simione and Waking Up Married by Reese Ryan (future podcast guest!) are two recent releases she enjoyed. Of course, watching any of the Real Housewives franchises or even the Kardashians—but it's interesting when the people on these shows are “messy” like everyone else, and watching them mess up is very entertaining. Gwen really loved the English translation and Netflix adaptation of 365 Days by Blanka Lipinska! Also, she enjoys aspirational life-style reality TV like Million Dollar Listing, Selling Sunset, and The Big Day. Also, remember how sumptuous and vibrant old technicolor moves were? Like Sunset Boulevard and Imitation of Life. What do our indulgences say about us? You tell us! Gwen: Taking a long shower, putting on lotion, and getting in fresh sheets, Midnight Cookie runs, Rachel's Ginger Beer, Seattle donuts, and Omakase sushi menus Danielle: Ipsy subscription, ordering lunch at least once a week, Starbucks at least once a week (under normal circumstances, it's definitely more than that), ALL the streaming services, and buying books! Recent buys: Why She Wrote by the Bonnets at Dawn hosts, Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce, and a Kindle Oasis Recs from Angelina! Looking for great sex scenes in romance? Look to early Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Theresa Medeiros, Laura Kinsale, Sierra Simone Angelina, Danielle, and Melonie Johnson host the Boozy Book Broads chat every 3rd Friday of the Month on Love's Sweet Arrow's YouTube channel. Some of her favorite chats have been with Rosie Danan, Diana Biller, and Naima Simone. Coming soon: a new series by Angelina with Carina Press about 3 Mexican American sisters set in a small-town Kansas bar. Check out http://www.angelinamlopez.com/ for her blog, short stories, and much more! You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and sign up for her newsletter. You can read her books: LUSH MONEY, HATE CRUSH, and SERVING SIN (our pals at Love's Sweet Arrow have SIGNED copies of all of Angelina's books right now!!)   Goals/Comfort & Joy  Gwen has been unpacking like crazy and is so close to getting everything done in her new place that she is going to carry this one over for another couple of weeks! Danielle has been working on her patience and that has been helped by some much-needed distance—plus she is planning on taking a trip to see family soon! This week, Danielle wants to stop drinking coffee and see what happens. Wish her luck! Gwen's new couch, the Lovesac Sactional, is bringing her immense joy! Danielle has simplified her skincare routine and loves the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

It's time to discuss June releases. Join Natalia, Sara, Kristin, Stacy, Brooke, and Shannon as they share some of the titles they can't wait to read. Books mentioned include: Susan Elizabeth Phillips, When Stars Collide (Chicago Stars #9) Lacie Waldon, The Layover India Holton, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels (Dangerous Damsels #1) Shannon Mayer, Midlife Zombie Hunter (Forty Proof #5) Jennifer L. Armentrout, Grace and Glory (Harbinger #3) Laura McHugh, What's Done In Darkness Lauren Layne, To Sir, with Love Emilie Richards, The House Guests H.E. Edgmon, The Witch King (The Witch King #1) Katee Roberts, Neon Gods (Dark Olympus #1) Alex Michaelides, The Maidens Julia Lynn Rubin, Trouble Girls Kelly Rimmer, The Warsaw Orphan Kristan Higgins, Pack Up the Moon Taylor Jenkins Reid, Malibu Rising Kennedy Ryan, Real (Hollywood Renaissance #1) Clare Mackintosh, The Hostage Jamie Brenner, Blush You can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting: https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/ You can also send an email to: TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.com For more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit: http://anchor.fm/book-bistro

Announcing the HarperCollins titles that were selected for the June 2021 LibraryReads list. Congratulations to THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT by Marianne Cronin, OUR WOMAN IN MOSCOW by Beatriz Williams, and THE QUEER PRINCIPLES OF KIT WEBB by Cat Sebastian! We also congratulate Laura Lippman, author of DREAM GIRL, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, author of WHEN STARS COLLIDE, on being inducted into the Hall of Fame! Be sure to stay tuned for clips from the authors. For more information on these titles, go to bit.ly/june21LR We also have a phone number! Call 212-207-7773 and leave us a message—it might end up on the show! You can find us on Facebook (@librarylovefest), Twitter (@librarylovefest), and Instagram (@harperlibrary).

This week Jen Prokop of Fates Mates and Jen Reads Romance fame joins us to talk about Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and it is a DOOZY! We talk telepathy with tigers, secret royals and circus weddings. This is a really fun one! Read- Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips   Watch-   The Challenge: All Stars (Paramount +)   Rutherford Falls (Peacock)   Find Jen- Twitter @JenReadsRomance Website JenReadsRomance Podcast Fates Mates   WE HAVE MERCH! Go to Tee-Public to get T-Shirts, Totes, Onesies and MORE: http://tee.pub/lic/learningthetropes   Find us- Instagram @learningthetropes Twitter @learningtropes Facebook Learning The Tropes Podcast Join The Learning The Tropes Troop! email: learningthetropespodcast@gmail.com  

We have had all our shots and we are back in the same room so get ready for some seriously overexcited people!  (That would be us but it would also be the people in this book.)  Fancy Pants by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - she's a British socialite with big "See You Next Tuesday" energy, he's a hot redneck golfer with a self esteem problem, they slap each other in parking lots more than the average couple does!  Secret babies!  Imaginary Jack Nicklaus!  Real Jack Nicklaus!  Riches to rags to riches!  Found families!  The weirdest citizenship ceremony you have ever seen in a book! We ended up really enjoying this book but the content warnings are not a joke, y'all.  It's got dead toddlers, non-custodial kidnapping, sexual assault of underaged girls, a guy you previously liked being a complete monster to a nine year old child, the n-word, 80's homophobia, fat shaming perpetrated by Eva Peron, some ladies who may or may not even be sex workers getting called "semi-hookers"... it is a ride and it is not a particularly safe or sanitary ride.  This ride has not been inspected by anybody.  Not even that sketchy dude who smokes around the gas cans. Nobody has signed off on this ride and you are getting on it at your own risk.  It does, however, have a good heart and real emotional growth in it.  It's a lot.   

Jami Albright is a born and raised Texas girl and is the multiple award-winning author of the “Brides on the Run” series and the “Small Town Royalty” series, which are fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud rom-coms. She is also a wife, mother, an actress, comedian, and a devout fan of something called the Houston Texans. I'm not sure what that is, but I always love hanging out with Jami anyway. She makes me laugh and she absolutely blew up my TBR list with her “Best Of” Trope recommendations.   Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon   Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram/Facebook   Guest: Jami Albright Website/Instagram/Facebook/TikTok   Episode Sponsor: Books2Read Pocket Garden Books2Read has curated a selection of feel-good springtime reads from across the publishing spectrum. From humorous fiction to romantic comedies, heart-warming literature, to feel-good nonfiction. There's even a selection of "happy pocket garden covers" because just looking at those beautiful covers will make you feel the spring sunshine on your face.   Discussed in this episode: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (Jami recommends this one in audio) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter Faith Hunter Patricia Briggs Ilona Andrews Locked in Love: A Quarantine Novella by Jami Albright   Lightning Round: Jami's Favorite Romances by Trope   Enemies to Lovers: The Worst Best Man by Lucy Score It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas   Wounded Heroes Look the Part by Jewel E. Ann   Secret Baby Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips   Opposites Attract Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas   Time Travel Parallel by Elizabeth O'Roarke Intersect by Elizabeth O'Roarke   Over 40 Aftercare by L.B. Dunbar   Male-Male Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen   Paranormal Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward   Billionaire Tangled by Emma Chase   Rock Star Romance Running From a Rockstar by Jami Albright Lick by Kylie Scott   (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you shop using my affiliate link on Bookshop, a portion of your purchase will go to me, at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting indie bookstores and for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

Jami Albright is a born and raised Texas girl and is the multiple award-winning author of the “Brides on the Run” series and the “Small Town Royalty” series, which are fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud rom-coms. She is also a wife, mother, an actress, comedian, and a devout fan of something called the Houston Texans. I’m not sure what that is, but I always love hanging out with Jami anyway. She makes me laugh and she absolutely blew up my TBR list with her “Best Of” Trope recommendations.   Support the Best Book Ever Podcast on Patreon   Follow the Best Book Ever Podcast on Instagram or on the Best Book Ever Website   Host: Julie Strauss Website/Instagram/Facebook   Guest: Jami Albright Website/Instagram/Facebook/TikTok   Episode Sponsor: Books2Read Pocket Garden Books2Read has curated a selection of feel-good springtime reads from across the publishing spectrum. From humorous fiction to romantic comedies, heart-warming literature, to feel-good nonfiction. There's even a selection of "happy pocket garden covers" because just looking at those beautiful covers will make you feel the spring sunshine on your face.   Discussed in this episode: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (Jami recommends this one in audio) Outlander by Diana Gabaldon Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 99 Percent Mine by Sally Thorne Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter Faith Hunter Patricia Briggs Ilona Andrews Locked in Love: A Quarantine Novella by Jami Albright   Lightning Round: Jami’s Favorite Romances by Trope   Enemies to Lovers: The Worst Best Man by Lucy Score It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas   Wounded Heroes Look the Part by Jewel E. Ann   Secret Baby Nobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips   Opposites Attract Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas   Time Travel Parallel by Elizabeth O’Roarke Intersect by Elizabeth O’Roarke   Over 40 Aftercare by L.B. Dunbar   Male-Male Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy Understatement of the Year by Sarina Bowen   Paranormal Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward   Billionaire Tangled by Emma Chase   Rock Star Romance Running From a Rockstar by Jami Albright Lick by Kylie Scott   (Note: Some of the above links are affiliate links. If you shop using my affiliate link on Bookshop, a portion of your purchase will go to me, at no extra expense to you. Thank you for supporting indie bookstores and for helping to keep the Best Book Ever Podcast in business!)

