Rebel Ever After

This week my guest is Katherine Grant, indie romance author and the host of the Historical Romance Sampler podcast. We talked about the conclusion of her historical romance series The Prestons and how her characters live by their progressive principles in Regency Era England. On a craft level, Katherine shares how she interrogates thorny issues of labor exploitation and divesting from the slave trade while writing character-driven romance novels. Plus: How she approached writing the sexuality and personal growth of characters in their 60s in THE WIDOWER WITHOUT A WILL. Then we dove into the state of historical romance in the indie publishing space. Is it true that indie authors will keep the subgenre alive? How are hist-rom authors doing these days? And how can historical romance appeal to new and young readers? Find Katherine on Instagram as @katherine_grant_romance and at katherinegrantromance.com. Listen to the Historical Romance Sampler wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the show on Instagram at @historicalromancesampler. Purchase Katherine's romances from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore at bit.ly/REABooks Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Save 10% when you buy an annual membership! Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books mentioned this episode: The work of Nicholas Sparks The work of Jodi Picoult The work of Mary Higgins Clark The work of Mary Balogh What a Wallflower Wants by Maya Rodale Magic and Mischief at the Wayside Hotel by Elizabeth Everett The Sea Witch by Eva Leigh The Roman Heirs series by Jenna Bigelow Mate by Ali Hazelwood Princess Weekes's Dramione video The work of Emma R. Alban The work of Adriana Herrera  

This week my guest is Marisa Kanter, author of the adult rom-com FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS, as well as several YA romance novels. We talked about writing the ultimate contemporary marriage-of-convenience about best friends who get married for health insurance and housing. We had a good venting session about ableism and misogyny in romance reviews, and the weird trend of readers wanting to "rescue" male main characters from their chronically ill heroines. Topics include: Romance characters who don't want to get married, the disgraceful state of the United States healthcare system, and if escapism has to mean a love story completely untethered from economic reality.  Follow Marisa on Instagram @marisakanter and visit her website at marisakanter.com. Purchase Marisa's FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! My second-chance college reunion romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Books referenced this episode include: The works of Sarah Dessen The works of Meg Cabot The Hating Game by Sally Thorne The Broposal by Sonora Reyes

My guest this week is Rachel Runya Katz, the author of Thank You For Sharing, Whenever You're Ready and the brand new instant USA Today Best Seller Isn't It Obvious? We talked about writing rom-traum-coms, balancing serious subjects with swoony romance, bipolar representation and our love of Michael Hobbes podcasts. Plus, should we be concerned about all the condomless big penises taking over sex scenes? And our hot takes about You've Got Mail. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelrunyakatz and on Substack here. Purchase Rachel's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and podcasts mentioned this episode: The works of Jasmine Gillory The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury Maintenance Phase podcast You're Wrong About podcast If Books Could Kill podcast   P.S. My second-chance college reunion romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel

My guest this week is Julian Winters, the author of adult rom-coms I THINK THEY LOVE YOU and LAST FIRST KISS, as well as many books for teens and children. We talked about his passion for writing inclusive love stories that make people feel seen and celebrated. Julian walked me through how he approached demisexuality and pansexuality on the page of his new book LAST FIRST KISS in a responsible and character-driven way. Plus: Discovering your queer identity at your own pace, no matter your age; conversations about safe sex between characters; and writing ideal "first" sexual experiences. Follow Julian on Instagram @wintersjulian at julianwinters.com. Purchase Julian's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.  Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons. Get tickets for my event with Candice Jalili at Powerhouse Arena (Brooklyn 10/14): https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/powerhousebookstores/book-launch-seeing-stars-by-candice-jalili Get tickets for my event with Cait Jacobs at The Next Chapter (Huntington NY, 10/20): https://www.thenextchapterli.com/product/cait-jacobs-book-talk-signing-monday-october-20th-7pm/20275   Other books mentioned this episode: How to Be a Normal Person by TJ Klune Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe The works of Keith Miller  

