The HEA Book Club: Reading Romance with Friends

Ep. 33: Delightful and Slightly Unhinged with Author Marie Maravilla

Ep. 33: Delightful and Slightly Unhinged with Author Marie Maravilla
 Join Battle of the Tropes and help us pick next month's episode!
 
In this episode of The HEA Book Club, we have a special host, Val from @_Val_reads, standing in for Kelsey as she recovers from covid and the amazingly hilarious, author Marie Maravilla. 
 
We chat about Marie’s debut novel, Skeletons of Society, her FMC who is the ultimate book girlfriend, and the reason spit kinks are so unexpectedly hot. 
 
We get the scoop on Marie’s next Why Choose book, Syndicate of Sin and how her husband influenced her characters. 
 
Links we promised to "drop below":
The infamous spit kink TikTok
Gunner inspo/Summer's Weekly Hot
Fated Mates episode on morally grey heroines.
 
Books mentioned:
Skeletons of Society by Marie Maravilla
Syndicate of Sins (Toxic Paradise Book 2) by Marie Maravilla
Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux
A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne
 
HEA Book Club episodes you may also like: 
Morally Grey Heroes
Motorcycle Club Romances
Why Choose Romances(formally referred to as reverse harems)
Monster Romances
 
 

Ep. 32: Slut Tears and Onion Dip | How I Wrote A Book In A Month

Ep. 32: Slut Tears and Onion Dip | How I Wrote A Book In A Month
 
Visit BattleoftheTropes.com to vote between Stalker and Vampire romances for an episode next month! 
 
In this episode, we are going to prom! Just kidding, but Kelsey does have a very fun love life update including a bisexual threesome on the dance floor. Before diving into the books we’ve been reading, Summer updates us on how writing a book in a month went, what worked, what didn’t and the snack that got her through it all. 
 
Get a sneak peek into Summer’s new book, Make Me, as she describes what drinks and animals her main characters would be. Does that count as a sneak peek? I’m gonna say yes. 
 
Books mentioned:
Make Me by Summer O’Toole
The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
Titan by Jillian Graves
Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here ✨Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨

Ep. 31: Baby Gravy and Book Boxes with Fated Romance

Ep. 31: Baby Gravy and Book Boxes with Fated Romance
 
Click here to vote between Stalker and Vampire romances for an episode next month and get exclusive discounts--including Fated Romance Box! 
 
In this episode we are joined by Jessa and Pam from Fated Romance and we answer some hard hitting questions like:
 
Does the tingling really start in the spine?
What’s the difference between Pam’s holiday novella and a Chuck Tingle book?
Which monsters we’d marry and which ones we’d pick for one romp in the hay. 
And Kelsey finally gets an answer to her vampire question!
 
We talk about lots of knots and magical baby gravy, but also the life-changing powers of the FYP, pivots in writing careers and vaginas with teeth.
 
Pst…there’s a special announcement about Novembers Fated Romance Box!
 
Books mentioned:
Lola and the Millionaires by Kathryn Moon
Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon
Stalked by the Kraken by Lillian Lark
Deceived by the Gargoyle by Lillian Lark
Found by the Lake Monster by Lillian Lark
Unchained and Boundarylands Omegaverse by Callie Rhodes
Titan by Jillian Graves
 
Past episodes mentioned:
Orc episode 
Omegaverse episode
Plus size rep episode ft. Gargoyles
Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here ✨Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨

Ep. 30: Writing A Book In A Month And Other Questionable Decisions

Ep. 30: Writing A Book In A Month And Other Questionable Decisions
 
Announcing Battle of the Tropes! Click here to vote between Stalker and Vampire romances for an episode next month. 
 
So…Summer had an idea, yet to be determined if it’s a great or terrible idea but either way she’s taking you along for the journey as she writes a book in a month.
 
In this episode, Summer walks you through different writing and plotting processes and tips she’s learned along the way. 
 
Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of the HEA Book Club if we didn’t go wildly off topic. So, there’s some healthy debate on how vampires brush their teeth and whether or not thigh tattoos make you gay. 
 
Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here ✨Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨
 
Mentioned:
Author Pamela Belliston on IG
Episode featuring Orcs
Caveday for focused remote work | $1 for your first month
Royals of Forsyth Kickstarter
 
 

Ep. 29: Rainy Days And Books That Make Us Cry with Angie @HerSoulForBooks

Ep. 29: Rainy Days And Books That Make Us Cry with Angie @HerSoulForBooks 
 
Announcing Battle of the Tropes! Click here to vote between Stalker and Vampire romances for next month’s episode. 
 
If rainy days trigger you, proceed with caution…
 
Summer tries and fails to not talk about the Royals of Forsyth for the billionth time, but that’s okay because Kelsey and her are joined by Angie from @hersoulforbooks who is also talking about her favorite series for the billionth time: The Ravenhood Trilogy. 
 
This episode goes a little off the rails and a lot off topic, but we do talk about some of our favorite books that made us cry, for reasons ranging from tragic childhoods to beautifully written orgasms. 
 
Oh also, Angie survived Voldemort but the patriarchy prevented her fame and is on a mission to dispel the rumor that Ravenhood is a Why Choose series. 
 
Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here ✨Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨
 
This episode:
The Ravenhood by Kate Stewart
Crescent City by Sarah J Maas
Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
A Thousand Boy Kisses and Lord of Londontown by Tillie Cole
Dukes of Madness by Angel Lawson and Samantha Rue
Salvatore Brotherhood MC by Haley Tyler
American Queen Series by Sierra Simone
 
Mentioned:
Episode featuring Dukes
Episode featuring Salvatore Brotherhood

Ep. 28: A Study in Horny Science | Romantic Comedies

Ep. 28: A Study in Horny Science | Romantic Comedies
 
Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here ✨Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨
 
In this episode, we dive into the intersection of sex and laughter with romantic comedies and the impossible has happened! Summer has found her perfect combination of humor and spice in Tatum Mallory’s debut novella, Fire and Fluff. 
 
