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A bride gets kidnapped at her own wedding, dragged to a remote island, and the “monster” watching her from the shadows turns out to be the only person who understands her. We’re talking about I Am Dragon, the 2015 Russian fantasy romance film that feels like a Beauty and the Beast retelling filtered through folklore, snow, and surprisingly strong visual effects.

Before the dragons, we hit romantasy news that’s actually useful: a special edition Black Dagger Brotherhood drop, RomanticyCon announcing an Edinburgh, Scotland event plus next year’s Orlando dates and venue change, and adaptation updates including Amazon optioning Abigail Owens. We also hype new releases like Danielle L. Jensen’s Defy the Dusk (post-apocalyptic fantasy with convoys outrunning the dark) and a holiday-ready advent romance collection that turns short stories into a daily read.

Then we break down the movie’s core romance and its biggest questions. Why summon a dragon who only appears when called? What’s the deal with the “honor” storyline and the fog rules? And what does it mean that Arman doesn’t want to be a dragon, even when the world insists he has to be? Also, one of us tries to watch the whole thing without reading subtitles, which becomes its own chaotic experiment in storytelling.

We wrap with dragon romance book recommendations across spicy and sweet, including Rebecca F. Kenney, Opal Reyne, Katee Robert, Kimberly Lemming, Grace Draven, and more. If you love romantasy, dragon shifter romance, fantasy romance films, and folklore-flavored love stories, hit subscribe, share this with a fellow dragon reader, and leave us a review. What’s your all-time favorite dragon romance, and does I Am Dragon count as a kissing story?

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Books for Days Crate special edition of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series 
  • Website Link
• RomantasyCon News
  • Edinburgh Scotland in 2017! July 15-18, 2027; tickets on sale 4/18/26
  • Orlando 2027 dates Oct. 28-30
  • Instagram Link
• Legendary Entertainment studio tapped for Alchemized
  • Instagram Link
• Danielle Jenson new duology - Defy the Dusk
  • Instagram Link
• The Twelve Loves of Christmas - an advent romance collection
  • Amazon Link
• Abigail Owens Games Gods Play TV series by Amazon
  • Facebook Link
• Conspiracy of Charming Monsters by Holly Black
  • Instagram Link

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A demon wall is cracking, a crown is missing, and the only person who can cross the Badlands alive might be the exact person you should never trust. We’re Mari, Ashley, and Jonathan, and we go deep on Crown Of War And Shadow by J.R. Ward, the first book in the Kingdom of the Compass series. If you like gritty romantasy, high-stakes quests, and a love story that keeps asking “is this real or is it control,” there’s a lot here to argue about. 

We start with the book-world vibe check: this isn’t a bright, courtly fantasy, it’s harsh, cinematic, and dark, with demons pressing in and ordinary people making brutal choices. We talk pacing, the heavy journeying, and the moments where Ward’s writing turns almost poetic. Then we dig into what makes Sorelle compelling: she’s a healer and outcast, not a swaggering assassin, and her kindness becomes a real kind of power in a world that punishes softness. 

From there, we get into spoilers and twists, including what Merck is hiding, why the romance hits differently than other “he lied to her” stories, and how the late-book reveals flip the meaning of key symbols and alliances. We also explore a fun theory about whether this new series could connect to Black Dagger Brotherhood lore, and what that might mean for Ward’s wider universe. 

If you’ve read the book, come tell us where you landed: Team Merck or Team Absolutely Not? Subscribe to Of Swords And Soulmates, share this with your favorite romantasy reader, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• SJM announced dates for next ACoTaR installment on Call Her Daddy Podcast
  • Instagram Link
• Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo releases Sept. 2026
  • Goodreads Link
• Sarah Beth Durst book tour 3/31 to 4/08
  • Instagram Link 
•  Minalima has opened preorders for The Little Prince
  • Official Website
• Sebastian Nothwell is doing a Oak King, Holly King Kickstarter
  • Kickstarter Link
• Fantasy Fangirls podcast cohost Nicole has a 3-book deal
  • TikTok Link
• Cinci 2026 (WardenCon) tickets are going on sale 03/30
  • Instagram Link

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Two characters. Zero escape. That’s the secret engine behind some of the most addictive romance books and rom-com movies, and we’re pulling it apart: forced proximity. We talk through what the trope really means, why it shows up across romance, romantasy, and adventure stories, and how it creates the kind of pressure that makes characters drop their defenses fast. We also share a pile of recognizable setups, from contests and quests to workplace romances, academic rivals, bodyguard situations, fake dating, and marriage of convenience.

We get into the craft side too: forced proximity works because it forces change. When routines collapse and the clock is ticking, characters have to interact more intensely than they normally would, which can spark conflict, banter, and genuine vulnerability. We connect it to the social psychology “proximity principle,” then ask the hard question writers have to answer: once the storm ends, the job wraps, or the contract expires, why would these two still choose each other?

Finally, we debate the risks. When does the trope lean too hard on deception? When does a high-stakes ordeal create trauma bonding that looks like romance on the page but feels shaky afterward? We also detour into some fandom news, including a Sarah J Maas interview recap with spoiler-aware context about her process, pressure, and creative control. If you love romance tropes, forced proximity, fake dating, and romance book recommendations, you’ll leave with new ways to spot what’s working and what isn’t. Subscribe, share the episode with a trope-loving friend, and leave a review so more readers and watchers can find us.

Interesting articles

·      What is a trope?

·      Examples of tropes.

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What if aliens tried to rebuild human culture using half-baked research and vibes—and you had to survive it with a lion, two dangerously attractive strangers, and a pink tyrannosaur? We dive into Kimberly Lemming’s Cosmic Chaos debut to unpack how a wildlife biologist becomes the most competent person on a planet that shouldn’t exist, why slapstick can carry real stakes, and how consent and agency still matter when a so-called love serum enters the chat.

We trade favorite set pieces—from crash-landing to cul-de-sacs copy-pasted across the horizon—and dig into the sharper edges hiding under the humor. The “almost-right” suburbia becomes satire of AI mimicry and media pastiche; an ancient war with no remembered cause turns into commentary on propaganda’s long tail. Along the way, we celebrate the audiobook performances, debate whether this counts as a kissing book or a gloriously filthy romp, and crown Toto the lion as the episode’s undisputed MVP. If you love sci-fi romance with riotous banter, found-family warmth, and worldbuilding that winks at our own chaos, this one belongs on your TBR.

We also share quick-hit book news, special editions worth hunting, and upcoming reads, then map who will love this story: fans of Hitchhiker’s Guide energy who want it spicier, readers craving absurdist humor with heart, and anyone who believes laughter is a survival skill. Hit play, laugh with us, and tell us your take: did the chaos win you over, and who stole your heart—Dory, Sol, Locke, or Toto? If you enjoy the show, tap follow, rate and review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a chaotic cosmic getaway.

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Fae Crate is doing an Opus edition of Jacklyn Hyde’s Monster Bae series
  • Instagram Link
• The cover for Bk Borison’s Grim Tidings is out
  • Instagram Link
• The Bone Singer by Abigail Owen releases Sept. 2026
  • Instagram Link
• Funko is doing Cruel Prince funkos!
  • Instagram Link
• Paige Lavoie new book details - My boyfriend is a Swamp Monster
  • Instagram Link
• Cover for Julie de Soto’s Rose in Chains (paperback)
  • Instagram Link

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What happens when a prince of Hell chases jazz instead of damnation and a sharp violinist sees through his curse? We pull apart My Funny Demon Valentine with a mix of swoon and side-eye, exploring how music, touch, and honesty thaw a heart frozen by centuries of numbness. From smoky club sets to rooftop confessions, this love story leans on found family—four demon brothers who tease, cook, and protect like it’s a sport—and pits them against watchers, angelic bloodlines, and the kind of fatherly meddling that makes you want to throw the book.

