Bonkers Romance - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Bonkers Romance — Arts
Bonkers Romance

Katee Robert, Jenny Nordbak, and Melody Carlisle are taking their love for romance and dialing it up to 11 with your favorite authors and personalities from Romancelandia. Every Thursday, we recap a truly bonkers piece of romance media and discuss how it’s tropes are maximized and what they do for us. Along the way you’ll get commentary, book recs, hilarious stories, hot takes, and a unique peek into the brains of creators you admire. Join us each week as we celebrate the authors who really *go there* and show us that our hard limits… might just be guidelines.

Copyright: © Copyright 2022 Melody Carlisle and Jenny Nordbak

Latest Episodes:

Bonkers Catch Up March 2023! Mar 23, 2023

We've missed you! The three of us catch up by sharing bonkers book recs with each other!

Books we talked about:

The Monstrous Series by Lily Mayne

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

Does It Hurt by H.D. Carlton

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

2022 Finale! Nov 27, 2022

Hey gorgeous Joy Lovers! This is the public preview of our last episode of 2022! We haven't gotten to record together for a little while, so it gets a little silly. Not only do you get a behind-the-scenes look at how we've been commissioning pirate art, but Katee tells us about Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton! It's a little Bonker's style holiday fun = a dark romance that might include some hand removal for romantic purposes... look we're both delighted and confused. Then you get a sneak peek at our newest brainchild "Bespoke Bonkers."

In the full episode on The Temple, we tell cougar stories, talk about Jenny's newest obsession, the show Yellowstone, plus House of Dragons, Sophie Lark's Kingmaker series, a serial killer duology that Mel loved, and so much more!

We'll be back in 2023 with tons of PIRATE RECAPSSSSS! Email us with great pirate books we should read!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Should It Bang? Xmas Movie Edition! Nov 17, 2022

Julie Murphy AND Sierra Simone join us to discuss Christmas movies that should have... and should NOT have banged. They were also kind enough to write the Christmas romance we all deserve...and you can bet your asses it bangs. A Merry Little Meet Cute is out now and is not to be missed!

For bonus content or video of this episode, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

We'll be back next week with our final episode of the year, then we'll be taking a break for December to recharge, spend time with family, and scheme how we can make 2023 your most gloriously bonkers year yet!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Save Your Screams Nov 10, 2022

Jenny brings Mel and Katee gifts from the fae realm by recapping The Fae Queen's Captive by Sierra Simone! How does Queen Sierra do this to us every single time? We bow before the throne of her writing.

You can read the entire Peculiar Tastes series now on KU!

For bonus content or video of this episode, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

We'll be back next week with Sierra Simone herself AND Julie Murphy to help us bridge the gap between spooky season and holiday season...by talking holiday movies that should've fucked!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Merman Pearls Nov 03, 2022

Melody delights Jenny and Katee by recapping The Captive Merman's Promise by Zoey Castile! We discover a hard limit for Katee and learn what mermen have in their pocketses.

You can read the entire Peculiar Tastes series now on KU!

For bonus content or video of this episode (you really need to see Katee's expressions!), check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

We'll be back next week to finish off the Peculiar Tastes series with a bang by recapping The Fae Queen's Captive by Sierra Simone!

Make sure to check out our Patreon equivalent, the Temple of Defiant Joy, for bonus episodes, Book Club, art, and more!

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER! You can opt into as much or as little info as you want.

Follow us on: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook

Get the PECULIAR TASTES books!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Enter the Void Oct 27, 2022

Today, Katee takes us through the twisty mind of the one and only Nikki Sloan with The Vixen's Deceit! YOWZA, she delivered a horror romance that got under our skin and stayed there.

Make sure to check out our Patreon equivalent, the Temple of Defiant Joy, for bonus episodes, Book Club, art, and more!

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER! You can opt into as much or as little info as you want.

Follow us on: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook

Get the PECULIAR TASTES books!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Big News for 2023: Dangerous Tides! Oct 21, 2022

𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 #𝟐 is coming!! Come sail the seas with us... PIRATES ARE COMING!

->Make sure you're subscribed to the newsletter!

Next year, we'll be launching the Dangerous Tides series, and it will be PIRATES. Sexy, bonkers pirates!

But of course, we have to keep SOME secrets, so we're going to send y'all on a treasure hunt to find out who the season 2 authors are! It will be happening after the New Year, so keep an eye out for that!

This series will be linked by our magical port town that sits out of time and space. It's none other than Atlantis! Each story will stop by the island for some time, and we've built a really fun cast of characters. We plan to introduce you to them leading up to launch so you can feel right at home in Atlantis. If you want that delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Get Slimed with Elle Diaz Oct 20, 2022

Elle Diaz, aka Liz from the Makeout Already Podcast, is here to recap The Hellmouth Guardian's Lover by Adriana Herrera!

This is book 3 in our Peculiar Tastes series! All I have to say is second chance hemi-peen. Does that make y'all curious at all?

Make sure to get Elle's debut book How That Makes You Feel!!!

And get bonus content and secrets at the Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Magical Pegging with RM Virtues Oct 13, 2022

RM Virtues joins Jenny and Mel to recap The Demon's Bargain by Katee Robert!

A reluctant bargainer, a stolen amulet, and magical pegging. How did she do it?!

Check out our offerings on the Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Sex Gods with Hannah Whitten Oct 06, 2022

Hannah Whitten joined Katee and Mel to start our 6 week series recapping the Peculiar Tastes series! All of these books are now available for purchase and in Kindle Unlimited!

We start with The Death God's Sacrifice by Jenny Nordbak! A gorgon assassin, a death god, an assignment to save her sister. This book has everything! Antler fun, threats of torture as foreplay, roaring revivals, the most perfect gift, and more!

Make sure to check out Hannah's work and follow her on social media!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Shadow Daddy with Amalie Howard Sep 29, 2022

Oooooh Amalie Howard brought us A GIFT!!! Luxuria by Colette Rhodes is the monster cinnamon roll arranged marriage with a hornbag heroine romance that we've always wanted! The world building is exquisite, the heroine's voice is evocative and hilarious, and the relationship is perfectly crafted.

Make sure to follow Amalie Howard on all the socials! Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Aftercare:

Amalie: a bath or Game of Thrones, depending on the mood

Mel: Squid Game. We know! It's shocking!