This week my guest is former journalist and current novelist Chloe Angyal! In her Dancers Down Under trilogy, Chloe writes about ballet dancers as athletes, employees, and hotties. We talked about her decision to self-publish BARRE FIGHT, the final book in the series, and how she wove the extensive research she did for her nonfiction book Turning Pointe: How a New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet From Itself into genre romance novels. Plus: how she wrote a high-steam romance novel without any penetrative sex scenes in POINTE OF PRIDE, the current conservative project to disenfranchise women, and her real-life meet cute with her husband Zach Wahls, who is now running for Senate in Iowa. Follow Chloe on Instagram as @chloe.angyal.writes and on Substack at https://chloeangyal.substack.com/ Order a signed copy of BARRE FIGHT here: https://chloeangyal.substack.com/p/how-to-get-a-signed-copy-of-barre  Support Zach Wahls for Senate: https://zachwahls.com/    Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Get tickets for my event with Candice Jalili at Powerhouse Arena (Brooklyn 10/14): https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/powerhousebookstores/book-launch-seeing-stars-by-candice-jalili Get tickets for my event with Cait Jacobs at The Next Chapter (Huntington NY, 10/20): https://www.thenextchapterli.com/product/cait-jacobs-book-talk-signing-monday-october-20th-7pm/20275 Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

It's time for another Rebel Ever After's premium episode! This month my guest is Katherine Morgan, the owner of Grand Gesture Books, Portland's first romance bookstore. She shared what she has learned during the store's first year at 814 SW 10th Ave — from managing stock to building community at events. She shared her advice on how authors can build strong relationships with their local booksellers, and how you can still support indie bookstores if you're on a book buying freeze. Plus we talked about all those beautiful hardcover special editions… and wondered what makes a special edition "special" anyway?  You can listen to the full episode at patreon.com/brosandprose. Subscribe for $3/month to support the show and pay an independent podcaster's rent. Follow Grand Gesture Books on Instagram and Threads at @grandgesturebooks, and @grandgesturebks on TikTok. Learn more about the store and sign up for the newsletter at https://linktr.ee/grandgesturebooks.

This week my guest is Alexandria Bellefleur, the author of many queer romances including Written In The Stars, The Fiancée Farce, and Truly Madly Deeply! We talked about her groundbreaking career and what it was like to publish one of the earliest breakout sapphic rom-coms in the trad space during this era of romance. We also discussed bi4bi romances, navigating the expectations of queer readers, and the way stories about bisexual characters are often put in ill-fitting boxes. Then Alexandria told me about her upcoming paranormal sapphic romance The Devil She Knows, inspired by the underrated 2000 comedy Bedazzled starring Elizabeth Hurley and Brendan Fraser. You can follow Alexandria on Instagram and Threads as @a.m.bellefleur. Purchase all of Alexandria's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible! Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support! Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and other media mentioned this episode: Cora Carmack Tessa Bailey  Elle Kennedy Mariana Zapata Brighton Walsh Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake Rachel Harrison's horror novels Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Hunger Games

It is spooky witchy season, and this week's guest is Celestine Martin! She is the author of the Elemental Love series, including Witchful Thinking, Kiss and Spell, and Deja Brew. We talked about finding inspiration in the history and liminal magic of the Jersey Shore, and giving black women the paranormal fairytale romances they deserve. Plus why cozy low-stakes romances are having a moment! As a head's up, there is some city noise in the background during our conversation. If you hear police sirens, that's us, not you. You can follow Celestine on Instagram as @celestinemartinauthor and on Patreon here. Purchase all of Celestine's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Attend my event with Sarah Beth Durst at Northport books on 9/11 at 7pm! Reserve your free ticket here.  Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support! Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.   Books and other media mentioned this episode: Midnight by Beverly Jenkins The work of Nisha Sharma  The work of Sarah Beth Durst ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade The work of Virginia Hamilton The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Witch Please by Ann Aguirre The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Charmed (1998 - 2006) Ever After (1998) Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

