Lit Wallflowers Podcast

Toni and Wendy are officially back for Season 3 starting with Tessa Dare’s Castles Ever After series.  “Doubt not” you’ll want pancakes during and after reading "Romancing the Duke!" Being England’s sweetheart since childhood, Izzy should have a charmed life.  But a charmed life was only a façade especially to the fanbase she has acquired through the years.  What fans do not see is a gro...

First things first, we (Laine, Meg, Toni, and Wendy) were wrong about our Bridgerton season one theories!  Overall, Chris van Dusen and Shondaland did a great job portraying a historical romance book onto film through a modern lens.  We got a shocking reveal at the end of the series, but there were many questions only the next season can answer.  We definitely need to know who the hell Madame Dela...

Toni and Wendy are back with more Dukes with “How the Dukes Stole Christmas!”  Our first duke was trying to get back to his country estate as fast as possible after taking care of some business like selling “unnecessary” real estate.  The heroine made sure he got a taste of town before being offered some burnt shortbread in “Meet Me in Mayfair” by Tessa Dare.  Our next duke spends his Christmases...

Laine and Meg of Plot Trysts join us, Wendy and Toni, again to talk Bridgerton of course!  Listeners, be warned, this episode contains spoilers especially if you haven’t finished book four of the series.  Considering Shondaland is behind the show and that means drama, there are some scenes that’ll have us anxiously waiting to see how it was handled, especially the seed scene from “The Duke and I”...

This week, Toni and Wendy talk about asses and being thirsty in “Under the Mistletoe” by Stefanie Sloane, plus they review an exclusive vignette featured at the end of this novella, “A Strange Fascination” by Julia Quinn during “Pot-tail Pondering.”  Drunk confessions can be the most liberating or humiliating events ever.  If the latter, then running away is one option, but not for long if we’re r...

Wendy and Toni bring a holiday treat in the form of a crossover episode Plot Trysts style reviewing “A Wallflower Christmas” by Lisa Kleypas.  We play Laine and Meg’s fun Random Number Summaries game and come up with 21 words to describe the book.  Some summaries even included the heroine which was missing from the book jacket.  We discuss how Stony Cross Park is probably a trope by now with the l...

Wendy and Toni attend another event at Kingstag Castle and it looks like we’re getting snowed in.  The duke and duchess have many in charge for the Christmas party happening while they’re gone, but it’s secretary to the duchess, Viola Cavendish, who’s the most worried.  When the Earl of Winterton and his nephew showed up at the castle looking for an atlas, Wesley is trying to find his way elsewher...

This week, Toni discovered four new authors when Wendy suggested the anthology “At the Duke’s Wedding.”  They travel to Kingstagg Castle for the marriage of the Duke of Wessex to his future duchess.  As long as the symbol of marriage arrives, a heirloom wedding ring, with the Duke’s cousin Jack, then everything is falling into place.  But Jack from “That Rogue Jack” by Maya Rodale is falling for H...

This week, Wendy and Toni review “Tempted by Curiosity” by Angeleke Kaldis and interview our very own @the_lovely_bibliophile.  A loving family helps our heroine, Marcella, do what she needs to do to go from country bumpkin to marriage-minded debutante in London and secure her family’s future.  Staying with family friends during the season, she finds herself finding more friends who don’t seem lik...

Wendy and Toni are back and this month they’re reading books of author’s that are new to them.  They start with author Nicola Italia’s “Sea of Revenge” and we get more insight with an interview with the author!  We learn that the author loves to create a strong female lead and we got that.  Tamzen lost her brother when the naval ship he was on was attacked by the worse type of pirates.  Not wantin...

This week, Toni and Wendy finally learn more about the intelligent Alice Tombs and the man who dared to speak to her at a ball, Nick, Lord Hatherly and future Duke of Barrington.  We can surely blame it on the current Duke for bringing these two non-marriage minded heroes together after losing a bet.  Although forced to comply, it may be the best situation for the woman who translates Kama Sutra t...

Wendy and Toni are back with bee-utiful and jilted Dorothea and avenging Dalton, Duke of Osborne.  Now a scandal, the very accomplished Thea is happily enjoying some freedom in Ireland before a final season.  She has plans including being blissfully unmarried, but her plans are ruined by Dalton with one waltz.  To set things to rights, she takes it upon herself to fix them by making the duke help...

