As we head into the new year, I'm sharing a little of what you can expect from the Historical Romance Sampler! Look forward to new episodes starting in February, more updates on book bans in the USA, and a new game!

Thank you so much to everyone who has listened to the podcast so far. I'm celebrating over 13,000 downloads on podcast apps and 36,000+ views on my YouTube channel!

Looking ahead to Season 3, here are some ways to support the podcast:

• Follow, subscribe, rate, and review to help spread the word about the show!
• Listen to the programmatic ads that play before, during, and after the show!
• Purchase books from your TBR via the podcast's affiliate links on Bookshop.org and Libro.fm! Check out the official shopping lists at www.linktr.ee/historicalromancesampler
• Book a 60-second ad for an episode in Season 3!

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Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

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Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

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Charlie Lane returns to the podcast to finish out the year with a holiday romance, NAUGHTY FOR SIR NICHOLAS! We talk about why historical romance readers also love holiday romances, what Charlie likes about writing holiday romances, and her transition into gaslamp historical romantasy. Plus, she finally plays LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?

00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 01:25 Reading from 'Naughty for Sir Nicholas' 14:20 Interview with Charlie Lane: Holiday Romances 14:54 The Appeal of Holiday Romances 16:35 Magic in Holiday Historical Romances 17:39 Introducing Gas Lamp Romantasy 18:39 Exploring Victorian England's Gender Dynamics 23:31 Genre Blending: Historical Romance and Fantasy 28:09 Love it or Leave it: Romance Rules 34:26 Conclusion and Upcoming Releases Find out more about Charlie Lane at https://www.charlielaneauthor.com/

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

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Award-winning author TJ Alexander comes on the podcast today for a special edition about book bans and censorship. We take a look at how bookstores and payment processors are participating in commercial censorship to block romance book sales and how these actions specifically target queer creators. Then, TJ offers some ideas for how to fight back!

Find out more about the Itch.io controversy:

https://www.thegamer.com/itch-steam-censorship-payment-processors-collective-shout-delist-deindex/ https://www.polygon.com/visa-mastercard-steam-censorship-valve-itchio-gta/ Find out more about TJ Alexander: https://tjalexander.com/ 00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler 00:33 Special Episode: Book Bans and Commercial Impact 00:50 Guest Introduction: TJ Alexander 02:43 Understanding Commercial Censorship 05:16 Digital Space and Payment Processors 24:45 Historical Context and Modern Parallels 27:09 Call to Action: Supporting Queer Authors 28:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

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Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

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Kathy L Wheeler joins the podcast to read from THE DUKE'S DETOUR. We talk about how she uses humor to investigate darker themes in historical romance, the serendipitous ways she finds story ideas, and why Broadway and sports games make her cry.

00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 00:33 Meet Kathy L Wheeler 01:15 Sample Reading from 'The Duke's Detour' 12:57 Discussion on Loretta Chase and Writing Influences 15:07 Exploring Dark Themes in Romance 19:37 Inspiration from Musicals and Personal Stories 25:34 Love It or Leave It: Rapid Fire Questions 27:47 Conclusion and Where to Find More

Find out more about Kathy L Wheeler at https://kathylwheeler.com/

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-grant)

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Kate Hershberger comes on to read from her American West historical romance, BLACKPOINT. She shares the books that inspired her to write a historical romance, how it felt to switch into historical romance after writing in other genres like contemporary and paranormal romance, and we mutually fangirl over Jodi Picoult. Plus, Kate shares why she loves to write in first person present tense!

00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler 00:33 Meet the Author: Kate Hershberger 01:12 Reading from 'Blackpoint' 10:36 Discussion on Blackfoot Culture and Writing Process 21:53 Love It or Leave It 23:53 Conclusion

Find out more about Kate Hershberger at: https://www.katehershberger.com/

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-grant)

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Jeanine Englert joins the podcast to read from CINDERELLA'S CHARADE WITH THE DUKE. She talks about foraying into the Regency world after writing Scottish historical romances, how she approaches fairy tale adaptations, and how her characters come to her voice-first. Plus, she reveals she is here for the DRAMA of romance, and she peels back the curtain of working with Harlequin!

