First in a Series

In this episode, we discuss Ask, Tell by E.J. Noyes.
Amid the oppression of the U.S. government's Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, Army Surgeon Capt. Sabine Fleischer is busy in Afghanistan, patching up injured bodies while keeping her crush on her commanding officer under surgical wrap. Forced to internalize her struggles so she doesn’t face career ending consequences for revealing her sexuality, Sabine battles personal challenges related to finding her place in the military, from which she feels increasingly isolated. And, while her commanding officer Col. Rebecca Keane seems to be dropping hints that she returns Sabine’s interest, the timing could not be worse. Taking a risk for love may not be worth it if it means ruining both of their livelihoods. 
Content warning: cheating (but not between the couple), homophobia, PTSD, graphic depictions of combat, casualties, injuries, and death
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn

In this episode, we discuss Crushing on You by Jen Trinh.
When Anna sits next to Ian on the plane, she immediately decides she wants nothing to do with him, even after learning they are traveling to the same event. But, by the end of the weekend, Anna realizes that there may be more to him than she’d first suspected. He’s not the well-mannered stereotype she had thought him to be. Perhaps it’s even safe for her to open up to him about her own hardships. As they get to know each other, they share passions and sorrows, and eventually learn there is a validity to living life differently.
Content warning: Abusive parents, alcohol addiction, racism, death of family members
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: An Easter Demon for Eloise by Chloe Alice Balkin

In this episode, we discuss My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh.
In order to prove to her childhood bully that she isn’t a romantic late bloomer, Poppy claims a random man as her boyfriend without at first realizing that he was so hunky, or such a well-known hockey player. As luck would have it, said hockey player Dallas feels magnanimous towards a pretty stranger and plays along. 
Once they get to know each other and their respective situations better, they devise a mutually beneficial plan to enter into a fake relationship. But, once her business is no longer in the red and his reputation is no longer in a fiery dumpster, will they be brave enough to admit their real feelings?
Content warning: Character’s past includes neglectful abuse. Financially abusive ex. 
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Crushing on You by Jen Trinh

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 Homecoming King by Penny Reid.
Pro-football player Rex is always a boyfriend but never a husband, sending many of his exes into the arms of his teammates. Meanwhile, bartender and crafter Abby had a fairytale love story gone bad, convincing her to give up on love.
When Abby’s lifelong crush Rex walks into her bar, Abby is suddenly forced to reexamine her views on love. Rex has a proposal that will hopefully help both of them out and Abby agrees in spite of herself. 
As they spend more time with one another, will Rex take a chance and lower his grumpitudinous walls? Will Abby continue to assume her childhood crush is too good to be true?  And what does too good to be true really mean, anyway?
Content warning: Abusive and predatory ex, and stalking
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Ambrosia by C.N. Crawford

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 Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert.
After a brush with death, Chloe rearranges her priorities and writes a list that will ensure she’ll be remembered well once she dies. Chloe is now determined to live her life to the fullest, despite living with the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. To complete the items on her list, she enlists the help of a man who doesn’t like her so she can successfully become all the Chloe she can be.
Always looking to play the knight in shiny armor, Red is a happy-go-lucky artist unless he is reminded of his painful romantic past, involving an upper class woman who, unfortunately, reminds him of Chloe. Despite this, he agrees to assist with getting Chloe a life in exchange for her professional website building expertise.
As Chloe and Red become friends, and maybe more, can they trust each other’s intentions once Chloe finally has achieved a life?
Content warning: An emotionally and physically abusive ex and living with chronic pain.  
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

In this episode, we discuss Depraved by A.J. Merlin.
Having lived through a formative, terrifying experience when she was young, Sloane works and lives at a camp nestled into a residential area. Virgil is a serial killer just trying to get away from it all and take a little mini-vacay. Sloane finds him intriguing with his snake tattoo, charming looks, and easy way with her guard dog. But, once she finds out that he spends his leisure time un-aliving people, can she ever feel her heart is safe with him?
Content warning: Minimal animal cruelty, kidnapping, panic attacks/anxiety/PTSD, trauma survivorship. Dark romance including stalking, knife play, light strangling, primal play, light BDSM, consensual non-consent, and dubious consent.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

In this episode, we discuss A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare.
Susanna’s idyllic seaside home is under invasion of a most brutish sort. These bombers of sheep, these red fever spreading cads, these teashop renaming bulls led by none other than the chief bull Bramwell, the recently elevated Earl of Rycliff. 
Susanna and Bram fight for the betterment of the locals – her by maintaining tranquility as well as an restorative atmosphere and him by preparing for a battle that may or may not happen. Will they be able to find common ground? Or will they make their demarcation lines in the sand?
Content warning: Dubious consent, FMC strikes the MMC
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: Depraved by A.J. Merlin

In this episode, we discuss Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
Evelyn and Graeme are forced into an arranged marriage devised by their king to bring an end to the long-standing feud between their families. Both families think this is the worst thing that could ever happen, especially to poor, gentle Evelyn who is thought of as “daft.” How can she ever be a “true wife” to Graeme?
Once Graeme learns Evelyn’s secret and they begin to fall in love, they must now embark on the difficult task of overcoming the ingrained hatred between the families. And, now that Evelyn’s secret is out, Graeme must fight to protect Evelyn from her terrifying past. 
Content warning: Abilism, abuse, and captivity
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

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 The Duchess and the Cowboy by Debra Erfert.
Lady Jane has everything: a nice estate, pretty dresses, dutiful staff, and a husband she gets along with. But one day, her brother-in-law stages a duel with her husband, robbing her of her safe lifestyle. Jane decides to escape her nefarious brother-in-law by moving to Nevada where she meets cowboy Heath, who has his own issues. They become friends, but will their differences in social class and cultures stand in the way of falling in love?
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss Transcendence by Shay Savage.
Ehd is a man with a cave but no tribe. As a result, he struggles to find a purpose for his life after the end of another long, lonely winter. Enter his purpose: Elizabeth, a mysterious woman from the future. Together, they must face the prehistoric wilderness while trying to find some way to communicate without words.
Content warning: Dubious consent, attempted rape, threat of child loss, heroine is maybe a highschooler
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss Spellbound by Allie Therin.
In 1925 New York, booze and non-heterosexuality were illegal. A magical disaster is threatening the city, and New York’s mightiest heroes are attempting to prevent the atrocity. Two of these champions are Arthur Kenzie, a wealthy veteran of The Great War, and Rory Brodigan, a poor orphan hiding a secret identity. When Arthur’s past returns to threaten the future, they work together to save the city and themselves.
Content warning: Racist and homophobic laws and social conventions of the past.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast | Facebook: @romanceMEpod

In this episode, we discuss Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah MacLean.
After an accident has left her mildly ruined, Lady Felicity Faircloth's prospects of marrying for money and status are devastated. She's so desperate to get back into society’s good graces, she'll make a deal with a charming Devil, who assures her that he can grant her wish.
But, can she trust his motivations? Will he trust that she knows her own mind? And what will happen when Felicity decides she prefers the Devil she knows?
Content warning: Threats of rape, child abuse. 
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss The Corsair’s Captive by Ruby Dixon.
After being taken from Earth and treated like livestock, Fran finds herself being led around like a pet by an alien. Meanwhile, Kivian was planning to gamble for some fuel crystals, but revised those plans when he saw the pretty human getting her chain yanked. Now he intends to liberate Fran’s captor of everything, woman included. 
Kivian wants Fran to know she will be safe with him, but can she trust him?
Content warning: Human trafficking, slavery.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski.
For nine years, Sarai was trained to be arm candy in public and a sex toy in bed. At 23, she meets Victor, who she uses to escape her captivity. Unbeknownst to her, he has his own history of abuse and grooming.
They begin to develop romantic feelings for each other as they navigate the dangerous world of sex trade and hired assassins. 
Content warning: Sex trafficking, sex slavery, sexual assault and rape, child slavery and implications of child rape. 
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss Firelight by Kristen Callihan.
Miranda Ellis is a woman with a powerful secret but no social power. Lord Benjamin Archer is a man with all sorts of power and yet he is doomed to cover himself so he doesn’t shock society.
For this couple, marriage and murder intertwine, but only when they learn to trust and communicate will they see the truth.
Content warning: Threats of rape.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast 

In this episode, we discuss The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan.
Chloe Fong is too busy with making lists about her entrepreneurial ambitions and revenge plots to give the man who almost kissed her any of her time as she checks off her tasks. Jeremy Wentworth is secretly the Duke of Lansing as well as the man who didn’t stick around after their near kiss three years before, but he has now returned with plans for her list-making. She’d like to check him off, but he won’t let her– not without a fight.
Content warning: Mentions of racism. 
Check out Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's free Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping app mentioned in today's episode.
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

In this episode, we discuss Haven by Rebekah Weatherspoon.
Claudia Cade's camping trip with her brother turns horrific, leaving her running for her life and relying on the kindness of a stranger. Shep Olsen happens to be in the right place at the right time and saves Claudia from a terrible fate. Months later, they reunite to find closure. Now that the dust has settled, the city girl and the mountain man must figure out if what they feel is not just lust but actually love.
Content warning: Graphic violence off the page and healing from related trauma, and BDSM
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs by Molly Harper.
After having one of ‘those days,’ Jane is mistaken for a deer, shot, and then gets better when Gabriel transforms her into a vampire. While trying to navigate the world as an undead person, she also is trying to figure out what she and her sire are to one another. It’s complicated.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett. 
Spirit medium Aida Palmer uses her gift for summoning and speaking with the dead at the Gris-Gris speakeasy in Chinatown. She’s summoned to help the infamous bootlegger Winter Magnusson, who is haunted metaphorically and actually by ghosts.
They work together to uncover the identity of the hexer cursing Winter. At the same time, they help each other exorcise their own haunted pasts. Can Winter and Aida find their happily ever after before they begin their afterlife? The spirit board has said nothing so far…

In this episode, we discuss Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade.
Geologist April Whittier loves rocks, fanfiction, and the TV show God of the Gates. For years, she’s been writing fanfic of her one true pairing, not realizing that she was sharing her stories with one of the show's stars Marcus Caster-Rupp. Marcus asks her on a  date after seeing her cosplay on Twitter, and April accepts, unaware that he is actually her online buddy. 
Although besotted with April, Marcus is reluctant to share his online identity, fearing career-related repercussions. But as they grow closer, his circumspection is now potentially relationship ending.