A Bookshelf Binge

Have you read These Hollow Vows and want to know how Lexi Ryan came up with this extremely well written world? Did you know that she didn't have an outline? Are you cheering for Sebastian or Finn? Are you dying to know if we will return to this world? In today's episode, Lexi Ryan and I sat down to discuss everything about the These Hollow Vows duology and its EPIC conclusion, These Twisted Bonds. We discuss it all: how to balance a love triangle, major lessons she has learned about the industry, why Lexi decided to traditionally publish this duology while self publishing her romance novels, and more! 

What would happen if Romeo and Juliet was set in modern day Texas and instead of just feuding families, they were competing mariachi bands? How would the battle against gentrification affect their relationship? If you are curious about this dynamic, you will be excited to read West Side Love Story by Priscilla Oliveras. In today's episode, I sat down with Priscilla to discuss her newest release, how she teaches a course on romance writing, how she balances everything and so much more! We talk all things Mariana and Angelo, how Priscilla felt touching topics such as gentrification and the foster system, and how Selena was stuck in my head the entire time I read this book! 

West Side Love Story is set to release on June 1st! 

Have you read The Empirium Trilogy yet? Did you know that Furyborn was the first book Claire Legrand tried to get published, yet it was published years into her writing career and required a ton of faith and tenacity to get on bookshelves? In today's episode, I got to sit down with Claire and hear all about the processes of writing, how soundtracks help her write her stories, who her favorite Star Trek captain is, and so much more! I loved chatting with Claire and hearing so much more about Eliana, Rielle, Audric, and the Empirium Trilogy world! 

Have you read Crescent City 2: House of Sky and Breath? Were you blown away by all of the major reveals? Well, Jessie and I were so we HAD to sit down and discuss all of the various reveals, the new mates, and amazing new characters! If you haven't read House of Sky and Breath, I would skip this episode, but if you have, Jessie and I go over Ruhn and his arc, complain about how we are still getting Danika reveals, how Hunt was bullied into every decision this book, and how Sarah J Maas is an epic writer and I don't think I would survive in her brain. SJM is the master at hiding leads and threads and we were blown away! 

I was honored to be invited to sit down with Farah Heron to discuss her newest release, Kamila Knows Best! From the story being a contemporary retelling of Emma by Jane Austen to how diverse characters don't need to live in a world of adversity, we discuss it all! I loved discussing the heavier topics while also discussing puppies, biryani parties, and how women who are seen as vapid because they take extra time with their appearance or want to host parties doesn't mean they don't have added depth.  

Have you read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab? Did you cry your eyes out? Do you think Luc really loves Addie? Well, my dear friend Tatyana and I sat down to discuss all things Addie LaRue! From whether we think Henry would have been able to survive Addie's curse to how we both peaked at 23 and its all down hill from here, we break down why we love this story and why it made us incredibly emotional. 

Have you read Savage Lands or any books by Stacey Marie Brown? Are you curious how these characters came to her head? Do you wonder why her book feel so real and tangible? Well, you're in luck, because I got to sit down with Stacey and ask her all of these questions! From her writing process, her history in Hollywood, to the future of the Savage Lands series, we cover it all! 

I will warn you, there were some technical difficulties with this episode, so I am super sorry if the audio quality is annoying. I loved this episode, so I wanted to release it despite there being slight microphone issues. 

Have you heard about the New Adult Category? Do you think it deserves to be its own bookshelf in bookstores? Danielle (@TheNewAdultBookClub) and I sat down to discuss everything about it. From Jezebel saying that the New Adult Category is just a marketing gimmick, to who has to embrace the genre first - the publishers or the booksellers, to why we think New Adult really resonates with millennials. Authors like Jennifer L Armentrout and Danielle Jensen are really pushing for their books to be classified as New Adult, but is that possible? What makes them fall into a category like that rather than Adult or Young Adult? 

Happy New Year! We are starting 2022 off with a bang by starting with one of my favorite authors. Have you seen the Plated Prisoner series everywhere? Are you in love with Auren and Rip and Slade? Did you cry your eyes out in Gleam? Are you equally obsessed with Raven Kennedy as I am? Well I got to sit down with Raven and ask her all about the magic systems, Auren's ribbons, how real her characters feel, and more. I am in love with Raven and I hope you love learning more about this deep multifaceted world like I did. Stay tuned through the end of the episode for a fun Patreon announcement!  

Surprisingly little gets left on the cutting room floor for this show. I try to keep as much as I can to give listeners a truly authentic look at these people that keep the literary world turning. However, sometimes the stuff that does get deleted is hysterical and I am truly sad to see it get removed either for time or because its so off topic it doesn't belong in the episode. I also almost always have a favorite clip in each episode, so I really took my time to find some of them and compiled it all here! Normally, bonus episodes belong on the Patreon, but I really wanted everyone to enjoy some of these clips.  I hope everyone had a happy holiday if you celebrate anything this season, that you are taking time to rest and relax, and that you enjoy this shorter episode!  

Who is this woman that comes on a podcast every week to ask questions about the literary industry? If you have ever asked that, then this is your episode! I put a question box on Instagram and man did you deliver. You asked some fantastic questions that showed I have 0 credibility to be doing this podcast, but all of the obsession and drive to bring it to your ears! I answered questions about my favorite books, my favorite tropes, what I do for a living, why this podcast even exists, and more! Really you learn that I have 0 control over my ideas and must execute them with the finesse of a bull driving through a wall! 

