J.R. Ward Interview: Talking About Crown of War and Shadow & Writing Romantasy

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing romance author, Falon Ballard, to talk about her new romance, Toe to Toe, a beautiful romance about a ballerina and a male revue star! We chat about:-How the Magic Mike series helped inspire this new romance!-Why we love the relationship coach/sex appeal trope so much!-Why Cord will become your next favorite book boyfriend,-Her favorite scene in the book, and so much more!Get Toe to Toe: https://amzn.to/4t4FXT0FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by one of the OGs of the romance genre, J.R. Ward, to talk about her new romantasy, Crown of War and Shadow, a sweeping romance that kicks off her brand new Kingdoms of the Compass series! We also chat about:How she sat on the idea for this book for over 20 years! What it's like to craft a romantasy series, Why you’ll love Sorell and Merc, her strong heroine, and the alpha male who protects her, Her favorite scene in the book, and so much more!If you love romantasy books that read like a complete story with compelling characters, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Listen now, or watch the video on YouTube!Get Crown of War and Shadow now: https://amzn.to/4oEzElNJoin My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to share my list of the best romance books of 2025. These are the romance books that deserve my heard-earned 5 star rating because the writing is off-the-charts, the storylines captivating and the characters unforgettable. Trust me that all of these books deserve a spot on your must-read list because they are a cut above the rest of the romance books that released this year. BOOKS MENTIONED:Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: https://amzn.to/3UzCsEsOut of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young: https://amzn.to/3Cg7TNLDream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/3NSuna7First Time Caller by B.K. Borison: https://amzn.to/4hKCnrwPromise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: https://amzn.to/42GPbJSStory of My Life by Lucy Score: https://amzn.to/4efsoHxWild Side by Elsie Silver: https://amzn.to/44UibiMIf Tomorrow Never Comes by Allison Ashley: https://amzn.to/40H77TQ Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine: https://amzn.to/41una7vCan’t Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan: https://amzn.to/48AtvAeIt’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan: https://amzn.to/4ckulD8Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun: https://amzn.to/4nBN6atPitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/4797Z6ZThe Homemaker by Jewel E Ann: https://amzn.to/4nn4BdNStand Your Ground by Kandi Steiner: https://amzn.to/4q8fBwSWilling Prey by Allie Oleander: https://amzn.to/4k66k5DGrace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman: https://amzn.to/4kgl5TIBranded by Saffron A Kent: https://amzn.to/4ntwqRsIn Your Dreams by Sarah Adams: https://amzn.to/48LNQFbBrimstone by Callie Hart: https://amzn.to/44wspVFLINKS MENTIONED: Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclub2026 Romance Book Reading Challenge: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/reading-challenge-2026/My 2025 Reading List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/2025-reading-list/FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing my favorite book boyfriends of 2025! Yep, these are all the romance heroes who captured my heart this year whether they were a fae warrior, a professional athlete, a single father, a wolf shifter, and many more – I fell hard for each and every one. Tune in to see if any of my favorite book boyfriends were yours as well.BOOKS MENTIONED: Brimstone by Callie Hart: https://amzn.to/49fFbdMIn Your Dreams by Sarah Adams: https://amzn.to/48LNQFbIt’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan: https://amzn.to/4ckulD8Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros: https://amzn.to/3UzCsEsBreathe With Me by Becka Mack: https://amzn.to/3MBsNfrPromise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone: https://amzn.to/3KD28hHGrace and Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman: https://amzn.to/4kgl5TIMate by Ali Hazelwood: https://amzn.to/4olrQp7Pitcher Perfect by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/4797Z6ZDream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/3NSuna7Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine: https://amzn.to/41una7vWild Side by Elsie Silver: https://amzn.to/4aUrzFXWilling Prey by Allie Oleander: https://amzn.to/4k66k5DSawyer by Jessica Peterson: https://amzn.to/4ino6zLHe Falls First by Jill Shalvis: https://amzn.to/4lrkLBXOne Golden Summer by Carley Fortune: https://amzn.to/49fzNHqThe Roommate Mistake by Pippa Grant: https://amzn.to/3MBneO5FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LINKS MENTIONED: Book Boyfriend Hub: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/book-boyfriends/Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubLEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m sharing my top 10 list of new romance book releases for January 2026 so get ready to jump-start your to-read list for the new year. From F1 romance to nanny romance, marriage of convenience romance and a bit of kink, you are going to love this list of must-read books!BOOKS MENTIONED:Drive Me Crazy by Lizzy Dent: https://amzn.to/4hToI1wThe Odds of You by Kate Dramis: https://amzn.to/3LASn3FRoom to Breathe by Kasie West: https://amzn.to/47zOCUEFundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone: https://amzn.to/3I2CiCxHart Street Lane by Samantha Young: https://amzn.to/47U8YXuCatch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/4gyNeEMAnne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra: https://amzn.to/4hW7nVPFalling for the Fake Lumberjack by Sara Ney: https://amzn.to/47CslWdThe Slow Burn by Ali Rosen: https://amzn.to/43tsd97Dom Com by Adriana Anders: https://amzn.to/3WVpX6OLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST: Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubA Year of Reading Romance Card Deck: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/a-year-of-reading-romance/Romance Book Reading Journal: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/romance-book-journal/FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m sharing all the romance book movie and TV series adaptations that will be hitting your screens in 2026. From long-awaited series premieres to film adaptations of favorite novels, get excited for what is to hit the big and small screen in 2026. Whether you’re ready to obsess over your