I was so grateful that Nichole Van was willing to sit down with me again for this episode after our bonus episode last week where we discussed AI in publishing.

Nichole is one of my favorite historical romance authors. I think she writes some of the most romantic, swoon-worthy, intimate stories with all the yearning you could ever want, and she manages to get all that deeply sexy emotion across while keeping the door closed.

We discuss several of her books, including her brand new release, A LASS BELOVED, the second book in the Earls of Cairnfell series. We also look at what makes for an enjoyable read at any spice level based on intimate scenes that feel true to the characters, and acknowledging real adult thoughts and emotions around sex even in closed door romances.

Other topics we hit on include writing older characters, and why the social restraints within a historical setting can lead to some really great stories!

You can find out more about Nichole and her books on her website, and you can follow her on Instagram

A LASS BELOVED is now available to purchase or read in Kindle Unlimited

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website

Instagram

Follow Andie James:

Website

Instagram

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

After I announced that I’d invited fellow historical romance author Nichole Van onto the podcast, I had a listener reach out to me asking if hosting Nichole came into conflict with my no Gen AI stance as they believed she had used Gen AI images in promoting her books previously.

So, I reached out to Nichole and said, “hey—my bad for not looking into this. I’m leaving it up to you if you still want to do the episode or not, but just be prepared for some comments or questions about AI.”

And Nichole responded that she had stopped using AI and would love to chat about it. As we prepared, we realized we had so much to say about AI that we decided to make this discussion an entirely separate bonus episode.

We talk about A LOT related to AI in this episode and it was fascinating to hear Nichole’s thoughts as someone who’s had not just her writing scrapped by AI, but also her images as a photographer, shaping her understanding and relationship to it. There’s how we define AI tools vs. Gen AI, a lot about all the gray areas in-between that are hard to navigate, and really that we are both against Gen AI, but there are no easy answers. Especially as some of the historical romance space around us has begun to embrace AI. And we wrap up with the thought that at the end of the day, we all just need to think through where we stand and be clear about it ,while lending one another some grace as we all figure this out in a rapidly changing system.

All my thanks to Nichole for a truly great conversation, and I hope you’ll all tune in next week as well to hear about her amazing books!

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website

Instagram

Follow Andie James:

Website

Instagram

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

This week was an important episode as I sat down with two lovely guests, Krista and Eleanor to discuss none other than one of the greats in historical romance, Ms. Beverly Jenkins herself! I’m absolutely ashamed to admit this is only the second Jenkins of read, but I loved it and it certainly won’t be the last!

While we do talk about the book we read for the episode, Night Hawk with its famous cover, we honestly spent most of the time talking about the importance of using romance stories to share the untold stories of Black people in America as the history books have tried to erase their history, both the horrific and the exemplary.

The impact of Jenkins is explored along with a discussion of her most famous work, Indigo which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year.

Below are links to more information on Beverly Jenkins, Including the recorded discussion Krist organized with Ms. Bev that we refer to in this episode, as well as where you can find more on Krista and Eleanor.

Beverly Jenkins website

Indigo, Night Hawk

Beverly Jenkins Discussion with Black BookTok

Fated Mates Historical Trailblazers Episode

You can find Krista on all social media platforms, Including Instagram and TikTok at @actingbrandnew_writing . There she discusses her experiences with writing historical romances herself, and her love of Beverly Jenkins

Eleanor can be found reflecting on historical romance through her Instagram @eleanorreadseverything, and you can look into her editing service on her website

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website

Instagram

Follow Andie James:

Website

Instagram

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

*My apologies to my fantastic guest this week, Alison, and listeners—somehow the last six minutes of our conversation was lost (Alison’s feed kicked out). Our conversation was basically done by then; we were discussing future projects from Alison and where to find her books.

This week for the July Indie Author chat I talk with the wonderful Alison McKenzie about her upcoming release, THE TAILOR’S TREASURE. This is the second book in her Lovers of Linden series, and will be released August 12, 2026.