Don't have time to waste on terrible books? Join Kim and Aimee for a rather serious discussion as they review Susan Elizabeth Phillips's 'It Had To Be You', a contemporary romance and the first novel in the 'Chicago Stars' series. Warning: This book features a plotline about rape.  

Do you like sports? No? Do you like stories of drama surrounding sports? Then we have some books for you! As always, we’ll end with what we’re reading this week. Books and other media mentioned in this episode: Ted Lasso (TV) Friday Night Lights (TV) Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, and a Dream by H.G. Bissinger (buy on Bookshop) Friday Night Lights (film) Ann’s picks: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (buy on Bookshop) – Newbery Medal – YALLfest – Booked by Kwame Alexander (buy on Bookshop) Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (buy on Bookshop) – Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips – Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (buy on Bookshop) – Sarah MacLean books The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (buy on Bookshop) Halle’s picks: Beartown by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) – A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) – Beartown (TV) – Us Against You by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) – Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (buy on Bookshop) Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu (buy on Bookshop) – From the Front Porch (podcast) – Check, Please! series by Ngozi Ukazu You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott (buy on Bookshop) – Megan Abbott books – Dare Me by Megan Abbott (buy on Bookshop) What We’re Reading This Week: Ann: First Comes Like by Alisha Rai (buy on Bookshop) – Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai (buy on Bookshop) – Modern Love series by Alisha Rai Halle: The Survivors by Jane Harper (buy on Bookshop) – Jane Harper books – The Likeness by Tana French (buy on Bookshop) Well-Read on Facebook Well-Read on Twitter Well-Read on Bookshop Well-Read on Instagram

with Angela Stephenson! Where we talk about: Valentine craft; Wi-fi hotspots to checkout; Digitizing the historic survey and inventory of the Old West Side;Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert; Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert;You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle; Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday; A Christmas Movie Christmas (2019); Midnight at the Magnolia (2020); Holidate (2020); Love, Guaranteed (2020); Roomies by Christina Lauren;Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren;The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan; The Bride Test by Helen Hoang; My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson; Fool’s Gold series by Susan Mallory; Virgin River series by Robyn Carr; Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn; The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang; Heaven, Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; Writer Friends series by Rachel Gibson; Aisling Grey series by Katie MacAlister; The Corset Diaries by Katie MacAlister; Say No to the Duke by Eloisa James; Nothing But Trouble by Amy Andrews; Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson; The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams; Sugarplum Way by Debbie Mason; One Day in December by Josie Silver; The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory; Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm; Tweet Cute by Emma Lord; You Say it First by Katie Cotugno;Windy City Magic series by Crystal Cestari; Lucy Valentine series by Heather Webber; And more!

New York Times bestselling author and master of the rom-com, Susan Eizabeth Phillips, joins the Fab Five for a raucous Valentine's Day themed episode. Come along for a wild ride as these six ladies play "Literary Spin the Bottle," a game made up by Mary Kay Andrews. Each author answers rapid-fire questions about their first literary crush, favorite couple from each author's own books, first romance novel they remember reading...oh, and all six authors read their own real-life meet-cute stories. Love was in the air—along with lots of laughs. https://susanelizabethphillips.com/

Reflections on how Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Ann Krentz modeled author friendships for me, the old people's website, and the perils of hand-drawn maps.You can see the Susan and Jayne shows here and here (among other places, I'm sure).First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!Support the show (http://paypal.me/jeffekennedy)

PLUS: It's our second day of work-from-home and who really needs to wear hard pants? We talk to author Susan Elizabeth Phillips who has some HOT GOSSIP from the world of TV and movies AND TV: BIG SKY on ABC is our new show!

Long-time friends and romance author Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Anne Krentz join the Friends & Fiction authors for a hilarious bonus episode and deliver what might be our best writing tips yet. https://susanelizabethphillips.com https://jayneannkrentz.com

Today’s interview guest is Carly Bloom today. Carly wrote Big Bad Cowboy which was my first cowboy romance and it was so good. It is a must read! In this interview, we chatted about what was Carly’s journey to get her book published, what it’s like to write small town romances and of course a round of book recommendations.  BOOKS RECOMMENDED Color Me Crazy by Carol Pavliska Big Bad Cowboy bu Carly Bloom  Cowboy Come Home by Carly Bloom  Must Love Cowboy by Carly Bloom  Haruki Murakami Dance Away With Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips  Jock Blocked by Pippa Grant Jace by Sasha Summers   Accidentally Family by Sasha Summers  Seven Stones to Stand or to Fall by Diana Gabaldon Second Chance Cowboy by Makenna Lee  Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday  Mermaid Inn by Jenny Holiday Cowboy for Keeps by Laura Drake Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon   PREORDER CARLY'S UPCOMING BOOK Must Love Cowboys by Carly Bloom-  https://amzn.to/33W6dWj   CONNECT WITH CARLY BLOOM Facebook group Twitter  Instagram Website SUPPORT THE WHAT TO READ NEXT PODCAST! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends   JOIN PATREON COMMUNITY  Join the What to Read Next Podcast Patreon Romance Book Club. We are offering one tier Weekly Recommendation + Early Access to Author Interviews and other bonus podcast content + Access to Patron-only Facebook Group:  + Twice a month Zoom meetups (Backlist Book Club &  Author Q&A ) + Conversation with Publishers + Rolling IG Chat: $5  This is a great romance loving community where you will get book recommendations, make new friends and an opportunity to discover to new to you authors, series and genres to binge on.  Want to join the fun? Sign up today; https://bit.ly/WTRNRomanceBookClub   FROLIC PODCAST NETWORK  What to Read Next Podcast is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!    CONNECT WITH LAURA YAMIN  WhattoReadNextBlog.com  Instagram  Goodreads Twitter 

Welcome to the What to Read Next Podcast. Today’s guest is Odette from RomanceBookJunkie from Instagram. In this episode, we chat recommendations for historical and paranormal. We share a bit of Sexy Series Sunday with a few series for you to check out.    BOOKS RECOMMENDED: Harry Potter by JK Rowling Nora Roberts    Marriage of Convenience  Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips     Beauty and the Beast Retelling The Dark One by Ronda Thompson  (Historical/Paranormal)   Historical Romance Authors Lisa Kleypas Julia Quinn Eloisa James  Tessa Dare    Medieval Romance  The Bride by Julie Garwood    Paranormal Romance  Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward Immortal After Dark by Kresley Cole Lords of Underworld by Gena Sholwalter    ScI Fi  Starbreaker by Amanda Bouchet    Fantasy Romance  Fantasyland by Kristen Ashley    Anticipated New Releases Munro by Kresley Cole  A Dark and Stormy Night by Kerrigan Byrne   The Earl I Ruined by Scarlett Peckham  Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase (Beauty and the Beast)  Wolf Gone Wild by Juliette Cross (Great gateway Paranormal series) Barenuckle Bastards series by Sarah MacLean Heart of Blood and Ashes by Milla Vane  The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham My Fake Rake by Eva Leigh Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey  White Hot by Ilona Andrews  Love under Quarantine by Kylie Scott and Audrey Carlan CONNECT WITH ODETTE Instagram  Goodreads Sexy Series Sunday  SUPPORT THE WHAT TO READ NEXT PODCAST! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends   JOIN PATREON COMMUNITY  Join the What to Read Next Podcast Patreon Romance Book Club. We are offering one tier Weekly Recommendation + Early Access to Author Interviews and other bonus podcast content + Access to Patron-only Facebook Group:  + Twice a month Zoom meetups (Backlist Book Club &  Author Q&A ) + Conversation with Publishers + Rolling IG Chat: $5  This is a great romance loving community where you will get book recommendations, make new friends and an opportunity to discover to new to you authors, series and genres to binge on.  Want to join the fun? Sign up today; https://bit.ly/WTRNRomanceBookClub   FROLIC PODCAST NETWORK  What to Read Next Podcast is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!    CONNECT WITH LAURA YAMIN  WhattoReadNextBlog.com  Instagram  Goodreads Twitter   

We did it y'all. Yr girls have arrived at the final stop on this Entrop[e]y tour with one last trope: the secret baby. This week, Morgan and Isabeau tackle the culture wars relic, Nobody’s Baby But Mine, Book 3 in the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Jane Darlington, a 34 year old physics professor, wants a baby. But she doesn’t want that baby to be a smarty pants weirdo like their mom. The solution: fuck a dumb guy. Who better than star quarterback and potential neanderthal Cal Bonner? But when Cal proves to have brains to match his brawn, Jane learns how poor calculations can still yield positive if strange results. What are the hallmarks of a good girl? Who should get a second chance? What even is a clip on headband? We’re closing this thing out with a bang y’all so call a sitter. Whoa!mance is a part of the Frolic Podcast Network.

