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This episode of Romance on the Rocks Podcast dives into the intertwining worlds of romance and politics, exploring how authors present love stories against political backdrops. The hosts, Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle, discuss two books, “A Vote of Confidence” by Robin Lee Hatcher and “Till I Kissed You” by Laura Trentham, examining themes of ambition, communication, and the challenges of blending personal and political lives.

• Exploring the political theme in romance literature
• Discussion of “A Vote of Confidence” by Robin Lee Hatcher and its religious undertones
• Character dynamics and their romantic tensions
• Insights into “Till I Kissed You” by Laura Trentham and love across state lines
• Challenges of communication and external pressures in relationships
• Encouragement to engage in the political romance discourse

And, as always, there's cocktails to be drunk by the two bookish biddies as well as the Spicy Scoville Scale ranking and Boobie Prize!

Meghan's Cocktail: Honey Rum from Spain
Nicole's Cocktail: Mississippi Haymaker

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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Can a beverage really set the tone for an entire podcast episode? While Meghan finds solace in a cozy coffee mug adorned with Jane Austen's charm, Nicole takes a bold leap with the pizzatini, crafted by her innovative husband, Bob. This whimsical drink, with its Parmesan cheese rim and pizza-themed garnishes, serves as the perfect companion while we reminisce about our favorite romance novels of season one. From the mild poblano-rated "60s Beauty" to the fiery habanero-rated "Heart of Nashville," we explore the spice levels of our 2024 romance novels and ponder on what truly defines romance, all while setting the stage for the romance books that tease what's to come in season 2.

Laughter is our constant companion as we recount some of the most entertaining moments from our literary escapades. Remember the curious absence of breasts in a Debbie Macomber's book? Or the side-splitting quotes from "Beauty Contest Nurse" and Jude Devereaux's "The Princess"? These unexpected literary twists, along with the amusing term "thrumming," have brought countless chuckles. Not to mention, our recording session blooper involving the character name "Allete" from "Vikings Chosen" that had us in stitches. It's these joyous surprises that capture the essence of Romance on the Rocks.

As we sign off with a musical flair, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all our listeners, the hopeless romantics who journey with us through each episode. The upcoming season hints at exciting reads like "A Vote of Confidence" by Robin Lee Hatcher and Till I Kissed You by Laura Trentham, which both blend romance with a political twist. As always, we invite you to follow us, leave a review, and share in the laughter and love of our podcast. Your support makes every episode a delightful adventure, and we can't wait to explore more with you.

And if you're in the market for new romance novels, we hope you'll consider purchasing from The Ripped Bodice. We've partnered with them via their affiliate program so anytime you purchase a book from them via our affiliate link, you'll be supporting both their awesome bookstores as well as our podcast. Here's the link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867

Meghan's Drink: Coffee in a Jane Austen mug
Nicole's Drink: Pizza-tini

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Season Two of Romance on the Rocks begins with a heartfelt reflection on the previous season's highs and lows, alongside a discussion of new goals, upcoming themes, and community engagement. We delve into memorable reads and our plans to explore various facets of romance, all while embracing our quirky, fun-driven approach to romance novel reviews.
• Reflecting on Season One's standout moments
• Setting goals and desires for 2025
• Highlighting memorable books and genres
• Emphasizing the role of food in romance novels
• Encouraging listener involvement and suggestions
• Previewing upcoming themes and guest authors

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
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Ever found yourself torn between a holiday romance novel and a festive cocktail? We’ve got the perfect blend for you. Grab your favorite yuletide drink — a bourbon and Cheerwine mix or maybe a chilled apple cider sangria — and join us as we unravel the romance in Lisa Kleypas' "A Wallflower Christmas." Despite what the cover suggests, it’s not Lady Natalie but her cousin Hannah Appleton who steals the limelight and Rafe Bowman's heart. With a mild trigger warning, we ensure our listeners are prepared for all twists and turns this delightful story brings.

