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In Bed With Books

In Bed With Books

by Melissa

Season 10

Epic Cosmologies and the Revolutionary Power of Love: Interview with Author Lauren Kate

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by author Lauren Kate to discuss her latest release, White Lights. Falling back into a world of angels, romance, and millennia-old feuds, Kate brings us back into the world of Fallen, after Luce and Daniel’s happily ever after to see the effects their choice had on heaven. What does heaven look like when love is suddenly on the menu for the angels? White Lights follows Dez to Acheron, an elite film school no one’s ever heard of before, but has resources she never dreamed would be available to her. The only catch: she has to leave behind everyone she loves, and someone she might have grown to love. As she learns more about Acheron and some of her fellow students, Dez fears she’s made the wrong decision. But her connection with her mentor, Rafe, is undeniable, bringing her back to her love of filmmaking every time she questions herself. We discussed the influences on the creation of this universe, and the decision to continue the story, with Kate referencing dreams, higher education, and apocryphal texts. Her inspiration dates back as far as 500 BC, and the feminist themes that exist then, and that we look for now. We look at some of the bigger questions that Kate is exploring in these series, like what and who love has the power to change, and how one positive choice can radiate out and effect change on a larger scale. As a fan of Lauren Kate and her work, I truly did not have enough time to cover everything I wanted to, but for a look at how she explores the theme of love, grab White Lights now! https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781538776773 Learn more about Lauren Kate here: laurenkatebooks.net And you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and TikTok @LaurenKateBooks If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

Fate & Freewill in Why Choose Romance: Interview with author Kait Ballenger

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by author Kait Ballenger, once again, as she rounds out the Original Sinner trilogy with Beautiful Redeemer. Charlotte and Lucifer have come a long way since their fake engagement in book one - now they have to contend with the apocalypse, timeless battles between angels and demons, an absent Father, and a meddling mother. As identities are revealed and powers are discovered, Charlotte and Lucifer question their worth in the battles to come. In the midst of all this, Charlotte’s connection with Death is growing but will his and Lucifer’s past get in the way of her why-choose happy ending? It was great having Kait back on to talk about the conclusion of her Original Sinner trilogy. We start the conversation with a gentle reminder of what happened in books one and two, including some major spoilers, so listen at your own discretion if you haven’t read Original Sinner or Wicked Believer yet! After realizing that Lucifer and her were destined by forces grander than either of them could control, Charlotte begins to realize that she is more powerful than they could have anticipated. Kait talks about how she knew their story wasn’t over, the process of bringing in Death to help balance out their dynamic, and the questions that Charlotte faces when confronted with the reality that she hasn’t had nearly as much freewill as she thought. I get the scoop on upcoming books, as Kait plans to extend the universe by exploring the love stories of other seven deadly sin siblings! You can buy Beautiful Redeemer now: https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781662528903 You can learn more about Kait Ballenger here: www.kaitballenger.com Art mentioned in this episode: Cabanel, Alexandre. The Fallen Angel. 1847, Musee Fabre, Montpellier, France. If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

Finding Love, Family, and Self Across Fantasy Battlelines: Interview with Meghan Le Fay

In this episode, I’m joined by author Meghan Le Fay to talk about her debut, Wings of Life, first in the Dragonbound Chronicles. Wings of Life follows Serae as she’s thrust into the land of her country’s greatest enemy, Rihtlond. As the betrothed of the dane’s son, Serae gathers intel on the Riht in hopes of securing a victory for her people. As she learns more about the people and dragons of the Riht, Serae’s allegiances become strained. Can she sell out the family she’s found for the family that refused to see the real her? Drawing inspiration from fairytales and written history, Le Fay weaves together Viking influences with the brilliance of elemental magic and dragons. Serae, the main character, may start out with little control over her own fate but her skills are tested over and over again, proving to herself and the enemies around her that she can hold her own. The cultural and political differences that Le Fay built into Inra, Serae’s homeland, and the Riht help the main character grow in confidence, strength, and power, as the expectations set on her push her to new heights. Unlike Inra, where the right to lead is given through inheritance, the Riht tests their future leaders in ways that Serae was not prepared for. But with the weaponmaster, Wep, training her, Serae might stand a chance in the trials - assuming she doesn’t fall in love with him first. Le Fay and I also spend time talking about her writing practice, as Wings of Life marks not only her debut, but her stepping into a career as a full time author. We discuss the influences on Serae’s story, from second-born daughter to dragonbound, as well as those influences that helped shape Le Fay into the writer she is now. You can buy Wings of Life now: https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781964264585 You can learn more about Meghan Le Fay here: https://meghanlefay.com/ IG: @meghanlefay If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

My Top Ten Favorite Books from In Bed with Books!

