Of Swords and Soulmates

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a legendary monster gets burned out from terrorizing teenagers? Monster Slayer Matchmaking takes us into the world of Darla Drake, the infamous Duchess of Death, who's taking a much-needed break from her monster duties at Camp Clear Creek. When we first meet Darla, she's in the depths of an existential crisis, spending her days reading stolen romance no...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the shadows of New Orleans with us as we unpack Geneva Lee's "Filthy Rich Fae," a supernatural crime drama where the lines between mafia power and fae magic blur into a dangerous, seductive world. When ER nurse Kate Holloway strikes a bargain with the notorious fae crime lord Lachlan Gage to save her brother's soul, she finds herself bound to his worl...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when grief meets magic? When a woman on the brink of death is whisked away to the dangerous Fae Court and given a bargain she can't refuse? Monster romance often gets a bad reputation—dismissed as shallow fantasy or even harmful to readers. Our deep dive into Mallory Dunlan's "Captured by the Fae Beast" reveals why these criticisms miss the mark. T...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a legendary dragon slayer is sent to kill a dragon in a kingdom where dragons are revered, not feared? And what if that dragon turns out to be connected to the kingdom's mysterious and captivating ruler? These questions lie at the heart of Neon Yang's "Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame," our Pride Month selection that sparked passionate...

Send us Fan Mail Our hosts dive deep into this 1999 cult classic, examining how it blends Catholic doctrine with elements of Greek mythology and Jewish mysticism to create a uniquely irreverent yet thoughtful commentary on faith. Is there hints of romance sprinkled into this film? The film follows two fallen angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) who discover a loophole that would allow them to retur...

Send us Fan Mail Betrayal has never been so tantalizing as in Maya Corland's "Five Broken Blades," where five deadly assassins must form an uneasy alliance against an immortal tyrant—if they don't kill each other first. When a mysterious summons brings together the most dangerous liars in the land, their mission seems straightforward: assassinate the God-King Jun who rules with...

Send us Fan Mail When musical comedy duo Grief Cat wrote a song about fairies getting it on during band practice, they had no idea it would become their biggest hit. But that's exactly what happened when Annie and Louisa's romantasy-inspired jam "Fairies Fucking" connected with readers and listeners who share their passion for paranormal love stories. In this delightfully meand...

Send us Fan Mail Unraveling the secrets of Sarah J. Maas's intricate fantasy world, we dive deep into "Crown of Midnight," the pivotal second installment of the Throne of Glass series. Our hosts explore how this book serves as the essential bridge that transforms what seemed like a straightforward assassin tale into an epic fantasy with far-reaching implications. The conversation ex...

Send us Fan Mail Magic always has a price—but what if that price is your body, your mind, or even your humanity? Rachel Gillig's "One Dark Window" transports readers into a hauntingly beautiful gothic fantasy where survival means harboring dangerous secrets. In a mist-locked kingdom where magic is treated as a disease to be eradicated, Elspeth Spindle lives with a terrifying reality...

Send us Fan Mail When a teenage author asked herself "What if Cinderella was an assassin fleeing the palace?" she couldn't have known she was creating the foundation for one of fantasy's most beloved series. In this anniversary episode, we celebrate our podcast's first year by diving into Throne of Glass, the story of Celaena Sardothien – deadly assassin, reluctant competi...

Send us Fan Mail When Rebecca Yarros released Onyx Storm, the third installment in her Empyrean series, fans dropped everything to immerse themselves in Violet's continuing journey. Our podcast hosts were no exception – taking time off work, planning reading parties (thwarted by actual storms), and devouring the book in mere hours. The conversation around this book reveals the fascinating dic...

Send us Fan Mail Step into the whimsical world of “That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon” by Kimberly Lemming, where humor and heart collide in a captivating romantic adventure. Join us for a delightful deep dive into this enchanting tale, as we unravel the journey of Cinnamon, a spirited Spice Trader, who finds herself swept off her feet by a charming demon named Fallon. This episode promises t...

