RomBkPod

“QUEER AVON” This week in celebration of Pride month, host Sarah Jean is interviewed by archivist Steve Ammidown about her on-going research into romance publisher Avon’s queer history BONUS EP HOST > SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/ [https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/]) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader BONUS EP GUEST > STEVE AMMIDOWN (he/him) is an archivist currently based in northwest Ohio. In 2019, he was the Romance Writers of America Cathie Linz LIbrarian of the Year for his work in preserving and sharing the history of the romance genre with scholars and the public. He currently writes about romance history on his blog, romancehistory.com [http://romancehistory.com/]. BONUS EP DISCUSSION FULL SHOW NOTES & BIBLIOGRAPHY FORTHCOMING NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-September 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 NOTE: This discussion includes mentions of anti-obscenity law, anti-semitism, suicide ideation, and the AIDS crisis > Interested in hearing more about queer romance history? Check out these other RomBkPod episodes: >> RBP episode #108 with guest author Cat Sebastian LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-108/ >> RBP 2020 Pride episode #1 with guest author ‘Nathan Burgoine LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-ep-pride-burgoine/ [http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-ep-pride-burgoine/] > What’s your favorite Avon queer romance? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod Happy Reading! BONUS EP MUSIC CREDIT Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar From the Free Music Archive CC BY-SA 3.0 FULL TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING

“SWEET, SWEET SLOW BURN” This week Sarah Jean concludes our ode to Romance Friendly Librarians with special guest librarian Amy Dittmeier and a focus on queer romance EP 232 HOST > SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/ [https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/]) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader EP 232 GUEST > AMY DITTMEIER (she/they) Amy is a librarian living in Chicago who loves romance novels, comics, and cosplay. You can follow Amy on Twitter and Instagram @RoboticDinos EP 232 DISCUSSION PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-April during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 > Slow Burn = unresolved sexual tension, while Slow Build = unresolved pining > Title: The Loaded March Author: Footloose Relation to theme: slow burn Representation: Queer MCs Content Warnings: war games, war violence, spy games Link: https://archiveofourown.org/series/9979 [https://archiveofourown.org/series/9979] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34115776-loaded-march [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34115776-loaded-march] NOTE: This is speculative fiction written on Archive of Our Own (Ao3) > Title: Check, Please! Author: Ngozi Ukazu Relation to theme: Slow burn Representation: Black, queer author; white m/m couple, anxiety rep Content Warnings: underage drinking, panic attacks, hazing Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3wL30Vx [https://amzn.to/3wL30Vx] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/223727-check-please [https://www.goodreads.com/series/223727-check-please] > Sarah Jean and Amy discuss some slow burn Webtoons and Tapas favorites: > Heir’s Game by Suspu Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/drama/heirs-game/ [https://www.webtoons.com/en/drama/heirs-game/] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42101767-heir-s-game [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42101767-heir-s-game] > The Croaking by Echorise Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/the-croaking/ [https://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/the-croaking/] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43180513 [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/43180513] > Brimstone & Roses by Mei Rothschild Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/brimstone-and-roses/ [https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/brimstone-and-roses/] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44310037-brimstone-and-roses [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44310037-brimstone-and-roses] > Charity Case by Malacandrax Link: https://tapas.io/series/Charity-Case/ [https://tapas.io/series/Charity-Case/] Goodreads: unavailable > Title: Fence Author: C.S. Pacat Relation to theme: Slow burn Representation: Queer MCs Content Warnings: none identified Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3wL423R [https://amzn.to/3wL423R] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40680873-fence-vol-1# [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40680873-fence-vol-1#] > Title: The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics Author: Olivia Waite Relation to theme: Slow burn Representation: White, queer author; white f/f couple Content Warnings: sexism, domestic abuse, infertility, gaslighting Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/2PJwjaz [https://amzn.to/2PJwjaz] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42402528-the-lady-s-guide-to-celestial-mechanics [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42402528-the-lady-s-guide-to-celestial-mechanics] > Sarah Jean mentions Hellion’s Waltz by Olivia Waite due out June 2021 Kindle: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55355668-the-hellion-s-waltz [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55355668-the-hellion-s-waltz] > Title: His Secret Illuminations Author: Scarlett Gale Relation to theme: Slow burn Representation: Queer m/f couple Content Warnings: institutional abuse, sexual guilt and shame Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3uIyREm [https://amzn.to/3uIyREm] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55817571-his-secret-illuminations [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55817571-his-secret-illuminations] NOTE: This is a duology and the first book ends with a HFN and book 2 is now available > Sarah Jean recommends The Magnus Archives podcast, which just finished if you were waiting before you started listening Link: https://rustyquill.com/the-magnus-archives/ [https://rustyquill.com/the-magnus-archives/] > Sarah Jean also mentinons the Night Vale podcast Link: http://www.welcometonightvale.com/ [http://www.welcometonightvale.com/] > Title: Winter’s Orbit Author: Everina Maxwell Relation to theme: Slow burn Representation: White, queer author; white m/m couple Content Warnings: death, court intrigue, domestic abuse Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3t8iCQQ [https://amzn.to/3t8iCQQ] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53320169-winter-s-orbit [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53320169-winter-s-orbit] > Title: A Dark and Hollow Star Author: Ashley Shuttleworth Relation to theme: Slow burn Representation: White, queer author; f/f couple & m/m couple Content Warnings: murder, court intrigue, vigilante justice Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mCPVZC [https://amzn.to/3mCPVZC] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43850198-a-dark-and-hollow-star [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43850198-a-dark-and-hollow-star] > Amy mentions enjoying the audio book for Take a Hint, Dani Brown written by Talia Hibbert and narrated by Ione Butler Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mwxCWl [https://amzn.to/3mwxCWl] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48568248-take-a-hint-dani-brown [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48568248-take-a-hint-dani-brown] > Amy’s TBR: >> Leo Loves Aries by Anyta Sunday Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mZNHDt [https://amzn.to/3mZNHDt] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33267481-leo-loves-aries [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33267481-leo-loves-aries] NOTE: This book was also discussed in RBP #204 LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-204/ [http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-204/] >> Amy also mentions anticipating some “Stucky” fanfic and Good Omens fanfic > Sarah Jean’s TBR: >> 10DANCE by Inouesatoh Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/3vWDWtD [https://amzn.to/3vWDWtD] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43673054-10-dance-vol-1 [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43673054-10-dance-vol-1] > Who’s your favorite romance friendly librarian? What’s the best romance recommendation you received from a librarian? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod Happy Reading! EP 232 MUSIC CREDIT Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar From the Free Music Archive CC BY-SA 3.0 FULL TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING

“DON’T BUY ME FLOWERS” This week Sarah Jean concludes our Platonic Friendship theme with special guest author and editor Claudie Arseneault and a focus on queerplatonic relationships in romance EP 228 HOST > SARAH JEAN (she/her) From the woods of Massachusetts, Sarah Jean has been reading queer romance for 12 years. She runs a queer book club called Rainbow Readers of Massachusetts (https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/ [https://www.facebook.com/rainbowreadersmass/]) that celebrates queer lives, joy, and empowerment through genre fiction. When not reading or listening to books Sarah is plotting her queer historical romances, cuddling with her cats, and planning her next adventure. Follow Sarah on Twitter @queer_reader EP 228 GUEST > CLAUDIE ARSENEAULT (she/her) Claudie Arseneault is an asexual and aromantic-spectrum writer hailing from the mostly-francophone Quebec City. The stories of her heart revolve around platonic affections, especially friendship and families, and her love for sprawling casts invariably turns her novels into multi-storylined wonders. Claudie is a founding member of The Kraken Collective [http://www.krakencollectivebooks.com/] as well as an editor for Common Bonds: an Aromantic Speculative Anthology, she’s well-known for my database of aro and ace characters [http://claudiearseneault.com/?page_id=1320], and her unending love of squids. You can visit Claudie’s website at https://claudiearseneault.com/ [https://claudiearseneault.com/] or follow her on Twitter @ClH2OArs EP 228 DISCUSSION PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project NOTE: This episode was recorded in early-March