Romance isn't Dead

In this wittily titled episode we're talking about Rockstars, mostly those created by Nalini Singh in her Rock Kiss series, that started with Rock Addiction and the enigmatic Zack Fox...so join us on this wild ride with Schoolboy Choir.
Also, this is our last episode until late October. We have decided to take a brief hiatus, work on the schedules for what will be the official Season 2 and kick things up a notch!

No, it's not another episode dedicated to Clueless. This time we're looking at the second book in the Torpedo Ink Series from Christine Feehan, Vengeance Road. This isn't your usual happy-go-lucky romance, it's dark, gritty and apparently (?) has some, blink and you'll miss it, supernatural elements too!

This week it's general talk about everything we've been up to over the last few weeks; books, tv, movies, life! Just two friends sitting around and having a catch-up!

In the last episode of our Steamy Summer we share our thoughts on 'Not a Hero' by Cherise Sinclair.

So, what did we think about our first ever Lisa Kleypas book? In the first episode of our Steamy June, we looked at Secrets of a Summer Night, the first in the Wallflowers series.

A Room with a View by EM Forster is a wonderful, though not quite traditional, love story. The film is stunning, the scenery in it beautiful and the characters delightful and horrible in equal measure.

Emma (1996), a fantastic movie adaptation of the Jane Austen novel. Great cast (hello 1990s Jeremy Northam), and a delight to the eyes. Come with us as we talk about this, and other things...

Clueless...it could be argued (we won't) that it's the best modern adaptation of a Jane Austen novel! So, here it is...the episode you may, or. may not, have been waiting for...we present to you, our review of Clueless!

He gives up running away when their safety is in question, but is the vase really worth him giving up his virtue, and is Amy Malory really as knowledgeable as she seems?

We're all stuck in isolation right now, whether for our own health or to protect our elderly and vulnerable loved ones. Whatever the reason, we thought we'd talk about some things we're going to be reading/watching while we're at home...join us and take some notes!

Let's hear it for the boy...a 1980s love letter.

This week we're looking at an oldie but a goodie in the world of regency/historical romance. We're delving into the world of pirates, mistaken identities and the very old 'reformed rakes' trope. Yes, we're taking a trip down memory lane and reading Gentle Rogue by the much-missed Johanna Lindsey.
Released in 1990, this is the third book in her very popular Malory series, and it hits all the popular tropes head-on. So, what did we think about it? Here's the unvarnished truth...you might be surprised!

"It was the summer of 1963 [...] and I didn't think I'd ever find a guy as great as my dad."
This week we're all about movies of the 80s, well, one in particular. It's the movie many a teenage girl swooned over in the summer of 1987. Did it set unreasonable expectations?
What is it about Dirty Dancing that made it so successful? Was it all about Baby and Johnny?
We take a look at one of Raye's all-time favourite movies...it's all about the music and the moves. And of course, "nobody puts Baby in the corner."

For our first book of 2020 we read Only His by Elizabeth Lowell. It's the first in a series based in the west after the American Civil War...So, what did we think of this book? Did we like it? Would we put it on the 'recommendations' shelf? Listen to hear what we had to say - we promise we're wittier than this appears to be!

As you may (or may not) know, Sally is a HUGE fan of Star Wars. So at the end of last year she went and saw The Rise of Skywalker...not once, not twice, but three times! Here are her thoughts. Unedited, unscripted and definitely uncensored. Oh, and romance plays a big part too...So settle in for something of a rough ride!

In our last episode of this decade, we take a chance to look at the first book in the Argeneau series (vampire novels) by Lynsay Sands, say thank you to all our listeners for going through our first year with us, and talk about the general stuff in life.
So farewell 2019, and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 to all our listeners.

This week we're all getting ready for the festive season, so we thought it only appropriate to talk about two of our favourite winter movies. While You Were Sleeping and The Holiday. We talk about why we love them what is romantic about them and hopefully will encourage you to watch if you haven't already seen. We'd also like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful Festive season, no matter what you're doing.

This week we picked up another book by Catherine Coulter. If you listened to episode 27 you will remember we said that Coulter is a good writer, her characters are well created, the story progressed well (though there were a few bits that were unnecessary) and overall, we enjoyed the book. This week we looked at a later book by the same author, Night Fire, and let's just say...if we were grading newts, this would be a T for Troll...

This week it's all about writing. With it being November we felt it only appropriate to talk about our own experiences, especially as Raye has been daft enough to sign up for NaNo again! Of course, writing isn't all fun and games, as anyone who has desperately been cursing their vanishing muse will be well aware...So, how do you do it?

