Illicit Liaisons

This week, we're celebrating the upcoming release of Fireworks & Flirtation with our authors, Suzy Langevin and Marissa Marinello. We discuss:Bookish drama over an editor asking an author to remove similes and other metaphorical language from their story to avoid being accused of using AIWith the popularity of MM romance, where is the love for sapphic romance? Plus a whole lot more. Suzy Langevin writes happily ever afters where people are loved because of, not in spite of, the things they see as their flaws. She is the winner of the 2024 RWA Golden Heart Award, and her short fiction appears in anthologies and magazines. Suzy lives in Massachusetts, and does, in fact, run on Dunkin'. Marissa Marinello writes urban, high fantasy, and cozy-romantasy. A TTRPG nerd who grew up on Tolkien, musical theater & comics, she's inspired by finding the fantastical in the mundane. Her work can be found in several anthologies, and she is an active participant in fandom and her writing group in Southern California.    LINKS TO SUZY AND MARISSASuzy's Website https://www.suzylangevin.com/ Suzy's Books https://www.suzylangevin.com/team-3Suzy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suzylangevinwrites/Marissa's Website https://marissamarinello.com/Marissa's Books https://marissamarinello.com/books/Marissa on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmarinello_author/BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWFireworks & Flirtation https://amzn.to/4uacLtQBEACH READ RECOMMENDATIONSMoonlight & Margaritas: Steamy Romance Anthology  https://amzn.to/4tNokqtSummer Sisters by Judy Blume https://amzn.to/4u7XuJOChesapeake Bay Series by Nora Roberts https://amzn.to/42tZksAPersuasion by Jane Austen It's About Damn Time (Skullhaven Bay) Free at https://tenderandtemptingtales.com/free-romance-story/ or https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Urna Semper on Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson https://amzn.to/49GJsGQPaws & Peril: Steamy Romantic Suspense Stories with a Dog (Tender & Tempting Tales Magazine) https://amzn.to/4nmxg3MTENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/Calls for Submissions: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-talesILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman Substack: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Show Notes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, our guest host is author Jason Wrench, and we discuss:* Face Off cover controversy* Jason's appearance at BookCon* Hockey romanceand more! Jason Wrench writes. He writes a lot. With his publisher, Pride Publishing (now Totally Entwined) he’s the author of three different series: 12 Days of Murder & Till Death Do Us Wed, Up on the Farm (Finding a Farmer, Bewitched by the Barista, Sanctuary for the Surgeon, & Catching the Composer), and the Love and Liquidation Series (Boy Bands and Bullets, A Choreographed Coup, & Rhythmic Reclamation), and the standalone novella Wolf Island. As an Indy author, he’s published Life on the Naughty List, or What the Elf!, Jekyll/Hyde, and The Veil. His latest book, Shattering Securities, came out in Spring 2025. His day job is a college professor at SUNY New Paltz where he teaches in the Department of Communication. He’s a member of the Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, Text and Academic Authors Association, and The Authors Guild. Jason appears in our first summer anthology, Moonlight and Margaritas, with his gay enemies-to-lovers romance, “Ship Happens,” a contemporary story set on a cruise ship.LINKS TO JASON WRENCHJason's Website: https://jasonwrench.com/Jason's Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/42T2ZQwBOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWGoalie and the Geek by Jason Wrench https://amzn.to/4tgOnoWMoonlight & Margaritas https://amzn.to/4tNokqtFace Off by Chelsea Curto https://amzn.to/4eoTuzNHeated Rivalry by Rachel Reid https://amzn.to/3QP9JwoREADING OR RECOMMENDEDPlaying Dirty by CE Ricci https://amzn.to/4d78f8cThe Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow https://amzn.to/42ffc20Shadow of Betrayal by Eva LeClerc https://evaleclercauthor.substack.com/Urna Semper on Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/Calls for Submissions: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-talesILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman Substack: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Show Notes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, our guest host is Sierra Hill, with whom we discuss the controversial attempt by Ivory Chapters to trademark "Blind Date with a Book," the impact of AI in publishing, sports romance, and more!Sierra Hill is a RONE Award-winning romance author of Game Changer and the award-winning college sports series Courting Love. She writes steamy new adult and sports romances, including the Vancouver Vikings hockey series, the Puget Sound Pilots, and the Clearview Falls University football series with her co-writing partner, S.E. Rose. She also writes award-winning LGBTQ+ romance under the pen name, K.C. Kassidy. SIERRA'S LINKSWebsite: https://www.sierrahillbooks.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sierrahillbooksAmazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/4twzU9oREADING & RECOMMENDEDWe All Live Here by JoJo Moyes https://amzn.to/4cDPoma The Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow https://amzn.to/4tqPiUDShadow of Betrayal by Eva LeClerc https://evaleclercauthor.substack.com/Urna Semper on Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/Calls for Submissions: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-talesILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman Substack: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Show Notes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, our guest host is author Mariah Ankenman. We discuss hot takes around the author ARCs, disability representation in romance fiction, #authorapril, and book adaptations we'd love to watch. Mariah Ankeman is a bestselling  romance author living in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse, who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her. Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books.MARIAH'S LINKSWebsite: https://mariahankenman.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahankenman/Mariah's Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/4t84RjrBackstage Night with the Billionaire by Mariah Ankenman https://amzn.to/3OIyk50AUTHORS & BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWTalia Hibbert https://amzn.to/48hKiJBE.V. Mitchell https://amzn.to/4tX0HLNIn Death Books by J.D. Robb https://amzn.to/3Owa32fFox & O'Hare books by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg https://amzn.to/4mGckEwEvelina by Frances Burney https://amzn.to/4cEfyUxREADING & RECOMMENDEDLore Olympus Vol 9 by Rachel Smythe https://amzn.to/4tVxsZQThe Other Bennett Sister by Janice Hadlow https://amzn.to/4tqPiUDJane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley https://amzn.to/4cFOhRsShadow of Betrayal by Eva LeClerc https://evaleclercauthor.substack.com/TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/Calls for Submissions: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-talesILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman Substack: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Show Notes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, Tara and I share the tea, hot takes, and news from the romance book world, including Shy Girl drama, worst spicy writing, and more. AUTHORS & BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWThe Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn Paws & Peril from Tender & Tempting Tales READING & RECOMMENDEDShadow of Betrayal by Eva LeClerc Urna Semper on Substack TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! Tender and Tempting Tales on InstagramTender and Tempting Tales Calls for Submissions: ILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman WebsiteJenna Harte Website Outline and Show Notes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, we talk with book influencer Bea from Mama Needs to Read Romance about the state of historical romance, being a booktuber, and more.LINKS TO BEAMama Needs to Read Romance YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mamaneedstoreadromanceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mama.needs.to.read.romance/Goodreads: goodreads.com/user/show/75674482-mama-needs-to-read-romanceAUTHORS & BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWJoanna Shupe https://amzn.to/4m9lOYAKate Bateman https://amzn.to/4mb9qHETeresa Medeiros https://amzn.to/4sZ264yLindz McLeod https://amzn.to/4txFW9nIce Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon https://amzn.to/3PSOBomBridgerton Series by Julia Quinn https://amzn.to/41h9BHSNOW READING & RECOMMENDEDOnce Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese https://amzn.to/4c8PPDcWith This Ring I Thee Kill by Jenna Harte https://amzn.to/4vtSUa6Thessaly Affair by Urna Semper https://urnasemper.substack.com/s/the-thessaly-affairShadow of Betrayal Eva LeClerc https://evaleclercauthor.substack.com/s/shadow-of-betrayal TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/ILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Show Notes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, we celebrate the release of Paws & Peril, a romance zine with stories, articles, games, and more around romantic suspense that include a dog. We discuss romantic suspense and why dogs make a perfect side character, and more. Hosts this week include zine editor Rachel Young; zine copyeditor, social media manager, and contributor Tara Leederman; author Marissa Marinello; and managing editor and contributor Jenna Harte. LINKS TO PAWS & PERIL Paws & Peril (in KU): https://amzn.to/3NYe9j8 Rachel Young: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.young.1023Marissa Marinello: https://marissamarinello.com/Tara Leederman: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/ TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/ILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Shownotes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, our guest host is romance author Annie R McEwen where we discuss the hubbub around the new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, classic romance novels, and more. LINKS TO ANNIE R MCEWENAnnie's Website: https://www.anniermcewen.com/ Bound Across Time https://amzn.to/4bIJ9M9The Corset Girls Unlaced https://amzn.to/4uPC84SAnnie's Books on Amazon https://amzn.to/487lqnEBOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWThe Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole: https://amzn.to/4tqzdOHThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson: https://amzn.to/47VhlTxFrankenstein by Mary Shelley: https://amzn.to/4c3ZYlSWuthering Heights (2009 TV Serial): Masterpiece | Wuthering Heights | PBS https://amzn.to/4bMd5XICarmilla by Joseph Le Fanu: https://amzn.to/4swAW4UVillette by Charlotte Brontë: https://amzn.to/4suNYjbThe Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë: https://amzn.to/4t3Qdd9Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: https://amzn.to/4t5ELxxCecilia by Frances Burney: https://amzn.to/4t7r0i1Evelina by Frances Burney: https://amzn.to/4lOWmYbA Simple Story by Elizabeth Inchbald: https://amzn.to/3PEec4cPamela by Samuel Richardson: https://amzn.to/4buMKhZClarissa by Samuel Richardson: https://amzn.to/4bHNIpRPersuasion by Jane Austen: https://amzn.to/4bSpVUuPersuasion (2008) https://amzn.to/4dMEPxMPersuasion (1996) https://amzn.to/488c3EfThe Female Quixote by Charlotte Lennox: https://amzn.to/4dHVvqdThe Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry: https://amzn.to/4v79WuzCastle Rackrent Maria Edgeworth: https://amzn.to/4bEE1skBelinda by Maria Edgeworth: https://amzn.to/4svOa1PTENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/ILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/Outline and Shownotes: T.A. LeedermanEditing: Jenna Harte

