Blush & Bindings
Blush & Bindings is a romance book podcast and community. In this podcast, we crack open the sensual, the swoon worthy, and the spicy world of romance novels. We hold nothing back, discussing everything that happens between the sheets of our favorite genre. Whether you're popping your first spicy chapter cherry, a habitual HEA seeker, or a cross-genre goddess you're in the right place. Listen along as we break down stigmas, lift up love stories, and get cozy with the pages that bind us together!
Blush & Bindings
Bite Me- Vampire Romance
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In this episode of Blush & Bindings, your hosts Kacy, Lauren and Lindsey give you a taste of the world of vampire romances. They explore enthralling themes of eternal passion, forbidden love, and the lure of the supernatural. The discussion covers popular tropes like human-vampire relationships, immortality, and the struggle between love and danger. The hosts share their favorite vampire romance moments, how authors continue to bring new twists to well-loved narratives, and of course being the millennials they are they discuss the impacts of 'Twilight'. Book Club this week is all about the bite with Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost. As always the episode wraps up with some much needed shelf stuffing with the hosts vampire themed TBR recommendations.
This episode contains mature themes and explicit content recommended for those who are 18+. Listener discretion is advised.
About Us
We’re a couple of friends and sisters who bonded over a love of romance novels. After countless book discussions and shared book hangovers, we decided to create Blush & Bindings, a space to break down stigmas, lift up love stories and get cozy with the pages that bind us together.💕
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Legal Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the hosts and not necessarily those of any affiliated authors, publishers, or platforms, and all content is for entertainment and informational purposes only—not professional or legal advice—and Blush & Bindings and its hosts are not liable for any decisions made based on this podcast’s content.
Welcome back to another episode of Blush and Bindings. I'm Lindsay and I'm here with my wonderful co hosts, Casey and Lauren. Today we're starting our Wicked Pleasures series talking about the enchanting world of vampire romances, where passion is eternal and love can be both thrilling and deadly.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956These tales often feature irresistible vampires with a dark side, navigating their immortal lives while falling head over heels for their, typically, human love interests. Talk about a recipe for tension and intrigue.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955With themes of forbidden love, the struggle between desire and danger, and the pull of the supernatural, vampire romances create a captivating blend of romance and suspense that keeps readers hooked.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956So, let's sink our teeth into what makes vampire romances a hauntingly beautiful experience in the landscape of love stories.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955So, what are some of your favorite tropes in vampire romances? Like those iconic ones we saw in Twilight? That make your heart race? And your pulse quicken? I'm sorry, the only thing I saw in Twilight was Edward Cullen and his ridiculous sparkles.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, not gonna lie, that, trip turned off for me. If he sparkles, I don't like it.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956do you, what'd he say, Climb on spider monkey,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh my god.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955pass. That is not a smash moment for me.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Lauren would not be into the glitter, unicorn romances. It's too sparkly.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I mean, if he, it'd be different if he, like, came glittery.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Sparkle come.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Could you imagine the infections from that?
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay, so I call glitter the herpes of craft, supplies.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955no.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956It is, It gets
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955is. It gets everywhere. and you can't get rid of it. Can you imagine? you keep your glitter herpes with this coming. You could never get it off.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Do you guys remember the glitter beards that were like really, iconic? I just imagined like glitter pubes. In that same, in that same
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956am I imagining purple? I don't know.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh, this is, starting off in a way. We're just, it's zero to a
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955This episode's gonna get derailed so quickly.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956So let's talk about human vampire romance, because that is a trope, a definite popular trope in vampire romance books, is the human and the vampire and them coming together.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I'm still thinking about glitter comb.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956And literally.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It's the dichotomy of the weaker, shorter lifespan human with the immortal, untouchable, sometimes supernatural, mysterious love interest. And they're strong, they're fast, they're just different in so many different ways. And the clash of those two lifestyles and people drives the plot a lot of the time.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It's the epitome of the forbidden.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Mm hmm. Yeah. You're not supposed to fall in love with vampires.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955and vampires, conversely, are not supposed to fall in love with humans. They're supposedly their food, and they shouldn't see them as anything more than that. And yet so many of these romances traverse those bounds and realizing, okay, this human is more than just a blood bag, and, humans are realizing that this predator is something more as well. So it is truly overcoming this forbidden desire, this forbidden love, which is really an interesting perspective.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Well, and you also go into, Will they eventually turn them?