Send us Fan Mail This episode embarks on an exploration of *A Throne in the Dark* by AK Caggiano, where dark romances clash with comedic undertones, leading characters on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. We dissect the book's intricate world-building, character dynamics, and the balance of fantasy and romance, while expressing our varied ratings and thoughts on wh...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to navigate the often tumultuous seas of book collecting, especially when it comes to special editions? We've been there, shared the frustration, and today we're spilling the tea on all things literary buzz. From Callie Hart's much-anticipated "Quicksilver" in the Fey and Alchemy series to the sell-out success of Sarah J. Maas's excl...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the familiar meets the fantastical in Rebecca Yarros's "Fourth Wing"? Get ready to uncover whether the familiar tropes in her series soar or crash as we dissect the book's re-readability, Easter eggs, and world-building elements compared to the likes of Sarah J. Maas and Anne McCaffrey. Ever wondered how Violet, our protagonist, might navigate...

Send us Fan Mail We reflect on our literary journey in 2024, discussing our favorite challenges, surprising reads, and popular books left unread. The episode showcases the variety of genres we explored and the sense of community built around our shared experiences.  • Reflection on reading challenges tackled throughout 2024  • Celebrating favorite reads and their impact on personal journeys  • Dis...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we're celebrating Sarah J. Maas's triumph with "House of Flame and Shadow" in the 2024 Goodreads Choice Awards. Join us—Mari, Kelly, Ashley, and Jonathan—as we passionately chat about the allure of Maas's different series and the electrifying energy it brings to the romance community. We also highlight Emily Henry's "Funny Story,"...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could transform an ordinary game of Dirty Santa into an unforgettable experience? Join us as we welcome Amy from Maple Grass Design, who shares her enchanting world of "surprise bubbles," meticulously crafted gifts that cater to everyone from D&D enthusiasts to book lovers. Ever wondered why some books and movies become collector's items? We unpack t...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we welcome the fabulous Sarah and Jess from the "Hissing and Kissing" podcast, who bring their unique insights into the realm of romantasy literature. Together, we explore the fascinating roots of monster romance and how pop culture shapes our modern love stories. With a sprinkle of humor and a dash of nostalgia, we reminisce about our Dragon Con meet-up and d...

Send us Fan Mail With excitement in the air, we’re joined by Summer and Becky from Summer Reading Creations as we look at the discovery of an unknown Bram Stoker short story, "Gibbet Hill". Alongside this thrilling discovery, we can't ignore the buzz around Illumicrate's special edition of "House of Flame and Shadow" and the enchanting advent calendars sparking holida...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered what would happen if Dracula's brides plotted his downfall? Join us as we discuss A Dowry of Blood. We first ponder what makes a special edition book truly special. We dive into the vibrant world of special edition book releases and explore what fuels our excitement for these modern retellings and captivating collections, promising listeners a feast for...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how literature can unite communities in times of need? Join us on an uncharted adventure at the Fabled Fantasy Romanacy Book Con in Orlando, where we explore the vibrant world of books and the heartwarming initiatives supporting hurricane-affected areas. Our journey uncovers the magic that happens when literary enthusiasts come together. From panels to vendor stalls,...

Send us Fan Mail Prepare for a whimsical journey through the realms of bookish fantasy and romance as we recount our latest reading adventure. We can't contain our excitement about the thrilling book releases on the horizon, including "Pride and Prejudice in Space" by Alexis Lampley and the enchanting Fairy Loot edition of "Kiki's Delivery Service." Our inner geeks ar...

Send us Fan Mail Ready for a whirlwind of fantasy excitement and bookish delights? This episode promises to keep you on the edge of your seat as we unravel the mysteries and magic of Grace Draven's Radiance .  Join us as we dive into the latest buzz in the fantasy literary world in our extended news segment. We discuss a sneak peek at the stunning cover for Juliet Cross's Southern Charm...

Send us Fan Mail Can a workplace romance with a magical twist truly captivate your heart? Meet us on "Of Swords and Soulmates" as we talk about the buzz around Hannah Nicole Maehrer's "Assistant to the Villain." Fueled by social media hype, this charming tale blends humor, romance, and fantasy in a way that had us all hooked. We discuss our star ratings and how this book c...