LGBTQIA+ Representation in Fantasy & Romance Books

LGBTQIA+ Representation in Fantasy & Romance Books

Looking for a queer romance book? Whether you prefer romantasy, dark romance, contemporary romance, YA, or even historical fiction - we’ve got you covered. This week, we celebrate Pride Month by helping you stuff your TBR with a range of queer love stories. Kate and Rachel discuss LGBTQIA + representation in romantasy books and Kate shares book recommendations based on romance vs. spice. Kate and Rachel share their thoughts on their current reads - all queer fantasy books written by queer authors.  Books discussed in this week’s episode:  * Something Like Summer, by Jay Bell * Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid * The Will Darling Adventures by KJ Charles * Forget Me Not by Alyson Derrick * Elite Protective Services series by Onley James * Saint by Sierra Simone * We Burned So Bright by TJ Klune * The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher * The Honey Witch, by Sydney J Shields 🎧 Follow and subscribe for weekly episodes: Instagram: @DeepTropePodcast  Tiktok: @DeepTropePodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/] 💻 Website: https://www.deeptropepodcast.com/www.deeptropepodcast.com [http://www.deeptropepodcast.com] Deep Trope is a fantasy romance podcast where two book besties go deep into romantasy, breaking down plot, characters, easter eggs, theories, tropes, and of course, their favorite spicy moments.

Hunted by the Fae Duke by Kris K. Haines | Mini Deep Dive

Sit down with your book besties Kate and Rachel to discuss Hunted by the Fae Duke, the dark yet still whimsical romantasy standalone by Kris K. Haines. In this mini deep dive, we break down each section of the book, recapping the story and discussing the characters, worldbuilding, devastating plot twists, and, of course, the incredible spice.  This is a full book recap and discussion with SPOILERS, so be sure to read Hunted by the Fae Duke before tuning in. We’ll travel from Breton to the three territories of the Otherworld and back as we follow Charlotte on her journey to become queen and the former pleasure dom knight in shining armor she meets along the way.  Can’t get enough of Kris K. Haines? Check out our spoiler-free interview where we discuss this book, as well as The Memory Puller series, life as an indie author, and what is on the horizon for Kris. Listen here.  [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversation-with-spicy-fae-romantasy-author-kris-k-haines/id1886607779?i=1000772187977] This spicy fae book, described as Bridgerton meets The Cruel Prince, is part of the Immortal Hunters collection of dark romantasy standalones. 🎧 Follow and subscribe for weekly episodes: Instagram: @DeepTropePodcast  Tiktok: @DeepTropePodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/] 💻 Website: https://www.deeptropepodcast.com/www.deeptropepodcast.com [http://www.deeptropepodcast.com] Deep Trope is a fantasy romance podcast where two book besties go deep into romantasy, breaking down plot, characters, easter eggs, theories, tropes, and of course, their favorite spicy moments.

Conversation with Spicy Fae Romantasy Author Kris K. Haines

Are you obsessed with spicy books, witty banter, and hot guys with wings? In this episode of Deep Trope, Kate and Rachel sit down with fantasy romance author Kris K. Haines, author of the newly released romantasy standalone Hunted by the Fae Duke and the soon-to-be-complete Memory Puller series. They discuss Kris’s romantasy journey, including her introduction to the genre, where she pulls inspiration for her banter-rich books, and how to build a complex world and magic system while keeping the reader interested and engaged.  Kris dives into the recent release of her standalone novel, Hunted by the Fae Duke, which is part of the multi-author Immortal Hunters Collection. She gives us the inside scoop on how this captivating story came to life—from drafting a tatted, pierced, pleasure-dom knight bodyguard to building a whimsical yet dark fantasy world. We also get an exclusive status update on the highly anticipated finale of The Memory Puller series following everyone's favorite memory-pulling nun, Cassandra Fortin. Whether you are a die-hard fan or looking for your next binge-worthy Fae romance recommendation, this spoiler-free interview is packed with insight into the world of dark romantasy. We deep-dive into the indie publishing industry and her unique writing process, discussing: * How Kris tackles writing 1,000 words a day and manages the chaos of being an indie author.  * Her secrets to crafting natural, laugh-out-loud dialogue, Bridgerton-inspired character backgrounds, and elite page-turning banter. * Why she actively supports real indie artists over AI art to bring her character visions to life. * Tips for attending your first book convention, including how to approach authors and what you need to pack for Romantasy BookCon. Learn more about Kris’s books at https://kriskhainesbooks.com/ [https://kriskhainesbooks.com/] and connect with her on social media on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/kriskhainesbooks/] and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@kriskhainesbooks].  🎧 Follow and subscribe for weekly episodes: Instagram: @DeepTropePodcast  Tiktok: @DeepTropePodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/] 💻 Website: https://www.deeptropepodcast.com/www.deeptropepodcast.com [http://www.deeptropepodcast.com] Deep Trope is a fantasy romance podcast where two book besties go deep into romantasy, breaking down plot, characters, easter eggs, theories, tropes, and of course, their favorite spicy moments.

