Y’all, the April 2005 issue of Romantic Times is a treasure of truly amazing fun. So many of you told me that episode 609, where we looked at the reviews, made you laugh so hard you cried. Well, let me share some highlights of what is about to happen to your eardrums. The Mr. Romance Cover Model Pageant was a Six-episode reality tv show on the Oxygen network, and we missed it when it ran. It’s not all on YouTube but we have a few links! We have the arrival of what I called the “venti sized” paperback Romance writers with “dedicated rooms for Star Wars collectibles!” We’ve got some disturbing ..read more

What happens when you write the books you want to read but are having a hard time finding? Many good things. Kimberly Lemming loves fantasy, and started writing her own catnip, which led to the joy that is the Mead Mishaps series.We answer ALL the tough questions, like how many mead mishaps have we personally experienced? How does one make the bananas spin? And why is Galavant the greatest production ever made? Note: in the middle of the episode, the email Kimberly sent that gave me a peek at the cover for That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human, which was in the final stages o ..read more

We’re taking a tour through the new releases across many genres from April 2005, nearly 20 (!!!) years ago. Romance has changed a wee little bit. How much cringe shall we find? Plenty! Other oddities? Mainstream includes YA and Chick Lit. Contemporary includes New Reality. Regency in Format includes Corinthians! And we’re trying to understand a character who wants to “dim the pain of turning 30.” It’s a ride, as usual. Side trips include Sea Breeze, Stridex, and St Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub. TW: for mention of sexual assault, body horror – we do announce it in the audio so you can skip ..read more

Mel Blue was my guest when we discussed Spare – which has become one of my most listened-to episodes – so I asked her back to talk about the narratives of PR, why the weird stories around Kate Middleton grabbed attention worldwide, and why so many people were and are paying attention. On one level it’s a story that originated in gossip about rich and powerful people in an archaic power structure being weird. But it’s also a story of misinformation, propaganda, and a complicit media system, and we deal with that over here in the US, too. This was recorded on Wednesday, March 20 ..read more

Shirley Green and Sharon Spiak are the duo behind many, and I mean many of your favorite romance covers, and are absolutely 100% the duo behind one of mine – For the Love of a Pirate by Edith Layton. The hair. The waves. THE ROCKS. I connected with Shirley and Sharon and got a History Lesson in how cover shoots used to work. We’re talking costume, art direction, photography, and painting skills combined to make some very memorable covers, and how much deliberate emotional care went into some of the photo shoots with the cover models. You can find Shirley Green’s portfolio and stock image col ..read more

Amanda and I are diving into the reviews from the March 2016 issue of RT Book Reviews. In this episode you will learn about A Tale of Two Biddies. You’ll discover Baby Bothering and God Bothering. And most importantly, are demons really a natural fit for the Regency era? All these questions are more will be answered in this episode! Don’t miss the visual aids for this episode! Music: Purple-planet.com Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more

Katee Robert joins me to talk about her many releases this year, about marketing through Kickstarter and direct-to-reader options like Patreon, and about the foundational books in fantasy and romance that got her started. We also talk about current issues, like Findaway Voices and Spotify’s changes to the terms of service for authors. You can find Katee Robert on her website, KateeRobert.com. You can also check out her Patreon. We also mentioned Modern Postcard Bonkers Romance The Bonkers Romance Kickstarter NK Jemisin's Patreon Ursula Vernon/T Kingfisher's Patreon Changes in the Find ..read more

We’re traveling back to April 2006 in this month’s RT Rewind! We discuss the evolving cover art for the Immortals After Dark series and style changes in illustrated covers. We also talk about Well water adventures Author photo? MUST be leaning A contest made of author prom photos Many predecessors to GoodReads A book from 1991, promoted in 2006, made into a movie in 2022. And a FULL PAGE of Mr. Romance. When I start talking about Redeeming Love, massive trigger warning and content warning, just a giant pile of YIKES. The book summary begins at 35:20. Thank you for the reviews, the ..read more

Jennifer L. Armentrout joins me to talk about the books she considers the foundation of her fantasy romance reading, and what classical historical romances she adores. Her newest book, Visions of Flesh and Blood is out next week, so we’re looking forward, and back – and way, way back in the past.  We talk about a series she’s paused, and why, and what it means to update a book that doesn’t ‘age well.’  What fantasy or historical romances were foundational reading for you? I’d love to know which are your favorites! Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more ..read more

We’re traveling back to April 2006 in this month’s RT Rewind! We take a look at the reviews in this issue and we’ve got some one-star reviews, and curiously paranormal is part of contemporary? It’s weird. Things I initially pronounce wrong: demesne TW/CW: mention of suicide in book reviews, plus snakes and rat infestations. Link to visual aids! ... Music: purple-planet.com Coupon! LUME: New customers get $5 off Lume’s Starter Pack with our exclusive code. Use code SARAH30 at LumeDeodorant.com. Support for this episode comes from LUV! LUV is an app that connects authors and fans with prod ..read more