during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 > Title: Baker Thief Author: Claudie Arseneault Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep Content Warnings: theft Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3f4mFaP [https://amzn.to/3f4mFaP] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39979131-baker-thief [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39979131-baker-thief] > Title: City of Strife (City of Spires #1) Author: Claudie Arseneault Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep, disability rep Content Warnings: past family deaths Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3bcZBG2 [https://amzn.to/3bcZBG2] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34337942-city-of-strife [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34337942-city-of-strife] > Title: Common Bonds Editor: Claudie Arseneault, et. al. Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationships Representation: Queer authors, queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep Content Warnings: Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3f17wr0 [https://amzn.to/3f17wr0] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56652180-common-bonds [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56652180-common-bonds] NOTE: This is an anthology > Sarah refers to Fullmetal Alchemist is a Japanese anime series IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421357/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421357/] > Claudie refers to Tales of Symphonia Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_Symphonia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_Symphonia] > Title: Syncopation (Twisted Wishes #1) Author: Anna Zabo Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship? Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep, allosexual rep Content Warnings: toxic manager Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/3vNObA9 [https://amzn.to/3vNObA9] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37648566-syncopation [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37648566-syncopation] > Title: Two Dark Moons (Sãoni Cycle #1) Author: Avi Silver Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep Content Warnings: none identified Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/33nkDx4 [https://amzn.to/33nkDx4] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50203226-two-dark-moons [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50203226-two-dark-moons] NOTE: This is a YA graphic novel > Sarah Jean mentions Three Seeking Stars by Avi Silver which is due out July 2021 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57251046-three-seeking-stars [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57251046-three-seeking-stars] > Title: The Thread That Binds (The Eternal Library #1) Author: Cedar McCloud Relation to theme: platonic life partners Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep Content Warnings: past trauma including emotional abuse, inferred physical abuse Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/3bsk5uD [https://amzn.to/3bsk5uD] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57166244-the-thread-that-binds [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57166244-the-thread-that-binds] > Title: Ignition Zero Author: Cedar McCloud Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep, disability rep Content Warnings: none identified Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: unavailable Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35041313-ignition-zero-volume-one [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35041313-ignition-zero-volume-one] > Claudie is the originator of the Aro & Ace Character Database which you can visit here Link: https://www.aroacedatabase.com/ [https://www.aroacedatabase.com/] > Claudie refers to Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25533896-every-heart-a-doorway [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25533896-every-heart-a-doorway] > Title: Stake Sauce Author: RoAnna Sylver Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship? Representation: Queer author, queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep, disability rep Content Warnings: paranormal violence Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3xWKI4r [https://amzn.to/3xWKI4r] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36309824-stake-sauce-arc-1 [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36309824-stake-sauce-arc-1] > Title: The Ice Princess’s Fair Illusion (Fairytale Verses #2) Author: S.L. Dove Cooper Relation to theme: queerplatonic relationship Representation: Queer author; queer MCs, aromantic rep, asexual rep Content Warnings: forced marriage Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-sarah-jean-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3xT52U8 [https://amzn.to/3xT52U8] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42129562-the-ice-princess-s-fair-illusion [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42129562-the-ice-princess-s-fair-illusion] > Claudie mentions the queerplatonic poem “Cucumber” by Penny Stirling Link: https://www.pennystirling.com/2018/04/02/cucumber/ [https://www.pennystirling.com/2018/04/02/cucumber/] > Claudie’s TBR: >> Claudie recommends Come Drink with