TUNGKOL SA EPISODE NA ITO
“SOFTEN THE WORLD”
This week Ana hosts the podcast with special guest author Talia Hibbert as they introduce our February theme: Grumpy/Sunshine
EP 221 HOST
> ANA COQUI (she/her) A lifelong genre reader, Ana grew up reading fantasy, sci-fi & mystery novels in Puerto Rico, before finally wandering into the romance section of the library in search of HEA’s after bawling through one too many dystopian novels. When she is not reading, knitting, writing about romance for Love in Panels or running #RomBkLove on Twitter as @anacoqui, Ana is a school librarian
EP 221 GUEST
> TALIA HIBBERT (she/he/they) Talia Hibbert is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who lives in a bedroom full of books. Supposedly, there is a world beyond that room, but she has yet to drum up enough interest to investigate. Talia writes sexy, diverse romance because she believes people of marginalised identities deserve honest and positive representation. You can visit Talia’s website at www.taliahibbert.com or follow Talia on Twitter and Instagram @TaliaHibbert
EP 221 DISCUSSION
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
NOTE: These notes include affiliate links to Bookshop.org and Amazon.com to support the RBP transcript project
NOTE: This episode was recorded in mid-January during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020-21
> Ana mentions Talia’s Brown Sisters series
>> Title: Get a Life, Chloe Brown (Brown Sisters #1)
Author: Talia Hibbert
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC with Fibromyalgia
Representation: Black, queer, autistic author, Black, disabled MC, white MC
Content Warnings: discussions of ableism
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3fINTG7
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43888874-get-a-life-chloe-brown
>> Title: Take a Hint, Dani Brown (Brown Sisters #2)
Author: Talia Hibbert
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC who sets strict boundaries
Representation: Black, queer, autistic author, Black, queer MC, Pakistani MC with PTSD
Content Warnings: PTSD, past death of parent and sibling, past emotional abuse
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3mwxCWl
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48568248-take-a-hint-dani-brown
>> Title: Act Your Age, Eve Brown (Brown Sisters #3)
Author: Talia Hibbert
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC with Autism
Representation: Black, queer, autistic author, Black MC, white MC with Autism
Content Warnings: ableism
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3a0RHPx
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54241351-act-your-age-eve-brown
> Yay! More “proper romcoms” from Talia Hibbert
> Title: The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting
Author: KJ Charles
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC determined to protect his niece from fortune hunters
Representation: Queer MCs
Content Warnings: references to childhood abuse and domestic, emotional, financial abuse
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/37SPu7D
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56393369-the-gentle-art-of-fortune-hunting
> Title: Ashwin (Gideon’s Riders #1)
Author: Kit Rocha
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” super-soldier MC
Representation: White authors, white MCs
Content Warnings: post-apocalyptic violence, spy games, genetic engineering
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3pVDnwM
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33288300-ashwin
> Title: Harbor (Beards & Bondage #3)
Author: Rebekah Weatherspoon
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC
Representation: Black, queer author, Black, queer MCs, polyamory rep
Content Warnings: infidelity, murder, stalking, grief
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/2NzPOBn
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54305666-harbor
NOTE: This book was previously discussed in ep #205 with author Rebekah Weatherspoon
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-205/
> Title: Hot and Badgered (Honey Badger Chronicles #1)
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC
Representation: Black author
Content Warnings: violence
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3uzgoLm
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35534548-hot-and-badgered
NOTE: These books read as action-adventure women’s fiction with romantic elements
> Title: Nothing But Wolf in Me
Author: Nikki Clarke
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” reclusive MC
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: attempted murder, fleeing abusive family
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3su0fF3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55927087-nothing-but-the-wolf-in-me
> Title: The Friend Contract
Author: Dria Andersen
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC
Representation: Black author, Black MCs
Content Warnings: mention of pregnancy loss
Bookshop: unavailable
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3uzg3by
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53487494-the-friend-contract
NOTE: This book was previously discussed on RBP #211 with author Dria Andersen
> Title: The Duke Who Didn’t (Wedgeford Trials #1)
Author: Courtney Milan
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” type-A MC
Representation: Chinese-American author, Chinese-English MCs
Content Warnings: secret identity, racism
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3dOez7g
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55012301-the-duke-who-didn-t
> Title: Cemetery Boys
Author: Aiden Thomas
Relation to theme: “Grumpy” MC
Representation: Queer, trans, Latinx author, trans MC, queer MCs, Latinx MCs
Content Warnings: witchcraft, transphobia, attempted murder, serial killer
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/host-ana-s-recs/
Kindle: https://amzn.to/3079iQt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52339313
NOTE: This book was also discussed in RB ep #206
LISTEN NOW: http://lustandfoundreads.com/rombkpod/ep-206/
> What are your Grumpy/Sunshine #InclusiveRomance favorites? Let us know on Twitter or Instagram @RomBkPod
Happy Reading!
EP 221 MUSIC CREDIT
Music: “Lift Off” by Jahzzar
From the Free Music Archive
CC BY-SA 3.0
TRANSCRIPT FORTHCOMING
