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Submit Review“GAYS IN SPACE”
This week Sarah Jean concludes our Sci-Fi & Fantasy romance theme with special guest author Christine Ragland & a focus on queer romance
EP 220 HOST
> SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader
EP 220 GUEST
CHRISTINE RAGLAND (she/her) is a pop culture loving, anime watching, nerdy fangirl who lives to read and write romance. She loves to create stories that are emotional and lovely with sex that is integral to the characters’ romantic arc. A St. Louis native, Christine currently resides in Houston, Texas with her two dogs, and is a retired roller derby player. You can visit Christine’s website at https://www.christineragland.com/ and follow her on Twitter @CKRagland and Instagram at @ChristineKRagland
EP 220 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in late-December during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21
> Title: Starlight Desire (Star Force Fighters #1)
Author: Christine Ragland
Relation to theme: Set in space
Representation: Black, queer author, Afro-Cuban MC, Samoan MC, queer MCs
Content Warnings: none identified
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pB8RrM
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55984148-starlight-desire
> The Star Force Fighters series also has a prequel, Starlight Dreams
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3dxUB0v
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56026534-starlight-dreams
> Title: Mate of the Tyger Prince (Mate of the Tyger Prince #1)
Author: Shannon West
Relation to theme: Space setting
Representation: Queer MCs
Content Warnings: war, court intrigue, male pregnancy, children/infertility, medical procedure
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZhPXeD
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28457325-mate-of-the-tyger-prince
> Title: Winter’s Orbit
Author: Everina Maxwell
Relation to theme: Space setting
Representation: Queer author, queer MCs
Content Warnings: death, court intrigue, domestic abuse
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pHDcoZ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53320169-winter-s-orbit
> Title: Claimings, Tails, and Other Alien Artifacts (Claimings #1)
Author: Lyn Gala
Relation to theme: Space setting
Representation: Queer MCs
Content Warnings: PTSD, kink
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3s0UJth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40498366-claimings-tails-and-other-alien-artifacts
> Sarah Jean also recommends Lyn Gala’s Earth Fathers series
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45031332-earth-fathers-are-weird
> Title: Acquainted With the Night
Author: Lesli Richardson (originally published under pen name Tymber Dalton, this title was recently re-released under the name Lesli Richardson)
Relation to theme: Space setting
Representation: Queer MCs
Content Warnings: prisoners of war, sex pets, group sex, dubious consent, male pregnancy
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/edit
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2NI0AFj
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56228303-acquainted-with-the-night
NOTE: The original edition did not have a traditional HEA, proceed with caution
> Title: Strange Love (Galactic Love #1)
Author: Ann Aguirre
Relation to theme: Space setting
Representation: Bi rep
Content Warnings: deadly competitions, death (side character), sexual assault (side character)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/edit
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3b1AQxk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48915429-strange-love
NOTE: This book was discussed in the RBP Best of 2020 episode, as well as RBP #219
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/best-of-2020/
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-219/
> Title: The Authority
Author: Warren Ellis
Relation to theme: Partially set in space
Representation: Queer MCs (Midnight & Apollo)
Content Warnings: intense comic book violence
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/edit
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZxvB1q
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/546887.The_Authority_Vol_1
> Sarah Jean recommends the interactive fiction game Dawnfall by RoAnna Sylver
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42624633-dawnfall
Link: https://www.choiceofgames.com/hearts-choice/dawnfall/
> Sarah Jean recommends the Penumbra Podcast
Link: http://www.thepenumbrapodcast.com/
> Christine recommends the Starfighter webcomic
Link: https://starfightercomic.com/comic.php
> Christine & Sarah Jean mention the revival of She Ra on Netflix
IMdB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7745956/
Link: https://www.netflix.com/title/80179762
> Christine’s TBR:
>> The Dark Space series by Lisa Henry
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/121489-dark-space
>> The Want series by Cindy Pon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/207995-want
>> Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18277661-ascension
> Sarah Jean’s TBR:
>> Failure to Communicate by Kaia Sonderby
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34216194-failure-to-communicate
>> The Nowhere series by Felicia Davin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/237099-nowhere
>> Glorious Day by Skye Kilaen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54745256-glorious-day
> Which SFF #QueerRomance favorites did we miss? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod
Happy Reading!
EP 220 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“A LITTLE MAGIC”
This week host Danielle continues the Sci-Fi & Fantasy romance theme with special guest author L. Penelope
EP 219 HOST
> DANIELLE (she/her) is the voice behind LoveReadListen.com where she writes about her adventures in reading romance, YA, and audiobooks. Danie has a passion for promoting Black Romance and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Danie enjoys anime, cartoons, and hip-hop. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @DanieReads
EP 219 GUEST
> L. PENELOPE (she/her) Leslye Penelope has been writing since she could hold a pen and loves getting lost in the worlds in her head. She is an award-winning author of fantasy and paranormal romance. She was born in the Bronx, just after the birth of hip hop, but left before she could acquire an accent. Equally left and right-brained, she studied Film at Howard University and minored in Computer Science. This led to a graduate degree in Multimedia and a career in website development. She’s also an award-winning independent filmmaker, co-founded a literary magazine, and sometimes dreams in HTML. Leslye lives in Maryland with her husband and their furry dependents. You can visit Leslye’s website at https://lpenelope.com/ and follow Leslye on Twitter and Instagram @leslyepenelope
EP 219 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in late January during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21
> Find Leslye’s podcast, My Imaginary Friends, here
Link: https://lpenelope.com/podcast/
> Title: Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1)
Author: L. Penelope
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting, MC with magic
Representation: Black author, Black MC
Content Warnings: tbd
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/39bb7Rp
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46156814-song-of-blood-stone
> Requiem of Silence, the fourth and final Earthsinger Chronicles book, is due for release in Aug 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56210699-requiem-of-silence
> Find the entire Earthsinger Chronicles series here
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/142549-earthsinger-chronicles
> Danie mentions Leslye’s contemporary paranormal romances, Angelborn and Angelfall
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/177181-angelborn-cycle
> Danie highly recommends the Earthsinger Chronicles on audio, narrated by Allyson Johnson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36476364-song-of-blood-stone
> Danie mentions Leslye’s Earthsinger novellas, as well as her recent appearance in the holiday romance anthology, Under a Winter Sky
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56079175-under-a-winter-sky
> Danie mentions The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44028342-the-orchid-throne
> Danie mentions Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds, which is YA SFF with romantic elements
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50627089-early-departures
> Title: The Opposite of Always
Author: Justin A. Reynolds
Relation to theme: Time travel
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: character death
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/36jI8cr
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35380157-opposite-of-always
> Danie mentions Ann Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series, as well as her YA SFF
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/44705-sirantha-jax
> Title: Strange Love (Galactic Love #1)
Author: Ann Aguirre
Relation to theme: Alien MC
Representation: White author, bi rep
Content Warnings: deadly competitions, death (side character), sexual assault (side character)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3b1AQxk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48915429-strange-love
NOTE: This book was discussed in the RBP Best of 2020 episode
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/best-of-2020/
> Leslye also mentions Love Code (Galactic Love #2) by Ann Aguirre
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56038313-love-code
> Producer’s Note: At the time of recording, Danie hadn’t listened to the audio book for Strange Love, narrated by Sarah Puckett, but the producer has and highly enjoyed it
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53282541-strange-love
> Title: Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1)
Author: Jennifer Estep
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting, MC with magic
Representation: White author, white MCs
Content Warnings: court intrigue, murder, death of family members, gladiator games
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/36rVl31
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37671985-kill-the-queen
NOTE: This book is primarily fantasy with romantic elements
> Do you have a series you started and loved but still need to finish?