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Mm hmm.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956to be with them forever. Because you do have that whole problem of one of them is immortal and the other has a limited lifespan, right? So you come across different romances that the guy doesn't want to turn them because they believe they have a soul, right? And they don't want to take away their soul by turning them. And then you have other ones where like, yeah, when can I turn you? Like, let's get on that.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Well, and do you want to spend the rest of your life with this person? I mean, in the normal human span of things, that's a long time to spend with one person. And it's not just, okay, do we want to spend the next 50 years together, 30 years, whatever we get? It's do we want to spend eternity with each other? So it's almost as like overarching, like, do you love this person enough spend the rest of time with them? Which is very romantic.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956it is so romantic to think I want to spend eternity with
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955their loved ones die and grow old and they continue on in solitude and the aspect of finding this eternal love is so enticing for them. And I think maybe there's that underlying struggle that doesn't get written about too much about falling in love with a human and either having to decide whether you want that eternal love bad enough to turn them into sometimes what they might consider a monster. I'm a monster. You don't want to be like me, right? Or they're fascinated with the fleeting lives of humans. And that humans love so fiercely because their time is so fleeting. I've seen that element written about so many times. which I just think is fascinating. I mean, humans have such big emotions because our time on earth is so fleeting. And so we feel things so much more. and I, feel like that's the theme as well, almost that is kind of wrapped up into this eternal love.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I mean, this genre really just writes itself almost. I mean, there's so much romance. I mean, you think you have this, blood sucking monster, but I mean, human fascination with Dracula and with vampires outside of romance too, I mean, been going on for so long. There's this fear and fascination, and I think the genre itself is just so romantic, and yet it, walks this line of danger, which makes it even more tantalizing and where I think you get some really delicious tension and spice and, those things that you're just like, I want more.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955it just lends itself to a really great story no matter how many times you tell it and how many different ways that you tell it. I will read it.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955and the fascination with the unknown. Like, what would you do if you could live forever? That question, that I feel like everybody asks. We get that, peek inside of that question answered when you're talking about immortals like vampires. Or nearly immortal, right? They can still die. Um,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955the heart,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955stake to the heart. Yeah.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955fire,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Rip their head off.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955chop off the
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956That depends on who your
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955That yeah, it depends, it depends on who your author is. I love how you take this story that's been told over and over and over again, and authors put a new twist on it, to lore a little bit sometimes. Or rewrite it. Sometimes you go into it being like, oh, I know this is about vampires, but what am I going to get that's new, which is exciting, especially in the romance world.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I really like, the blood lust or blood love in vampire romance because that was something that changed I think not recently but like pretty recently was it changed from having a vampire bite you was painful and not something that you would enjoy to suddenly Maybe it gives you an orgasm. Who knows? That's very common in vampire romances now, where the biting experience is actually pleasurable.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, I, I love that. I love, I
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956good.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I don't know who did it first, but I am glad whoever did it because it changed it for the better
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It made it sexy. it's the consumption of another person. Like, consuming their life essence. And they made it hot and they made it sexy. And it's like when you share blood. which It's kind of blood play, almost a little bit. it's like the supernatural version of blood play, I think. I think it's a little bit different from the standard, description of that, kink, I, I would think, but, yeah, this consumption and the pleasurable aspect of biting. I never heard of that until, well, actually blood.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Mm
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956mm hmm. I think that was roughly around the time that I found out that as well.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955True Blood is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels. And so it was originally paranormal romance, and it's based off of that. And I do think that was a big one that changed, like you said, Casey, from that painful bite to something lustful and pleasurable and really just did wonders for the vampire romance genre.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956God, I love biting.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh yeah. the penetration of the teeth into the skin too is like very, you know,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Penetration.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955is penetration.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956but let's talk about superpowers.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh, superpowers. I love what authors can do on this. it's like those little, what are the things in the games, Casey, that are like the little the little gifts that you, no, in video games, they're like secret things that you can get. No, I don't know.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Easter eggs.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Easter eggs! they're
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Easter eggs. Lindsay's eyes
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955knew Casey would this though, but they are like little Easter eggs. Like, ooh, what, extra is gonna be in here it usually falls into some sort of realm, like, oh, you know, flying, um, mind reading, but some of them can get so creative and it's really cool.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, I mean, you saw that. I was first introduced to that in Twilight, with the Cullen family having different gifts, but it's definitely very popular in a lot of the vampire romances that I read. And you get less of the classic, he changes into a bat. These days, you know, and then more of the supernatural, power elements like mind reading, like flying, like, control of certain elements like fire or something
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956mind control,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956compulsion,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955They normally all have super speed, super strength. know, don't you love an immortal, you know, who can throw you around the bedroom and then they throw you to one side and then run really, really, really, really fast and they can catch you on the other side.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I'm just picturing Lauren, like, attempting to run really fast, but it's like a sad little comic. She's just like, Yes!
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956but Lindsay, do you remember when we played beerpong by ourselves? in your driveway. And we were pretending to be each other's partner and so we were running around the beer pong trying to like do it
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I have,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956as possible.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I have to interrupt this to say it was not as lame as it sounds.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It sounded Like, you guys,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Like, we, we have other friends. okay? It just happened to be that it was just the two of us and we really wanted to play beer pong and it was just the two of us and we wanted to pretend we had partners. I promise we have friends and a social life. We are not that lame,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956And then your dad saw the video and was like, what are you guys doing in the driveway?
