The Quick n Dirty Romance Podcast

This week, we’re diving into romance’s favorite walking red flag: the billionaire hero. In Romancelandia, billionaires are everywhere, always emotionally available, and ready to whisk a heroine away at a moment’s notice. In real life, it's way more complicated. (And rare!) Is the billionaire a modern Prince Charming? Have hockey heroes become the new fantasy royalty? And what are these tropes are really selling readers? Spoiler alert: the fantasy isn’t just money. Expect sharp opinions, trope talk, and a deep dive into why romance readers keep coming back for the billionaires. Find Sarah's books here. Find Skye's books here.

You know that moment when you’re fully in a book and then suddenly… you’re not? In this episode, we share their romance icks. The lines, character choices, and plot moments that instantly pull us out of the story and make us question everything. We get into awkward language, forced chemistry, unbelievable character behavior, and the little details that can completely kill the vibe. Some of these are universal. Some are deeply personal. All of them will make you rethink what actually works on the page. If you’ve ever had to stop reading and stare at the ceiling for a minute, this one’s for you. Find Sarah's books here. Find Skye's books here.

There’s the romantic idea of writing a book. And then there’s what actually happens. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on our real writing process from first spark of an idea to finished novel. We’re talking plotting versus pantsing, messy first drafts, mid-book meltdowns, and how we build emotional arcs that actually hit. We also get into what it looks like to write solo versus as a duo, how we handle revisions, and the things people get completely wrong about writing romance. If you’ve ever wondered how books really get written or you’re trying to figure out your own process, this is the episode that starts it all. Find Sarah's books here. Find Skye's books here.

Some scenes just stick with you. The kind you reread. The kind you think about at completely inappropriate times. The kind that quietly raise the bar for every moment that comes after. In this episode, Skye and Sarah are talking about the steamy scenes that live rent-free in their heads. The ones they’ve loved as readers, the ones they’ve written as authors, and what actually makes a scene unforgettable instead of just fun. Because a great intimate moment isn’t just about what happens on the page. It’s about tension, emotion, character, and perfect timing. Let’s get into it. [Headphones in!] *Titles Mentioned in the Pod: In The Dark by Chelsea Curto Odd Man Rush by Kristen Granata Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren Dream Weaver by GG Gleason So Pucking Good and Desperate Pucker by Sarah Smith Deked and In the Crease by Skye McDonald  

People love to call romance “fluff.” Easy. Predictable. Not real literature. In this episode, Skye and Sarah challenge that assumption head-on. They break down why romance is so often dismissed, what “substance” actually means, and why stories centered on love and emotional growth are taken less seriously in the first place. Spoiler: it has nothing to do with the quality of the genre, and everything to do with what truly scares us. Read Skye's books here. Read Sarah's books here.

Pop culture taught us that love is proven with spectacle. Flash mobs. Public proposals. Last minute airport chases. But are grand romantic gestures actually romantic? In this episode, Skye & Sarah break down why some big moments make us swoon while others feel manipulative, uncomfortable, or hollow. For once, size isn't the issue. ;)  Romance readers know the real secret. A grand gesture only works when it amplifies trust, accountability, and consistency. Let’s talk about why the best love stories are built long before the big moment. **Both Authors Have New Releases!** Skye McDonald's Amazon Page Sarah Smith's Amazon Page

Valentine’s Day sells grand gestures, expensive dinners, and picture perfect love. So why does it leave so many women feeling unseen? In this episode, we break down the biggest love myth behind the holiday and why romance novels deliver something far more satisfying. Real intimacy. Emotional accountability. Being chosen consistently, not just publicly. If you have ever rolled your eyes at roses but swooned over a fictional man who listens, grows, and shows up, this conversation will hit home. Let’s talk about why romance readers expect more and why we should. **Both Authors Have New Releases!** Sarah Smith's Amazon Page Skye McDonald's Amazon Page

If you know exactly how it ends and still reread it anyway, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Quick and Dirty Romance Podcast, Sarah & Skye talk about comfort stories and why readers crawl back to the same stories again and again. From emotional safety and guaranteed happily ever afters to intentional rereads of favorite scenes, we explore how romance becomes a form of self-soothing, trust, and pleasure that never gets old. Sarah's new release is out now! CLICK HERE Skye has two books on preorder! CLICK HERE

Romance loves a fresh start. Real life loves a mess. In this episode of The Quick and Dirty Romance Podcast, we unpack why romance loves reinvention and why the fantasy hits hardest in January. From fresh starts and glow-ups to the reality of change that is anything but tidy, we explore how romance stories let characters grow without erasing who they already are. Sarah's new release is out now! CLICK HERE Skye has two books on preorder! CLICK HERE

Is his size really the point… or is it just shorthand for fantasy? In this episode, we start with a cheeky romance-reader favorite and dig into the deeper conversation underneath: why romance novels so often depict “ideal” men, how those ideals intersect with body image, and where readers (and writers) draw the line between realism and fantasy. We talk about: Why romance heroes are idealized on purpose What fantasy bodies do (and don’t) mean about real people Whether idealized men create unrealistic expectations or safe emotional escape And why romance doesn’t have to apologize for being fantasy It’s funny, honest, a little spicy, and ultimately about what romance is really offering us when we open the book. Check out Skye's books here. Check out Sarah's books here.

When a meet-cute becomes a meet-hate. Want to talk conflict, sparks, and all the delicious tension that comes when two people shouldn’t be meeting, yet absolutely do? In this episode, hosts Sarah Smith & Skye McDonald dive into the trope of the “meet-hate,” that moment when attraction isn’t instant, misunderstandings fly, and rivalry becomes the unlikely prelude to romance. We’ll unpack: Why authors love pitting characters against each other at first sight How a strong “hate” stake raises the emotional and romantic tension Examples of meet-hates in our books romance Reader reactions: what works, what flops, and when the hate flips to love Whether you’re a writer building your next meet-hate scene, or a reader who thrills at enemies-to-lovers in fast-forward, you’re going to want your headphones for this one. It’s quick, it’s dirty (romance-style), and we promise to leave you satisfied. Tune in and let’s stir up some tension. 🔥

Join Sarah & Skye for the Quick & Dirty ins and outs of Romance Book Conventions. In this episode, we dive deep into: 💖 What makes cons an amazing place for readers & authors to connect 🙅‍♀️The pitfalls, disasters, and behind-the-scenes drama of book conventions gone wrong ⁉️ A sneak peek at a possible bookish retreat with us (yes, it could really happen!) If you’ve ever wondered what really happens at a romance book convention—or you’re planning to attend your first—this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and insider secrets.

Put the headphones in for this one! Sarah and Skye are talking about the steamy bits in books, and we are explicit!  Skye recently polled her newsletter and Facebook group to learn what readers want in their steamy romances. Do you agree? We break down the "dirty" data and discuss how it informs our writing.  Join Skye's the Limit by clicking here. Read Sarah's Books Here.    

New Year, New Topic, Same Fascinating Conversations!  Sarah and Skye kick off 2025 by diving deep on how fast romance authors should publish books. In the Bookstagram/Booktok era of rabid fandoms, authors are working hard to make sure they give their readers more, more, more.  Is this a smart approach? Must you crank out a book a month to keep a fanbase? Should you push the speed of your publishing as an indie author? We tackle all these questions and more! Have an idea for an episode? Reach out! Thank you for leaving a review. Read Sarah's books here. Read Skye's books here.

What A Year! Skye & Sarah look back on 2024's highs and lows of author life.  We Each Published a Hockey Series! Growth, Learning, & Disappointments. All Part of Our Journey!  Join us as we celebrate another year of friendship and romance. AND we're celebrating 5 years of Quick & Dirty Romance Podcast!  Thank you listeners, we love you!  Read Skye's New Holiday Novella Free on KU. CLICK HERE Read Sarah's Books! CLICK HERE

Sarah & Skye, both professional romance authors, dive deep on what it's like to write for a living. Join us as we discuss our daily schedule for cranking out word counts, how we juggle marketing and writing books, plus what we REALLY think about social media! Read Sarah's DIRTY PUCKER now. Read Skye's IN THE CREASE now. Enter to win our hockey book box! 

Should authors vent about their jobs on social media?? Skye & Sarah are ruffling feathers!  Hot takes on whether authors are doing themselves favors by bemoaning the publishing industry on social media. Warning-we don't hold back here!  **We both have new releases right now! And we're giving away a hockey themed book box!** Hockey Book Box Rules & Submission: CLICK HERE Read Skye's books! Click here. Read Sarah's books! Click here.

Join Skye & Sarah for a discussion of why choose romance. From rebranding (reverse harem) to polyamory, from Adirondack chairs to upside down pineapples, we get quick and dirty on this trope and its rise in popularity! Read Skye's books! Click here. Read Sarah's books! Click here.

Skye and Sarah discuss the delicate dynamic between authors and ARC readers. -Do authors have a right to request positive reviews only? -Do readers have an obligation to communicate with an author if they're unable to meet expected deadlines? Listen and learn! And the leave a review!  

Romantic Suspense author Lori Matthews joins Sarah & Skye. Today, we discuss how we give our audience what they're thirsty for--while staying true to our own ethical boundaries. This convo goes deep, so get ready! Learn more about Lori on her website http://www.lorimatthewsbooks.com Sarah's new hockey romance: https://shorturl.at/R1nEB Skye's new hockey romance is out this week! https://amzn.to/4bkQboi  

Queer and AuDHD author Allie Lasky joins Sarah & Skye to talk about expectations and ideals on relationships, in fiction and real life. Does romance set too high a bar for real life dynamics? How do we know when we're in our happy-ever-after phase? Let's dive into this fascinating topic! Learn more about Allie on her website and check out her new release on Amazon, coming June 30! Preorder Skye's new hockey romance, Scored On HERE Sarah's new hockey romance is out now! Click HERE

Sarah & Skye welcome R.L. Merrill to the show to talk about music. R.L. ("Ro") writes contemporary, paranormal, and horror romance. Her newest book, UNDER HIS SHEETS, is a M/M light Romantic Suspense and part of the Accidentally Undercover series. In this episode, we dive deep into the impact music has on our writing. From soundtracks to inspo, all of us use music in some way or another. Ro especially hears her works set to songs. Join us and laugh as we discuss first concerts and more! Click here for Ro's new release  Click here for Sarah's new release  Click here for Skye's new release 

Sarah & Skye welcome special guests to the pod! Tonya Clark & Naomi Springthorp are contemporary romance authors. They team up to photograph romance covers and host the LOVE & DEVOTION reader con. Partnerships. How do we collaborate for success in this industry? What are best practices for working with your bestie? AND what are some of the wild and wackier moments these ladies have had when working with hot cover models?? Listen & find out! Then follow these ladies for more. Click here to follow Tonya on Facebook Click here to follow Naomi on Facebook   Click here to follow Love & Devotion on Facebook   Click for Skye's book Click for Sarah's new book 

(New logo!) Sarah & Skye discuss the SLOW BURN in romance. What even defines the slow burn? How slow is too slow? The Quick & Dirty ladies then go deeper on steamy scenes in their novels. (This episode isn't for kids!) *Special Announcement!!* Get ready for new episodes featuring guest romance authors! We're very excited about these new special shows! Preorder Skye's new book: https://amzn.to/3U1R3HJ Get Sarah's new book: CLICK HERE 

Skye & Sarah chat about choosing names for characters in our romance books. Why does Skye swoon for Quentin & Luke Paris? What name will Sarah never, ever name her hero? Listen now and find out! THANK YOU FOR LEAVING US A REVIEW, DEAR LISTENER!  

Sarah & Skye have a lot to say about the pros and cons of romance's 3rd act breakup. Readers have been trending away from this trope, but if done right, it's still a great climax for the story. But does it hold up IRL? The ladies discuss this and more. *Thank you for 10K downloads! We're giving away a prize as a thank you. Enter here to win, loyal listener! Preorder Sarah's new fake dating release here Preorder Skye's new hockey romance here  

Sarah & Skye drop in for a quick holiday message! We'll be back in 2024 with lots of new content. For now, relax, enjoy, and know we appreciate you! *Don't miss the title reveals of both Skye and Sarah's upcoming releases!* PREORDER BOTH: Click now and get SCORELESS at a 30% discount when you preorder! Don't miss the 3rd book in the Grant Siblings Series! Click here and preorder now!

Sarah and Skye are in their hockey eras! Find out why ice is so damn hot! In this episode, the Quick & Dirty Romance ladies discuss why hockey romance is so popular. They share their fandoms--or not--in real life, too, and what inspired them to write their respective hockey love stories.   Buy Snow, Ice, & Spice Preorder SCORELESS  

We're not here to yuck your yum! But today Sarah & Skye discuss their hard limits on tropes they'll write. With a lot of love to all the niches of romance, there are some out there that just aren't for us. So listen, laugh, and let us know where you high five-and where you hard disagree!  Check out Skye's new release, JUST YOUR TYPE. Preorder Sarah's hockey romance, SNOW, ICE & SPICE.  

Sarah and Skye discuss advance review readers and their importance to a book's release. Authors and their readers have a strong relationship. Each party has an important role. Listen now and discover more about how to become an ARC reader, plus what is involved! Want to know more about reading for us? Leave a comment! DM us on Instagram! Learn more about: Sarah  Skye

Sarah and Skye talk about a VERY controversial topic that will have the book community–both readers and authors–a little hot: 3-star reviews! Are they good or bad? How should authors feel about receiving 3-star reviews? Should readers tag authors in 3-star reviews? 

Sarah and Skye each have new releases for you! Skye's THE NOT SO NICE GIRL is out May 30. Sarah is teasing newsletter subscribers with the first 10 chapters of DESSERT, FLIRT, REPEAT every Monday leading up to her July release. Get Skye's book! CLICK HERE   Get on Sarah's newsletter now! CLICK HERE

Sarah Skye has a new release! The ladies of Quick & Dirty Romance chat about their co-writing process, the unlikely themes of the Unlikely Pairings Series, and dogs, of course!  Romance books always have the HEA. But they also tackle deep themes, such as alternative family systems, mental health, and more. Sarah and Skye get real about how they turned Princess Harmony into a deep character and confident woman.  Whiskers & Sunshine is available now wherever you shop for books. Grab it here in paperback or ebook: https://amzn.to/3kLKiMB  

What exactly goes into the romance book cover design process? Sarah & Skye discuss everything--how long it takes, trad pub vs. indie, minority representation, and some recent social media drama.  

Sarah & Skye dive deep into their thoughts on Bridgerton Seasons 1&2. Which was your favorite season? Listen now to find out what the ladies of Quick & Dirty Romance have to say about it!

How do you like your epilogues? Sarah and Skye discuss preferences, what falls flat for them, and some hot takes they heard on social media lately! Check out the epilogues in Sarah Skye's Unlikely Pairings Series here, and follow on Instagram to vote in the epilogue poll.

There is no success without failure. Sarah & Skye discuss the fails that brought them to where they are now. From redefining success to rolling with a "long spreadsheet of no", the Quick & Dirty Romance ladies have learned a lot from the times their dreams fell flat. Advice to all listeners: customize your goals and embrace the setbacks!

Sarah & Skye moonlight as movie critics in the latest episode of the Quick & Dirty Romance Podcast.  Join the ladies as they dissect the long-anticipated film version of Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game. Highlights, lowlights, and why “the movie was nothing like the book” isn’t a valid criticism.  Warning! Spoilers galore, sweeties. Watch and read before you listen! 

Sarah & Skye are back and ready to give you the inside scoop on their second co-authored novel! SIPS & STROKES was such a hit that the ladies have written a sequel, and you'll never guess who it's about. Get ready for your jaw to drop and your intuition to tingle as Sarah & Skye discuss who the main characters are, why they went out on this salacious limb, and how this bold project came about.  Spoiler alert! If you haven't already read book 1, check out SIPS & STROKES by Sarah Skye right here! Sips & Strokes on Amazon.

Sarah & Skye chat about what makes a match, in fiction and also IRL. Why do 2 people or characters fall for each other? What is needed in a romance novel to make the chemistry realistic?    Their conclusion? This topic has obvious answers, but the biggest part of chemistry is undefinable!  Check out SIPS & STROKES by this duo, writing as Sarah Skye, right here! Sips & Strokes on Amazon.

Rom-com: Romantic Comedy. A term that used to apply exclusively to movies, "rom-com" is now the go-to catch phrase for most contemporary romance.  But what level of laugh out loud is really needed to class a book as a comedy? Or are we shielding our love of romance with a safer term?  Special thanks to Lauren H Mae for bringing this topic to our attention! Check out her books by clicking here.  Also, we can't share this episode without mentioning that today is SIPS & STROKES' cover reveal day! Pre-Order this steamy rom-com here! Check out the Molly Ringwald op-ed Skye mentioned here.

Happy V-Day! Join Sarah & Skye as they chat about some of their favorite prompts from the Instagram Candy Hearts Challenge they've hosted all month.  Sarah & Skye give their hot takes on: Memorable Kisses, Dating Adventures, Swoony Messages and "I Love You", but it's the last 5 minutes you don't want to miss! Huge announcement at the end of the show!  Thanks for your support, your reviews, and your follows! More coming soon! 

Skye is hosting #antibellethanksgiving on Instagram all week (Nov 16-20, 2020)! Join the ladies of Quick & Dirty Romance as they discuss all the prompts for the hashtag game. They go deep on what makes their hearts happy, friendship, and food!  Check out Skye's book, Not Suitable for Work, to accompany the week's themes. Play along daily to win fun prizes!  Name Drops: Simmer Down, Dawes, Tyler Brown Williams, This Previous Episode, and The Beatles!

"Yes?" "YES YES YES!" Sarah & Skye share excerpts from their books and thoughts on how hot it is when characters consent. In real life and in romance, hearing your partner say yes is far from an awkward moment! The ladies of Quick & Dirty Romance want to see a world where consent is normalized, and empowerment to voice your desires is a turn-on.  This episode is a continuation of the article they wrote for Frolic Network. Read more here: http://bit.ly/frolictips  

There is no stopping these ladies! It's our THIRD book release party of 2020 as we celebrate Sarah Smith's impending release, SIMMER DOWN. This rivals-to-lovers food truck rom-com is the Maui vacation you need right now. Join Skye & Sarah as they talk about book boyfriends, food, grief and healing, and of course the happily ever after.  Key Links from this episode: Buy SIMMER DOWN here Support Girls on the Run International in empowering young women's self-esteem via Skye's fundraiser here  (No minimum! Any amount helps!)  

Happy 1st birthday to NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK and FAKER! One year ago, Skye & Sarah met up in Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate both of their book releases and have a blast.  Listen to the ladies discuss the past, present, and future of their romance novelist journeys.  Thank you for your subscribes, your listens, and of course for reading! We couldn't do any of it without you all! Check us on Instagram for photos of our epic weekend & DM us with suggestions for new shows you'd like to hear.

Under smoky skies on the West Coast and personal heartache on the East Coast, Sarah & Skye take a moment to chat about their favorite things. From romance to Dolly Parton to flame emoji horror stories, the ladies go deep on what bring them comfort, joy, and inspiration during these trying times.  *Notable Mentions in this Episode* (Books) It Starts With a Kiss; A Good Night's Sleep; Faker; Not Suitable for Work; Beautiful Player; The Hating Game (Movies) Leap Year; Pride & Prejudice (Podcasts, profiles, etc) Dr. Kirk Honda; Quinton James; Dolly Parton's America; Gareth Massey; Sam Heughan (Food!) Sparrow Bakery; Orwashers; The French Dad Boulangerie; Southern Grist Brewing  

Sarah & Skye are back and talking about social distancing and new romances. Do we want to read Zoom love stories? Are romance writers using the pandemic in their new books? What does the state of New York have to say about COVID & safe sex?  Thanks for leaving a review! Be sure to check us out on Twitter & Instagram. Buy our books here & here! Thanks to all our listeners who shared insights for today's episode. We love you guys!

Skye and Sarah chat all about Sarah's new novella, If You Never Come Back. It's available now! Buy it here: amzn.to/3cFSNz2

Earbuds in, you guys! Skye and Sarah chat about how they write orgasms in romance, how they make it seem real, female vs. male orgasms, and more.