A Court of Tattoos and Rosé

Join us this week as Danelle and I chat about one of our most anticipated reads of the year - Tusk Love by @theagwrites!

This grumpy X sunshine love story is WORTH IT! For fans of @critical_role and D&D, this romance is perfection. It’s easy to see why Jester was obsessed. Even if you aren’t familiar with the world of Wildemount, this low-stakes, spicy tale will have you giggling and kicking your feet!

This is not a drill! I’ve managed to capture the elusive Madi! We’ve got F1, MTG, Tamagotchi and HomeScapes for you this week. Curious what all those things have in common? Tune in!

WTH? (Worth The Hype?) - Caught Up

Join us this week as Danelle and I dive into Caught Up and decide if it is worth the hype! Put simply - 1000% it is! 

Navessa Allen has done it again! From some delicious groveling to a cast of lovable side characters to some truly memorable spicy scenes…this book delivers! 

This week’s WTH episode features two books with very different vibes: Problematic Summer Romance by @alihazelwood and Silver Elite by Dani Francis. Are they worth the hype? As always with Ali’s romances, it’s a yes for PSR! Danelle and I are gonna say yes* for Silver Elite. Tuned in to see what exactly the asterisk means. 

After a brief (unexpected) hiatus, we are back with our first ever WTH episode. Are you seeing a book all over social media? Do the glowing reviews seem too good to be true? We are here to tell you whether the latest viral sensations are actually worth the hype (get it? Worth The Hype? Hehe)!

This week we are diving into Shield of Sparrows by @devneyperry and, spoiler alert, IT IS WORTH THE HYPE! This episode contains our spoiler free reviews before we deep dive into the amazing story. Don’t worry, I give a hard to miss spoiler warning before we transition into the deep dive!

Violet is back at Basgiath and breaking down the Quest Squad’s time on the “neutral” isle.  Ridoc steals the show with one of our favorite lines in the entire series. We are reminded once again that Bodhi is bae and Carr is a psycho. 

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

Courtlyn is truly a bit unhinged but he didn’t count on the fact that so is Xaden…and Violet if we are being honest. Also, it sounds like LA was the place to be the past weekend. IYKYK.

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

Pssst…there is no magic on the Isles. NO. MAGIC. You know what that means…👀👀👀 Too bad Halden is a political nightmare personified. 

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THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

Just like Ridoc, we are all so freaking happy that the gang got on those horses. Island Xaden is a vibe and we are here for it. Plus we get to meet a sassy bookshop owner who seems to live for the tea. Prepare for lots of giggles today.

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

Remember how we said Quest Squad 1.0 was doomed? We were right. Also, how did SHE know??? Time for Quest Squad 2.0 to step in and travel abroad with the help of our favorite Viscount. 

Xaden adjusts to his new role while humbling pretty much everyone on the mat. Meanwhile, Violet finds herself having to trust Dain of all people. It pays off though and now we’ve got a fun little riddle to solve. To top it off, Vi gets a blast from the past who then gets blasted.

Violet, Garrick and Theo have a casual, friendly chat…sorta…kinda? The aftermath of that misadventure was worth it though. Meanwhile, Quest Squad is off to a truly awful start. Thanks Grady. Xaden ends up with yet another new title and this one is a doozy.

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

This week kicks off with some light treason and Violet’s diabolical plan to avoid the repercussions. Her punishment lands her and the squad at a familiar outpost. It's there that Violet has an intriguing dream. From there, Violet deals with some nasty weather, with the company of an unexpected ally. And we meet Blake’s latest favorite evil side character. 

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

After some accidental re-decorating on Xaden’s part, Violet faces the longest day ever. The Senarium’s vote, an unsanctioned challenge, and sibling squabbles make for a rough 24 hours. Prepare for a lot of information coming your way in these chapters!

THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

Welp, here goes nothing! We are beginning our deep dive reread of Onyx Storm. Ready for more emotional damage and intense annotating for theories? Cool, lets go!

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THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

Yes, we are all still spiraling from Onyx Storm. No, there is no end in sight for our suffering. So come join us as we chat about some of the biggest theories sweeping the across the fandom!

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THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

The Empyrean - Onyx Storm Initial Reactions

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♾️/5 stars from all of us! Join in to hear our overall thoughts and favorite things about Onyx Storm! Plus we dive into the Gods-Touched Theory that we have been cooking up for days. We all took the brilliance of @forlitsandgiggles and ran with it! It’s been a group labor of love, pain, and chaotic thoughts. 

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THIS EPISODE CONTAINS ONYX STORM SPOILERS!