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955The fact that was not in college, this was actually in high school and you guys were at
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956no,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I didn't know Casey in high school. This was in college. I was just at ho we were, It was like break or something like
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956yeah, yeah.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955da, da, da,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Sorry, that was so sidetracked, but that's what I was thinking about, a vampire throwing someone and then running really fast to catch them. Vampires
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956pong by themselves. Mm
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955this in the last episode or not, but, the vampire slayer conflict oftentimes we talk about, the FMC being a human, or, you know, MMC, it doesn't really matter, but having one be a vampire and one be a human, but I really like when you have the vampire hunter and the vampire, it kind of lends itself to like, they're more badass.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Is this the Buffy the Vampire song?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956doing the Buffy theme and
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I'm doing it incorrectly. Ok, Like when Buffy and Spike finally got together, I loved it.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955get me wrong. I loved Angel, but that
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955like a total angel stan. Like,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955know, but Spike was the bad boy that you didn't want to like, but You liked? And when they finally, uh, yes. Sorry, I had a big Buffy moment in college. I had a little bout of insomnia and watched every season. but I love that my TBR recommendation for this, episode. Is slayer conflict.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I can't wait. I can't wait. Okay. What else do we I feel like we've covered quite a few and some of the other ones will probably definitely come up in some of our other episodes. Like, those other like paranormal rivalry. A lot of times you can have a like solely vampire. Romance, if you're really focusing in on a couple. But I often find that either in the series itself or in sort of some interconnected standalones, they're featuring different types of paranormals. Like one may focus on a shifter, one might focus on the vampire, or a witch or something like that. I'm really loving the, interspecies, like the witches and vampires. those have been really great lately. but I think we could probably talk about some themes
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Well, immortality and loneliness kind of go hand in hand. We did briefly touch on it. But, inherently That is something a vampire is going to struggle with, And wanting that companionship, Which is just kind of where vampire romance stems from, is wanting companionship through immortality. again, I really do think is romantic.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It's so romantic. it's endless love. It's let's be together forever.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, even though we may be potentially cursed,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, we have each other. We can keep each other, good or revel together in the bad. I don't know. And you also have, found family, I think, of like siring. Family is very big especially since with the mortals if your blood family isn't also a mortal you lose them. to old age and time right so the loyalty to Other people of your species, especially if like you have turned them or they turned you or something like that there's this family aspect,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Well, and the loyalty, the loyalty, of that, because it's, it's a much longer lived family, and so the, time to grow those loyal bonds is exponentially increased, and even just that sire bond where you're, in a lot of them, you're forced, you're compelled to grow it. Do whatever your sire tells you to do. takes it like one step beyond, like, there's such fierce loyalty within this vampire found family.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955you've been friends for centuries, you know, you've been through it for centuries and centuries, right?
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Well, shall we get into book club? What book did we read? I read it. Why am I asking like I don't know? It's for everyone else. What book did we read, guys? I've forgotten already. No,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, so prior to going into book club, let's talk about spoilers.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay, yeah. Casey, take it away.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956talk about
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955our heads.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Let's talk about spoilers before we head into book club. Of course We would prefer if you read the book along with us and were able to join the conversation, but we totally understand if you don't want to and you just want to be a little spoiled with your reading. That's totally okay too. As for that, anything beyond now? Spoilers. Lots of spoilers. We're going to talk in depth about this book, but also along with the spoiler warning is a content warning. There are, uh, I don't think anyone is surprised. Content warnings for vampires. We're talking kidnapping, torture, parental death, and a lot of violence.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955mind control too, right?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956and a little mind control. Well, no mind control, Mind reading,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Mind reading, but he tries to control her on the bed, right? Jared, Jacob, Jackal?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Oh shit, you're right, the
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah! Yeah. Compulsion. Glamouring.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955like, did we read
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955you want to call
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955the same book? Oh, yeah. Yeah, we did.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956it's
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I forgot. It's,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Jackal.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955the beginning. It's at the
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Vlad didn't do it.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955No.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955no. Not our love interest.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956no, no. Um, but for Book Club this week, we are reading Once Burned by Jeanne Anne Frost, one of my all time favorite books. Ever. this is a paranormal vampire romance novel that follows the story of Layla, aka Frankie, a woman who has the ability to channel electricity and see people's darkest secrets through touch. When she is captured by vampires, she forms an unlikely alliance with the powerful and enigmatic Vlad Tepes.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay, I need to pause for a second because I listened to this on audiobook and when you said Layla, all I wanted to be was like, Layla,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956No, seriously, I implore, I implore you to listen to the audiobook because the way Vlod says Layla's name is the best. he literally goes, Layla.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955it
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955okay, so I'm going
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956can, they can just look I know what you're gonna say. And you ruined
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955No, I'm sorry. Okay.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956ruin it for other people now.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh, but I loved it. Okay, I loved listening to it, but it gave Dexter's vibes, didn't it?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956enough, my cat's name is DeeDee. And I always am like, DeeDee, get out of my laboratory!