> Title: The Blacksmith Queen (The Scarred Earth #1)
Author: G.A. Aiken
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting, paranormal elements
Representation: Black author
Content Warnings: court intrigue, casual fatphobia, implied past sexual assault
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3cuT4HX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43129821-the-blacksmith-queen
NOTE: This book is primarily fantasy with romantic elements
> Title: Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting
Representation: White author, white MCs
Content Warnings: MC is gifted with the skill of killing
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/36AQ8WJ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10053149-graceling
> Danie highly recommends the audio book for Graceling which features a full cast
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7822778-graceling
> Title: Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1)
Author: Melina Marchetta
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting
Representation: White author, white MCs
Content Warnings: murdered family (past), exile, imprisonment
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3rdgbeh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8757361-finnikin-of-the-rock
> Leslye mentions Witchmark by C.L. Polk and the tendency to wedge SFF written by women into YA even though the MCs are adults
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36187110-witchmark
> Requiem of Silence, the fourth and final Earthsinger Chronicles book, is due for release in Aug 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56210699-requiem-of-silence
> How do you feel about reading series out of order? Yay or nay?
> Danie mentions downloading The Queen’s Gambit by Jessie Mihalik
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40388109-the-queen-s-gambit
> Title: The Pleasure Hound trilogy
Author: Ines Johnson
Relation to theme: Futuristic setting
Representation: Black author
Content Warnings: kink
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2YDONd8
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28432052-the-pleasure-hound
> Title: Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha #1)
Author: Tasha Suri
Relation to theme: Mughal Empire-inspired fantasy setting
Representation: South Asian, queer author, South Asian-inspired MCs
Content Warnings (from reader Leigh Kramer): forced marriage, threatened rape or sexual assault, drugging, violence, abuse of power
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3k3cV1n
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39714124-empire-of-sand
NOTE: Don’t miss our recent interview with Tasha Suri
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-217/
> Title: Paladin’s Grace
Author: T. Kingfisher
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting
Representation: White author, white MCs
Content Warnings: death, murder, partner abuse
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3akfN72
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50702014-paladin-s-grace
> Leslye gives a blanket recommendation for Grace Draven’s fantasy romances
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2759153.Grace_Draven
> Leslye recommends Naomi Novik with the caveat that some of her fantasy romances are light on the romance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8730.Naomi_Novik
> Which Sci-fi & Fantasy romance favorites did we miss? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments
Happy Reading!
EP 219 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“SFF FAVORITES”
In this short compilation episode, we’ve edited together past Sci-Fi & Fantasy romance recommendations from hosts Meka and Melinda
EP 218 HOSTS
> MEKA (she/her) is the voice behind BookAbility.me where she writes about her adventures in reading romance and being visually impaired. Meka loves pushing books and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Meka also enjoys singing and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her guide dog, Treble. You can follow her on Twitter @Mektastic
> MELINDA UTENDORF (she/her) was that child reading Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High books with a flashlight until 2 a.m. and checking out stacks of books from the library every week. After getting sick of ‘important’ books in her English degree classes, she turned to romance and HEAs and hasn’t looked back since. Melinda spends her time doing puzzles, listening to podcasts, and helping as admin for @RomanceSparksJoy. When she’s not busy with all of that, she’s a freelance editor or talking about books as @MelindaEdits
EP 218 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode is a compilation of recommendations from past discussions, and was edited together in January during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21
> Title: Song of Blood & Stone (Earthsinger Chronicles #1)
Author: L. Penelope
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting
Representation: Black author, Black MC
Content Warnings: war, death, murder, attempted sexual assault, children in peril, racism, colorism, xenophobia, classism
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2YhApqR
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39863207-song-of-blood-stone
NOTE: This book was discussed in RBP #106
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-106/
> Title: Your Heart Will Grow (The Absolutes #1)
Author: Chace Verity
Relation to theme: Mermaid MC
Representation: Queer author, queer MCs
Content Warnings (provided by the author):
– Offers of sex as currency/bargaining tool
– Multiple instances of a character being drugged
– Slut-shaming
– Abusive family members
– Hair-pulling kink
– Some graphic violence
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pnKQVV
Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30324115-your-heart-will-grow
NOTE: This book was discussed in RBP ep #130
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-130/
> Title: The Weight of the Stars
Author: K. Ancrum
Relation to theme: Soft sci-fi set in the near future
Representation: Author of color, queer author, queer MCs, injured MC
Content Warnings: teasing, school violence, accident (broken arm), absent parent
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2YiKeVC
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36952571-the-weight-of-the-stars
NOTE: This book was discussed in RBP ep #126
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-126/
> Title: Dithered Hearts
Author: Chace Verity
Relation to theme: Cinderella retelling
Representation: Queer author, queer MCs
Content Warnings (provided by the author):
– Abuse toward queer characters, including mental, emotional, and on-the-page physical abuse
– Abuse toward a disabled character
– Anti-queer rhetoric and microaggressions
– Excessive swearing, including gendered insults
– Mentions of deceased parents
– Mentions of substance abuse and addiction
– Misgendering, including accidental and willful instances
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3a2fwWa
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46041338-dithered-hearts
NOTE: This episode was discussed in RBP ep #210 but was cut for time
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-210/
> Title: Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle #1)
Author: C.L. Polk
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting
Representation: Queer author, queer MCs
Content Warnings: PTSD
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3hxleCV
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36187110-witchmark
NOTE: This book was discussed in the RBP Best of 2020 episode
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/best-of-2020/
> Title: Strange Love
Author: Ann Aguirre
Relation to theme: Alien MC
Representation: Queer MC
Content Warnings: deadly competitions, death (side character), sexual assault (side character)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3b1AQxk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48915429-strange-love
NOTE: This book was discussed in the RBP Best of 2020 episode
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/best-of-2020/
> What are your Sci-Fi & Fantasy #InclusiveRomance favorites? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments
Happy Reading!
