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Romance on the Rocks Podcast

Sip, Read, and Get Swept Away in a World of Romance

Season 2 Episode 26: Meet the Author A.C. Wonderland

November 25, 2025

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Episode Description

A hockey crush in 8th grade and a lifelong love of the game set A.C. Wonderland on an unexpected path: slow-burn romances that feel as tense and electric as a tied third period. We pull up a chair with A.C. to talk about her books One Shot and Summer Shot, why golden retriever male leads deserve their flowers, and how to write intimacy that actually moves the story forward. If your heart wants authentic hockey details with just-right spice, you’re in the right locker room.

A.C. opens up about the spark behind her characters, the personal Easter eggs she hides in names and moments, and the art of pacing tension so readers keep whispering one more page. We trade recs across romance and fantasy, dig into the joy of traveling book clubs with annotated copies, and explore how mental health themes in popular titles shaped her approach to empathy on the page. She also explains why she mostly avoids reading hockey romance while drafting β€” protecting voice and honoring accuracy β€” without losing the delight of a great love story.

The road to indie publishing gets real here. A.C. breaks down building a trusted team, working with editors and cover artists found online, navigating PR, and partnering with indie bookstores. We get practical about writing routines: outlines as guardrails, chapter-based goals over rigid word counts, non-linear drafting when a scene stalls, and the surprising effectiveness of moving tough chapters to a brewery. Through it all runs a steady message to aspiring authors: keep going, find your people and let the work change you first.

One Shot is now available on Kindle Unlimited, while paperbacks and special editions live on her site and at major retailers. If you love hockey romance with heartfelt stakes, character-driven spice and the promise of a true HEA, queue this one up. Subscribe, share with a romance-loving friend, and leave a quick review β€” your support helps more readers find the stories they’ll cheer for.

Featured Cocktail for this Episode:

The Hat Trick

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Theme Music Created by Adam Wroblewski
Main Art by PersonalisePortrait

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Categories: Podcast Episodes, Season 2

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Welcome in! Romance on the Rocks Podcast is hosted by Meghan Leigh & Nicole Danielle -- two bookish biddies who imbibe and share their love of romance novels.

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Romance on the Rocks is a podcast featuring Meghan Leigh & Nicole Danielle β€” bookish biddies who imbibe and share their latest romance novel reads.