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955right? Just when she's doing Vlad's voice, it is like a grown, sexy Dexter. like, Right?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956you told me that, I was like, you're so right.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It's a single narrator.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956It is a single narrator. You would have no idea which I think is really amazing when female narrators can do that. When you really don't get distracted by the fact that
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Mm hmm.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956dual narration.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah. Well, I did not listen to this. I read it. I call him Vlad.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956It's flawed.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Vlad.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955know, in my head though it's, it's Vlad.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956You American
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I know.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955it's narrated by Tavia Gilbert, and she does a fantastic job. Dexter's Laboratory aside, I would recommend listening to this book on, audio. It was great.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956It's so
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955great.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956But let's get into some fun facts.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Lauren,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Fun facts about romance. All I would just want to throw one out there. I really only have one. I know Casey, you have a fun fact too. one of the first vampire books out there, because I'm history buff, was Don't think you'll be surprised, Bram Stoker's Dracula, published in 1897, and is known as one of the first definitive descriptions of vampires in popular fiction for the last century.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Ruben, if you don't know Bram Stoker's Dracula, have you been living under a rock since 1897?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956They even
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955No.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956in this book.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Yes, they do. also if you've been living under a rock, Twilight, we talked about that. But what I didn't know, and maybe it's just because I'm not a big history buff, I haven't looked into it, but Carmilla, which is a sapphic vampire relationship or features a sapphic vampire relationship, was written in 1872.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955love
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Which, know nothing about this book, I don't
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956You know,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955was,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956sapphic is pretty wild.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955right? That's what I was thinking, and I'm like, is it any good? Like, is,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955that's prior to Bram Stoker's Dracula.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956No way.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh, Carmilla is a 1872 Gothic novella by Irish author Sheridan Le Fanu. It's considered one of the first works of vampire fiction predating Bram Stoker's Dracula by 25 years.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, Bram Stoker was 1897.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955story's about a young woman named Laura who lives with her father in an old Austrian castle. After a carriage accident, Laura and her family take care of a beautiful girl named Carmilla who appears to be the same age as Laura. Ooh, I wonder if it's about Laura and Carmilla. Anyways, super random fun facts.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956But that's really cool, though. A sapphic romance written in the late 1800s. That's, that's pretty cool, not gonna lie.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Paranormal, too. Love it. and then, Casey, you had a fun fact for us about the author, didn't you?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, so per Jeannie Ann Frost's website. airplanes, children, and cookbooks frighten her. I
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955You know, sometimes children frighten me too. Especially yours, Lindsay.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I thought that was cute.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955oldest when she's got the ring girl hair.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Oh, I love that.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955going on.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955okay, I'll be honest, when she, like, appears at my bedside, in the middle of the night? and it's like, Mommy, and I'm just like, Jesus, where did you come from? it is a little terrifying. So, I feel ya. I could take some serious vampire inspiration from the children. That's for sure.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Child vampires freak me out.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955yeah, I can't, that's, mm, draw the line there.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah. Like, I'm with the Volturi there. If there was a child vampire, cut off its head, you know?
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955well, it's,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955care Renesmee!
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I don't
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955creepy! You were creepy! as hell in the movies. I
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Uh,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956face was a ruiner.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955also, um, interview with a vampire, the remake that they just did recently. I mean, well, and the young vampire that he turns. And her just like child, like, yeah, too much. No, thank you.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, no, thank you.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I am a huge fan of True Blood. I've never read the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I do want to. It's kind of on my list of eventually get around to, but fun fact, My husband really likes True Blood. It's one of the only shows, kind of, that I really like. And he's like, he's like, he'll sit down and watch it with me, because he loves when, the main character goes, Suki!
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Suck it, Bill!
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955their little fangs come out, and like, Yeah!
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh man, Alexander Skarsgård. Hmm. Mm
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956he comes onto screen, I was like,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955any
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Bill?
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955the speed at which he has sex, is really nice. With, that woman in the first couple of episodes. That vampire speed. That's what I picture when, like, vampires are fuckin just, just, really fast!
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh my god. was too much, Lauren. Okay, speaking of speed, let's get into plot and pacing for our book today. I feel like it was a great segue that you gave me there.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955He, uh, will come. I frickin loved this book.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It was great.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955the plot was fantastic. It kept me hooked, kept moving along really well. There was something new and exciting in each chapter. I didn't feel like I was waiting for the big plot point to happen. I got little things along the way that made me love the characters. The action was really good. pace from my perspective.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, there is a reason this is one of my all time favorite books, and I have read it, I have listened to it, probably at least once a year. It's one I come back to time and time again. even though it's set in a world where Vampirekind really isn't out in the open, I think, Vlod's town he is in is an exception. it's known, that Dracula's castle's up there and he's actually in it. but the world building even though it's in our world is amazing. as well as the backdrop of history you get with the book. Um, it's really nice that You get to learn all about his history and how he's basically been around for thousands of years, and what he went through from his childhood up into the point he was turned, and then from then on. And as the series progresses, you learn even more. but there isn't a point in this book that I find to be slow or lacking, and it honestly feels like a really interesting take on Dracula if he was real and he had lived into modern times.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955He's real.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955he's real.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I mean, if this man's real, let me tell you. Hello, Romania.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955and I love that he, has this air about him where when somebody's talking about like Dracula and like how he is He's like mad because he's like that's not me or like that's not accurate. Stop saying that and It's really cute And I feel like being alive for so long and having so many lies told about you I get it. I get it from his perspective, especially if somebody he likes is saying those things or doesn't believe him it can irritate him, but he's got this air of like Broodiness and everybody's kind of scared of him. But Layla is just like fuck you, dude
