Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

My guest this week is Vanessa Riley, whose newest book, An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler is out now! We talk about reframing history, interrogating the fantasy of historical romance, and the overlap between mechanical engineering and writing romance. We also talk about the narrators for her books, including Bahni Turpin and Adjoa Andoh (aka Lady Danbury on Bridgerton!). And we discuss air fryers - you know, all the essentials....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda and I talk food, Key West, more food, writing bilingual characters, family drama, food, baseball, and writing with Priscilla Oliveras. Her latest book, Anchored Hearts, is out now, and there is SO much to discuss. This book made Amanda full on sob, and we have a really good time talking to Priscilla about it (don’t worry - no spoilers!).If you caught my goof last week, that was episode 453, not 463. I’m ahead of myself....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Uzma Jalaluddin joins Amanda and me to talk about Hana Khan Carries On, which caused one of us some Bad Decisions Book Club membership. We discuss the book (no spoilers, don’t worry!) and the fabulous podcasting heroine, Hana, who’s got a You’ve Got Mail kind of relationship with the owner of a rival Halal restaurant. We cover representation, gorgeous cover art, and writing about characters finding and using their voices. It’s so much fun - Uzma is a wonderful guest.But first! We have a special health bulletin of sorts. This week I interviewed Dr. Jen Gunter for her upcoming book The Menopause Manifesto. Her book is out in June, and our interview will be released in May, but because of new information about how the COVID vaccines may be affecting menstrual cycles, I asked her about the information available now. That brief conversation starts the episode as I know many of you may be scheduling appointments for yourselves and others. The upshot: the vaccine may affect menstrual cycle and cause irregularities, and it’s important to know so you’re prepared. You can read more in Dr Gunter's latest newsletter:https://vajenda.substack.com/p/the-covid-19-vaccine-and-menstrualAnd you can learn more about Dr. Kate Clancy's study here: https://redcap.healthinstitute.illinois.edu/surveys/index.php?s=LL8TKKC8DP...Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[bookaside slug="a-wicked-conceit"] The latest book in Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby series is out, and she’s my guest this week to talk all about it. If you haven’t read this book yet, there are no spoilers, so fear not! And if you haven’t read the series, this might tempt you to try it (it’s great) because we’re going to talk about history. A Wicked Conceit has several relevant parallels to life right now.  History totally went through the mimeograph machine on this one - remember those? Please note: during our conversation we talk briefly about Lady Darby’s first marriage, which was abusive, and about trauma response and memory, but we don’t go into specifics.Thank you to Brittanie Black, Anna’s publicist at Berkley, and to Angela James for some of the questions this week....Music: purple-planet.com...The show notes know that your efforts are deeply appreciated!http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/452-historical-pandemics-and-ye-olde-social-media-with-anna-lee-huber Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Helen Stone has a new book out! The Last One Home is a dual-timeline domestic thriller in the genre of “Earl Had to Die.” In this conversation, we discuss her moving from writing romance as Victoria Dahl to writing domestic suspense and thrillers, growing up in poverty, and the power of nostalgia. Then Victoria figures out a key reason why “Earl Had to Die” books about revenge are so very satisfying.There are some spoilers for Jane Doe and Problem Child herein, so be ye warned!...Music: purple-planet.com...Show notes hot diggity! http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/451-more-earl-had-to-die-victoria-helen-stones-the-last-one-home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I am joined by Shani and Bridget from the Romance at a Glance podcast! We talk about their current season, where they’re focusing on dark romances, and about podcasting.Then, we talk about a book. For this episode, we all read Draekon Mate: Exiled to the Prison Planet.Check this blurb: “Crashed spaceship. Prison planet. Snarling, lethal predators. Two big, hulking, bronzed aliens who turn into dragons. The best part? The dragons insist I’m their mate.This isn't the space vacation I thought it would be."We talk about the key elements for sex planet alien fucking books, consent and kink, fantasies, dragon sex, and more.Please note: this episode is much higher on the NSFW scale than usual....