Me by Michelle Kan and wanting to read the rest of Kan’s backlist Kindle: https://amzn.to/2RuC1NU [https://amzn.to/2RuC1NU] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14229060.Michelle_Kan [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14229060.Michelle_Kan] NOTE: These fairytale retellings are short >> Claudie mentions E.H. Timms’ Medusa retelling Create My Own Perfection which is out now, and recommends Birthday Landscapes Kindle: https://amzn.to/3vJRqsk [https://amzn.to/3vJRqsk] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13444440.E_H_Timms [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13444440.E_H_Timms] >> Claudie mentions reading The Heretic’s Guide to Homecoming by Sienna Tristen Kindle: https://amzn.to/3h9zovz [https://amzn.to/3h9zovz] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39751894-the-heretic-s-guide-to-homecoming [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39751894-the-heretic-s-guide-to-homecoming] > Sarah Jean’s TBR: >> Sarah Jean mentions The Reckless Kind by Carly Heath due out in Nov 2021 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3h8BZ9a [https://amzn.to/3h8BZ9a] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57093519-the-reckless-kind [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57093519-the-reckless-kind] >> Sarah Jean also mentions He Must Go Walk the Woods So Wild by S.L. Dove Cooper Kindle: https://amzn.to/3b7z8tu [https://amzn.to/3b7z8tu] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57452841-he-must-go-walk-the-woods-so-wild [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57452841-he-must-go-walk-the-woods-so-wild] NOTE: This is an anthology > Interested in further discussion of aromantic and asexual rep in romance? Listen to the first episode of our 2020 Pride series featuring author Kara Jorgensen LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-pride-ep-jorgensen/ [http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/bonus-pride-ep-jorgensen/] > What your favorite queerplatonic friendships in romance? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod Happy Reading! EP 228 MUSIC CREDIT Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar From the Free Music Archive CC BY-SA 3.0 FULL TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING

“AUDIO LOVE” This week host Danielle shares her love for romance audio books with RomBkPod producer, Sarah Johnson, a recent convert to the format EP 231 HOST > DANIELLE (she/her) is the voice behind LoveReadListen.com where she writes about her adventures in reading romance, YA, and audiobooks. Danie has a passion for promoting Black Romance and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Danie enjoys anime, cartoons, and hip-hop. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @DanieReads EP 231 GUEST > SARAH JOHNSON (she/her) is a life-long reader with a passion for historical fiction and non-fiction. After having her first child, Sarah turned her attention to historical romance and has nearly completed her collection of Beverly Jenkins historicals. Sarah is the producer of RomBkPod, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @LustFoundReads EP 231 DISCUSSION NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-April during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 NOTE: We have not provided content warnings this week, but if you would like content warnings for a book, please send us a message via Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod or via email at RomBkPod@gmail.com > “FREE 99” > Library: Overdrive, Cloud Drive, Hoopla > Audible/Amazon Link: https://www.audible.com/ [https://www.audible.com/] > Kobo Link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobooks [https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobooks] > Chirp Books Link: https://www.chirpbooks.com/ [https://www.chirpbooks.com/] > Indie author Christina C. Jones Link: https://beingmrsjones.com/audiobooks/ [https://beingmrsjones.com/audiobooks/] Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwnV94bJHXtb9bbHACrnxw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwnV94bJHXtb9bbHACrnxw] > WE LOVE NOVELLAS! >  Title: Should’ve Been Author: Alexandria House Narrator(s): Wesleigh Siobhan & Emmanuel Ingram Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Shouldve-Been-Audiobook/B087W9XBT6 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Shouldve-Been-Audiobook/B087W9XBT6] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49506935-should-ve-been [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49506935-should-ve-been] > Narrators we love: Emmanuel Ingram Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20806536.Emmanuel_Ingram [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20806536.Emmanuel_Ingram] > Narrators we love: Wesleigh Siobhan Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19389992.Wesleigh_Siobhan [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19389992.Wesleigh_Siobhan] > Title: Held in Contempt Author: Eva Sherie Narrator(s): Emmanuel Ingram & Wesleigh Siobhan Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Held-in-Contempt-Audiobook/B08TPCHV3Z [https://www.audible.com/pd/Held-in-Contempt-Audiobook/B08TPCHV3Z] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55273145-held-in-contempt [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55273145-held-in-contempt] > Title: His Side, Her Side, & the Truth About Falling in Love Author: Christina C Jones Narrator(s): Wesleigh Siobhan & Emmanuel Ingram Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/His-Side-Her-Side-and-the-Truth-About-Falling-in-Love-Audiobook/B08FF1MG25 [https://www.audible.com/pd/His-Side-Her-Side-and-the-Truth-About-Falling-in-Love-Audiobook/B08FF1MG25] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55657953-the-truth [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55657953-the-truth] > Title: Wonder Author: Christina C Jones Narrator(s): Sean Crisden & Wesleigh Siobhan Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Wonder-Audiobook/1630153753 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Wonder-Audiobook/1630153753?qid=1619894351] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54545355-wonder [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54545355-wonder] > Narrators we love: Sean Crisden Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4531094.Sean_Crisden [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4531094.Sean_Crisden] > Not sure about audio books? Danie’s advice: first listen to a book you’ve already read > Title: Thirsty (Eastside Brewery #1) Author: Mia Hopkins Narrator(s): Ozzie Rodriguez Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Thirsty-Audiobook/B079STB9Y2 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Thirsty-Audiobook/B079STB9Y2] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37909039-thirsty [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37909039-thirsty] > Narrators we love: Ozzie Rodriguez Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2917982.Ozzie_Rodriguez [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2917982.Ozzie_Rodriguez] > Title: Trashed (Eastside Brewery #2) Author: Mia Hopkins Narrator(s): Gomez Pugh Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Trashed-Audiobook/B07SY9M333 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Trashed-Audiobook/B07SY9M333] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55457355-trashed [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55457355-trashed] > Narrators we love: Gomez Pugh Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8435087.Gomez_Pugh [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8435087.Gomez_Pugh] > Third Person or First Person or All of the Above? > Scribd Link: https://www.scribd.com/ [https://www.scribd.com/] > Libro.fm Link: https://libro.fm/ [https://libro.fm/] > Thien-Kim Lam, the founder of Bawdy Bookworms, has her own book due out May 18th, and yes it will be available in audio Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56626397-happy-endings [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56626397-happy-endings] > Libro.fm & Avon Kiss Club Link: https://libro.fm/kissclub [https://libro.fm/kissclub] > Title: Getting Schooled (Wright Brothers #1) Author: Christina C. Jones Narrator(s): Sean Crisden & Adenrele Ojo Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Getting-Schooled-Audiobook/1977338860 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Getting-Schooled-Audiobook/1977338860] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46029631-getting-schooled [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46029631-getting-schooled] > Title: Sun of a Beach Author(s): Mia Sosa Narrator: Valentina Ortiz & Sean Crisden Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Sun-of-a-Beach-Audiobook/B091DZBK3Y [https://www.audible.com/pd/Sun-of-a-Beach-Audiobook/B091DZBK3Y] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57600499-sun-of-a-beach [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57600499-sun-of-a-beach] > Do you re-read your favorite audio books? > Title: Xeni: A Marriage of Inconvenience (Loose Ends #2) Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon Narrator(s): Antony Ferguson Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Xeni-A-Marriage-of-Inconvenience-Audiobook/1494548666 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Xeni-A-Marriage-of-Inconvenience-Audiobook/1494548666] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54246525-xeni [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54246525-xeni] > Narrators we love: Antony Ferguson Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4421655.Antony_Ferguson [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4421655.Antony_Ferguson] > Title: Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Brown Sisters #1) Author: Talia Hibbert Narrator(s): Adjoa Andoh Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Get-a-Life-Chloe-Brown-Audiobook/0062941240 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Get-a-Life-Chloe-Brown-Audiobook/0062941240] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43118158-get-a-life-chloe-brown [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43118158-get-a-life-chloe-brown] > Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown & Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Brown Sisters #2 & #3) Author: Talia Hibbert Narrator: Ione Butler Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Take-a-Hint-Dani-Brown-A-Novel-Audiobook/0062941267 