Illicit Liaisons

This week, we chat with author and book event planner Amy Marie about whether romance books need more yearning, Amy's success with SaSS while other book signing events seem to be imploding, the internet's policing of dark romance, and more. About Amy MarieAmy Marie was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago (Go Cubs Go!) until she married the red-headed love of her life in 2005 and made the move to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she currently resides with her two teenagers and a mini-Australian Shepard, who chases after the four cats!In 2014, she published her first book in the Unexpected Series and hasn’t looked back since. As a contemporary romance and romantic suspense author, she loves to tell everyone about her books and attend as many signing events as she can.Not only did her dream of becoming an author come to life, but so did her love of event planning when she started the Sexy and SaSSy Signing (also known as SaSS). SaSS is an annual romance author book signing held in July, with some mini events held in St. Louis and Savannah. Every year she brings over 500 people together to celebrate their love of books and welcome them into the SaSSy Family!You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Threads, all under either Author Amy Marie or The Sexy and SaSSy Signing. BTW… SaSS27 tickets are on sale now!Amy Marie's Books https://amzn.to/4xaztm0Amy Marie Facebook https://www.facebook.com/amy.marie.679521/Amy Marie Instagram https://www.instagram.com/author_amy_marie/Amy Marie TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@authoramymarieAmy Marie Threads https://www.threads.com/@author_amy_marieSaSS27 Richmond, VA Tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sass27-unforgettable-nights-richmond-signing-event-tickets-1993293205636SaSS Attendees Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/sassysigningMENTIONED ON THE SHOWAdriana Locke https://amzn.to/4gWHB3NMelanie Harlow https://amzn.to/4gLsnOICollide by Gail McHugh https://amzn.to/4cBlK0hEncore in Death by J.D. Robb https://amzn.to/4r0SgyYUrna Semper on Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/Come Away with Me by Kristin Proby https://amzn.to/3TemlhYCome Away with Me on Passionflix https://watch.passionflix.com/watch/16e9a261-3fc9-4f0f-bb46-338d78032db2TENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, I'm solo (Jenna) with an update to a blast-from-the-past episode from 2021 on what romance books I'd recommend to people who've never read romance but are willing to give it a try, with my updated picks for 2026.BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWClassic RomancePersuasion by Jane Austen https://amzn.to/4gGRvX7Persuasion movie https://amzn.to/4cpXUVkContemporary RomanceBig Rock by Lauren Blakely https://amzn.to/4gJuCCeCan't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan https://amzn.to/4h78ja3Category RomanceThe Return of Rafe MacKade by Nora Roberts https://amzn.to/4yfahfiHistorical RomanceThe Duke and I by Julia Quinn https://amzn.to/4h4oTIAParanormal RomanceFirst Grave to the Right by Darynda Jones https://amzn.to/3T7gHy7 (for some reason, the cover on this book is weird on Amazon, although the covers for the other books in the series are right.)Dark Lover by J.R. Ward https://amzn.to/4zO6Y0fRomantic Suspense/MysteryEnvy by Sandra Brown https://amzn.to/3SMcoYKNaked in Death by J.D. Robb https://amzn.to/3UjkOHP (there are now over 60 books in this series!)The Doucet Series by Tami Hoag https://amzn.to/3UuLh57Sweet RomanceHarlequin Love Inspired Suspense (Sept 2026) https://amzn.to/3T7hmj5RomcomThe Hating Game by Sally Thorne https://amzn.to/3T7hmj5Chicago Stars Series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips https://amzn.to/3UM7zPSWelcome to Temptation/Bet Me (2 books in one) by Jennifer Crusie https://amzn.to/4iGITCh  (Jennifer has several books co-written with Bob Mayer that are fun too https://amzn.to/4clkzSH).RomantacyA Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas https://amzn.to/4gHAaNvTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tandttalesTender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we chat with author Suzy England about the impact of the butterfly effect on building a writing career, as well as learning about her new and upcoming women's fiction and romance novels. Suzy England is an Amazon Charts bestselling author of Women's Fiction and Romance. Her heartfelt and relatable stories first captured a global audience on Wattpad, where her work was read by millions. A finalist in Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest, Suzy has also penned pieces for Amazon Prime Video and BookTrib. She's a proud member of the esteemed Tall Poppy Writers and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Before turning her full attention to storytelling, Suzy spent 26 years as an elementary educator. These days, she enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time with her grown children, and rooting for her alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin. Her most recent release is the romantic women’s fiction novel, A Singing Bird Will Come, and this fall, her contemporary romance novel, Unmasking Mr. Crown, will release; she has ARC slots still available to those listening who might be interested. You can find out more and follow Suzy’s bookish adventures on her website suzyengland.com, and more on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suzyenglandwrites/Unmasking Mr. Crown ARC Team Application (need to read by Sept 1) https://tally.so/r/Gx04ekBOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWA Singing Bird will Come by Suzy England https://amzn.to/4y2g1ccThe Book Witch by Meg Shaffer https://amzn.to/4hTxYoDIce Planet Barbarians (series) by Ruby Dixon https://amzn.to/4gQw5YCFantastical Foes: Steamy Romantasy Zine by Tender and Tempting Tales https://amzn.to/46qP5XCTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we chat with author Suzy Langevin, discussing tropes, love triangles, and Suzy's new release, The Plus One Pact. 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'.Suzy's Website https://www.suzylangevin.com/Suzy's Books https://www.suzylangevin.com/team-3Suzy on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/suzylangevinwrites/MENTIONED ON THE SHOWPlus One Pact by Suzy Langevin https://amzn.to/45wspVJMr. Perfect by Linda Howard https://amzn.to/4znhETeV.C. Andrews https://amzn.to/4gsq0AyEye of the Dragon by Stephen King https://amzn.to/4gsq0AyThe Dead Zone by Stephen King https://amzn.to/4gF38ifTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we chat with authors Mara Heath and Annabella Lowe about the cosy romantasy debate, AI art scams, as well as their own works and upcoming releases. Mara fell in love with the romance genre when she first started reading the Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams series as a teen. Decades later, after working as an English teacher and taking time to be a mother, she's finally become the romance writer she always wanted to be. She's the author of the New Adult Contemporary Romance series The Secrets of Brownhill, with book one, Caged in Silver, releasing last year, and book two, Harnessed in Gold, coming out in August. In her stories, there's nothing Mara enjoys more than matching a soul-searching young woman with the man who truly "sees" her, especially in a setting where the supernatural collides with the real world. Mara lives in Maryland with her husband, son, and elderly cat. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, sipping hot drinks, and binge-watching shows from the early 2000s.Mara's website https://maraheathauthor.com/Mara's Amazon Page: https://amzn.to/45hvlp4Mara's Substack https://maraheathauthor.substack.com/Mara's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maraheathauthor/Books have always been a passion for Annabella Lowe, who was raised on The Vampire Diaries, Shadowhunters, and Twilight, so it was no surprise that she started writing books that contained vampires—her first love! She published her first book, Find Me in the Shadows, in late 2024. She loves to blend genres to create something unique and add new and sinister twists to the paranormal mythology in her books. She has a talent for writing despicable villains, and she always aims, no matter the genre, to reveal the complexities of being human. Book Two of her series is coming out in 2027. She lives in a small town in the UK with her husband, teenage son, two spaniels, and a devious cat. She also has a photography business, and naturally she spends time writing, reading, and, more recently, learning to draw.Annabella Website https://annabella-lowe.com/Amazon Author Page https://amzn.to/4hoKufpAnnabella on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@annabella.lowe.authorAnnabella on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annabella.lowe.author/MENTIONED ON THE SHOWCaged In Silver by Mara Heath https://amzn.to/3UcE61fHarnessed in Gold by Mara Heath https://amzn.to/3Ubf5U6Find me in the Shadows by Annabella Lowe https://amzn.to/3RKm45TTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we chat with author T.A. Leederman about sci-fi romance, the book drama over whether book influencers are reading the books they recommend, hot takes in the bookish community, and more. Tara is a PhD in English and former writing teacher, one of our editors and all-around press gremlin here at Tender and Tempting Tales, and main fiction writer for Starship Valkyrie. Typically she writes science-fiction romance for our publications, though she’s branched out into urban romantasy for our most recent zine, Fantastical Foes. She’s also the editor of Sapphics of Saturn, which is open to submissions this month and will publish in November, and she’ll appear in our fall anthology, Starlit and Spellbound.T.A. Leederman Website https://taleederman.com/Starship Valkyrie on Substack https://taleederman.substack.com/Vox Protocol on Substack https://taleederman.substack.com/t/vox-protocolInstagram https://www.instagram.com/author_taleederman/Contact Unknown by Tara Leederman https://amzn.to/4wcCS3xMENTIONED ON THE