This week, our guest host is romance author Aubree Valentine where we discuss Heated Rivalry, hockey romance, the why-choose trope, and more. LINKS TO AUBREE VALENTINEAubree's website: https://authoraubreevalentine.com/Aubree's social links: https://authoraubreevalentine.com/social/Aubree's author's page: https://amzn.to/4bglzHFPucking Tangled: https://amzn.to/4uwdaY0Christmas at Mistletoe Bay: https://amzn.to/4bgBWnzSaving Sadie (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha - Susan Stoker-verse): https://amzn.to/4dpM2nhBOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWHeated Rivalry by Rachel Ried(Game Changers Series): https://amzn.to/3NnhS9WMoonlight & Margaritas: https://amzn.to/4cXLa9z (Aubree's story - More Than a Margarita)Sweetest Lie (Duet) by Gwyn McNamee: https://amzn.to/47AvGVgLady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser https://amzn.to/473UrZMWith This Ring, I Thee Kill by Jenna Harte: https://amzn.to/4lC10J8TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales Submissions Information:  https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-talesTender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/ILLICIT LIAISONS PRODUCED & HOSTED BYTara Leederman: https://taleederman.substack.com/Jenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com/

This week, our guest host is romance and mystery author Jenna Harte (yes, me!), where we discuss passionate sleuthing couples, fan fiction, the amnesia trope, and more!LINKS TO JENNA HARTEJenna Harte: https://jennaharte.com Jenna's Author Page: https://amzn.to/4b39fKF BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWValentine Mysteries (7 books in KU): https://amzn.to/40tacWvNew Release: Dead but Not Forgotten: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GKZF2HYK Deadly Valentine by Jenna Harte: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008TGH622Old Flames Never Die by Jenna Harte: https://amzn.to/4bkIX5CNaked in Death by JD Robb: https://amzn.to/4lo4u1z An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn: https://amzn.to/4lty7Po Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë: https://amzn.to/3Nh6V9CPamela by Samuel Richardson: https://amzn.to/46WroY9That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming: https://www.amazon.com/That-Drunk-Saved-Demon-Mishaps-ebook/dp/B0BTZ2MDLL TENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/