Jenny: The new Point Break on mute, fast-forwarded to the Edgar Ramirez parts. Is it specific? Yes. Does it hit the spot? Also yes.

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

A Post-Morality Chain King Sep 22, 2022

Did you ever think anyone would figure out a way to recap John Wick for a romance podcast?? WELL ALI HAZELWOOD HAS DONE IT.

Aftercare:

Katee: The Way of the House Husband manga series!!!

Melody: Shang Chi. Watch it immediately. (Warning: They don't kiss)

Ali: The K-drama What's Wrong with Secretary Kim! It gets a little sexy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Mel's Devilish Submission Sep 15, 2022

Hey all! We're back to the books we imprinted on! This week Mel talks about The Devil's Submission by Nicola Davidson! Sheepish submissive! Lady Dom! Terrible mom! It's all here.

Aftercare:

Katee: playlists in 8D. The sound goes back and forth between your headphones and it scratches her ADHD brain in the best way!

Mel: The third book in this series, The Seduction of Viscount Vice! It's another second chance romance and they're exhibitionists!

As always, make sure to check out the Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Why Not Both? Sep 08, 2022

Naima, Andie, Jenny, and Mel wrap up the second half of The Next 365 Days! Triads, boy makeouts, and Olga love! Enjoy!

CW: we lightly discuss domestic violence because Mel couldn't suspend her disbelief far enough and toed the line of being a total buzz kill. (Hi. Mel here. I wrote this.)

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Mobster Documentaries Sep 01, 2022

It's part 1 of The Next 365 Days! Naima Simone and Andie J. Christopher are back to discuss the 3rd movie in the Netflix movie series. We had to split this into 2 episodes (again) because we are THE MOST in this recap (as usual). Along the way we discuss mobster "documentaries," stepsibling TikTok, and accidental exhibitionism. Enjoy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

WTF Did I Marry? Aug 25, 2022

Katee recaps Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews! It's our member-only episode, so if you want to hear the whole thing, head to our website and sign up for the Temple of Defiant Joy!

If you want to get inside information for our next projects or have a chance to get a Peculiar Tastes special edition set or swag box, sign up for our NEWSLETTER! If we have extras because order minimums require it, we'll let you know!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Hellcat's Gotta Hellcat Aug 18, 2022

Jenny gets in the way, way back machine and transports us to a time when she had to sneak and scrounge to get her hands on romance. She recaps Lord of a Thousand Nights by Madeline Hunter and it's an enemies-to-lovers dream come true that really holds up!

Aftercare:

Jenny: The Crescent City series by Sarah J. Maas and the narrative blueprints one can see across an author's work.

Katee: Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White! Check the trigger warnings at the front!

Melody: The One That Got Away on Amazon Prime. It's perfect!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Praise Us! Aug 11, 2022

Jenny recaps Praise by Sarah Cate!

Aftercare:

Jenny: we're onto Hosier compilations!

Katee: Songs to Drown Sailors To and The Amazing Devil

Mel: Chris Evans voices Buzz Lightyear in that new Buzz Lightyear movie and it's a confusing treat for your pants!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Fast & Furious: London Drift with Hannah Whitten! Aug 04, 2022

Hannah Whitten is here to introduce Jenny and Katee to the perfection that is the Fallen series by Nicola Davidson. We recap Surrender to Sin and it's a masterclass on what you can do with a novella!

Don't forget there's less than a week left to back our Kickstarter! If you want the sexy special editions and the super sexy art, this is your only chance to get all of it!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Beware the Fishmen! Jul 28, 2022

Hooooeeeeyyyy! It's our Temple-Only episode for July! Katee is recapping Fertile in my Ex-Boyfriend's Dungeon: Level 4. Ghost Pirates! Tentacle Beasts! Fishmen!

It's a ride, to say the least.

Thank you to everyone who's backed or shared our Kickstarter for the Peculiar Tastes Series!

To listen to this episode in full, join the Temple of Defiant Joy at any level.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Feed the Old Gods with Sophie Lark! Jul 21, 2022

Sophie Lark is here to recap The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden with Katee! We were obsessed with the fairytale vibes and Russian mythology...and Jenny might've been kind of obsessed with trying to make the villain into the love interest.

Other things we're obsessed with? Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark, which you can get right now through Bonkers Book Club! It's enemies to lovers where they're forced to marry and when she finds out he's allergic to strawberries, she deliberately eats them before the wedding so their kiss is...memorable. Also...attempted drowning as a love language!

Our Kickstarter is only running for a few more weeks and that's your only chance to get the special editions and art from the Peculiar Tastes series--or just get the ebooks way ahead of their public release! Check it out HERE!

Or if you're looking for more Bonkers in your life, you can join the Temple of Defiant Joy! Anyone who joins (at any tier) by 8/11 will get a set of six stickers with the artwork from our Kickstarter. The stickers won't be available anywhere else!

We'll be back next week with Book 4 from the Fertile in my Ex-Boyfriend's Dungeon series! Books 2 and 3 are available as bonus episodes in the Temple!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Dragon Schnurffels with Ana Huang! Jul 14, 2022

Hey Joy Lovers! Ana Huang is here to introduce Melody to Ruby Dixon's post-apocalyptic dragons (finally!) with Fire In His Blood. She's a crafty scavenger who's turned into bait, he's the dragon who will be saved by her love. Plus, so many dragon schnurffels and snuggles!

Aftercare:

Ana: The Lost City with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum!

Mel: Vanessa's Dragon by Ruby Dixon

Katee: Love Island UK!!

Our Kickstarter launched this week and we've been blown away by your support! THANK YOU! If you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out now to get your hands on 6 brand new spicy romances that were written in secret. The special editions and artwork will only be available through the Kickstarter!

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Submitting Eagerly with Jenny Nordbak Jul 07, 2022

Katee recaps Fertile in My Ex Boyfriend's Dungeon, Level 1 by Amanda Clover for Mel and Jenny! This might come as a shock, but it's bonkers! Our plucky heroine encounters some goblins, an orc, and a beetlekin! We've decided to recap the rest of the series for the Temple because we loved this one so much. Book 2 is already available!

Make sure to check out OUR KICKSTARTER!!! We're 5 days from launch!

After Care:

Katee: Love Island UK

Melody: I Was Never There. Awesome podcast!

