Romance Recs

Favorite Authors

• Jordan Baughman • Season 1 • Episode 2

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Discover new romance authors. We will share our favorites, both familiar names and new indie authors that are instant reads. Buckle up for bookish banter!

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Track 1:

Welcome to Romance Wrecks, where three book besties explore the world of romance novels and encourage you to expand your TBR. us as we dive into the hottest releases and hidden gems of the genre. You can find us on Instagram and tick tock Rex pod Sorry, got a couple ladies with me here tonight. I am Jordan, and I am reading the cursed and the broken by Chloe Hodge. Ooh, hey, I'm Dev and I am reading Black Ties and White Lies by Kat Singleton.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Hi, I'm Christina, and I'm reading When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker. So buckle up for some bookish banter.

Track 1:

Oh, yes, I will I

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I will. This is me

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Click it or ticket

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

belt in.

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Oh my gosh

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I

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Oh,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I actually love

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Yes, let's keep the unhinged going. Does anyone have any good quotes that they've read recently? Anything unhinged? Anything, it could be sweet. Oh, Dev's got unhinged, I

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

have go girl.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, I've got something for y'all. Okay, so this quote is from the book Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop. Which is just so perplexing of a book to me to understand that these things are happening. It's not fantasy. It's literally a contemporary romance, people. Um, but this quote jumped out at me. It spoke to me, if you will. Here it is. If there's one thing men are never short on, it's audacity.

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Yes.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, that, that really, you know, jumped out at me. I was like, yes. Poetry. Poetry.

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right, I've got one. This is from the book I am currently reading, The Cursed and the Broken. So I'm not finished with it, but it's already got plenty of highlights, so that's promising. He leaned in close, whispering in the shell of my ear, When I bow before you, I will worship your entire existence. You are a goddess, and I, your humble servant. Then as your goddess, I demand your prayer. I need every inch of you. Every inch to fill me up.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Girl.

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It's a call in response.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It

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I know.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yes and love that. I love that for the both of them.

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Yeah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

reciprocal. What you got first, Christina?

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Well, mine's not unhinged or hot. Mine's sad.

Track 1:

That's okay. Bring us

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

All right. It's a good dedication page, one.

Track 1:

oh,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It's, uh,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I love

Track 1:

Yeah.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

it's from Queen of Myth and Monsters. It's the sequel book by Scarlett Sinclair, and her Said, to those of us who had to survive. And I think that's just all of us women, and I love it.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yes! that's so good! I love that book. I know, that's one of my favorites. And I, as soon as you said which book it was, I was like, yep, I know exactly which one she's gonna do.

Track 1:

Oh.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Sweet.

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that way.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Any day. Yeah.

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Take it.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

not bringing you down like your guy did.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh!

Track 1:

Well, he was get down

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Tina!

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

on the knees.

Track 1:

was before anything had happened really between them. That's,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Crazy! Very unhinged.

Track 1:

it's giving devotion. love a good worship trope. Yeah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Love that. When the main character can bring the fe the male main character down to his knees. For any purpose.

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Yep,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

You know?

Track 1:

Today we're going to talk about authors who bring us to our knees, or

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yes.

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us want to get on our knees.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh yes.

Track 1:

So instead of, Giving you specific books today. We are going to give you a list of our favorite authors. Authors that we keep coming back to. an automatic read for us.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah,

Track 1:

Does let's just jump right into it. who wants to start? Ooh, that's on my

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

start Tomi Adeyemi, so Tomi wrote the Children of Blood and Bone series, which Yes, it's a trilogy. I'm pretty sure it's just a trilogy. Two of the books are out already and then the third book, I think, comes out on my birthday or the day before. Either way, it's a

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Happy birthday!

Track 1:

Which is when, Dev?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

My birthday is June 27th. Go

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Look, cancer.

Track 1:

Alright, back to the really awesome author.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

because also this is YA, and you've taken me away from the YA of it all. So this book is YA, or this series is

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Who, me?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

and it follows right up your alley. I think you'd like it,

Track 1:

This is past Christina's bedtime, let's just let the record show.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

she's got the giggles. She's got the giggles, people. But it follows Zelie and her family. This land has been depleted of magic, and she has been tasked With essentially bringing it back. But what I love about this story and this series is that it follows it's taking place essentially in Africa, and it has a lot of like African lore and mythology and the gods and goddesses and deities that exist. the

Track 1:

So the author did her research.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

she did her research, but also it's so crazy while She the entire series the idea for it came to her while she was Like running into a store in brazil I think it was raining or something or she was like ducking into a store in brazil and she saw the orisha, which is like what the you know, the deities were called and then She just had this whole idea for this entire world, three

Track 1:

Ah, love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Is just, yeah, it's very beautiful. It's very well done. You can tell there's a lot of work in the research and the characters, but also the land and the lore. It's so good. So good. Well, I think might be my favorite YA series. I'm not going to lie. gonna lie. Because everybody loves a black girl with magic. Also, a dark skinned girl with white hair. Stop. I'm sold.