If you have hung around the podcast for a while, you know I love From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout. So today, I sit down with two of my best book friends to discuss all our theories we have for the series! We discuss everything from how Poppy is a god and what happened to Cora to how the fandom feels toxic at times. This chat is longer and chaotic but was so much fun to record! 

TW: We discuss plus sized Poppy and the Joining, so if either of those topics are uncomfortable or triggering in any way, please be aware and listen as your comfort level dictates! 

What is this supply chain issue? Why can't I always get the book I want at an indie bookstore? What does it mean to be an indie bookstore? Is pre-ordering really a thing? Well, all these questions and more get answered on today's episode! I had a wonderful time sitting down with booksellers from East City Books in DC, Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego, and Savoy Bookstore & Café in Rhode Island. They really give you a behind the scenes look at buying books to be in stock on Indie Bookstore shelves and I found the entire chat fascinating! 

Do you read young adult novels or are you like me and struggle with 15 year old kids saving the world? I sat down with my friend Kasey (@Kaseybereading on instagram) to discuss one of her favorite genres, YA. We go over fun and obscure history of the genre, some of our favorite authors and books, topics and tropes we love and hate, and more! We also slightly go off topic about my love to spoil books for myself and why she questions my sanity. 

If we have ever talked on bookstagram about book recommendations, you should know this week's guest well! Kate Canterbary (probably one of my favorite authors) and I sat down to discuss how she visits witches in Salem and how the voices in her head tell her stories. We also talk about how I am obsessed with her books, how these characters come to her fully formed, her rehabilitation from the corporate world, and more! I love this chat! Kate was so open and honest, so I cannot wait for everyone to become just as obsessed with her as I am. 

Today I am talking to author Sajni Patel to discuss all things about her new release First Love, Take Two! We sat down and talked about her nerves of sharing her culture with the world in a book, who should tell what stories, and how no matter how successful we become, we will consistently fan girl over our favorite authors!

TW: We discuss racism, mental health, and touch on sexual assault as it is a topic of her novel The Trouble with Hating You.

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a book box? Have you wondered why some books get special editions and some don't? Well, I got to sit down and chat with Justine, the creator of The Bookish Box! We talked all about how The Bookish Box got started, the process of getting special edition books, handling competition in the book box sector, and more!

Tune in to hear about The Bookish Box and stay for the book recommendations to listen to Justine rave about her team, to the point where I would now kill to work for her!

Have you read The Marriage Game and the Dating Plan yet? Have you embraced reading about other cultures in romance? Are you curious about desi culture in general? Well, in today's episode I talk with author Sara Desai and discuss how the publishing industry is embracing new voices, and I really try to sell you on preordering The Singles Table, which comes out November 16th!  

Have you heard of the myth of Narcissus? Do you love a good love square? Is Gossip Girl one of your favorite guilty pleasures? If so, you will love the book and subject of today's episode. I sat down with Natasha Joukovsky to discuss her debut novel The Portrait of a Mirror! We discuss her writing process, her inspirations, and geek out over literary fiction, Joan Didion, and Jane Austin. 

Have you ever wondered what happens when a book goes to a publisher? Are you in love with authors like Jennifer L. Armentrout, Dylan Allen, Tessa Bailey, and Lauren Blakely? In today's episode, I sit down with Jill Stein from 1001 Dark Nights and Blue Box Press and discuss what happens when a story gets to them, what it means to be a publisher, major lessons she's learned being 1/3 of the owners of 1001 Dark Nights, and fun books about to be published! 

Also enjoy hearing me just try to become best friends with Jill.

Have you ever wondered what the business side of writing is? Do you love The Bridge Kingdom, The Malediction Series, and the Dark Skies Series? Have you seen my 700 posts featuring Danielle L. Jensen? Well, today I am joined by USA Today Best Selling Author Danielle L. Jensen! I could not be more excited about you hearing today's episode. Danielle is one of my favorite authors of all time and I am so fortunate that she was able to sit down with me to discuss all things writing. 

Crescent City by Sarah J Maas is probably one of my favorite novels and I got to sit down with one of my favorite bookstagrammers Jessie Lovene (@jessielovenelit) to discuss it! Do you think Bryce and Hunt are end game? Will you riot with us if Hunt isn't end game for Bryce? What was the biggest plot twist for you? Do you think Aidas is just around to push the plot forward? I am super excited for you to hear this week's episode!

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of your favorite bookish shop? Are you a giant fan of Get Happy Tees like I am? Well in today's episode I sit down with the owner of Get Happy Tees, Jess, and we talk all things inspiration, tiktok, how orders go out, and more. 

Have you ever considered self publishing? Henley J Alexander recently self published his first novel, 98.2 and sat down with me to discuss the process, how he went about writing his first novel, and all about his new book. 

98.2 is a coming of age novel that set in two timelines, looking at the impact of a global pandemic - one timeline in the year that the pandemic began, and one timeline 50 years later. 

Want to hear what goes on behind the scenes of a podcast? Join me and Books 'N Betches on today's episode! We talk about what it means to have a fast growing account on Instagram, how Books 'N Betches came to be, and more. 

Have you read historical romance? Do you have a favorite trope? Do you know the history of the genre and how it was started by men and only 15 historical romance books are published in hardcover every year? Danielle (@thenewadultbookclub) and I dive into all of that and more on today's episode! 

What is bookstagram? How has it affected the literary world? Do bookstagrammers hate it when you slide into their DMs? Naomi (@3starsandup) cover all of this and more in today's episode!