favorite bookish couples coming to the screen or discover what to read before it premieres, this roundup has you covered. BOOKS MENTIONED:People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry: https://amzn.to/47HyhxcReminders of Him by Colleen Hoover: https://amzn.to/4r1XBFDRoyally Screwed by Emma Chase: https://amzn.to/3XiP97DThe Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood: https://amzn.to/3M4DR4bYou Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle: https://amzn.to/4i0ycbzHeartstopper #6 by Alice Oseman: https://amzn.to/47YR85AThe Bodyguard by Katherine Center: https://amzn.to/48Dt20TAn Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn:  https://amzn.to/3WVBZNFThe Deal by Elle Kennedy: https://amzn.to/4o12DQdEvery Summer After by Carly Fortune: https://amzn.to/4i8hN4YFinding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli: https://amzn.to/484i04sParadise Valley by Robyn Carr: https://amzn.to/43ursN8The Best of Us by Robyn Carr: https://amzn.to/48lAzCkHome in Carolina by Sheryl Woods: https://amzn.to/4847MRHMy Return to the Walter Boys by Ali Novak: https://amzn.to/4oFCh7oSave Us by Mona Kasten: https://amzn.to/47MlLfVRustler’s Moon by Jodi Thomas: https://amzn.to/3M7PxmJLover Eternal by J.R. Ward: https://amzn.to/49gFgylWritten in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon: https://amzn.to/49ZSwI6FOLLOW! Join My List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinFB: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks IG: https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/If you liked this episode, please consider leaving a review. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by an amazing entrepreneur, Dee Bertino, who is helping romance book lovers find their next favorite book as owner of Romantasy Bookstore, a romance-only bookstore in New Jersey. In this episode, we dive into everything from:Why Dee decided to open a romance-only bookstore!The toughest part about opening the store and its greatest joys,Which romance books are flying off the shelves for readers,What's to come at Romantasy Bookstore, and more!Visit Romantasy Bookstore: https://romantasybookshop.com/FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year I get so excited checking out which new romance book releases I have to look forward to and 2026 has no shortage of them! In this episode I share some of my most anticipated new romance books for 2026 which I cannot wait to get my hands on and which you absolutely should add to your “to read” list. Visit the blog for the full list!BOOKS:Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone: https://amzn.to/3I2CiCxJust for the Cameras by Meghan Quinn: https://amzn.to/3JZLDvsNo Matter What by Cara Bastone: https://amzn.to/3KrgNMbThe Night We Met by Abby Jimenez: https://amzn.to/3K7fp1lHappy Ending by Chloe Liese: https://amzn.to/4psHoIQOur Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune: https://amzn.to/4gt9oIbDolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan: https://amzn.to/4pqNYzBNot That Kind of Proposal by Victoria Lavine: https://amzn.to/3JsNMzLCatch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey: https://amzn.to/4gyNeEMAnd Now Back to You by B.K. Borison: https://amzn.to/4nzJVPOIn Her Own League by Liz Tomforde: https://amzn.to/4na3nCZMistakes Were Made by Lucy Score: https://amzn.to/42sAc5EUnbound by Peyton Corinne: https://amzn.to/46EhGd0Ryder by Jessica Peterson: https://amzn.to/471AxPyBirds of a Feather by Kate Stewart: https://amzn.to/3WPzGLPBad Boy Era by Amy Daws: https://amzn.to/3InzYWAFather Material by Alexis Hall: https://amzn.to/4nC61BfLost and Found by Tarah DeWitt: https://amzn.to/4nsODyALINKS: Journal: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/romance-book-journal/Join My List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinIG: https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I’m sharing my top 10 list of new romance book releases for December 2025, and trust me you’re going to want to fill up your TBR list with each and every one of them. From fake dating romance to romantasy, morally grey romance, second chance romance and so much more, you are going to love this list!BOOKS MENTIONED:Duke by Jessica Peterson: https://amzn.to/4ncn8c7The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea: https://amzn.to/3L1vgPlTender Cruelty by Katee Robert: https://amzn.to/43mQoG0The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson: https://amzn.to/4qAFxm2At Whit’s End by Bailey Hannah: https://amzn.to/48GrAwkLove Me Stalk Me by Laura Bishop: https://amzn.to/48YFXwfIn a Second by Kate Canterbary: https://amzn.to/4qlTwfhA Curse of Ashes by Sariah Wilson: https://amzn.to/4ou1YY1In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams: https://amzn.to/48LNQFbBluebird Gold by Devney Perry: https://amzn.to/48CxX3LLINKS: Join the She Reads Romance Books Book Club: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/bookclubA Year of Reading Romance Card Deck: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/a-year-of-reading-romance/Romance Book Reading Journal: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/romance-book-journal/FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the She Reads Romance Books Podcast, I’m joined by one of my favorite romance authors, J.T. Geissinger, to talk about her new romance book, Blackthorn, a gothic romance with epic plot twists we've come to love from J.T.! In this episode, we dive into everything from: How she’s perfected writing mindf*ck plot twists!What she loves about writing gothic romance with a psychological edge,Why you’ll love Ronan Croft, her latest morally grey hero,Her favorite scene in the book, and so much more!If you love romance books with multiple plot twists but with a happily ever after that still has you questioning what you just read, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Listen now or watch the video on YouTube!Get Blackthorn: https://amzn.to/3JRmt21FOLLOW ME! Join My Email List: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/joinBlog: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/ Podcast: https://www.shereadsromancebooks.com/podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shereadsromancebooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shereadsromancebooks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shereadsromancebooksblog/LEAVE A REVIEW!If you liked this episode or got a book recommendation you can't wait to read, please give a star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast platform. It helps me know what you like and want to hear. Thanks!This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.