Jenny: Hozier. That is all.

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

We've Been Scheming! Jun 30, 2022

Hello Beautiful Joylover! This is the public preview of June's Temple-only episode! We finally get to tell you all about our secret activities! Jenny, Katee, and Melody have been working hard to bring a brand new bonkers romance series into the world.

Peculiar Tastes is a contemporary fantasy romance series that's set in our fictional Samhain festival, The Shadow Market. The series will be launching via a Kickstarter that includes decadent special editions (ebook, paperback, and hardback!) and swag that will only be available through the Kickstarter. Follow our prelaunch page so you don't miss when Katee launches the campaign on July 12th! And Temple members are getting a sneak peek at some of the art we've commissioned!

In the Temple-only version of this episode, Melody then recaps the first part of Miranda Silver's Deliver the Devil! It's the HEA follow-up to Desire the Star. There are BUCKETS OF COME. Then, Jenny and Katee geek out about Black Sails to the point that they coerce Mel into watching. Huzzah!

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

A New Record with Aveda Vice Jun 23, 2022

Melody and Katee are here with Aveda Vice to recap Desire the Star by Miranda Silver! This witchy, tarot-loving (literally), paranormal, polyknot, CLIFFHANGER was joy from start to finish. It has every trope you can think of and at least 3 you never would have guessed.

Aveda Vice was one of our June book club picks because she just came out with INEXTRICABLY TIED, the follow up to her Gargoyle/Harpy masterpiece SKIN. Make sure to check it out! Aveda's Website

Aftercare Suggestions:

Aveda: All Of Us Are Dead on Netflix. It's coming of age, but zombies!

Melody: the podcast Deliver Us from Ervil. Content Warnings for violence, murder, sexual abuse of minors, and sexual assault. But wow it's a great true crime documentary podcast!

Katee: Black Sails! The 'ships this show makes you ship are plentiful and sometimes surprising! Content warning for sexual assault in the first season. They were trying to be like Game of Thrones until they realized we don't need more gratuitous violence against women in the world. They have since fixed their mistake!

Check out and FOLLOW our Kickstarter! (Ahhhh!)

Next week, the gals will be back for the Temple-only episode!

So as always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Get the Poison Out with Angelina M. Lopez Jun 17, 2022

We're back and you better get ready because we're recapping the second book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series--Rhage's book! Angelina M. Lopez is here to tell us about Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward!

But we have huge news! Katee Robert has joined Bonkers Romance as a cohost starting with this episode! We couldn't be more excited to have her as part of the Bonkers team!

Katee, Jenny, and Angelina delve into all thing BDB, bow down to J.R. Ward as one of the patron saints of bonkers romance, and possibly spend some time also recapping Zsadist's book...because he's the best Brother. Fight me.

We're also revealing a BIG BONKERS SECRET today! If you want to find out more about what it is, you can CLICK HERE! It may or may not involve SIX bonkers, spicy books by six of your favorite authors that were written in secret and will soon be available for your reading pleasure!

Also be sure not to miss Angelina's smoking hot new book, After Hours on Milagro Street!

Or Katee's new NYT Bestseller, Wicked Beauty!

[CW for Lover Eternal: There are discussions of cancer, death of a parent, and infertility]

Aftercare Suggestions:

Angelina: The Boys

Jenny: Zsadist's book LOVER AWAKENED

Melody: Ruby Dixon's WILLA'S BEAST

Katee: THE CITY OF BRASS by S. A. Chakraborty

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Robot Daddy with Kimberly Lemming! May 27, 2022

Kimberly Lemming joined us to recap Robot Daddy by Allysa Hart and Rayanna Jamison. The title says it all! Listen as Jenny tries to process the awesomeness of the premise and then grapple with the...surprise? ending. A delight all around!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

365 Days: This Day (Part 2) with Naima and Andie! May 19, 2022

We’re back with part 2 of this glorious, glorious film! Naima Simone and Andie J. Christopher are back to recap the cinematic masterpiece that is 365 Days: This Day! We have many hot takes, an absurd amount of laughter, and an overall sense of delight that we exist in the same universe as this utterly perfect film. Buckle up!

If you missed Part 1, you can find it here!

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy! May I particularly recommend the video for this episode? You’re welcome!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

365 Days: This Day (Part 1) with Naima Simone and Andie J. Christopher! May 12, 2022

We’re joined by Naima Simone and Andie J. Christopher to recap the cinematic masterpiece that is 365 Days: This Day! We have many hot takes, an absurd amount of laughter, and an overall sense of delight that we exist in the same universe as this utterly perfect film. Buckle up!

We’ll be back next week with Part 2, sure to be filled with more laughter, horror, and horniness.

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy! May I particularly recommend the video for this episode? You’re welcome!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Joining the Mafia with Joanna Shupe May 05, 2022

We're joined byJoanna Shupe to recap Dark Mafia Prince by Annika Martin! Our first mafia romance did not let us down!

Joanna has a brand new book out this month! The Bride Goes Rogue is magnificent! The third book in the Fifth Avenue Rebels series about an arranged engagement destined for disaster…and it brings the heat!

Our After Care suggestions were:

-Every Summer After by Carley Fortune—a book that satisfied Jenny’s deep craving for split timeline/first love, swoony romance.

-365 Days: This Day

-Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

We’ll be back next week to recap 365 Days: This Day with Naima Simone and Andie J. Christopher! Because you deserve nice things.

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Aphrodisiacs and Avalanches with Katee Robert Apr 28, 2022

Katee Robert is here! Robin's here!

And we’re recapping The Winter King by C.L. Wilson! This special episode is dedicated to Temple member Robin's late mom, Elaine, who was a romance reader and all around badass. We wish we could've known her, but we're honored Robin came to join us to celebrate her with a delightfully bonkers book that includes an aphrodisiac, weather magic, and an ice king who demands one of the daughters of his enemy as his wife...he just isn't specific enough about which daughter!

Be sure not to miss Katee's latest, Wicked Beauty, which is out June 7th, but if you preorder it now through Inklings bookshop you get ridiculously hot art along with it! It's the next book in her Dark Olympus series and features Helen seizing her destiny and knocking Achilles and Patroclus on their asses as the three of them discover sizzling chemistry.

We'll be back next week to recap Dark Mafia Prince by Annika Martin with Johanna Shupe!

