Edie Cay joins the podcast to read from INTO THE BREACH WITH YOU. Edie tells us more about 'Golden Age of Mountaineering', what inspired her to write about women climbing mountains in the 19th century, and what historical romance can do that historical fiction can't (and vice versa).
S2 E26 - Jane Hadley Samples A Fine Looking Soldier
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?!
S2 E25 - Harper St. George Samples Eliza and The Duke
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.
S2 E24 - Blair Fell Samples Disco Witches of Fire Island
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!
S2 E23 - Olivia Waite Talks Book Bans
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.
S2 E22 - Misty Urban Samples Miss Gregoire's Beginning
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.
S2 E21 - Ally Hudson Samples The Scottish Scheme
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!
S2 E20 - Faye Delacour Samples A Lady's Guide to London
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"!
S2 E19 - Alice Murphy Samples A Showgirl's Rules For Falling In Love
S2 E18 - Katherine Grant Samples In The Wide Open Light With Guest Host Andrea Jenelle
Welcome to this special episode of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast! This week, I (Katherine Grant) celebrate my latest release, IN THE WIDE OPEN LIGHT, with guest host Andrea Jenelle. We talk about themes of long-term relationships, working-class struggles, and the fight for civil liberties in historical contexts.
S2 E17 - Sebastian Nothwell Samples Mr. Warren's Profession
Sebastian Nothwell, author and co-host of the Right Here, Write Queer podcast, joins the podcast to read from MR. WARREN'S PROFESSION! Sebastian talks about the challenges of writing class difference romances, his hands-on research process, and his approach to sharing work and receiving feedback. Plus, he tells us the joys of Right Here, Write Queer podcast!
S2 E16 - Golden Angel Samples A Season For Treason
S2 E15 - Kat Sterling Samples Winnie West Has An Agenda
S2 E14 - Andrea Jenelle Samples Spine of Steel
Andrea Jenelle, HRS's first-ever returning guest, comes on to sample SPINE OF STEEL, the first installment of the Suffragette Uprising series. Andrea talks about her inspiration for the series, her writing process, and historical research. Learn about her connection to women's rights, her favorite writing techniques, and what makes her historical romances unique.
S2 E13 - Carol Coventry Samples Counting On Love
Carol Coventry joins the podcast to read from COUNTING ON LOVE. Carol, who transitioned from a career in the medical field to writing historical fiction as Susan Coventry and romance as Carol Coventry, shares her insights on writing historical fiction vs historical romance. Plus, we talk about her research process, her approach to ‘low steam’ romance, and her favorite romance rules to break.
S2 E12 - Ella Leon Samples The Sapphire Heiress
Ella Leon joins the podcast to read from her first novel, THE SAPPHIRE HEIRESS. Ella talks about the intricacies of writing historical romantasy filled with pirates, treasure hunts, and supernatural elements. Plus, she talks about the significance of including a Filipina heroine and the balance between historical facts and lore, followed by a fun game of Love It or Leave It.
S2 E11 - Anastasia Hayward Samples Snow White and Her Seven Promises
Anastasia Hayward joins the podcast to sample SOPHIA WHITE AND HER SEVEN PROMISES, a unique Regency-era retelling of 'Snow White.' Anastasia shares the inspiration behind the story, her writing journey, and her approach to incorporating psychological insights into her characters. Plus, she plays LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT and reveals the rule she breaks in romance novels!
S2 E10 - An Interview With Beverly Jenkins
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.
S2 E9 - Jenna Bigelow Samples The Tribune Temptation
Debut author Jenna Bigelow joins the podcast to sample THE TRIBUNE TEMPTATION, set during the Roman Republic. Hear an excerpt of this marriage of convenience historical romance, and then find out what inspired Jenna to set her stories in Ancient Rome, her research, and the particular scenes she loves to write.
S2 E8 - Sylvie Sinclair Samples This Marquess of Mine
Sylvie Sinclair joins the podcast to read a sample of her Regency romance, THIS MARQUESS OF MINE. We talk about Sylvie's writing process, her love for Regency accessories, grounding scenes in physical objects, and her approach to dialogue and subtext. Plus, Sylvie shares insights into her favorite authors, research practices, and the importance of emotional depth in romance.