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956But you know, it's funny that he's like, Oh, Bram Stoker, totally fabricated a lot of things. And yet he still puts people on a spike.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955he's still Vlad, he's still Vlad the Impaler, I mean, he still is the OG Vlad. I mean, where the story is taken from, but yeah, he's like, I don't turn into a bat. Okay.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, he's like, my name means son of the dragon, not son of the bat.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, I loved that and you know, I was actually really glad I read this on my kindle because That press dictionary thing. I was able to look up things because I'm a huge history buff, part of my job. And I was able to highlight and look things up about parts of history that I didn't know that were actually very accurate in the book. And I really appreciated that. It kind of piqued my interest and set me down a few rabbit holes while I was reading that endeared me to the story even more.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I really liked that Jeanne Anne Frost basically took the template of Vlad Tepes, who was a real person, and then just made him a romance character, which was so good. Because you get the history. I watched, I think after I read this book, I watched an entire documentary on Vlad the Impaler. And I was like, Oh, wait, yeah, he mentions that in the book.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955And boy did he impale her.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Oh, yeah,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955yeah, I was wondering when Lauren was gonna pull that one out.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956there yet,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955yeah, gosh, haven't even got to do my plot. Basically, yeah, save it for the spice section. it was this book with my cup of tea, especially coming off of our contemporary space. series. I was like, oh yeah, I remember why I love paranormal so much. The pacing just lends itself, I mean like the world building and the interesting magic concepts and the paranormal. I just feel like it flushes it out so much more. It gives me more of what I like. In that world building, but again, being in that middle ground, you don't have to invest so much mental energy into it if you don't want to, but it really just pulls in a great storyline, some great momentum behind the book, from the initial introduction of Layla's powers, to her kidnapping, to Vlad's involvement. I mean, even the romance was well paced, and some of the plot twists, like, were a little bit expected, but it did not detract from the story. even when I can predict a plot twist, I like when I still enjoy it.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I mean, how many times, can Dracula be told, right? There's always going to be certain things that are consistent across a romantic story of Dracula, but the book does a really good job of even if there are consistencies or like twists that aren't typical that you can see coming, it did a really good job of being like, I still like that.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955And I think that's what sets an author apart is when you have to write within some of these confines of a story that's been told over and over again. if your writing is good enough to keep the person reading, even if they see it coming. because the writing's just that good. And the writing was just that good. I loved it. And I thought the world building was enough to have that escapism, but not quite as complicated. And so it felt really cozy to me. It was fun, it was engaging. I could not put it down or turn it off. I remember like cooking and like making dinner and I was just like zoning out. My husband's like, gonna pay attention to us? I was like, it's so good! But yeah, liked her take on Dracula.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Well, and I just want to say, too, takes a really good author to write a romance story because, you know, you can have that formulaic, meet cute relationship build, maybe a third act breakup, they come back together, and that's kind of a formula that a lot of authors use, but The ones that stand out are the ones that can do it well where you're not expecting, even if you know there's going to be some sort of third act conflict, they write it in a way that you want to read more and you're still very happy with it. And that's your comments on that triggered my thought. But also a little hot take as far as the plot. I loved how interesting Leila was from being a circus performer. A lot of the times, especially in the supernatural paranormal books, is you get a really interesting paranormal and kind of a boring human. And the allure of this paranormal world takes them out of their boring life.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Mm hmm.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Leila was already doing something pretty interesting. And I really,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956a vampire friend.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955she already has a vampire friend. She's got powers, but it's not like her whole identity. Um, And I really appreciated that she wasn't boring to begin with, and then this vampire came in and kind of made her life unboring. She had already had a lot going on for her, and that made me like the character even more. And then this will slide into the emotional connection part of it, but I love a mind to mind connection. It's a soft spot for me. I mean, we get that with Feyre and I'm a sucker for it in Star Wars, the Kylo Ren and Rey mind connection. as soon as that happened, I'm like, oh, I know I'm gonna love this book. I love that.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956know, because like, remember when I first read it and she's kidnapped and her power is when she touches things, she can see the past, she can see the present, or she can maybe see the future. But she also sees the deepest, darkest sin of someone if she physically touches them, right? So, I thought when she touched, Vlad's things and she sees him and he's like, know someone's in here. And you're like, wait, wait, wait. And she's like, wait, wait, wait, wait. The fuck? And then you find out he's a mind reader. Right? And that's their first initial connection is basically her asking him for help because she's been kidnapped by bad vampires who want to find him. And I was just like, yes.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955What a great way to write a damsel in distress entrance.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Right? Without being too
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah. she went out and she's like, Hey, let's make a deal. And he's like, I'm on my way. I'm flying to you. And I'm like, yeah,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I like how she, when she said she saw him in a sea of blackness, she was like, where are you? And he's like, where do you think I'm coming to you? And she realizes he's flying.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956like,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955that.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955us back for a second because Lauren I think it's really funny how you pointed out that the non paranormal character is often like boring and it made me think of the reader view like who's your target audience and I was just made me think like we're bored like it's usually like the girl who reads or whatever and I'm like yeah. we're boring that's how we can picture ourselves as these characters.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955But we're not Bella Swan boring.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I don't for sure. Right?