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a follow up to last week’s podcast, I share the broadcast of Amanda and I making peanut butter and mayo sandwiches, inspired by folks who have shared strong opinions.Yes, we eat PB and Mayo sandwiches. Live on air. I’m sorry.But we also talk a LOT about cookies so if you’re hungry, maybe have snacks before you press play?We also cover:Good roommate code of behaviorThe culinary roles of the Wendy’s FrostyMayo as condiments for fries? (YES)Potato chips IN the sandwich? (YES)We answer these Very Important Questions:What are the regional mayos near us?What peanut butter brands reign supreme?How many mayos are in our fridge?How much does Amanda love pickles?Should we add pickles to the mayo and PB sandwiches?Which Girl Scout Cookies (regional and national) are the very greatest ones?And we have one of The Funniest Neighbor Stories I have EVER heard.Seriously, if the year marker of the Quarantimes has got you a little down like it has me, and if you need more silly-laugh and food mayhem, you’ve come to the right podcast episode. Visuals for this episode are in the show notes....Music: purple-planet.com...Visual aids in the show notes! https://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/449-pb-mayo-sandwiches-and-girl-scout-cookies-with-amanda-and-sarah Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Need a break? How about highlights from another Stereo broadcast with Amanda and me! We started by asking what keeps folks feeling happy (pizza FTW), but when we bring up mayonnaise, things go way off the rails. Way, way off the rails. We are going to cover crucial debates and fundamental food opinions such as: the egg-continuum of quiche to pie whether a food is a soup or a quesadilla is red velvet the Very Worst Dessertwhy are there vegetables in all these baked goodsand, grand finale, the species and genus of food inside another food. Seriously, if you need to silly-laugh, you’ve come to the right podcast episode....Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[bookaside slug="a-court-of-silver-flames"] Sometimes I’m fortunate enough to do an interview with an author I’ve never met, but with whom there’s an instant connection. That happened for Amanda and me last year when we interviewed Sarah J. Maas in Episode 395..And now, Sarah J. Mass is back, nearly one year later to the date, to talk about her new book, A Court of Silver Flames, and about sexytimes, the magic romance house, rage, mental health, and re-reading books through the pandemic. There are so many little love letters to romance in A Court of Silver Flames, so of course we talk about the most lovely parts of being a romance reader, too.Special thanks to Elizabeth, Manda, Jennifer, Rachel, and Becca for questions, and to our Patreon community who was so enthusiastic when I announced this interview. Your support helps make the transcription of extra-extra long episodes like this one possible, so thank you.TW/CW: Please be aware: Between 47:30 and 01:05:00, we discuss assault, attempted assault, and resulting rage against patriarchal misogynist bullshit. We also talk about menstrual silliness, and what we call our periods.Many of the Patreon community told me that last year’s episode with Sarah was one they’ve re-listened to, as it’s inspiring and comforting and firm in its support of mental health care, therapy, and medication. This one is no different, and we hope it becomes one of your new favorites.Extra special thanks to Sarah J. Maas for hanging out with us....Podcast After Party! Tune in Tuesdays at 730pm ET on Stereo! Live broadcasts and you can record messages for us to play during the show! Download Stereo now at stereo.com/smartbitches!...Music: purple-planet.com...The Shownotes admire how you look after yourself and those around you: http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/447-hanging-out-with-sarah-j-maas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caroline Perny, Publicity Manager at Tor, joins us to talk about what books are coming out in 2021. We recorded in mid-November, so we start by talking about carbs, which is a perennial subject, and about genre descriptors, which are perennial as well.But the books? OH we have a LOT to tell you about. If you like sci fi, fantasy, speculative,We talk about books from 2020 that you might have missed, and what’s coming out this year, so get ready.Which books are you looking forward to? And what virtual events did you enjoy in the past year? I’d love to know!...Podcast After Party! Tune in Tuesdays at 730pm ET on Stereo! Live broadcasts and you can record messages for us to play during the show! Download Stereo now at stereo.com/smartbitches!...Music: purple-planet.comSHOWNOTES think you look FABULOUS today: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/446-fantasy-and-sci-fi-in-2021-with-caroline-perny-from-tor Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.