Romance ME Podcast

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 the Camp NaNo experience, Em’s previous attempts, as well as her writing plans for the month of April.
Check out our recommended reading list for learning about writing.
Website: romanceMEpodcast.com | Twitter: @romanceMEcast

In this episode, we discuss Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.
America's First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is convinced he has a nemesis in the British Prince Henry of Wales due to a previous snubbing. When an act of clumsiness creates a $75,000 problem that requires the First Son and Prince to play nice for the public and their respective world leaders, Alex learns the truth behind Henry’s carefully crafted image. Soon, Alex and Henry must make a decision that will go down in history. 
Content warning: Homophobia
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 Butterface by Avery Flynn.
Gina Luca plans weddings, content in her life having mostly made peace with the "butterface" label given to her in high school. Stickler Ford Hartigan is a "hot" by-the-book police officer who wants to get to know Gina and gather intel on her mildly mob-ish brothers. 
While initially denying their shared chemistry, they prove capable of renovating Gina's old Victorian and grow into a relationship; however, can they repair their burgeoning romance when Ford's hidden motives are revealed?

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.
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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 Stripped by Zoey Castile. 
Robyn Flores teaches 5th grade while struggling to be a functional adult. Zac Fallon has spent the last 10 years making money and improving his skills as a stripper. Amidst steamy romantic encounters and awkward social settings, Zac and Robyn get to know each other in ways most of the world doesn’t get to see. But can they make a lasting connection before Zac is supposed to fly off to Vegas for the dream job he’s been working toward?

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 Pulling Doubles by Christina Jones. 
Nurse Practitioner Devyn Echols is making strides to live her best life by completing her internship at University Hospital. The physician supervising her internship is the arrogant Dr. Joseph Wright. Devyn soon learns that Joseph has been hiding his attraction to her behind his callous treatment. Maybe the first impressions were wrong, but does this mean their mutual chemistry can turn into love?
Content warning: Abusive ex-partners.

In this episode, we discuss While You Were Creeping by Poppy Rhys.
In the town of Tinsel on Dor Nye, Holly is struggling to put her ex behind her when she is gifted with a present that happens to be an interdimensional prison containing a Krampus-looking fellow by the name of Kye. When Holly and Kye are face-to-face, she freaks and he calls her a witch. Bound together by circumstance, they make promises to one another: he will participate in the holiday festivities as her boyfriend and she will find a way to release him from his prison by New Years, before he has to disappear back into his prison. But what will happen when the clock strikes midnight?
 

In this bonus episode, we share updates from November and discuss our thoughts about this year's NaNoWriMo challenge and Em's plans for her NaNo project going forward.
Check out our recommended reading list for learning about writing. 
Follow Us on Twitter and interact with us! We'd love to answer any questions about NaNo, the writing process, or our podcast.

In this episode, we discuss You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle. 
No longer feeling the love, Naomi decides that her fiance Nicholas no longer loves or appreciates her, if he ever did. She wants out but she doesn’t want to be responsible for the breakup. Naomi stops trying to keep things together and goes on the offensive. If Nicholas breaks up with her, she won’t be expected to foot the bill for the wedding her mother-in-law has been planning. As Naomi and Nicholas engage in a series of pranks and other misdeeds, they start to realize that there might be something worth staying for after all.

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 our last NaNo prep bonus episode, we discuss ways you can set yourself up for success with the NaNoWriMo challenge, now and in the future. 
This is the end of our series of bonus episodes where we invite you to NaNo with Us!
Author Pep Talks Mentioned in this Episode: James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, Jim Butcher.
Check out our recommended reading list for learning about writing. 
Follow Us on Twitter and interact with us! We'd love to answer any questions about NaNo, the writing process, or our podcast.

In this very special bonus episode, we discuss different ways writers can get in the mood for writing, and how you can train your brain to know when it's time to write. Em tells us about the important role music plays in her writing process and gives suggestions for incorporating music and sound into your own process.
This is part of a short series of bonus episodes where we invite you to NaNo with Us!
Follow Us on Twitter and interact with us! We'd love to answer any questions about NaNo, the writing process, or our podcast.

In this very special bonus episode, Em tells us about her writing process and gives us ideas for developing characters and settings. We discuss different ways a writer can make a story feel "real."
This is part of a short series of bonus episodes where we invite you to NaNo with Us!
Follow Us on Twitter and interact with us! We'd love to answer any questions about NaNo, the writing process, or our podcast.

In this very special bonus episode, we discuss different ways to plan for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), using examples from Em's own experiences.
This is part of a short series of bonus episodes where we invite you to NaNo with Us!
Follow Us on Twitter and interact with us! We'd love to answer any questions about NaNo, the writing process, or our podcast.

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.
NaNo with Us! | Follow Us on Twitter

In this very special bonus episode, we discuss Em's story outlines for this year's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) project and tips for NaNoWriMo Newbies. 
This is part of a short series of bonus episodes where we invite you to NaNo with Us!
Follow Us on Twitter and interact with us! We'd love to answer any questions about NaNo, the writing process, or our podcast.