Two cocktails, two small towns and two heartfelt love stories by Heatherly Bell have us swooning on this episode of Romance on the Rocks. Grab your Topo Chico Ranch Water or Fireman’s Sour and settle in as we explore what makes Bell’s romance novels so addictively relatable.
Book Review: Lord Rupert’s Foolish Bride
Jagger’s approach to romance writing is to give her readers surprises and mix in flashes of humor with the love story. And it works, especially in this book.
Season 2 Episode 7: Fools in Love
In this lively discussion, Nicole and Meghan explore what happens when characters mistake manipulation for affection before finding their perfect match.
Fools in Love
Romance novels often get a reputation for being unrealistic or formulaic. However, the latest episode of Romance on the Rocks podcast shows us romance fiction can actually mirror real-life relationship journeys with surprising accuracy.
Book Review: The Border Lord’s Bride
It was not the Scottish romp I was expecting or hoping for.
Scottish Romance Novels to Fall in Love With
By Nicole Danielle Still Craving Scottish Romance My podcast co-host, Meghan, and I devoted the month of March to Scottish and Irish romance novels (Meg even found Scottish werewolf smut for our Full Moon Friday episode!). I loved my book for Season 2 Episode 5: A Scot is Not Enough by Gina Conkle. (My bookRead More
Season 2 Episode 6: Tit-ular Time Travel
The stark contrast between these books β from their handling of sexual content to their portrayal of relationships β highlights the broad spectrum within romance fiction.
Tit-ular Time Travel
The perils of consent, agency, and “apple boobs” take center stage as Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle continue their Scottish/Irish reading theme with two wildly different romance novels.
Full Moon Friday
The full moon brings out something wild in all of us. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the sub-genre of werewolf romance novels.
Season 2 Bonus Episode: Full Moon Friday
The full moon and lunar eclipse bring out the wild side in our bookish biddies as Meghan Leigh and Nicole Danielle venture into the world of werewolf smut for a howling good time.
Book Review: The Alpha’s Mate
The Official Blurb “In The Alpha’s Woman, Kira Radney is all delicous curves and strong will and has no desire to be a subservient mate. When a member of her father’s pack attempts to make her his mate by force, Kira has no choice but to flee. The lat thing she wants is to submitRead More
Warming Up to Spring with Fresh Romance Novels
By Nicole Danielle Warming Up to Spring While my dear bosom buddy and fellow bookish biddy, Meghan Leigh, awaits Spring in the North; it’s well underway here in the Carolinas. I’ve already started my Spring weeding and clean-up and the Naked Lilies my friend, Andre, sent to me from his shop, Firefly Farm & Mercantile,Read More
Literary Gardening
Gardening-inspired methods you can use to reorganize your home library and foster reading around the house.
Book Review: A Scot is Not Enough
The Official Blurb “A Gentleman of Virtue Decent and ambitious, Alexander Sloane is finally a fingerβs breadth from achieving the government post heβs worked towards for years. A minor task monitoring Bow Street funds for the Crown is his final hurdle. But he discovers more than he bargains for when his assignment leads him toRead More
Season 2 Episode 5: A Bodice Ripping Good Time
Ever wondered how a simple listener suggestion could spice up our entire podcast? This month, we’re embracing a Scottish and Irish theme on Romance on the Rocks — complete with fiery Scotch bonnet peppers add to our Scoville scale.
A Bodice Ripping Good Time
Sometimes you want a slow burn. And sometimes you want a full-on bodice ripper with drama, passion and at least one wildly unhinged description before chapter two.
Wintry Romance Novel Reads
In addition to the warming bevies, I am discovering I love a titillating read to help keep me warm.
Pepper Spray & Politics
In the latest episode of “Romance on the Rocks,” we delve into two contrasting romance novels that showcase the pitfalls of political romances from the ’80s. With our glasses full of scotch and sauvignon blanc, we dissect the narratives that confounded and shocked us.
Season 2 Episode 4: Pepper Spray & Politics
Can a Sauvignon Blanc truly capture the essence of a political romance novel, or does scotch pair better with Scottish intrigue? Nicole Danielle and Meghan Leigh put their drink-pairing skills to the test in this lively episode as they embark on an amusing journey through romance novels and beverages.
Bridgerton Fan Must-Haves
I am pleased as punch to find a growing number of Bridgerton-themed items available for fans — everything from cocktail crates to teapots. And I decided I simply must compile a a curated collection of Bridgerton Fan Must-Haves. Here they are, “dearest gentle reader.”
