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Shelf Love Podcast

@shelflove.bsky.social

A podcast & Substack about romance novels, and how they reflect, explore, challenge, and shape desire. Host: Andrea Martucci (she/her) #romancebks #romancereader https://linktr.ee/shelflovepodcast

403 Posts1401 Follower185 Folgt
Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 3w ago

What does it take to stay relevant in romance for nearly five decades? In Episode 175, Jayne Ann Krentz talks about the risks and reinventions that shaped her career, why the alpha hero never disappeared, how romance changes with culture, and why popular fiction matters in unstable times.

Image of Jayne Ann Krentz, an older white woman with cool cat eye glasses and a wide smile, a short bob, wearing a blazer. Text on the image: episode 175. Risk & Reinvention in Romance with guest Jayne Ann Krentz.
Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Sought, Surrender, and the Alien Erotics of Inevitability The question is not “is this fantasy good?” The question is: what emotional need is this fantasy solving? Dame Jodie Slaughter is here to discuss Sought by Evangeline Anderson. #romancebks Listen on your favorite podcast app!

Text: Shelf Love Romance Novel Discourse. Image of vibrant young Black woman with big framed glasses, crimson lips, and short hair, in an olive green velvet dress, smiling broadly and lightly touching her face. Seductively?! Text on image: episode 174. Sought, Surrender, and the Alien Erotics of Inevitability.
Lucynka@lucynka.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Willard E. Hawkins approached the pulp romance genre as a n00b (and ultimately very clinically), but to his credit, he nevertheless Gets It. (From THE AUTHOR & JOURNALIST, February 1943. Coming soon to a blog near you!)

It is necessary to anticipate our findings somewhat by making the following point: Analysis will show that the real appeal of the love-pulp does not lie in the plot, or even in the problem underlying the plot. The elements of the problem are, of course, necessary in order to give form and structure to the narrative; but they are merely incidental to the real purpose. This purpose is to provide the emotional thrills of romantic love. [The last sentence is highlighted.]
Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Reading Bourdieu and thinking I should change how I describe myself from “independent romance scholar” to “illegitimate autodidactic romance scholar.” Ironically, understanding the reference requires specialized intellectual training that renders this “joke” humorless. #romancebks

a cartoon character is playing frisbee in a park with the number 2 on the bottom of the screen

Alt: Milton from the Simpsons is playing frisbee in a park by himself - throwing it to the ground and running to pick it up and throw it again.

media.tenor.com

Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 4mo ago

To be clear: I think this packaging is boring, verging on ugly. But: am I the target market for this cover? (I don’t think I am.) And what does the actual target market think of this style?

Smart Bitches@smartbitches.bsky.social · 4mo ago

I just want to clarify: THIS is the hardcover for Heated Rivalry that Harlequin is issuing? What is this? I don't understand. My head is going to tilt right off my neck and bounce down the hall. The secondhand embarrassment is registering on seismographs. (And still no tie-in cover? How?!)

A black hardcover with gold spredges. On the front is HEATED RIVALRY and the author name in gold, with a line drawing of two figures kissing with some lines making hockey sticks above the title.
Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Just gave up on two advanced reader copies of romance a few pages in because both displayed a galling and breathlessly incorrect understanding of how W2 salaried jobs work & current norms in the labor market. It’s called verisimilitude! I’m willing to suspend my disbelief to an extent, but come on…

Rochellefiguringitout (Emmalita)@rochellej.bsky.social · 8mo ago

I try to buy one item off at least one wishlist every year, and even though I don’t have a lot, it feels good to make someone’s holiday a little better.

Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 8mo ago

#Romancelandia Holiday Fairies is BACK for our 6th year! 🎁✨ This community-powered gifting initiative is all about mutual aid, kindness, and making sure no one goes without a little magic this season. Let’s make 2025 our most generous year yet! Learn more: bit.ly/holidayfairies

Graphic of a wrapped gift with “2025” inside a confetti pattern. Text reads: “Romancelandia Holiday Fairies: A Community Gifting Initiative. Back for our 6th year!” Romancelandia Holiday Fairy logo at the top.
D is tired, but there is coffee@grrlintersect.bsky.social · 8mo ago

With all the Black Friday sales, it’s a good time to check some of these out if you would like to make someone’s holiday a little better this year.

Shelf Love Podcast@shelflove.bsky.social · 8mo ago

#Romancelandia Holiday Fairies is BACK for our 6th year! 🎁✨ This community-powered gifting initiative is all about mutual aid, kindness, and making sure no one goes without a little magic this season. Let’s make 2025 our most generous year yet! Learn more: bit.ly/holidayfairies

Graphic of a wrapped gift with “2025” inside a confetti pattern. Text reads: “Romancelandia Holiday Fairies: A Community Gifting Initiative. Back for our 6th year!” Romancelandia Holiday Fairy logo at the top.