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

All Aboard the F*ck Bus with Steffanie Holmes Apr 21, 2022

We’re joined by Steffanie Holmes to recap Devil’s Day Party by C.M. Stunich! It’s our first bully romance and we didn’t expect to be so charmed by it!

Be sure to also check out Steffanie’s latest, Poison Ivy (out May 5), which is the start of a brand new series for her—one you’ll especially enjoy if you were intrigued by the bully sub-genre!

Our After Care recs were:

Mel: Bone, Marry, Bury Podcast

Steffanie: Nala's World: One Man, His Rescue Cat, and a Bike Ride Around the Globe by Dean Nicholson

Jenny: Vikings: Valhalla! Not The Last Kingdom! Vikings Valhalla!

Trigger Warnings for this book: suicide, violence, gun violence, homophobia (and homophobic slurs in the text).

And just FYI - the swords don't really cross on the page.

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

Dark Mafia Prince by Annika Martin

We’ll be back next week with Katee Robert to recap The Winter King by C.L. Wilson!

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

No Shame with Sarah Wendell Apr 14, 2022

Sarah Wendell joins us for Part 1 of A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon—a book so delicious, Jenny was bouncing in her chair like an eager puppy dog. Part 2 will be available on Smart Bitches, Trashy Podcast on 4/15/22, so don't miss it!

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be covering in upcoming episodes:

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

We’ll be back next week with Steffanie Holmes to recap Devil’s Day Party by C.M. Stunich!

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Hate Sex with Sophie Jordan! Apr 07, 2022

We’re joined by Sophie Jordan to recap The Worst Guy by Kate Canterbary—one of our favorite enemies-to-lovers romances of all time! It’s bonkers how fearlessly Kate pushes the characters to be mean to each other, all the while walking the tightrope of never making us hate either of them! Also—hate sex. So much exceptional hate sex.

Sophie’s latest, is The Rake Gets Ravished. I’m not going to try to do it justice…instead I’ll just drop this from the blurb and let you make the right choice: No one trifles with Silas Masters. Even if he could forget the dark-haired seductress who undid him, he can't allow anyone to steal from him. He will hunt down the sultry woman who haunts his dreams and show her just how sweet payback can be.

Her next book features a lady blacksmith and a spectacularly sexy cover and she told us seeccccretttts about it that we can’t tell you, but you can hear her mercilessly tease us at the end of the episode.

Our After Care suggestions were:

-Peacemaker on HBO

-The Last Kingdom on Netflix

-The Gilded Age on HBO Max

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

Devil’s Day Party by C.M. Stunich

We’ll be back next week with Sarah Wendell from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books to recap A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon! Jenny was so delighted hearing about it that at one point Sarah (accurately) described her as an excited puppy.

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Nipple Paint as Formalwear with Juliette Cross Mar 24, 2022

Juliette Cross joins us to recap Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven!

If you’re a fan of Khal Drogo, you’ll love this one! Luna agrees to marry an alien barbarian king to save her brother and frankly, hits the jackpot. We get tail bondage, tattoos in the best places, and nipple paint as formalwear!

Juliette’s latest is Parks and Provocation—an enemies-to-lovers small town romance that sounds delicious! Be sure to also check out the romance podcast she has with her niece—Smart Women Read Romance!

Our After Care suggestions were:

-Love is Blind, which we’ll be recapping for the Temple!

-Smash and Grab by Maz Maddox

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

The Worst Guy by Kate Caterbary

We’ll be back next week with Sophie Jordan to recap The Worst Guy by Kate Caterbary! IT’S SO GOOD! Hilarious, bonkers, enemies-to-lovers. You need it.

As always, if you’re looking for more bonkers in your life or want to hear the full version of this episode, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Follow Juliette: @juliettecrossauthor on Instagram | @juliettecrossauthor on Instagram | Juliette's Facebook page | Juliette's Facebook group | Juliette's Website

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Initiating Melody with Nisha Sharma Mar 17, 2022

We’re joined by Nisha Sharma to recap The Initiation by Nikki Sloane!

This book had us all questioning who gave Nikki Sloane permission to write this and the answer is that she’s exactly the kind of brave author we started the podcast to celebrate. We revel in the intrigue, sexual tension, and (ahem) the ritual it eventually builds to. We bow down before Nikki Sloane.

Nisha’s latest is Dating Dr. Dil, a sexy, hilarious, clever reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew that turns it all on its head in the most brilliant way. If you’re a member of The Temple of Defiant Joy, also be sure not to miss the two bonus episodes we’ve done with Nisha because she gives the best bonkers recs!

Our After Care suggestions were:

-The Blindfold Club series by Nikki Sloane (currently, you can get the first three FREE as a boxset!)

-Write Better Faster by Becca Syme

-Encanto

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

The Worst Guy by Kate Caterbary

We’ll be back next week with Juliette Cross to recap Captive of the Horde King! The first portion of the episode will be available publicly, but to hear the whole thing you’ll need to be a member of The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one...

Sweet Intrigue Boys with Roxie Noir! Mar 10, 2022

We’re joined by author Roxie Noir to to recap Unhallowed by Jordan L. Hawk!

Our After Care suggestions were:

A Society of Gentlemen series by KJ Charles

Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta

Wicked Beauty by Katee Robert

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven

The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

The Worst Guy by Kate Caterbary

We’ll be back next week to recap The Initiation by Nikki Sloane with Nisha Sharma!

If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Follow Roxie on @roxienoir on Twitter, @roxie_noir on Instagram, and Roxie's Facebook group!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

As Thick As Your Forearm with @BookishHill Mar 03, 2022

We’re joined by one of our favorite BookTokers, Hillary (@bookishhill), to recap Love and Monsters by Raven Flanagan! Our minds were blown in the best possible way when Hillary shared her path to becoming a bonkers romance reader and the journey she’s been on for the last year!

This absolute delight of a book features a human who finds herself accidentally transported to a monster world where she gets chucked into a dungeon with a demon who has many redeeming qualities for a cellmate. Not only can he efficiently deal with her period in a way we’re frankly jealous of, but he’s (ahem) massively well endowed and can procure things like hot baths while locked in a dungeon. We laughed excessively while recording it and we hope you will too while listening, but don’t be fooled—we adored the book!