00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 00:33 Meet Jeanine Englert 01:52 Cinderella's Charade with the Duke: A Reading 10:44 Interview with Jeanine Englert 24:58 Love It or Leave It: Game Time 29:23 Closing Remarks and Where to Find Us Find out more about Jeanine Englert at https://www.jeaninewrites.com/ HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-grant)

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Will Forrest joins the podcast to read from AN INCONVENIENT EARL. We talk about chapter titles, why they decided to write a Regency romance, and why fiction is so powerful. Plus, Will chooses a Sweet Valley High twin!

00:33 Meet Will Forrest: Author, Poet, and General Nuisance 01:24 Will Forrest's Period Costume and Fashion Design 03:38 Reading from An Inconvenient Earl 19:48 Interview with Will Forrest: Writing Historical Romance 28:02 Love It or Leave It 33:58 Conclusion and Where to Find Will Forrest's Books Find out more about Will Forrest: https://willforrest.com/

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

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Ramona Elmes joins the podcast to read from her latest novella, A WOMAN'S PREROGATIVE, the latest entry in our collaborative series, "Suffragette Uprising." She talks about what inspired her to contribute to the series, why she finds post-WWI USA so fascinating, and how she approached writing an older veteran of the Great War as her romance hero. Plus, she reveals whether she is a rule follower in a round of LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT?

00:00 Welcome to the Historical Romance Sampler 00:33 Introducing Ramona Elmes and A Woman's Prerogative 14:28 Discussion on Writing and Historical Context 25:14 Game Time: Love It or Leave It 27:22 Closing Remarks and Where to Find More

Find out more about Ramona Elmes at: https://ramonaelmes.com/

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-grant)

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Charis Michaels joins the podcast to read from YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE, one of her favorite books to read aloud! We talk about her commitment to exploring sexual attitudes in romance novels, her experience working for Romance Writers of America (RWA), and how she comes up with series ideas. Plus, she proves herself to be a rule follower in a game of LOVE IT ORE LEAVE IT?

00:33 Meet Charis Michaels: USA Today Bestselling Author 01:18 Reading from 'You May Kiss the Duke' 17:20 Exploring Themes and Characters 22:26 Charis Michaels' Journey and Writing Process 28:34 Love It or Leave It 31:03 Conclusion and Where to Find Charis Michaels' Books Find out more about Charis Michaels at www.charismichaels.com

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about your host Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-grant)

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It's a special episode with guest host Mary Lynne Nielsen reporting for duty to interview me about The Widower Without a Will! We talk about why Lord Preston gets two romance stories in one series, creating a progressive hero who isn't perfect, and writing intimate scenes for older characters. Plus, Mary Lynne asks me what I hope readers will take away from the series!

Please note: this episode (and the book itself) discusses grief and suicide.

00:00 Introduction to the Historical Romance Sampler Podcast 00:33 Meet Mary Lynne Nielsen: Romance Enthusiast 01:27 The Widower Without a Will: A Reading 13:20 Analyzing the Passage: Themes and Characters 18:56 Exploring Utopian Communities and Class Boundaries 25:04 Exploring Martha's Precarious Situation 25:45 The Role of a Rector's Wife 27:01 Martha's Struggles and Guilt 30:17 The Impact of Suicide on Martha 32:05 Historical Context of Suicide Laws 35:46 Older People and Sex 40:42 Character Dynamics and Internal Monologues 44:56 Generational Change and Ideals 48:14 Final Thoughts and Reflections Follow Mary Lynne Nielsen at @emmelnie on social media or at https://romanceruminations.net/

HRS is an affiliate of Libro.fm! Sign up for a new monthly membership and get three audiobooks for the price of one with code HISTORICAL! (As an affiliate, HRS may earn a portion of your purchase, for which we thank you!) Check out the official HRS playlist at: https://tidd.ly/4hgCquh

Find out more about Katherine Grant:

Instagram (@katherine_grant_romance)

TikTok (@katherinegrantromance)

Facebook (@Katherinegrantromanceauthor)

Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19872840.Katherine_Grant)

Bookbub (https://www.bookbub.com/authors/katherine-grant)

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