Authors on the Air host Pam Stack welcomes back international best-selling women's fiction / romance author SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS to the studio to talk about her new book DANCE AWAY WITH ME. Susan Elizabeth Phillips (born December 11,) is a romance and women's fiction novelist from the United States. She is the creator of the sports romance and has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy. Find out more by reading hher very funny biography here https://susanelizabethphillips.com/all-about-me/. SEP won the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network's ROMANCE BOOK OF THE YEAR for First Star I see Tonight (still my all-time favorite romance which I have read 10 times ~ Pam) DANCE AWAY WITH ME: Run, run, as fast as you can! When life throws her one setback too many, midwife and young widow Tess Hartsong takes off for Runaway Mountain. In this small town high in the Tennessee mountains, surrounded by nature, she hopes to outrun her heartbreak and find the solace she needs to heal. But instead of peace and quiet, she encounters an enigmatic artist with a craving for solitude, a fairy-tale sprite with too many secrets, a helpless infant, a passel of curious teens, and a town suspicious of outsiders, especially one as headstrong as Tess. Just as headstrong, is Ian North, a difficult, gifted man with a tortured soul—a man who makes Tess question everything. In running away to this new life, Tess wonders— Has she lost herself . . . or has she found her future? @copyrighted. Listen LIVE on on Spotify or your favorite podcast app.

Authors on the Air host Pam Stack welcomes back international best-selling women's fiction / romance author SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS to the studio to talk about her new book DANCE AWAY WITH ME. Susan Elizabeth Phillips (born December 11,) is a romance and women's fiction novelist from the United States. She is the creator of the sports romance and has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy. Find out more by reading hher very funny biography here https://susanelizabethphillips.com/all-about-me/. SEP won the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network's ROMANCE BOOK OF THE YEAR for First Star I see Tonight (still my all-time favorite romance which I have read 10 times ~ Pam) DANCE AWAY WITH ME: Run, run, as fast as you can! When life throws her one setback too many, midwife and young widow Tess Hartsong takes off for Runaway Mountain. In this small town high in the Tennessee mountains, surrounded by nature, she hopes to outrun her heartbreak and find the solace she needs to heal. But instead of peace and quiet, she encounters an enigmatic artist with a craving for solitude, a fairy-tale sprite with too many secrets, a helpless infant, a passel of curious teens, and a town suspicious of outsiders, especially one as headstrong as Tess. Just as headstrong, is Ian North, a difficult, gifted man with a tortured soul—a man who makes Tess question everything. In running away to this new life, Tess wonders— Has she lost herself . . . or has she found her future? @copyrighted. Listen LIVE on on Spotify or your favorite podcast app.

Authors on the Air host Pam Stack welcomes back international best-selling women's fiction / romance author SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS to the studio to talk about her new book DANCE AWAY WITH ME. Susan Elizabeth Phillips (born December 11,) is a romance and women's fiction novelist from the United States. She is the creator of the sports romance and has been called the “Queen of Romantic Comedy.  Find out more by reading hher very funny biography here https://susanelizabethphillips.com/all-about-me/. SEP won the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network's ROMANCE BOOK OF THE YEAR for First Star I see Tonight  (still my all-time favorite romance which I have read 10 times ~ Pam) DANCE AWAY WITH ME:  Run, run, as fast as you can! When life throws her one setback too many, midwife and young widow Tess Hartsong takes off for Runaway Mountain. In this small town high in the Tennessee mountains, surrounded by nature, she hopes to outrun her heartbreak and find the solace she needs to heal. But instead of peace and quiet, she encounters an enigmatic artist with a craving for solitude, a fairy-tale sprite with too many secrets, a helpless infant, a passel of curious teens, and a town suspicious of outsiders, especially one as headstrong as Tess. Just as headstrong, is Ian North, a difficult, gifted man with a tortured soul—a man who makes Tess question everything. In running away to this new life, Tess wonders— Has she lost herself . . . or has she found her future? @copyrighted.  Listen LIVE on on Spotify or your favorite podcast app.

PLUS: It's trivia time with Rocco, JULIA'S RANDOM THOUGHTS: The trouble with peeing AND HOLLYWOOD SPEAK:

info@podcastone.com49540f3e-bba5-4fd3-943d-d19aa1ccd6d6Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:52:36 PDTLori & Julia00:13:05

On this episode, we feature a conversation between Susan Elizabeth Phillips, author of DANCE AWAY WITH ME, and her Editor Carrie Feron, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor at William Morrow and Avon books. DANCE AWAY WITH ME is available on June 9, 2020. Find the show notes here: https://bit.ly/2BwpVM9 Visit our website: librarylovefest.com. You can find us on Facebook (@librarylovefest), Twitter (@librarylovefest), and Instagram (@harperlibrary).

Welcome to the What to Read Next Podcast. Today’s guest is published author Lauren Layne. Lauren writes romance novels set in NYC. She has written 30+ books. In this interview, what it’s like publish books for multiple publishers, when is the right time to make a book PG or R rated and of course a round of book recommendations.    BOOKS MENTIONED Nancy Drew series by Carolne Keene Sweet Valley Twins by Francine Pascal  Lisa Kleypas Vivian Lorrett Julia Quinn Sarah MacClain Caroline Linden It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas  Perfect by Judith McNaught  Ain’t She Sweet by Susan Elizabeth Phillips  Meet You In the Middle by Devon Daniels  CONNECT WITH LAUREN LAYNE  Pinterest Course Website    JOIN THE CONVERSATION We have a What to Read Next Podcast Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/670746949971370/?ref=bookmarks)  where you can connect with fellow romance readers and get book recommendations!    SUPPORT THE WHAT TO READ NEXT PODCAST! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends   JOIN PATREON COMMUNITY  Join the What to Read Next Podcast Patreon Romance Book Club. Here are the perks: Weekly Recommendation + Early Access to Author Interviews and other bonus podcast content + Access to Patron-only Facebook Group + Twice a month Zoom meetups (Backlist Book Club & Book Rec Meetup) + Conversation with Publishers + Rolling IG Chat: $5  This is a great romance loving community where you will get book recommendations, make new friends and an opportunity to discover to new to you authors, series and genres to binge on.  Want to join the fun? Sign up today; https://bit.ly/WTRNRomanceBookClub   FROLIC PODCAST NETWORK  What to Read Next Podcast is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!    CONNECT WITH LAURA YAMIN  WhattoReadNextBlog.com  Instagram  Goodreads Twitter 

It's time to take a look at some of what's coming out in June. Stacy, Kristin, Shannon, Sara, Brooke, and Natalia highlight a few of the books they're most excited to read. Books mentioned are: Kristan Higgins, Always the Last To Know Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half Kim Harrison, American Demon (Return To the Hollows #1) Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Dance Away with Me Kimberly Belle, Stranger In the Lake Emily Giffin, The Lies That Bind Karen Robards, The Black Swan of Paris Rebecca Ross, Sisters of Sword and Song J. Courtney Sullivan, Friends and Strangers Grace Draven, Dragon Unleashed (Fallen Empire #2) Robyn Harding, The Swap B.A. Paris, The Dilemma Kester Grant, The Court of Miracles (A Court of Miracles #1) Nalini Singh, Alpha Night (Psy/Changeling Trinity #4) Chanel Cleeton, The Last Train To Key West Talia Hibbert, Take a Hint, Dani Brown (Brown Sisters #2) Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Mexican Gothic Elle Kennedy, The Dare (Briar U #4) You can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting: https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/ You can also send an email to: TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.com For more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit: http://anchor.fm/book-bistro.

Ellen and Mom discuss the Susan Elizabeth Phillips classic, Kiss an Angel. How well has this book aged in 24 years? Come hang out with us! Twitter/Instagram: @notyourmomsromFacebook Group: Not Your Mom's Facebook GroupEmail: notyourmomsromancebookclub@gmail.comNot Your Mom's Romance Book Club is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

We are feeling really proud of ourselves this week because Nobody’s Baby But Mine was the perfect isolation read for us both. The reread confirmed to both of us that this is, beat-for-beat, one of the best romcoms of all time. We’re talking problematic plots, the 90s, what we expect from jerk heroes and how Susan Elizabeth Phillips is better at flawed characters than anyone else in the game.We love having you with us! — subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and like/review the podcast, please!In two weeks, we’re reading Victoria Dahl’s Taking the Heat. We know it’s tough to get it in print, but find it in e at your local library or at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, or in print, mailed from your local indie (which is probably still shipping!)Show NotesAmericans are stress buying chickens. Yes, eggs are more expensive, but this is not a good idea.Speaking of chicks, now that Jen knows what happens to the chicks in the hatchery at the Museum of Science and Industry, she's back on Team Train Room.One day, we'll be able to visit the Butterfuly exhibit at the Museum of Natural History again.Nick Heath and Conor McGahey have figured out a way to keep those announcing skills sharp.Jen's interviewing YA authors on TikTok.When it comes to the SEP-Multiverse, we like the whackadoodle one at the circus (Kiss an Angel), the one with Bobby Tom (Heaven Texas), the one with the lazy golfer (Lady Be Good), and the one with Sugar Beth (Ain't She Sweet).What happened to the Lamont House romance collection?Charlotte Stein has a suggestion for authors of contemporary romance.Last year, Sarah wrote about technology in romance for the Washington Post.We talked about Prisoner of My Desire with Joanna Shupe, which is another book about a heroine who has done something very wrong.Maybe you're looking for actual secret baby books.The one with bad sex is Call Me Irresistible.After 9/11, Saturday Night Live and The Onion had to figure out how to be funny again.Our next book is Taking the Heat (aka Cunnilingus Gabe) by Victoria Dahl.