EP 218 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“WORD OF MOUTH”
This week Ana hosts the podcast with guest author Tasha Suri as they introduce our January theme of Sci-Fi & Fantasy Romance and discuss the power of word of mouth marketing
EP 217 HOST
> ANA COQUI (she/her) A lifelong genre reader, Ana grew up reading fantasy, sci-fi & mystery novels in Puerto Rico, before finally wandering into the romance section of the library in search of HEA’s after bawling through one too many dystopian novels. When she is not reading, knitting, writing about romance for Love in Panels or running #RomBkLove on Twitter as @anacoqui, Ana is a school librarian
EP 217 GUEST
> TASHA SURI (she/her) Tasha Suri is an award-winning fantasy author, occasional librarian and cat owner. Her books include the Books of Ambha duology, and the upcoming Indian-influenced fantasy The Jasmine Throne. When she isn’t writing, Tasha likes to cry over TV shows, buy too many notebooks, and indulge her geeky passion for reading about South Asian history. She lives with her family in a mildly haunted house in London. You can visit Tasha’s website at https://tashasuri.com, or follow her on Twitter @tashadrinkstea and on Instagram @tashasuri
EP 217 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-December during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020
> Title: Empire of Sand (The Books of Ambha #1)
Author: Tasha Suri
Relation to theme: Mughal Empire-inspired fantasy setting
Representation: South Asian, queer author, South Asian-inspired MCs
Content Warnings (from reader Leigh Kramer): forced marriage, threatened rape or sexual assault, drugging, violence, abuse of power
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3k3cV1n
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39714124-empire-of-sand
NOTE: This book was also discussed in RBP #209
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-209/
NOTE: This book is marketed as SFF with romantic elements
> Title: Realm of Ash (The Books of Ambha #2)
Author: Tasha Suri
Relation to theme: Mughal Empire-inspired fantasy setting
Representation: South Asian, queer author, South Asian-inspired MCs
Content Warnings (from reader Leigh Kramer): death of loved ones, massacre, violence, grief, use of opium to go the realm of ash, hero is drugged with opium, assassination
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/390J8Eh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44297804-realm-of-ash
NOTE: This book is marketed as SFF with romantic elements
> Tasha’s next book, The Jasmine Throne, from the new Burning Kingdoms series, is due in June 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54435003-the-jasmine-throne
> Shoutout to @ArdentlyAarya for introducing many of us to Tasha’s writing!
> Tasha mentions Marjorie M. Liu’s Dirk & Steele series, which is a blend of paranormal and fantasy romance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/41078-dirk-steele
> Tasha and Ana both cite Nalini Singh as a romance gateway author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/71688.Nalini_Singh
NOTE: RBP did a special interview with Nalini Singh this fall
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-nalini-singh/
> Tasha mentions Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) by Juliet Marillier which is a retelling of the Seven Swans fairytale
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11289310-daughter-of-the-forest
> Tasha mentions Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente which is historical fantasy with romantic elements
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10237040-deathless
> Ana mentions Uprooted by Naomi Novick which is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that decentralizes the romance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36681425-uprooted
> Tasha mentions Master of Crows by Grace Draven as similar to Uprooted but possessing a better balance with the romance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12381358-master-of-crows
> Title: Kushiel’s Dart (Phèdre’s Trilogy #1)
Author: Jacqueline Carey
Relation to theme: Fantasy setting
Representation: White author, queer MC, bi rep
Content Warnings: sexual violence, character death, s&m, graphic violence, sex work, torture
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3bSJAX0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11818109-kushiel-s-dart
NOTE: This is primarily historical fantasy with romantic elements, and the central relationship is spaced out over multiple books
> Title: Silver in the Wood (The Greenhollow Duology #1)
Author: Emily Tesh
Relation to theme: Retelling of the Green Man folktale
Representation: White author, queer MCs
Content Warnings: character death, graphic violence, general horror creepiness, heavily implied abuse/murder
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/35NToO3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43562824-silver-in-the-wood
NOTE: This book was previously mentioned in RBP #120
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-120/
> The second book in the Greenhollow Duology is Drowned Country
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49928905-drowned-country
> Ana mentions The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison which may finally receive a sequel soon?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17404280-the-goblin-emperor
> Title: In the Vanisher’s Palace
Author: Aliette de Bodard
Relation to theme: Beauty & the Beast retelling
Representation: Asian-French author, queer MCs
Content Warnings: abuse, trauma, coercion, the general awfulness of dystopia
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/39GQegd
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41724928-in-the-vanishers-palace
NOTE: This book was previously mentioned in RBP #120
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-120/
> Title: Son of the Shadows (Sevenwaters #2)
Author: Juliet Marillier
Relation to theme: Seven Swans fairy tale retelling
Representation: White author, white, cishet MCs
Content Warnings: sexual violence, graphic violence, pregnancy/childbirth, domestic violence
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/394pGGv
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11796524-son-of-the-shadows
NOTE: This is primarily historical fantasy with romantic elements
> Title: This Is How You Lose The Time War
Author: Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone
Relation to theme: Time travel plot
Representation: Author of color, queer MCs
Content Warnings: war, violence
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/35SkrYG
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43352954-this-is-how-you-lose-the-time-war
> Tasha highly recommends the audio book for This is How You lose the Time War, narrated by
Cynthia Farrell and Emily Woo Zeller
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42996336-this-is-how-you-lose-the-time-war
> Ana also recommends the audio for Tasha’s book Empire of Sand, narrated by Soneela Nankani
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42785926-empire-of-sand
> Tasha recommends Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell which is due for release in Feb 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53320169-winter-s-orbit
> Title: The A.I. Who Loved Me
Author: Alyssa Cole
Relation to theme: Android MC
Representation: Black, queer, neuro-divergent author, Black MC, Asian MC
Content Warnings: past accident
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/390NnQd
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53467163-the-a-i-who-loved-me
> The A.I. Who Loved Me originated as a full-cast Audible Original and is highly recommended on audio
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52255365-the-a-i-who-loved-me
> Which Sci-fi & Fantasy romance favorites did we miss? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments
Happy Reading!