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I don't identify with that character. Okay.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955But it just made me think of that and I got a little giggle. are they writing them as boring so it's easier for us to picture ourselves
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956it is nice, it is nice that, with, Layla, Frankie, right, she is an interesting person, right? Her nickname is Frankie because she has a huge ass scar that runs down her face all the way down her arm because she got electrocuted And that caused her to get her powers. And then it causes her to have this feature on her body, which is not considered beautiful, But then Vlod finds beauty in her, even though she's imperfect, compared to an ethereal vampire.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955love that she chose to keep that, those
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, and she stands, she stands loud and proud with it too. She doesn't hide, which I feel like FMCs will sometimes it's this big thing that they try and hide or they're, ashamed of it or, because, you know, a big scar on your face that can be really, jarring to your identity. But I love that the author wrote her in a way where she's like, I've accepted that I have this, and I know people are going to look at me and take it in and maybe have a certain reaction, but I'm not going to, I'm going to stare them down. And I'm going to, answer the questions if they have it or offer the information. Yes, I was electrocuted when I was a girl, but I love that empowerment that she had. Mm.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956the emotional connection in this book, it is the first of four books in a series. So, we only get the first hints of what emotional connection will actually come between Vlod and Layla. But I think the first book does a really good job of laying the foundations of their relationship and what it will end up becoming. You take two people who are very isolated in their own ways, right? Vlad is isolated because he's the head of his line, he is one of the most powerful vampires currently in the world. And then you have Leila, who, literally has a power that makes her a danger to others. At least humans, Vampires to a certain extent. Vlad is an exception to that rule, of course. But I think this book really highlights the chemistry between the two main characters, through their witty banter and how they ultimately treat each other both physically and emotionally. I know that both of you have not read the rest of the series, but when I tell you My god, their emotional story is amazing and it develops so, so well. I fucking love it.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I'm so excited.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956uh, can I just briefly have slight little tangent. that I,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955KC Hot Take.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I love when Cat and Bones comes into the picture. They are actually Genie Anne's Frost, other vampire series, Halfway into the Grave. It follows Cat and Bones and their relationship. And you're briefly introduced to Vlod in that series. So this is kind of a spin off series of that one. But they teach her how to not let Vlod read her mind. And they basically say, you need to come up with the most obnoxious, annoying song. To replay in your head over and over and over again. And you never actually find out which one she chose. She goes through a few, but you never actually find out which one. And he's like, Oh God, that's perfect. But I'd like to ask you, which song would you choose? Because I think I would choose
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955all
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956all songs? because I would choose, this is the song that never ends by Lamb Chops.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I have a four no, I have a four year old.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956song that never ends. It goes on and on my friends. It's a,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955How have you never heard that before? What is wrong with you?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956you? grew up in the 90s like,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955just probably blocked it out.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It's,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956it
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955know,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It's very annoying. But I'm gonna choose the fricking gummy bear song. 'cause my four year old's obsessed with it right now. And it's like, I am a gummy bear. I don't even, I can't even do it, but I just like, I, can't. And that would be the song that I would choose because it's cringe.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I feel like there are definitely some, TikTok songs that have been trending lately that really easily get stuck in your head that I could choose from. but what's that? Chicken wing, chicken wing, hot dog and bologna.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955something. Macaroni
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955macaroni! Yep.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I just thought
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955would sing that one, but it would also be a little bit enjoyable for me to sing, you know? While annoying the absolute shit out of
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955You're like dancing to it. Yeah,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Hot dog game, but like just over and over again.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Well, and Casey, I like, how you mentioned that their love story unfolds over a couple of books, and it made me want to bring up the fact that, in contemporary, you get the unique, interconnected standalones, you know, those love stories are typically wrapped up, in each of those books, even if they're a series, you focus on a different main character. In fantasy, nine times out of ten, it is one couple going through this huge journey. So their love story unfolds over, three, four, five, six, seven, eight books. Sarah J Maas, I'm looking at you. And maybe there are other couples that come into it, but you're still getting that story that's unfolding. I love How Paranormal straddles the middle. You can have series that do interconnected standalones within the pair, you know, you're getting, like I said, one focuses on the vampire, the next focuses on a shifter. but you can also get these stories that unfold over, these love stories that unfold over multiple books, a lot of trilogies, It just makes this subgenre, so dynamic. And never really know what I'm gonna get. I can choose, Ooh, I really just want a story that wraps up in one. Or I want to read four books in a series. Please have them all, be out, though. Because I can't emotionally Yes.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956They are all out.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I cannot handle another emotionally devastating cliffhanger right now. I am overwhelmed. Yeah, but I was craving a love story that unfolds over multiple books and I'm glad we read this one. I'm so excited to read the next ones, But their emotional connection that they made was so strong in this book and yet it didn't feel forced or rushed. I was really surprised about that, like I thought it might, but it I really liked it and their banter's hilarious. I love that Layla pushes Vlad, but like, despite his arrogance, he cows so much to her. And in the end, he sacrifices a piece of himself for her, like, literally. And I am very interested to explore the consequences of that.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah. we move to the spice section? I
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955heavy at the beginning of this episode, and she cannot wait
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955am bad at this.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955section. So let's do it.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Bursting. Okay, I, one, so much of it. One, I loved, I absolutely loved that she got her first glimpse of them being intimate through a vision when she
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955great.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Right.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955loved that. I don't, it was just so, And he, yes, and he said,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955foreplay ever.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh, that was amazing. And I'm going to quote it because vlod, I'm going to say it right. Lifted his head, his hair like dark silk against my thighs and his gaze lit up with emerald. Also love the emerald part. No, he said throatily more and he lowered his mouth again. Lord.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I know, and that's on like, page
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955crap. Yeah.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956That's really early in the book. Like
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955please let it happen in real life.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955right?