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Take-a-Hint-Dani-Brown-A-Novel-Audiobook/0062941267] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51793322-take-a-hint-dani-brown [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51793322-take-a-hint-dani-brown] Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Act-Your-Age-Eve-Brown-Audiobook/0062941291 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Act-Your-Age-Eve-Brown-Audiobook/0062941291] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55527575-act-your-age-eve-brown [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55527575-act-your-age-eve-brown] > Narrators we love: Ione Butler Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15931324.Ione_Butler [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15931324.Ione_Butler] > Narrators we love: Cornell Collins Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15056671.Cornell_Collins [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15056671.Cornell_Collins] > Title: #Blessed by Malaki (To Marry a Madden #1) Author: Sherelle Green Narrator: Jakobi Diem and Mari Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Blessed-by-Malakai-Audiobook/1541406354 [https://www.audible.com/pd/Blessed-by-Malakai-Audiobook/1541406354] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52395324-blessed-by-malakai [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52395324-blessed-by-malakai] > Narrators we love: Jakobi Diem Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16066006.Jakobi_Diem [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16066006.Jakobi_Diem] > Narrators we love: Leon Nixon Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18402846.Leon_Nixon [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18402846.Leon_Nixon] > Narrators we love: Carmen Vine Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15643050.Carmen_Vine [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15643050.Carmen_Vine] > Narrators we love: Natalie Naudus Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18069644.Natalie_Naudus [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18069644.Natalie_Naudus] > Narrators we love: Joe Jameson Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6582079.Joe_Jameson [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6582079.Joe_Jameson] > Books we’d like to read on audio: >> A Natural Transition by Nicole Falls narrated by Emmanuel Ingrahm >> The Wolves of West Texas by Chencia C. Higgins narrated by Jakobi Diem >> Anything by D. Rose >> The Holiday Shorts by Necole Ryse narrated by Janina Edwards > Narrators we love: Janina Edwards Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7289221.Janina_Edwards [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7289221.Janina_Edwards] > Title: Leslie’s Curl and Dye (Potter Lake #1) Author: D.L. White Narrator: Sharell Palmer Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Leslies-Curl-Dye-Audiobook/B07HY1H3VK [https://www.audible.com/pd/Leslies-Curl-Dye-Audiobook/B07HY1H3VK?pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=W1V8X14G25MJKSG2JQTW&qid=1618167110&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&sr=1-1] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55778772-leslie-s-curl-dye [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55778772-leslie-s-curl-dye?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=jp1Ti4QJgd&rank=1] > Narrators we love: Sharell Palmer Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Sharell+Palmer [https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Sharell+Palmer] > If you find a narrator you love, listen to their other books and discover new authors! > What are your favorite romance audio books? Do you have a favorite romance narrator? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments Happy Reading! EP 231 MUSIC CREDIT Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar From the Free Music Archive CC BY-SA 3.0 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING

“THAT COZY FEEL” This week Danielle hosts the podcast and combines the Platonic Friendship and Romance Friendly Librarian themes with special guest author and librarian Necole Ryse EP 227 HOST > DANIELLE (she/her) is the voice behind LoveReadListen.com where she writes about her adventures in reading romance, YA, and audiobooks. Danie has a passion for promoting Black Romance and can’t wait to share her favorites with you. When she’s not reading, Danie enjoys anime, cartoons, and hip-hop. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @DanieReads EP 227 GUEST > NECOLE RYSE (she/her) Necole Ryse has been writing since she was four years old, when she triumphantly wrote her ABC’s on the hood of her grandmother’s brand new Volvo. Alive and well, Necole has since authored several books that are light on love, and heavy on murder, available wherever books are sold on the interwebs. When she’s not writing, she’s weeping into a stack of unfinished manuscripts, abandoning exercise regimens, scolding innocent children in libraries, or listening to other people’s conversations. You can visit Necole’s website at https://necoleryse.com/ [https://necoleryse.com/] or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @NecoleRyse EP 227 DISCUSSION PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-March during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21 > Title: Key to