We are very pro health care workers these days — we love all of you…doctors, nurses, EMTs, home health aides…if you know how to work a stethoscope, we’re into you. This week, we’re taking about some of our favorite medical romances. Listen for Jen getting thoughtful, and Sarah getting wildly inappropriate. We’re all just doing our best.We love having you with us! — subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and like/review the podcast, please!Next week, we’re reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s Nobody’s Baby But Mine, and we cannot WAIT. We know it’s tough to get it in print, but find it in e at your local library or at: Amazon (free in Kindle Unlimited!), Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, or in print, mailed from your local indie (which is probably still shipping!).Show NotesAs we all shelter in place, romance twitter has been very entertaining. Julia Kelly posted a thread where she posed her pets as romance novel covers, and everyone had fun with it. Sarah also loved this one about a dog who howls along with the Law and Order theme song.We forgot to tell you last week when we talked about Devil's Bride that Stephanie Laurens has a new book out, The Inevitable Fall of Christopher Cynster. We also have added information about how to pronounce Honoria and details about peach silk.Now is the time to get the BookBub daily romance email. Here's Sarah's Bookbub page.The nurse and doctor books were the backbone of early Mills and Boon romances, and the forerunner of the modern Harlequin Medical Romance; whereas Americans often find big, soapy hospital dramas on TV.Budleigh Salterton looks like a very nice place to hang out unless you are a bored American 12 year old.The roots of American and British romance are different, as proven by this absolutely WRONG LitHub romance essay. (They're wrong about romance a lot.)Sarah has talked about Radclyffe and the origin of Bold Strokes Books, but many of her romances are about doctors or set in hospitals.Jen doesn't really care too much about job details. Sorry not sorry.No one likes a Bloodletter. We want our historical doctors to be foreward thinking. Or as Eloisa James does in When Beauty Tamed the Beast, use a modern TV character like House as model for a hero.In Tempest, Jen spoke out inequities in acess to medical care for black patients, and that's still true today.If you're looking to see some "don't fuck your doctor" romances that definitely fall somewhere on the Simone Scale. Wrong by Jana Aston and Medicine Man by Saffron Kent.Jurgen Klopp wants you to put your hands away, and this amazing thread by comedian Laura Lexx and support all the Liverpool fans out there (especially Jen's brother).Jen's cool TikTok project is up and running, she's interviewing YA authors and hoping to get kids to read while they are sheltering in place.You can order buttons from Kelly and t-shirts from Jordandene.Next time, we'll be reading Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

This week we’re reading a favorite of both Sarah & Jen — Stephanie Laurens’s Devil’s Bride! We’re so excited to talk about ridiculous (we mean amazing) nicknames, about 30 page sex scenes, and about how we crushed our SATs thanks to romances like this one! We’re also hoping you are keeping a safe distance from others and washing your hands lots!We love having you with us! — subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and like/review the podcast, please!Next week, we’re reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips’s Nobody’s Baby But Mine, and we cannot WAIT. We know it’s tough to get it in print, but find it in e at your local library or at: Amazon (free in Kindle Unlimited!), Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, or your local indie.Show NotesPlease stay inside and stay safe if you can, and remember not to believe screenshots from your cousins.Here are some interesting and well-sourced tweets about coronavirus from a Fos (Friend of Sarah).Want to know the other books Jen ordered back in 2001? It was Grand Passion by Jane Ann Krennz, Prince of Swords Anne Stuart, and Innocence by Suzanne Forester. She still swears she didn't read any of them.Captain Jack's Woman was Stephanie Laurens' debut novel, not Devil's Bride. But it's the Bar Cynster that made her such a popular writer.Sometimes (ok, a lot) Jen shit-posts on twitter about conflict and writing. Sarah can't always have eyes on her, sorry.Jen thinks it was Amanda Quick that brought back old-fashioned names, but the only truly great Sylvesteris from disco."Eyes on stalks" is a real phrase, and so is rapaciously. On the other hand, here's a bunch of sex scene euphamisms.The Cynsters were at Waterloo, so we're not sure why busting through the hymen is such work for them.All about the Greek chorus.Lady Osbaldestone does have her own books, as do Devil and Honoria's kids.Veronica Mars illustrates the fan service problem.Jen is obsessed with the idea of "the imperial period" for musicians--and other kids of artists.Next time, we'll be reading Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Milk the Cow has long been a favourite cheese destination of mine and the many varied and creative pairings were an early inspiration for this very podcast! Cheesemonger Laura took me through a tasting with some weird and wonderful cheeses, discussed how cheese is similar to books in the ways they both tell a story, shared some tips on how to pair things with cheese and, for those intrepid listeners who stick it out until the end, some terribly cheesy puns as well! The cheese and the books: Wyfe of Bath, England - succulent, nutty, creamy, taste of old England The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is absolutely bonkers, witty and weird in that delightful English way. Set in an alternate Great Britain circa 1985 where time travel is routine, cloning is a reality (dodos are the resurrected pet of choice), and literature is taken very, very seriously. This book is ridiculously nutty, funky, fun and absorbing, smooth and creamy. Gjestost, Norway - Unusual, heated and reduced until it caramelizes. Extremely durable, sour but sweet, smooth and fudge-like Only the Animals by Ceridwen Dovey is made up of 10 fable-like tales told by the souls of animals killed in human conflicts in the past century or so. Each of these souls narrates their story and are playful and witty, beautifully written and poignant. This book has a depth and a sweetness, it is unusual and its fable-like style lends to the creamy, fudgy texture which just sticks with you and is a truly lovely read. Jacquin Tradition du Berry, France - smooth, dense, mild, lemony, clean and bright Mend the Living by Maylis de Kerangal. This story takes place over the twenty-four hours surrounding the resulting heart transplant, it is the story of the heart's journey – and the story of all the lives it will impact - in the hours between the accident that cuts short his life and the moment when his heart will begin to beat again in the body of someone else. The language is gorgeously smooth, rolling and warm whilst also clean and precise as this book examines the deepest feelings of everyone involved as they navigate decisions of life and death. It is a fine balance of emotion and pragmatism, definitely dense and altogether a book which can wash clean what is otherwise a turbulent story. Special extra ... the cheesiest book I know: Match me if you can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a romantic romp following the trials of matchmaker Annabelle as she attempts to land the hottest client in Windy City and falls in love in the process. So cheesy, really funny and just a nice, light read!

Shelf Love:Sign up for the email newsletter listWebsiteTwitterInstagramEmail: Andrea@shelflovepodcast.comSign up for the Shelf Love newsletter for bonus content!Guest Host: Kini Allen (Smexy Books)Instagram: @1KiniLeiTwitter: @kinilei1Listen to: Episode 5 with Kini Allen, where we discuss Time Served by Julianna KeyesBooks/MediaThe Cad and the Co-Ed by Penny Reid and LH Cosway (Rugby player and...co-ed)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34273458-the-cad-and-the-co-ed?from_search=true&qid=VLxIEd8dAE&rank=1What A Girl Wants (2003)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_a_Girl_Wants_(film)Bountiful by Sarina Bowen (hockey player and bartender)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34099086-bountifulNobody’s Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (football player and astrophysicist)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/73080.Nobody_s_Baby_But_Mine?from_search=true&qid=7YmoY4JybA&rank=1Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlinhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16119079-forever-my-girl?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=iWi0uTU2Em&rank=1Never Enough #4 from The Brown Family Series by Lauren Danehttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9273113-never-enough?from_search=true&qid=abky6xMeIi&rank=4Hold on Tight by Serena Bellhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43835264-hold-on-tight?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=grzhyNVFEh&rank=5Willing Victim by Cara McKenna changed the way Kini was reading romance (but no secret baby)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30901481-willing-victim?from_search=true&qid=z2p8yIL8Fo&rank=1Listener recommendations:Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson (@a_huszka)@HannahHeartsRomance begrudgingly admitted to liking Scoring the Player’s Baby by Naima Simone despite not liking this trope.@Phoenixindacity and @b.andherbooks seconded Kini’s recommendation for Bountiful by Sarina Bowen, and Phoenix also seconded The Cad and the Co-Ed.@MarisaElaineGettas loves Fumbled by Alexa Martin.Notes:Guttmacher Institute Study about abortion: https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2017/abortion-common-experience-us-women-despite-dramatic-declines-rates--Shelf Love is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts 

