Mel Blue was my guest when we discussed Spare – which has become one of my most listened-to episodes – so I asked her back to talk about the narratives of PR, why the weird stories around Kate Middleton grabbed attention worldwide, and why so many people were and are paying attention.On one level it’s a story that originated in gossip about rich and powerful people in an archaic power structure being weird. But it’s also a story of misinformation, propaganda, and a complicit media system, and we deal with that over here in the US, too.This was recorded on Wednesday, March 20, and we did a follow up this week following the announcement late Friday, March 22, that Kate Middleton is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. So there are two parts to this episode.A few content warnings: Discussion of self harm, disordered eating, suicidal ideation, and child abuse and exploitation.Please visit the show page for all the resources used for this episode, including news articles, Instagram live recordings, and Twitter threads. Music: Purple-planet.com Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re looking at the ads and features from the March 2016 issue of RT Book Reviews!We’ve got cowboy heads growing out of gravel roads, a dude who looks like he’s on fire, and that one guy who is always ripping his shirt off from romance covers. We decide on an in-house definition of “Castle Bangenschloss.”Oh! And a really angry reader wants self pub authors to stop using the same stock images for different covers. It’s wild, y’all.Don’t miss the visual aids that go with this episode! We’ve got links!Fanlore.org: Cassandra ClaireDahlia Adler’s LGBTQ Reads PatreonTirgearr Publishing’s T shirts!The podcast episode where we were at the Peppermill in Reno, and also on edibles, aka episode 304. “You Have a Type and it Might be Mullets” – Sarah, Amanda, and Elyse are VERY Silly About Books and VillainyThe Chippendales at the Rio Thank you to our sponsor, Lume! New customers get $5 off Lume’s Starter Pack with our exclusive code.Use code SARAH30 at LumeDeodorant.com.Music: Purple-planet.com Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shirley Green and Sharon Spiak are the duo behind many, and I mean many of your favorite romance covers, and are absolutely 100% the duo behind one of mine – For the Love of a Pirate by Edith Layton. The hair. The waves. THE ROCKS.I connected with Shirley and Sharon and got a History Lesson in how cover shoots used to work. We’re talking costume, art direction, photography, and painting skills combined to make some very memorable covers, and how much deliberate emotional care went into some of the photo shoots with the cover models.You can find Shirley Green’s portfolio and stock image collection at ShirleyGreenPhotography.com. You can find Sharon Spiak at SharonSpiakArt.com. Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amanda and I are diving into the reviews from the March 2016 issue of RT Book Reviews.In this episode you will learn about A Tale of Two Biddies. You’ll discover Baby Bothering and God Bothering. And most importantly, are demons really a natural fit for the Regency era?All these questions are more will be answered in this episode!Don’t miss the visual aids for this episode!Music: Purple-planet.com Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katee Robert discusses her various releases, marketing via Kickstarter and Patreon, foundational fantasy romance books, Findaway Voices changes, and former PRH CEO's trial revelations. They explore romantasy, Kickstarter strategies, indie author challenges, artistic censorship, and engaging platforms like Patreon. Delve into darker romantasy themes, setting as character, and social media presence in a fun and informative conversation.

We’re traveling back to April 2006 in this month’s RT Rewind!We discuss the evolving cover art for the Immortals After Dark series and style changes in illustrated covers. We also talk aboutWell water adventuresAuthor photo? MUST be leaningA contest made of author prom photosMany predecessors to GoodReadsA book from 1991, promoted in 2006, made into a movie in 2022.And a FULL PAGE of Mr. Romance.When I start talking about Redeeming Love, massive trigger warning and content warning, just a giant pile of YIKES. The book summary begins at 35:20.Thank you for the reviews, the support, and the positive feedback to this series! If you’re enjoying these episodes, please drop a comment below or on the visual aids post and let me know?Music: purple-planet.comDon't miss the visual aids! Really, I mean it! Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer L. Armentrout joins me to talk about the books she considers the foundation of her fantasy romance reading, and what classical historical romances she adores. Her newest book, Visions of Flesh and Blood is out next week, so we’re looking forward, and back – and way, way back in the past. We talk about a series she’s paused, and why, and what it means to update a book that doesn’t ‘age well.’ What fantasy or historical romances were foundational reading for you? I’d love to know which are your favorites! Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re traveling back to April 2006 in this month’s RT Rewind! We take a look at the reviews in this issue and we’ve got some one-star reviews, and curiously paranormal is part of contemporary? It’s weird.Things I initially pronounce wrong: demesneTW/CW: mention of suicide in book reviews, plus snakes and rat infestations.Link to visual aids!...Music: purple-planet.comCoupon! LUME: New customers get $5 off Lume’s Starter Pack with our exclusive code. Use code SARAH30 at LumeDeodorant.com.Support for this episode comes from LUV! LUV is an app that connects authors and fans with producers, actors, plus film and publishing industry folks to celebrate romance in many marvelous formats, and demystify the process of adapting books for film and television. LUV is available on Apple and in Google Play, and online: checkoutluv.com. Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 600th episode, Emily Nagoski discusses her new book on lasting sexual connections and common factors among couples. Topics include intimacy, sex, and challenges like intimate partner violence and weight loss. The conversation highlights admiration, transitioning into intimacy, and exploring emotional spaces in relationships. It also touches on savoring pleasure, body image reevaluation, and upcoming memoir audiobooks.

We’re traveling back to December 2015 in this month’s RT Rewind, and we're taking a look at the ads and features in this issue!We’ve got LONG series from Elizabeth Hoyt, Kresley Cole, and Shannon Stacey, plus SWAT team shifters, Navy SEAL Highlanders, and some memories, some not so great, of the 2016 RT convention in Vegas…at the Rio.And then! We have a supplement that only appears in the digital editions of RT at the time: the Indie/Hybrid News & Reviews Supplement. It’s a wild ride.Don't miss the visual aids for this week's episode!What's the longest series you’ve stuck with?What Duran book should Amanda read?Music: purple-planet.com Join our Patreon for complete mayhem, shenanigans, and more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.