February 26, 2025

S12:Ep252 - A Tribute of Fire with Guest Sariah Wilson + Picture Books - 2/26/25

1 hour 7 minutes

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You can find Sariah Wilson at her website www.sariahwilson.com or on IG - @sariahwilsonauthor

We chat this week with Sariah Wilson, the author of many, many rom-coms, who recently published her first romantasy titled A Tribute of Fire. A Tribute of Fire is inspired by the myth of Cassandra who, if you remember, is the Trojan princess who was cursed with the ability to see the future but no one believes her. Sariah’s story focuses on Cassandra’s assault in Athena's temple by Greek hero Ajax and the resulting punishment which is that two maidens from Ajax’s home, Locris, will be sacrified. How exactly, this punishes Ajax, I’m not sure, but such is Greek myth.

Sariah talks to us about her favorite romance trope (which she hardly ever writes herself), the whirlwind backstory to the publishing of this book, and how the popularity of The Fourth Wing series really cracked open a whole new world for romance writers.

And for our book recommendations, we’re going to share some children’s picture books that have stories and illustrations we love. Earlier this month was National Picture Book Authors & Illustrators Week, but we don’t think you need a special week as an excuse to read a delightful picture book.

Books Mentioned in this Episode:

1- A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson

2- The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks

3- A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

4- The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

5- Greek and Roman Warfare: Battles, Tactics, and Trickery by John Drogo Mortagu

6- A Monsoon Rising by Thea Gaunzon

7- Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet by Samantha Leigh Allen

8- A Book Recommended by Fellow Book Lover Corinne @she.loves.bookshelves - A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

9- Little Golden Book, The Christmas Story

10- Little Golden Book, Colors Are Nice

11- Little Golden Book Riddles, Riddles From A to Z

12- Little Golden Book, Mickey Mouse Picnic

13- Disney’s World of Wonders The Magic Grinder

14- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

15- Ferdinand the Bull by Munro Leaf

16- The Mitten by Jan Brett

17- Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett

18- The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone

19- The Water Hole by Graeme Base

20- Uno's Garden by Graeme Base

21- Animalia by Graeme Base

22- The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts by Anne Patchett, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glaser

23- Quiet by Susan Cain

24- Mimi’s Dada Catifesto by Shelley Jackson

25- Oh, Bear by Melissa Nelson Greenberg. illustrated by Ruth Hengeveld

26- Boobies by Nancy Vo

27- The Cafe at the Edge of the Woods by Mickey Please

28- The Cave Downwind of the Cafe by Mickey Please

29- Shakespeare The Tempest by Georghia Ellinas, illustrated by Jane Ray

Media mentioned--

1- Stephen King/Maurice Sendak upcoming children's book - https://apnews.com/article/stephen-king-maurice-sendak-hansel-gretel-c9f8c7e18254d1e406b59e0ebe3cd20b

2- Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey - coming in 2026 -

https://variety.com/2025/film/news/the-odyssey-matt-damon-odysseus-christopher-nolan-1236311018/

3- The Return (2024)

...more

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By Amy Smalley

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