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🖤 - B

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It’s time for our final predictions for Onyx Storm! From possible betrayals to some new couples, we cover all possibilities. Let’s goooooo.

Want to join in on the Onyx Storm Bingo? Save the blank template and post your thoughts in your stories! Be sure to tag me so we spiral together!

Rebecca chose violence on NYE. We are breaking down the super unsettling excerpt she posted. We have so many questions. We are scared.

We are back and rapidly approaching the final countdown to Onyx Storm! This week we are chatting about our most burning questions. The real question is do we think we will get answers in Onyx Storm or just more questions???

Let’s dive right into one of the biggest questions within the world of The Empyrean. What is Violet’s second signet? And how TF does Rebecca think it’s so”obvious”…are we obtuse? 

Welcome to our first Formation! This week, I am joined by the resident Empyrean Expert herself, Danelle! Let’s chat about what you can expect as we dive right into the deadly and absolutely phenomenal world of The Empyrean! 

Wow…well we’ve reached the end of House of Earth and Blood. Bryce and Hunt are left to deal with the aftermath of the longest day ever. Their ~fun~ time is once again interrupted by not one, but two, very ill-timed calls. Let’s just say that the Asteri are not pleased. For the record, I still hold that this is one of my favorite books of all time. 

This week, I’m deep diving the Onyx Storm excerpt that Cosmo dropped last week. I’m joined by the Fourth Wing Dream Team, aka Danelle, Jules and Elijah! We’ve got plenty of theories just from these few pages. Are the wards operating at 100%? How long has it been since the events of Iron Flame? What is significance of the silver hair?!?! Let’s chat about it!

Well…these chapters were less than ideal to conquer in my current mental state but here we are. Bryce is making the Drop but she is not alone. Her power exceeds all expectations and heals the city in the process. Now she just has to make the Ascent. 

PSA: Reminder that our spoiler ban on HOFAS has been lifted! 

We find ourselves yet again in unprecedented and uncertain times as we attempt to navigate the world we now find ourselves in. One thing is certain - books are political. Let us say it one more time…BOOKS ARE POLITICAL. To pretend otherwise or to remain silent on this election and its horrific consequences is to be complicit. 

Mads and I have always used our platforms to celebrate and protect women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, the trans community and non-binary folks. That will not change. If this angers or surprises you then, quite frankly, we aren’t sure what podcast you have listened to for the past four years.

Our advice for now is this: 

Embrace the rage.

Embrace the sadness.

Embrace the maelstrom of emotions.

Remember this feeling and harness it.

Let this feeling fuel you moving forward.

Prepare to be swept away in my chat with the lovely Carly Spade about her upcoming novel, Of Magic and Rum! This is the second installment in her Beyond a Contemporary Mythos universe. The story follows Rhode, a sea nymph tied to certain Greek god, as she embarks on a journey across the seas to evade a vicious sea monster. Too bad Rhode’s plan didn’t account for the cocky, brash and unreasonably handsome Captain Calico Jack and the electrifying chemistry between them. Carly gives an update on her next projects and gives us a glimpse into life as an author. As is tradition, we had to make time to talk about our current favorite video games too!

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Of Magic and Rum will be available this Thursday, November 7th, on Kindle Unlimited! Be sure to check out Carly’s website for signed paperback editions and some amazing book boxes as well!

Join Mads and I as we go through some of our most highly anticipated upcoming releases. I swear I double checked each date so you can trust me on these contrary to prior mix-ups! Be sure to have your wishlists handy. Pre-orders for these books would make some good holiday gifts…just saying.

Bryce unleashes one of the biggest secrets we’ve seen as readers, which is saying something given how many secrets people keep in this series. Looking at you, Danika. Her loved ones rally into the city but they are too late to stop the Asteri’s “help” from demolishing countless blocks of Crescent City. In a desperate attempt to close the remaining gates, Bryce’s pleas are answered by the most unlikeliest of people.

This week, I am joined by the lovely Danelle to deep dive into one of our favorite Spooky Season reads, Phantasma by Kaylie Smith! If you are looking for a paranormal dark romance then look no further. Think Kingdom of the Wicked X Squid Games. It is SO GOOD.

After one of the most epic villain takedowns we’ve ever read, it’s time for a break. Wait, nope. There is a literal army of demons to fight. Good thing that Bryce is one of the deadliest warriors in the city. We also get the groundwork for the big reveal that Bryce has in store for Ruhn and the rest of her loved ones. Stay tuned at the end for a rundown of the new kindles! 

One word sums this episode up: TRAUMA. Bryce is fighting for her life and the lives of her friends. Meanwhile, her loved ones are watching the live stream. 