Our After Care suggestions were:

Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux

It Ain’t Me, Babe by Tillie Cole (all the trigger warnings, seriously…you’ve been warned!)

Love and Leashes (Netflix tv show!)

For links to all the books we mentioned, check out the show notes on our website!

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

Unhallowed by Jordan L. Hawk

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

We’ll be back next week to recap Unhallowed by Jordan L. Hawk with Roxie Noir!

If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

You can follow Hillary on TikTok or Instagram!

@bookish.hill on Instagram Hillary's Website

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

A Trisexual Awakening with R.M. Virtues Feb 24, 2022

RM Virtues joined us to recap The Mummy! Jenny got to watch this Romancelandia favorite film for the first time and it was a delight!

We fangirl over R.M., discuss why this film is in fact a tri-awakening rather than a bi-awakening, and generally flail at the magnitude of bonkers this swashbuckling romp pulls off.

For proof that Jenny did in fact once wear suspenders made of bondage tape out in Vegas...or for links to the books we discussed, check the show notes on our website!

Follow RM's Website : @rmvirtues on Instagram | @rmvirtues on Twitter

Our After Care suggestions were:

Signs (the movie)

Three Simple Rules by Nikki Sloane (currently FREE on Amazon!)

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

Love and Monsters by Raven Flanagan

Unhallowed by Jordan L. Hawk

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

We’ll be back next week to recap Love and Monsters by Raven Flanagan with Hillary from one of our favorite Booktok accounts—BookishHill!

If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Sloshing with His Shimmering Release with Robin Lovett! Feb 17, 2022

We’re joined by Robin Lovett to recap The Mabon Feast by C.M. Nascosta!

We delve into Robin’s thoughts on bonkers books and why none of us should carry any shame about them—as well as her thoughts on author core stories. Then, we recap the delicious snack that is The Mabon Feast, a sexy romance between a socially awkward witch and a very charming (and hot) spider centaur. What exactly is sloshing with his shimmering release? It may not be what you’re thinking!

Robin’s latest is the fourth book in the glorious Alien Quarantine series. If you missed our recap of Alien Quarantine Rescue, you can find it here. Invisible Quarantined Alien is absurdly spicy and hits all the delightfully bonkers notes we’ve come to expect from Robin Lovett!

Our After Care suggestions were:

-The Thornchapel series by Sierra Simone (look, that’s at least the third time a guest has recced it and if you still haven’t given it a chance, I don’t know what it’s going to take! Read it!)

-The Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark

-One True Pairing by Cathy Yardley

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

Love and Monsters by Raven Flanagan

Unhallowed by Jordan L. Hawk

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

We’ll be back next week with R.M. Virtues to recap The Mummy (film)…Jenny has never seen it! For links to all the books we mentioned, check the show notes on our website!

If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Follow Robin's Website: @LovettRomance on Instagram | @LovettRomance on Twitter | Robin's Facebook page

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the...

A Stable of Fae Menfolk with Monica Corwin Feb 10, 2022

We’re joined by Monica Corwin to recap A Kiss of Shadows (first book in the Merry Gentry series) by Laurell K. Hamilton!

Laurell K. Hamilton is one of the original queens of bonkers, an author who was pushing boundaries long before it was cool! Please be aware that in this episode we discuss content in the book that is typical of something written in the late nineties—including mention of a rape that occurs on page and sexual violence as punishment. We don’t get deep into that stuff, but mention that it happens. On a related note, there are dick-eating butterflies!

Monica has a new book out in a few weeks called Snowed in With the Mafia Boss…and if that title doesn’t catch your attention, we don’t know what will!

Our After Care suggestions were:

-The Thornchapel series by Sierra Simone

-It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (movie Melody couldn’t remember the title of)

-Call Her Leviathan by Cooper D. Barham

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

The Mabon Feast by C.M. Nascosta

The Mummy (film)…Jenny has never seen it!

If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy! For links to all of the books mentioned, check the show notes on our website!

Make sure to follow Monica: @rosetyper9 on Instagram, @monica_corwin on Twitter, Monica's Facebook page, Monica's Website

To support the show, check out theTemple of Defiant Joy

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Murdered in the Pants with Kenya Goree-Bell Feb 03, 2022

We’re joined by Kenya Goree-Bell to recap Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux!

It’s the first horror romance we’ve covered and we bow down before the magnificence of Harley Laroux’s kinky, sexy, slightly scary, deeply satisfying story of a human who falls for a demon! Also be sure not to miss Kenya’s brand new release, The Kronic, out now on KU!

Our After Care suggestions were:

-The Road to Rose Bend by Naima Simone and His Leading Lady by Jenny Nordbak

-Edin by Lily Mayne

-The Last Kingdom (on Netflix)

For links to all the books we mentioned, check the show notes on our website!

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton

We’ll be back next week to recap A Kiss of Shadows (the first Merry Gentry book) by Laurell K. Hamilton with Monica Corwin! If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Support for this episode provided by:

The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Our exclusive community gets you access to the last episode of every month as well as bonus content, video of the episodes, free books, artwork, and more!

Join before 2/6 to receive the two February books as part of the Bonkers Book Club!

Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma features a love-phobic doctor who has to convince a love obsessed homebody that they’re meant for each other (for romance reasons) to save his clinic. It’s the sexy, witty, rom com we deserve.

The Astronaut and the Star is a sparkling debut from Jen Comfort featuring a focused and driven female astronaut who’s forced to agree to “astronaut training” a movie star in order to rehab her image.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and...

Knotting Lessons with Lillian Lark! Jan 27, 2022

We’re joined by Lillian Lark to recap Manix by Grace McGinty!

Lillian brought us an omegaverse, mpreg, warrior cat shifter book—with knotting! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you just went on a google adventure looking up those terms, this episode should delight you.

Be sure not to miss Lillian’s latest, Deceived by the Gargoyles, a monster romance which also features knotting, breeding, and multiple hot gargoyles with a curvy librarian!

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux

A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K Hamilton

We’ll be back next week to recap Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux with Kenya Goree-Bell! If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

For links to all the books we mentioned, check out the show notes on our website!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Eva Moore Saves A Demon Jan 20, 2022

We’re joined by Eva Moore to recap That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming!