This week, our guest host is romance author Stephanie R. Caffrey, where we discuss books we're afraid to read, romantic suspense, and more! LINKS TO STEPHANIE R. CAFFREYStephanie R. Caffrey: https://srcaffrey.com Stephanie's Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephanie-R.-Caffrey/author/B0CXNBGX1Z Strings of Deception: https://amzn.to/3MXD85SProfiling the Heart series: https://amzn.to/4cswIpFLondon Detective Agency series: https://amzn.to/3NizZ0xBOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED ON THE SHOWSong of Achilles BY Madeline Miller: https://amzn.to/40NTCk5Queens of 90s Romantic Suspense (articles): https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/queens-of-90s-romantic-suspenseDangerous Personalities by Joe Navarro: https://amzn.to/4rOtLVb A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang: https://amzn.to/4laKwr5That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming: https://www.amazon.com/That-Drunk-Saved-Demon-Mishaps-ebook/dp/B0BTZ2MDLL Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles: https://amzn.to/3N2LTvtDeadly Valentine by Jenna Harte: https://amzn.to/4tNYtPMOld Flames Never Die by Jenna Harte: https://amzn.to/4rL5KhHA History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage https://amzn.to/46ggtbnTENDER & TEMPTING TALESTender and Tempting Tales Substack: Subscribe and get a FREE story! https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/

This week, our guest host is Parrish Baker writing as Urna Semper, and we discuss:* Book Bullying* Romantansy vs Romantic Fantasy vs Fantasy Romanceand more! LINKS TO URNA SEMPERParrish Baker writing as Urna Semper on Substack: https://urnasemper.substack.com/p/copy-the-lady-of-birzetaUrna Semper's Amazon Author page: https://amzn.to/4rn86TOThe Pearl Crucible by Urna Semper: https://amzn.to/4tRJmVyOlava: Sold into Bondage by Urna Semper: https://www.amazon.com/Olava-Bondage-Science-Incidents-Iphigenia-ebook/dp/B0CLL1Y3Z7"The Case of the Unnatural Sister" in Pinup Noir: Sultry Murder Jazz from Raconteur Press:  https://amzn.to/40qjr9G"The Miss" in Uncanny Valet from Raconteur Press: https://amzn.to/4cFYqPL"Montara Sierpento Snows" in Midnight, Mischief, and Mistletoe from Tender and Tempting Tales: https://amzn.to/4tMUXVN"Kandiers Summer" in Moonlight and Margaritas from Tender and Tempting Tales: https://amzn.to/4qJoLQxBOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWRumors of Spring by Richard Grant https://amzn.to/3OAxfMgPersuasion by Jane Austen https://amzn.to/4rEEhOAHeroine of the World by Tanith Lee https://amzn.to/46mwM6CLeucippe and Clitophon by Achilles Tatius https://amzn.to/4tRKetiSouth Wind: A Mediterranean Masterpiece of Love, Lust, and Intrigue by Norman Douglas https://www.amazon.com/South-Wind-Mediterranean-Masterpiece-Intrigue/dp/B0DJ1VVBSFDeadly Valentine by Jenna Harte: https://amzn.to/4tNYtPMA History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage https://amzn.to/46ggtbnThat Time I got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming https://www.amazon.com/That-Drunk-Saved-Demon-Mishaps/dp/0316570273TENDER & TEMPTING TALESFree Romance: It's About Damn Time: https://tenderandtemptingtales.com/free-romance-story/Tender and Tempting Tales Substack: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Tender and Tempting Tales on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tendertemptingtales/

Guest Host Suzy Langevin, 2024 RWA Golden Heart Award for Excellence In Pre-Published Romance, for the Plus One Pact.We discuss hot takes on romance, including our thoughts on epilogues and bonus chapters, is cheating okay in romance, depictions of mental health in romance, and more! Check out Suzy at https://www.suzylangevin.com/ Suzy's Books https://www.suzylangevin.com/team-3Suzy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suzylangevinwrites/Books/Authors/Book Influencers Mentioned on the Show:Peace, Love, Books XO https://www.youtube.com/@PeaceLoveBooksxo Dead But Not Forgotten by Jenna Harte https://www.amazon.com/Dead-But-Not-Forgotten-Valentine-ebook/dp/B0GKZF2HYK Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse book 4) by Charlaine Harris - https://amzn.to/4td9oCpAmerican Royalty by Suzy Langevin https://amzn.to/3MngFyQSound of Summer Series (Martha's Vineyard) by Suzy Langevin https://www.suzylangevin.com/copy-of-christmas-in-the-city-collection-1Reel by Kennedy Ryan https://amzn.to/4kBMalpScore by Kennedy Ryan https://amzn.to/4bLNAr7Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan https://amzn.to/4kBLYCHDevil Wears Tartan by Katia Rose https://amzn.to/4twV6fXFat Tuesday by Sandra Brown - https://amzn.to/4aewY91Moonlight & Margaritas Steamy Romance Anthology - https://amzn.to/3ZhtfCGIllicit Liaisons brought to you by Tender & Tempting TalesFree ebook: It's About Damn Time - https://tenderandtemptingtales.com/free-romance-story/Romance Talk at Tender & Tempting Tales Substack - https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Write for Us - https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-talesHosts:Jenna Harte https://jennaharte.com/TA Leederman https://taleederman.com/

