The Historical Romance Sampler

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...

Nola Saint James joins the podcast to read from CURSE OF THE RAVENSCROFFT BRIDES. She shares a scene from a key secondary character, talks about why she chose to write a romantasy about ravens instead of dragons, and discusses the theme of people who feel different finding happiness. Plus, she reveals why her authors' notes include so much more than research!   00:33 Meet Nola Saint James: Author...

Hillary Bowen joins the podcast to read from her debut historical romance, OUT WITH LANTERNS. She shares why she decided to write a WWI story, her research into Britain Women's Land Army and how British attitudes towards women's work differed from other European countries, and the authors who inspired her to read and write historical romance.  00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcas...

Debra Parmley joins the podcast to read from her flapper romance, TRAPPING THE BUTTERFLY. She shares about writing a story at the hotel Al Capone actually visited, her journey to publishing a 1920s historical romance, and how she draws inspiration from sharing Prince's birthday.  00:33 Meet Debra Parmley: A Multi-Genre Author 01:37 Reading from 'Trapping the Butterfly' 15:05 Discussion on the 1920...

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!   00:33 Meet Abigail Aaronson: Sapphic Historical Romance Author 01:...

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!   00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler 01:48 Readi...

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 i...

Annie R McEwen returns to the podcast to read from her latest release, THE CORSET GIRLS: UNBOUND. We talk about why romance goes so well with suspense, the fertile relationship between France and England, and an unlocked childhood memory that helps explain why Annie loves writing epilogues!   00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 00:33 Introducing Annie R McEwen 01:51 The Corset...

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 progre...

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...