But the romance doesn’t stop there. We draw a lively comparison between the enthralling Wallflower series and the less engaging Cedar Cove series, sharing our thoughts on the intensity of the Wallflower tales. We also chuckle over "A Charming Christmas Arrangement" by Heatherly Bell, where self-awareness and humor highlight the critical role of communication in romance. Through these discussions, we celebrate the joy of discovering well-developed characters and narratives that connect deeply, with a “habanero” rating for the Wallflower series for its spicy engagement.

As the year wraps up, we reflect on our favorite literary moments and invite our listeners to share their thoughts and suggestions for 2025. And, of course, we enjoy cherished moments like the "Boobie Prize" and "Romantic Reminders." We extend heartfelt gratitude to our community for their support, sending warm wishes for Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year. Join us in this joyous celebration of romance stories and stay tuned for more enchanting episodes in the future.

Meghan's Cocktail: Chilled Apple Cider Sangria
Nicole's Cocktail: Bluegrass Distillers Toasted Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey with Cheerwine

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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What if your holiday season could be spiced up with a touch of mystery and a dash of romance? This episode promises to take you on a whimsical journey through the world of holiday-inspired romance novels paired with festive cocktails. We explore the heat levels of our featured reads using our Spicy Scoville scale while Meghan Leigh sips on cozy hot chocolate spiked with brandy and Nicole Danielle indulges in a unique Christmas margarita with cranberry juice. Our main spotlight falls on Caroline Burnes' "A Familiar Christmas," where a mystery-solving cat named Familiar adds charm to a tale filled with humor, mystery, and the unlikely invention of antibacterial dolls.

Join us as Sylvie West's toy store escapades unravel in unexpected ways, featuring a Santa-disguised hero and a talking detective cat who brings an extra layer of hilarity to the plot. We dive into a critical analysis of romantic elements in this tale as well as the "Parent Trap"-inspired 1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber. Cliche characters and unrealistic rekindling of relationships abound as the bookish biddies share their seasonal romantic reads. And no regular episode of Romance on the Rocks is complete without our special Boobie Prize award. Do these books sizzle with holiday heat ... or are they just milk and cookies?

As we cozy up with our wintry cocktails, we encourage listeners to share their own bookish adventures and drink preferences, fostering a community of romance lovers savoring the seasonal spirit. We preview upcoming reads like "A Charming Christmas Arrangement" and "A Wallflower Christmas," promising more holiday romance reviews in our next episode. Don't miss out on joining our festive conversation, where love stories unfold in the most unconventional ways amidst the holiday cheer.

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
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Ever wondered how a literary giant could fall from grace, only to rise again and captivate readers? Join us as we unravel the scandalous story of Janet Dailey, whose admitted plagiarism in 1997 created shockwaves in the romance novel world. Despite the controversy, Dailey's ability to retain her fan base and continue her career raises intriguing questions about originality and inspiration in writing. This episode gives you a front-row seat to a conversation about the fine line between creativity and copying, and how an author’s past can shape the perceptions of their work.

Our deep dive into Dailey's personal struggles -- including family trauma and financial burdens -- offers a nuanced perspective on her controversial choices. We ponder the space for forgiveness and redemption, considering how these factors might sway an author's creative journey.

And our heartfelt thanks go out to listeners like Melissa, whose support fuels our enthusiasm. As we round off the episode, we tease our upcoming Christmas episode which features holiday romance novels involving sexy Santas, detective cats and more. Don't miss out on this captivating exploration of a real life romance novel scandal and the complexities of the literary world.

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

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Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Ever wondered how a simple holiday theme can transform your reading list? This Thanksgiving, join us for a festive edition of Romance on the Rocks, where Nicole and Meghan sip on mulled wine and Salted Caramel Martinis while uncovering the heartwarming delights of holiday romance novels. With no trigger warnings in sight, we dive straight into the essence of Thanksgiving captured in Jessica Gadziala's "Stuffed: A Thanksgiving Romance" and Margaret Watson's "A Thanksgiving to Remember," complete with apple orchards, fall football and unexpected love stories that will warm your heart.

