Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

It’s RT Rewind time again! This month, we’re going back to July 1992 to check out the new releases reviewed in…the 100th issue of Romantic Times magazine! Yup, the cover is memorable, and so are the book covers.We discuss:Cover models! Who would be the cover model for subgenre specific magazine issues?Nostalgia! Are the tag lines on the cover both references to cigarette ads?Reviews! There are some absolute classics in this issue, including Outlander.Reading slumps! There are so many people in one, including me.Do you like to listen to your favorite podcasts on YouTube? Come hang out with us there, and you’ll see the book covers, images, and faces we make at each other.We also mentioned:Hollywood Demons: “Stephen Collins, America’s Dad” (HBO) (TW/CW Discussion of CSA, CSAM)A clip of Scaachi Koul and Rob Anderson discussing Stephen Collins from the documentary (Facebook Reel)“Are You Afraid of the 90s?” Rob Anderson’s comedy special (YouTube – free)Rob Anderson’s website, Heartthrob-Anderson.comWhatcha Reading? July 2026 Part IMusic: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The re-release of The Luckiest Lady in London has arrived, and Sherry Thomas joins me to talk about the writing of that book more than 13 years ago, how romance and historicals have changed, and how this book is a reflection and subversion of another very, very famous historical romance.Plus, she gives us recommendations of her favorite historical romance authors and some of their books.Note: we had some connectivity issues, so sometimes the edit sounds a little abrupt. If you’re watching the video, the video does freeze while the audio continues. My apologies.You can find Sherry Thomas at her website, SherryThomas.com. She’s on Bluesky, on Instagram @writersherrythomas, and on Facebook as AuthorSherryThomas.Music: purple-planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, where are you going? Get in the time machine – we want to bring you back to March 2009 to check out the ads & features from Romantic Times Magazine.We’ve got:Snippy letters to the editor!Covers that look like shaving cream ads for womenReading in a recessionFolks explaining steampunk!Pop vs. SodaAnd you’ll find out what words are used in an acrostic of “pandemic.”TW: In the middle you’ll hear from Editing Sarah – which is when I interject additional info into the episode while I’m editing it – for about a minute and a half. There is some gross fatphobia and mean terminology in that section. Skip ahead when I start reading the paragraph about 30 seconds.And you can watch this episode on YouTube to see all the images as we discuss them.  You are most welcome to subscribe to our YouTube channel if you would like!We also mentioned:“When Your Friend Goes Steampunk” by Key & Peele (YouTube)Booklender.comBookMooch.comPaperbackswap.com“‘Girls’ EP Inks Deal With HBO, Developing Comedy With Mike White” by Lesley Goldberg, December 2, 2013, Hollywood Reporter“‘Mr. Romance’ woos New Regency” by Michael Fleming, December 16, 2008, Variety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The time machine is all charged up, and we’re headed back to May 1996 to take a look at the ads & features from Romantic Times magazine. It’s the late 90s, so you know that means Incredible Cover Art.We also discover just how much creepy stuff Amanda owns currently, debates about babies in romance, cheap conference hotel rooms, woman flamingos, and incredible women heroines.I don’t know if you’re a video watcher, but the video for this episode has ALL the visuals on screen. But if you’re NOT a video watcher, the visual aids were so bountiful I needed to give them their own post.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nalini Singh is back to talk about Archangel’s Eternity, which I have been calling “Archangel’s Finale.”We’ve got questions from readers and listeners, and some behind the scenes details about how Nalini organizes the massive worlds she’s built in her series.Plus she teases some major surprises for the next Psy-Changeling book, and what she’s working on right now.You can find the video of this episode on our YouTube channel if you’d like to watch us!You can find Nalini Singh at her website, NaliniSingh.com, and on Instagram and Facebook as AuthorNaliniSingh.Do not miss the chance to sign up for her newsletter!We also mentioned:Nalini’s virtual event with the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday, June 10!The next Psy-Changeling book is Cold Redemption, coming out in December 1, 2026.Nalini’s prior episodes:676. Exploring Atonement Sky with Nalini Singh489. Archangel’s Light with Nalini Singh409. Alpha Night and Alpha Women With Nalini Singh361. Playing Verbal Poker with Nalini Singh356. Our Book Club Discussion of Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh24. An Interview with Nalini Singh...Support for this episode comes from The Undergrads: Student Union by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Julie Murphy–a sexy new rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101. Ali Hazelwood calls The Undergrads: Student Union “one addictively swoony book.” Available now wherever books are sold!...This episode is brought to you by Hatch, producers of Ophelia, an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Book one of the three part series is now available for free wherever you stream, with new chapters dropping every Tuesday. For books 2 and 3, check out hatch.co/Ophelia.Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a sample of Ophelia, brought to you by Hatch.co!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.