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting platform — and while you’re there, please leave us a like or a review!Next week, we’re releasing a little stocking stuffer for our Christmas Day episode, but we’re back in business on January 1, with the seasonally appropriate (at least in title) Born in Ice, by none other than the queen herself, Nora Roberts. Read Born in Ice at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo or your local indie.Question 1: Beth from Milwaukee asked, "I'm going to Iceland in December for my 10th wedding anniversary! I obviously need a book that has snow/cold and using body heat and -ahem- other activities for warmth. Bonus points if a volcano or other geological feature is a part of the story! Sub genre is not important, and yes I'm aware of the Ice Planet Barbarians."Our recommendations: From the deep recesses of Jen's brain, the only romance she can think of with a volcano, Eden Burning by Elizabeth Lowell. And that's from the 80s, so fair warning that it's likely to have problematic elements. When it comes to snuggly, warm, only one bed romances, you just need to use the internet! But Jen did write a piece about Only One Bed for Kirkus, which you should read. In the meantime, go watch Joe versus the Volcano, and then talking about Hawaii reminded Sarah of some bananas sounding book by Anne Stuart called Tangled Lies. But a few snowy romances: Beary Christmas Baby by Sasha Devlin or How the Dukes Stole Christmas.Question 2: Emily from Washington D.C. want our opinion aobut "the BEST star crossed lovers trope (it always gets me so good)."Our Recommendations: The reason Sarah thinks that star-crossed lovers have to end up unhappy is Romeo and Juliet, of course. But Jen thinks you should try Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn and Sarah recommends Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan, but comes with a whole suitcase of content warnings for domestic violence. In the interim, Jen read and recommends Forbidden Promises by Synithia Williams, the heroine falls in love with her sister's ex-husband! And of course, coming in the summer of 2020 comes Daring and the Duke by Sarah, which will also work. But you have to wait!Question 3: Megumi from San Antonio, TX is looking for "a contemporary of someone not Scottish going to Scotland and finding love. (Maybe England but mostly Scotland)"Our Recommendations: Jen lost her mind and said Unfixable by Tessa Bailey, but Willa is a heroine who goes to Ireland. She thinks it still counts. Sarah recommends a novella by Sophie Jordan called "In a Stranger's Bed" which was a Goldilocks retelling published in the Glamour anthology but which is currently unavailable so come on Sophie, get it together and put your stories up because they are ON FIRE. A few others you can try: A Duke by Default by Alyssa Cole, the Under the Kilt series by Melissa Blue, Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson, and Ten Days With the Highlander by Hayson Manning. Also, we didn't know what Adriana Herrera had up her sleeve when we recorded, but Mangos & Misteltoe is ADORABLE, and features to delicious Dominican heroines falling in love on a Scottish Baking Show. It's also a perfect holiday romance!Question 4: Becca wants "a funny contemporary, a true romcom, minimal trauma."Our recommendations: Jen thinks it doesn't exist. Sarah recommends going old school to Jennifer Crusie or Susan Elizabeth Phillips. If it helps, you should know that later this season, we'll be talking about Bet Me and Nobody's Baby But Mine. After we recorded, Sarah realized she should have recommended Christina Lauren, who she adores, and who she believes is one of the few authors writing real RomCom. If you haven't read Josh & Hazel's Guide to Not Dating, it's a very funny, very romantic friends-to-lovers romance! "What happened to romantic comedy" is an existential question for our time.Question 5: Laurel from NC wants a book that "Has marriage of convenience, preferably historical."Our recommendations: Sarah says Sherry Thomas better than everyone and recommends Ravishing the Heiress. Jen thinks The Duke Buys a Bride by Sophie Jordan might work. Sarah points out that in order to qualify, the marriage has to happen pretty early in the story. The marriage has to be part of the plot the whole time. Once again, there are so many of these we had trouble thinking of them on the spot, but in hindsight, Sarah would like you not to miss Amalie Howard's The Beast of Beswick or Scarlet Peckham's The Duke I Tempted. Bonus story from Jen about a Sherry Thomas YA book about Mulan called The Magnolia Sword.Question 6: Cara from Finland wants a book that "Has chosen families strongly included in the plot. Extra points if it's enemies-to-lovers with the heroine's family ready to kick the pining-but-unfortunately-dumbass hero's butt."Our recommendations: Whoa! That's a lot of asks all at once. Just reread IAD, Cara! This is the plot of Sarah's book A Scot in the Dark, so that's a good place to start. Lots of rock star romances have chosen family, try Kristen Callihan's series, and Managed will be a book that blooded Jen later this season. It's not linked via heroines, but Elle Kennedy's Hotter than Ever is bonkers sexy, a MMF menage, and has lots of found Navy SEAL family. In historicals, there are lots of sisterhood/brotherhood books. Try the Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas, or Lorraine Heath's Scoundrels of St. James!Question 7: Krystal from New Jersey is looking for "Childhood friends to lovers - historical! Where the Male is titled and the woman is not!"Our recommendations: There are so many that will work here. Sarah recommends Tessa Dare's first series, the Wanton Dairymaids (!!!) should work, try Godess of the Hunt. After recording, of course, a bunch of books came to mind! Try Kelly Bowen's You're the Earl That I Want, Vanessa Riley's The Butterfly Bride, and Loretta Chase's Last Night's Scandal.Question 8: Rosalie from the Chicago suburbs wants books she "can recommend to my 15 year old son. Have thought about Sarina Bowen’s Ivy Years. Although LJ Shen “Sinner of Saints” series is high school, seems too dark/gritty and I think he would not be able to suspend reality for some of the story lines given he is the same age."Our Recommendations: Sarah thinks the Sarina Bowen series you mentioned should work just fine. Adult romances that are adventure stories might work are the Hidden Legacy seriesby Ilona Andrews and Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik. Some actual YA Romance that Jen likes are The Way You Make me Feel and I Believe in a Thing Called Love, which are both by Maurene Goo. One of Jen's favorite YA books of all time is called The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. She also recommneds Not if I Save You First by Ally Carter. Some sports romances we recommend are the WAGS series by Naima Simone, especially Scoring Off the Field. Finally, The Deal by Elle Kennedy might be a good choice.Question 9: Jemma from Texas is looking for "Found family. Also with lots of good food descriptions. Not necessarily a chef romance though (they stress me out because chefs stay up so late at night; ugh, who does that?)"Our recommendations: This is such a perfect question for Sarah. She recommends the Recipe for Love series by Louisa Edwards. Another series by the same author is called the Rising Star Chefs. The Opposite of You by Rachel Higginson will work. Finally, American Dreamer by Adriana Herrera, and a series by Sabrina Sol. In hindsight, Sarah basically only recommended books with chefs in them. She's sorry. She has a problem.Question 10: Sara from Albuquerque wants a "Bodyguard trope where the person being guarded does NOT spend the whole book trying to escape the bodyguard because he/she doesn't think there is any danger even though it's incredibly obvious to everyone else. Bonus if the bodyguard character is female."Our recommendations: Jen recommends Sexy/Dangerous (female bodyguard) by Beverly Jenkins, which is fabulous. Nana Malone has a few, one in her royals seris, and another is Bodyguard to the Billionaire (female bodyguard) -- also, listen to Nana talk about Royal Romance on an interstitial last season!. And! Try HelenKay Dimon's Leave Me Breathless(female bodyguard), Katee Robert's Thalanian Dynasty series (male bodyguard/MMF menage) and Anna Zabo's Reverb (trans male bodyguard).Question 11: Molly from Washington has an AMA question about how to organize her Kindle books. She is also looking for a book that "Features a Grumpy/terse older brother’s friend (or older brother of friend) with smart mouth heroine, bonus points for SUPER HOT, some sort of road trip, or problem they have to solve much to their reluctance (trapped on a desert island?) basically Bowen and Mari