This week, Wendy and Toni finally dive into author Lenora Bell’s bibliography starting from the beginning with The Disgraceful Dukes series.  They go on a lovely rant about the reviews on “How the Duke was Won” while gushing about the book.  If you love different social class tropes like the ladies do, then this book is for you.  Charlene was approached to act as her could-be-twin half-sister to w...

We have a special treat!  This week, Wendy hosted Bridget from Romance at a Glance podcast to discuss steamy Derek Craven and heroic author Sara Fielding.  These ladies discuss everything from the different book covers to many of their favorite parts from Sara’s curiosity to the appearance of Matilda.  Do you feel the same way they do about Sara’s country beau and his mother?  The protagonists wer...

This week, Wendy and Toni talk about the only gently-bred woman allowed into Craven’s, Lawless Lily and the guy with many resources, Alex Raiford.  Many of us go through life being independent and figure out our issues on our own.  Some of us are fortunate enough to have friends and family that will help us at the drop of a hat.  Although there is nothing wrong with doing things on our own, there...

Recently, Toni crossed over to Romance at a Glance podcast with host Shani to review “Lord of Scoundrels” by Loretta Chase.  They pondered on the different book covers and who reminds them of Lord Dain.  They went over favorite scenes, a favorite review, and a favorite line.  Are our thoughts about Jessica Trent the same as theirs?  Do we agree with their ratings of the heroes and the book?  Join...

This week, Toni and Wendy enter the anthology galaxy when “Lady Whistledown Strikes Back.”  Lady W is keeping her eyes and ears open for possible clues as to who stole Lady Neely’s bracelet from her would be satiating dinner party.  Could it have been the fortune hunter who’s trying to keep a low profile while keeping his promise to his friend to watch over his unmarried sister in Julia Quinn’s “T...

Wendy and Toni are back with the ton’s favorite society page columnist, who we’ve met in the Bridgerton series, Lady Whistledown.  “The Further Observation of Lady Whistledown” anthology has Lady W’s watchful eye on potential betrothals, but also those who should not be seen as more than friends.  In Suzanne Enoch’s “One True Love,” Lady W’s report of a couple making snow angels brings an earl to...

This week, Wendy and Toni talk about newspaper owner Duncan and casino full of secrets Georgiana.  We go through life chasing our dreams for better circumstances.  We chase after the cutest guy or girl, after the job promotion, after financial freedom to be happy.  Sometimes, we choose to chase after happiness for the benefit of our family or close friends, people we would do anything for.  What i...

Toni and Wendy are back with the mysteriously alive Mara and the “Killer Duke” Temple.  Our circumstances can drive us to take drastic measures to gain some form of freedom.  Drastic measures involve plans that may involve unsuspecting people who just want to have a night of fun with us.  Plans do not always go as expected, sometimes the repercussions are so severe that multiple lives are changed...

This week, Toni and Wendy talk about some of the smartest people amongst the ton, scientist Pippa and card counting Cross.  When Lady Pippa shows up in Cross’s room at The Fallen Angel, he was stunned to hear he was being recruited for ruination…lessons.  What she asks of him, though, is a reminder of past decisions he made and vowed to abstain from. Sometimes, we make mistakes that lead us to dro...

Wendy and Toni are back with Sarah MacLean’s Rules of Scoundrels series starting with proper Penelope and fallen angel Bourne.  Revenge can be born from dreadful experiences shaping the rest of our lives.  We either forgive and forget, forgive and don’t forget, or don’t forgive and (try to) forget.  Or, we neither forgive nor forget and make it our goal to someday ruin who ruined us.  If the latte...

Wendy and Toni are back with the passionate Juliana and the Duke of Disdain aka the Duke of Leighton.  Actions have consequences.  Actions as parents have consequences that may affect their children personally and publicly.  Back in the day, when our parent is a scandal, we are a scandal, too.  Or, if our parent treats others with disdain, we are nurtured to treat others coldly, too.  Regardless o...

This week, Wendy and Toni are talking about roof repairing Isabel and the hunter turned hunted Nicholas.  Sometimes we need some help in finding a mate whether we admit it or not.  It’s fortune that we are blessed with information, then and now, to help us snatch a lord or lady into relationship bliss. Which of the ten ways to be adored to land a lord or lady do we believe to be true?  Which of th...

Wendy and Toni are back with an empress and the emperor she has been waiting for for ten years.  It’s a wonder that some of us love our name and some of us want to cringe.  It’s a wonder how our given name that makes us brace for impact once understanding hits others is actually lovely to them.  We may go by a nickname, like Lady Calpurnia who prefers to be called Callie, but Ralston told her to e...