There are few things better for a romance reader than a well-written regency, and Coulter definitely gives us that.
The Sherbrooke Bride by Catherine Coulter is a wonderful introduction to a regency series about a strong family, with the tale of straight-laced and sensible Douglas and his rebellious young bride, Alexandra.
Oh, and we found our mojo, so expect some sass.

This week we've taken a step into the paranormal, with a bit of sci-fi tossed in for good luck. We're talking about the fifth in Jayne Castle's Rainshadow Island novels, Siren's Call. So, what did we think of this? Sally has read some of the books, Raye has read none, so where does this one fall in the spectrum? Is it 'yay' or 'nay'?

This week we've turned to the classics. Yes, we're looking at the original romantic hero. Whether you know him from the BBC drama, the 2005 movie, or just remember he was a character in Bridget Jones...Fitzwilliam Darcy has earned his place as a romantic hero!
And this week, Pride and Prejudice is our focus, though we promise we don't go all lit-crit!

First, there was Jennifer and Royce. Now, we have Whitney and Clayton. Sure, the names are less than traditional, and the stories are incredibly similar, but we wanted to take some time to talk about Judith McNaught's seminal work, "Whitney, My Love". So, here it is...

If you're now humming 'Barbie Girl' by Aqua then I sort of apologise...
This week's episode is all about the first in The Iron Fae series by Julie Kagawa. A YA romance published by Harlequin Teens in the US, it's supernatural, includes familiar characters from Midsummer Night's Dream and fae mythology. If you love that, then you'll love this.
Listen to the latest episode to find out what we thought.

21 today...21 today...we've got the key to the door...
We've been talking about it for a while! Wolves, rain, empaths...yes, this week we're talking about the latest in the psy-changeling series by Nalini Singh, Wolf Rain.
Also, our next book is a YA, the first in a series all about the fey, The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.

This time we're talking about the 1989 book, A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught...
We talk historical accuracy, character development and everything in between. Find out what we thought and listen to us chatter a lot about loads of different things romantic.

At the Bar Cynster marriage is to be avoided, but once they meet their soulmates - the ones born just for them - they are doomed.
This week we are talking about the first Cynster novel by Stephanie Laurens, Devil's Bride.
We also get a bit distracted, with talk of weather and other books!

Whether it's a red thread, the Force, or writing on your skin...we all search for ours. Soulmates...can anyone say they didn't dream, at some point, of finding theirs?
This week, the soulmate trope, in many guises, is our topic...how much do you love it?

This week we're reviewing Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. While it's one Raye likes, Sally is relieved that it's one she reserved at the library. Hence, it's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...

A thriller with a difference...a horrific murder spree brings Marlie the alpha male of her dreams(?). This week we're looking at one of Sally's book choices, Dream Man by Linda Howard. This book is a quarter century old. How did it age? We take a look...

This week is the episode none of you asked for. In which we look at EL James' The Mister and Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan. We are going to be VERY honest...

This week was another book club week, and the book was Frontier Woman by Joan Johnston. It was a choice...and we go into why we would not EVER recommend it. Sorry, not sorry!

Today we go just a little off-piste but the subject of the day is fanfiction. We talk about what it means to us, how we came across it and a little bit about relation-shipping.
Also, we mention White Abyss by Stephanie Terault...check it out here.

This week is we chatted about Avengers (for a bit) and then The Dark Highlander by Karen M Moning. Oh, and if you want us to read the new EL James and talk about it...let us know in the comments...we're willing to take the hit for you, our readers!

This week we take a quick(!) look at YA novels, from their odd conception in the 1980s to their modern incarnation...
Oh, and check out our Twitter.

This week it was all about chicklit with Jill Mansell's 2011 novel, To the Moon and Back. It was a brand new author for Sally and an old favourite for Raye. Let us know what you think.
Oh, and we're now on Facebook.

This week we talked all about the authors on our 'Must-buy' list both past and present, and got pretty animated about the books we love and why.
Check out our blog to find out where else we can be found.

This week we were reviewing The Other Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn. Feelings were mixed, but you can find out more about how we felt about the most recent addition to the extended Bridgerton series by listening along. Let us know what you think.

In the purple corner we have Rapunzel...In the pink corner we have Princess Aurora.
Who will win? The Self-Rescuing Princess or the Damsel in Distress. This week we talk about Disney princesses and their male counterparts...

It's another book review this week, and another supernaturally-themed one at that. This week we take a look at the fifth Dark-Hunter novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Night Play. We look at the themes, what we liked, what we didn't...and tell you all about the next book we're going to be reading.
Our blog

What's really under that kilt!
This week we talked all about Ransom by Julie Garwood.
We like the fantasy of the highland warrior in a historically inaccurate kilt so sue us (please don't!).
Next week it's Star Wars!!!