Metal Slinger Recap: Full Book Summary & Cliffhanger Ending Explained

Need a quick Metal Slinger summary before Light Wielder? We’ve got you! This is a short, spoiler-filled recap of Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider, the first book in the Fire and Metal series, covering everything you need to remember before diving into book two. We walk through the full plot, worldbuilding, fated match bonds, and that mind-blowing cliffhanger ending so you're fully prepared to dive right back into the story. ⚠️ Spoilers for the full Metal Slinger book, including the ending! 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE: * Full Plot Summary: A fast Metal Slinger plot breakdown and quick refresh. * Worldbuilding Explained: A guide to the world, from the floating structures of Alaha to the kingdoms of Kenta, Maile, and Roison. * Hidden Identities & Magic: The truth about Brynn's identity as Princess Jovinnia and her rare, long-lost Light Wielder magic. * The Fated Match: The unspoken tension and unique mechanics behind Jovie and Acker’s fated match bond. * The Ultimate Betrayal: Breaking down that jaw-dropping rebellion twist that flips the entire story on its head. * The Dramatic Finale: A recap of the celebratory dinner, the poisoning, the blood oath consequences, and the massive cliffhanger heading into Light Wielder. IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR: * A quick Metal Slinger summary before reading Light Wielder. * A short fantasy book recap you can finish in one sitting. * High-stakes romantasy discussion filled with hidden royalty, secret rebellions, and major plot twists. 🎧 Follow and subscribe for weekly episodes: Instagram: @DeepTropePodcast  Tiktok: @DeepTropePodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/] 💻 Website: https://www.deeptropepodcast.com/www.deeptropepodcast.com [http://www.deeptropepodcast.com] Deep Trope is a fantasy romance podcast where two book besties go deep into romantasy, breaking down plot, characters, easter eggs, theories, tropes, and of course, their favorite spicy moments.

Fury Bound Ch 50-61: Stark & Meryn Spicy Scenes, Fighting the Gods, & Ruin Bound Theories

Rachel and Kate are back for the fourth and final episode of their deep dive into Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen, covering Chapters 50 through 61 of the second book in the Wolves of Ruin series. This unfiltered fantasy romance podcast episode is full of wild theories for Ruin Bound, spicy scene breakdowns, and is absolutely chock-full of spoilers for both books in the series. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: * 00:16: Welcome Back to Deep Trope: The Grand Finale of Our Fury Bound Deep Dive * 01:02: Summer Schedule Updates: Author Interviews & TBR Planning * 03:22: The Mind-Meld Boat Scene: Sensory Overload or Next-Level Intimacy? * 10:18: Public Service Announcement: Why Romance Readers Can't Skip Post-Spice Hygiene * 12:16: Double the Necklaces, Double the Visions: The Goddess Tear Necklaces Reveal Their Memories to Lucien and Meryn * 15:03: Unpacking the Goddess Lineage: Is Meryn a Literal Descendant of the Gods? * 17:32: The Direwolf Bond Debate: Are the Wolves Enslaved to a Toxic Shadow Deity? * 22:22: The Tower Tear Mystery: Did Lumina Sacrifice Her Magic for Humans? * 28:43: The High-Neck Outfit Conspiracy: Are the Siphons Secretly Covered in Runes? * 30:13: Sharing Vision Secrets: Is Lucien Keeping His Cards Too Close to His Chest? * 32:42: The Linsfall Reveal: What’s Hidden Inside the Faceless Goddess Statue? * 34:56: The "Fox News-Brained" Mother Priestess: Was She Brainwashed Into Falling for Killian? * 46:24: Newborn Siphon: Venna's Transformation and the Attack by Jonah * 51:45: The Mother Priestess and Worthiness: How Do the Goddess Tears Choose Who to Harm? * 59:17: Dream Realm Manipulation: Can Meryn Mastermind Her Way to Defeating Killian? * 1:04:37: Primal Play & Forest Fails: Are Twigs and Poison Ivy Worth the Outdoor Spice? * 1:05:26: Mid-Coitus Bath Time: Stark’s Dedicated Bondage Approach to Cleaning Up "Minging Meryn" * 1:19:54: The Battle of Linsfall: The Final Showdown and Confrontation with Killian * 1:35:10: Is Alistair Actually Dead? Breaking Down the Unresolved Cliffhanger and Underworld Theories * 1:43:33: Dark God of Vengeance: What Do These Endgame Theories Mean for Ruin Bound? * Whether you’re here for the intense spice scenes, the tension of war, or our theories about the gods, this is the bestie gab session you’ve been waiting for. Keep the party going all week long!  🎧 Follow and subscribe for weekly episodes: Instagram: @DeepTropePodcast  Tiktok: @DeepTropePodcast  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/ [https://www.facebook.com/deeptropepodcast/] 💻 Website: https://www.deeptropepodcast.com/www.deeptropepodcast.com [http://www.deeptropepodcast.com] And connect with Rachel at @plottwistrach across Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/plottwistrach/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@plottwistrach], and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/plottwistrach/]. Deep Trope is a fantasy romance podcast where two book besties go deep into romantasy, breaking down plot, characters, easter eggs, theories, tropes, and of course, their favorite spicy moments.