Alexandra Vasti is back, because her new historical romance Ladies in Hating is out this week! We are going to talk about: Good angsty yearning When a character is their love interest’s bitch eating crackers Lesbians in history! Erotic Victorian fiction Side trips include historical publishing houses, how nothing in romance is new, and how a lot of our current erotica, including that book where someone schtupps a door, is connected to books with the … Continue reading 686. Ladies in Hating and Yearning with Alexandra Vasti →
Alexandra Vasti is the author of Earl Crush, Ne’er Duke Well, and the Halifax sisters series, and she joins me to talk about activism in history and about haunted houses, historical lesbians, and historical erotica. A Housekeeping Note: I recorded this several months ago, and due to a bunch of file corruption and restoring backups, this episode fell out of my workflow. My apologies to Alexandra, and to you, for that mishap.
I don’t recall exactly how this trilogy came to my attention. Strangely, it may have been their long titles, which may have signaled to me an Austen-esque voice, one that at the same time did not take itself too seriously. In any case, I was very happy I picked up the first novella, In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation, and from then on I waited impatiently for weeks and weeks before the second … Continue reading In Which Winnie Halifax is Utterly Ruined by Alexandra Vasti →
From USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti comes The Halifax a pair of sexy, hilarious romps in which the most scandalous ladies in London finally meet their match. From the day of their debut, when Matilda smoked a cheroot and Margo tied a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue, the Halifax twins have flouted convention at every turn. But when Matilda runs off with the dangerous Marquess of Ashford—who has every reason to hate her—she may have … Continue reading The Halifax Hellions →
Romancing the Vote is back and officially live! This is recurring fundraiser supported by authors, crafters, artists, and more. This year, proceeds will go to Vote Riders and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. They’ve also partnered with Rainbow Broomfield so this year’s auction is going to be extremely powerful. There are consults, crafts, books, limited editions – it’s going to be intense. This year, Sarah has donated a cross stitch and RTRW Guest host spot. We previously … Continue reading Romancing the Vote: July 1 – July 5 →
Happy Saturday! June is coming to a close. Here’s what we’re reading right now: Lara: I’m reading a new-to-me Regency romance author: Rachel Griffiths. The book is called Just for the Season and so far it’s a delight. Not a lot of historical detail which is usually not for me, but the heroine has such verve and bite, that I’m a fan anyway. Full review coming! Claudia: Trying to continue with Amy Rose Bennett’s The … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? June 2026, Part Two →
We’re recapping all kinds of stuff this week, and today: our top five podcast episodes from 2025! Looking at the year overall, these are the top five most listened to Smart Podcast, Trashy Books episodes of the year – and thank you to everyone who listened, recommended, shared, and posted about the show. Special thanks to all our Patreon community members, who helped shape this season and keep the show going each week! Honorable Mentions … Continue reading Smart Podcast, Trashy Books: Best of 2025 →
A desperate debutante meets a ragtag smuggler in this sexy Regency romp by USA Today bestselling author Alexandra Vasti. Eccentric heiress Lady Ruby Ballimore has had enough of the Marriage Mart. After offending yet another Very Important Marquess―and imperiling her father’s diplomatic career―Ruby flees London for the holiday house of a glamorous (and better yet, absent) princess. Armed with a forged invitation and accompanied by her like-minded friends, Ruby arrives at the Cornwall estate expecting … Continue reading Scandal of the Summer →
This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading Defining the Evolved Form of Historical Romance →
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood is $1.99! I hope this sale lasts! Sarah had the author on the podcast and she picked it as her favorite read of 2024.
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This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading Thank you for Coming to the Crafty Zoom! →
