Shelf Love

017. An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole with Katrina Jackson
Jan 14, 2020
Katrina Jackson, erotic romance author by night, historian by day, joins the podcast. We read An Unconditional Freedom by Alyssa Cole, about reluctant spy partners working to bring down the Confederacy in the Civil War. Katrina shares her thoughts from her own research into love as an integral part of radical Black politics, the definition of “diaspora” and “interwar,” as well as all sorts of things you probably didn’t learn in history class. CW: We talk about the treatment of enslaved people in the Civil War, including a character’s PTSD as a result of being enslaved. This character has suicidal ideation.
016: Sanctuary by Rebekah Weatherspoon with Norma Perez-Hernandez
Jan 7, 2020
Norma Perez-Hernandez, an assistant editor at romance publisher Kensington, warms my heart as we talk about working in publishing, how rom coms are returning to the city, and how people of color pursuing a career in publishing experience systemic inequality. Our Romance Worth Reading is Sanctuary by Rebekah Weatherspoon, which is part of the Beards and Bondage series. We discuss recovery, hating your job, sweet dogs, delicious romance tropes, and how this book is both like and very much NOT like a Hallmark movie.
015. Listener Favorites Read in 2019 with B. And Her Books
Dec 31, 2019
2019 is the Year of the Ginger Beard! “Best Of” lists are extremely subjective, so leaning into the idea that “best” is really a personal measure, I proudly present the Superlatives Episode. My guest, Romancelandia Librarian B., joins me to share listener’s favorite romances and their very personal reasons for why these books were the best reads of the year. The only requirement was that they READ the book in 2019. Games. New Exciting Sound Effects. A Printable Reading List you can download if you sign up for the newsletter list. We are ending 2019 with a bang.
014.5. Revisiting Courtney Milan's Writing in the Wake of RWA's Censure
Dec 24, 2019
In light of RWA's 12/23/19 censure of Courtney Milan for calling out racism, I revisit a conversation about power, fixing corrupt systems from within, and the patriarchy. New content includes a summary of the issue/themes in the intro, and previously unreleased bonus content and updated outro at the end. An edited version of episode 7 between 5:00 and 38:00. - Erin Leafe (Learning the Tropes Podcast) and I get deep into a discussion of power, privilege, the patriarchy, and pretending to be someone you’re not after reading The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan.
014. Equivalent Exchange by Christina C. Jones with Funmi B.
Dec 17, 2019
Funmi (romance reader, reviewer, aspiring writer), a fierce and passionate advocate for Black romance, shares her own story of becoming a romance reader, and we discuss who is worthy of a Happily Ever After. This week’s romance worth reading is Equivalent Exchange by Christina C. Jones. We discuss themes of therapy, health literacy, and what Black contemporary authors are doing to destigmatize mental health in their communities. We also talk about how books might not be for you...but why you should still read them.
013. The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams with Steve Ammidown
Dec 10, 2019
Guest Steve Ammidown (BGSU Browne Popular Culture Library Archivist) joins the podcast to discuss The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. Topics include Romancelandia’s history, Warm blanket reads, Men’s friendships, Men reading romance, Emotional idiots, What we give of ourselves in marriage, and Why The Bromance Book Club is a book worth reading.
012. The Obsession by Nora Roberts with Lucy Score
Dec 3, 2019
Lucy Score, indie publishing extraordinaire, pulls back the curtain on how she’s innovating and thriving as a romance novelist and we discuss The Obsession by Nora Roberts (queen of romance). The Obsession is a romantic suspense novel, and we discuss being a survivor and not a victim, the true crime craze (murderinos unite!), home renovations, and the family you choose.
011. A Midnight Feast by Emma Barry/Genevieve Turner with Kate Clayborn
Nov 26, 2019
This week, romance novelist Kate Clayborn (Love Lettering) and I talk a lot about work! We read A Midnight Feast, a marriage in trouble novella by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner. A Midnight Feast begins on Thanksgiving day 1965 - a day of second chances! We discuss how it’s a subversive act to respectfully represent domestic labor on the page, why work is so often shorthand for identity and why that’s problematic, as well as why women’s work in particular is undervalued. Bonus clip at the end of the episode featuring another special person!
010.5 More to Love: Polyamorous Romance, Hot Tub No Ma'am, Billionaire Questions
Nov 21, 2019
Bonus extras from episode 10 with Kelly Reynolds from Boobies & Noobies. We play Hot Damn, No Ma'am (Hot Tubs, Quirky Cats, Dating Neighbors), and Kelly shares a polyamorous Write This Book. We also discuss the Billionaire trope: What is their core competency anyway? Extras also include an update on Jess's copywriting career, and listener feedback: is monogamy a capitalist construct?
010. Wallbanger by Alice Clayton with Kelly Reynolds (Boobies & Noobies)
Nov 19, 2019
Kelly Reynolds (Boobies & Noobies Podcast) joins me to discuss Wallbanger by Alice Clayton, a rom-com that took Romancelandia by storm in 2014. This book features a missing Orgasm, neighbors to lovers, and a modern rake archetype. We also dive into generational crushes, why some books seem to age really fast, and what makes a book worth reading.

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Guests

Alice Murphy, Alyssa Cole, Amanda Allen, Amanda Cinelli, Amanda Diehl, Andrea Martucci, Andrew Piper, Angela Toscano, Arielle Zibrak, Ash Dylan, Becky, Bree, Bree Hill, Candice Ransom, Carter Sherman, Charish Reid, Christina Fattore, Copper Dog Books, Dani Lacey, Danielle Knafo, Denise Williams, Diana Filar, Dr. Margo Hendricks, EE Ottoman, Emma, Emma Barry, Eric Selinger, Erin Leafe, Esme Brett, Fangirl Jeanne, Felicia Grossman, Funmi B., Hannah Hearts Romance, Helena Greer, Hsu Ming Teo, Huike Wen, Jack Harbon, Jayashree Kamble, Jennifer Crusie, Jess, Jessica Lyn Van Slooten, Jhen, Jodi McAlister, Jodie Slaughter, Joe Martucci, John Jacobson, Julie Moody-Freeman, Karelia Stetz-Waters, Kassi, Kate Clayborn, Katee Robert, Katherine Grant, Katrina Jackson, Kelly Reynolds, Kennedy Ryan, Kianna Alexander, Kini Allen, Kit Rocha, Laura J. Mayo, Leigh Kramer, Lucy Hargrave, Lucy Score, Lynell, Margarita Guillory, Margo Hendricks, Maria DeBlassie, Megan Erickson, Mia Sosa, Nicola Welsh Burke, Nicole Falls, Norma Perez-Hernandez, Penny Reid, Philippa Borland, Rebecca Romney, Rebekah Weatherspoon, Reformed Rakes, Renee Dahlia, Rosie Danan, Ruby Lang, Sandra Kitt, Sarah Rutherford, Sarah Skilton, Scarlett Peckham, Sionna Fox, Sri Savita, Steve Ammidown, Suzanne Jefferies, Talia Hibbert, Tamara Lush, Tasha L. Harrison, The Swoonies, Tif Marcelo, Tina Benigno, Whoa!mance, Whoamance, fangirl jeanne

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