πŸ“šREAD ALONG WITH US! πŸ“š Our next Romance on the Roc πŸ“šREAD ALONG WITH US! πŸ“š
Our next Romance on the Rocks episode drops July 7 and we're heading from the Door County, Wisconsin to an Italian coast with two summer romances!
πŸ“– Meghan is reading The Other Room by Katherine Hastings
πŸ“– Nicole is reading One Hot Italian Summer by Karina Halle
Grab a copy, settle into your favorite reading spot and join us before the episode drops. Whether you're reading one book or both, we'd love to hear your thoughts!
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 14 airs July 7.
Have you read either of these novels? Let us know in the comments!
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #Bookstagram #ReadAlong
πŸ“š Book Review: The Catch by Amy Lea What happens w πŸ“š Book Review: The Catch by Amy Lea
What happens when a luxury resort loses your reservation, a whale-watching trip goes horribly wrong and a fake engagement accidentally reunites an entire family?
Nicole's latest review dives into:
🦞 A rugged Nova Scotia lobsterman
πŸ’ Fake engagement chaos
🌊 Small-town charm
🎲 Settlers of Catan bonus points
πŸ”₯ A memorable lighthouse scene
Not every part of this book worked for Nicole but the character growth, communication and realistic ending won her over.
🌢️🌢️🌢️ Spice Level: Jalapeño
⭐️ Rating: 3/5 Stars
Read the full review:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/the-catch/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #BookReview #AmyLea #RomanceBooks #RomanceReaders
πŸŒ²πŸ“š NEW EPISODE ALERT πŸ“šπŸŒ² This week, Nicole and Megh πŸŒ²πŸ“š NEW EPISODE ALERT πŸ“šπŸŒ²
This week, Nicole and Meghan are heading deep into the Great Outdoors with:
🦞 The Catch by Amy Lea
πŸͺ“ Wood You Marry Me? by Daphne Elliott
Expect:
🌲 Lumberjack competitions
🌲 Fake marriages
🌲 Lobster fishermen
🌲 Settlers of Catan
🌲 Dirty wood jokes
🌲 A cock-blocking moose named Clive
Honestly, this episode has everything.
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 13: Gettin' Wood in the Great Outdoors
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode13/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #ContemporaryRomance #Bookstagram
Did you know people supposedly have different "ero Did you know people supposedly have different "erotic languages"?
Neither did Nicole.
A romance novel reference sent Nicole down a research rabbit hole that uncovered five different erotic blueprints and sparked one of the more unexpected conversations from Season 3 Episode 13.
Are you energetic, sensual, sexual, kinky or a shapeshifter?
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 13: Gettin' Wood in the Great Outdoors is available now.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode13/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders
We had fun checking out @thestorycellar_wi this mo We had fun checking out @thestorycellar_wi this morning. A nice selection (of course we each nabbed a romance novel!) and cute merch! We also loved the little reading book for kiddos!
πŸ“š Book Review: Southern Seducer by Jessica Peterso πŸ“š Book Review: Southern Seducer by Jessica Peterson
Nicole's latest review features:
❀️ Friends to lovers
πŸ”οΈ Blue Ridge Mountain setting
🏈 Retired NFL player (GO, PACK, GO!)
πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§ Single mom heroine
🧠 Honest mental health representation
What started as a mountain romance turned into a story that hit Nicole right in the feels with its thoughtful exploration of postpartum depression, friendship, family and healing.
🌢️ Spice Level: Jalapeño
⭐️ Rating: 4/5 Stars
Read the full review:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/southern-seducer/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookReview #JessicaPeterson #RomanceReaders
πŸ“šπŸŒ² READ ALONG WITH US πŸŒ²πŸ“š Our June Great Outdoors t πŸ“šπŸŒ² READ ALONG WITH US πŸŒ²πŸ“š
Our June Great Outdoors theme continues on June 23 and we've got two more romance novels heading your way!
πŸ“– Meghan is reading Wood You Marry Me? by Daphne Elliott
πŸ“– Nicole is reading The Catch by Amy Lea
Expect lumberjacks, lobster fishermen, outdoor adventures, small-town charm and plenty of reasons to swoon.