Nicole can't contain her excitement over "Stuffed," which brings Callie back home after six years to face her brother's best friend, Adam, who she's had a crush on her whole life. Meanwhile, Meghan explores the intrigue of "A Thanksgiving to Remember," where nurse Tina White navigates her tangled feelings for a mysterious amnesiac named Tom Flint. Our discussions highlight how these novels weave realism and respectfulness into their narratives, making condom use in intimate scenes as natural as pie on Thanksgiving.

Listen as we reflect on the colorful world of romance novels, where age gaps, attention in relationships and modern storytelling keep our conversations lively and engaging. Celebrate with us the vibrant community of hopeless romantics and bookish enthusiasts who inspire us each episode. We invite you to share your thoughts, book recommendations and reviews on our favorite platforms -- your support and passion fuel our love for this delightful genre!

Cocktails in this episode:
Meghan -- Mulled Wine (cranberry juice, brandy, spices, mandarin oranges ... from a can)
Nicole -- Salted Caramel Martini (Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Smirnoff Caramel Kissed Vodka, Butterscotch Schnapps, Simple Syrup, Caramel Sauce, Maldon Sea Salt)

Our other Episodes mentioned in this podcast:
Season 1 Episode 2 -- Playing House
Season 1 Episode 3 -- Southern Romances: Music, Mobsters & Models

Checkout Jessica Gadziala, the author of Stuffed: A Thanksgiving Romance at https://www.facebook.com/JessicaGadziala/ or at http://jessicagadziala.com

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

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Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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What makes a Southern-set romance novel irresistible? It might just be the heady mix of ambition, personal struggles and the often messy world of love found within their pages. This episode, we uncork the secrets behind Robert Vaughen's "Heart of Nashville" and Janet Dailey's "Bluegrass King," pairing them with themed cocktails like Ole Smoky Gatlinburg Tennessee Salty Watermelon Whiskey. We explore the chaotic lives of country music stars and horse racing elites, all while tackling the more uncomfortable themes these stories present -- such as infidelity, mob influence and troubling societal norms of the 1970s.

Ever pondered the implications of mobsters in the romance genre or the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in past decades? We unpack these layers with a critical eye, discussing the intense and problematic narratives woven into the storyline of "Heart of Nashville." Our conversation ventures into the murky waters of medical ethics and attitudes around sexuality in 1975, balanced by the lighter moments of camaraderie between various characters.

Romance novels often leave readers with mixed feelings, and "Bluegrass King" is no exception. We dissect the rocky romance between Dani and Barrett, the emotional turmoil catalyzed by a beloved racehorse, and the convoluted transitions in character arcs.

Whether comparing absurd literary descriptions of anatomy or humorously rating the books' spice levels, we promise a candid, thought-provoking and entertaining ride through the world of Southern romance. So, pour yourself a drink and join us as we sift through the complexities of love and ambition in these interesting reads.

Cocktails for this Episode:
Meghan -- Ole Smoky Tennessee Salty Watermelon Whiskey
Nicole -- Dark & Stormy ... Get the recipe here: Essential Southern Cocktail: Dark ’n Stormy – Garden & Gun (gardenandgun.com)

Support the show

Our The Ripped Bodice Affiliate Link: https://www.therippedbodice.com/aff/romanceontherockspodcast_26867
(the best way to get your smut while supporting a fabulous women-owned business and our podcast!)

Follow us on our socials:
Facebook ... https://www.facebook.com/romanceontherockspodcast
Instagram ... https:/www.instagram.com/romanceontherockspodcast
Pinterest ... https:/www.pinterest.com/romanceontherockspodcast

Credits:
Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait