Fantasy

In this episode, we discuss The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn.
Once upon a time, there was a Lady who was doomed to a loveless, childless, and comfortless marriage. As luck would have it, Lady Jule’s situation gets worse, when her husband Lord Norr abandons her to be captured by orcs. 
Orc Captain Grimarr makes Jule the centerpiece of his plan to win his war against her husband, and Jule, in spite of herself, is on board. But, this means she has to surrender, in all ways, to her orc enemy.
Content warning: Dubious consent, non-consent, exhibitionism, emotional manipulation, and domestic violence (but not between the couple).
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Highlander’s Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum

In this episode, we discuss Neon Gods by Katee Robert.
Persephone is on the run from a forced marriage when she crosses the River Styx and falls into the arms of Hades, King of the Underworld. At first, she’s confused, because Hades isn’t supposed to exist, and yet, here he be… and he be hot. 
Wanting shelter from the coming storm of her alleged fiance’s wrath, Persephone makes a mutually beneficial deal with Hades. Their fake relationship has a time limit, but as the end date approaches, will they admit to themselves that there is real love between them?
Content warning: Exhibition kink; aggressive, but consensual, oral sex; abusive parent
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

In this episode, we discuss Ambrosia by C.N. Crawford.
After almost becoming a ice sculpture, Ava falls through a portal and finds herself in an unfamiliar, hostile world with few allies and fewer options. She wants to reconnect with Torin. She wants to go home. She might not want to face the truth about herself and her nature. But when she meets the land’s sadistic queen, Ava is forced to make a gut wrenching decision in the hope that her vicious actions might save the man she loves.
Content warning: Abusive family members, captivity and torture
Listen to our review of the previous book in the series: Frost by C.N. Crawford
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Neon Gods by Katee Robert

In this episode, we discuss Frost by C.N. Crawford.
There is rock bottom, and then there is the layer of crap Ava finds herself in the morning after her worst birthday ever. Involuntarily single and not ready to mingle, she finds herself jobless as well. Cue the handsome Seelie King Torin to rush in, saying words that amount to, “I hate you, so, marry me and I’ll give you a bunch of money."
Nothing in life is easy, and neither is this staged courtship. Ava must compete against, even sword fight, magic-using princesses to give her a shot at winning Torin’s hand. While Torin helps her survive the deadly challenges, undesired feelings develop. Can Torin keep his distance from Ava and save his people? Or will his love for her doom them all? 
Content warning: Cheating, but not between the couple. Ends on a cliffhanger, but we’ll be doing the next book as our first book for the new year!
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Homecoming King by Penny Reid

In this episode, we discuss Bound to the Battle God by Ruby Dixon.
When Faith goes to check on a sound in an empty apartment, she inadvertently finds herself a plaything of the gods as she is sent to another world where she is now the low woman on the totem pole. All she wants to do is go home, where she's a slave to the dollar and not a sex slave or sacrificial lamb. 
The arrogant battle god Aron is being taught a lesson by the High Father when he's sent to walk amongst the mortals, who he assumes will be eager to provide him aid. His sole supporter is Faith, as she considers him her ticket out of trouble. Soon, the two set out to win Aron's battle to return back to the Aether. 
As they trek across the countryside and plan for victory, will god Aron keep taking his Faith for granted? Or will he move Aether and Aos to remain anchored forever? 
Content warning: Dubious consent, non-consent, slavery (including sex-slavery)
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com

In this episode, we discuss Bows and Eros by Ava Devlin.
In a quiet, snow covered town, grade school teacher Noor expects to deal with the chaos of Family Fun Day, not ancient Greek gods running amuck.
Amidst the mayhem, she pairs up with Ethan, the single father of a former student, both to find his child and to help tame the wild love magic. But, with so much love in the air, how can Noor know if her developing feelings for Ethan are real?
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison.
After taking a penny and leaving a penny, Pia Giovanni is wrapped into the loving (and smothering) wings of an ancient dragon. All Dragos Cuelebre, a.k.a. the dragon, wants to do is protect her as if she were the most valuable treasure in his hoard. Unfortunately, Pia’s theft has far-reaching complications that put them both in danger. And, while Dragos has forgiven her, he has no intention of letting her go. 
Content warning: Dubious consent.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

If you would like to skip the movie commentary, our closing thoughts begin about 1h:38m into the track. 
In this episode, we discuss The Princess Bride movie by William Goldman and directed by Rob Reiner.
After her true love  allegedly dies, Buttercup agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck. Former farm boy turned pirate Westley attempts to save her from that fate so they can reunite. Meanwhile, Inigo and Fezzik bromance across the Florian countryside.
Back in the real world, a sick grandson is uninterested in hearing his well-meaning grandfather read him a “kissing book.” However, as the young boy hears about the adventures of Westley, Buttercup, Inigo, and Fezzik, he gradually becomes more invested, and maybe doesn’t even mind the kissing parts so much.
*
Don't forget, for this episode, we are trying a new format called “watch with ME” where we have pre-recorded our commentary for you to listen along while you watch The Princess Bride movie with us. 
To fully enjoy this episode, you will need to watch The Princess Bride movie along with us, using your platform of choice. If you do a Google search for "stream princess bride" you will find a list of the services that currently host the movie. 
If this format is not your cup of tea, please join us for our next book episode, releasing on March 6th!