EP 217 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“ROMANCE RE-SET”
Happy New Year! In this episode the entire RomBkPod team gathers for a special bonus chat as we discuss our favorite romance reads from 2020 and our most anticipated romance reads for 2021
BONUS EP HOSTS
> ANA COQUI (she/her) A lifelong genre reader, Ana grew up reading fantasy, sci-fi & mystery novels in Puerto Rico, before finally wandering into the romance section of the library in search of HEA’s after bawling through one too many dystopian novels. When she is not reading, knitting, writing about romance for Love in Panels or running #RomBkLove on Twitter as @anacoqui, Ana is a school librarian
> DANIELLE (she/her) is the voice behind LoveReadListen.com where she writes about her adventures in reading romance, YA, and audiobooks. Danie has a passion for promoting Black Romance and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Danie enjoys anime, cartoons, and hip-hop. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @DanieReads
> MEKA (she/her) is the voice behind BookAbility.me where she writes about her adventures in reading romance and being visually impaired. Meka loves pushing books and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Meka also enjoys singing and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her guide dog, Treble. You can follow her on Twitter @Mektastic
> MELINDA (she/her) was that child reading Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High books with a flashlight until 2 a.m. and checking out stacks of books from the library every week. After getting sick of ‘important’ books in her English degree classes, she turned to romance and HEAs and hasn’t looked back since. Melinda spends her time doing puzzles, listening to podcasts, and helping as admin for @RomanceSparksJoy. When she’s not busy with all of that, she’s a freelance editor or talking about books as @MelindaEdits
> SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader
> SARAH JOHNSON (she/her) is a life-long reader with a passion for historical fiction and non-fiction. After having her first child, Sarah turned her attention to historical romance and has nearly completed her collection of Beverly Jenkins historicals. Sarah is the producer of RomBkPod, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @LustFoundReads
BONUS EP DISCUSSION
NOTE: We have not included content warnings this week. If you’d like content warnings for a book we’ve read, please contact us @RomBkPod on Twitter or Instagram. Thank you!
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-December during the Covid pandemic of 2020
2020 FAVORITES
MELINDA’S 2020 FAVORITE
> Melinda highly recommends Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3jUbu5b
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53410266-spoiler-alert
NOTE: Olivia Dade was a guest on RBP #130
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-130/
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #209
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-209/
DANIELLE’S 2020 FAVORITE
> Danie highly recommends Go Deep by Rilzy Adams
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2Rpwrcl
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54290559-go-deep
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #203
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-203/
SARAH JEAN’S 2020 FAVORITE
> Sarah Jean highly recommends The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3na3MVX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45047384-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in the Pride episode featuring author ‘Nathan Burgione
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-ep-pride-burgoine/
> Sarah Jean also recommends the audio narrated by Daniel Henning
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53271469-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea
> There is no shame in re-setting your Goodreads annual goal!
MEKA’S 2020 FAVORITE
> Meka highly recommends Witchmark by CL Polk (first published in 2018)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3hxleCV
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36187110-witchmark
> The second book in The Kingston Cycle, Stormsong, was published in 2020, and the third book, Soulstar, is due in Feb 2021
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3hCE8s6
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41473380-stormsong
ANA’S 2020 FAVORITE
> Ana highly recommends Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3cAOuGg
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48568248-take-a-hint-dani-brown
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #204
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-204/
> Ana also recommends the audio for Take a Hint, Dani Brown, narrated by Ione Butler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51793322-take-a-hint-dani-brown
> Did you read any favorite audiobooks this year?
> Meka & Melinda recommend Slay by Brittney Morris on audio, narrated by Kiersey Clemons
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44675886-slay
> Ana recommends Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall on audio, narrated by Joe Jameson
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54364691-boyfriend-material
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #205 and #216
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-205/
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-216/
> Melinda recommends Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas on audio, narrated by Avi Roque
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55250881-cemetery-boys
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #206
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-206/
> Danie recommends Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia on audio, narrated by Frankie Corzo
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52739975-mexican-gothic
NOTE: This is mystery/horror, and not a romance
> Danie recommends Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo on audio, narrated by the author along with Melania-Luisa Marte
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49116920-clap-when-you-land
NOTE: This is YA, and not a romance
> Danie recommends We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez on audio, narrated by Marisa Blake
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54356388-we-are-not-from-here
NOTE: This is YA, and not a romance
> Sarah Jean recommends Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse on audio, narrated by Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab, & Shaun Taylor-Corbett
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50898230-black-sun
NOTE: This is SFF, and not a romance
> Ana also recommends American Sweethearts by Adriana Herrera, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2EYFC0L
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50775142-american-sweethearts
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #201
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-201/
> Sarah Jean also recommends Candy Hearts by Erin McLellan, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pMvM41
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50170971-candy-hearts
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #124
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-124/
> Sarah Jean also recommends Sword Dance by AJ Demas, another favorite read in 2020 but published in 2019
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2JBL63X
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51856712-sword-dance
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in the Pride episode featuring author May Peterson
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-ep-pride-peterson/
> Sarah Jean also recommends Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3cAOENS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52737554-two-rogues-make-a-right
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #204 & #216
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-204/
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-216/
> Ana also recommends Deal With the Devil by Kit Rocha, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2U3yFj7
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45157148-deal-with-the-devil
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #209 with the author team Kit Rocha
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-209/
> Ana also recommends A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing by Charlie Adhara, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2U9ifWq
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50818771-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #210
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-210/
> Ana, Melinda & Meka also recommend everything by Nalini Singh, including her 2020 new releases, Alpha Night and Archangel’s Sun
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle (Alpha Night): https://amzn.to/3hxYT82
Kindle (Archangel’s Sun): https://amzn.to/38RiSux
Goodreads (Alpha Night): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49074639-alpha-night
Goodreads (Archangel’s Sun): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53513395-archangel-s-sun
NOTE: These books were also mentioned in our special interview with Nalini Singh
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-nalini-singh/
> Melinda also recommends Like Lovers Do by Tracey Livesay, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2Ro245V
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52167727-like-lovers-do
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #202
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-202/
> Melinda also recommends Strange Love by Ann Aguirre, another 2020 favorite
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3b1AQxk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48915429-strange-love
2020 NEW TO ME
> Meka read her first Courtney Milan books, The Governess Affair and The Duchess War
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle (The Governess Affair): https://amzn.to/38YKhLk
Kindle (The Duchess War): https://amzn.to/3pEmzdQ
Goodreads (The Governess Affair): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18492277-the-governess-affair
Goodreads (The Duchess War): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16300660-the-duchess-war
> Meka also read The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2MpM4Bo
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38495896-the-weight-of-the-stars
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #126
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-126/
> Sarah Jean read the Los Nefilim series by T. Frohock
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2KWGZzX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40613619-where-oblivion-lives
NOTE: This book was also mentioned in RBP #212
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-212/
> Danie read Heatwaves by Kema B.
