Unfiltered Romance Nights

Samantha Brentmoor Interview

In this episode of Unfiltered Romance Nights, hosts Kolleen and Marjorie sit down with acclaimed audiobook narrator Samantha Brentmoor for an in-depth conversation about the art, discipline, and realities of romance narration. Samantha shares how her background in theater and voice work led her into audiobooks, and what surprised her most when she stepped into her first full-length recording. Throughout the episode, the conversation explores the behind-the-scenes demands of narration, from the physical and mental stamina required for long recording sessions to the intentional preparation that goes into developing believable, emotionally grounded characters. Samantha offers insight into her daily rituals, creative practices, and the balance between technical precision and emotional authenticity in performance. The hosts also dive into the mechanics of duet narration, discussing how separate recordings, timing tools, and post-production collaboration come together to create a seamless listening experience. Along the way, they reflect on the evolving romance genre, the responsibility narrators carry when handling intimate or emotionally charged scenes, and the importance of connection between narrators, authors, and listeners. The episode closes with a look ahead at Samantha’s upcoming projects, including new releases and the possibility of a future narrator tour, highlighting the growing visibility and community within the audiobook world. **This episode was edited and produced by Spellcraft Novel Media.**

Book Chat: Gods Of Hazelwood Duet by Lucy Smoke

In this episode of Unfiltered Romance Nights, hosts Kolleen and Marjorie dive into Lucy Smoke’s Gods of Hazelwood duet, Burn With Me and Fall With Me. The discussion begins with a spoiler-free overview of the series, introducing Aurora and Isaac and the dark, obsessive dynamic at the center of their relationship. As the episode unfolds, the hosts share their honest reactions to the pacing, character development, and repetitive structure of the story. They unpack how miscommunication between the main characters weakens the emotional tension and contributes to a narrative that often feels cyclical rather than suspenseful. Kolleen and Marjorie also examine the execution of dark romance elements, including questions of consent, control, and emotional impact. This leads to a broader conversation about expectations within the genre, particularly the importance of growth, accountability, and intentional storytelling when handling heavy themes. The episode closes with a candid reflection on unresolved plot points, underdeveloped characters, and missed opportunities that ultimately left the hosts feeling frustrated, while still acknowledging the potential for a more compelling story. **This episode was edited and produced by Spellcraft Novel Media.**

2026 Goals & What's Next

Season Three of Unfiltered Romance Nights is officially underway. In this premiere episode, hosts Kolleen and Marjorie dive into their 2026 reading goals, upcoming romance releases they are most excited about, and the realities of managing ARC teams. They discuss the pressures that can come with reading expectations, how controversial authors and challenging themes impact the reading experience, and what readers can do to protect their joy. The episode also previews what’s ahead this season, including more author interviews, refreshed episode structure, and increased listener involvement. The hosts wrap up by reflecting on the past year and sharing their excitement for the future of the podcast. In This Episode * Kicking off Season Three of Unfiltered Romance Nights * 2026 reading goals and anticipated releases * Managing TBR lists and ARC team pressure * Thoughts on controversial authors and difficult themes * Most anticipated reads for the year * What’s changing in Season Three * Upcoming author interviews * How listeners can engage and share recommendations **This episode was edited and produced by Spellcraft Novel Media.**

Lexi Blake Interview

We had the pleasure of interviewing Lexi Blake and chatted her writing journey and all things Brooke's Bliss. ❗️DISCLAIMER: This episode was pre-recorded❗️ Don’t forget to rate and/or review us on your preferred listening platform. Thank you! DISCLAIMER/WARNING: Our episodes will contain spoilers and potential triggers.   Follow our social media pages: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredromancenights [https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredromancenights] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredromancenightspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredromancenightspodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredromancenightspod [https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredromancenightspod] Follow your hosts: Kolleen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookswith_kolleenirene [https://www.tiktok.com/@bookswith_kolleenirene] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolleenirene [https://www.instagram.com/kolleenirene] Marjorie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marj_spicyreads [https://www.tiktok.com/@marj_spicyreads] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marj_spicyreads [https://www.instagram.com/marj_spicyreads]

Lucy Rivers Interview

We had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy Rivers and chatted all thing audiobooks. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Unfiltered Romance Nights 01:08 Journey into Audiobook Narration 04:30 First Recording Experience 06:11 Life Beyond the Booth 09:23 Comfort Reads and Audiobooks 10:52 Preparation Rituals for Recording 13:37 Behind the Scenes of Audiobook Narration 15:18 Editing and Corrections in Audiobooks 18:19 Collaboration with Authors 21:22 Adapting Voices for Different Genres 25:01 Full Cast Audiobooks 25:35 Navigating Character Distinctions 27:53 The Dark Side of Romance 28:59 Authenticity in Spicy Scenes 30:04 Bloopers and Accidental Humor 32:22 Challenging Narrations and Character Depth 34:07 Auditioning in the Audiobook World 35:36 The Time Investment in Audiobook Production 38:01 The Complexity of Language in Narration 40:05 Voice Management and Energy During Recording 41:26 Memorable Bloopers and Outtakes 44:31 The Realities of Romance and Preparation 45:44 Connecting with Authors and Events 48:08 The Joy of Smaller Book Events 49:28 Dream Narration Projects 51:06 Upcoming Releases and Exciting Projects 53:01 Narration Styles and Preferences 55:30 The Art of Narration and Personal Style ❗️DISCLAIMER: This episode was pre-recorded❗️  Follow Lucy Rivers on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akalucyrivers [https://www.instagram.com/akalucyrivers] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@akalucyrivers [https://www.tiktok.com/@akalucyrivers] Don’t forget to rate and/or review us on your preferred listening platform. Thank you! DISCLAIMER/WARNING: Our episodes will contain spoilers and potential triggers. Follow our social media pages: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredromancenights [https://www.tiktok.com/@unfilteredromancenights] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredromancenightspodcast [https://www.instagram.com/unfilteredromancenightspodcast] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredromancenightspod [https://www.youtube.com/@unfilteredromancenightspod] Follow your hosts: Kolleen TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookswith_kolleenirene [https://www.tiktok.com/@bookswith_kolleenirene] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolleenirene [https://www.instagram.com/kolleenirene] Marjorie TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marj_spicyreads [https://www.tiktok.com/@marj_spicyreads] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marj_spicyreads [https://www.instagram.com/marj_spicyreads]