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Ha!

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

just running around looking

Track 1:

Hot!

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

contrast, you know?

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Yeah,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

it. I love it. I'm down for it. And the magic of it all. Everybody has different types of magic. So yeah, the world building is really good. I love Tomi's writing. And right now this is her main series. She did write like the for Amazon or something that I haven't read yet. But this series Add her to your TBRs because I'm sure that anything else she writes after this is going to be chef's

Track 1:

awesome. I'm excited. I'm excited to read her. She's been on my list for a while and I'm Christina. Christina. Tag. You're it. Give us one.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Okay, I've got Holly Black. I love her. She writes one of my favorite series.

Track 1:

Say it

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Um,

Track 1:

not the watchers.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

can't see you. Yeah.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Folk of the Air series, The Cruel Prince. True. Yeah, sorry. It's a YA series about Faye. But she's written a lot of books, too. Yeah and so she wrote some books from other characters POVs from the story, too. So there's the main story, and then there's other ones. And she's even going to be releasing some new ones soon. And then she finally released Book from a different series, like her first ever adult book, Book of the Night, Book of Night,

Track 1:

oh, I didn't know that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

That's interesting. Yeah, I didn't know that either. Either.

Track 1:

what do you like about her writing?

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

the world building, I feel Characters and the settings just kind of blow me away. And just, there was some twists in this book I didn't see coming, so I love that because I don't get twists very often and I love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah.

Track 1:

deal. If you could surprise Christina, then

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yep, you've done something

Track 1:

yeah,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

pr

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yes.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

our little seer,

Track 1:

Get a little.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

the seer of the group. Hahaha.

Track 1:

Awesome.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

what you got for us?

Track 1:

Alright, well the first one I will not have any YA authors on my list. I'm looking at it now. Just to be clear, they

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It's bit time. ha ha.

Track 1:

talked about their, Book is one of my favorite romanticy books in our previous episode. But, they are known as the Twisted Sisters. Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti. They write most of their books, most if not all at this point, together. It's, I looked it up and it said, the resource I found said Peckham 61 books and Valenti has 50. They together have I believe 50. Because they do a lot of series. There's a couple standalones, but most of them are series. I have read Ruthless Boys, Zodiac Academy, Darkmoor Penitentiary, that's my favorite. Kings of Quarantine, which they wrote during quarantine and it models what happened us and our pandemic, but escalated it even higher and it's set in their world. It's like our world with one extra state added like in the middle. Of the United States, but it's called the United States of Anarchy. And there's multiple series within that world. So

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Hmm.

Track 1:

of Quarantine, Harley Quinn Crew, amazing Mafia Dead Men Walking, Forget Me Not Bombshell, A Game of Malice and Greed. Those are all the ones I've read so far. And most of those are multi book series. I love them for the drama they put into their books. Everything is so well written and you just want to keep reading. I never want these books to stop. And I'm so glad there's so much more for me to read. I am addicted to To these authors. The banter in all of them. such complex characters that they really put the time in getting to know in a fun way. They have made me cry from laughing. hard in multiple books just tears streaming down my face crying and I don't do that books very often But to the point where my husband is like walking to room like what is happening? Are you talking to someone and I was like, it's just you should see what he did with the lemon And it's just the lemon so that it's gotta know dark more penitentiary for the lemons

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Not the

Track 1:

There's, they have inside jokes, the whole fandom has inside jokes. Because it's just crying laughter. But also crying from pain, too, because they write the most intense cliffhangers I have ever read. Everyone who read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame, everyone got done with Iron Flame and was like, Oh my god, the cliffhanger! And on my Facebook group and the forum, people are like, They obviously have not read anything by the Twisted Sisters. Because that was nothing. It hurts!

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

can't

Track 1:

It hurts so good.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I love that. I know, you always have such good things to say about them. That's I'm so excited to read, at least start Zodiac Academy.

Track 1:

Yeah

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, for the

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

You did it! A

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

That's like our running joke that I can never remember the name of this series. We are all very proud of me right

Track 1:

am

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, I can't wait to read it because you are always so excited. About their writing and their work, and they have a lot to read, so that's also good.