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3rOvjQn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54426344-heatwaves
> Danie also read Love & War by Shae Sanders
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pGemFV
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54515377-love-and-war
> Danie also read You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o6hj29
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50027029-you-deserve-each-other
> Melinda read Work Song by Danielle Allen
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2WZkJYI
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26228446-work-song
> Ana read The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o5LYNi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44294576-the-widow-of-rose-house
> Did you re-read any favorites this year? If so, which ones?
> Ana read Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o6FygX
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13255416-indigo
NOTE: This book was mentioned in our special interview with Ms. Bev
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-ep-jenkinsjuly-ms-bev/
> Sarah Jean read Heir’s Game, a webtune comic by suspu
Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/drama/heirs-game/
> Sarah Jean also read Muted, a webtune comic by Miranda Mundt
Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/supernatural/muted/
> Sarah Jean also read the Sons of Britain series by Mia West
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o1MYSt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35015621-marked-by-fire
2021 ANTICIPATED READS
> Meka is looking forward to Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins, due Feb 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3hydIYp
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48904945-wild-rain
NOTE: This book was mentioned in our special interview with Ms. Bev
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-ep-jenkinsjuly-ms-bev/
> Meka is also looking forward to Sweet Tea by Piper Huguley, due July 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/351VZ6J
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55948557-sweet-tea
> Danie is looking forward to Sweet Hand by N.G. Peltier, due March 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/34Yh9lR
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55237206-sweethand
> Don’t miss the Sweethand cover, it’s so gorgeous!
> Danie is also looking forward to The Jaguar Knight by Ann Aguirre, due April 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pA2jKi
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56257182-the-jaguar-knight
> Ana is looking forward to The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha, due August 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3b0ci7R
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53424624-the-devil-you-know
> Ana is also looking forward to Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews, due Jan 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o8WfYP
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54561555-blood-heir
> Sarah Jean is looking forward to Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell, due Feb 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pHDcoZ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53320169-winter-s-orbit
> Sarah Jean is also looking forward to The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles, due Feb 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o8TvL0
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56393369-the-gentle-art-of-fortune-hunting
> Sarah Jean is also looking forward to The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian, due June 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3hyqA0y
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55529818-the-queer-principles-of-kit-webb
> Sarah Jean is also looking forward to Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri, due June 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2KWIE8C
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54435003-the-jasmine-throne
> Melinda is looking forward to Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder, due Jan 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pEMyBV
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53965645-big-bad-wolf
> Melinda is also looking forward to Nalini Singh’s next books, including her new suspense novel Quiet in Her Bones, due Feb 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3hwIscg
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55400330-quiet-in-her-bones
> Melinda is also looking forward to How to Be Good by Chace Verity, due Feb 2021
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2X2rzN8
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52590807-how-to-be-good
> That’s all, folks! What are your 2020 romance favorites? Which new releases are you anticipating in 2021?
Join @RomBkPod in January for a month of Sci-Fi & Fantasy romance!
Happy Reading!
BONUS EP MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“KINKY LEMONS”
This week host Sarah Jean concludes our Food in Romance theme with special guest author Jude Sierra and a focus on #QueerRomance
EP 216 HOST
> SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader
EP 216 GUEST
JUDE SIERRA (she/her) As a sucker for happy endings and well written emotional arcs and characters, Jude is an unapologetic bookaholic. She finds bookstores and libraries unbearably sexy and, to her husband’s dismay, is attempting to create her own in their living room. She is a writer of many things that hope to find their way out of the sanctuary of her hard drive, and many that have found a home in a fanfiction community. She is currently working on her Master of Arts in Writing and Rhetoric and managing a home filled with her husband, two young sons, and two cats. You can visit her website at https://judesierra.com/ or follow her on Twitter @JudeSierra and Instagram @judemsierra
EP 216 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in late-November during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020
NOTE: This episode includes a discussion of Xan West/Corey Alexander’s work and, sadly, their passing in August
> Title: Idlewild
Author: Jude Sierra
Relation to theme: Chef MC
Representation: Brazilian-American, Latinx, queer author, queer MCs, Black MC, white MC
Content Warnings (from reader Xan West): Drunk driving car accident kills an MC’s partner in the past, grief arc, boss/employee relationship, white MC learns some things about his privilege through his relationship with Black MC, MC is closeted about being genderqueer
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/380CRHR
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33163072-idlewild
> Learn more about Interlude Press here https://interludepress.com/
> Title: The Remaking of Corbin Wale
Author: Roan Parrish
Relation to theme: Baker MC
Representation: White, Jewish, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs, Jewish MC, neurodivergent MC, disabled MC
Content Warnings: grief, death, spousal abuse of secondary character, verbal abuse, past death of parental figures/relatives, kink, parental neglect
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3aUegGI
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39481486-the-remaking-of-corbin-wale
NOTE: This book was previously discussed on RBP #116
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-116/
> Sarah Jean and Jude mention Roan Parrish’s latest book, Better Than People
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/381z25b
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53038198-better-than-people
> Title: Small Change (Small Change #1)
Author: Roan Parrish
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, Jewish, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs
Content Warnings: mentions of sibling’s suicide attempt, misogynist microaggressions, sexual harrassment, emotional abuse from family, drug use & overdose (past)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2WVM0LA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35109768-small-change
NOTE This book was previously discussed in RBP #132
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-132/
> Title: In the Middle of Somewhere (In the Middle of Somewhere #1)
Author: Roan Parrish
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, Jewish, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs, diabled MC, neurodivergent MC