Want to join the conversation? Grab a copy, start reading and listen along when Season 3 Episode 13 drops on June 23.
Have you read either of these books? Let us know in the comments!
πŸŽ™οΈ Romance on the Rocks
🍹 Romance novels paired with themed beverages
❀️ "That doesn't make you a bad mother. It just ma ❀️ "That doesn't make you a bad mother. It just makes you honest."
One of the most meaningful conversations from Season 3 Episode 12 came from a discussion about motherhood, expectations and giving ourselves permission to admit when things are hard.
Because sometimes surviving is enough.
πŸŽ™οΈ Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Listen June 9:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode12/
#Motherhood #RomanceOnTheRocks #BookPodcast #MomLife #RomanceReaders
πŸ”οΈπŸ“š NEW EPISODE ALERT πŸ“šπŸ”οΈ Season 3 Episode 12: Ain πŸ”οΈπŸ“š NEW EPISODE ALERT πŸ“šπŸ”οΈ
Season 3 Episode 12: Ain't No Mountain High Enough is now live!
This week, Nicole and Meghan head into the Great Outdoors with:
⛰️ Highest Point by Kels and Denise Stone
🌲 Southern Seducer by Jessica Peterson
Inside this episode:
❀️ Grumpy/sunshine romance
❀️ Friends-to-lovers romance
❀️ Outdoor adventure and mountain settings
❀️ Honest conversations about motherhood and postpartum depression
❀️ Daddy Montgomery makes an unexpected return
❀️ Prince Albert piercing research nobody asked for
❀️ A debate about the most expensive adult films ever made
❀️ The ongoing saga of Nicole's rogue breast liner
Basically, it's everything you've come to expect from Romance on the Rocks.
πŸŽ™οΈ Listen wherever you get your podcasts or visit:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode12/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders
πŸ˜‚ Every friend group has that one story. For Megha πŸ˜‚ Every friend group has that one story.
For Meghan, it's the story of "Porn Tuesdays" in her college dorm.
Picture:
🍝 A bowl of spaghetti
🎬 A group of college students
And somehow this all came up while discussing romance novels.
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 12: Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Listen now:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode12/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #BookPodcast #CollegeStories #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders
πŸ˜‚ Every friendship has that one moment. Nicole tho πŸ˜‚ Every friendship has that one moment.
Nicole thought Meghan was complimenting her boobs.
Meghan was actually trying to warn her that a glowing white breast liner was escaping into the wild on a crowded dance floor.
Communication is important.
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 12: Ain't No Mountain High Enough
Listen June 9:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode12/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #BookPodcast #FriendshipStories #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders
πŸ“šβœ¨ Romance on the Rocks Lore βœ¨πŸ“š For newer listener πŸ“šβœ¨ Romance on the Rocks Lore βœ¨πŸ“š
For newer listeners wondering why Nicole and Meghan keep mentioning "Daddy Montgomery"...
It all goes back to a romance novel from Season 1 that featured one of the most unintentionally hilarious CPR scenes we've ever encountered.
And yes, three seasons later we're still talking about it.
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 12: Ain't No Mountain High Enough drops June 9.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode12/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #RomanceReaders #Bookstagram
🚩 Romance hero or immediate restraining order? 🚩 N 🚩 Romance hero or immediate restraining order? 🚩
Next week's books gave Nicole and Meghan a CPR scene that instantly fed into one of their longest running jokes.
πŸŽ™οΈ Season 3 Episode 12: Ain't No Mountain High Enough
πŸ“… June 9
Stream anywhere podcasts are available or visit:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode12/ on release day.
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #RomanceReaders #Bookstagram
πŸŒ²πŸ“š JUNE PODCAST CALENDAR πŸ“šπŸŒ² The Great Outdoors ha πŸŒ²πŸ“š JUNE PODCAST CALENDAR πŸ“šπŸŒ²

