In this very special hour-long episode, we celebrate HOLIDAYS AT NORTHFIELD HALL with not one, not two, but three special guests! Isabella Kamal, Charlie Lane, and Sri Savita join me in reading first kiss scenes from our stories in HOLIDAYS AT NORTHFIELD HALL. (Beware: some of these first kiss scenes include spoilers!) Then we talk about the inspiration behind this multi-author anthology, what it was like for them to write into my world of Northfield Hall, and what we love about the holidays!
The legendary Cathy Maxwell joins the podcast to read from her latest Regency romance, A Touch of Steele! We talk about her journey to writing books, why she considers romance novels to be adventure novels, and what she has learned writing 41+ books. To wrap things up, she plays Love It or Leave It? and reveals why rules are meant to be broken!
In this special episode of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast, trailblazer, icon, and bestselling author Beverly Jenkins sits down for an interview. Jenkins shares her journey from her first book 'Nightsong' to her expansive career spanning 30 years. We talk about how she stays inspired to keep writing, the evolution of the genre, her research process, and future projects.
Anne Knight samples HIS AWFUL GRACE, her first full-length novel set in Victorian England! We talk about how she was inspired to write this book in less than one month, her research process, and her approach to writing historical romance that is both sexy and grounded in historical detail. Then she takes my quiz, Katherine’s Quick Questions!
In this very special hour-long episode, we celebrate HOLIDAYS AT NORTHFIELD HALL with not one, not two, but three special guests! Isabella Kamal, Charlie Lane, and Sri Savita join me in reading first kiss scenes from our stories in HOLIDAYS AT NORTHFIELD HALL. (Beware: some of these first kiss scenes include spoilers!) Then we talk about the inspiration behind this multi-author anthology, what it was like for them to write into my world of Northfield Hall, and what we love about the holidays!
E. H. Lupton joins the podcast to read a sample from their fantastical romance, DIONYSUS IN WISCONSIN. We talk about world-building, the class dynamics behind the myth of Dionysus, and why 1969 is such an interesting year. Then E. H. takes Katherine's Quick Questions to reveal why she writes "rom com where the 'com' is communism"!
Lauren M. Hayworth samples her Regency romance, FAVORS FROM A GENTLEMAN. We talk about the museum exhibit that Jane Austen visited which inspired this scene, her journey to historical romance after writing mysteries, and why she loves historical romance no matter the era. then she takes my quiz, Katherine’s Quick Questions!
Logan Sage Adams joins the podcast to read FROM THE ASHES, a queer historical romance set during the Chicago World's Fair of 1893! We talk about how this romance was inspired by The Devil in the White City, how Logan Sage is called to different eras, and how parenthood became a big theme in this novel. Then Logan Sage answers my quick questions and reveals themselves to be a rivet counter!
Lambda Literary Award finalist TJ Alexander returns to the podcast to read from their upcoming Regency romance, A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS! They talk about writing in Lord Byron as a supporting character, the role of poetry and gossip in the novel, and exploring themes of commercial art versus art for art's sake. Then they help me debut a brand new segment: Katherine's Quick Questions!
Charlie Lane returns to the podcast to finish out the year with a holiday romance, NAUGHTY FOR SIR NICHOLAS! We talk about why historical romance readers also love holiday romances, what Charlie likes about writing holiday romances, and her transition into gaslamp historical romantasy. Plus, she finally plays LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?
Award-winning author TJ Alexander comes on the podcast today for a special edition about book bans and censorship. We take a look at how bookstores and payment processors are participating in commercial censorship to block romance book sales and how these actions specifically target queer creators. Then, TJ offers some ideas for how to fight back!
Kate Hershberger comes on to read from her American West historical romance, BLACKPOINT. She shares the books that inspired her to write a historical romance, how it felt to switch into historical romance after writing in other genres like contemporary and paranormal romance, and we mutually fangirl over Jodi Picoult. Plus, Kate shares why she loves to write in first person present tense!
Jeanine Englert joins the podcast to read from CINDERELLA'S CHARADE WITH THE DUKE. She talks about foraying into the Regency world after writing Scottish historical romances, how she approaches fairy tale adaptations, and how her characters come to her voice-first. Plus, she reveals she is here for the DRAMA of romance, and she peels back the curtain of working with Harlequin!