Content Warnings (from reader Leigh Kramer): stutter, migraines, dyslexia, anxiety, homophobic family, homophobic slurs, homophobic beating resulting in the death of hero’s boyfriend and hospitalization for his own injuries, nightmares, past mugging, bullying, past suicide attempt, closeted side character with internalized homophobia, concern of infidelity, references to past fights, death of father (heart attack), alcoholism, fat-shaming, cheating ex, car accident in which a dog is hit but recovers, death of mother from pancreatic cancer when Rex was 16, side character’s brother died by suicide after their dad caught him with a guy, appendix scar, reference to abortion debate, brief reference to actress who died by suicide, statement that broken light fixture “committed suicide”
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2Mr8K4l
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25862832-in-the-middle-of-somewhere
> Jude mentions Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston and the MC Alex Claremont-Diaz, who is a chaotic personality
Bookstore: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/38Noaax
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49233093-red-white-royal-blue
NOTE: This book has a CW for forced outing
> Title: A Tiny Piece of Something Greater
Author: Jude Sierra
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: Brazilian-American, Latinx, queer author, queer MCs, Brazilian MC, white MC, disabled MC, neurodivergent MC
Content Warnings: cyclothymia (a mood disorder that causes emotional highs and lows)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2JwqABA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38720783-a-tiny-piece-of-something-greater
> Title: Counterpoint (Twisted Wishes #2)
Author: Anna Zabo
Relation to theme: Food as seduction
Representation: White, nonbinary, queer author, white MCs, queer MCs, neurodivergent MC
Content Warnings (from the author): anxiety, including descriptions of panic attacks, mentions of racism, mentions of queermisia, including from a family member, mention of death of parents (from natural causes), stalking by the press, bondage, blindfolding, including being fed dessert while bound
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2MjG64R
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39675785-counterpoint
> Sarah Jean highly recommends the audio for Counterpoint, narrated by Greg Boudreaux
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53147530-counterpoint
> Title: For Real (Spires #3)
Author: Alexis Hall
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, genderqueer author, queer MCs, white MCs
Content Warnings: grief, BDSM
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/382nI9h
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40726183-for-real
> Title: Boyfriend Material
Author: Alexis Hall
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, genderqueer author, queer MCs, white MCs
Content Warnings: parental abandonment, toxic family, gaslighting, homophobia, evil ex, mention of disordered eating, lapsed vegetarianism
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3jHau4Z
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48994908-boyfriend-material
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in RBP #205
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-205/
> Sourcebooks Casablanca made a fun cookbook to promote Boyfriend Material featuring recipes for several of the foods mentioned in the novel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/quicunquevult/status/1330895259400859649?s=20
> Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown (Brown Sisters #2)
Author: Talia Hibbert
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: Black, queer, autistic author, Black, bi MC, Pakistani MC, neurodivergent MC
Content Warnings: death of father and brother (past), anxiety & panic attacks, evil ex (past)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3cAOuGg
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48568248-take-a-hint-dani-brown
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in RBP #204
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-204/
> To clarify, in Take a Hint…, Dani brings Zaf coffee, and Zaf gives Dani a protein bar because she never eats breakfast, that’s their special routine
> Title: Sotto Voce
Author: Erin Finnegan
Relation to theme: Winemaker MC
Representation: White, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs
Content Warnings: alcohol
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3n6Bwnc
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23439502-sotto-voce
> Title: The Pursuit Of… (The Worth Saga #2.5)
Author: Courtney Milan
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: Chinese-American author, queer MCs, Black MC, white MC
Content Warnings: story starts at the end of the Battle of Yorktown at the end of the American Revolution and involves brief fighting
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3rLA3WS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39962903-the-pursuit-of
> Title: Misfits (Urban Soul #1)
Author: Garrett Leigh
Relation to theme: Chef MC, restaurant developer MC
Representation: White, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs, disabled MC
Content Warnings: grief, open relationship, menage, polyamory, Tourette’s Syndrome
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/382DQr9
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39663411-misfits
NOTE: This book was previous discussed in RBP #108
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-108/
> Title: Two Rogues Make a Right (Sedgwick #3)
Author: Cat Sebastian
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs, disabled MC
Content Warnings: MC with tuberculosis, MC with PTSD due to time in the Navy; MC with opium/laudanum addiction; death of parent (past); discussion of sexual abuse of a minor (past, not main MCs)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3cAOENS
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52737554-two-rogues-make-a-right
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in RBP #204
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-204/
> Title: The Ruin of a Rake (Turner #3)
Author: Cat Sebastian
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs, disabled MC
Content Warnings: chronic illness (malaria), financial instability, suspected infidelity
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3o7zHYK
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32681842-the-ruin-of-a-rake
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in RBP #108 with author Cat Sebastian
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-108/
> Title: Hither, Page (Page & Sommers #1)
Author: Cat Sebastian
Relation to theme: Food as love language
Representation: White, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs, disabled MC
Content Warnings: austerity & rationing, PTSD, secret identity, spy games, homophobia, murder (off-page)
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3n2Lbv9
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45721740-hither-page
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in RBP Best of 2019
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-best-of-2019/
> Title: Whiskey Business
Author: Avon Gale
Relation to theme: Distiller MC
Representation: White, queer author, queer MCs, white MCs
Content Warnings: alcohol, financial instability
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pCEtxx
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52780986-whiskey-business
> Title: A Little Familiar (Familiar Spirits #1)
Author: R. Cooper
Relation to theme: Kitchen witch MC
Representation: White, queer author, nonbinary/genderfluid MC, queer MCs, white MCs
Content Warnings: witchcraft
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-sarah-jean-s-recs
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3py7f2c
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26862609-a-little-familiar
> Check out Queer Books Unbound https://queerbooksunbound.com/
> Jude’s TBR
>> His Quiet Agent by Ada Maria Soto
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35238838-his-quiet-agent
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in our Pride ep with Kara Jorgensen
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-pride-ep-jorgensen/
>> One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is due June 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55072663-one-last-stop
>> Annabeth Albert’s firefighting series is her Hotshots series
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/273519-hotshots
>> Sarah Jean refers to Albert’s Portland Heat series
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/144476-portland-heat
> Sarah Jean’s TBR
>> Gentle Wolf by Pia Foxhall
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55528456-the-gentle-wolf
>> Eight Kinky Nights by Xan West
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48665659-eight-kinky-nights
NOTE: Sadly Xan West/Corey Alexander passed away in August of this year, and they are greatly missed
> Don’t forget to check out Queer Books Unbound https://queerbooksunbound.com/
> Which Food in Romance favorites did we miss? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod
Happy Reading!