SHOWFantastical Foes by Tender & Tempting Tales https://amzn.to/4z3LJHwSusannah Friesen YouTube: BookTok Biggest Creators AREN'T Reading the Books they Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8FQxlWO1vcPeace Love Books XO https://www.youtube.com/@PeaceLoveBooksxoRead with Cindy https://www.youtube.com/@readwithcindyJust One Damn Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor https://amzn.to/4pYzNCGIce Planet Barbarians https://amzn.to/4xcQg8GTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we chat with author Eva LeClerc, who has a secret. We discuss hot takes around slow-burn romance, use of pen names in romance fiction, and what happened in the finale of Outlander. Eva LeClerc set out to write a dark mafia romance set in New York City. Somehow, that turned into a dark paranormal romance set in New Orleans, serialized to Substack and now published just this last week as Shadow of Betrayal, the first book in the Oathmarked series. Eva loves myths and folklore that involve magic and romance, and she’s also intrigued by the city of New Orleans, a whole world of folklore and magic on its own. Eva LeClerc Website https://www.evaleclerc.com/Eva LeClerc Substack https://evaleclercauthor.substack.com/Eva LeClerc Amazon https://amzn.to/4fKvM01Eva LeClerc TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@evaleclercauthorEva LeClerc Instagram https://www.instagram.com/evaleclercauthor/BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWShadow of Betrayal by Eva LeClerc https://amzn.to/4x5VUcDBlack Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward https://amzn.to/4w5vNSoIn Death series by JD Robb https://amzn.to/44UW1f2Contact Unknown by T.A. Leederman https://amzn.to/4wlSpyKOutlander (books) by Diana Gabaldon https://amzn.to/4fCqTpxOutlander (Starz/Prime TV) https://amzn.to/44UMQLDTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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 Annabella Lowe, and we're talking about bookish overconsumption, paranormal romance, Summerween, and more! About Annabella Lowe: Books have always been a passion for Annabella, who was raised on The Vampire Diaries, Shadowhunters, and Twilight, so it was no surprise that she started writing books that contained vampires—her first love! She published her first book, Find Me in the Shadows, in late 2024. She loves to blend genres to create something unique and add new and sinister twists to the paranormal mythology in her books. She has a talent for writing despicable villains, and she always aims, no matter the genre, to reveal the complexities of being human. Book Two of her series is coming out in 2027. She lives in a small town in the UK with her husband, teenage son, two spaniels, and a devious cat. She also has a photography business, and naturally she spends time writing, reading, and, more recently, learning to draw.Annabella Website https://annabella-lowe.com/Amazon Author Page https://amzn.to/4hoKufpAnnabella on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@annabella.lowe.authorAnnabella on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annabella.lowe.author/CURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSAscendant: Songs of Chaos Book 1 by Michael R. Miller https://amzn.to/4gKA7lSOff Campus (The Deal) by Elle Kennedy https://amzn.to/3RNnDQjOff Campus TV Show on Prime https://amzn.to/4ftFYd9With This Ring, I Thee Kill by Jenna Harte https://amzn.to/4ywZldJStories by Urna Semper on Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/Gate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki https://amzn.to/44pHd87Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon https://amzn.to/4b6b9tAKnight in Shining Armor by Jude Devereaux https://amzn.to/3TgJPCMTENDER & TEMPTING TALESLatest Releases:Fantastical Foes: Enemies to Lovers Romantasy Zine https://amzn.to/3T28SJTFireworks & Flirtation Summer Anthology https://amzn.to/4gKFu4zFollow Us: Tender 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we chat with Laura Solar, a booktuber who covers news and drama from the book community on her channel, Laura Rae Says. We discuss book piracy, bookish drama, and questionable editors.Laura Solar is a book lover and the host of a YouTube channel that focuses on topics related to the book community. Making videos for over three years featuring reviews, interviews, and all things involving books, she's recently started making videos to expose the dark side of the book world. Uncovering scams and badly behaving companies and authors has become a passion project for Laura, as she continues to deliver in-depth and entertaining book world coverage!Laura's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@lauraraesaysLaura's Playlist of multi-video topics (e.g. Christina Kaye) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt0A7GSlDSSWkIHFaoU7QgKkbZuyzqBsEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraraesays/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraraesaysCURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSThe River is Waiting by Wally Lamb https://amzn.to/4w2485nGate to Kagoshima by