This episode is a frothy cocktail of effervescent joy and we couldn’t be more delighted with the book Eva picked to bring us back from hiatus! Be sure not to miss Eva’s brand new release, Reclaimed Dreams, which is the deeply satisfying conclusion to her Exposed Dreams series (but it can be read as a standalone)!

Our Aftercare suggestions were:

-Penzey’s Spices

-Art Hub on Youtube and Reclaimed Dreams

-Gaslighter by The Chicks (and instilling that kind of don’t fuck with me energy in our young girls)

For links to the books we mentioned, check out the show notes on our website!

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be reading in upcoming episodes (though the schedule isn’t set yet):

Manix by Grace Mcginty (it's a reverse harem, omegaverse with MPREG)

The Initiation by Nikki Sloane

Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux

We’ll be back next week to recap Manix by Grace McGinty with Lillian Lark! If you want more bonkers in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Bonkers Bonus - Alexis Hall Spotlight Dec 31, 2021

Happy New Year's Eve! We decided to end the year by showcasing an insightful chat with one of our Bonkers Book Club Spotlight Authors - Alexis Hall! We talk all about his upcoming release and January book club offering SOMETHING FABULOUS, what we can expect from him in the near future, the balance of creating art while navigating the expectations of an audience, wanting to be A Writer vs. wanting to Write, the confusion of celebrity in the age of niche media, and so much more!

Today (Dec 31, 2021) is the last day Temple members can download the 6 ebooks for December and also the last day to sign up for the Temple at the Joy Bringer tier or above to get access to advance copies of SOMETHING FABULOUS by Alexis Hall and IMMORTAL by Gena Showalter.

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

A Sleep Paralysis Demon (!!!) with Liz from Make Out Already Dec 02, 2021

We’re joined by Liz from the Make Out Already podcast to recap Sing Me to Sleep by R.M. Virtues!

We discuss how Melody is into grandpa fucking and why Jenny is livid she didn’t get to read this book (which has since been rectified!). Because y’all. It’s about a sexy, protective sleep paralysis demon. I’m not telling you more than that. It’s too good to summarize. Everyone needs to go read this book immediately.

The podcast Liz mentioned for Aftercare is the Get Sleepy podcast. The movie Jenny couldn’t remember the title of was Bounce.

If you’re reading ahead, here are some of the books we’ll be recapping when we get back from hiatus in January:

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Kathryn Moon

Manix by Grace Mcginty (it's a reverse harem, omegaverse with MPREG)

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

We’ll be on hiatus after 12/2, but back with more shenanigans in January! If you miss us in the meantime, there’s a ton of bonus content in The Temple of Defiant Joy!

Mentioned in this episode:

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Jenny Gets Her C*ck Pocket with Stacey Hamel Nov 28, 2021

We recap I Married a Naga by Regine Abel with Stacey Hamel! Many of you already know and love Stacey, but for those who don't, we thought it was high time to introduce you to her beautiful brain. She's an admin of our Facebook group,The Altar of Defiant Joy, and Patron Saint of the Bonkers Romance TikTok. We've affectionately dubbed her our Adminotaur.

We talked about many things, but the most important is clearly that Jenny finally got to recap a book with a motherfudging c*ck pocket! This book features a human woman who is forced into an arranged marriage with an alien snake man when she accidentally violates the law on his planet. But he’s marrying her to save her from being executed and is actually a cinnamon roll, sexy provider whose snake parts convince his lady that humans are vastly inferior lovers.

For the full episode, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy, our members site that gets you exclusive content, bonus episodes, free books, custom artwork and more! The last episode of every month is only available in full to our members, but all the other episodes will continue to be available to everyone.

If you’re reading ahead, here are the upcoming books:

12/2 Sing Me to Sleep by RM Virtues

A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Katherine Moon will be coming sometime early next year.

We’ll be on hiatus starting 12/3, but back with more shenanigans in January!

December Bonkers Book Club features six free ebooks from authors we love, so if you aren't a member yet, you can join on our website!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Sexy Antibodies with Alexis Daria Nov 18, 2021

We're joined by Alexis Daria to recap Alien Quarantine Rescue by Robin Lovett! This was Jenny’s very first Robin Lovett book and she’s obsessed! It starts in an all too realistic setting where the world has gone to hell after a pandemic and the heroine has been alone for five years…but very, very quickly changes to a marvelous fantasy when an alien lands in her front yard offering antibodies. Copious amounts of antibodies.

We talked about how much we love romances like this when the love interests are from different species having to learn about one another, why Robin Lovett is an effing genius, that one time Jenny f*cked someone unconscious, and why semen is going to be a complete disappointment after this book.

Be sure to check out Alexis’s latest book, A Lot Like Adios!

If you’re reading ahead, here are the upcoming books we'll be recapping:

11/25 Sing Me to Sleep by RM Virtues

12/2 A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Katherine Moon

We’ll be on hiatus the rest of December, but back with more shenanigans in January!

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert is on sale right now for $.99 and YOU NEED IT!

Links to all the books we discussed are included in the show notes on our website!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Sensual Falconry with Adriana Herrera Nov 11, 2021

We're joined by Adriana Herrera to recap Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning! We talk about why we’re Moning Maniacs, why this was the Golden Age of paranormal romance, and why falconer dirty talk is so sexy. This book has it all...time travel, a heroine fleeing a dark secret in her past, meddling fae, a murderous ex girlfriend, not one but two near death sick bed scenes, sensory deprivation, Highlander Times viagra, an accidental aphrodisiac scene, light kidnapping, and one swaggering Highlander who’s so generously hung that comparisons to actual horses are made.

Be sure to check out Adriana’s latest book, Just for the Holidays! You also won’t want to miss Rake I’d Like to F!

CW: there's mention of various threats of sexual assault and some actual sexual assault in a few different scenes. There is also nervous/uncomfortable laughter from the hosts while trying to navigate these descriptions.

For links to all the books we mentioned, see the show notes on our website!

If you’re reading ahead, here are the upcoming books we'll be recapping:

11/18 Alien Quarantine Rescue by Robin Lovett

11/25 Sing Me to Sleep by RM Virtues

12/2 A Lady of Rooksgrave Manor by Katherine Moon

We’ll be on hiatus the rest of December, but back with more shenanigans in January!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

September in the Temple!