In this bonus episode, I’m celebrating 100 episodes of In Bed with Books! There have been 68 books featured on the podcast, 55 if we don’t include books written by authors I've interviewed. There are so many books I loved (and just as many that I’d be happy never to think about again!), so to celebrate 100 episodes, I’ve ranked my top ten reads from the podcast. The Rules: It has to have been actively discussed, not just mentioned as part of a bookish chat No books from author interviews - I’m too biased. I’ve loved talking to all of the authors And finally, thank you to everyone that’s made one hundred episodes possible. I love to yap, but a podcast is more than just someone with a mic yapping into the void. I appreciate everyone who’s tuned in - whether you’ve been here since episode one, have stuck around through all the different iterations In Bed with Books has been through, or this is your first episode. Thank you, and here’s to 100 more! If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

A New Take on Historical Romance: Interview with Author Eloisa James

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by author Eloisa James to talk about her new release, The Last Lady B. Set in an isolated abbey, far north in Scotland, Evie finds herself thrust into the makings of a Gothic novel. What starts out as the hope of seeing a ghost, turns into the revelation that her new husband is not the man she thinks he is. James and I discuss the inspiration for creating a character who would rather have her nose in a book, and how that plays with Evie’s expectations of her husband and the melodrama she has fallen into. She quickly learns that real life can be far more interesting - and satisfying - than the Gothic novels she loves. Once in the isolation of the abbey, Burnsby’s true colors are quickly revealed; what follows is a story of comeuppance and rediscovery, as Evie reclaims her life for herself. In the end, this is a story about love, and how friendship, found family, and the unconditional love of a pet can help heal you, just as much as romantic love. The Last Lady B is out now! Grab it at your local bookstores, or request it at your library! https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781668200056 Find more about Eloisa James and her work here: eloisajames.com/ https://www.facebook.com/eloisajames https://www.facebook.com/groups/EloisaJamesLindowCastle If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

Seeking Ferality and Writing with Spiritual Support | Interview with Poet Maria Giesbrecht

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by poet Maria Giesbrecht to talk about her debut collection, A Little Feral. The collection was written after leaving a conservative Mennonite upbringing, and her poems explore themes of faith, family, and personal resurrection. Maria and I started the conversation with her background in corporate accounting and the catalysts to her being a full time poet, piecemealing her way into a freelance writing career with the support of her life partner. A Little Feral’s emotional arc captures the process of purging parts of her past, accepting that she might never feel whole, and that that is enough. This leads us into a discussion about the righteous anger of women during our current times, using that feral part of ourselves to move the needle for women’s rights. We talk about Maria’s writing style, where she details her current writing habits for keeping the channel open and how that routine helps keep her writing on track. Maria goes into a little bit of detail about her relationship with her writing gods and how showing up regularly is imperative to keeping the channel active. We round out our conversation with a quick digression into Maria’s MFA topic and her hope to capture parts of her past within the laborer community and the guilt that can come with stepping into spaces or stages our loved ones can’t or don’t understand. You can buy A Little Feral now: https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781949342819 You can learn more about Maria Giesbrecht here: https://mariagiesbrecht.com/ If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

Heiress of Nowhere: Historical Gothic Romance Book Review

In this week’s episode, I’m talking about my latest read: Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee. This book was offered as an ARC by the publisher. Heiress of Nowhere is the latest release from author Stacey Lee. This book follows Lucy, an orphan and heiress to her benefactor’s vast estate, racing to uncover a killer. Stuck on a small island off the coast of Washington, Lucy navigates folklore, local superstition, and myths of demons controlling whales, as two men she’s known all her life suddenly decide that now would be a good time to feud for her affections. Will she choose the dashing almost-inheritor of the estate who she’s convinced has always ignored her but is clearly in love with her? Or her life-long best friend whose anger issues seem to override her goals at every turn? Lucy vows to use her newfound wealth to solve her employer’s death, and maybe figure out who her parents are in the process. Along the way, she goes from orphan, whose only relations are her coworkers at the estate, to someone with a lush life, full of love, learning, and family. It's a mystery set near the end of World War I, but the isolation of Orcas island and of Lucy’s life, the ever-present natural life, and the subtle, unexplainable fantastical elements balance the beautiful and the sublime of Lucy's coming of age. You can buy the book here: https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781665978965 You can learn more about Stacey Lee and her work here: https://www.staceyhlee.com/ If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:45 Setting My Book Rating Standards 02:28 About Heiress of Nowhere 06:46 From Kitchen Orphan to True Crime Heiress 17:26 Love Triangle (Or Not) 28:20 Isolation of Orcas Island 30:54 Breadcrumbing the Mystery 36:08 Final Thoughts 37:05 Upcoming Things for In Bed with Books 37:42 Closing Remarks

Petty Revenge or Justice Served? Interview with Sally Kilpatrick, author of "Little Miss Petty"

In this episode of In Bed with Books, I’m joined by Sally Kilpatrick, author of Little Miss Petty! It was fantastic getting to speak with her about the inspiration for the book, the generations of characters, and the romance between the book’s main character, Stella Stark, and her mysterious new neighbor, Malone. Little Miss Petty follows Stella Stark, a private investigator forced to take on a side hustle after her boyfriend and business partner cheats on her, pushing her out of the business they built together. Her side hustle? Dealing out petty revenge for people seeking justice. Her work hits a snag when she can’t seem to crack the soon-to-be-ex-husband of one of her clients. He defies every expectation her client has created, and proves Stella’s expectations of men wrong so many times that she starts to question her cynical ways. Kilpatrick and I discussed the inspiration for the novel - another person in power getting away with things they shouldn’t because of money - as well as the inspiration for the leading man, Malone. In her own words, Malone is the wholesome, non-toxic man who begs the question, do you need to get a better man? A major theme within the novel is generations and we got to chat about how Stark and her new friends, Salcedo and Havisham, show Stark about the importance of friendships alongside romantic relationships. Inspired by the philosophy of Practical Magic, the women plot their petty revenge, while daring the universe to send them real love. You can learn more about Sally Kilpatrick here: https://www.sallykilpatrick.com/ You can buy the book here: https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781662532474 If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

Interview with Author Jayne Ann Krentz: Powerful Women and Romantic-Suspense in "The Shop on Hidden Lane"

This week, I was joined by author Jayne Ann Krentz to talk about her recent release, The Shop on Hidden Lane. You might know her as Jayne Castle, if you’re familiar with her futuristic/paranormal romantic-suspense or Amanda Quick, if you know her historical romantic-suspense. The Shop on Hidden Lane is the most recent publication in Krentz 'decades-long career writing romance. In it, Sophy and Luke have to set aside their families’ generations-long feud so they can find their missing aunt and uncle. Krentz dives into what draws her to love stories like Sophy and Luke’s (hint: men who don’t cower in the presence of powerful women), and the importance of timelines in romantic-suspense - sometimes there’s spice on page 60 and that’s why we’re here! We also talked about what originally drew her to writing romance, how the landscape of romance publishing has changed in recent years, and how that helps it persist in the face of criticism. You can buy the book here: https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9798217187348 You can learn more about Jayne here: https://jayneannkrentz.com/ If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

Inside "Songs of Ash and Dawn": Author Gabrielle Wanek on Grief, Isolation, and How the Real World Shapes Fiction

This week, I sat down with author Gabrielle Wanek to talk about her latest release, Songs of Ash and Dawn. Wanek explores themes of isolation and grief as her main character, Aidan, navigates the grief of losing her grandmother in the face of an evil hunting down magic users like her. Gabrielle and I talked about her writing process and her inspiration – like deciding “I can do better than that,” while watching Game of Thrones – and the ways that covid lockdown influenced the theme of isolation into Songs of Ash and Dawn. We explored some of the seeds that grew into Aidan and Cora, the main point of views in the first book of this series, and how her relationship with her own grandmother helped shape Aidan’s arc. Throughout the conversation, we discussed what influenced the building of this world, and how Wanek’s background in video game development helped hone her skills in that. You can read the first three chapters of Songs of Ash and Dawn on her website here: https://www.songsofashanddawn.com/ You can buy the book here: https://a.co/d/0izRDZ6d You can find her self-help book here: https://a.co/d/0gj7BuDq If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email! Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51 Where else to find me: IG: @inbedwithbookspod YT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPod EM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

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