Lit Ladies

Sports romance books are all the rage in the book world. This week we chat about sports romance books--what's popular, what does the "clean" market offer, and where we think this trend will continue.

We analyze why women are drawn to these stories and which tropes we love. We even take a stab at the next trends we think will occur.

Here are some favorites:

Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor
Just Don't Fall by Emma St. Clair

Rookie Season by Katie Bailey & Leah Brunner

My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh

After She Falls by Carmen Schober

Hearts on the Fly by Toni Shiloh

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This week we are joined by Rom Com author Becca Kinzer. We talk about what drew her to writing rom coms and when and how she adds humor to her stories. We get the behind-the-scenes on her journey to finding an agent and publisher.

You will not want to miss some of her stories and inspiration behind them, and how she juggles life as a wife, mom, nurse, and writer.

Perfect in time for Valentine's Day, Becca sheds humor and heart into all of her stories.

Find Becca!

Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer

Love in Tandem by Becca Kinzer

First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer

Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer

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In this episode, we interview author Kaitlin Facista and take a deep dive into all things Tolkien!

She is the founder of Tea with Tolkien, a vibrant and positive online community celebrating the life, writings, and Catholic faith of J.R.R. Tolkien. She lives with her family in Indiana.

Kaitlyn writes and speaks on topics of Tolkien’s faith, the themes and virtues of Middle-earth, and what it means to be a Hobbit at Heart. She is passionate about cultivating a welcoming community for Tolkien readers new and experienced, bridging the gap between scholarship and fandom.

Tune in as we discuss allegories, symbolism, the ring, characters, and the life of a Hobbit.

Find Kaitlyn at Tea with Tolkien

Read her book: Into The Heart of Middle Earth by Kaitlyn Facista
Tolkien Gateway websiteTea with Tolkien website

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This week we take a deep dive into some of our favorite writing craft resources. We discuss our top craft books, podcasts, and advice we've picked up along the way.

We talk about what draws us to particular books, what's on our shelf, and what we've skimmed (but not read).

If you're a writer or aspiring writer, or even just curious how writers think, you won't want to miss this episode!

Books and Resources Mentioned:

Save the Cat by Jessica Brody

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell

The Art of Revision by Dr. Angela Hunt

Christian Publishing Show by Thomas Umstattd, Jr

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemmingway

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Writing Excuses Podcast

The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian Fiction

The Emotional Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

The Story Equation by Susan May Warren

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This week we feature a crossover episode with our friends on The Historical Bookworm! We take a deep dive into historical fiction and what draws us to it. We also discuss how to enter into some of the harder parts of historical fiction, and some of our favorite time periods, including various wars and their impact on history.

The Historical Bookworm Podcast is a bi-weekly interview show for fans of inspirational historical fiction. . It’s a unique interview show with a historical spin! Hosts KyLee Woodley and Darcy Fornier interview authors about craft, research, and stories behind the stories, plus short segments like Pinch of the Past and The Bookworm Review.

Designed for history lovers and readers, each episode mixes thoughtful conversation, fun historical tidbits, and honest recommendations — perfect for listening while you drive, jog, or wait for the kids.

Follow these ladies for the latest:

@historicalbookwormpodcast

@darcyfornierwriter

Find KyLee Woodley Here!

Find Darcy Fornier Here!

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Book Recommendations:

Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Dreams in Savannah by Roseanna M. White

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

The Ice Swan by J'Nell Ciesielski

Lady Ever After by Tamara Leigh

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Dark of the Moon by Fiona Valpy
The Beekeeper's Promise by Fiona Valpy
The Curator's Daughter by Melanie Dobson
Angel from the East by Barbara A. Curtis
The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson
The Bounty Hunter's Surrender by KyLee Woodley
Turn to Me by Becky Wade
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
Long Bright River by Liz Moore

This week we're dropping a bonus Christmas episode, where we launch our new book-buying options on Bookshop! www.bookshop.org/shop/litladiespod

We'll share our favorite Christmas reads, favorite reads of the year, and our own Christmas traditions.

Books we love and LINKS!

My Merry Mistake by Courtney Walsh

Holly & Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. Amant

The Spirit of Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti 

Advent for Exiles by Caroline Cobb

This book will bury me by Ashley Winstead

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Break My Fall by Lynn Blackburn

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We talk with award-winning author and AI expert Kate Angelo on all things AI and writing. You won't want to miss this conversation!

Will AI take the place of human writers?

What are AI Agents?

Does AI control us, or do we control AI?

What are our ethical perimeters with AI?

Can authors use AI to HELP their careers? If so, how?

What's the place of AI in writing--and we talk about some topics that are AI we never even considered.

Find Kate: https://kateangelo.com/

Get her latest book here: Girl Lost by Kate Angelo

Novel Crafter

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In this week's episode, we discuss literature and feasts with Managing Editor of the Anselm Society, Sarah Howell. We talk about what balance look like, how we enjoy the communion feast, and what feasts represent in literature.

Of course, we discuss our own favorite feasts and books, too!

You won't want to miss this special Thanksgiving episode and all the depth behind our celebrations.

Books Discussed:

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis

Babette’s Feast

The Goblin Market (poem) by Christina Rosetti

Yolk by H.K. Choi

Ask of Old Paths–Grace Hammond

For the life of the world Alexander Schmemann (unavailable)

Do you love literature? Have a disconnected relationship with the classics? We've heard it all, but in this episode we break down preconceived notions, and discuss why literature and the sister arts point us to beauty.

You won't want the miss the beauty in this episode. We talk about how to close the gap between what's "out there" and what's "in here."

Our ancestors excelled at interiority and poets attempted to communicate without using trite or banal concepts. How do we experience the world around us?

We'll talk digital lethargy, prudence, and how to stop starving to death spiritually.

Find Jason M. Baxter:

Substack: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/

https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/

Why Literature Still Matters, Jason M. Baxter

An Experiment in Criticism, C.S. Lewis

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The mythical figure of a witch has been around for millennia. Fairy tales have often embodied that old woman in the cottage in the woods. Today we’re going to delve into the history of witches in literature and culture from a Biblical perspective. We talk conviction, boundaries, and more!

Haunted Cosmos Podcast

FIeldmoot Substack

Books we Discuss:

Nightbooks by J.A. White

Circe by Madeline Miller

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

Curses and other Buried Things by Caroline George

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti

Demon: A Memoir by Tosca Lee

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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