Track 1:

Yeah, and even yeah even my I was just gonna say even my least favorite series of theirs I still ate up and want and made and wanted to finish so It says a lot

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

a good thing, though, because when you connect, when you love the authors, sometimes it's you might not be able to do any wrong, babe. I'm gonna keep reading things. Even if I don't like it, I'm still gonna read it. But most of the time, I'm gonna like it because I'm already so invested in

Track 1:

Yeah Back to you dev What's your next author?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

my next author, I actually, I mean, we're friends in my head. This next author. We go way back. We are, that's twin with this next author, but in my head. Her name is Chelsea Curdo and Chelsea and I actually communicate, we don't text, but we message, we kind of.

Track 1:

You're it you slid into her DMS

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah, I slid, I know, I absolutely did. I think I slid into her timeline or her FYP or something like that because I, In 2022, I think I read my first book by her and it was her debut novel and she released a book that I had never read before. It was a contemporary romance, but it was just like the way the male main character acted and responded to the female main character. And also I'd never read a book that had like such good mental health rap in it and I was just like that's so good. She's, you know, she was, the main character was really down on herself and talking bad about herself. And then he's trying to be like, babe chill. We're all

Track 1:

Like what we do for Christina whenever she says, sorry

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

ex literally, it's exactly that and I had never read that in a book the way it was

Track 1:

for our listeners

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

me,

Track 1:

for a sorry

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah,

Track 1:

I want to get back to that just for our listeners a little side note My biggest thing when women say sorry for things that are out of their control and don't need to apologies for So I just recently shared that message with Christina and we're all working on it together apologizing for shit that we don't need to apologize for because

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

right.

Track 1:

Women,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Not everything needs a sorry,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Patriarchy.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

period, full sentence,

Track 1:

sorry.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

stop. No, that's fine, I love that's a good PSA, so I hope you guys took notes. But yeah, no, I really love Chelsea's work and since that debut novel, she has now It's just released her sixth,

Track 1:

Oh, good for her.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

and it doesn't even stop there has released her sixth book and on social media has already like future planned where you can see the names and blurbs of her next

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Wow.

Track 1:

Oh my. Get it girl.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah, she's releasing another book this month. And I think I really love Chelsea because. Number one, I, you know, it would be my dream to release my own novel baby into the world. So being able to follow someone's career and seeing them like push themselves and just really dig deep and follow their passions because Chelsea has a day job. She's like a flight attendant. She's out here working. She's running marathons. She has a dog baby. She

Track 1:

Oh.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She has a full life and she's still finding the time to write. So I think I really just connected with her about that and like she's always making me laugh. She's so sweet. I'm

Track 1:

What was her name again?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

released,

Track 1:

Say it again.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Chelsea Curto. Chelsea Curto. R T O. I think when you type her name into like social media, you'll be able to find her. She's a sweet little human. And yeah, I just love her books. And my favorite thing about Chelsea that from the first book to her most recent release, The spice spices her it's like you can see like she's gotten her stride with spice and I'll giggle. I'll be kicking my feet I have to close the book or put my Kindle down and just look around Are y'all reading? Are y'all's ears on? So I think that's one of my favorites. But yeah, Chelsea Curto, for sure. Check her out. Indie author. She does this all herself. She's I think trying, starting to get a little traction. She's been invited to a couple book fairs and events and appearances. Praying for my girl Chelsea. Get it, girl.

Track 1:

Love it.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Back to me.

Track 1:

Yeah. Give it to us.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Okay. Well, I just have one more quick blurb because I feel like I, it just went outta my brain about Holly Black. She wrote the Spiderwick Chronicles, which I loved as a kid, and I just wanted to shout her out for that because I just,

Track 1:

I know that.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah, I just put that together. I was like, that's probably where my love of Faye and Fairies began. So she's keeping it going

Track 1:

she. I don't think I knew she wrote that.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I know I was astounded when I

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I didn't know she wrote all that either.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I know, it's crazy. So I'm excited. She wrote that series, but back into a new author. Love her. And then Harper L. Woods.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Right.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

No, I will never be over Carden and his tale. Sorry. Okay, Harper L. Woods. She writes the Coven series. I know you guys like that one.