We compare reading formats and why the audiobook’s distinct voices solve the mid-chapter POV jump problem. We talk spice with purpose—heat as a language for someone who can’t yet name feelings—and why consent reads clean even when naivety causes messy moments. Then we dig into Nephilim lore, the politics of celestial hierarchy, and how institutions enforce rules that romance then dares to break. Predictable? Sometimes. But charm isn’t only about surprise; it’s about tone, texture, and the people you want to spend time with.

There’s healthy debate, too: frustration over the series pivot after book one, delight in the brothers’ banter, and a firm “kissing book” verdict. Along the way we share rapid-fire romance news—cover reveals, film options, monster romance drops—and a few joyful detours, from Bridgerton watch parties to hilariously mistranslated stickers. If you love Charmed energy, found family dynamics, demons with tender rituals, and jazz as emotional catalyst, you’ll feel right at home here.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Of Swords and Soulmates, rate and review on your favorite app, and share this with a friend who needs a cursed demon with a sax and a soft heart. Tell us your take: audio or ebook for this one?

Links and News

• Cover Release for The Adventures of a Tiny Tree, Including Whimsical Anecdotes from a Discarded Pair of Trousers
  • Instagram Link
• Paige Lavoie new book – My Boyfriend is a Swamp Monster
  • Instagram Link
• The Sequel to Kiki’s Delivery Service released for the first time in English speaking markets
  • Barnes and Noble Link
• Books for Days Crate company special edition of Victoria Aveline’s Clecanean series 
  • Facebook Link
• Danielle L Jensen’s Bridge Kingdom has been picked up for a movie by James Farrell’s Red Sage Studios
  • News Article
• Daggerbound cover has dropped
  • Amazon Link

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An axe, a prophecy, and a lie that detonates a romance—this conversation gets heated fast. We dive into Danielle L. Jensen’s A Fate Inked in Blood and split the table on one core question: can love survive when one partner withholds the truth to keep the other alive? Freya’s journey from repressed survivor to god-touched shield maiden becomes our lens for talking about agency, trauma, and the high cost of destiny. Along the way, we compare “cozy” moments to “cutthroat” realities and argue over whether omissions count as betrayal when blood oaths and politics make honesty dangerous.

We thread Norse mythology through the analysis—Hel, Hlin, Baldur, and prophecy—showing how the lore shapes character motives and foreshadows the book’s biggest twists. Expect a spirited breakdown of Bjorn’s choices: strategic misdirection or manipulative double life? One of us can’t forgive him; another defends the long game; the rest live in the messy middle where desire and doubt wrestle for control. We also talk craft: side quests that build intimacy, a steady burn that tests consent and trust, and an audiobook performance that adds grit without theatrics.

Beyond the main read, we round up romance news you’ll actually care about: Fourth Wing live events and season-per-book TV plans, Lore Olympus heading to animation, special edition drops, and a flurry of new releases and merch. If you’re here for fantasy romance with teeth—feminine rage, godly meddling, and lovers pulled between survival and truth—you’ll find a lot to chew on.

Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe, rate, and review to help more romance nerds find us, and share this episode with a friend who loves a good prophecy fight. Then tell us: Team Freya or Team Bjorn?

See Links and News from the show at https://ofswordsandsoulmates.com/ep52notes/

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A wicked queen, a runaway archduke in disguise, and a library begging to be tamed—this one had us grinning, gasping, and arguing about consent, secrets, and sex magic. We dive into Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgess, a romantasy that flips the script: the heroine is the fearsome protector with a laboratory and a reputation, while the love interest is tender, bookish, and carrying scars he didn’t earn. That balance of power isn’t a gimmick; it’s the beating heart of a story that treats softness as bravery and rage as care.

