Historical

In this episode, we discuss The Highlander’s Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum.
It’s a pirate's life for Eliza. She’s grown up with salty sea air in her hair, an unblemished horizon as a future heading, and hatred in her heart for the scoundrel who murdered her family. Eliza has no plans to ever be a wife or even to fall in love. Meanwhile, highlander Beck needs a wife so that his family island can once again support a community and be rid of the curse that has plagued them. 
Beck rescues Eliza from being stranded on an island, and the chemistry between them is overwhelming. They develop a friendship and maybe more. But, with such different life paths, how will they ever manage to chart a course that will bring them together?
Content warning: Human trafficking (including children), references to rape, sexual assault, trauma survivorship
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Coming next: The Bodyguard by Katherine Center

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 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 Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins.
Eddy is traveling to California with dreams of owning her own restaurant. On the way, she trusts the wrong person and is abandoned to die in the Nevada desert. Luckily, Eddy is rescued by Rhine, a local business owner who happens to be in the right place at the right time.
Eddy and Rhine have an immediate, yet forbidden, attraction to each other. But now Eddy is out of the frying pan and into the fire of social rules which state that people of color can’t marry white people. Rhine has a secret that will allow them to be together, but is he willing to give up the privileges he’s been granted passing for white so that he can marry Eddy?
Content warning: Racism including segregation, some racist language, hate crimes, and mentions of racist violence. Threat of sexual assault. Mentions of child abuse and pedophilia. One of the main characters is a former slave.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

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 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 Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.
This story is written as an autobiography from the viewpoint of Jane Eyre, who wishes to be seen and loved for being a person. She manages to improve her station in life, growing from discarded, undereducated girl into an industrious and accomplished governess. 
Her employer, Edward Rochester, is a passionate and complicated man who treats Jane more as a friend and confidante than as an employee. As their relationship grows, a secret of Rochester's comes to light and deconstructs the happiness they have tenuously built, forcing Jane to flee in the night. 
Although Jane picks up the pieces of her life, she constantly feels pulled to return to Rochester. But, when she finally answers the call, what will she find?
Content warning: Child abuse.
 
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 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 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?