The Historical Romance Sampler

Ava Bond reads from her upcoming Regency romance, THE LADY! We talk about her love of class differences, the momentum created by a meet cute, and how she approaches writing historical romance series. Plus, Ava reveals a surprising trope she enjoys in LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?   00:00 Introduction  02:43 Reading from The Lady 13:56 Discussion on Class Differences 15:55 Writing Process and Inspirations 1...

Alison Mckenzie joins the podcast to read from her debut historical romance, THE BLACKSMITH'S BRIDE! We talk about her inspiration for the book (a role playing game based off a Robinhood TV show), why she is fascinated by eras like 1380s in England when change is in the air, and how relationship dynamics can work as great metaphors for political systems. Plus, she shares the romance rule she broke...

It's a special episode on the Historical Romance Sampler this week! Kasia Alba, host of the Raising Baby Authors podcast, joins me to read from Joanna Shupe's THE BRIDE GOES ROGUE and talk all things historical romance. We discuss why Kasia loves the meet cute in Shupe's novel, how Bridgerton hooked her into historical romance, and theorize on why book-to-screen adaptations are so often disappoint...

Lindsay Barrett comes on to read SAVANNAH ROYALS, her debut historical romance inspired by the fantasy novel Six of Crows. She shares how was inspired to set her story in Savannah, writing morally gray heroes, and why it was so important to her to explore a polyamorous relationship on the page. Plus, she plays LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT so we can find out how she feels about classic romance rules!    00:...

The legendary Cathy Maxwell joins the podcast to read from her latest Regency romance, A Touch of Steele! We talk about her journey to writing books, why she considers romance novels to be adventure novels, and what she has learned writing 41+ books. To wrap things up, she plays Love It or Leave It? and reveals why rules are meant to be broken!   00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sample...

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).     00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler 00:33 Meet Edie Cay: Award-Winning Author 01:23 Reading fr...

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?! Find out more about Jane Ha...

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.   00:00 Welcome to the Historical Roma...

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...

In this special episode of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast, 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 explor...

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.   00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 02:18 Miss Gregoire's Beginn...

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! 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 01:16 Reading from 'The Scottish Scheme' 13:31 In...

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"! 00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 01:14 A Lady's Guide to London: Boo...

Alice Murphy joins the podcast to read from her hot new release, 'A Showgirl's Rules for Falling in Love.' We talk about the book's dual timeline narrative intertwining a historical romance with a contemporary framework, the importance of the happily ever after, and body image over time.  00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 03:47 Reading from A Showgirl's Rules for Falling...

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. 00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler 00:34 Special Episode: C...

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!   00:00 Introduction to the Historical...

USA Today Bestselling Author Golden Angel joins the podcast to read a sample from A SEASON FOR TREASON! She talks about writing power dynamics in historical vs contemporary romances, how she approaches historical accuracy, and a fun research rabbit hole that inspired a subplot in this series.   00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 01:49 A Season for Treason 12:55 Interview...

Kat Sterling joins the podcast to sample WINNIE WEST HAS AN AGENDA. She shares the inspiration behind setting her historical romances in early 20th century Seattle and the inspirations behind Kat's writing and the balance between authenticity and fiction, and what makes a compelling hero.   00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 01:07 Reading from 'Winnie West Has an Agenda'  14:1...

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.   00:00 Welcome to the Historical...

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. 00:00...

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.   00:00 Introduction t...

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!   00:00 Welcome to the Historica...

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.   00:00 Introduction...

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.   00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 01:11 Reading from 'The T...

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.   00:00 Welcome to the...