Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: Reviews, Interviews, and Discussion About All the Romance Novels You Love to Read

Beverly Jenkins joins us to talk about her latest book Breathless and the series in progress. Of course, we talk about history and the stories that inspire her, especially the unsung, undiscovered, or forgotten women behind major figures in history. We also discuss the communities of women throughout history that worked to help one another, and about her next book - which we really want to read already. TRIGGER WARNING: we discuss some violent images from the recently released photography collection from Cornell at 17:04 to 17:38. I’ll warn you in the middle to skip ahead when it’s time.

Sarah chats with author Laura Florand about her writing, and her romances, which are set in various places in France. They also discuss linguistics, adopting pets, cultural differences, and learning multiple languages. They also talk about using the senses in writing romantic fiction, and how indulgence and pleasure are seen in from different points of views- especially food, chocolate, perfume, and love languages. They also discuss writing about a place that has suffered terrorism and dreadful attacks, and capturing both the reality and the fantasy of a real place. And of course, they discuss what she’s been reading. There’s a special guest appearance several times by Laura’s new puppy, Dot. Welcome, Dot!

This week the guest is... all of you! This episode is an assembly of your excellent email messages, with stories, jokes, and questions, because you’re all brilliant, clever, and interesting people. Thank you for listening - knowing how funny you are, I’m honored that you listen to me each week!

Sarah interviews author Lauren Dane about her Diablo Lake series. The newest book in the series, Diablo Lake: Protected, came out at the end of January. This is a rather indulgent episode - it’s a big treat to get to talk to the author of a book one really liked, and to take a nerdy deep dive into a world that one enjoyed. They talk about female friendships, world building in fantasy and paranormal romance, and about the ways people assume and approach roles of power and authority in literature and in real life. NOTE: There are mild spoilers for the Diablo Lake series, because there is some discussion about specific events in the books, but I’ve tried to keep the plot spoilers to a minimum. We talk a lot about the world, and the characters and interconnected groups within it, and my hope is that this makes you curious about the series.

Sarah chats with a romance fan named Elizabeth who is a self described avid reader with several learning disabilities. We starting by talking about podcasts because that’s not meta at all, and talk a little about taking deep nerdy dives into things you love, and about meeting internet friends in real life. Then Elizabeth talks about her experience with several learning disabilities, including dyslexia and dysgraphia. We talk about how reading dialogue can be tricky when the characters’ conversation is written in dialect, how different brains read, what accommodations were made for her in high school, and how she has adapted technology for reading and enjoying romances.

Nearly a year after their grand opening (March 4th!), Sarah catches up with Leah and Bea Koch of The Ripped Bodice bookstore in Culver City, CA. We start with All The Pet Talk, including the story of their most excellent official store dog, Fitzwilliam Waffles. We cover his store responsibilities and key functions in the bookshop workflow, and have a happy conversation about things that make us laugh, including the We Rate Dogs Instagram feed. They also shared details about books being written in the store, and how authors and readers have embraced The Ripped Bodice as a place to shop, work, and add to their own novels-in-progress. Plus, we get a peek into upcoming events, including a shoppable exhibition, as well as their predictions in romance fiction and their reading wish lists. It’s a big long list of books, so get ready for books, mutual admiration, dog squeeing, and more book talk!

Sarah chats with historical romance author Theresa Romain about her two current series, one which was inspired by The Tollgate by Georgette Heyer, and another that is historical horse romance for horse-mad little girls who grew up to be romance readers. They also talk about what Theresa is reading, her very through knowledge of a specific silent film star, and the books that continue to inspired her writing.

Sarah and Elyse have a long and meandering conversation about social media, anxiety, and tracking the things that you love to do. We talk about reading, knitting, cross stitch, photography, and how we’re feeling while using various forms of social media. We also discuss pets, dog psychics, Instagram accounts we love, organizing digital books to read, and knitting patterns, too.

Longer-than-usual, in person conversation with author Alisha Rai! Yup, a live recording, and of course we start by talking about my “professionalism” as a podcaster. Over brownies and tea, we discuss sexxytimes romance, her new series with Avon, and how reading and writing romance informs and influences her dating life - because sometimes you meet people who you *know* you’ve read before. She talks about the pressure on women to meet expectations in various stages of life, and the old accusation that women harbor “unrealistic expectations” because of romance. As a bonus, my cat interrupts a discussion of inclusivity, sensitivity readers, and portrayal in literature - you know, a typical podcast.

The second half of our year-end, year-beginning Bitches Assemble: Sarah, Amanda, Elyse, Carrie, and RedHeadedGirl look back at a few personal highlights of 2016, including trips to Sweden, statewide bike rides, ComiCon, more travel, and cock rings stolen by cats. Then, it’s time for a quiz based on a few trends of the past year, Wholesome Earls and Sweet Clean Bears.

Amanda, Carrie, Elyse, and RedHeadedGirl heave great sighs and discuss garbage, dumpster, compost and tire fires as we look back at 2016. We also talk about the books that rocked our worlds and made us happy, and a few bright moments of the past year. In between we discuss all sorts of things, as we do, including cats, angry vengeful women, more about cats, and fun stories from Elyse’s office.

My guests this week: all of you! We’re going to finish out 2016 with an episode featuring as many listeners as I can fit in one episode. Yay! Topics include ghost stories, the books that made you into romance readers, rants about poor use of dogs in romance, feeling romance reader shame, and more. You’re all smart and clever and brilliant - thank you for emailing me. Next week: the Bitches Assemble for looking back at 2016 (expect the words “garbage fire”) and looking ahead to 2017. I hope you’ll join us!

Susie and Adam Felber join Sarah to talk about their mother, historical romance author Edith Layton, who died in 2009. They discuss her path to publication, what it was like seeing their mom meet her romance readers at conventions, and which villains and rock stars were the basis for some famous Layton heroes. They also cover whether gall stones look like opals (true story), and talk about their work to bring mother’s literary legacy into the digital age. You might recognize voices, too. Adam Felber is a regular on NPR’s Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me. And, so he wouldn’t feel too far from his radio home, Susie and I surprised him with a “Not my Job” style quiz.

Sarah and Elyse talk at length about why Elyse was mad at Dr. Strange, and what they liked and didn’t like about it. The discussion is pretty spoilery (especially for 30 seconds at about 5 minutes in), but the hope is that it’s been enough time since the film came out. They also discuss, in depth, the concept of female rage, all the “girl” books, heroine revenge, female rage horror stories, and supremely pissed off heroines in romance. They also mention true crime podcasts, and other random topics, and there’s some dog interruption - all the professional touches you know and love about this podcast. Because this episode talks extensively about the endings of movies, books, and tv shows, it’s pretty spoiler-tactic. Alas, it’s nearly impossible to discuss vindication and catharsis in fiction without discussing the ending that makes it so. ALSO: Trigger Warning for rape and discussion of criminal justice system failings as pertains to rape victims. Plus, after the outro, a rather inappropriate outtake wherein they rag on a former quarterback and on dick pics in general. Listener discretion advised.

Sarah interviews NYT Bestselling author Deanna Raybourn about Victorian feminists, the changes that happened during Queen Victoria’s reign, and the ways in which women have adapted to technological advances throughout history. We discuss women world travelers, people who explored the world with an incredible number of people in their retinue, women who traveled very light, and the real life inspirations for her character Veronica Speedwell.