Stay tuned for the second half of the episode in December! Next week, just in time for your tryptophan induced coma, we’re talking Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels, which was on both Jen & Sarah’s list, and is on the lions’ share of Best Romance Novels Ever lists. We’ll get into why. Read Lord of Scoundrels at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo or your local indie.Show NotesQuestion 1: Ennis from New York asked, "is like Lothaire by Kresley Cole or Cold Cole Heartby K Webster, where the hero is someone who would be a villain in any other book. A megalomaniac, horribly damaged, murderous, whatever- and a heroine who takes NONE of his shit and brings him to his knees."Our Recommendations: The name of this trope is "morality chain" which might help you on your search for books like this. Sarah's Summer 2020 release Daring and the Duke is perfect for this question, but since it's not out yet, try The Masterpiece Duet by Skye Warren. The first is The King.Question 2: Lesley from Washington DC asked for books "with Jewish heroes and heroines, does not have to be holiday themed."Our recommendations: : Jen suggests Knit One, Girl Two and Cinnamon Blade by Shira Glassman. In fact, Jen was a special guest on the Heaving Bosoms podcast taking about Cinnamon Blade. Sarah recommends Craving Flight by Tamsen Parker and Dalliances and Devotion by Felicia Grossman. Stacey Agdern also writes about Jewish representation in romance and has written some novellas in the Rogue Anthologies. We also mentioned a great point that inspired a great thread by Felicia Grossman about Jewish characters in literature.Question 3: Daniela from Winnipeg had this AMA question: If there was a battle royale between all the IAD heroes, who would win? Does the answer change if they can't use weapons?Our Answer: The Wroth brothers would band togehter, Declan Chase has a real shot, and Lothaire wouldn't care. No matter who wins, Thronos goes down first. Jen mentioned someone who wrote about what would happen if all the US Presidents were in a knife fight. Enjoy.FWIW, Daniela also asked a question we skipped because we couldn't think of anything: A historical that has a silver fox duke and a spitfire heroine who exhausts the hell out of him. IDEAS? Let us know on twitter.Question 4: Kristen from DC! asked, "LGBTQ romance easily available in PRINT for my book club???? We do it through a local indie bookshop, and are having a hard time finding things other than Cat Sebastian/Olivia Waite from Avon."Our Recommendations: Adriana Herrera's American Dreamer series! Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. We think Vanessa North and KJ Charles might be print on demand, which many indie bookstores won't carry. Dreamspinner is a mess right now, but many great authors are there, including LaQuette's latest, Under His Protection, which Jen bought a copy of at Love's Sweet Arrow. Carina titles might be more easily available, so try Syncopation and the rest of the Twisted Wishes series by Anna Zabo. Jen mentioned Being Hospitable by Meka James, but it's just in E. But you should still read it for fun.Question 5: Courtney from the Bodice Tipplers Podcast wants to know what books made us fall in love with the genre.Our answer: Well, just listen to all of season 2 of Fated Mates! But Sarah mentioned Nobody's Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Jen mentioned a new book that has made her feel that way is The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. Julie Garwood and Jude Deveraux were old-school authors we both loved back in the day.Question 6: Ali in NYC had an AMA and a question: How is Eric Mortensen so good at podcast editing?Our answer: Well, he just is and you should contact him if you need podcast editing help.Ali also wanted recommendations about historicals with witches/magic. Our recommendations: So many of these are old school, because this is not a very popular trope right now, so please proceed with caution. Sarah recommended Bewitching by Jill Barnett and Jen recommended a pair of books by Teresa Medeiros, Breath of Magic and Touch of Enchantment. In fact, Jen reviewed Touch of Enchantment for The Book Queen. Post-recording, we thought of Sex and the Psychic Witch by Annette Blair, which is the first of a series where three sisters use their "magic powers for good and their good looks for seduction."Question 7: Hannah from Texas asked for a romance that "has a Lucy Liu in "Set It Up" type heroine getting her actual HEA. I need ball-busting energy falling in love with a guy/gal/whoever that deserves her."Our Recommendations: Sarah recommended The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma which has a corporate espionage plot. Jen was maybe thinking of Set it Off and recommeded Elle Kennedy's Out of Uniform series. Jen mentioned Getting Hotter by Elle Kennedy, but upon further reflection, also thinks The Heat is On (in an anthology called Hot & Heavy) might work. But since Hannah was actually talking about Set it Up, which is about assistants and bosses, maybe try The Assistant by Ramona Gray or check out this extensive goodreads list of boss/employee romance novels.Question 8: Jenica from New York asked for a book that has "Childhood friends to enemies to lovers, preferably contemporary."Our recommendations: : We don't say it here, but one strategy Sarah and Jen use all the time with more popular tropes is searching for a Goodreads list. If you can find a book with a title or two you like on it, you might like others! Jen recommended His Until Midnight by Reese Ryan, and also noted that Sarah's book A Rogue by Any Other Name has this trope. Sarah recommended Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas. And a trailing suggestion was trying Christina Lauren, who has written many great enemies to lovers books and maybe one also has childhood friends. We didn't mention it on the podcast, but if you like YA, Jen loved Not if I Save You First by Allie Carter. That one would definitely work!Question 9: Holly from Chapel Hill asked for a book that "Has all the mutual pining. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, doesn't matter. Give me every last drop of pining."Our recommendations: Sarah suggests Waking Up with the Duke by Lorraine Heath. Jen recommends On Broken Wings by Chanel Cleeton. After we realized that there is lots of pining in Lisa Kleypas, but we think Again the Magic might be best.Holly had a follow up AMA, "What would your ideal book-centered vacation be?" Sarah said a beach, Jen has always wanted to stay at The Library Hotel, and that led to a discussion of Nora Robert's Boonsboro Inn, in Boonsboro, Maryland. But Jen also loves to read locally, which means reading books set in the places you are traveling.Question 10: Kara asked for a recommendation that "Has some sort of adventure or quest but is also slow burn."Our recommendations: Slow burns aren't our speciality. Jen joked she likes a "fast, incendiary burn." Please check out the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews, and the second one where they finally do it is called White Hot. The first one is called Burn For Me, it's right in the title! If you like fantasy, try Bound to the Battle God by Ruby Dixon. Sarah mentioned A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet. And Aurora Blazing by Jessie Mihalik could count for this category and for pining!Question 11: Chase from Germany wants "Has m/m with a happy ending and the trope enemies to lovers?"Our recommendations: Sarah recommends Goalie Interference, which has enemy hockey players. Annika Martin has a good series, the first is called Enemies Like You, and Jen also likes a series by Layla Rayne called Agents Irish and Whiskey. Cask Strength also appeared in Jen's list of Who Did It Better on a Pool Table. You're welcome.Question 12: Caitlin from Wisconsin wants a book that "Has a plus size heroine, emphasis on fashion...vampires would also be nice."Our recommendations: We had to handle these two separately. For a curvy heroine with fasion, we recommended Take Me by Bella Andre and The King of Bourbon Street by Thea De Salle. For vampires, try Tall Dark and Hungry by Lynsay Sands. It's about a vampire who writes vampire novels. The Sherrilyn Kenyon book Sarah was thinking about is called Night Play, but it's actually about a werewolf. Oh well.Question 13: Jess asked, "Has an alpha submissive (I’ve tasked Sarah with this before and want more!)"Our recommendations: Jen doesn't think this exists, but Sarah recommends The Duke I Tempted, Giving It Up, The Devil's Submission and Sierra Simone's New Camelot series. If you can roll with Kristen Ashley's prose style, try Deacon. There is no pony play involved.Jess had a follow up AMA: "I would love to hear more about audiobook production. How much say authors have. Do they get to check in during production to make sure jokes are being delivered properly, etc?" Sarah replied that the answer is ... authors don't have much say at all, except maybe a choice of narrators. Sarah loves her narrator, Justine Eyre.Question 14: Lesley from San Francisco asked for a book that "Has a heroine over 50 who is single (not divorced or widowed)."Our recommendations: This was a hard one, and we are hoping that listeners will chime in with answers. We don't think any of these heroines are single--all widowed or divorced. But try Apples Are Red, Driving in Neutral, Bound with Love, or Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure. But, you can check out this facebook group for seasoned romance, and Donnaposts a weekly Frolic column of seasoned romances. Finally, Sarah recommended London Hale's Talk Dirty To Me.Question 15: Carly from Atlanta is looking for “there’s only one bed,” historical edition (bonus points if they don’t have sex that time, but do later).Our recommendations: There are so many of these that we had a hard time answering. Yikes! But A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong is amazing. Later in Season 2 of Fated Mates, we'll read Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens, but the ohter one Sarah was thinking of was The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae Afterwards, we thought of The Duke Buys a Bride and Tycoon.Question 16: Shannon in Atlanta said, "Ghosts. I need all the ghosts. I’m regrading Lynn Kurland’s Stardust of Yesterday to see if I am still madly in love with Kendrick like 14 yr old me was. But I need more ghosts. For spooky season and for always."Our recommendations: So obvioulsy the best IAD book is Dark Needs at Night's Edge. But Halloween Boo and Hot Ghost might also be of interest. After recording, Jen thought of The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz and Sarah thought of For the Earl's Pleasure by Anne Mallory.Question 17: Natali from Tampa asked for romances with "a sexy but serious body guard- saves heroine from her evil husband OR serious sexy body guard that is hired by father to care for wild heroine. And/Or sexy but consensual teacher-student relationship."Our recommendations: Sarah and Jen both liked The Professor by Charlotte Stein. Sarah also recommended The Unrequited by Saffron Kent. Bodyguards for some reason we didn't have specifics, but check out Sexy/Dangerous by Beverly Jenkins, which has a female bodyguard. Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti will work. But also, Jen is convinced that something in Lexi Blake's Masters and Mercenaries series will work.Question 18: Nisha wants books that are "bananas sexy."Our recommendations: Ice Planet Barbarians forever. But Brill Harper anything will work, and Jen especially recommends Altogether. Everyone on twitter thinks White Whiskey Bargain is super hot, and The Red is amazingly sexy. Grace Goodwin's Interstellar Brides series is also pretty hot.

Hey HB's! We finish up our discussion of Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!  Bonus Content: Alaskan earthquakes, month-long Christmas for very pregnant Melody, more stories of Rooster the Dog, our demand for discernible lady orgasms and maybe some goddamned foreplay, Melody is almost defeated but then goes ape-shit over depictions of disordered eating, gaslighting, that time Erin got 3 pairs of FUBU jeans because her mom was MAKING A STATEMENT, and so much more! Self-Love Recommendations:  Erin: earthquake putty. Do it! Do it today! Get it done!  Melody: don't fucking take it anymore. If you feel like you need to be polite and always brush things off, know that you don't. Own your outrage and express it in any healthy form that appropriate for the setting, x3. Your default will usually be less than what is appropriate for any setting.  Special thanks to Jenn at Post Pouring Company for the amazing Keep Being a Bad Ass candle! It got Melody through the editing she had to redo last-minute. Social Media: @postpourco  Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PostPourCo Patreon Shout Out: Jenny N., you are a descendent of The Fates, the three sisters who use their prowessin the textile arts to tell the future of mortals. Like these three, you're talented with fabric, expressing yourself with piecework. You can take a collection of what other would call "nothing" and turn it into a gorgeous work of art that keeps people as warm as your personality, aura, and heart. In short, positively toasty. You've also taken your ancestor's cold talent for premonition and turned it on it's head by shaping the future of anyone who encounters you with your vast wisdom and bottomless empathy. You might untether people, but instead of cutting their life cords, you cut the leashes keeping them bound to their own sense of limits, insecurity, and to the voices in their heads telling them they can't. You're truly inspiring.

Hey HB's! We're finishing up our coverage of Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Monday, December 10. After which, things are changing a little. We're going to postpone The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory until after maternity leave because OMG MELODY IS SO PREGNANT AND TIRED. And she still has tons of life stuff to get done before her slippery wombat makes its exit. Or entrance? It really depends on your perspective.  So! Instead, on December 17, we'll bring you a recap of cult-voted movie "The Christmas Wedding Planner" available on Netflix. Then, December 24 will be the 2018 Anthology How the Dukes Stole Christmas. You'll get two of the novellas as a regular episode, and Heaving Bosoms Patrons will get the remaining two. After that, we've got guest episodes coming your way until Mel returns full-time. 