- This month we're back with Katee regaling us with more Fertile in My Ex-Boyfriend’s Dungeon (and we discover an actual hard limit for Katee!), and Hannah Whitten is going to stop by to give us all her best spooky season recs. - In Book Club news, everyone in the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can download their ebooks of MY WICKED PRINCE by Molly O’Keefe and the entire audiobook collection of COURT OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN by Katee Robert! - And finally, Joy Bringers and Celebrants can check out all the digital art we’ve created for the Temple! It’s all on one convenient page waiting for you.

Temple of Defiant Joy

Bisexual Awakening (Or Not) with Andie J. Christopher! Nov 04, 2021

We're joined by Andie J. Christopher to recap Coyote Ugly (which somehow came out 20 years ago??)! We discuss early aughts fashion, dancing on bars, and this film’s impact on our bisexual awakening—or in one of our cases, a definitive confirmation of straightness. Please enjoy the references to a Minotaur Cock Water Gun (which could only possibly be understood by Romancelandia) and Fievel Does Fleet Week!

Andie just revealed the cover of her next book, Thank You, Next…and we’re obsessed with it! If you haven’t gotten Hot Under His Collar (with Father What-a-Waste) yet, you’re missing out! You can come back and thank Jenny when you reach a certain steamy bar scene.

Aftercare Mentions:

Andie: Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta and Bombshell by Sarah MacLean
Mel: Magic Mike XXL
The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo—the bisexual awakening we all deserve.

If you’re reading ahead, next week’s episode will be Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Morning with Adriana Herrera and the following week will be Alien Quarantine Rescue by Robin Lovett with Alexis Daria!

You'll find links to all the books we mentioned in the show notes on our website!

We encourage you to check out Romance for Roe, an anthology of 36 romance stories in aid of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

August Book Club in the Temple!

Temple members at the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can look forward to a bundle of the first three books in Kit Rocha's BEYOND series as well as CAUGHT A VIBE by Eva Moore! We. Are. SO STOKED!!!

Party Kraken with Katee Robert Oct 28, 2021

We're joined by Katee Robert to recap Stalked by the Kraken by Lillian Lark! We talk about why this book is the perfect soft introduction to tentacles because it gives you a taste of the possibilities without being anything extreme. We also chat about kraken stereotypes, why we’re all pervs who want certain things to happen when tentacles are at play, and what on earth Katee Robert considers bonkers—given that she’s spent the last few years teaching most of us that we’re into things we thought were hard limits.

For the full episode, check out The Temple of Defiant Joy, our members site that gets you exclusive content, bonus episodes, free books, custom artwork and more! Going forward, the last episode of every month will only be available in full to Temple members, but everyone will still have free access to the rest of our episodes.

Have you checked out Katee’s Kickstarter campaign for her Wicked Villains series yet? The artwork is STUNNING and we can’t wait to have it all in our hands!

You should also check out Katee’s Patreon because she’s got all the good stuff over there!

For links to all the books we mentioned, see the show notes on our website!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

A F*cking Smoke Monster with Dani Lacey Oct 21, 2021

We're joined by Dani Lacey to recap Soul Eater by Lily Mayne! We discuss what it’s been like watching the Ice Planet TikTok craze when Dani hosts the Ice Planet podcast. Jenny throws a full blown tantrum because Melody keeps getting to recap the books with cock pockets. We celebrate this charming, romantic, delicious, sexy AF triumph of a bonkers book that features a smoke monster and the sweetest human guy ever written.

“This is maybe the hottest book I’ve read in a minute...” -Melody

Aftercare Links:

Dani: True Crime Obsessed podcast (Grizzly Man episode)
Melody: Bachelor podcasts like The Rosecast, Will You Accept This Rose?, Game of Roses, and Love to See It
Jenny: The Forbidden Man by Karina Halle

Don’t miss Dani’s fantastic podcasts: Black Chick Lit and Ice Planet Podcast

For links to the books mentioned, check the show notes on our website!

Support for this episode provided by:

Bonkers Romance Book Club! There's a survey going out to our members this week that'll give us some feedback on the kinds of books you'd like to be getting, but in the meantime, we've got exciting choices!

Through the end of October, you have access to two Karina Halle books that Jenny personally selected as favorites of hers.
In November, we'll be featuring advanced copies of King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair--which is a dark, sexy fantasy. It's like if Alina chose the Darkling...but deliciously filthy.
To get you in the holiday spirit, we'll also have advanced copies of Duke, Actually by Jenny Holiday in November, which is a royal delight.

Right now, through November 1, you have access to advanced copies of The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe! We love Joanna's sexy, Gilded Age historicals and this one is pure catnip. Sex lessons! A reformed rake who falls for his excellent pupil. If you're not part of book club, you can preorder it now and it'll be out next week--or you can join now and get it early! Also keep a look out in the Temple for a bonus episode with Joanna!

Join the Temple of Defiant Joy on our website to get all of these books included with your membership!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

August Book Club in the Temple!

Temple members at the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can look forward to a bundle of the...

Sex for Protection with Abby Jimenez Oct 14, 2021

We're joined by Abby Jimenez to recap Hold by Claire Kent! Hold is set on a prison planet and opens with the lines: Find the strongest man there. Give yourself to him in return for protection. It's the only way you'll ever survive.

This was Abby’s first bonkers book, so we discuss how this has opened up her reading world and the marvelous rabbit hole it’s taken her down. We discuss the moments in the book where it’s clear the author has made a ballsy choice (and she nails it!), why it can be more fun when the stakes are higher, and how a book set in a hellish prison planet can be so mindblowingly sexy!

Aftercare Links:

Don’t miss Abby’s most recent release, Life’s too Shortor you can preorderPart of Your Worldnow!

For links to the books we discussed, check out the show notes on our website!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

August Book Club in the Temple!

Temple members at the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can look forward to a bundle of the first three books in Kit Rocha's BEYOND series as well as CAUGHT A VIBE by Eva Moore! We. Are. SO STOKED!!!

Sex Club Masquerade with Sarah MacLean Oct 07, 2021

We're joined by Sarah MacLean to recap The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt! We discuss the many ways books can be bonkers (Sarah’s love of bananas books), sexy times in a sex club with a masquerade mask, how self indulgent it is to sob on the ground for hours, and the seriously good books we’ve read lately!

Be sure not to miss Sarah’s brand new, super sexy, bonkers fun romance, Bombshell!

For the complete list of books we mention (with links), check out the show notes on our website!