My guest this week is Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask and Once More With Feeling. She walked me through writing her new book Totally and Completely Fine, about a widow and single mom still grieving her late husband when she meets a famous, younger actor. Then we talked about her new podcast But How's the Sex about the sex lives of fictional characters, and how romance novels celebrate and respect horny women. Plus: Are small-town romances "cozy" or homogenised? And why are heroines in their 40s so rare? Follow Elissa on Instagram as @elissa_sussman or visit elissasussman.com. Purchase Totally and Completely Fine from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support! Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is the wonderful London Sperry, author of the 2024 rom-com Passion Project. London and I talked about the range of mental health representation in romance and her quest to write a self-destructive, grieving baddie who deserves love. Content warning that this episode touches on depression, anxiety, mourning and some light references to suicidal ideation. I promise we laughed a lot about being weirdos in New York City, golden retriever love interests, and our love for Sebastian St. Vincent. Follow London on Instagram @londonsperrywrites. Purchase PASSION PROJECT from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here! Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support!!   Books mentioned this episode: Passion Project by London Sperry City People by London Sperry (a work in progress!) But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen   Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is Eva Leigh, the author of My Fake Rake, Scandal Takes the Stage, Forever Your Earl, and many more historical romances. Her new romantasy The Sea Witch publishes this August with Canary Street Press. Eva writes fantastically bold heroines who find freedom and power despite the patriarchy. We talked about sustaining a career in the romance genre, why pirates should be your next obsession, and embracing female rage. Plus, Eva's decision to write a happily-ever-after for a sex worker in Dare to Love a Duke. Follow Eva on Instagram as @evaleighauthor and on BlueSky as @evaleigh.bsky.social‬, or visit her website, evaleighauthor.com Learn more about the pre-order campaign for The Sea Witch on Eva's Instagram here!   Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.   Books and authors mentioned this episode include: Judith McNaught Jude Deveraux Johanna Lindsey Eva's earlier work as Zoe Archer Lady Viper and The Bastard, Eva Leigh Dare to Love a Duke, Eva Leigh The work of Cat Sebastian The work of KJ Charles The Blades of the Rose, Zoe Archer To Catch a Raven, Beverly Jenkins (Btw, Eva looked into the source of "Comparison is the thief of joy" and most folks do attribute it to Theodore Roosevelt. Still a mystery when/where he said it!)   Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week my guest is Olivia Dade, the author of Spoiler Alert, All The Feels, At First Spite, 40-Love and many others. She has two books coming out this year, ZOMROMCOM in August and Second Chance Romance in November. We had a sprawling conversation about her dive into paranormal romance, writing fat heroines who are older than 27 years old, and the unique challenges of editing sex scenes.  Follow Olivia Dade on Bluesky as @oliviawrites.bsky.social‬, and sign up for her newsletter at go.oliviadade.com/Newsletter. Pre-order ZOMROMCOM, SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate bookstore at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Books mentioned this episode include: The Flesh Series, Kylie Scott Reawakening, Charlotte Stein Last Light, Claire Kent Hold, Claire Kent The Spoiler Alert series, Olivia Dade Cover Me, Olivia Dade But How Are You, Really, Ella Dawson (that's me!) The Hating Game, Sally Thorne The work of Emma Barry

My guest for Pride month's premium episode is Nina Haines, the founder of the virtual sapphic book club Sapph-Lit and the brand new publishing imprint of the same name. Nina is an advocate for queer authors and a community builder both online and offline. I asked her about her career as a bookish content creator, her thoughts on sapphic representation, and her decision to partner with Bindery to publish sapphic romance novels. Yes, you will hear the word "sapphic" a million times in this episode! We also gossiped about brands turning their backs on the LGBTQ community, and why book reviewers are so hard on lesbian characters.  Listen to the full episode at patreon.com/brosandprose !  Rebel Ever After be back on July 14th. If you miss me, get on the Rebel ever After Discord and chat with me and fellow listeners! Patreon subscribers have access. Join the Sapph-Lit community on Bindery: https://sapphlit.binderybooks.com/ Follow Nina on Instagram as @nina.haines, and Sapph-Lit as @sapphlit. Books mentioned this episode include: The Warrior Cats series by Erin Hunter The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The works of Audre Lorde, Cookie Mueller, and Eileen Myles Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters Saturn Returning by Kim Narby (coming in Spring 2026) Bless The Blood: A Cancer Memoir by Walela Nehanda All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner The Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake Here For The Wrong Reasons by Annabel Paulson and Lydia Wang The work of Emily Austin Triple Sec by TJ Alexander Single Player by Tara Tai The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