Track 1:

Yes.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I haven't read My TBR for two years, but her other series, What Lies Beyond the Veil, I love that series.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Ate it up. I know Jordan has strong words about that series, but I Love it. I love

Track 1:

I just, I don't have strong words. I just DNF'd the first book. I DNF'd. After not too far. I just wasn't feeling it. It just That story was not for me,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

and that's

Track 1:

but the coven Was my favorite. I think that was my favorite book of last year. So

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, and I read that because of you. It was already on my list, but I read it because of you. And then you told me about the special edition. I was like yep. Eatin it

Track 1:

Okay, tell us more about

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, it's been on my list. Uh, well, I found out, it's okay. I knew you guys wouldn't talk about that. I found out she has a pseudonym. That's, I didn't know Harborough Woods wasn't her real name. It's Adelaide Forest, which I love. Forest and Woods. I think that's so amazing. So, but I just love the character she writes. Um, especially how dark and possessive the main male character is. He is he's also like a god and so I love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, he's morally bankrupt. there is no gray

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

He is bankrupt.

Track 1:

my I love that phrase

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

that's just great. I just love the thoughts that the female main character has about him always wanting to try to undermine him and kill him the whole time. It takes a lot of time before she starts coming up, warming up to him, it's a slow burn, but I love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

female

Track 1:

characters that you like? Then that she writes,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah. Yeah. And I liked the pretense of the story, it seemed different for me there's, a veil that separates the worlds. A human can only be born into 13 life cycles, and then they're dead forever. And a fae is their mate. And so he's been waiting, and she's on her 13th life cycle, and she's about to be killed. As a sacrifice, and he breaks down the whole veil to come after her. I just love that.

Track 1:

See I stopped before all of the when she escapes, so I didn't get even that far.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah, you didn't even get that and that's

Track 1:

I need to try again.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

is try

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

just the big

Track 1:

I really hated the beginning. I was getting

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I would say it is slow.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, And she's got a tragic backstory. Mm

Track 1:

From what I know of the Coven and how amazing those characters were, maybe I'll give it another shot then. Because I did love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I think you'll like the character. The characters themselves are really good I think they're developed really well the male main character. Like I said, he's morally bankrupt, but we love him like he's just

Track 1:

Put that on a sticker. Immorally bankrupt.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

No, I think that's the

Track 1:

I haven't seen that one.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

their books. Who used that? Somebody used that. I was reading a book and they, Bryn Weaver? Maybe. Who does Butcher and Blackbird? But yeah, they use that phrase when they are talking about their MMCs and how terrible they are. we love them. They're good, Right?

Track 1:

Yeah.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, because there's like a special scene. It's almost like a hot tub. It's a hot springs, and there's a statue nearby. That's all I'm gonna say.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Read it!

Track 1:

There's a hot spring in Zodiac Academy, guys. Just saying.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

And we love it. I love that everything we say, Jordan's Well,

Track 1:

That's in Zodiac Academy.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It's going up a little earlier on the list! All

Track 1:

all.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

We're gonna be stuck in that world once we start reading

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

right, Jordan, what's your next author?

Track 1:

Alright, my next author is Pretty well known. They have been around a while. This is Penelope Douglas or Penn Douglas. They have eight standalones and three different series. Each series has three or more books. They are best known. Their most well known books are Credence, Birthday Girl, and their Devil's Night series. Devil's Night is one of my favorite series ever. It's what introduced me to dark romance and bully romance, which has quickly became my favorite, which was a big plot twist in my reading journey. I did not see that coming. Looking back, I probably should have. But I've also read, all of Devil's Night. Credence, Birthday Girl, Punk 57, and some of the Followay series and Hellbent series. I just love everything they write. So not every book, but I will say not every book they write is my favorite. But that's only because of personal preference. Because I believe they're all, most of their books are bully romance. Most have, are dark romance at the very least, but most, a lot are bully, and some bully romance just is too much for me.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Same.

Track 1:

or I can't connect, but I still love the writing style. I love the, I do love the characters. I love all of their characters. It's just well written and well written smut. So it's kind of, they're kind of like comfort reads for me. All of their books. So they have my favorite books. I love them. And I keep coming back to them. And

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

With good reason.

Track 1:

of their stuff.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I love that.