EP 216 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“FOOD & FRIENDS”
This week host Danielle continues the Food in Romance theme with special guest reader/reviewer Kini, plus Kini reveals details of her new project
EP 215 HOST
> DANIELLE (she/her) is the voice behind LoveReadListen.com where she writes about her adventures in reading romance, YA, and audiobooks. Danie has a passion for promoting Black Romance and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Danie enjoys anime, cartoons, and hip-hop. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @DanieReads
EP 215 GUEST
> KINI ALLEN (she/her) is a lifelong reader who has always enjoyed getting lost in books. She started reading romance about ten years ago and discovered the joy of a HEA and hasn’t looked back since. Kini is a knitter and is ruled by her cat, Kitty Scarlett O’Haira. She’s a fierce advocate for the romance genre and active participant of romance Twitter. Previously, she wrote reviews for and co-operated Smexybooks.com. Look for Kini on her upcoming site, AllMyBookishFriends.com. You can follow Kini on Twitter @kinilei1 and on Instagram @1kinilei
EP 215 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in late November during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020
> Title: North to You
Author: Tif Marcelo
Relation to theme: Food truck owner
Representation: Filipino-American author, Filipino MC
Content Warnings: death of parents (past), older sibling raising younger sibling, lie of omission
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3aHvbMK
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33835789-north-to-you
> Kini mentions the romance Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday for its use of food as a love language
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50664835-paradise-cove
NOTE: This romance contains heavy themes including death of a child and cancer, please seek out full content warnings before reading
> Title: The Marriage Game
Author: Sara Desai
Relation to theme: Family restaurant
Representation: South Asian author, South Asian MCs
Content Warnings: parent suffers heart attack, parent arranges dates without MC’s consent
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/34IMYPI
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48717194-the-marriage-game
> Sara Desai’s next book, The Dating Plan, is due in March 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54821393-the-dating-plan
> Title: A Taste of Sage
Author: Yaffa S. Santos
Relation to theme: Chef MC
Representation: Dominican-American author, Dominican-American MC, white MC
Content Warnings: toxic workplace, kitchen accident, dubcon
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2Kps1T3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50512447-a-taste-of-sage
NOTE: Danie loves how this book includes recipes
> Title: As Good As the First Time (Sugar Lake #1)
Author: K.M. Jackson
Relation to theme: Family bakery
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: career stress, sick family member, single parent
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ap8KLU
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38363598-as-good-as-the-first-time
NOTE: This book also includes recipes, plus this book was also recommended in RBP #214
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-214/
> Title: Sugar, Butter, Flour, Love: A Novella
Author: Nicole Falls
Relation to theme: Baker MC, baking competition
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: sexual harassment at a club, reference to a minor character’s past cocaine use, non-Native use of “powwow”
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2M67R0O
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42956300-sugar-butter-flour-love
> Title: The Worst Best Man
Author: Mia Sosa
Relation to theme: Wedding planner MC, family bakery
Representation: Afro-Latinx author, Brazilian-American MC, white MC
Content Warnings: broken engagement, parental abandonment
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2KCF8jD
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45714292-the-worst-best-man
NOTE: This book was also recommended in RBP #213 and RBP host Ana beta read this book
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-213/
> Danie and Kini also recommend Acting on Impulse from Mia Sosa’s Love on Cue series which involves a family Puerto Rican restaurant and has been recommended on RBP multiple times
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2WIV7iG
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35442397-acting-on-impulse
> Danie and Kini mention following different romance authors on social media and being exposed to their food culture including Mia Sosa, Sara Desai, Tif Marcelo, and Sajni Patel who wrote The Trouble With Hating You
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51520901-the-trouble-with-hating-you
NOTE: This romance contains heavy themes including sexual and emotional abuse and slut shaming, please seek out full content warnings before reading
> Title: Tweet Cute
Author: Emma Lord
Relation to theme: Family deli, family fast-food chain
Representation: White, cishet author, white, cishet MCs
Content Warnings: none identified
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-danielle-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3aHdOeE
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53081837-tweet-cute
NOTE: This is a YA novel with romantic elements
> Title: Little Dark Desire (Big City, Small World, #2)
Author: Rae Shawn
Relation to theme: Chef MC, food/travel blogger, family bakery
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: death of a parent, inappropriate work relationship, stalker behavior, assault
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mMrszL
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55460135-little-dark-desire
> Kini’s TBR includes Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron, which involves a cooking competition, due March 2021
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54477597-accidentally-engaged
> Are you a pandemic baker? Did you attempt to bake bread this year?
> Follow Kini to learn more about her new project AllMyBookishFriends.com, you can follow her on Twitter @kinilei1 and on Instagram @1kinilei
> Danie’s Bookish Friends shout outs:
>> Joy at https://twitter.com/JoyfullyReviewd
>> Natasha at https://twitter.com/KindleCousins
>> Kimberly at https://twitter.com/KimmyLoves2Read
> Which Food in Romance favorites did we miss? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments
Happy Reading!
EP 215 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“COMFORT FOOD”
This week host Melinda continues our Food in Romance theme with guest host Geri and special guest author and #RomanceClass creator Mina V. Esguerra
EP 214 HOSTS
> MELINDA UTENDORF (she/her) was that child reading Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High books with a flashlight until 2 a.m. and checking out stacks of books from the library every week. After getting sick of ‘important’ books in her English degree classes, she turned to romance and HEAs and hasn’t looked back since. Melinda spends her time doing puzzles, listening to podcasts, and helping as admin for @RomanceSparksJoy. When she’s not busy with all of that, she’s a freelance editor or talking about books as @MelindaEdits
EP 214 GUEST HOST
> GERI (she/her) Geri started reading romance at 12 years old when she found a trove of Harlequin Presents under her aunt’s bed and hasn’t looked back since! She loves her books sweet and sexy with a little bit of angst thrown in. Read Geri’s blog at www.gerireads.com, or you can follow Geri on Twitter @GeriReads and on Instagram @geri_reads
EP 214 GUEST
MINA V. ESGUERRA (she/her) Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance novels. Visit minavesguerra.com to learn more about her writing, publishing experiments, events, and advocacies. When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, development communication consultant, publisher, and publishing mentor. She created the workshop series “Author at Once” for writers and publishers, and #romanceclass for aspiring romance writers. You can follow Mina on Twitter and Instagram @MinaVEsguerra. You can also learn more about #RomanceClass at romanceclassbooks.com, or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @romanceclassbks
EP 214 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-November during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020
> Meka was not able to join us this month, but she sends her love! Love you, Meka!
