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.
Abigail Aaronson joins the podcast to read from her debut historical romance, LAVENDER & GIN! She talks about her inspiration for setting the story in Prohibition-era Detroit and how she approaches writing queer characters in historical settings. Then, we play LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT? and she reveals all the rules she loves to break!
Addy Du Lac joins the podcast to read a sample from MISS MASON'S SECRET BARON. She shares how Bollywood and Asian dramas influence her, her approach to matching creative hypotheses with historical research, and writing the immigrant experience in the Victorian era. Plus, she shares the historical romance rule she is happy to break!
In this special episode of the Historical Romance Sampler, we return to the topic of book bans with guest Anne Knight. Anne gives an overview of library defunding happening in her home state of Arkansas and opens up about growing up in a Christian fundamentalist community that censored her reading. Plus, we talk about ways for average people (like you, listeners of this podcast!) to get involved in defending libraries and fighting book bans.
Ella Dawson, host of REBEL EVER AFTER podcast and author of BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY, joins the podcast to sample one of her favorite historical romances!
After reading from Maya Rodale's WHAT A WALLFLOWER WANTS, Ella talks about why this book helped change her perspective on historical romances, why mass market paperbacks are so lovely, and why romance in general is a great place to explore progressive themes.
Alivia Fleur returns to the podcast to read a sample of her latest Victorian romance, BLUEPRINTS, BATTLELINES AND BALLROOMS. We talk about how her background in architecture inspired the occupation of the heroes of this novel, plus how she uses architecture to explore gender dynamics and class in her series about neighbors on a London street. She also shares her inspiration for Historical Romance Book Deals and why readers should be sure to subscribe to the free newsletter!
Alison Mckenzie joins the podcast to read from her debut historical romance, THE BLACKSMITH'S BRIDE! We talk about her inspiration for the book (a role playing game based off a Robinhood TV show), why she is fascinated by eras like 1380s in England when change is in the air, and how relationship dynamics can work as great metaphors for political systems. Plus, she shares the romance rule she broke when she decided to publish this book!
It's a special episode on the Historical Romance Sampler this week! Kasia Alba, host of the Raising Baby Authors podcast, joins me to read from Joanna Shupe's THE BRIDE GOES ROGUE and talk all things historical romance. We discuss why Kasia loves the meet cute in Shupe's novel, how Bridgerton hooked her into historical romance, and theorize on why book-to-screen adaptations are so often disappointing. Plus, Kasia plays LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT? to reveal the romance rules she loves!
Lindsay Barrett comes on to read SAVANNAH ROYALS, her debut historical romance inspired by the fantasy novel Six of Crows. She shares how was inspired to set her story in Savannah, writing morally gray heroes, and why it was so important to her to explore a polyamorous relationship on the page. Plus, she plays LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT so we can find out how she feels about classic romance rules!
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!
Jane Hadley joins the podcast to read from A FINE LOOKING SOLDIER (Volume 1 of her serialized SECRET SOLDIER series)! We talk about the real-life inspiration of women fighting in the Civil War, writing about gender identity in a historically accurate manner, and what makes something historical romance. Plus, Jane reveals how much she hates rules in LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?!
Harper St. George joins the podcast to read from her new release, ELIZA AND THE DUKE! Hear about Harper’s inspiration, her research adventures in London, and her interest in themes like the intersection of class and money in historical romance. Plus, she talks about writing in various historical eras as well as the historical romance rule she loves to break.
Blair Fell joins the podcast to read DISCO WITCHES OF FIRE ISLAND. A multi-hyphenate writer of TV, theater, and novels, Blair set this story during the AIDS crisis in 1989 - a distinctive time period that he lived through. We discuss the point at which he realized he had written a historical romance, his creative journey from plays to novels, and how his story about 1989 resonates with today. Plus, he shares the romance rules he loves to break!
Olivia Waite joins to discuss the issue of book bans in the United States and their implications for romance readers. Olivia, a queer historical romance author and romance fiction columnist for the New York Times Book Review, shares her insights on how these bans target predominantly queer and BIPOC stories. The episode also explores historical perspectives on censorship and highlights current opportunities for activism. To top it off, Olivia recommends several historical romance books that deal with themes of resistance and political change.
Misty Urban returns to the podcast to read from MISS GREGOIRE'S BEGINNING, her entry in the SUFFRAGETTE UPRISING series. We talk about themes of independence, feminism, and the historical context behind her characters. Misty also takes on the challenges of integrating feminist narratives into historical romance.
Ally Hudson joins the podcast to read from her latest release, THE SCOTTISH SCHEME. Hudson discusses her unique entry point to writing historical romance, transitioning from first to third person narrative, and her appetite for breaking traditional romance rules. Plus, we talk about our love of American Girl dolls!
Faye Delacour joins the podcast to read from A LADY'S GUIDE TO LONDON, her latest Regency romance! We talk about the themes of passion versus money, the pressure to want it all, and the reality of divorce in Regency Britain. Plus, we fangirl over some of our favorite authors and their "unlikeable heroines"!