Track 1:

But I'll throw it back to Dev.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Okay. So my next author wrote my favorite book of 2023. I've recently read one she had two This book, and I recently read the first one, her first ever book, and I just, I had fallen in love with that one too. But, Hannah Bonham Young, she wrote Out on a Limb, my favorite read of 2023. If you do not like accidental pregnancy, or any kind of pregnancy trope, it may not be for you, but I would say at least give it a try. Just because it's done so well. Hannah has this beautiful way of writing, it's just And it's, again, contemporary romance. Hannah writes contemporary romance. The stories are just filled with such relatable characters. And I think that's my favorite part. You can find a little bit of someone you know or yourself in all her characters. And, yeah,

Track 1:

I love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

great way of writing. And I love her main characters. They're all There's all Oh, she also does Representation really well as far as like different abilities or people with different limbs. Like I know Hannah herself has a different limb. One of the characters in the book, that as well and also has to navigate being pregnant and I read somewhere Hannah wrote that like When connect she connected to win so much as far as like being pregnant and like having the same questions and stuff and me Just being a mom. I found it relatable and like being pregnant for the first time and just so scary So I really love the way hannah writes and then that's the out series It's Out on a Limb, and literally two days ago, she just put out that she has another book coming Out in the Woods, I think? Out of the Woods? Out of the Woods. And it's a couple who you see in on a Limb. became obsessed with this couple. Obsessed!

Track 1:

when authors do that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yes, and they're getting their own book. They're married in Out on a Limb. And in this book, it's like a second chance romance

Track 1:

Oh. What?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

their marriage. There's some things going on. And one of my favorite things is that the guy has a secret Dungeons and Dragons group. I think it's Dungeons and Dragons.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

all up Jordan's alley.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Right, but he's keeping it from his wife. He's hiding it from her because she knows that she,

Track 1:

Why?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

joke about it in a l in a loving way, but he'll never hear the end of it. Like one day he had mentioned to her, oh, I like a renaissance fair. And then she signed him up for 13 Renaissance fairs. So he gets all the information to go to these fairs. Like she,

Track 1:

Wait, does she like get, does she, so she just goes too hard.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah, I

Track 1:

Okay.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

she like. Yeah,

Track 1:

to hide a D& D clip.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

him He because he and he basically tells the main character. I don't know him like I just need this one thing for me I just please do not tell her don't tell sarah Immediately from leaving that conversation. She's like i'm gonna tell my best friend and then sarah shows up well, what

Track 1:

Okay, now I need to read it. This is what got me. Yes, the D& D got me. I love D& D.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

and I cannot wait for their book and i'm like Ugh, I cannot wait for it. I don't even know if it's coming out anytime soon. Maybe next year or something. But I'll be chomping at the bit to read it. And then her series before that is the next series, so Next of Kin and Next to You. And I just listened to Next of Kin. Oh my gosh, why does she write people like this? Number one, there's ASL representation. There's Coda, a child of deaf adult the main character. Foster care of kin relationships as far as adopting a sibling.

Track 1:

Lot of stuff going on.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

And it's so beautifully done. So beautifully done. Hannah does a really good job. Anyway, this is long winded, but basically I just love the way Hannah writes and I love the representation in her books. I think she does that really well,

Track 1:

Love it.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

in a way that feels true.

Track 1:

That will be.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

read it.

Track 1:

I will, no I will now. You got me with the D& D.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah. With the D& D, cause that whole thing that takes

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I said that would be up your alley.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah.

Track 1:

I'm not into the unplanned pregnancy, but give me a D& D game and I am there. I wonder what class he plays. That'll be interesting.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh they do mention it. Girl, you know I tuned that part out. I don't know what's going on there, but they mentioned his role in

Track 1:

that would tell me a lot about his character.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh, I wish I could

Track 1:

It's okay. I'll just, I'll find out.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

bard. know.

Track 1:

Sold. Sold. Yeah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Maybe he is the

Track 1:

Sold.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Ah!

Track 1:

Alright.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Okay, look at me! I'm now a D& D pro!

Track 1:

Oh, Christina. Give us another author

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

okay you know how the famous Lin Manuel Miranda says that Hamilton wrote the other 51? Jennifer L. Armentrout has written 57 books, so she can even beat Hamilton. I'm always gonna tie in Hamilton, okay?

Track 1:

in Hamilton? Oh, thank you.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

We, I love that. And I love that. Absolutely.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Thanks, Lynn. Just kidding, no. Jennifer L. Armintrout.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

had that many

Track 1:

Thanks Jennifer.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah. So many series. I was looking at her Goodreads, and I was looking at her author page, and I was like, my favorite series from her is from Blooded Ash, but she's written a lot, and some of the covers look really enticing, you know? So I'm gonna look up some more series.

Track 1:

I

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah. I'm interested. Yeah. I just I love her from Blood and Ash series. The spice is amazing, the characters are amazing, the magic is amazing, like it just keeps going. And she keeps popping them out! You know, I'mma keep reading them.