Illicit Liaisons reboot! Join for a discussion about:book goals dramagateway books into romance readingbook crushescurrent book adaptations and moreOn this show:Guest Rachel Young/Aline Francoure - https://alinefrancoure.com/Books/Authors:Moonlight & Margaritas Steamy Romance Anthology - https://amzn.to/3ZhtfCGJulie Garwood Books - https://amzn.to/3LQuWE3The Duchess by Jude Deveraux - https://amzn.to/4qideavOutlander by Diana Gabaldon - https://amzn.to/4a8GuKJThe Return of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts - https://amzn.to/4qfqU5WThe Reef by Nora Roberts - https://amzn.to/4qmR3QDNaked in Death by J.D. Robb - https://www.amazon.com/Naked-Death-Book-1-ebook/dp/B000P2A47MLucky's Lady by Tami Hoag - https://amzn.to/4qUs2x5Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse book 4) by Charlaine Harris - https://amzn.to/4td9oCpMidnight, Mischief & Mistletoe - https://amzn.to/3NY1nkvThe Pearl Crucible by Urna Semper - https://amzn.to/4acw1y1Fat Tuesday by Sandra Brown - https://amzn.to/4aewY91An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn - https://amzn.to/4qZWypvChasing Shelter by Catherine Cowless - https://amzn.to/4c9BesWThe Heist (Fox & O'Hare book 1) by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg - https://amzn.to/4a8IuCMThe Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood - https://amzn.to/4awCYv1What are your thoughts on bookish drama?Who is your book crush?Join us to talk about romance fiction at Substack: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Illicit Liaisons now brought to you by Tender & Tempting TalesFree story: It's About Damn Time - https://tenderandtemptingtales.com/free-romance-story/Romance Talk at Tender & Tempting Tales Substack -https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/Write for Us - https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/write-for-tender-and-tempting-tales

This week I interview Jackie Mojica author of contemporary romances feature rockstars. Visit the Illicit Liaison page at SwoonworthyHEA to learn more about Jackie and her books, as well as other books mentioned on the show.

In this week's episode, I interview Lisa Becker, author of the Starfish Series. We talk about the author duo she admires most, her all-time favorite book boyfriend, and how she got started writing. You can learn more about Lisa at her websiteCheck out more Illicit Liaison's shows and join the romance fiction conversation at SwoonworthyHea.com.

Maggie Blackbird is on Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario who writes contemporary, YA, historical and LBGTQ romances involving Canada's indigenous people.  Her latest book is Knight Moves, book three in her When We Were Young Series.  Maggie and I talk about the romance authors she loved (and still loves), her start in romance writing, and how she incorporates the lives of indigenous people into her romances.  Visit the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA to learn more about Maggie and her books. 

In this week's ep, I answer the question on the books I'd recommend to a reader who's never read a romance before but is willing to give it try. I recommend books in a variety of categories, including; Classic, Contemporary, Category, Historical, Mystery, Paranormal, Sweet, and Romcom.Chances are, you have different books you'd recommend. I'd love to hear what they are. You can let me know at SwoonworthyHEA where Illicit Liaisons is hosted. If you love romance fiction, come join the SwoonworthyHEA community to talk about your favorite books, authors, and more. 

This week I discuss my thoughts on The Duke and I by Julia Quinn and the TV adaptation of it, Bridgerton. For Black History Month, I have a list of black romance authors to check out as well. To leave a comment or to read show notes, visit the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA.Join the online community for romance readers to discuss your favorite authors and books, win fun stuff, start a blog and more at SwoonworthyHEA.What would you like to see or do in a romance fiction community? Take the 2 question survey here. 

