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Holiday Gift Guide 2025: White Elephant, Secret Santa, and Yankee Trader Gifts
You know those $10- or $20-or-less gift exchanges? We've got suggestions. So does Elvis.
Books On Sale
Bridgerton, Dystopian Romance, & More

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri is $2.99! This is an adult fantasy novel with some romantic elements. Though this is marketed as adult fantasy, some readers it felt like it was more YA. Empire of Sand has been on my TBR pile for a while; have you read this one? Aarya highly recommends it.
Cover Snark: Once Again, Shirts Are Too Complicated
Welcome back to Cover Snark! Elyse: Is that Taylor Swift? Sarah: Whoa. Maybe? Elyse: “You got that gray-green scaly thing that I like…” Amanda: I appreciate the quality of this cover for such a silly book, but I don’t envy a giant reptile in the snow. From PamG: So. What about this guy’s musculature? I mean his head is literally smaller than his upper left arm (which appears to be whispering in his ear.) The … Continue reading Cover Snark: Once Again, Shirts Are Too Complicated
Covering Romance: Romance Novel Cover Art by John Ennis
First things first! This exhibit is open next weekend only, February 16, 17, and 18, from 12-5pm at the AOY Art Center at Yardley, PA. So if you want to go, next weekend is it. For more information, visit AOYARTS.org. I drove up to see the Ennis exhibit Covering Romance, as it is majorly relevant to my interests but also a really interesting juxtaposition of art, specifically oil painting, popular culture, and romance history. Since I’ve … Continue reading Covering Romance: Romance Novel Cover Art by John Ennis
Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E3: Pool Party Sponsored by KFC
This episode jumps right into it, so I’m doing the same thing. We start off with a group date. The women are brought to a theater where the words Mrs. Right are on light up in the back. Some of the contestants from The Golden Bachelor are there too: April, Susan, Kathy and Nancy, the ASKN ladies. They were all friends, but had a falling out after this cameo I guess? I didn’t watch The Golden Bachelor … Continue reading Elyse Watches The Bachelor–S28 E3: Pool Party Sponsored by KFC
SBTB Bestseller
SBTB Bestsellers: January 27 – February 9
Whatcha Reading? February 2024, Part One
Welcome to Whatcha Reading! It’s our first one of the month and we want to hear about which books are at the top of your TBR pile. Elyse: I’m reading Where the Dead Wait, which a horror novel about arctic exploration that includes cannibalism, so it feels weird to say it’s just incredibly beautifully written. If you like horror it’s a must read. Lara: I’m reading At First Spite by Olivia Dade. It’s a bit … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? February 2024, Part One
Transcript Announcement
Podcast 601, Your Transcript has Arrived!
The transcript for Podcast 601. Romantic Times Rewind: April 2006 Reviews! has been posted!
Books On Sale
Holiday Romances, Horror, & More

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole is $1.99! This is the first book in her Reluctant Royals series and this seems to be a series that just keeps getting better with its books. Many readers loved how Alyssa writes consent, agency, and all sorts of other awesome and empowering things. However, some warn that this book takes several chapters to get into the swing of things.
Podcast
601. Romantic Times Rewind: April 2006 Reviews!
We’re traveling back to April 2006 in this month’s RT Rewind! We take a look at the reviews in this issue and we’ve got some one-star reviews, and curiously paranormal is part of contemporary? It’s weird. Things I initially pronounce wrong: demesne TW/CW: mention of suicide in book reviews, plus snakes and rat infestations. Don’t miss the visual aids! Music: purple-planet.com