In this episode, we discuss The Princess Bride by William Goldman.
After her true love  allegedly dies, Buttercup agrees to marry Prince Humperdinck. Former farm boy turned pirate Westley attempts to save her from that fate so they can reunite. Meanwhile, Inigo and Fezzik bromance across the Florian countryside, yay!
Back in the unreal, unfair world, fictionalized William Goldman, the author, undergoes trials and insanities of his own where he inserts himself (without consent) into the abridged version of the fictional S. Morgenstern’s high adventure fantasy romance.
Will Buttercup and Westley fall in love again before the meta nature of the storytelling makes us want to subject ourselves to the pain?
Content warning: Mentions of suicide, the hero slaps the heroine, and the hero is tortured and then dies for a while. 
*
Don't forget, for our next episode, we will be trying a new format called “watch with ME” where we have pre-recorded our commentary for you to listen along while you watch The Princess Bride movie with us. 
To fully enjoy this episode, you will need to watch The Princess Bride movie along with us, using your platform of choice. If you do a Google search for "stream princess bride" you will find a list of the services that currently host the movie. 
If this format is not your cup of tea, please join us for our next book episode, releasing on March 6th!

In this episode, we discuss Tin by Candace Robinson and Amber R. Duell. 
A decade after Dorothy melted a witch, she must once again travel the much changed yellow brick road to save her friends and herself. However, Tin is now a stone-hearted assassin with the assignment to bring Dorothy to Lion for nefarious reasons. As Dorothy and her Tinman travel the land, will they discover there is no feeling like that of true love?

In this episode, we discuss Kristin Ashley's Fantasyland series as a whole.
In this series, there are two parallel worlds--our world and Fantasyland. Almost everyone in our world has a twin in Fantasyland, although, while these twins look exactly alike, they are often very different from each other. There are five books in this series, and each book involves a character from our world being transported to Fantasyland and finding “love across worlds.”
Content warning: These books contain dubious consent, rape, sexual violence, abuse (including emotional, domestic, and violent child abuse), abuse survivorship, child loss, and slavery. There are several scenes where the hero is violent toward the heroine, including rape.

In this episode, we discuss Midnight Soul by Kristen Ashley.
Franka Drakkar has secrets, and to make everyone keep their distance, she wears a mask of cruelty. Noc Hawthorne, an undercover cop from our world, was transported to Fantasyland to help save it from evil. While there, he meets Franka. In a moment of vulnerability, her mask slips, and Noc sees her for who she really is. Noc wants Franka to come home with him, and promises her an adventure beyond her dreams. After a lifetime of keeping everyone at a distance, is Franka prepared to let Noc into her heart?
Content warning: Abuse survivorship, including violent child abuse.
Join us for a special bonus episode next week, when we discuss the Fantasyland series as a whole!

In this episode, we discuss Broken Dove by Kristen Ashley.
Apollo is still grieving the tragic loss of his wife, Ilsa, when he learns there is a parallel world where everyone in his world has a “twin.” He arranges for the twin of his wife to be brought to his world, hoping that, in this way, he can have his wife again.
Ilsa is on the run from her abusive husband, Apollo’s twin. When she is brought to Apollo’s world, she isn’t what he expected. And, Ilsa doesn’t want to be a constant reminder of what he lost. However, evil is on the horizon and Apollo must keep Ilsa close to keep her safe.
Content warning: This book has scenes depicting domestic violence, emotional abuse, and child loss.

In this episode, we discuss Fantastical by Kristen Ashley.
Cora wakes up in, what she first assumes, a dream-world--where birds talk to her and the furniture defies physics. She inadvertently sets off a centuries-old curse, and soon realizes she is not actually dreaming but in an alternate world where the alternate her is not very nice.
Noctorno rescues Cora from the effects of the curse, but he doesn’t like her or trust her. When Cora tries to tell him who she really is, he thinks it’s all a game. But, he’s willing to play along as long as she stays sweet.
Content warning: Discussion and threats regarding rape, as well as elements of dubious consent.

In this episode, we discuss The Golden Dynasty by Kristin Ashley. 
Circe wakes up, not in her bedroom in Seattle, but in a completely different world. A world filled with violence, barbaric warriors, and magic.
Dax Lahn, king of the Korwahk Horde, takes one look at Circe and knows she is to be his golden queen and that together they will fulfill the legend of the Golden Dynasty. Lahn quickly captures Circe and forces her to be his queen.
In this primitive land with a completely different language and culture, Circe learns she must embrace her own warrior spirit to survive.
Content warning: This book has graphic violence, including sexual violence, rape, domestic abuse, and slavery. Sensitive readers should also be cautioned that the hero rapes and strikes the heroine. 

In this episode, we discuss Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley.
Finnie is always searching for the grandest adventure, so when a witch tells her of a parallel world, and offers to help her switch places with the other her, Finnie is more than willing to spend the money to make it happen. However, there are some secrets the other her has been keeping and not all of them are good. 
Frey Drakkar quickly realizes that his new bride isn’t the woman he actually knows. In fact, she’s much better. He plots to keep her with him always, but to do that, he’ll have to keep her safe. 
Content warning: Discussion and threats regarding rape, as well as elements of dubious consent.