Romance Read Along

Summary
Lacunae describes *Pantheon* as a romantic conspiracy thriller: former operative Cersei hides as Vivian Ho until businessman Damien Tang’s investigation draws attention to her.The novel uses close third person in the past tense, with each chapter following one character; Circe’s guarded feelings emerge through actions, while Damien is more emotionally explicit.Pantheon is a criminal organization, or “house,” inspired in part by the worldbuilding of *John Wick*, with operatives specializing in disguise, information, surveillance, and combat.Lacunae wanted Circe to make her own choices rather than be rescued; the identity of Vivienne Ho and Circe’s past losses shape her gradual search for who she wants to become.Damien’s family wants influence over his separate company and sees Vivienne’s logistics assets as a route to the port terminals they have sought to control.Toni and Lacunae discuss how the novel’s metaphorical prose, dense procedural details, and withheld explanations invite readers to assemble the story themselves.Lacunae draws on 11 years in video game design, including level design and worldbuilding, to create grounded settings and detailed systems for fiction.Lacunae says *Pantheon* book two is being edited and may release the following year; it is planned to be darker and reveal more of the organization’s operatives.Lacunae also discusses the *Perpetura* series, adapted from interactive fiction with five stories and branching romance routes.
Lacunae
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacunaedesigns/
Studio site: https://lacunaedesigns.com
Pantheon
Website (with the free opening chapters): https://pantheon.lacunaedesigns.com
Buy on Amazon (pre-order, out 1 November): https://pantheon.lacunaedesigns.com/buy
This is the Pantheon playlist on Spotify, enjoy!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lA6QnCTGqQ1RfNxdRQ3uA?si=a2b8a4a0316b4deb
 
Perpetūra
Website (Interactive Fiction): https://perpetura.lacunaedesigns.com
Book One on Amazon: https://perpetura.lacunaedesigns.com/buy-one
Book Two on Amazon: https://perpetura.lacunaedesigns.com/buy-two
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com

Stay with us till the end when we talk about indie publishing and small author supports.
In this episode, author Samantha Anderson shares insights into her writing process, world-building, and the romance genre, including her favorite authors and series. Toni and Samantha discuss the importance of representation, genre conventions, and the challenges of writing and reading in the romance community. In this episode, Samantha Andersen shares her insights on writing, series development, and navigating the challenges of authoring in a small community. She discusses her series' structure, character development, and the importance of authenticity in storytelling. In this episode, Samantha Andersen shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author, discusses her writing process, and offers insights into the world of romance and fantasy genres. Toni and Samantha explore storytelling techniques, genre blending, and the importance of editing and beta readers.
Sutra House 
sutrahouse.com
Samantha Andersen
Substack
https://substack.com/@samanthaandersenwrites
Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/samanthaandersenwrites?dlrf=MWxjZWxlZzAwNHgycg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com

Summary
In this episode, Toni discusses two books: 'Bound by the Alien Buckaroo' by Ursa Dax and 'A Lady for a Duke' by Alexis Hall. They explore themes of gender identity, historical context, and character development, offering insights into contemporary and historical romance genres.
 keywords
romance, LGBTQ+, historical fiction, gender identity, book review, Alexis Hall, Ursa Dax, character analysis, historical romance, transgender characters
 key  topics
Themes of gender identity in romanceCharacter development in historical and sci-fi romanceRepresentation of LGBTQ+ characters in literatureImpact of historical context on character conflictsAnalysis of specific character relationships and dynamics
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com
 
 
 

In this episode I talk to author Sean Robins about the 1st book in his iAnomaly series, I am a Weapon about what it is like for protagonist and sentient robot Jack. We talk writing,  robots and OCD I hope you'll join us on this journey and know that though there were technical difficulties and tears we will persevere.
 
You can email the show at romancereadalong@gmail.com 
 
Thanks to Jacob the horse for the use of their music for our theme.

 key  topics
Fantasy elements in romance novelsCharacter dynamics and size differencesPortrayal of kidnapping and escape in fictionWorld-building without bogging down in detailsSeries development and storytelling pacingMorality and crime in romance storiesDark romance themes and triggersCharacter perspective and emotional depth
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com
 
 
 

 summary
In this episode, Sinclair Sting and Toni talk about the romance for men sub genre, while exploring the nuances of romance genres, character perspectives, and the influence of anime and fantasy tropes on storytelling. They discuss their favorite themes, character development, and the importance of emotional depth in romance novels. In this episode, Sinclair Sting and Toni explore the nuances of first-person narration, character perspectives, and world-building in fantasy and romance genres. They discuss their preferences, writing choices, and the impact on reader engagement, sharing insights into their creative processes and genre trends.
Get Goblin Stepsister Obsession at
https://afterrealms.com/shop/
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com
 
 

 summary
Toni shares her recent reading adventures, including reviews of free book giveaways, series opinions, and upcoming releases in the romance and sci-fi genres. She discusses her favorites, disappointments, and plans for future reads, offering insights for fellow book lovers. Opinions on Exiles on Earth by Bea Tama, Against a Wall by Cate C wells and Accidental Fearless by Sapphire Dixon.
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com
 
 

 key  topics
Books with disabled or scarred heroesThemes of ugliness and acceptance in romanceSpecific book reviews: The Duchess Deal, Trust Me, Wila's BeastDiscussion of characters' physical scars and emotional depthRecommendations for alien and fantasy romances
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com
 
 
 

 summary
Ok so this one got away from me, in this episode, I talk to Matthew Martin. We explore the nuances of writing, the impact of AI, and the fascinating behaviors of animals, all while sharing personal stories and insights into creativity and communication. We touch on the  world of space elevators, AI ethics, the future of publishing, and the social impact of technology. Join us as we delve into scientific possibilities, societal challenges, and the importance of preserving knowledge. This interview was a lot but I really enjoyed it and I hope you will too.
 keywords
writing, AI, romance novels, poetry, animal behavior, creativity, communication, storytelling, authorship, mental models, space elevator, AI ethics, publishing, technology, society, science fiction, space travel, digital media, knowledge preservation. online identity, social media, writing, genre, privacy, book recommendations, podcasting, author interviews
 guest  name
Matthew Martin 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com
 
 
 

Please forgive the less than optimal audio, there were technical difficulties.
 summary
In this episode, Toni chats with author Imogen Knowed about her unique approach to romance novels featuring sentient objects, character development, and the emotional depth of her stories. They explore themes of existential dread, character realism, and the creative process behind her series. In this episode, Imogen Knowed and Toni explore the nuances of romance tropes, character development, and the influence of genre conventions in storytelling. They share insights on writing process, genre blending, and the importance of authentic character arcs.
 
romancereadalong@gmail.com
@chemangel.bsky.social
Or Join the discords we are always looking to talk books, whether it's writing, editing or just swapping recommendations we are always looking to meet new people.
https://discord.gg/DRZe3kqNKT
 
Many thanks to Jacob the horse for allowing us to sample their amazing song Sunshine for our theme music. You can get Jacob the Horse's music at BandCamp.com