Track 1:

Well, and it's really interesting how much she puts out for such a rich world

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Mm hmm.

Track 1:

big her worlds are and how many characters she has. So it's like

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

And how quickly she puts them out.

Track 1:

yeah. Is still good.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

And she has a new one that's an adult book. Yeah. Cause those are like, I guess, new adult, I guess you would call them maybe? The Fernblood Nash.

Track 1:

I think what it is,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

were YA. Oh,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

much sex.

Track 1:

closed, door, or very little smut YA. What makes new adult is if the characters are like 18 to 25, is what I learned this weekend. what

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh.

Track 1:

because they are in that they're not minors anymore, they're adults, but their brains haven't fully developed. So it's like those

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Ah,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

that frontal

Track 1:

They're still making some questionable decisions.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Ooh, I love that as the, Helps me understand.

Track 1:

Yeah. Rebecca Yaros described that to me in a panel yesterday at Comic Con, or this weekend at Comic Con, and I was like, oh, is that how they classify that?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Interesting. That makes

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I think

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

look at these characters around that age,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I'm making some dumb decisions. I don't have room to talk. I made dumb decisions when I was younger too.

Track 1:

made some questionable choices.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

were also new adults.

Track 1:

Not anymore.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I can't.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Okay? Grown.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

So true. But, L. Armintrout.

Track 1:

she's written? Who's your favorite, if you had to pick one?

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It's gotta be, oh, I don't know. Poppy, probably. Um, but, I don't know. Well, it's just cause. I don't know. I don't want to give too much away, but she's a badass, and even with the bad things that have happened to her and continue to happen to her, she continues to stay strong and grow, and she has every right to just give up and walk away, but she doesn't. I love that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh, we love a strong FMC.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Who loves to stab?

Track 1:

Very savvy.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Seriously. She

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh, yeah. I love that. I love me a violent little thing. It's my favorite.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

just stabs him and the heart leaves him to die and then runs out into the woods naked, and then he comes after her.

Track 1:

Hey! Hey!

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Spoiler!

Track 1:

Christina. That is a

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Okay. That's good. That's good. All right. Sorry. So go Jennifer. You beat out Hamilton.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

sorry.

Track 1:

My third featured author is, Tate James. She has written, from what I found, my research, sometimes it's hard to find all the works in one place.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah

Track 1:

So from what I understand, she has 14 different series, which I had no idea. I'm reading a third series of hers. I'm finishing it up. Probably finish it in the next couple days. Hopefully. From what I've seen on socials and things, the most well known series that she has written is Madison Kate series. It starts with, I believe, Hate is the first one. So she has four different series within, it's called like the Shadow Grove serieses. So it starts with

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

There's a series and sub series? I

Track 1:

them take place literally in this town called Shadow Grove, which is run by two opposing gangs. The first one happens there. The second one is also based there, but also moves out a little bit more. The third series, The Guild, which I'm reading now is more worldwide, but they do make passes through Shadowgrove still and have those connections. And then the fourth one, I don't know how, I don't know how it connects to Shadowgrove. I'm looking forward to it. I just had no idea she had that many. Tate James, her spice is next level. Okay.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

it's pretty

Track 1:

I don't know how many of her other series are reverse harem, but Madison Kate and the Hades series are both reverse harem. Guild is a kind of wide shoes ish. I don't want to give anything away, but it's different than the first two, but it's definitely good. Just The language she uses, you know, sometimes we get those cringy moments, even in hot scenes, where we're like, why was that chosen?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Wide. Right.

Track 1:

is, and it feels so immersive. I need to look this up, sorry, bear with me, the dedication in The Guild 3 called Kill Order, dedication is amazing. It's true.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh my gosh. I think I know.

Track 1:

For the partners of bookworms, some lube, hydrate, and remember to thank Tate later.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Huh.

Track 1:

And

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh yeah, that is a

Track 1:

make sure your birth control is current and you have protection ready because

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Tate James is baby

Track 1:

hot! And all of the books are hot. All of them. Oh, just, she knows what she's doing. She knows what she's doing.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

about to start book two the Guild series. Tate James. And it's, and you're right, it's so not cringey. Actually when,

Track 1:

Things that should be, things that should be cringey, so hot.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Or not. When the female main character says it, says things like in her head, sometimes I'm like, Uhhh, in other books. But in this book, I'm like, When the female main character says something, I'm like, Absolutely, girl. You're right.

Track 1:

And see, and it's not just in that series. In Hades and Madison Kate

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

that as

Track 1:

The females oh, so competent, and so confident, and hot, and,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

We

Track 1:

I know we love it, but this is another level they run shit. They are on top of it.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Who runs the world? Girls.

Track 1:

Girls.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Girls.

Track 1:

and all the characters are just really well developed. And even when you have multiple male main characters, they are all varied enough, but they all have character growth. In some way, and you get to see that and it doesn't feel like too much. It just is so immersive. Tate James, check her out. I'm going to continue to read her different other series. As many as I can find now,

Microphone (Yeti Stereo Microphone):

but Christina, why don't you introduce us to another one of your favorite authors? I think we all enjoy this next. next. one.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

This is the lady of the hour that everyone knows. She's known by three letters. SJM or Sarah Janet as I like to yell when I'm reading her books.

Track 1:

And she yells it a lot.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I do. I throw my books across the floor.

Track 1:

Even, she

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Sorry.

Track 1:

she's dressed as an otter and winning first place at the costume contest.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Best otter.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

barnes

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Really, I

Track 1:

if you were at the Seattle Northgate Midnight Release of House of Flame and Shadow, you will recognize, the otter

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Me!

Track 1:

unanimously won the costume contest, and that was our sweet, little, innocent Christina here.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh, I love how you say sweet and innocent. Oh my god. you

Track 1:

a lie,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

know who's not sweet and innocent? Sarah Janet Mass! No, I'm just kidding.

Track 1:

Nice.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She's not innocent! I, UGH! I don't even know what to say about this woman. I'm I don't

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

you're all fired up

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She's written 16 famous books, and then she's also written Catwoman. Fun fact.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah

Track 1:

What?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

that and I didn't know if that was

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, she has No, she did. That was her very, like, one of her first books. She wrote a Catwoman DC. She did that for DC.

Track 1:

Oh, DC,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah just kidding. Marvel's better. Anywho,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

is

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Sixteen. Sixteen famous books. And there's still more to come. I think six or seven more that she's signed up for.

Track 1:

for, yeah.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yep,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

so she just keeps on. They're coming out not very fast. We wait a few years in between some books sometimes. And not very patiently. The fandom has erupted online. Yes.

Track 1:

lost our marbles with all of these theories? It's going too far. I love a good theory, but we have gone too far. As a

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It gets a I mean.

Track 1:

and it's too much.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It's very

Track 1:

It almost makes me not enjoy reading them, like, when I, because I'm thinking about it all.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

And I think

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

True.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

ourselves up for failure too, because if the theories that we've blasted all over the internet don't come into come to fruition, then we're reading the book like, Oh, this sucks. Or why did you do this? She wrote the book. How she wanted to write the book just because you spent 38 hours doing a dive deep into 16 books does not mean that you were going to get your dream, babe. She probably didn't plot that. No!

Track 1:

yeah,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

So I think that everyone just needs to take a deep breath,

Track 1:

us included.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

some fucking grass,

Track 1:

Oh yeah,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

A Sarah Janet Mass breath.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah let Sarah write the books how she wants to write the books. The last one was disappointing, I'm not gonna lie. But, you know, that's

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Sorry, Sarah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

let authors write. Let authors write how they want to write their books. It's not forcing the theories. Too many of

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

True.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

one, one to three theories. After a while, it's

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I do think she cackles, though, when she reads our things online. Just knowing she's ruining our lives.

Track 1:

it. I doubt she even reads it. I bet she just hears it every once in a while. She's I'm glad they're losing their shit. Great.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She cackles as she writes these things.

Track 1:

of our reviews of her books. She's not,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Maybe when her intern's

Track 1:

I'll just,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She's high enough up there, but One thing I do love about

Track 1:

she doesn't need to read the reviews.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Right. Right.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

One of the things I love about her. though, is, She started as a on a fanfic site. Right? And then her publisher found her. It's not often that a publisher reaches out to you. Like,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Right. Very humble beginnings as far as like her journey into writing.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

We hate you, but we love you and burn in hell. No,

Track 1:

No, I never could hate her.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

she brought me back to reading.

Track 1:

if you're afraid to read her stuff because it's so hyped and you're like I

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Mm

Track 1:

It's hyped for a reason

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

true.

Track 1:

it is hyped for a reason And even if it's not your favorite book ever, you are still going to have fun reading it, and you are still going to enjoy it,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

but she did write my favorite series ever,

Track 1:

yeah,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, she brought me back into reading and I think she brought a lot of women back, young people and men and women back into reading.

