S1 E13—Life During the Medieval Period in Historical Romance with Alison McKenzie

S1 E13—Life During the Medieval Period in Historical Romance with Alison McKenzie

*My apologies to my fantastic guest this week, Alison, and listeners—somehow the last six minutes of our conversation was lost (Alison’s feed kicked out). Our conversation was basically done by then; we were discussing future projects from Alison and where to find her books. This week for the July Indie Author chat I talk with the wonderful Alison McKenzie about her upcoming release, THE TAILOR’S TREASURE. This is the second book in her Lovers of Linden series, and will be released August 12, 2026. We had a great time discussing writing in a different time period from the current norm in historical romance (Medieval), writing about everyday people vs. the Aristocracy and looking at the constraints imposed by positions within society, attitudes towards sexuality while writing a sapphic romance, and the impacts of motherhood. Alison also teaches us all about mindset and cultural understanding in the Middle Ages. You can learn more about Alison and her books, including where they can be purchased on her website [https://alisonmckenziewrites.wordpress.com/], and you can follow Alison on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/amckenziewrites/] ---------------------------------------- First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author. Support First Encounter: Patreon [https://patreon.com/first_encounter_hr_pod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Follow First Encounter: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/] TikTok [TikTok]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@first_encounter_hr_pod] Follow Andie James: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/ [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]: @andiejamesauthor [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]   Logo designed by Books and Moods [https://www.booksandmoods.com/] Theme Music by TheJayMan [https://depositphotos.com/music-track/positive-successful-cinematic-vibes-used-movie-soundtrack-764901870.html]

S1 E12—The Bride by Julie Garwood with Jen Prokop

Join us this week as I discuss a HistRom classic with our guest, Jen Prokop of Fated Mates fame, The Bride, by Julie Garwood! Jen and I talk about how tense and POV has shifted over the years, how the pacing of love scenes has shifted as well as whether the focus is on the falling in love or the steam, the comfort of a great Scottish Highland romance, and Garwood’s skill at writing humor, allowing her to lean into archetypes. Listen to the Fated Mates episode all about The Bride here [https://fatedmates.net/episodes/2023/7/4/s0542-remembering-julie-garwood] And visit Jen’s website [https://www.jenreadsromance.com/] to learn more about her superior editing services ---------------------------------------- First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author. Support First Encounter: Patreon [https://patreon.com/first_encounter_hr_pod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Follow First Encounter: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/] TikTok [TikTok]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@first_encounter_hr_pod] Follow Andie James: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/ [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]: @andiejamesauthor [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]   Logo designed by Books and Moods [https://www.booksandmoods.com/] Theme Music by TheJayMan [https://depositphotos.com/music-track/positive-successful-cinematic-vibes-used-movie-soundtrack-764901870.html]

S1 E11—The Gilded Age in Historical Romance with Harper St. George

This week’s episode features hybrid historical romance author, Harper St. George! Harper just released the final book in her Doves of New York series (which I LOVED!), The Dove and the Rogue, and we talk all things Gilded Age, Western romances, and the state of publishing in historical romance (what’s next?) You can find information on Harper and all of her books on her website [https://www.harperstgeorge.com/] And the Kickstarter [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andiejamesauthor/besotted-books] for Besotted Books is now Live! Please consider backing this project so the genre we love can continue to thrive! ---------------------------------------- First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author. Support First Encounter: Patreon [https://patreon.com/first_encounter_hr_pod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Follow First Encounter: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/] TikTok [TikTok]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@first_encounter_hr_pod] Follow Andie James: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/ [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]: @andiejamesauthor [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]   Logo designed by Books and Moods [https://www.booksandmoods.com/] Theme Music by TheJayMan [https://depositphotos.com/music-track/positive-successful-cinematic-vibes-used-movie-soundtrack-764901870.html]

S1 E10—Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas with Seth (@dramakingbooks)

I had an amazing time talking Sherry Thomas with my guest, Seth, this week as we broke down what makes Private Arrangements such a standout in the Historical Romance genre. Listen in as we discuss his own first encounter with HistRom (and how Sherry set him up to love the genre!), emotional stakes, insights gained through a dual timeline, and how Sherry Thomas is like Taylor Swift! You can find more from Seth, including his thoughts on romance books and encounters with authors we love, on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dramakingbooks/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@dramakingbooks], and Threads [https://www.threads.com/@dramakingbooks] where he is @dramakingbooks And check out when Seth met Sherry Thomas at the Libby Awards and she signed his copy of Private Arrangements! https://www.instagram.com/p/DVuHtpYjhvt/?img_index=5 [https://www.instagram.com/p/DVuHtpYjhvt/?img_index=5] Read Private Arrangements [https://bookshop.org/p/books/private-arrangements-sherry-thomas/d75d3d10fb127813?ean=9780440244318&next=t] yourself, and check out what we’re trying to do with Besotted Books [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/besotted-books] ! ---------------------------------------- First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author. Support First Encounter: Patreon [https://patreon.com/first_encounter_hr_pod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Follow First Encounter: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/] TikTok [TikTok]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@first_encounter_hr_pod] Follow Andie James: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/ [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]: @andiejamesauthor [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]   Logo designed by Books and Moods [https://www.booksandmoods.com/] Theme Music by TheJayMan [https://depositphotos.com/music-track/positive-successful-cinematic-vibes-used-movie-soundtrack-764901870.html]

Bonus Episode—All About Besotted Books! with Misty Urban

Guess what? I'm trying to start a publishing company for historical romance—Besotted Books! I’m so grateful to my friend and fellow historical romance author, Misty Urban, for agreeing to chat with me about Besotted Books today! You can learn more about Misty and her series, The Ladies Least Likely, here [https://mistyurban.com/historical-romance/] To read more about Besotted Books, please visit the website [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/besotted-books] And follow us on Instagram @besotted.books [https://www.instagram.com/besotted.books/] We’ll have a link to the Kickstarter and the media kit SOON! ————————————————————————— First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author. Support First Encounter: Patreon [https://patreon.com/first_encounter_hr_pod?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Follow First Encounter: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.instagram.com/first_encounter_hr_pod/] TikTok [TikTok]: @first_encounter_hr_pod [https://www.tiktok.com/@first_encounter_hr_pod] Follow Andie James: Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/ [https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]: @andiejamesauthor [https://www.instagram.com/andiejamesauthor/]   Logo designed by Books and Moods [https://www.booksandmoods.com/] Theme Music by TheJayMan [https://depositphotos.com/music-track/positive-successful-cinematic-vibes-used-movie-soundtrack-764901870.html]