Love Campaign
What if a classic enemies-to-lovers tale could blend feminism, faith, and political ambition?
Season 2 Episode 3: Love Campaign
This week, Meghan Leigh kicks off our Season 2 books by unraveling the rich tapestry of “A Vote of Confidence” by Robin Lee Hatcher.
Our Updated Spicy Scoville Scale for Romance Novels
In each of our regular podcast episodes for Romance on the Rocks, we give our books a Spicy Scoville Scale rating. Over the course of Season 1 of the podcast, we realized we need to expand our spiciness levels.
Season One Romantic Reminders
If you’re looking for romantic reminders to help you thrive as a couple, we’re here for you. Let our takeaways from our romance novel reads be your inspiration and guide in everyday life.
Season 2 Episode 2: Highlights & More from 2024
Laughter is our constant companion as we recount some of the most entertaining moments from our literary escapades.
Highlights & More from 2024
As the curtains close on the first season of Romance on the Rocks, hosts Nicole Danielle and Meghan Leigh come together for a spirited recap that is as lively as it is insightful.
Love Stories That Last
This sudden epiphany from one of her Season 1 books has Meghan realizing some love stories stand the test of time.
Zero Proof Options for Dry January
While we certainly consider ourselves lovers and connoisseurs of adult beverages, we also understand there are many times when we and our fellow biddies want to avoid alcohol.
Our 2025 Podcast Goals
Our post-holiday reflections have us sharing tales of festive chaos survival, and setting intriguing goals for 2025.
Season 2 Episode 1: Our 2025 Podcast Goals
Season Two of Romance on the Rocks begins with a heartfelt reflection on the previous season’s highs and lows, alongside a discussion of new goals, upcoming themes, and community engagement.
Season 1 Books
Our first season of our podcast, Romance on the Rocks, features a bevy of trashy romance novels written over the last fifty years.
Episode 6 — Cheers to Christmas Romance Reads
Ever found yourself torn between a holiday romance novel and a festive cocktail? Weβve got the perfect blend for you. Grab your favorite yuletide drink β a bourbon and Cheerwine mix or maybe a chilled apple cider sangria β and join us as we unravel the romance in Lisa Kleypas’ “A Wallflower Christmas.”
Cheers to Christmas Romance Reads
In the grand finale of our very first podcast season (cue the confetti cannons), weβre diving headfirst into the sparkly, cinnamon-scented world of holiday romance novels β andΒ pairing them with cocktails festive enough to make Santa wink.
Bookish Biddy Reading Necessities
Do you have any book reading essentials? Meghan Leigh writes about her must-have accessories for reading.
Holiday Cocktails to Keep You Warm & Merry
As two bookish biddies who love to imbibe, we do enjoy a winter beverage. So we’ve gathered up some fabulous holiday cocktails to keep you warm and merry as you celebrate the season with loved ones or enjoy quality alone time with a favorite holiday romance novel.
Episode 5: A Christmas for the Dogs
What if your holiday season could be spiced up with a touch of mystery and a dash of romance? This episode promises to take you on a whimsical journey through the world of holiday-inspired romance novels paired with festive cocktails.
A Christmas for the Dogs
This Thanksgiving, we’re diving into the cozy world of autumnal romance novels.
Real Scandals in Romance: A Story of Plagiarism and Passion
In our newest bonus episode ofΒ Romance on the Rocks Podcast, we take a scandalous little detour β and no, itβs not about a billionaire werewolf CEO or a pirate with a heart of gold. Itβs real-life romance drama, baby.
Bonus Episode: Real Scandals in Romance
Ever wondered how a literary giant could fall from grace, only to rise again and captivate readers? Join us as we unravel the scandalous story of Janet Dailey, whose admitted plagiarism in 1997 created shockwaves in the romance novel world.
7 Cocktail Subscription Boxes for Bookish Biddies
Here at Romance on the Rocks Podcast, we are two bookish biddies who imbibe and share their love of romance novels. We don’t mind whipping up an adult beverage at home, but there’s definitely something to be said for the convenience of having cocktails delivered right to our door. Here, we take a look at seven cocktail subscription boxes. Some have alcohol, some don’t, and some are specifically focused on mocktails. We’ve curated a list that includes budget-friendly options as well as high end choices. Here’s the list.