Your Heart Author: Necole Ryse Relation to theme: Friend group forms to solve a mystery Representation: Black author; Black MCs Content Warnings: murder Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tupxDT [https://amzn.to/3tupxDT] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57186090-key-to-your-heart [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57186090-key-to-your-heart] NOTE: This book is more suspense with romantic elements > Title: Chocolate Covered Murder (Holiday Shorts #1) Author: Necole Ryse Relation to theme: Supportive friend Representation: Black author, Black MCs Content Warnings: murder Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/32rDua6 [https://amzn.to/32rDua6] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43786058-chocolate-covered-murder [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43786058-chocolate-covered-murder] > Title: Pushing Thirty Author: Necole Ryse Relation to theme: Supportive friend group Representation: Black author, Black m/f couples Content Warnings: none identified Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3uYQWhN [https://amzn.to/3uYQWhN] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40543681-pushing-thirty [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40543681-pushing-thirty] NOTE: This book skirts the line between romance and women’s fiction > Necole mentions being inspired by Terry MacMillan and Kimberla Lawson Roby Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20704.Terry_McMillan [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20704.Terry_McMillan] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84220.Kimberla_Lawson_Roby [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/84220.Kimberla_Lawson_Roby] > Title: Higher Love (Love After #1) Author: Alexandria House Relation to theme: Supportive friend group Representation: Black author, Black m/f couple Content Warnings: broken engagement Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mZrZzO [https://amzn.to/3mZrZzO] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33579246-higher-love [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33579246-higher-love] > Title: Mustard-Based Murder (Holiday Shorts #2) Author: Necole Ryse Relation to theme: Supportive friend Representation: Black author, Black MCs Content Warnings: murder Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/3x4gBYc [https://amzn.to/3x4gBYc] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51950460-mustard-based-murder [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51950460-mustard-based-murder] > Necole mentions being inspired by the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series by Joanne Fluke Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18819.Joanne_Fluke [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18819.Joanne_Fluke] > Danie mentions indie author Wynta Tyme who’s also writing romantic suspense Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19229414.Wynta_Tyme [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19229414.Wynta_Tyme] > Title: Flashed (Happy Endings #3) Author: Zoey Castile Relation to theme: Friends headed in different directions Representation: Latinx author; interracial m/f couple (Latinx MC, white MC) Content Warnings: PTSD, past accident, anxiety Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mYEeg9 [https://amzn.to/3mYEeg9] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43260585-flashed [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43260585-flashed] NOTE: This book was also discussed in RBP #118 as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-118/ [http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-118/] > Title: Someone Seeking Someone Else (More to Life #1) Author: Nicole Falls Relation to theme: Supportive friend group Representation: Black author, Black m/f couple Content Warnings: cheating, gaslighting Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/ [https://bookshop.org/lists/rombkpod-danielle-recs/] Kindle: https://amzn.to/32qqaCU [https://amzn.to/32qqaCU] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48586495-someone-seeking-someone-else [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48586495-someone-seeking-someone-else] NOTE: This book was also discussed in RBP #131 with guest Nicole Falls LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-131/ [http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-131/] > Title: A Kwanzaa Brunch (Holiday Shorts) Author: D.L. White Relation to theme: Friends as intermediaries Representation: Black author, Black m/f couple Content Warnings: divorce Bookshop: unavailable Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mWnF4q [https://amzn.to/3mWnF4q] Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55615208-the-kwanzaa-brunch [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55615208-the-kwanzaa-brunch] > Necole is also a librarian by day! > We want to read inclusive romantic suspense! > What are your favorite platonic friendships in romance? Who’s your favorite Romance Friendly Librarian? Tag us @RomBkPod or share with us in the comments Happy Reading! EP 227 MUSIC CREDIT Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar From the Free Music Archive CC BY-SA 3.0 EPISODE TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING