Two years ago Megs married Godric St. John to save her reputation and then promptly left to live in the country. Now she is back in town and wants to finally consummate their marriage. Godric for his part, only agreed to marry Megs because he assumed it would be in name only. Besides he's too busy with his nocturnal expeditions to spend time with a wife. However, events push our MCs towards a different path in Lord of Darkness by Elizabeth Hoyt. **There is more than one case of SPOILERS**
Sep 29, 2022•47 min
If you're in the U.S., then tis the season to head back to school. In honor of this fall tradition, we're bringing you a list of excellent romances all featuring the Governess Trope! We have a list of books we've read and others that we haven't but were too on point not to share. No spoilers today, just a great opportunity to add a few titles to that growing TBR pile.
Sep 15, 2022•49 min
In our final installment of Bridgerton HEAs, we get a detailed look at Gregory's epilogue and the birth of his youngest children. TW: Traumatic Birth **It's a second epilogue, I would be worried if you did not know there were SPOILERS**
Sep 01, 2022•18 min
The Historical Romance Event of the Season is almost upon us, dear listeners, and today we're sharing with you that there will be a SPECIAL GUEST in attendance! Find out more and register at bit.ly/hrr2022 !
Aug 26, 2022•6 min
We are joined to day by three of the amazing creators of Rational Creatures. From their website: Just as Jane Austen used her books to shed light on social issues of her time, RATIONAL CREATURES reflects the world around us now by including complex female characters, happy queer stories, mental and chronic illness, and a bisexual Latina lead. We hope you enjoy!
Aug 25, 2022•29 min
Rosaline Goode's life is turned upside down after she sneaks into the house next door to use their telescope. Instead of running foul of an old lady, she instead encounters Elijah Wolfe, an American business man who does not let others take advantage of him. Within minutes of their meeting they find themselves engaged and what starts are a marriage of convenience turns into anything but. TW: Abuse by a guardian **There are SPOILERS in the stars**
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 6 min
We're checking in on Hyacinth and Gareth as Hyacinth is still looking for the cache of missing family jewels. **It's a second Epilogue, I would be worried if you did not know there were SPOILERS**
Aug 04, 2022•16 min
Winter Makepeace is going through the motions as manager of the Home and ghost of St. Giles at night. However, when Isabel Beckinhall tells him he must submit to social lessons or forfeit his place at the home, his world is turned upside down. Though he vowed to be celibate to focus on his mission has Ghost, he cannot seem to resist Isabel. How can he commit himself to another, when he's already committed to crimefighting in London's worst slum? **The Ghost cannot save you from SPOILERS**
Jul 21, 2022•59 min
It's time to check-in on the realm of Bridgerton! You thought we were done but we still have a few HEAs to discover. This week we catch up with Francesca and Michael for some more steamy encounters in this 2nd Epilogue by the esteemed Julia Quinn. TW: Infertility, miscarriage **It's a second Epilogue, I would be worried if you did not know there were SPOILERS**
Jul 07, 2022•26 min
Viola Carroll is finally living the life she wants, but when an old friend is in need she cannot turn away. The Duke of Gracewood has spent the last two years mourning the loss of his best friend when Viola comes to save him from himself. Sparks fly as these two old friends learn the truths about each other for the very first time. We're reading A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall and it is fantastic! **We live our lives with SPOILERS**
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Tommy Wynchester may be a master of disguise but what she cannot disguise is her feelings for Philippa York. It's combounded by the fact that Philippa doesn't even know who Tommy is. Yet when a chance comes to help her crush right a few injustices of the world, Tommy jumps at the chance. Philippa has been forced into a life she hates by her parents, so being included in a Wynchester capper is a breath of fresh air. Plus the more she gets to know Tommy, the more she wants a life she cannot have. ...
Jun 09, 2022•56 min
One of the show's most anticipated novels of the year is finally about to be released. Your hosts have been not so patiently waiting to read A Caribbean Heiress in Paris, which meant we found a way to read it early and managed speak with the author herself, Adriana Herrera! Adriana has become well known for her contemporary romance novels but in her debut full-length historical, she has blown us away. We speak about the inspiration behind the novel and what it means to see yourself represented o...
May 26, 2022•59 min
We've started a Patreon! Listen in and learn all about it, or check it out at patreon.com/tnstrumpets Thank you for all your support!
May 12, 2022•8 min
Holy wow! Triple digits! Thank you to everyone for supporting us thus far. In honor of making it to episode 100, we have put together a list of books featuring our favorite trope, Enemies to Lovers. Some of these are classics and others you may have never heard of, but we're sure you'll find something to add to your TBR.
May 12, 2022•59 min
Today's the day! We're finally sharing our thoughts on Bridgerton Season 2. Not only do we deep dive into our favorite (and not so favorite) moments, we also have reactions from our listeners! Whether you loved it or hated it, there is nothing we did not cover. **From start to finish this season is SPOILERS**
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 19 min
Lady Sophia has her heart set on revenge against the man who set her brother to his death. However, that resolve will falter when she's faced with the noble and generous heart of Sir Ross Cannon. Take a stroll down Bow Street with Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas. **Crimes of SPOILERS**
Apr 14, 2022•46 min
We are taking you back in time to our favorite Home for Unfortunate Children in London. Silence Hollingbrook once again finds herself face to face with "Charming" Mickey O'Connor. Unlike their last meeting, Mickey is not letting Silence out of his sight or out of his life. Can Silence actually find the man under the mask worth loving? Join us in the London criminal underworld as we read Scandalous Desires, Book 3 in Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane Series. **We are swapping River Pirate secrets for ...
Mar 31, 2022•48 min
Welcome to 2022! Well...we've been in 2022 for a couple months but who's counting? While we're a little late, we still thought we'd bring you a selection of book releases that we are most looking forward to this year. So if you haven't already, get your TBR list ready because there are sure to be a few additions after this.
Mar 17, 2022•1 hr 1 min
We're back! We hope you've missed us and are ready to hear what we've been up to and what we're up to next!
Mar 10, 2022•3 min
Jane Fairfield has four hundred and eighty days more that she needs to remain unmarried - and her enormous dowry is a prize for any man. She has to devise a way to stave off even the most desperate suitor, and luckily she's found an act that seems to do the trick. Oliver Marshall knows what it's like to be the butt of a joke, and he hates to see anyone be trampled by the ton. He's been biding his time and building favors as he rises to power in Parliament. But one of Jane's rebuffed suitors has ...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 14 min
Spooky Ooky season is here at last! We’re getting you in the mood with a pair of lovers who seem to be encountering a restless spirit. They need to trust and rely on each other to get to the other side of this mystery. Today’s Halloween novella is Highland Haunting by Lily Maxton. **You’re cursed to hear SPOILERS!**
Oct 21, 2021•49 min
Everything was going well for Lady Hero Batten until she finds herself attracted to her fiancé’s scandalous brother. Pretty soon they cannot keep their hands off each other. Griffin Reading knows he needs to stay away from Lady Hero but after one taste he cannot get enough. We’re heading down Maiden Lane with Elizabeth Hoyt’s second book in the series, Notorious Pleasures. **St. Giles is filled with gin and SPOILERS**
Oct 14, 2021•59 min
Sesily Talbot has lived her life in the spotlight as one of the ton's favorite troublemakers - and she likes it that way. She uses her reputation as cover for her missions with the Hell's Belles - a group of women with special skills that dole out retribution when the more conventional channels don't. Caleb Calhoun has secrets that are just a tiny tinder away from fully exploding and completely changing his world. He doesn't have time for distractions - and he can never let himself get too close...
Sep 23, 2021•50 min
Two years ago, two intrepid ladies set out on a creative endeavor inspired by their shared love of regency romance. And today, we're delighted to share with you the discussion we had with the author that started it all: Julie Anne Long. From Pennyroyal Green to the Palace of Rogues, from drawing from the pool of creative energy to transforming emotion into art, we are endlessly inspired by the wit and wisdom that Julie shares with us on page and podcast!
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 16 min
Freyja Bedwyn is enjoying life as an unattached, privileged woman. She rides recklessly and she wields her social status expertly, setting down those who need it without sparing a second thought. A few chance meetings with Joshua Moore, Marquess Hallmere, give Frejya plenty fuel to the fire for his public humiliation, but her impulsiveness gets the better of her and she falls on her own sword while the Marquess emerges unscathed. But neither is undeterred, for their is nothing much to do in Bath...
Sep 02, 2021•58 min
Phineas Duncombe may be a duke, but as the fifth son, he was not raised to be one. When he meets Annabel, the Countess of Longstowe, he find that being a duke has it's advantages. It allows him to help this reluctant (and much older) widow in her search for the daughter that was cruelly taken and hidden from her eighteen years before. Along the way, these two battle demons of the past and present to find their way to happily ever after. Join us as we read A Duke a Dozen by Shana Galen, the sixth...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 12 min
Stumblers 2: Still Stumbling may be a real bar in West Virginia, but it's also would be an excellent alternate title for this episode, as your plucky hosts try to gain their footing navigating the discussion of a book they Both Don't Like. It's an auspicious beginning as we embark on our fourteen-book-series-journey together. Join us in the slums of St. Giles for an icy hero, a pious heroine, a murder mystery, and a masked vigilante. **Something spoiled this way comes...because we're full of spo...
Aug 05, 2021•56 min
There's something special about a family bond and that's what we're celebrating in today's list; amazing series in historical romance that focus on siblings! If you love Bridgerton then look no further for reading recommendations than this list, presented from us to your ears. *Apologies for some audio issues on Zoë's track in the second half of the episode - our special guest co-host presented her with a few challenges!
Jul 15, 2021•58 min
TW: Death of a parent, suicide, grief. It's time to check-in on the realm of Bridgerton! You thought we were done but we still have a few HEAs to discover. This week we head out to country to see what Eloise and Sir Phillip are up to. However, it's Eloise's step-daughter Amanda who steals the spotlight in this 2nd Epilogue by the esteemed Julia Quinn. Grab your copy of the book we read today, The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After by Julia Quinn, here . Want to listen to a certain segment? Here is ...
Jul 01, 2021•23 min
A duke known as Scandal itself. A vicar paying for his sinful thoughts through service to the Lord. What happens when these childhood friends meet again and band together to save a life? Well, sparks fly, ideals are challenged, and in the end, everyone might just be better for it. Join us for our thoughts on Annabelle Greene's stellar debut MM Regency, The Vicar and the Rake! Grab your copy of the book we read today, The Vicar and the Rake by Annabelle Green, here! Want to listen to a certain se...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 13 min