We walk through the fairy-tale echoes—think Beauty and the Beast, but reversed—and why the library courtship works so well. From flirtatious poetry and fountain pens to a cataloging project that doubles as foreplay, the romance is playful without losing heat. We also dig into the world’s quiet brilliance: a queer-normative society presented without fanfare, political stakes tied to how magical minorities are treated, and a found family that feels chosen in the best way. Predictable turns don’t dull the ride; the tension comes from timing, trust, and the danger of truths left unsaid.

Along the way, we share bookish news: audiobook narrator updates, Fourth Wing nights with the 76ers and Flyers, a Temeraire-inspired tabletop RPG, Ruby Dixon’s daily dragon-shifter serial, and special-edition Kickstarters lighting up monster romance shelves. If you loved Emily Wilde, Assistance of the Villain, or Villains and Virtues, this episode is your cozy, clever, slightly feral sweet spot. Tap play, then tell us your favorite trope reversal and which queen you want next. If this made your TBR grow, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review—your support helps more readers find the show.

Links from the Show

• Anthony Palmini, voice of Rhysand in ACOTAR (among others) is doing an Instagram live
  • Instagram Link
• Fourth Wing Philadelphia 76ers/flyers takeover in March
  • Instagram Link
• Temererie the role playing game Kickstarter coming 2026
  • Instagram Link
  • Kickstarter Link
• New Ruby Dixon work
  • Instagram Link
  • First Chapter Sample
• Captured by the Fae Beast Kickstarter special editions
  • Instagram Link
  • Kickstarter Link
• Oops I summoned a Metamorphic Monster by Opal Reyne
  • Instagram Link

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New Year, new stacks… and a lot of honesty. We step back from single-title deep dives to survey a full year of romantasy and romance-adjacent reads—what shocked us, what fell flat, and which series rewired our brains. From a YA dragon school that tackles colonial power with heart to a sci‑fi romance that outsmarts its pulpy cover, we spotlight books that prove premise isn’t destiny. We also confess the special editions we still haven’t opened and the sequels we’re saving for a quiet week.

We trade our most anticipated releases for 2026—T. Kingfisher’s Dagger Bound, Stephanie Burgess’s Enchanting the Fae Queen, and J.R. Ward’s new romantasy—and champion new-to-us voices, including Bridget Knightley’s fanfic-rooted contemporaries and Moniquill Blackgoose’s sharp worldbuilding. Audiobooks get their flowers: Jeff Hays turns Dungeon Crawler Carl into a one-man full-cast, The Cruel Prince grips harder in audio, and Your Coffin or Mine? dazzles with accent agility. If you’re audiobook-curious, this is your permission to switch formats and fall in.

Goals, without the guilt: one of us hit 314 by pairing audiobooks with “eyeball reads” and DNFing early, while others are lowering targets to keep the joy. We share practical series plans, pocket-sized anxiety hacks, and the titles we wish we could read for the first time again—Throne of Glass, Bull Moon Rising, To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. Also on the table: the hot take that a massively popular series isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.

If you love romantasy, monster romance, dragon academies, and smart, character-first stories, you’ll leave with a sharper TBR and a saner plan. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a goal reset, and tell us: what was your most surprising read of the year?

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A ghost with a deadline. A people pleaser with a past. A Christmas Carol framework that dares to ask whether love can rewrite the rules. We dive into Good Spirits by BK Borison and unpack why this holiday romance feels tender, funny, and surprisingly cathartic. From the opening meet-cute to the late-game goodbye that nearly broke us, we trace how the book balances cozy predictability with real emotional stakes, and why that combo is exactly what many of us crave this time of year.

We also explore the book’s sly worldbuilding: an afterlife that runs like a slightly exasperated office, reapers with missing paperwork, and a boss whose accent paints a picture before we get the backstory. Think Beetlejuice bureaucracy meets Spirited’s cheerful existentialism. The panel shares personal reflections on people pleasing, boundary setting, and how Harriet’s growth feels painfully familiar in the best way. Add in a very opinionated cat, on-point spice, and a romance that builds through conversation and care, and you’ve got a seasonal standout.

Beyond the review, we detour through folklore with a lidérc deep dive, gush over special editions in the Grishaverse, and chat about the growing crossover between sports events and book fandoms. We close with recs for holiday retellings and audiobooks with memorable performances, plus our favorite Christmas Carol adaptations that shaped how we read stories like this one. If you love cozy fantasy romance, gentle hauntings, and HEAs that feel earned, press play and warm up with us. Enjoyed the episode? Follow, rate, and share the show, and tell us your favorite holiday romance or Carol adaptation—we’re taking notes for our year-end wrap-up!

Links from the Episode

• Witches Love Monsters series collaboration or multiple authors coming
  • Regine Abel, Opal Reyne, Naomi Lucas, Tiffany Roberts
  • 4 spicy novellas featuring witches and monsters
  • Will be available on KU
  • Instagram Link
•  Illumicrate is releasing a special edition of the Six of Crows duology.   
  • Royal hardbacks, not signed
  • General presale 01/22 at 3pm GDT
  • Instagram Link
• 2025-2026 Nuggets Fourth Wing Interest Slip is available for submission
  • Wed 04/08/26 versus the Memphis Grizzlies
  • Standard or VIP package
  • Facebook Link

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A stitched body, a bruised heart, and a question that won’t let go: who bears the burden for what we make? We dive into Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and trace its roots from Mary Shelley’s storm-lit summer to a modern, war-shadowed tale about creation, responsibility, and the cost of love. This isn’t just another gothic retelling—it’s a story about breaking cycles, where forgiveness is the bravest experiment in the lab.

We start with the news that’s lighting up romantasy—cover reveals, special editions, and why “trend readers vs genre readers” is shaping online discourse more than craft. Then we jump into the film’s craft: Oscar Isaac as a preening, brilliant Victor; Jacob Elordi as a towering, soulful Creature who learns love the way many of us do—from stories and the rare person who is kind; and Mia Goth’s striking dual roles that knit grief, desire, and projection into Victor’s unraveling. We talk color symbolism and costume design as character psychology, from blood-red guilt to nature-drenched greens and x-ray-stitched gowns. Practical effects and built sets keep the world tactile: a ship that creaks, a laboratory that feels engineered by obsession, and camera moves that play like a rock concert.

The adaptation choices matter. Setting the tale against the Crimean War reframes Victor’s ambition as morally funded by violence, while the “brain bargain” with an arms dealer sharpens the ethics of creation. Del Toro’s ending—asking for forgiveness instead of doubling down on punishment—will spark debate among purists, but it lands with emotional clarity. We wrestle with whether this is a kissing story, and arrive at something richer: a romance of care, where monstrosity looks less like stitched skin and more like the refusal to take responsibility for what you bring into the world.

If you love romantasy, gothic cinema, adaptation theory, or just want to argue about whether color motifs can break your heart, you’ll feel right at home. Hit play, then tell us your hottest Frankenstein take, share the episode with a friend, and tap follow so you never miss what we resurrect next. 

Links from the News Segment and Show:

• Kimberly Lemming did a cover reveal for her latest novel - I Punched An Alien And Now We’re In Couples Therapy 
  • Instagram Link
• LitJoy Crate is doing a special edition of Gail Carson Levine’s The Two Princesses of Bamarre
  • Link to LitJoy
• Cover revealed for The Wrath Gods Reap by Abigail 
  • Instagram Link
• Cover revealed for Loched in Love by Jacklyn Hyde
  • Instagram Link
• Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked is releasing a prequel Galinda novel
  • Instagram Link
• Time released their 100 must read books of 2025  
  • Link to article
• Threads discussion on What’s Going on in Romantasy
  • Link to Threads

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