First in a Series

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.

Today we’ll be discussing Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell. 
One day, out of the blue, free-spirited Prince Kiem learns of his duty to marry to maintain peace. He’s okay with this, he knew it would happen one day, but he doesn’t want to marry the still mourning widower of his cousin.
Jainan, the prospective groom, is reserved, careful, and seemingly repelled by Kiem, all expected behaviors of a grieving spouse. However, when it’s revealed that his previous husband died under suspicious circumstances, these actions become questionable.
Caught in an expanding web of politics and deceit, Kiem and Jainan must learn to trust each other while they work to discover the truth--and love.
Content warning: Depictions of past domestic violence, abuse survivorship.

In this episode, we discuss Dark Lover by J.R. Ward.
Although Beth doesn’t know it yet, she’s the product of a vampire-human relationship, and will soon be going through her own transition to become a vampire. Her unknown vampire father secures the word of Wrath, the last full-blood vampire, to help her through this transition. Once they meet, they form an instant connection and bond. However, vampires aren’t the only ones on the hunt, and Wrath and Beth must now protect each other.
Content warning: Attempted rape.
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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 Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters. 
While on a romantic anniversary trip with her vanilla boyfriend, Tess still feels like something is missing from her seemingly perfect life. While trying to ignore the absence of a certain je ne sais quoi and appreciate what she has, she is abducted and sold to a mysterious man who may be able to fulfill her long-wished, unspoken fantasies, if she can fulfill his.
Content warning: Sex trafficking, sex slavery, rape, sexual violence, nonconsensual acts, abuse, and assault. There are multiple scenes where the hero harms the heroine.
Note from Erika: Apologies, we forgot the "rate the antagonists" segment for this episode. However, it's probably safe to say, everyone was an antagonist in this story to some degree. 

In this episode, we discuss The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai.
When former linebacker Samson re-enters entrepreneur Rhiannon’s life after previously ghosting her, she must decide whether he deserves a second chance.

In this episode, we discuss Across a Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham.
Pirate Simon Dante must decide if there is honor among thieves when he and the remainder of his crew are offered rescue after being left for dead on the wide open seas. Pilot Beau Spence doesn’t trust Dante after he repeatedly threatens to harm her (imagine that). 
Can these two suspicious seafarers put their cynicism aside to find love… and booty?
Content warning: Threats of rape and castration.

In this episode, we discuss An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole.
Elle Burns is a former slave with an eidetic memory working for Lincoln’s Loyal League during the Civil War when she meets fellow undercover agent, Malcolm McCall.
Pretending to be sympathetic to the Southern cause, Pinkerton Detective Malcolm uses his jovial charm and develops a “friendship” with a Confederate Senator’s family to help achieve Northern victories and Elle keeps up her subterfuge of mute slavery to gain otherwise inaccessible intel.
While she spies and he lies, they consider forming a union of their own. But, can she trust him?
Content warning: Slavery, discussion and threats of rape.

In this episode, we discuss Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson.
After his mother unexpectedly passes away, Jesse is determined to keep her knitting shop open, in spite of his brothers’ doubts that he can be successful. His childhood friend Kerry agrees to help him with learning to run the business, despite her lifelong crush on him.
As they work together to save the shop, they discover that their shared past and current passions are strong and lasting.

In this episode, we discuss Love is a Rogue by Lenora Bell.
Lady Beatrice longs for the freedom of spinsterhood, when she will finally be allowed to work on her etymological dictionary and enjoy a life of solitude. She just has to get through one more London season as a wallflower before she can begin her life. Unfortunately, she keeps running into Stamford Wright, a handsome carpenter with a rogue’s reputation.
Although they are divided by social status, Ford and Beatrice become close friends and soon, even more. Beatrice now has a different dream, but can she cross the boundaries society has set for her in order to be truly free?

In this episode, we discuss Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall. 
Luc is tangentially famous as the son of two rock stars from the 80s. Ever since his estranged father has made a comeback, Luc has been uncomfortably in the public eye. When a picture showing him in a bad light is released, Luc has to clean up his image in order to keep his job. To do that, he needs to find a nice, normal boyfriend. 
Oliver, a vegetarian lawyer, is the perfect man for the job, and he agrees to be Luc’s fake boyfriend for a time. But, as they spend more time together, the lines between real and fake begin to blur.

In this episode, we discuss The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang.
Stella has high-functioning autism, loves math, and is a brilliant and successful econometrician. She’s less successful at romance, so she decides to hire an escort to help her improve her skills. Michael, the escort she hires, can’t believe Stella is bad at sex, but he agrees to conduct a series of “lessons.”
Immediately attracted to each other, the partnership starts to feel more like a real relationship. But, both Stella and Michael are hiding something. When the secrets come out, will love still be the logical conclusion?

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.

In this episode, we discuss The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride by Kristen Painter.
Delaney is on the run after witnessing a mafia-related crime. She pretends to be a mail order bride and heads to Nocturne Falls to hide out with her groom-to-be.
That groom is Hugh, a vampire with his own agenda for the set up. Hugh’s sworn off love completely, until he meets Delaney.
But, after they discover each other’s secrets, will love be enough to keep them together?

In this episode, we discuss Tallulah's Temptation by Robyn Peterman.
In his quest for booty, the vampire pirate Doug gets more than he bargained for when he's sent to help a group of mermaids defend their home.
Tallulah is a mermaid who still hates Doug from the last time he loved her, left her, and took all her gold.
Doug wants Tallulah back, but will he be able to win this feisty mermaid's heart?