The Reality of Enemies-To-Lovers, Writing Spice & Nyaxia Book 5 with Carissa Broadbent

The Reality of Enemies-To-Lovers, Writing Spice & Nyaxia Book 5 with Carissa Broadbent

What does it actually take to go from publishing your own fantasy novels in your bedroom to landing a massive traditional deal with Bramble? Hint: It takes a lot more than just a good trope. In today's episode, Rebecca and Kirsty sits down with the queen of dark romantasy herself, Carissa Broadbent! We are pulling back the velvet curtain on the reality of being a hybrid author, the exact mechanics of building magic systems that don’t put your readers to sleep, and how to write spicy scenes that carry actual emotional depth. Whether you’re a writer looking to navigate the publishing landscape or a reader obsessed with The Crowns of Nyaxis, character redemption arcs, and the eternal battle of slow burn vs. enemies-to-lovers, this conversation is your ultimate backstage pass. * The Hybrid Leap: Carissa's raw, behind-the-scenes experience moving from indie to traditional publishing. * World Building 101: How to slot complex magic systems into your narrative naturally. * The Spicy Scene Blueprint: The challenges and growth behind writing high-heat, emotionally resonant romance. * The Creative Fight: Navigating artistic collaborations, gorgeous cover art design, and the rising impact of AI on the creative community. Pop your headphones in, pour yourself a drink, and let's get into it. What We’re Diving Into 🔗 Resources Mentioned * Carissa Broadbent: Official Website [https://carissabroadbentbooks.com/] | Instagram @carissabroadbentbooks * Bramble Publishing: Bramble Books [https://bramblepublishing.com] * Illustrations & Cover Art: Arthur Wang Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/trueblacktarot/] | Website [https://arthurwang.com] * Book Customization: K.D. Ritchie Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/storywrappers] * Support Local Bookstores: Buy from Charter Books (Newport, RI) [https://charterbookstore.com/] 📣 Join the Club Enjoyed this deep dive? Hit that subscribe button, leave us a 5-star review, and join our private corner of the internet on Instagram by searching "The Coven's Cocktail Club" on Instagram Channels. #Romantasy #CarissaBroadbent #IndieAuthor #SpicyBookTok #BookPodcast

Entering Our Chaos Era: The Ultimate Quarter 3 Spicy Romance Guide

Welcome to the Season 4 premiere of Two Girls, One TBR! We are kicking off a brand new era with a major host lineup shake-up as Katie, Kirsty, and Jess join the main crew with Rebecca, while Heather and Chelsea crown themselves our bonus chapter queens. In this episode, we are diving deep into the wildest corners of the bookish community. Get ready for a massive breakdown of upcoming dark romance, spicy romantasy, monster romance, contemporary romance and dark fantasy book releases dropping from July to September. We are talking thick fantasy series, indie author highlights, dark academia vibes, and the taboo books you secretly love. Plus, we debate our upcoming ACOTAR reread plans, break down Crescent City theories, share chaotic book conference stories, and our drink recipes. (And for the record: Jess officially confirmed there were absolutely NO sparkles found afterward, okay? It is a hard no!) Dust off your TBR lists: this season is unfiltered, spicy, and full of chaos. Rate and review us on Spotify, and make sure to follow so you never miss an episode drop! * Correction Note: During the episode, we mentioned the release date for the alien romance Jess highlighted, The Wildborn. We discovered after recording that it actually releases on July 17th, not June 28th! Mark your calendars accordingly! Connect with us! linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR [linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR]