Support for this episode provided by:

Read, Romance, Repeatis a romance of the month club from The Ripped Bodice (and you need it). Each month subscribers receive two brand new romance novels plus an additional gift such as a journal, bookmark or candle.

-Choose from prepaid or pay as you go subscription plans

-Use code BONKERS for $5 your first box

-Order by October 15 to receive the October box

If you’re thinking ahead for the holidays, Read, Romance Repeat would be a great gift for the reader in your life. All holiday orders will need to be placed by December 13.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

August Book Club in the Temple!

Temple members at the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can look forward to a bundle of the first three books in Kit Rocha's BEYOND series as well as CAUGHT A VIBE by Eva Moore! We. Are. SO STOKED!!!

Pull-Out Orc Fountain with Naima Simone Sep 30, 2021

We're joined by Naima Simone to recap The Lady and the Orc by Finley Fenn! We discuss Naima and Jenny’s mutual obsession with Lord of the Rings, that time Naima accidentally showed the guy at the phone case kiosk a description of orc parts (that he’s still sitting somewhere thinking about), gloriously thick orc thighs, and why Jenny has declared Luke Arnold her sworn enemy!

Be sure not to miss Naima’s stellar upcoming book, Christmas in Rose Bend that comes out October 26!

For the list of books we mentioned in this episode, check out our website for the show notes!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

August Book Club in the Temple!

Temple members at the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can look forward to a bundle of the first three books in Kit Rocha's BEYOND series as well as CAUGHT A VIBE by Eva Moore! We. Are. SO STOKED!!!

Spider Shibari with Sierra Simone Sep 23, 2021

We’re joined by Sierra F*cking Simone to recap Ensnared by Tiffany Roberts! We discuss how bonkers books must fulfill the promise of the premise, how Jenny and Mel are consensual creeps, how Jenny is a spider kink hipster, and why this marvelous book sold a skeptical Sierra Simone on spider romance!

“A real bonkers romance doesn’t just have fearlessness in the premise, but the author doesn’t shy away from the terrifying thing they signed up to write.” -Sierra Simone

“The call of timidity is very strong. I can sometimes feel the temptation to take a safer path.” -Sierra Simone

For a full list of the books mentioned in the episode, head over to bonkersromance.com!

Support for this episode provided by:

THE TEMPLE OF DEFIANT JOY! Join us in The Temple for bonus episodes, video of our public episodes, access to the Bonkers Romance Book Club, and much more! Membership at the Joy Bringer Tier or higher includes advanced copies of our September BRBC books: Mama’s Boy by Avery Flynn and His Leading Lady by Jenny Nordbak!

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

August Book Club in the Temple!

Temple members at the Joy Bringer and Celebrant tiers can look forward to a bundle of the first three books in Kit Rocha's BEYOND series as well as CAUGHT A VIBE by Eva Moore! We. Are. SO STOKED!!!

The Tightrope: An Introduction Sep 23, 2021

Welcome to our introductory episode! Get to know a little bit about your hosts, Jenny Nordbak and Melody Carlisle, and learn what Bonkers Romance is all about!

We discuss what “bonkers” means to each of us since it’s something we’ve been asking guests.

Jenny: It’s the brave decisions authors have made when they chose not to play it safe.
Mel: It’s those books that make you wonder, “is this even allowed??” with absolute glee.

Why we started Bonkers Romance and what we hope to accomplish with it:

Celebrate those brave choices authors have made and pulled off
To choose joy
To encourage readers to come down the rabbit hole with us

The format of each episode:

We recap a bonkers book chosen by the guest to exemplify what they consider bonkers
One of the hosts in each episode hasn’t read the book to make it more accessible for readers who may not have read the book yet.
Along the way, we’ll have tangents, book recs, funny stories, and more!
The last episode of every month will only be for our Temple members, but a free preview will be available publicly!

We’re eager to build a community and are excited to hear input, suggestions, book recs, guest recs, and bonkers descriptions in books you stumble upon! You can find us on social media or use the form on our website. We’re particularly looking for bonkers book recs that are inclusive, with a focus on queer rep and books written by authors from marginalized groups.

What is The Temple of Defiant Joy?

We’ve created a members page that functions similarly to Patreon, but gives us more control and flexibility. On there, we have bonus episodes, temple-only episodes, video of our regular episodes, bonus author interviews, Bonkers Romance Book Club, and more! We want it to feel like your community, so if you have ideas, we’d love to hear them! You can check it out HERE!

What is Bonkers Romance Book Club?

All members of The Temple at the Joy Bringer tier or higher will be part of the BRBC, our monthly digital book box subscription. Each month, members will receive two ebooks we’ve handpicked for the community. They’ll usually be advanced copies before the books are even available to the public! Check it out HERE!

Our upcoming episode list is available now on our social platforms, so come follow us on Instagram or Twitter—or join our new Facebook group!

Episode 2: Spider Shibari with Sierra Simone is available now, so don’t miss it!

Support for this episode provided by:

THE TEMPLE OF DEFIANT JOY! Join us in The Temple for bonus episodes, video of our public episodes, access to the Bonkers Romance Book Club, and much more! Membership at the Joy Bringer Tier or higher includes advanced copies of our September BRBC books: Mama’s Boy by Avery Flynn and His Leading Lady by Jenny Nordbak!

Mentioned in

Bonkers Romance - Coming Soon! Sep 04, 2021

Coming September 23, 2021! Jenny Nordbak and Melody Carlisle are teaming up to bring you a brand new podcast that celebrates romance and the fearless creators who make the genre amazing. Every Thursday, we invite an author or creator from the romance community to recap a truly bonkers piece of romance media and discuss how it’s tropes are maximized and what they do for us. Along the way you’ll get commentary, book recs, hilarious stories, hot takes, and a unique peek into the brains of creators you admire. Join us each week as we celebrate the authors who really *go there* and show us that our hard limits... might just be guidelines.

Mentioned in this episode:

Pirates are waiting for you!

Six brand new bonkers pirate books you can read THIS MONTH from Katee Robert, CM Nascosta, Naima Simone, Andie J. Christopher, Jenny Nordbak, and Nina Saxena! Plus, foiled special editions with sprayed edges, gorgeous art, and so much more! Don't miss it!

Dangerous Tides!

Related Podcasts