Mr. Darcy has become synonymous with the romantic leading man. Even though he "lived" over two-hundred years ago, many traits that make Darcy an endearing romantic lead live on today's romances. In this episode, I discuss Darcy's traits and share a few modern romances that I feel have Darcy-esque leading men.Do you have other thoughts about Darcy or modern-day romance heroes similar to Darcy? Let me know on the Illicit Liaison podcast page at SwoonworthyHEA.com

We love romance fiction. But we may not all agree on which types of stories we prefer. In this episode of Illicit Liaisons, I share some of my favorite and not so favorite romance tropes. Which do you love? Which do you hate? Let me know by visiting the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA. Join SwoonworthyHEA, the online community for people who love to read romance fiction. Join groups, start a blog, win stuff and more! Visit Swoonworthyhea to learn more and join!

Cable networks and streaming services are all clamboring for great books to adapt to TV and movies. Here is my list of a few romance books I'd love to see on screen. What books would love to see adapted to a movie or show? Let me know at the Illicit Liaison page at SwoonworthyHEA.Are you a die-hard romantic, looking to chat about romance fiction with other die-hard romantics? Join the SwoonworthyHEA community where you can talk books, win fun stuff, and even start your own fan, book, or author blog. 

Discover what romance books will be returning or debuting on the big and small screen in 2021. Are you looking forward to watching any of these books come to life? Let me know by visiting the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA.comJoin me and other hopeless romantics at SwoonworthyHEA to talk about your favorite romance books, authors and more. 

This week I do another old-school romance episode discussing Sandra Brown. I cover her career, what makes her books stand out, and five of my favorite books of hers.Are you a fan of Sandra Brown? Let us know at the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA.com.Join SwoonworthyHEA, the free online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction! 

Jenna shares her top 5 favorite romance reads of 2020.Are any of these your favorite? If not, what are your favorites? Visit the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA to let me know!If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

This week I talk about one of my favorite parts of a romance...the grand gesture. I share a few that left me flat and several that I've always enjoyed. Do you have a favorite grand gesture from a romance? Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.  If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

Turn your love of reading into a fun way to meet authors, connect with other readers, and make money through a book blog. The show talks about how to set up a blog, what to blog about, and ways to make money by blogging about books.  Get more resources and a book blog start up checklist in the show notes at  Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.comDo you have a book blog or have questions about starting a book blog? Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.  If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more! 

Have you waited to the last minute (like me) to shop for holiday gifts or give your "Wish List" to your family and friends? Here are a number of fun and useful gifts for the book-lover in your life.Do you have other great gift ideas for avid readers? Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.  If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

This week we look back on romances by Nora Roberts written 20 to 25 years ago that ignited my interest in romance fiction.  Do you have other Nora Roberts' old school romances you love? Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.  If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

Jenna Harte shares some of the political romances she's read over the years in response to the recent election in the United States. She includes a few old school romances, and a couple of royal books. Do you have political romances you've enjoyed? Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.  If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

Jenna Harte and Ellen Butler share their pet peeves in romance stories. What are your romance novel pet peeves?  Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.  If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more! 

Just in time for Halloween, Illicit Liaisons talks with avid paranormal readers and authors, Chloe Balkin and Sionna Trenz. We cover topics such as, what makes a paranormal romance, what is the fascination with paranormal romance, great starter paranormal romance books, and much more. You can learn more about Chloe at her website or Amazon page. Visit Sionna's website and Amazon pageFor links to book mentioned on the show, visit the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.While you're there, let us know about your favorite paranormal book, series, or author? If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

Do you have classic romance books you love or ideas for current day romances that will be considered classics in a hundred years? Let us know on Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com. If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

If your book budget is bust, check out these 8 options for getting free romance books!Do you have more free romance book resources? Let us know on the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHea.com.If you're a hopeless romantic, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the online community for people who love to read and write romance fiction. Join in the groups, start a blog, enter monthly contests and more!

Romance and mystery author Ellen Butler and Jenna Harte discuss the stigma of reading and writing romance. Where it comes from. Why it continues. And whether or not it's waning. What are your thoughts on the stigma of romance? Join in the conversation at the Illicit Liaisons page at SwoonworthyHEA.com.If you love romance fiction, stop by SwoonworthyHEA.com, the free online community for hopeless romantics to discuss the romance books they love.  Join groups, start a book blog and more. Romance authors come by to mingle with romance readers and start your own author blog.