Hey y'all! I feel like we haven't hated something for a MINUTE. Well, get stoked because we... didn't like this very much. We've got a hot mess heroine that was even too much for Melody and a douchenozzle hero who thinks he wants a wife, but is really looking for a personal assistant/status enhancer he can take to the bonezone. Will they see that they're perfect for each other? Probably. Will they be right? WHO KNOWS; THIS IS ONLY PART ONE.  Content Warning: clumsy and sometimes downright gross treatment of a transgender character, and illusions that Trump is the hero's actual hero throughout. This was published in 2005, though, so try to keep that in mind.  Bonus Content: Melody is wearing her Reindeer Mafia Onesie! Rooster is getting old. Erin divulges that on paper Melody would confuse and annoy her; thank goodness we know each other in person! Plus, all the snake imagery, misunderstanding of kundalini yoga, and imagined vaginal attacks you probably never knew you needed.  Lady Loves:  Erin: Holistic Tarot Agency Podcast. Co-hosted by an HB, it's all the witchy, tarot, giggly content that can make Erin's pagan heart soar. Also, they accept questions, so participate!  Melody: 1. Set some boundaries and be brutal in enforcing them. Your interpersonal relationships will thank you in the long run. And 2. Aromatherapy booties. They're hot! They're cold! They smell amazing! They will relax and delight you.  Indy podcast promo: americansexpodcast.com Check them out! 

Hey HB's! We're reading Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Match Me If You Can on Monday, December 3rd, 2018! We.... didn't love this one. BUT WE HAVE FUN! This will be part 1 of a 2 part series, so get your big kid pants on. We're talking all about a hero who's the cross between a leather portfolio and a can of Bud Light, a Hot Mess Heroine who's maybe even too much for Melody, and so many coiled snakes waiting to get you right in your kundalini chakra (that's your vagina). *whip noise!* See you Monday! 

Only a handful of romance writers can boast a career as long or prolific as Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Over the past three decades, she has published nearly thirty books. Moreover, that corpus including five novels singled out as Favorite Book of the Year by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) – a distinction achieved by no other author to date. […]

Only a handful of romance writers can boast a career as long or prolific as Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Over the past three decades, she has published nearly thirty books. Moreover, that corpus including five novels singled out as Favorite Book of the Year by the Romance Writers of America (RWA) – a distinction achieved by […]

Only a handful of romance writers can boast a career as long or prolific as Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Over the past three decades, she has published nearly thirty books. Moreover, […]

In this episode we follow Susan Elizabeth Phillips on a crazy journey through her book The Great Escape, and we manage to bake some pretty good oatmeal bread along the way!

Epigraph On this episode we discuss ALL THE ROMANCE BOOKS with Bea & Leah Koch, owners of The Ripped Bodice—America’s only Romance bookstore. The Ripped Bodice is celebrating their one year anniversary this month!     This episode is sponsored by Books & Whatnot, the newsletter dedicated to books, bookselling, and bookish folk; check out the newsletter archive here. Follow Books & Whatnot on Twitter at @booksandwhatnot. We now have an email newsletter! If you want to get our show notes delivered directly to your inbox—with all the books mentioned on the podcast and links back to the bookstore we’re interviewing PLUS GIFs—sign up HERE. Introduction In which we feel real fancy, learn more about geography, and can’t stop asking for recommendations. We’re drinking French 75s and feeling classy as fuck. We’re Reading Bea is reading Murder on Black Swan Lane by Andrea Penrose (out June 27). And she recently finished An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole, which she thinks will be a great gateway romance (out March 28) about a female spy posing as a slave. Fun fact, Alyssa Cole lives in Martinique, and Kim and Emma’s geography lessons continue. Leah is reading Kiss Me That Way by Laura Trentham and Flirting with Disaster by Victoria Dahl. Emma is reading Hot Dog Taste Test by Lisa Hanawalt—a graphic foodie memoir that is weird and delicious. She also just started Kim & Kim by Magdalene Visaggio, which is a comic about punk rock bounty hunters in space. Kim is reading Love Is Love a graphic anthology written in response to the Orlando shooting curated by Marc Andreyko; an important, but difficult read. All proceeds for the book go to the victims, survivors, and families affected by the Orlando Pulse shooting. Which is to say, everyone should buy this book. She’s also reading The Book of Joan by Lidia Yuknavitch (out April 18) a futuristic space Joan of Arc story, which hits weirdly close to home in its political content. We’re Excited About: Bea and Leah have so many frontlist romance novels to tell you about: An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole (more than worth a second mention and out March 28) Full Mountie (#3 in the Frisky Beavers series) by Ainsley Booth & Sadie Haller (out April 4) First in the Frisky Beavers series is Prime Minister “and is basically about if Justin Trudeau weren’t married and liked kinky sex.” Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (author of Dumplin’; out May 9) The Thing About Love by Julie James (out April18)  Julie James will be making an appearance at Ripped Bodice on her author tour! The Devil in Spring by Lisa Kleypas (#3 in The Ravenels series, with the kids of characters from her Wallflowers series) Emma is excited for Tender by Sofia Samatar (writer of A Stranger in Olondria and out April 11 from Small Beer Press) and Next Year, for Sure by Zoey Leigh Peterson, which is the only book about polyamory she has read so she asked for more recs... SIDETRACK: Polyamory Recommendations Laid Bare by Lauren Dane (#1 in the Brown Family series) Maya Banks Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai Back to frontlist... Kim is looking forward to The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Whereas: Poems by Layli Long Soldier The Mother of All Questions by Rebecca Solnit Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Chapter I [19:00] In which we discuss Bea & Leah’s Romance Origin Story, Talk Vaginal-Looking Covers, and Get ALL THE ROMANCE RECOMMENDATIONS Bea loved historical fiction (and historical fashion) and introduced Leah to The Bridgertons series by Julia Quinn (which is great for people who want to test the waters of regency romance) First in the series is The Duke and I Leah ultimately came to love contemporary romances and became a hardcore romance fan with the help of Nora Roberts—The Bride Quartet series is one of her favorites First in the series is Vision in White Also mentioned: Julie James, whose newest book is The Thing About Love (mentioned earlier and out April 18) and Susan Elizabeth Phillips whose newest book is First Star I See Tonight Where to Start with Contemporary: First, what level of heat are you looking for? Super graphic and dirty? Or cloaked in metaphor? Not Quite As Dirty Nora Roberts It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars #1) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. You know, the one with the boobs on the cover: Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn (for geek fandom readers) Really Dirty Recs Beautiful Bastard (Beautiful Series #1) by Christina Lauren Vampire Romance Recommendations (because we love Buffy) Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1) by J.R. Ward (super dirty) Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs (Jane Jameson #1) by Molly Harper (funnier romance) The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires (Half Moon Hollow #1) by Molly Harper Famous people make appearances as vampires—people like Dick Cheney Witchbian Romances (because we love Willow) Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon (Vampire Sorority Sisters #1) (lesbian vampire sorority) Dance Upon the Air (Three Sisters Island Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts Dark Witch (Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts Lunatic Fringe by Allison Moon (Kim rec: werewolf lesbian feminist) Two Sexy Nonfic Picks Girl Sex 101 by Allison Moon Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski Side note: Send us a pic of your favorite vaginal cover (via email or Twitter)! Like this: Non-Paranormal Queer/Diverse Recs Rebekah Weatherspoon (also has non-vampire lesbian romances) For Real by Alexis Hall (author of some gorgeous MM romances) Damon Suede writes super hot romances, which are frequently about firemen; his newest title is Lickety Split (out March 17) The Prince’s Psalm by Eric Shaw Quinn (a Biblical gay romance) First Position by Melissa Brayden (lesbian ballerinas) I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (MM YA) Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown (FF YA) The Soldier’s Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian (gay regency) K.J. Charles (also writes gay regency, but they’re not all dukes) Wanted, A Gentleman is one of her newer titles The Spare and the Heir (Lords of Time #5) by Jenn LeBlanc (gay victorian) LeBlanc is also a photographer and illustrates many of her romances with super hot photos. Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai (mentioned earlier as poly rec) Trade Me by Courtney Milan (Cyclone #1) (contemporary romance with POC characters) The Countess Conspiracy (Brothers Sinister #3) by Courtney Milan Beverly Jenkins writes African American historicals Breathless (Old West #2) is her newest release Daughters of a Nation by Alyssa Cole, Piper Huguley, Lena Hart & more (an anthology of stories about black suffragettes) Silk, Swords, and Surrender by Jeannie Lin The Tang Dynasty series by Jeannie Lin (about the ancient Chinese Tang dynasty & recommended if you liked the Netflix show Marco Polo. This series is even better with intrigue and sword fighting) Butterfly Swords is the first in the series Originally posted by l231 Chapter II [36:50] In which we chat about The Ripped Bodice, the romance community, and what it means to be feminist. -Fifty Shades of Gray, why they don’t sell it (it’s not a good representation of BDSM), and how they help customers find their next read after Fifty Shades -Ripped Bodice looks like a very fancy lingerie dressing room (yes, they have a fainting couch). The store is separated into 5 Zones, which are decorated to reflect their genre: Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal, Erotica, and Everything Else -Sidelines: bookish things, but also things that will appeal to romance readers like stuff about feminism. Solid rec for Juniper & Ivy’s nerdy wood laser cut pieces.  “Part of being a romance bookstore is being unapologetically feminist and sex positive” Chapter III [48:35] In which Bea goes hardcore practical for her Station Eleven pick, people are kinda boring (in a good way), and we talk sexy nonfiction. Bea’s Station Eleven pick is Robert’s Rules of Order by Henry Robert. Leah is bringing “the most comprehensive survival guide [she] can find.” Originally posted by batesmotel On a desert island, Leah is bringing Happy Ever After Nora Roberts (#4 in the Bride Quartet) and Bea is bringing A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare. On their Wild adventure, Bea would bring one of Alison Weir’s “crazy tudor histories” and Leah would bring The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg Anne Boleyn, a King’s Obsession (one of Weir’s newest books out May 16) Bookseller Confession: “Your tawdry thing that you think is super scandalous is really boring...” The Dirtiest Romance You’ve Read Olivia Cunning’s Sinners on Tour series First in the series: Backstage Pass J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series First in the series: Dark Lover Impossible Handsell Self-published titles with god-awful covers and non-fiction i.e. Come As Your Are by Emily Nagoski and Playing Well with Others: Your Field Guide to Discovering, Exploring, and Navigating the Kink, Leather, and BDSM Communities by Lee Harrington and Mollena Williams The Romance Books Every Bookseller Should Recommend Daughters of a Nation by Alyssa Cole Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan Also, have more than two romances and don’t laugh (or sneer) at your customers who are buying romance novels. Come on. Originally posted by yourreactiongifs Favorite Bookstores LA Bookstore: Diesel Childhood Bookstore: Women & Children First Not-Yet-Open Bookstores: The Queens Bookshop and Books Are Magic European Bookstores: Persephone Books (London) and Shakespeare & Co. (Paris) Favorite Literary Media The romance/life blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and their podcast Smart Podcast, Trashy Books Book Riot Girls at Library Heroes and Heartbreakers Romance Twitter—follow all your favorite authors on Twitter Epilogue [1:02:20] The Ripped Bodice can be found so many places on the internet the store’s website Instagram Twitter Facebook You can also sign up for the Ripped Bodice newsletter on their website—they’ve got events, recommendations, and a thing called Fitzwilliam’s Corner (that’s Fitzwilliam Waffles; he’s their dog, he is awesome, and he has his own Instagram).   You can find us on Twitter at @drunkbookseller and everywhere else as DrunkBooksellers (plural). Emma tweets @thebibliot and writes bookish things for Book Riot. Kim tweets occasionally from @finaleofseem, but don’t expect too much. BONUS CONTENT We always have more content than we can fit into one hour and this time said content was extra interesting. So for all the people who read our show notes and/or subscribe to our newsletter, here are a few more recommendations from Bea & Leah Romances That Are Library/Bookstore-Adjacent Broken Resolutions (Lovestruck Librarians #1) by Olivia Dade Taking the Heat by Victoria Dahl (Girls Night Out #4) Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh (Rock Kiss #1) (librarian falls in love with a rockstar) Romances About Publishing/Writing  The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (publishing romance) Temptations of a Wallflower by Eva Leigh (#4 Wicked Quills of London) (historical where the woman writes erotica) How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries (#3 Hellions of Halstead Hall) (main character writes gothics)  

