Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: A Romance Novel Podcast

Martha Wells is back, and we are taking a deep spoilery dive into Platform Decay.I want to be clear here: if you haven’t read Platform Decay, we are about to spoil the dickens out of it. Yes, Charles Dickens is in Platform Decay, you heard it here first. We’re going to discuss infrastructure fury, trains in Japan, Honor Princess Detective, and more – and when I say we are spoiling, we are spoiling.

In other words, if you haven’t read Platform Decay, and you don’t want to know much about the story, skip this episode until after you’ve read it. This is a very book club kind of conversation.

You can find Martha Wells on her website, MarthaWells.com, and she's on Bluesky, Goodreads, and Instagram.
Please note: Martha Wells is NOT on Threads or Facebook. If someone contacts you on there, it is not really her!

We also mentioned:
Legend of Zeng Hai
Unveil: Jadewind

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We’re back in the time machine, heading to December 2012 to look at the ads and features from Romantic Times magazine.

This episode features a high amount of extreme zany. We’ve got so many treats for you this week, including the Steeple Hill Drinking Game, the reverse Colonel Sanders, Jude Deveraux’s thoughts on modern romance heroes of the time, shifters and more.

Watch the episode and see the ads we're talking about on YouTube, or find the visual aids at SBTB.com!
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We’re sampling Tropetails cocktail mixes, discussing what we’re reading and playing, and what books we’re looking forward to in the coming months.

We were not paid to promote them, but we did receive free samples and they are delicious.

We also mentioned:
Manta: Flower of Allure aka Flowers are Bait
Game: Winter Burrow
Game: Librarian – Tidy Up the Arcane Library
Elyse’s review of Yesteryear
My review of Platform Decay

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This episode is brought to you by Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character.
Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it. Learn more at Hatch.co/ophelia

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Support for this episode comes from The Undergrads: Student Union by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Julie Murphy–a sexy new rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101. Ali Hazelwood calls The Undergrads: Student Union “one addictively swoony book.” Available now wherever books are sold!

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You can get 10% off of Tropetails drink mixes with code SBTBTROPES!

Find all the books and games we discuss at SBTB!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back in the time machine, heading back to December 2012 to see what new books were reviewed in Romantic Times magazine.

We’ve got “multicultural” books, beefy paragraphs, big thorns, Schroedinger’s baby, and “charming vulgar nonsense.” Plus, we ask a very important question: if you were suddenly the heroine of an Inspirational romance, how would you know?

TW/CW for the erotica section at the end. It was a time, y’all.

If you want to watch this episode with images of the covers and Amanda and I cracking up a lot, head over to our YouTube page.

We also mentioned:
SNL: Dylan McDermott or Durmot Mulroney?
Goodreads: The Folly of the World review

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Support for this episode comes from Labyrinthine by CJ Holmes, a dark, myth-inspired romantasy—where love is dangerous, desire is a risk, and monsters don’t always look like monsters.

Princess Azhara was born cursed. Marked by ancient magic. Promised in an unholy bargain sealed in blood, she is the prize. When the Reaping begins, suitors will descend into the labyrinth beneath the palace—each one fighting to win her hand or die trying.

A “beautifully woven tale of love, magic, and sacrifice,” Labyrinthine is available now in paperback, ebook, and audio, wherever books are sold. Learn more at CJHolmesWriting.com, or check the link in the show notes to find your copy today!

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This episode is brought to you by Ophelia — an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character.
Forbidden magic, a crumbling kingdom, a slow-burn love triangle with a prince and his very guarded, very intriguing, best friend. The kind of love triangle where you will absolutely pick a side and you will not be quiet about it. Learn more at Hatch.co/ophelia
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nalini Singh is back to talk about Archangel’s Eternity, which I have been calling “Archangel’s Finale.”

We’ve got questions from readers and listeners, and some behind the scenes details about how Nalini organizes the massive worlds she’s built in her series.

Plus she teases some major surprises for the next Psy-Changeling book, and what she’s working on right now.

You can find the video of this episode on our YouTube channel if you’d like to watch us!

You can find Nalini Singh at her website, NaliniSingh.com, and on Instagram and Facebook as AuthorNaliniSingh.
Do not miss the chance to sign up for her newsletter!

We also mentioned:
Nalini’s virtual event with the Ashland Public Library on Wednesday, June 10!
The next Psy-Changeling book is Cold Redemption, coming out in December 1, 2026.
Nalini’s prior episodes:
676. Exploring Atonement Sky with Nalini Singh
489. Archangel’s Light with Nalini Singh
409. Alpha Night and Alpha Women With Nalini Singh
361. Playing Verbal Poker with Nalini Singh
356. Our Book Club Discussion of Rebel Hard by Nalini Singh
24. An Interview with Nalini Singh

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Support for this episode comes from The Undergrads: Student Union by #1 New York Times-bestselling author Julie Murphy–a sexy new rom com about a college marriage of convenience that goes way beyond chemistry 101. Ali Hazelwood calls The Undergrads: Student Union “one addictively swoony book.” Available now wherever books are sold!

...

This episode is brought to you by Hatch, producers of Ophelia, an original audio drama, inspired by Hamlet, where Ophelia finally gets to be the main character. Book one of the three part series is now available for free wherever you stream, with new chapters dropping every Tuesday. For books 2 and 3, check out hatch.co/Ophelia.
Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a sample of Ophelia, brought to you by Hatch.co!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.