My guest this week is author, actress, and journalist Keah Brown. She has published three books, the 2019 essay collection The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall In Love With Me; the 2022 children's book Sam's Super Seats, and her YA romance debut The Secret Summer Promise in 2023. Keah, like the protagonist of The Secret Summer Promise, has cerebral palsy, and we talked about what better disability representation can look like in romance and beyond. We also discussed about why loving yourself is a lifelong process and Keah's decision to come out as bisexual. Plus: Do teens today read Sarah Dessen? Does Hollywood still do chemistry tests? Why aren't there kisses in rom-coms anymore? And when will Drew Barrymore be our friend? Follow Keah @keah_maria on Instagram and Threads, and @keahbrown.bsky.social‬ on BlueSky. You can also find her at keahbrown.com. Purchase THE SECRET SUMMER PROMISE and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after You can listen to Keah and I gab about The Pitt on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose — Patreon subscribers get access to premium episodes of Rebel Ever After, as well as access to our Discord server! Join starting at $3/month and have the satisfaction of supporting an indie podcast production that could really use your help.  Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. FILMS AND BOOKS MENTIONED INCLUDE: The Parent Trap (1998) Gotta Kick It Up (2002) The Pitt (2025) Just Listen, Sarah Dessen The Truth about Forever, Sarah Dessen This Lullaby, Sarah Dessen 50 First Dates (2004) Ever After (1998) Never Been Kissed (1999) A Walk To Remember (2002) Anyone But You (2023) Twisters (2024) Back In Action (2025) Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) The Holiday (2006) Pride & Prejudice (2005)  

My guest this week is Tara Tai, whose debut novel SINGLE PLAYER came out this January. It's a queer rom-com about two video game developers who clash over whether or not to include romantic storylines in their blockbuster new game Compass Hollow. Tara and I talked about what it was like for them to write a romance novel about gaming culture, and the similar social stigma of romance and gaming as adult hobbies. What are the key differences between writing a romance novel and a romantic video game storyline, and what games should romance readers play next? Plus, how the immersive experience of video games leads to incredible storytelling at its best… and dangerous fan behavior at its worst.  Follow Tara on Instagram @tarzaparzagagapan, on Bluesky @taratai.com‬, and at their website taratai.com. Purchase SINGLE PLAYER and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  My second-chance bisexual romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen.   Games mentioned include:  Ghost of Yotei Date Everything Dragon Age: The Vielgard Dungeons and dragons Clair Obscur Split Fiction Zelda: Breath of the Wild Stardew Valley The Sims Rollercoaster Tycoon Baldur's Gate Dragon Age Mass Effect Fire Emblem The Last of Us Part I and II   Books mentioned:  Love In Focus, Lyla Lee

My guest this week is Chip Pons, the author of You And I, Rewritten and the forthcoming reality TV romance Winging It With You. He walked me through his publishing journey, from querying agents to self-publishing to making his trad pub debut during Pride 2025. Then we talked about the radically beautiful cover of his rom-com. Finally, how can we bring more gay men into the romance community as readers and as authors?  Follow Chip Pons on Instagram and learn about his book tour dates at @booksovrbros. Purchase WINGING IT WITH YOU and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  My second-chance bisexual romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen!   Books mentioned in this episode include:  Slammed by Colleen Hoover Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston You And I, Rewritten and Winging It With You by Chip Pons