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Please let that future come true. And there were just so many good, like, Vlad's most formidable weapon was his hands. Yeah, but there were And he was funny, you know? When he said things like, No, I do my torturing in the dungeon like any other respectable castle owner. He kept re
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955my favorite quotes. That is literally my favorite quote in the whole book.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Making these quippy comments to her internal thoughts, which I very much appreciated where he was just peeking in, reading her probably obscure thoughts, and then making these really funny comments on them that I just found so hilarious.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955great.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956one of my favorite quotes from the book was when they were starting to get a little spicy, and Then, Maximus knocks on the door, and he's like, It must be important, or he wouldn't dare disturb me now, he muttered. Then he drew a way to look at me. If not, I'll kill him and return to you directly.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It's such a great one.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956It's so good! I was just like, Vlad is the perfect, he's so smooth, I think is a good way to put him. And I think the other thing is, is it's not a dual POV book. You only get Layla's point of view. And so what I think we've, talked about in past episodes is where an author has to do a really good job of making the counterpart in the relationship obvious on what they want and what they like, right? And Vlod is not shy about how vocal he is that he will have Layla in his bed. It's only a matter of time. Right,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I am really glad you brought that up because I think it was back in one of our contemporary episodes. We talk about how, I'm not a big fan of the cherry poppin or virgin romance. Wasn't really my favorite to read anymore. But I loved the spice in this book, despite Layla being a virgin. And I think it, one, was because the way she was written, like, her maturity with sex and the fact that she's only a virgin due to her powers. maybe it was because of all of her visions and stuff that she had seen. She wasn't just, like, so in her head about it. But It also wasn't a dual POV, which I often want for something like that, but because it was so artfully written. I mean, Jeanne Anne Frost did a great job of, Vlad was so tender, and what does he say? Oh, like, because, of the blood, with her being a virgin, he was like, It is so special that, you chose to give that to me, and the way that she wrote it, it was really well done, and I did not mind it at all. I'm, like, going back. On what I said in the past episode, it just has to be written right, and Janie Ann Frost wrote it right.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956because Vlod states in the book that his one possession he has is his body, right? That is the one thing that is his own that he can choose. what to do with it. And so when Layla decides to give a part of her body basically to him, he views that as way more important than any other gift she could have given him, which is just so sweet.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah. Well, and
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955he's very selective with his lovers too and I liked that in
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Right, he only had three over the course of
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955yeah. Cause, cause you often get these vampires that are just, basically little sluts, and it's just because they've been around for forever, and yes, they've learned a lot, and that's fantastic. There's nothing wrong with that. I mean, they learn a thing or two. Come on. Creative. But he talks about the gift she bestowed on him, and it feels sincere without being overdone. Which I really like. the banter, their emotional connection. Everything was just the right amount, including the spice. it wasn't the spiciest that I've ever read, but it felt, again, appropriate to the story, which was so great.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It was satisfying. And I even, highlighted a section here, about 51 percent into the book that says, Vlad's grip turned to steel, his back arching, while a harsh groan left his lips. Then he thrust so forcefully that I cried out, but that cry turned into a moan at the new spasms. ground against me while his orgasm pulsed inside. Like hot honey, those final thrusts making my mind spin away into a million glittering pieces. My comment on that? Sad face. I'm never gonna get to fuck a vampire. I had this moment reading this book where I was like, aww.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956happened
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It just made me think of, like, I just
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956you down.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955it!
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay, so you guys have both gotten your hot takes this episode. And I don't usually do one, but I have one. And it has to do with the terms used in the spicy scenes. The terms that were used read closer for me to like a late 90s, early 2000s book than something written in 2012. maybe it was because it was still on the cusp, but she used the word like loins and the full word clitoris. And I think the full use of the word clitoris is what really stood out to me and almost dated the book a little bit because I don't know at what point it transitioned from clitoris to clit, but I feel like any book that I read now that is past the clitoris, maybe 2016, 2018, I don't even know. I don't think I've ever seen the word clitoris, and I'm sure it's out there. I am sure. But the more popular term is clit. And so it just really, made me think about that. But the spice was done so well that even her saying loins or clitoris it was not a game changer for me, unlike some other words that we will not mention currently. but it was interesting, I was like, huh, I wonder when that transitioned why.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Can I just say, bundle of nerves at the apex of my thighs. The nub. I don't like nub.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I don't like nub. I like bundle of
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Numb? Sounds bad.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955What other clit, euphemisms have you guys
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956you know, okay, so super funny, this can be totally cut, but one time I was getting waxed, and you know how they get to that section? And the lady was like, just to let you know, the tip of the Dorito's gonna hurt a little bit. never in life
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955heard my waxer calls a butthole a starfish.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Oh, you know, that one kind of makes sense.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, all starfish are different. You know, it's like a
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955thinking, I'm just thinking of Patrick Starr. Yes!
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956under his little coconut shell.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Hello,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955spread your
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Hello.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Har, har.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955No, it's me, Patrick.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Jesus.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956so funny.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955No, I've worked women's health and I've never heard the Dorito before and I,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956of the Dorito.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955of the Dorito. I'm never gonna get to read us the same way.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956know, I, I was blown away when I heard that. It was so
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh man, but we have to do a whole episode dedicated to, the best and the worst terms
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Oh, yeah.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955like, gonna start cataloging
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956so, many.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955it's so subjective too. You know,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Mm hmm.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955just really turn people off. creative.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955wet heat, so I'm just gonna say it here for you for
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I don't like, I don't
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I like it when they say moist.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955folds. I don't like folds. It makes me feel like I'm in my closet and there's like a bunch of
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It makes me think of like, um, like, pudding.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955my way through like a bunch of clothes on a hanger.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955where the yeast likes to grow. So we're just
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Oh, eh!