Kelsey continues to love all things romantic comedy, especially as she recovers from Crescent City. 
 
We discuss the pros and cons of waiting to read a series until it’s complete and Summer’s worst fear (hint: it’s why she’d never write a romcom). Also, is DNR the new DNF? Listen and find out!
 
Follow Val Reads for impeccable aesthetics here. 
 
This episode:
Fire and Fluff by Tatum Mallory
Sworn to Loathe You by Rachel John
 
Next episode: 
The Ravenhood by Kate Stewart
Crescent City by Sarah J Maas

Ep. 27: Are Dragon Tails The New Sex Toy? | Creature Cafe with Alexandra from @LiteraryAlexandra

Ep. 27: Are Dragon Tails The New Sex Toy? | Creature Cafe with Alexandra from @LiteraryAlexandra 
 
Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here ✨Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨
 
This may be our most tangent-filled episode yet with the wonderful Alexandra from @LiteraryAlexandra. We run the gauntlet from mothers’ unique ability to master the insult sandwich, what type of monster we’d turn our partners into, bookish coffee, and spicy artwork. We chat about Clio Evan’s Creature Cafe series and the inclusive, hot, and sweet way she proves everyone is deserving of love. 
 
Be sure to stay up to date with the launch of Next Chapter Coffee here. 
 
This episode:
Creature Cafe Series by Clio Evans
Next episode: 
Fire and Fluff by Tatum Mallory
Sworn to Loathe You by Rachel John

Ep. 26: Are Morally Gray Heroes Just Giant Drama Queens? | Let’s Discuss

Ep. 26: Are Morally Gray Heroes Just Giant Drama Queens? | Let’s Discuss
 
✨Support the podcast and your favorite book boyfriends by shopping here | Use code HEAFREE for free shipping ✨
 
On this episode of the HEA Book Club, we are choosing violence. Summer and Kelsey dive into their all-time favorite trope: Morally gray characters. These book boyfriends will give you the moon, the stars, and severed limbs. We discuss why these walking red flags are so attractive in the fictional world and all their different shades. This episode is jam packed with TONS of recs to find your next read or add to your never ending TBR–sorry!
 
Previous episodes on books mentioned: 
Ruthless Creatures and Millionaire Romances
Hooked and Other Booktok Reads
Royals of Forsyth and ACOTAR
Brutal Prince and Enemies to Lovers/Fake Dating
 
This episode:
Stolen at Sea by Summer O’Toole
Scarred by Emily McIntire
The Anomaly by Hervé Le Tellier (note: this is a sci-fi thriller with romance but is not a guaranteed HEA)
Next episode: 
Creature Cafe Series by Clio Evans

Ep. 25: She’s A 7 But She’s Back For Season 2! | Reading Recap

Ep. 25: She’s A 7 But She’s Back For Season 2! | Reading Recap
 
Welcome back to The HEA Book Club for our second season! Summer and Kelsey catch up on everything that happened over the break. Kelsey has an epic dating update that includes throwing a drink in an a**hole’s face, whip cream, and a cowboy reverse harem. Summer is still recovering from the worst book-hangover of all time and shares the books she’s started…but has yet to finish…are we surprised though?
 
This episode:
Dukes of Ruin and Dukes of Madness by Samantha Rue and Angel Lawson
My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey
Scarred by Emily McIntire
Love Clichés Sweet RomCom series by Emma St. Clair
 
Next episode: 
Stolen at Sea by Summer O’Toole
Scarred by Emily McIntire
Carnage by Sarah Bailey

Ep. 24: Coffee and Condoms | Salacious Players Club with Shani from @ShaniReads

Ep. 24: Coffee and Condoms | Salacious Players Club with Shani from @ShaniReads 
 
Announcement!! Stolen Secrets by Summer is now available on Amazon and free on Kindle Unlimited. Stolen Secrets is a grumpy/supernova, second chance romance with dark twists and a possessive man who will stop at nothing to protect his wife, fake or otherwise.
 
→ Read Stolen Secrets ←
 
In this last episode of season 1, we fangirl with Shani from @ShaniReads over Sara Cate’s Salacious Players Club series that is taking the romance world by storm with its sex positive, unapologetically kinky, and heartwarming stories. While Summer was recovering, she fully embraced her obsession with NSFW artists and Kelsey had some memorable moments with Mr. EMT. We talk tropes–the right way and the wrong way to do them–and make our predictions for SPC Book 4: Mercy. 
Mentioned: Some of Summer's favorite spicy artistsFranky Skellie
The Smutty Rogue
Ami
 
Join our group on Facebook to read Summer’s free short story with thee shower scene and enter the epic giveaway! *Limited spots available*
This episode:
Salacious Players Club by Sara Cate
 
Next episode: 
Follow Summer on Instagram for updates on Season 2!
Try Kindle Unlimited free for 30-Days: https://amzn.to/3ES0r7T
Get 2 Free Audiobooks from Audible: https://amzn.to/3s2ExevRead Stolen at Sea for Free: Summerotoole.com/stolentofightfreebie
Read Stolen to Fight: https://amzn.to/3DRGEUD
Read Dirty to Me: Spicy Book Merch: summer-otoole.creator-spring.com