Welcome to PRIDE, y'all!! This week's guest is Joanna Lowell, the author of historical romances including A Shore Thing, The Duke Undone, and A Rare Find, which comes out on June 10th. She is also a Professor in the English Department at Wake Forest University.  We talked about her experience teaching modern romance novels alongside classics like Jane Austen in the classroom, and the threat the Trump administration poses to historical research and academia. Then she took us inside her writing process and collaborating with her partner to create trans and nonbinary characters. After all, people have lived and loved outside the gender binary throughout history. Follow Joanna on Instagram @JoannaLowellAuthor and visit her website at joannalowell.com You can find A Shore Thing and other romance novels featured on Rebel Ever After in my affiliate Bookshop at bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes fo the podcast! Your financial support makes this independent production possible.  My second-chance bisexual romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen! Books mentioned this episode include: The works of Jane Austen The Bromance Book Club, Lyssa Kay Adams The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang An Extraordinary Union, Alyssa Cole The Prospects, KT Hoffman A Gentleman's Gentleman, TJ Alexander Unmasked by the Marquess, Cat Sebastian Las Leonas series, Adriana Herrera Luna Sisters series, Liana De la Rosa Damsels of Discovery and Secret Scientists of London series, Elizabeth Everett Ladies In Hating, Alexandra Vasti  

Buckle up for the first ever Rebel Ever After quarterly romance discourse round-up. This month I analyzed the bad vibes of 2025: Why is the Chicago Sun Times recommending books that don't exist? Has publishing abandoned diverse voices? Why are popular books by black authors so hard to find in bookstores lately? Is Silver Elite a worthy successor to The Hunger Games? And what the hell is up with straight influencer Tinx publishing a sapphic "romance" novel? I discuss all of that and more in this premium episode. Listen to the full episode by subscribing for $3/month at patreon.com/brosandprose   

This week's guest is Harper St. George, the author of many historical romances including The Heiress Gets A Duke, The Stranger I Wed, and Eliza and The Duke (out on June 24th). We talked about writing relationships between equals across different time periods, from Vikings to the Victorian Era to the Wild West. Plus: Is indie publishing the future for historical romance? Are progressive heroes "historically inaccurate"? And what's it like to write a category Harlequin romance?  Pre-order ELIZA AND THE DUKE from Eagle Eye Books to get a signed copy and a stunning art print! Here's the link to do so: https://eagleeyebooks.com/book/9780593441023 Follow Harper on Instagram and Threads @harperstgeorge, and subscribe to her newsletter at harperstgeorge.com. Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the brand new Rebel Ever After Discord server! Your financial support makes this indie podcast possible.  My second-chance romance BUT HOW ARE YOU, REALLY with its beautiful new digital cover, is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen!

This week's guest is Betty Cayouette, author of TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL and ONE LAST SHOT. We talked about writing a romance that starts with a third act breakup, if the miscommunication trope deserves the hate it gets, and why a second-chance needs an excellent apology. Then Betty and I talked about sneaking the wage gap into a rom-com, and romance heroines who have experienced sexual violence and trauma. Plus: the dark reality of internet fame, male heroes who have a lot of growing to do, and why we both support the Victims Rights Law Center.  Be advised that this episode contains discussion of sexual assault and harassment. Follow Betty as @bettysbooklist on Instagram and TikTok, and visit her website at bettysbooklist.com. You can buy her books at the Rebel Ever After affiliate Bookshop.org store at https://bookshop.org/lists/rebel-ever-after Donate and volunteer with the VRLC at victimrights.org Please rate, review, and subscribe to Rebel Ever After on your favorite podcast app! Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/brosandprose starting at $3/month.  Listen to the first Rebel Ever After PREMIUM episode about STI stigma in romance at bit.ly/REABonusEp1 My second-chance romance But How Are You, Really with its BEAUTIFUL new cover is available wherever books are sold and at bit.ly/buthowareyoureallynovel