Behind the Pages: Gothic Romantasy Lore with Gemma Vale

Looking for your next unhinged dark romantasy obsession? Look no further.  In this episode of Two Girls, One TBR, we sit down with debut author Gemma Vale to talk about her upcoming book, Daughter of the Night. If you are a reader who craves shadow magic, complex character arcs, and a sharp, sophisticated love interest who wears glasses and serves pure elite energy, you are going to fall completely in love with Kael. Gemma breaks down how she approaches writing heavy themes, trauma, and ultimate women's empowerment, while still delivering the high-stakes fantasy we all live for. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of a book boyfriend. Gemma shares what it was like to record her own audiobook in a professional studio, the chaotic reality of preorder deadlines, and why her upcoming projects are going to completely shift your expectations for spice and shadow magic. Plus, we chat about the relatable madness of balancing a massive reading list with motherhood and life.  Get ready to add this one to the top of your TBR pile! In this episode: * Gemma’s self-publishing journey and debut release * Recording the audiobook in a professional studio * Preorder challenges, launch prep, and publishing logistics * Writing dark fantasy, romantasy, and emotionally complex characters * Character arcs for Seren, Kael, and future series plans * Social media, author branding, and building a readership * Bookish conversation about spice levels, tropes, and future reads Highlights: * Why Gemma chose to self-publish * The hardest part of creating the audiobook * How she developed Seren and Kael * Why her upcoming books will feel very different * The importance of preorder support for indie authors Connect with Gemma Vale: Instagram: @author.gemmavale TikTok: @author.gemmavale Connect with us! linktr.ee/TwoGirlsOneTBR [https://linktr.ee/twogirlsonetbr]

Behind the Pages: Shadow Daddy Dark Romance with AG Harris

The shadows are officially calling, Book Babes. 🖤✨ In this episode of Two Girls, One TBR, Rebecca and Chelsea sits down for an unfiltered conversation with the brilliant indie author AG Harris to decode the ultimate dark romantasy formula. If you are obsessed with intense fantasy worldbuilding, complex magic systems, and beautifully written, high-spice romance, this episode is your next addiction. AG pulls back the curtain on her smash-hit book, Kingdoms of Silent Sorrows, and shares her incredible journey from graphic designer to full-time author. We dive deep into her unique creative process...revealing how she creates her own visual character art, draws her own custom maps, and weaves real-world inspirations like Japanese temples into her dark landscapes. From balancing the chaos of motherhood with a full-time creative hustle to the delicate art of writing high heat, explicit love scenes that actually drives the plot forward without the clichés, nothing is off-limits. Grab your favorite drink and get ready to upgrade your TBR list! 🍷 Our Sips for the Show: Head over to our Instagram under "Sips" for the full the full recipes for The Velvet Whisper and The Silent Sparkler...our signature cranberry infused refreshments crafted specifically for dark romantics and book witches alike. Connect with AG Harris: Website & Exclusive Signed Hardcovers: https://www.authoragharris.com/ [https://www.authoragharris.com/] Instagram & TikTok: @authoragharris Make sure to follow the podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with your favorite book bestie! linktr.ee/twogirlsonetbr [linktr.ee/twogirlsonetbr]

Behind the Pages: Paranormal Vampire Romance with L. E. Sells

"I love spice. That's my platform." How does a powerhouse author successfully manage a massive lineup of upcoming releases while keeping the quality of world-building and character development incredibly high? You’re about to find out. In this episode, Rebecca and Chelsea sit down with dark romantasy author L.E. Sells for an exclusive deep dive into what it actually takes to build and maintain a thriving writing empire. From mapping out futuristic technology in old-world settings to the intentional strategy behind character development, L.E. Sells shares a masterclass in creative momentum. Why you need to press play right now: * The Creative Empire: An inside look at how L.E. Sells juggles multiple exciting projects and upcoming releases without losing speed. * The Tropes & The Spice: We break down the deliberate language of romance novel descriptions, writing complex female leads, and the intentional use of toxic dynamics in dark romantasy literature. * The Writer’s Blueprint: Expert insights into storyboarding, chapter drafting, and how to masterfully hide Easter eggs for your most dedicated readers. Grab your drink and get ready for an unforgettable conversation with one of the most exciting, prolific authors in the genre. Connect with our Guest: Instagram: @lesellsbooks TikTok: @L.E.Author https://theleap.co/creator/L.E.SellsBooks [https://theleap.co/creator/L.E.SellsBooks] Resources Mentioned: Book Love Designs: https://booklovedesigns.com [https://booklovedesigns.com] Spark and Quill Publishing: https://sparkandquill.com [https://sparkandquill.com]