With Spooky Season well underway, what better time to chat about our favorite unsettling, bone chilling and perhaps a little spicy books! The lovely Elijah, aka an expert on spooky reads, joins me this week. Let’s dive in boos!

WE ARE FINALLY BACK! Oof, I feel like I missed a lot while I was moving…including the reveal of the Onyx Storm synopsis. Fun fact: I held off reading the blurb so y’all could get my live reactions. All I can say is that I am ~terrified~…

With the cozy months upon us, what better way to start the season than with a list of COMPLETE series that are perfect for some binge reading with a nice cup of tea (or glass of wine). This week’s episode has recommendations for everyone from the lovely Elijah (@littlewickedbookbox), darling Danelle (@queerlygayoticreader) and me, Blake! Fae to Mafia to Witches to Cowboys. We got you covered. The best part is that most of these series are on KU! Happy reading!

By popular demand, this week’s Thirsty Thursday is a re-release of last week’s Patreon bonus episode…with a bit of a twist. As a refresher, Ian is reading the ACOTAR series and I convinced him to share his thoughts. He definitely gives a fresh perspective on the series. Still continuously pushing to get him to actually join in on an episode. One day…

The Summit is FINALLY here! It is….boring and in a conference center. So there’s that. Meanwhile, Bryce and Lele are searching for a loop hole to help Hunt. Their search is interrupted when Micah drops in for a surprise visit. Cue the villain monologue. 

Welcome back to our Recap + Releases series! Let’s break down our favorite August reads and chat about some highly anticipated September releases. We threw in a little B&N Book haul rant for some added (pumpkin) spice. 

This is the episode where everything starts to come together but also unravel. Bryce has no idea what or who to believe. It’s a hot mess.

Madi and the lovely Danelle (@queerlygayoticreader) dive into their current musical feelings, some let’s say “unique” PR boxes and, of course, underwear colors. Danelle also promises her biscuits and gravy to Madi. That sounds weird, I know. Side note: I can’t wait to listen to this one. 

We are back and we are still Book Wh0res! Join us this week as we go through all of our favorite fantasy series and authors who we don’t think get enough hype in the book community. Be sure to have a pen and notebook handy. Your TBR will thank us later!

WHOOO…this was truly a wild ride for these 10 chapters. The infamous shower scene. We’ve got Hunt meeting the parents. The team FINALLY make the connection between Synth and synthetic magic. Amelie is up to her same old BS and Hunt makes her pay for it. Yet another infamous scene when Bryce finally gets her leg checked out. All to end the episode with the Living Death. OOF.

Welcome to our first Recap + Releases episode! We’re breaking down some big releases from July, along with upcoming August releases that we are excited for! You’ll also hear a bit of bookish world news that you may have missed for this month. 

This episode has it all. A tense meeting with the wolves. A lovely stroll through the garden paired with a demon attack. An adorable otter with a grisly message. The start of some huge secrets coming to light. Phew. It is a lot.

Join me as I interrogate Madi to figure out all her bookish preferences. I’ll admit that some of the “would you rather” questions are a bit cruel. Then again, so am I. Hehehe We are vent about the debacle that was Amazon Prime Days this year. 

Welcome to our first We Are Book Wh0res episode! We are kicking it old school and diving into one of the first dark romances and RH books that we read, Den of Vipers by @katieknightauthor 🐍 This books has one of Madi’s all-time favorite book boyfriends and one of my favorite violent FMCs. Enjoy!

Side note: We recorded this earlier this week right before we heard the news that KA Knight is releasing an MM romance (!!!!!) and that Den of Vipers got picked up by a big publisher. Congratulations @katieknightauthor 

Mads and I breakdown our new schedule and all the exciting things to come! Ya’ll spoke and we listened so prepare for some awesome new episodes covering anything and everything bookish! You want book recs? We got em! Need a rundown of next month’s releases? No problem! Want to hear some deep dives on your favorite series? We got you! And, of course, you want more HOEAB? Duh, we will definitely deliver!

Who is ready for some Empyrean madness?! I am joined by THREE (this is important) lovely bookworms this week as we chat about @rebeccayarros interview from last week. This inevitably devolves into pure chaos of theories and all the feels. Needless to say, this episode has spoilers for Fourth Wing and Iron Flame! 

After some rather gross investigative work, Bryce and Hunt head home to scrub themselves clean. Seems Hunt can’t stop his snooping though when he makes a sparkly discovery. He is able to tear himself away from thoughts of Bryce’s left nightstand (iykyk) to introduce her to the delicious (and slightly self-destructive) Tharion.