Poppy Kuroki https://amzn.to/44pHd87Fantastical Foes from Tender & Tempting Tales https://amzn.to/4hhDPU6Shadow of Betrayal by Eva LeClerc https://amzn.to/4vukAKMContact Unknown by T.A. Leederman https://amzn.to/4f1MJUwReel by Kennedy Ryan https://amzn.to/4plW4dkStolen Death by J.D. Robb https://amzn.to/3Ty7WwKOur Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune https://amzn.to/4vsBRUmTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we're celebrating Fantastical Foes, an enemies-to-lovers romantasy zine. We're chatting with the editor, Parrish Baker, and contributing authors Marissa Marinello, Lynne Solisse, and Tara Leederman.Parrish Baker/Urna Semper Urna Semper is a romance author from Argoshaan, known for her books depicting passionate tales of forbidden love between clones and born-humans. Born to a family of scriveners, she learned the art of writing at her mother's side. Her breakthrough came with Olava: Fallen into Bondage, followed by Kyrie: Betrayed into Bondage, and Kingdom of Maids. Her most recent projects, The Pearl Crucible and Where All Past Years Are, are out on Amazon. She can be found at https://urnasemper.substack.com.Marissa Marinello Marissa Marinello is a SoCal native who writes urban, high fantasy, and cozy-romantasy. A TTRPG nerd who grew up on Tolkien, musical theater & comics, she's always been inspired by finding the fantastical in the mundane and building amazing worlds to tell rich stories in. Much of her work is inspired by real life moments that spark something more. Her work can be found in several anthologies, and she is an active participant in fandom and her writing group in Southern California. In Fantastical Foes, she did something new with Tender and Tempting Tales and wrote an epic romantasy story. https://marissamarinello.com/Lynne Solisse Writing found Lynne Solisse later in life, and never let go. She writes romance that doesn’t flinch, centering on women who are fierce, loyal, and unafraid to demand more out of life. Women who want to reclaim passion on their own terms. Whether contemporary, fantasy, or even proving that love can still burn bright in a gritty post-apocalyptic world, her stories are raw but sweet, fun and emotionally charged, threaded with just enough tension to keep your heart racing. She lives in the Southern US with her three boys and two spoiled cats, and she believes it’s never too late for a second chance. Or a plot twist. https://lynnesolisse.com/Tara Leederman Tara Leederman is the Social Media Manager here at Tender and Tempting Tales, and Lore Maven and main fiction writer for Starship Valkyrie, a science-fiction game and story universe. She writes science fiction stories, including romance, and you can often find her in our anthologies, including our upcoming zine, Fantastical Foes!  https://taleederman.com/CURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSFantastical Foes: A Steamy Romance (Print, ebook, KU)  Zine https://amzn.to/3QWEe3SPrincess Bride by William Goldman https://amzn.to/3QWEe3SA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas https://amzn.to/4gneFmRTress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson https://amzn.to/44NG8a7A Heroine of the World by Tanith Lee https://amzn.to/44NG8a7Dresden Files by Jim Butcher https://amzn.to/4h1b0LD(TV Show: https://amzn.to/4aJ6Ynf)October Daye Series by Seanan McQuire https://amzn.to/4psgIZrSookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris https://amzn.to/4eOYZYnIn Death Series by JR Robb https://amzn.to/3RnMhGYThe Book Witch by Meg Shaffer https://amzn.to/4vsyqgMTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we're joined by author Mara Heath to talk about romance books, bookish drama and hot takes, romance categories, and more.Mara fell in love with the romance genre when she first started reading the Sweet Valley High and Sweet Dreams series as a teen. Decades later, after working as an English teacher and taking time to be a mother, she's finally become the romance writer she always wanted to be. She's the author of the New Adult Contemporary Romance series The Secrets of Brownhill, with book one, Caged in Silver, releasing last year, and book two, Harnessed in Gold, coming out in August. In her stories, there's nothing Mara enjoys more than matching a soul-searching young woman with the man who truly "sees" her, especially in a setting where the supernatural collides with the real world. Mara lives in Maryland with her husband, son, and elderly cat. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, sipping hot drinks, and binge-watching shows from the early 2000s.Mara's website https://maraheathauthor.com/ Mara's Substack https://maraheathauthor.substack.com/Mara's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maraheathauthor/CURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSRedeeming 6 by Chloe Walsh https://amzn.to/3QHCxXTFilthy Rich Fae by Genva Lee https://amzn.to/4oVEyMwA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas https://amzn.to/4ecqR6ZValentine Mysteries by Jenna Harte https://amzn.to/4ff6wifLion in the Garden 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we discuss bookish news, hot takes, drama and more. Join us and let us know your hot takes.BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWThe Pearl Crucible by Urna Semper https://amzn.to/4waBkHKSerialized stories by Urna Semper Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/Dead but Not Forgotten by Jenna Harte https://amzn.to/4eEltKhBack to Us by Jenna Harte free at https://jennaharte.com/Shadow 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we're joined by author Allie Lasky to talk about romance books, including what it means to be well-read, sports romance, and more.Allie Lasky is a queer and AuDHD writer with a hyper-fixation on inclusivity and representation. She loves the color purple, Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, and the Boston Bruins. When she’s not absorbed by a book, she likes to watch sports and spend time with her nephews. A San Diego, CA native now residing in South Carolina, she’s allergic to the cold, rain, snow, and mosquitos. When you read Allie, you’re guaranteed a few things: He falls first… but she comes first, as well as found family, mental health and neurodivergent rep, and body positivity in all shapes and sizes.Allie's Website https://www.allielasky.com/Allie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/allielasky/BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWFourth and Falling by Susan Renee https://amzn.to/4gnx8Q2Color His World by Taryn Quinn https://amzn.to/4vXgXxDA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas https://amzn.to/4ecqR6ZThe Book Witch by Meg Shaffer https://amzn.to/4uH83DoTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we're still celebrating the release of Fireworks & Flirtation by chatting with Tara Leederman and Urna Semper, where we discuss:- Anti-intellectualism in reading- Follow-up from Romanstasy-gates- Plus, we learn about Tara and Urna's stories in Fireworks & Flirtation, other books they have coming up, and more! Urna Semper is a romance author from Argoshaan, known for her books depicting passionate tales of forbidden love between clones and born-humans. Born to a family of scriveners, she learned the art of writing at her mother's side. Her breakthrough came with Olava: Fallen into Bondage, followed by Kyrie: Betrayed into Bondage, and Kingdom of Maids. Her most recent projects, The Pearl Crucible and Where All Past Years Are, are out on Amazon. She can be found at https://urnasemper.substack.com.Tara is the Social Media Manager here at Tender and Tempting Tales, and Lore Maven and main fiction writer for Starship Valkyrie, a science-fiction game and story universe. She writes science-fiction stories, including romance, and you can often find her in our anthologies, including in our upcoming new summer anthology, Fireworks and Flirtation! Learn more at Tara's Substack: https://taleederman.substack.com/BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWFireworks & Flirtation https://amzn.to/4uacLtQCURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSA Heroine of the World by Tanith Lee https://amzn.to/4fwLYDuShards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold https://amzn.to/4fACE1xA Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas https://amzn.to/4ecqR6ZIn Death Series by J.D. Robb https://amzn.to/43Zcaj2TENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we're still celebrating the release of Fireworks & Flirtation by chatting with Lynne Solisse and Miranda Tamrakar, where we discuss:- Spice levels in romance and what each chili pepper means- Plus we learn about Lynn and Miranda's stories in Fireworks & Flirtation, other books they have coming up, and more! Lynne Intro: Writing found Lynne Solisse later in life, and never let go. She writes romance that doesn’t flinch, centering on women who are fierce, loyal, and unafraid to demand more out of life. Women who want to reclaim passion on their own terms. Whether contemporary, fantasy, or even proving that love can still burn bright in a gritty post-apocalyptic world, her stories are raw but sweet, fun and emotionally charged, threaded with just enough tension to keep your heart racing. She lives in the Southern US with her three boys and two spoiled cats, and she believes it’s never too late for a second chance. Or a plot twist.Links to LynneLynne's website https://lynnesolisse.com/Lynne's Substack https://lynnesolisse.substack.com/Miranda Intro: Miranda Tamrakar was raised in SoCal on a steady diet of books and musicals. She finds joy in creating worlds that chase the same sense of sweeping romance and wonder, sometimes with dragons and sometimes with spies, but always telling a tale of how the right people can change a life. She is inspired by looking at relationships in real life and asking herself, "what if?" When she's not writing, she is winning at cards, losing at elaborate board games, or finding inspiration out in the wild with her husband and two daughters, all of whom are delightfully weird. Links to Miranda: Miranda Instagram https://www.instagram.com/miranda_writes_author/BOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWFireworks & Flirtation https://amzn.to/4uacLtQCURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSMcRae Bodyguards by Jolie Vines https://amzn.to/4dY9l6CGreen Rider Series by Kristen Britain https://amzn.to/4a8VNUxLane Sanders Mysteries (Art Deco) by L.A. Chandlar https://amzn.to/4aq5ZbkDark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain https://amzn.to/43vxBrLThe Book Witch by Meg Shaffer https://amzn.to/4uH2LsdOur Perfect Storm by Carly Fortune https://amzn.to/4x5wXyPThe Shippers by Katherine Center https://amzn.to/4o6YwDQUrna Semper at Substack https://urnasemper.substack.com/The Book Witch, Our Perfect Storm, and The Shippers, Jenna picked up through Book of the Month (BOM). BOM is a fun way to get great new books at great prices. Don't see a book you like for a month? That's okay, you can skip that month. Get your first book for only $5 here.  https://www.mybotm.com/yoljbhec8pcTENDER & 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/Tender and Tempting Tales ARC Team: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/team/56782/tender-and-tempting-talesCalls 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, we're celebrating the upcoming release of Fireworks & Flirtation by chatting with Aline Francoure and Jenna Harte. We discuss:- The Romancestasy controversy- What inspired Aline's story, Back to Us, a second chance romance with a singing telegram- Factoids about the mafia and New Orleans, and Blackbeard folklore, and a whole lot more!Aline Francoure is a passionate romance writer hailing from the picturesque countryside of Spotsylvania County, Virginia. When she's not crafting tales of love and passion, she enjoys the company of her two loyal dogs and my supportive husband. A lover of all things Scotland, she's enchanted by the rugged beauty of the Highlands and the iconic Highland cows. She also has a passion for crime TV, and you can often find her glued to the screen, unraveling thrilling mysteries.LINKS TO ALINEAline's Website: https://alinefrancoure.com/Aline's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alinefrancoure/Jenna Harte is a die-hard romantic who writes with heat, heart, and always an HEA. She's the author of the Southern Heat contemporary romance series and the sexy Valentine Mysteries. She's also the managing editor of Tender & Tempting Tales, a romance anthology for readers who like romantic quickies. LINKS TO JENNAJenna's Website https://jennaharte.comJenna's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jennaharteauthorJenna's Page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4x9ZweHBOOKS MENTIONED ON THE SHOWFireworks & Flirtation https://amzn.to/4uacLtQIt's About Damn Time (free short story) Subscribe: https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/CURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSPoison Ivy by Misty Simon https://amzn.to/4uBF1ptDark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain https://amzn.to/43vxBrLDisability in Romance (article by Mariah Ankenman) https://tenderandtemptingtales.substack.com/p/disability-in-romanceTENDER & 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, we're celebrating the upcoming release of Fireworks & Flirtation by chatting with Annie R McEwen. We discuss:- Publishers ending their historical romance lines- The future of publishing- Plus, we learn how Guy Fawkes inspired Annie's story in Fireworks & Flirtation, share book recommendations, and more. A career historian, Annie R McEwen has lived in six countries and under every roof from a canvas tent to a Georgian Era manor house. She writes historical romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical fiction. Annie is published by Bloodhound Books (UK), Harbor Lane Books (US), The Wild Rose Press, and Rowan Prose Publishing. She lives in both the UK and US.Winner of the 2022 Page Turners Writing Award (Romance Category), Annie garnered both a First and Second Place 2022 RTTA (Romance Through the Ages Award), the 2023 MAGGIE Award, and Finalist Status in the 2023 Daphne du Maurier Award. She was a Finalist for the 2024 Page Turners Writing Award and Shortlisted for a Writer’s Mentorship Award. Annie’s short fiction appears in numerous anthologies. LINKS TO ANNIEAnnie's Website https://www.anniermcewen.comAnnie's Books https://amzn.to/4dwetyrAnnie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anniermcewen/FIREWORKS & FLIRTATIONFireworks & Flirtation https://amzn.to/4uacLtQAvailable in print, ebook, and in KU.CURRENTLY READING & RECOMMENDATIONSAusten at Sea by Natalie Jenner https://amzn.to/42G2gT1Fantastical Foes...coming in July from Tender & Tempting TalesThe Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow https://amzn.to/4wCQwhFDark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain https://amzn.to/43mDZkUPeculiar Crimes Unit Mystery (Bryant & May) by Christopher Fowler https://amzn.to/4v1ayB1British Library Crime Classics https://amzn.to/4tMd8K3TENDER & 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, 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!