Special guest host Mary Lee Woods interviews Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Phillips is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of dozens of books, and a five-time recipient of the RITA, the premier award given by the Romance Writers of America. Phillips talks about First Star I See Tonight the eighth book in her popular Chicago Stars series, her writing habits, and her love of travel. She will be at a special event at Franklin Avenue Library on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 PM. For more information about the library and upcoming events visit dmpl.org. Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC

In a KWL Podcast first, we checked in with an editor from a major publishing house, Tessa Woodward from HarperCollins. In her eleven years at Harper, specializing in editing romance, women's fiction, and historical fiction, Tessa has seen the industry go through the parallel changes in the emergence of eBooks and self-publishing. Tune in to her Tessa and KWL US Manager Christine Munroe chat about:   The range of genres Tessa edits: women's fiction, romance (historical and contemporary), some mystery and non-fiction. She is specifically always looking for great romance, especially historical What the submission process is like at HarperCollins. Avon Impulse has an open submission policy – it's one of the few remaining imprints that offers that opportunity for authors without literary agents. They receive 100-400 submissions a month What Tessa looks for in a new submission: a great voice She had no background in romance before she started at Avon. How she fell in love with the genre, and the “classic” romance authors she read first in her self-education when she first started: Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Rachel Gibson, Stephanie Laurens, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Now, Tessa is a big-time romance book lover who rarely reads outside the genre During a typical workday, Tessa doesn't have time to do much reading or editing. She reviews covers, marketing and publicity, writes and approves copy, takes editorial calls with authors, and answers a lot of emails Why Tessa doesn't expect an unpublished author to have a social media platform established when they approach a publishing house Her one big pet peeve when it comes to authors who do have social media already in place When she's looking at self-published authors interested in a traditional deal, she's much more interested in the potential of this specific story than eBook sales track record for previous books. She still has to pitch the new book to bookstores, who won't be very interested in hearing just about eBook sales or free download numbers The main benefits, from Tessa's point of view, of working with a publisher today. You get an experienced support team who share the publishing burden with you, so that you can focus on writing your next book. Tessa joined HarperCollins 11 years ago, and has seen the industry undergo changes in digital publishing and self-publishing, particularly in romance. She thinks new digital opportunities have opened up the chance for publishers to experiment and publish a lot more books, and a wider range of voices How she feels about hybrid authors – “As long as we're working together, I think it's great!” Hybrid authors bring new insights, and can create opportunities for new hybrid marketing models and more   Senior Editor Tessa Woodward edits a wide array of romance, women's fiction, and historical fiction. On the romance side, she edits authors across all genres, including the New York Times and USA Today bestsellers Tessa Dare, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Jennifer Bernard, and Maya Rodale. Her women's fiction titles range from USA Today bestseller Shelley Noble's beach-set novels, to Molly McAdams' New York Times bestselling New Adult stories, to Lisa Turner's psychological mysteries, and the darker, historical ORPHAN #8, a debut from Kim van Alkemade. She is the US editor for international bestseller Paullina Simons. On the nonfiction side, she is publishing THE WORLD OF MR. SELFRIDGE. She is looking for more women's fiction with strong characters, both historical and contemporary, as well as all genres of romance.  

Join us for a special 75th anniversary re-read of one of the most beloved romances of all time: IT HAD TO BE YOU by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. AUthor Sarah MacLean leads the discussion about this iconic book, which "stars" eccentric but beautiful heiress Phoebe Somerville, who inherits the Chicago Stars football team. She immediately knocks heads with the team's rough and rugged coach, Dan Calebow. This unlikely couple find themselves drawn to each other in this delightful romance. This is one for your book trophy shelf!

Christine Munroe interviews #1 NYT bestselling author Barbara Freethy in this episode, which is filled with stories about Barbara's publishing journey and great advice for new authors: How Barbara came to publishing as a voracious lifelong reader, then decided to try writing in her late twenties. How she carved time out when working and raising small kids. She dedicated small chunks of very focused time every single day - if you just write a page a day, at the end of the year you'll have a book. Getting through the writing process is hard work, and unfortunately it never really gets easier. Leaning on other excuses can be a way of coping with fear of the blank page. You have to persevere and work through it. She remains very involved in every aspect of the self-publishing process, because she knows her brand better than anyone. Barbara's 80/20 rule: Spend 80% of your time writing, and 20% on everything else. Marketing takes up a huge amount of that 20% - so you shouldn't be spending all of your time on every single social media outlet available. “Once you have a stack of books to sell (5-6), you can do so many things. You can change your prices, do free giveaways.”   New writers: the best thing you can do is write 3 books. Don't even waste time really marketing the first one, until you have the next books available. Writing is not a get rich quick scheme. Building your brand and developing a following takes a lot of time. The digital revolution has brought many people back to reading, and made it easier for them to enjoy great books. Barbara's unique print partnership with Ingram. She usually publishes 4-5 new books per year. However, she advises, “Everyone should set their own expectations for their own process. It just doesn't really matter what other people are doing.” “You can't sell something that isn't good.” Worry about the craft, don't forget about your writer self – then think about discoverability. Take a breath, slow down, think about the long term. This is a viable publishing path that will be around for many many years to come. Participate in writers groups, attend writers conferences, try to connect with retailers. “Retailers are your partner. We're all doing the same thing. We're all trying to sell books, and that's a great relationship to have.” Her author mentors: Debbie Macomber and Susan Elizabeth Phillips both helped her early on in her career. “I think writers are better served by going wide… really what you want to do is spend a lot of time and build your network and your relationships and reader base at every single retail site that you can.” Plus: What you might not know about Barbara!   After the episode, Christine talks about Kobo's great program with indie bookstores that's happening right now: eReadLocal. US readers and authors, check out www.kobo.com/ereadlocal to sign up and get $5 credit when you affiliate your Kobo account with an independent bookstore. The bookstore also gets $5, and will be eligible for great prizes like free eReaders and a party featuring a bestselling author. From that point onward, the bookstore will get a percentage of every eBook you buy! The $5 credit offer ends November 29th, so sign up today. Please help us spread the word on social media with #ereadlocal. Thank you!

This week, we talk about a small Hobbit correction, answer listener questions on books about writing and sub-plots, begin a listener-crafted writer improv, and finally get around to discussing A Christmas Carol. All that, and discover why Lani now owes Susan Elizabeth Phillips an apology.