We're still sheltering in place here in the Bay Area, so our health-minded hosts recorded another quickie while we figure out the logistics of recording separately. Neil has an article to share, Claire brings some problematic nonsense from Twitter, and we play a new game! FMKocktail! Neil and Claire name a romance trope and they take turns deciding the perfect boozy beverage to pair with it.

The dishes are done, the toys are put away, the kids are asleep....and now it's time for OUR bedtime *conspicuous wink* We hope you have some healthy snacks handy, because today we're reading about male nannies! In this episode we read "The Nanny" by Max Hudson, and "RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny (Loose Ends Book 1)" by Rebekah Weatherspoon. In this nurturing episode, our hosts discuss the horrors of bathtime, what *really* happens in the locker room, and why even men made out of cardboard deserve better.

Well, we're sheltering in place and practicing social distancing for the common good, even though it's very, very hard. Significant others are getting in plenty of quality time together (the quality of that time, according to the internets, is all over the place). But what about the single ladies? All the single ladies! In this episode, Neil and Claire talk about romance (and sex, of course) during the COVID pandemic.

Hope everyone is staying safe and staying healthy!

I've come from across the stars to tell you how passionately I love you....and this isn't just a warp drive in my pocket! Get your galactic mileage plan ready because we're doing space operas! Today we read "Reign: A Space Fantasy Romance (Strands of Starfire Book 1)" by May Sage, and "Safe Passage (Black Flag Book 1)" by Rachel Ford. In this epic episode, our hosts discuss: males and females; overprotective robots; and why you shouldn't date nazis - especially space nazis.

Note: This episode was recorded before the shelter in place order in the Bay Area. So when Claire says go to Books Inc., don't do that. That's not what you should be doing. What you should be doing is ordering from them online!

Can you believe we've been doing this for two years! To celebrate, we did another live show at Books Inc.! On this episode, we have a little "year in review" action, and then we use the VAST knowledge we've learned from romance novels to answer your romance advice questions!

Claire's 2019 Picks:

"An Extraordinary Union (The Loyal League Book 1)" by Alyssa Cole

"Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels (How to Write Kissing Books Book 1)" By Gwen Hayes

Neil's 2019 Picks:

"Red, White, and Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston

"How to Talk to Nice English Girls: a lesbian historical romance" by Gretchen Evans

Is that some fur on your tummy, or are you just happy to see me? Let's get feral because today we're doing werewolves! On this pheromone-inducing episode, we read "Wolf Signs: Northern Lights Edition (Granite Lake Wolves Book 1)" by Vivian Arend, and "The Midnight Hunt (Midnight Hunters Book 1)" by L.L. Rand. Today, our howling hosts discuss cheesecake, the tired old virgin trope, and how much money werewolves have to spend on pants.

Alright, ladies, it's time to raise your skirts and bob your hair because we're heading back to the '20s! But we can stand this pesky prohibition thing, so we'll hop across the pond and see if we can't find some love. All of this to say that we're doing American ladies in England in the '20s! (Thanks, Claire). In this roaring episode, we read "How to Talk to Nice English Girls: a lesbian historical romance" by Gretchen Evans, and "Across the Formidable Sea (Laura Elliott-Stratford Book 1)" by Claire M. Laminen. This time our hotsy-totsy hosts discuss gay butlers, stepdads who are actually really nice, and Neil learns that he actually does like some love stories!

They say that those who can't do, teach. Well we say those who teach, can do, and do so all night long. And we're putting that to the test, because today we're discussing novels written by our how-to gurus from episode 35! This time we read "Falling Under (A Falling Under Novel Book 1)" by Gwen Hayes and "Hot Head" by Damon Suede. In this episode, our well-informed hosts discuss psychics in drag, kind-hearted and very professional porn producers, and Claire learns something that definitely doesn't work for her in bed. Quick note, we did record this episode before our RWA episode, because you know we would've talked about it had we known!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled episode to bring you breaking news from the Romance Writers of America! In this not so quick quickie, Claire updates us on the scandal that is rocking the romance world, and Neil discusses Chuck Tingle's literary critic of the whole affair: "Not Pounded By Romance Wranglers Of America Because Their New Leadership Is From The Depths Of The Endless Cosmic Void" So strap in, because things are about to get crazy! (And, spoilers, a little racist).

Articles Cited:

Claire Ryan's Timeline

https://www.claireryanauthor.com/blog/2019/12/27/the-implosion-of-the-rwa

Laura Vivanco's write up on Corporate Buyer

http://teachmetonight.blogspot.com/2019/08/racism-and-corporate-romance-buyer.html

Suzan Tisdale's Video Response

https://www.pscp.tv/w/1yoKMzRLLjYGQ?t=11m51s

"Fifty Shades of White" - The Guardian, April 2019

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/04/fifty-shades-of-white-romance-novels-racism-ritas-rwa

"What Happened?" - Vox, December 2019

https://www.vox.com/2020/1/10/21055125/rwa-what-happened-resignations-courtney-milan-damon-suede-backstory-2020-ritas-conference

"President and Executive Director Resign" - Publisher's Weekly, January 2020

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/82124-rwa-president-executive-director-resign-as-publishers-drop-its-annual-conference.html

"The Leaders Have Resigned" - LitHub

https://lithub.com/after-months-of-controversy-the-romance-writers-of-americas-leaders-have-resigned/

Suzan Brokmann's Acceptance Speech

https://tinyletter.com/SuzanneBrockmann/letters/that-rwa-lta-speech-news-from-suz

Sue Grimshaw's Award (Read the comments)

https://dearauthor.com/features/industry-news/sue-grimshaw-awarded-the-2008-vivian-stephens-industry-award-from-rwa/

BONUS:

We didn't talk about this in the podcast but it's worth looking at.

"The Ten Most Bonker's Moments from this Damon Suede Interview"

http://jennytrout.com/?p=12845

Hello, lover. We're going to teach you the ways of love......-driven novels. Because today we're reading romance how-to guides! On this education episode, we read "Verbalize: bring stories to life & life to stories (live wire writer guides)" by Damon Suede and "Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels (How to Write Kissing Books Book 1)" by Gwen Hayes. Our hosts discuss linguistics, the epic battle of Plotters vs. Pantsers, and Christine has a shocking revelation about Chuck Tingle!