Ever wonder what happens after happily ever after? Well, Julia Quinn decided to give us a quick peek into the continuing lives of the Bridgerton Family. Today we're looking at Simon and Daphne, who are about to have a few unexpected changes in their otherwise blissful life. **It's a second epilogue, so real SPOILERS ahead!** Pick up a copy of this week's book, The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn, here . Subscribe to our email list to learn what we're reading next month, for fun ex...
Oct 01, 2020•22 min
In our second chat in conjunction with the Escondido Library, Zoe & Jessica sit down with Historical Romance authors Eva Leigh and Erica Ridley to talk about what makes historical romance so appealing to the modern reader, and what the modern reader wants to see in their stories. How do you blend the past with the present? Listen in to find out!
Sep 24, 2020•1 hr 10 min
We interrupt our scheduled program to bring you a fabulous interview! We sat down with co-owner of The Ripped Bodice Bea Koch to talk all about her new book Mad & Bad: Real Heroines of the Regency. Her book looks at the badass women living through the regency who have been overlooked by history in favor of their male counterparts but played an important role during the time period. Even more, a lot of these women knew each other, showing once more that when women support women, we can do som...
Sep 17, 2020•1 hr 12 min
A prank gone horribly wrong leads to a marriage to save a reputation. Lady Jane Huxley may be a reluctant duchess but she soon finds that her new husband is hewn from more than icy marble - there’s actually a heart underneath that shell when he starts to thaw. But will this mismatched pair realize that opposites attract? Or will the Duke of Blackmore keep them from finding their happily ever after trying to fight his inevitable feelings? You'll find out as we read The Truth About Cads and Dukes ...
Sep 10, 2020•55 min
Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. How could he not after watching all his siblings, including Hyacinth, enjoying life in HEA? He finally find the girl of his dreams when he sets eyes on Hermione Watson. Hermione, while lovely, has one flaw - she is in love with another! Her best friend Lucy Abernathy, though, is happy to help Gregory win her affection but it turns out Lucy and Gregory get on better than Gregory and Hermione. Yet fate has another twist as Lucy is soon betrothed to another...
Sep 03, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Thorn Daughtry, the bastard son of a duke, is looking to get married and he has the perfect candidate. She is nothing like the woman who is helping him renovate his new estate. India for her part wants no part in a marriage to a man she cannot manage and Thorn is anything but manageable. That being said, sparks fly within their first meeting and the two cannot seem to stay away from the other. Three Weeks with Lady X is our first read by author Eloisa James and it does not disappoint! Her whit a...
Aug 27, 2020•57 min
Back in May, cohost Zoë had the fabulous opportunity to partner with her local library to moderate a series of chats with Romance Authors! In this series, you'll get to hear from a variety of authors spanning many romance subgenres and topics! Our first chat was with Contemporary romance authors Lyssa Kay Adams (The Bromance Book Club) and Kristin Rockaway (She's Faking It) where we discussed how these two weave amazing tales that today's reader can relate to.
Aug 20, 2020•52 min
Thanks to a listener recommendation we have one of our steamiest reviews to date. Oliver is a Marquess looking for the perfect wife; a friend who can not only entertain him during the day, but also an adventuress wanton who will allow him to explore all his sexual fantasies at night. He believes he's found his perfect match in the mysterious diary he found on his property. Lily, the authoress of this diary, did not hold back in any of her entries. That being said, she's not looking for a husband...
Aug 13, 2020•1 hr 13 min
Hattie Sedley is taking life by the horns. It is the Year of Hattie and she is going to finish the year as a woman in charge. However, her plans are briefly derailed when she meets Beast, one of the three Bareknuckle Bastards that run Covent Garden. As their lives and limbs intertwine, Beast does his best to keep his distance to protect his lady love. Hattie calls bull on his antics and tells him that while no man has ever been able to stand their ground against him, this woman fights to win. **...
Aug 06, 2020•54 min
In the penultimate Bridgerton book, we return to the clan to watch our youngest Bridgerton find her HEA! Will Hyacinth allow herself to be a bit uncomfortable so that she can actually find love? Will Gareth allow his family secrets to derail their budding romance? Listen in as a fascinating family diary reveals its' secrets and sends our lovebirds on the trail of some hidden jewels in Julia Quinn's It's In His Kiss! **To the victor go the Spoiler Alerts!**
Jul 23, 2020•45 min
In our eighth installment of Julie Anne Long’s Pennyroyal Green series, we finally get to dig a little deeper into the life of the youngest Redmond sibling. Jonathan may act like the devil-may-care younger son, but this dude has plans. Tommy also has plans and while they did not initially include a Redmond, she’ll take him anyway. She’s spent her life doing things out of necessity, so she’s not about to stare a gift horse in the mouth. Together these two just ooze chemistry and as their goals al...
Jul 16, 2020•1 hr 14 min
A Duke: Has been named the guardian of his cousin’s son. To get to him he needs to chase down his cousin’s uncle and figure out what happened to the boy’s mother. The Lady: Was locked in Bedlam by her husband’s uncle to keep her from her child. Now she’s a desperate mother with trust issues trying to find a way to leave England behind. A Baby: Lionel Jordan is the catalyst that brings together his mother Patience Jordan and Busick Strathmore, Duke of Reppington. In sharing their love of Lionel t...
Jul 09, 2020•1 hr 11 min
In this book our hero meets our heroine, fights a duel, has a stroke, loses his speech, re-meets our heroine, and escapes from a Sanitarium. AND WE’RE NOT EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH!! Laura Kinsale with her fantastic command of the English language really shows us a different side of love. Christian Langland, Duke of Jervaulx, has to deal with relearning his words and Archimedea Timms, has to figure out how to love someone outside Quaker Society. Flowers from the Storm took us on a wild adventure and ...
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr 48 min
Olivia Waite is a delight! She is funny, outgoing, and man does she like romance! She tells us about her journey to discovering her own sexuality and how she's used that discovery to fuel her own books. She is the author of Avon's first F/F historical romance and honestly we had so much fun we lost track of time. We laughed, we got serious, and we are so excited for you to listen to our interview with Olivia Waite!
Jun 25, 2020•1 hr 37 min
Violetta Beauchamps may enter Bertrice Martin's life under false pretenses but quickly something more develops. Nothing brings people closer than a common goal. That goal being to oust Mrs. Martin's terrible nephew from his lodgings. And man, is this dude terrible! Just when you think he cannot get worse, he does. However his existence helps these ladies get to know each other. In today's read we're finding love in their twilight years in Mrs. Martin's Incomparable Adventure by Courtney Milan! *...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 5 min
To continue our Pride month episodes, we were lucky enough to get to sit down with Cat Sebastian, author of many LQBTQ novels, including Avon's first published MM historical romance. We spoke about her journey to being an author, what drew her to the genre and time period, and how she discovered queer romance as a reader and as an author. We also talked about how she gives voice to her very diverse cast of characters who challenge the status quo. We hope you enjoy this fabulous conversation with...
Jun 11, 2020•1 hr 44 min
Lucy Mulcheney just watched her lover marry a man. And she didn’t even spare her a glance during the entire ceremony. Now her brother is threatening to sell their father’s telescope because it’s not like people hire female astronomers. Just when she’s not sure what to do with her life, she notices a letter from the Countess of Moth who needs assistance. Lucy takes her chances in London, finding Catherine St. Day is not only an attractive woman but also a staunch supporter of Lucy and her work. W...
Jun 04, 2020•1 hr 7 min
This week we're replaying one of our favorite episodes as we prepare for a jam-packed June where we'll be celebrating Pride Month on Tea & Strumpets! But for today, we do hope you'll enjoy this second chance at loving our first-ever novella on the show, The Governess Affair! Now, on to the synopsis! This episode we have a couple of firsts! Our first novella! Our first hotel room recording! Join us as we chat about The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan, a novella that, let’s be honest, sets ...
May 28, 2020•1 hr 16 min
A torrid affair with an abrupt ending is what divided Diane Benchley, Countess of Cameron, and Oliver Warren, Marquis of Haybury. Now Diane is back in London and needs a favor from the man she loathes most. Oliver is happy to help Diane, since she does have some blackmail handy, but he’s going to name a price of his own. With his help, Diane sets the ton on its ear by starting a club for men staffed entirely by women. However, Diane’s success is immediately threatened by her greedy former brothe...
May 21, 2020•1 hr 27 min
Michael Stirling was living his own personal hell since he friend-zoned himself by falling in love with his cousin's wife. Francesca Bridgerton Stirling was living her best life until the untimely death of her husband, John. She tried to lean on Michael for support in her grief but Michael, who is to become the Earl in John's stead, just cannot handle being her rock. He's loved her too long and now he has to replace John in so many ways, the idea of taking his place at Francesca's side is just t...
May 14, 2020•1 hr 19 min
We all know the reformed Rake trope. He’s out doing his thing with the ladies but suddenly he meets THE ONE and he opens his heart to love and marriage. It’s a classic and a favorite of many a romance reader. The Rakess is not that book. Our rake is our Heroine and while she meets a man who makes her rethink her party-hardy lifestyle, she is not about to turn away from her core values. Also, our hero is not a virgin and he likes it spicy in the bedroom. For your hosts, this book was akin to a re...
May 07, 2020•1 hr 16 min
In the small town of Yarlcote, the bad blood between the Rookwoods and the Frisbys is everyone's favorite kind of gossip. And that says nothing of Sir Phillip Rookwood's black reputation itself - with such rumors about what he gets up to, the Frisby siblings must stay clear. So what happens when fate intervenes forcing Guy and Amanda to reside at Rookwood Hall with not only Sir Phillip but also his friends who are in a club called The Murder!? Well, it turns out Phillip is actually a thoughtful ...
Apr 30, 2020•1 hr 20 min
Lady Calpurnia Hartwell may be named for an Empress but she certainly doesn’t feel the part. She’s not exactly sure when she became a plain, boring spinster of the ton, but somewhere along the way she lost herself. After Callie overhears a conversation where she is described as “passive” it lights a fire in her to become just the opposite. Armed with a list of things she would do if she were truly wild, she heads out into the night to complete item one: kiss someone - passionately!That someone i...
Apr 23, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Evie is looking to start a new life away from London and its nasty nicknames. She has been left a house in Pennyroyal Green by her late husband and this is just the place to start fresh. News travels fast though, and the town quickly learns of her infamous past but not before she meets the local Vicar. Adam Sylvaine may be a man of God but he's single, handsome, and seems to actually empathize with Evie's situation. While there is an instant attraction, they both need to be on their best behavio...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 24 min
This week we got together with some of the fabulous Frolic Network podcasts for an hour of mayhem and merriment! Kelsey and Zoë hung out with Sarah Wendell from Smart Podcast, Trashy Books, Laura Von Holt from The Mermaid Podcast, and Kelly Reynolds from boobies & noobies and talked about life in quarantine and what makes us smile right now. It's a mash-up extraordinaire and an hour of feel-good fun! We'll be back next week with our regularly scheduled episode on A Notorious Countess Confess...
Apr 09, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Beth Ackerley is a widow who has recently inherited a fortune. Ian Mackenzie is the “Mad Mackenzie” of the infamous Mackenzie family. However, Beth cannot fight her instant attraction to this intriguing man. Ian has never really been able to read people’s emotions, cannot help but feel drawn to this woman. She grounds him in a way nothing else can. However there are secret’s to Ian’s past and loved ones to protect, will this budding romance make it through such adversary? We loved this book from...
Apr 02, 2020•1 hr 57 min
Eloise has a secret and she's on her way to meet him for the very first time. However, our quiet country gentleman is not prepared for the hurricane that is coming his way. Despite him neglecting to tell her of his "rambunctious" twins, the two begin to see that there may be something more between them. Can a relationship that started via correspondence between two strangers blossom into a love that neither expected? Well, with time, understanding, and a push from our favorite brothers, To Sir P...
Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 25 min
This week we've remastered one of our less-listened-to, but no less fabulous episodes! With some better editing know-how, we do hope you'll enjoy this second chance at loving our second-ever episode! Now, on to the synopsis! This week, we continue our journey into Pennyroyal Green with Like No Other Lover by Julie Ann Long! While this book is less jam-packed, it is no less delicious. Our characters positively sizzle when they're near. Also, can we just talk about how nice it is that the main cha...
Mar 19, 2020•1 hr 21 min
In honor of the author's birthday, we’re diving deep into Tender Rebel by the great Johanna Lindsey this week! A Scottish heiress is on the run from her abhorrent cousin and in search of a husband! While she does have a few standards, love doesn't have to be part of the equation. Enter Anthony Malory - an exceedingly handsome rake of first order - who cannot stop his pursuit to see the lovely Roslynn Chadwick in his bed. In fact, he’ll even go so far as to marry the girl himself! But despite his...
Mar 12, 2020•1 hr 14 min
This week, we've got a heartbreaking yet heartwarming tale of adventure, treasure, fate, and fighting! Our two main characters seem destined for each other - but after their first meeting, while they shared an epic love, they didn't share their names with each other! Will they even ever cross paths again? It seems fate is ready to intervene eight years later, as these two lethal lovebirds meet again many, many miles away. Sherry Thomas weaves a magical tale between China and England in My Beauti...
Mar 05, 2020•1 hr 17 min