> Visit the #romanceclass website
Link: romanceclassbooks.com
> You can find the entire Hello, Ever After series on YouTube
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_Xrbqj-PNRLkjd0f37hdTuUqCT_t64gX
> Title: The Kitchen When It Sizzles
Author: Chrissie Peria
Relation to theme: Chef MC, learning to cook
Representation: Filipina author, Filipino MCs
Content Warnings: none identified
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/37tMKOg
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22847230-the-kitchen-when-it-sizzles
> Title: Mango Summer
Author: Agay Llanera
Relation to theme: Female farmer MC
Representation: Filipina author, Filipino MCs
Content Warnings: broken engagement
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2WsqfD4
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42335492-mango-summer
> Mango Summer is being adapted for the screen!
Link: https://www.romanceclassbooks.com/news/whats-next-mango-summer-series/
> Title: Sweet on You
Author: Carla de Guzman
Relation to theme: Cafe owner MC, Baker MC
Representation: Filipina author, Filipino MCs
Content Warnings: none identified
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/37vOCWO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54224801-sweet-on-you
> The smelly fish dish Mina mentions is Tuyo and here’s a cute video about eating it for breakfast. Do you have a food or drink that you tested/would test your partner with?
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ-JbMVLrzI
> Title: Kiss & Cry (Six 32 Central #2)
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Relation to theme: Comfort food
Representation: Filipina author, Filipina MC, Filipino-American MC
Content Warnings: none identified
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mtC5r3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43839355-kiss-and-cry
> Title: What Kind of Day (Six 32 Central #1)
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Relation to theme: Food as courtship/seduction
Representation: Filipina author, Filipina MCs
Content Warnings: none identified
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3muEQbA
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40058181-what-kind-of-day
> Geri, Mina, & Melinda all recommend Jackie Lau’s Baldwin Village series
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/250946-baldwin-village
NOTE: Ana spoke about Food in Romance with Jackie Lau in RBP #213
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-213/
> Title: A Taste of Heaven
Author: Penny Watson
Relation to theme: Reality cooking competition, comfort food
Representation: White cis het author, white cis het MCs, over 40 MCs
Content Warnings: grief (recent death of a partner), creepy co-contestant
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/38bmWWk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26247682-a-taste-of-heaven
> Do you have recs for Geri? Which of your favorite romance authors write seasoned (over 40) characters?
> Title: Afternoon Delight
Author: Anne Calhoun
Relation to theme: Food truck owner, food as seduction
Representation: White cis het author, white cis het MCs
Content Warnings: grief (recent death of family member)
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2LDqd90
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23207386-afternoon-delight
> Title: Check, Please! (Book #1 & Book #2)
Author: Ngozi Ukazu
Relation to theme: Baker MC
Representation: Black author, white, queer MCs
Content Warnings: hazing, alcohol use, injuries from playing hockey, coming out
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mxLSfA (Book 1)
Kindle: https://amzn.to/34nDHfK (Book 2)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/223727-check-please
NOTE: You need to read both books to get the HEA
NOTE: Check, Please! Was previously recommended on RBP #104
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-104/
>> Title: Cream of the Crop
Author: Alice Clayton
Relation to theme: Farmer MC, food marketing
Representation: White author, white cis het MC, Latinx cis het MC, fat rep
Content Warnings: discussion of fatphobia
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3p2KBip
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25560437-cream-of-the-crop
>> Title: As Good As the First Time (Sugar Lake #1)
Author: K.M. Jackson
Relation to theme: Family bakery
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: career stress, sick family member, single parent
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/hosts-meka-melinda-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3ap8KLU
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38363598-as-good-as-the-first-time
>> Melinda recommends With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo which is YA with romantic elements
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42357635-with-the-fire-on-high
>> Melinda shares with Mina that Iris After the Incident is her favorite book (no food theme)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31353634-iris-after-the-incident
>> Yes, more #RomanceClass on audio, please!
>> Checkout Mina on Scribd
Link: https://www.scribd.com/ga/38qf0k
> What are your Food in Romance #InclusiveRomance favorites? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments
Happy Reading!
EP 214 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
“FROM DONUTS TO DURIAN”
This week Ana hosts the podcast with special guest author and donut aficionado Jackie Lau as they introduce our December theme Food in Romance
EP 213 HOST
> ANA COQUI (she/her) A lifelong genre reader, Ana grew up reading fantasy, sci-fi & mystery novels in Puerto Rico, before finally wandering into the romance section of the library in search of HEA’s after bawling through one too many dystopian novels. When she is not reading, knitting, writing about romance for Love in Panels or running #RomBkLove on Twitter as @anacoqui, Ana is a school librarian
EP 213 GUEST
JACKIE LAU (she/her) Jackie Lau decided she wanted to be a writer when she was in grade two, sometime between writing “The Heart That Got Lost” and “The Land of Shapes.” She later studied engineering and worked as a geophysicist before turning to writing romance novels. Jackie lives in Toronto with her husband, and despite living in Canada her whole life, she hates winter. When she’s not writing, she enjoys gelato, gourmet donuts, cooking, hiking, and reading on the balcony when it’s raining
Website: https://jackielaubooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JackieLauBooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackielaubooks/FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/northernheat
FULL SHOW NOTES FORTHCOMING
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
EP 213 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
“KISSING MONSTERS”
This week host Sarah Jean concludes our Paranormal & Urban Fantasy theme with special guest author Jordan L. Hawk and a focus on #QueerRomance
EP 212 HOST
> SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader
EP 212 GUEST
JORDAN L. HAWK (he/him) Jordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. You can visit his website at http://www.jordanlhawk.com/ or follow him on Twitter @jordanlhawk and Instagram @jordanlhawk
EP 212 DISCUSSION
FULL SHOW NOTES FORTHCOMING
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
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