The Great Outdoors has arrived at Romance on the Rocks!

This month, Nicole and Meghan are heading into the mountains, the forests and the wilderness with four romance novels full of adventure, emotional growth and a delightful number of wood-related jokes.

πŸŽ™οΈ June 9
Season 3 Episode 12: Ain't No Mountain High Enough

πŸ“– Highest Point by Kels and Denise Stone
πŸ“– Southern Seducer by Jessica Peterson

⛰️ Alaska
⛰️ Blue Ridge Mountains
⛰️ Grumpy sunshine
⛰️ Friends to lovers

πŸŽ™οΈ June 23
Season 3 Episode 13: Gettin' Wood in the Great Outdoors

πŸ“– Wood You Marry Me? by Daphne Elliott
πŸ“– The Catch by Amy Lea

🌲 Lumberjacks
🌲 Fake marriage
🌲 Lobster fishermen
🌲 Small-town romance

Grab your hiking boots, your favorite beverage and your ever-growing TBR pile because June is shaping up to be an adventure.

Which book are you most excited to read with us?

#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #BookPodcast #RomanceReaders #Bookstagram
πŸ“šπŸ”– Calling all romance readers! πŸ”–πŸ“š Need a bookmark πŸ“šπŸ”– Calling all romance readers! πŸ”–πŸ“š
Need a bookmark that's a little more fun than a random receipt?
This Romance on the Rocks blog post by Meghan features creative bookmark ideas inspired by books, reading and romance novels.
Whether you're a dedicated book dragon, an audiobook listener who occasionally reads a physical copy or someone whose TBR pile has become sentient, there's a bookmark idea for you.
Read the full post:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/bookmark-this-blog/
#RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #Bookmarks #ReadingLife #RomanceReaders
β˜€οΈπŸ“šπŸΉ Summer reading season is here! πŸΉπŸ“šβ˜€οΈ Looking f β˜€οΈπŸ“šπŸΉ Summer reading season is here! πŸΉπŸ“šβ˜€οΈ
Looking for the perfect beach read AND the perfect cocktail to sip while reading it?
Nicole updated one of her top read summer blog posts featuring:
✨ 7 romance novels
✨ 7 cocktail pairings
✨ Plenty of beach vibes, swoons and summer fun
Whether you're headed to the beach, the pool or just your backyard hammock, there's a book-and-drink pairing waiting for you.
From sparkling spritzes to tropical cocktails, these pairings are designed to make your summer reading even more delicious.
🌴 Read the full guide:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/summer-beach-reads-and-cocktails/
#SummerReading #BeachReads #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #SummerCocktails
πŸ“šπŸŒ² JUNE THEME MONTH: THE GREAT OUTDOORS πŸŒ²πŸ“š The boo πŸ“šπŸŒ² JUNE THEME MONTH: THE GREAT OUTDOORS πŸŒ²πŸ“š
The bookish biddies are leaving the ballrooms and problematic dukes behind and heading outside for June’s new theme month:
✨ The Great Outdoors ✨
For Season 3 Episode 12:
Nicole will be reading:
🏈 Southern Seducer by Jessica Peterson
Meg will be reading:
⛰️ Highest Point by Kels and Denise Stone
Expect mountain vibes, outdoor adventures, steamy romance and hopefully significantly fewer horrifying MMCs.
Read along with us before the episode drops in June!
#RomanceOnTheRocks #RomanceBooks #Bookstagram #ContemporaryRomance #ReadAlong
πŸ“šπŸŒΆοΈ NEW BOOK REVIEW πŸŒΆοΈπŸ“š Nicole finally read The Br πŸ“šπŸŒΆοΈ NEW BOOK REVIEW πŸŒΆοΈπŸ“š
Nicole finally read The Bride by Julie Garwood and honestly? She loved this one.
This Scottish historical romance delivered:
βš”οΈ Marriage of convenience
βš”οΈ Enemies to lovers
βš”οΈ Murder mystery
βš”οΈ Witty banter
βš”οΈ A heroine with the WORST sense of direction
Nicole gave this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and called it one of her favorite reads from the β€œMothers of Romance” month on Romance on the Rocks.
🌢️ Spice Level: Jalapeño
Read the full review:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/the-bride/
#HistoricalRomance #JulieGarwood #RomanceBooks #BookReview #RomanceReaders
πŸ·πŸ“š PODCAST OUTTAKES ENERGY πŸ“šπŸ· Nicole is over here πŸ·πŸ“š PODCAST OUTTAKES ENERGY πŸ“šπŸ·
Nicole is over here shaking cocktails in a mason jar because it’s been β€œa hell of a day.”
Meanwhile, Meghan went to the thrift store for ONE wine glass and somehow left with:
✨ two wine glasses
✨ a cart of books
✨ and only spent $2.36
As one does.
Season 3 Episode 11: Meg's Got a Mother of a Book is officially live. Get it wherever you stream your podcasts!
🎧 Listen now:
https://romanceontherockspodcast.com/season3-episode11/
#RomanceOnTheRocks #Bookstagram #PodcastLife #RomanceReaders #ThriftStoreFinds
50 episodes. πŸ₯‚πŸ“šπŸ’• Today we’re celebrating a HUGE mi 50 episodes. πŸ₯‚πŸ“šπŸ’•
Today we’re celebrating a HUGE milestone β€” Our 50th episode of Romance on the Rocks Podcast! What started as two friends talking about romance books and cocktails has grown into an amazing community of readers, listeners and fellow romance lovers. And we’re so grateful for every single one of you.
From unforgettable book boyfriends to chaotic plot twists, spicy scenes, signature cocktails and all the laughs in between … thank you for being along for the ride. πŸ’‹πŸΈ
Whether you’ve been here since Episode 1 or just recently found us, THANK YOU for listening, sharing, commenting and supporting this little podcast of ours.
Here’s to 50 episodes of romance and cocktails and many more to come. πŸ₯‚βœ¨
What’s been your favorite episode, book. or cocktail so far? Comment below!
#RomanceOnTheRocksPodcast #BookPodcast #RomanceBooks #50Episodes #Bookstagram
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