Track 1:

Yep. Agreed.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

so yeah.

Track 1:

last author that we're gonna feature is, I'm gonna, I'm gonna start this one off, but I know we've all read her. on this list. She has six different series. Some of which are connected to each other. We've all read two of her series. But I have read more than the others, which is why I get to talk more about this. I have read Mortal Fates, which is my favorite book ever now, and I only read it last month. The Bonds That

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Me too.

Track 1:

series, which was my favorite until Mortal Fates popped that top spot. Hannaford Prep, which I have read. enjoyable, so fun. That is dark. Reverse harem. Very bully romance. I've started the Queen Crow series because it is related to the Hannaford Prep series. It involves the best friend of the female main character from Hannaford Prep. She also has Butcher of the Bay and Angel Unseen. I have not read either of those. I just love her characters. Her characters are always top notch.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I think so too.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Female characters. The bomb.

Track 1:

I mean, the female characters all of these are amazing.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Come Us. I

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

favorite.

Track 1:

Star.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Bain. I mean with a name like Rooks

Track 1:

You gotta be badass. We will, so we will go on an even longer tangent about Mortal Fates when we get to our Enemies and Lovers episode.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

When the

Track 1:

so maybe I should. But, her spice. Can we talk about J. Breeze's spice? Is

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

very

Track 1:

It's so good.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

very

Track 1:

It's so good.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

That Tie to go off of for Spice, but it's just,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She knows how to ride a good threesome, foursome, fivesome.

Track 1:

And Shadow Daddy. Shadow Daddy there.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

the

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Shadow tentacles, by the way.

Track 1:

What?

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Who had shadow

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

She calls them his shadow tentacles. That's what she calls North's shadows.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh, does she? I guess I didn't

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah. I saw it on the first time I read it, thank you!

Track 1:

Kristina would notice that.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

to say,

Track 1:

I was,

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Christina

Track 1:

I've listened to that series like four times and I

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I'mma find it and send it to you.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah, if it's tentacles, I already know she's telling the truth. I'm not taking that wager. That's a bet I would lose. I'm sure she does call them tentacles. You're absolutely right. I just missed

Track 1:

Yeah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Maybe I tuned it out.

Track 1:

I will say that Jabri, in the series spice most series do it takes a while to get cookin but once it does, J. Bree once it finally goes, you are like, go. You go quick. that tension is finally popped, she's I'm gonna make up for lost time, and I'm gonna give it all to you.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yeah. But I think that's a good

Track 1:

Yeah.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

like, there's a lot of spice, but it's not a spice book with a little bit of plot. I think

Track 1:

Yes.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

do take center

Track 1:

Yes.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

is why she's, she kind of has to pull you into the story and then she'll give you a little treat, you know? So I do love that because sometimes when you get just spice up out the gate spice, at that point, I'm just reading it for the spice. I don't know what the plot is.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

It's in chapter 12, by the way,

Track 1:

Of which book?

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

of the third book.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

one? Oh,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

His shadow tentacles.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

yeah, it should be the third book, because that's, yeah,

Track 1:

Christina has receipts.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yep,

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

do. I found it.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

showed it to us both.

Track 1:

Perfect.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

for

Track 1:

Yeah.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

You're welcome.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

on tentacles.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Can we do more?

Track 1:

does Enemies to

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Oh.

Track 1:

really well, which is What we will be talking about in our next episode, I believe we

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Ooh.

Track 1:

enemies to lovers coming up soon. And enemies to lovers slash rivals to lovers, I think for the contemporary girlies. We're gonna try to, we're gonna try to hit different romance subgenres definitely with enemies and rivals to lovers. If you're interested, hop on over to that one next.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

be.

Track 1:

Yeah, definitely.

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

here. Reading.

Track 1:

I'm always here.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

Yes. Cita. We'll be here. She said we'll be here

christina_2_03-04-2024_221635:

I'll be trying to get through my TBR that they keep adding to.

Track 1:

Thanks for introducing me to new authors, everybody, I really appreciate it.

devonnie_2_03-04-2024_221635:

All right, guys. I hope you have some new. Authors to add to your TBRs look into. Let us know if you found any of those people interesting or what books of theirs might interest you. Head on over to our Instagram page. Thanks for listening to us ramble about our favorite authors. If you're looking for more romance recs, be sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok at romance recs pod. You can find our favorite book recs. Author Wrecks from our episodes as well as behind the scenes content. Again, that's at Romance Wrecks Pod. So make sure you give us a follow and we'll be back next week with another episode.