The Historical Romance Sampler

Melinda Copp samples AGAIN, THIS TIME IN PARIS. We talk about the Belle Epoque and her inspiration from Marcel Proust (watch me try to pull a Lorelei Gilmore and pretend I totally know about Proust). Then Melinda takes my quiz, Katherine's Quick Questions, and reveals her love of magical realism!   FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Melinda Copp at https://melindacopp.my.canva.site/   READ AGAIN, THIS TIME IN PA...

GL Robinson samples Cynthia's Strays. We talk about writing younger characters when you're an author of a certain age and how GL's childhood in post-war Britain prepared her to write historical romances. Then, Glynis Louise takes my quiz, Katherine's Quick Questions!   FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GL Robinson at https://romancenovelsbyglrobinson.com/   READ CYNTHIA'S STRAYS If you're excited to read this b...

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...

It is Banned Books Week here in the USA, so author Kit Caelsto joins me to talk about writing romance in a climate of censorship. Kit shares about their 20-year career as a romance author and how a new law in Missouri is forcing them to reconsider their publishing future.    Find out more about the law in Missouri: https://www.stlpr.org/government-politics-issues/2026-08-28/age-verification-law-fo...

Rachel Griffiths joins the podcast to read from her Regency romance, JUST FOR THE SEASON. We talk about her English heritage, how her experience as a successful children's book editor prepared her (or not) to write romances, and her perspective on: is historical romance dead?  FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Rachel Griffiths at rachelgriffithswrites.com   READ JUST FOR THE SEASON If you're excited to read thi...

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"! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT E. H. Lupton at www.ehlupton.com READ DIONYSUS...

Zen Cho reads from her 20th-century novella, THE PERILOUS LIFE OF JADE YEO. We talk about how she was inspired by Virginia Woolf's lifestyle to write this epistolary story, how H.G. Wells was a "horndog", and writing cross-culturally into different time periods. Then Zen takes my quiz, Katherine's Quick Questions!   FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Zen Cho at https://zencho.org/   READ THE PERILOUS LIFE OF JAD...

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! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Lauren M. Hayworth at https://laurenmhayworth.com/   R...

I'm thrilled to report that Season 3 will resume starting on Monday, September 7th! Get ready for new weekly episodes featuring historical romance stories of all kinds. In the meantime, here are some ideas for how to keep up with Historical Romance Sampler: Catch up on my episode backlist Learn more about how book bans impact romance readers in my episodes with Olivia Waite, Anne Knight, and TJ Al...

Samplers, I'm here to share that I have to put the podcast on hiatus for the foreseeable future while I recover my health. Picture me like a Regency heroine taking the waters in Bath, and don't worry too much, because I'm very confident I'll be better soon...perhaps even in time for a summer house party! In the meantime, here are some ways to keep up with me and historical romance: Catch up on pas...

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!   00:59...

Andie James returns to the podcast to read from her new release, BEGUILED! We talk about the theme of beauty versus function, how she explores classism in the Regency era, and what intimacy looks like in her books. Plus, Andie shares what inspired her to start her own podcast, First Encounter!  00:00 Welcome and Introduction 03:51 Reading from 'Beguiled' - Chapter 6 19:07 Andie James on Ethical La...

Jennie L Spohr reads from her reformation era court romance, HEIRS AND SPARES. She talks about why she wrote two versions of each book in this series (one closed door, one open door), how her degree in theology inspired her plots, and writing a romance trilogy about a single couple.   00:33 Meet Jennie L Spohr: Bestselling Author 01:30 Reading from 'Heirs and Spares' 14:28 The Concept of Dual Vers...

Debut author R. K. Harrington reads from her Regency romance, KINDRED SCHEMES. We talk about what it is like to transition from reader to writer, why engineering is just as creative as writing novels, and why she loves to add mystery into her romance plots.    00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler 00:33 Introducing RK Harrington and Kindred Schemes 01:36 Reading from Kindred Schemes 15:3...

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! 00:00 Introduci...

As we head into the new year, I'm sharing a little of what you can expect from the Historical Romance Sampler! Look forward to new episodes starting in February, more updates on book bans in the USA, and a new game! Thank you so much to everyone who has listened to the podcast so far. I'm celebrating over 13,000 downloads on podcast apps and 36,000+ views on my YouTube channel! Looking ahead to Se...

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?   00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 01:25...

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! Find out more about the Itch.io controversy: https...

Kathy L Wheeler joins the podcast to read from THE DUKE'S DETOUR. We talk about how she uses humor to investigate darker themes in historical romance, the serendipitous ways she finds story ideas, and why Broadway and sports games make her cry.    00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 00:33 Meet Kathy L Wheeler 01:15 Sample Reading from 'The Duke's Detour' 12:57 Discussion on Lor...

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! 00:00 In...

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! 00:00 Welcome to the...

Will Forrest joins the podcast to read from AN INCONVENIENT EARL. We talk about chapter titles, why they decided to write a Regency romance, and why fiction is so powerful. Plus, Will chooses a Sweet Valley High twin!    00:33 Meet Will Forrest: Author, Poet, and General Nuisance 01:24 Will Forrest's Period Costume and Fashion Design 03:38 Reading from An Inconvenient Earl 19:48 Interview with Wil...

Ramona Elmes joins the podcast to read from her latest novella, A WOMAN'S PREROGATIVE, the latest entry in our collaborative series, "Suffragette Uprising." She talks about what inspired her to contribute to the series, why she finds post-WWI USA so fascinating, and how she approached writing an older veteran of the Great War as her romance hero. Plus, she reveals whether she is a rule follower in...

Charis Michaels joins the podcast to read from YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE, one of her favorite books to read aloud! We talk about her commitment to exploring sexual attitudes in romance novels, her experience working for Romance Writers of America (RWA), and how she comes up with series ideas. Plus, she proves herself to be a rule follower in a game of LOVE IT ORE LEAVE IT?   00:33 Meet Charis Michaels...

It's a special episode with guest host Mary Lynne Nielsen reporting for duty to interview me about The Widower Without a Will! We talk about why Lord Preston gets two romance stories in one series, creating a progressive hero who isn't perfect, and writing intimate scenes for older characters. Plus, Mary Lynne asks me what I hope readers will take away from the series! Please note: this episode (a...