We had a great time discussing writing in a different time period from the current norm in historical romance (Medieval), writing about everyday people vs. the Aristocracy and looking at the constraints imposed by positions within society, attitudes towards sexuality while writing a sapphic romance, and the impacts of motherhood. Alison also teaches us all about mindset and cultural understanding in the Middle Ages.

You can learn more about Alison and her books, including where they can be purchased on her website, and you can follow Alison on Instagram

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

Join us this week as I discuss a HistRom classic with our guest, Jen Prokop of Fated Mates fame, The Bride, by Julie Garwood!

Jen and I talk about how tense and POV has shifted over the years, how the pacing of love scenes has shifted as well as whether the focus is on the falling in love or the steam, the comfort of a great Scottish Highland romance, and Garwood’s skill at writing humor, allowing her to lean into archetypes.

Listen to the Fated Mates episode all about The Bride here

And visit Jen’s website to learn more about her superior editing services

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

This week’s episode features hybrid historical romance author, Harper St. George! Harper just released the final book in her Doves of New York series (which I LOVED!), The Dove and the Rogue, and we talk all things Gilded Age, Western romances, and the state of publishing in historical romance (what’s next?)

You can find information on Harper and all of her books on her website

And the Kickstarter for Besotted Books is now Live! Please consider backing this project so the genre we love can continue to thrive!

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

I had an amazing time talking Sherry Thomas with my guest, Seth, this week as we broke down what makes Private Arrangements such a standout in the Historical Romance genre. Listen in as we discuss his own first encounter with HistRom (and how Sherry set him up to love the genre!), emotional stakes, insights gained through a dual timeline, and how Sherry Thomas is like Taylor Swift!

You can find more from Seth, including his thoughts on romance books and encounters with authors we love, on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads where he is @dramakingbooks

And check out when Seth met Sherry Thomas at the Libby Awards and she signed his copy of Private Arrangements! https://www.instagram.com/p/DVuHtpYjhvt/?img_index=5

Read Private Arrangements yourself, and check out what we’re trying to do with Besotted Books !

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

Guess what? I'm trying to start a publishing company for historical romance—Besotted Books!

I’m so grateful to my friend and fellow historical romance author, Misty Urban, for agreeing to chat with me about Besotted Books today! You can learn more about Misty and her series, The Ladies Least Likely, here

To read more about Besotted Books, please visit the website

And follow us on Instagram @besotted.books

We’ll have a link to the Kickstarter and the media kit SOON!

—————————————————————————

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

I had such an amazing time this week discussing what historical romance can be and the fun of learning about history, queer joy, and gender fuckery!

Jane’s latest release is Mr. Milner Gets Divorced, and you can find out more about it, as well as Jane’s other books and where to find/purchase them on her website

AND if you sign up for her newsletter, you can get the companion story to Mr. Milner, Mrs. Milner Gets a Kitchen, for FREE! (and Marion Milner is a delight, y’all!)

Much of Jane’s inspiration for Mr. Milner and Stephen and his crew came from reading this Memoir: The Evening Crowd at Kirmser’s

And you can catch Jane’s lecture with Romancelandia University for their Spring 2026 session here. They discuss JOY in HR and revolutionary happy endings!

_________________________________

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan

Today is a fun bonus episode where I chat with Olivia (@nottheolivia on Instagram) about some of her thoughts on Historical Romance. I follow her on Instagram and think she is able to articulate what makes Historical Romance a unique genre within Romance beautifully, so I was excited to get some of her takes on where historical romance is headed (and if it should be).

You can follow Olivia on Instagram, and the post I referenced frequently, The Historical Romance Starter Kit, can be found here

To learn more about my new publishing venture, Besotted Books, please visit the website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/besotted-books, or follow us on Instagram

First Encounter is a podcast exploring both the foundations, and the future, of Historical Romance. Hosted by Andie James, Historical Romance enthusiast and author.

Support First Encounter:

Patreon

Follow First Encounter:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/firstencounterpod

Instagram: @first_encounter_hr_pod

TikTok: @first_encounter_hr_pod

Follow Andie James:

Website: https://www.andiejamesauthor.com/

Instagram: @andiejamesauthor

Logo designed by Books and Moods

Theme Music by TheJayMan