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Laura just literally gagged.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955can't, guys. We need to move on.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955oh my god. Anyways, overall, on that note, overall,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Overall, overall.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Once he's got the giggles.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956recommended we read this book for our Bite Me episode because it is one of my favorite books. I've said it multiple times in this episode. I'll say it multiple times the rest of my life. Anytime someone asks me, do you have a vampire romance you recommend I read? I will be like, Once Burned by Jeannie Ann Frost because it is just kind of that all encompassing story, and the fact it does not end with book one. Sometimes, I love a standalone romance, but sometimes you want more. And they really do dive into everything in the coming books. And I just, I love this book. There's something about this book that just makes my brain tingle. And I love it.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955It's a
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955had a, yeah, I had a fantastic time reading this. It, solidified itself on my shelf, for sure, as a go to recommendation in the future. It had a great storyline, fantastic characters. There weren't any characters where I was like, thank you, next. and it's not very popular on the TikToks and on the socials, and I appreciated that. I like that we are in this podcast trying to bring in some less, well known, I would say, as far as like social media books.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955it's well known in vampire romances for sure.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956honestly surprised that, people haven't caught it on TikTok
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955yeah,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956because it is
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955fantastic. Yeah,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956as it is, the spice is good.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah. It's
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Well,
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955gonna bring it there. This is fantastic book.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955yes, and I do have to say, which Maybe I should have mentioned earlier. This is my first book club I've ever been a part of. because I didn't really fit in at the other people's book clubs because all I wanted to read was smut.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955This is the best book club.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955This is the best book club but, um, am really appreciating the aspect where we all get to bring in books that we've read and share with each other. we're several episodes in now I've read books that probably wouldn't have graced my TBR otherwise. and It's been fantastic and I really loved this one. So overall, plus for me.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Yeah, I love this book. There was enough wrap up at the end where I felt like I want to continue their story, but I don't have this, like, massive emotional hangover. Like, there was enough wrapped up that I wasn't, devastated and, couldn't read anything else, which I really appreciate. Every once in a while, I'm in the mood to be devastated, but I was not. and so this was just absolutely fantastic. But if you want to get all of our condensed ratings, check out our romance report cards on our website. We'll be posting them after we post the episode. And let's get into our TBR recommendations. Casey, you want to kick us off?
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, my rec is, of course, the rest of the series. Duh. Surprise! It's so good. You won't be disappointed. Literally, every single book is so fucking good. But, my recommendation is When Darkness Comes by Alexandra Ivey. I love everything this author writes. She does really great paranormal romance. But this book follows Abby, who becomes the host for an ancient power, and Dante, the vampire sworn to protect the power, and then ultimately her. Together, they have to fight. dark forces and navigate their growing attraction in a world of danger and supernatural intrigue. It's really good. The whole series is really good. I just love Alexandra Ivey in general. But on my TBR is Dark Lover by J. R. Ward. It has been on my list for a very long time, and I even recently bought the physical book, in hopes of that I will read it because I know I'll love it. It follows Wrath, who is the last purebred vampire, and Beth, a human who is unaware of her vampire heritage. When Beth's nears, Wrath vows to protect her, sparking a passionate and dangerous connection as they face threats from an ancient enemy. So,
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955I love how you, can grow into a vampire.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Yeah, it's interesting because, yeah, you become a vampire when you turn 18.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955so cool.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Court of the Vampire Queen also have that storyline, I
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956There's a lot of books that are similar where you become something at a certain age. But I know that the Dark I know that this series by J. R. Ward is really popular. and it follows all of these specific vampires that are part of, this warrior group who are really ancient. So, yeah.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I'm loving your like protector theme that you have going on with your pics time.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956I mean, that's just like in all my pics.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I know, but it's great. I love it. I love it.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955Peek Casey's TBR, Neurohost Reader, profile on the website if you want more Protector book recommendations, because they're probably on there.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956But yeah, Lauren, what about you?
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955so I already mentioned a Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Hartness On our series opener, I will forever recommend that one. but I'm going to choose a different one And this one is Bite of Loyalty by R. L. Calder. it is the kind of vampire slayer, vampire trope main character is actually part of the Van Helsing family and this legacy of vampire hunters, but her entire family is wiped out and killed and she's the sole survivor and she's turned left for dead. she's told that Dracula ordered. Basically the hit on her family.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955to lovers. Enemies to lovers.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Alert!
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955an enemies to lovers. It's a why choose. Yeah, it's the first book in the Blood Oath series and there are actually two Blood Oath series out by two different authors. And I've read both of them. So going back through my Goodreads, I'm like, which one is this? yes, reverse harem, paranormal romance, strong female lead with a, backbone made of steel. She's a Van Helsing. She grew up hating vampires. And now she has to with the fact that she was turned into one. Which I really love that storyline. And then she, works together with a couple different, MMCs to avenge her family and find out the truth of what happened. And then on my TBR to read, is Death and Sweet Temptations by Kristen Kaur. It follows Alex who is a half vampire, half human, and it's set in the contemporary world brimming with magic, danger, and searing romance. And, She has a wisecracking roommate, Argo, and a corgi, which I have a corgi, so I, automatically added it to my TBR and I must read this. Um, but they work together to, fight some big baddie, that is up to no good. I don't know too much about it, but it sounds very interesting. It's part of a series, and I just love a strong female character. And the fact that she's kind of like a half breed is an interesting concept for me. So, what about you, Linz?
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Okay, so as per usual, I'm going off track on our TBR recs. Surprise, surprise. my first one is technically a fantasy book, but it has vampires. So As you all know, I love me some trials, and this one has it. It's The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent. The Araya is a human in the world of dueling vampire houses. She's the adopted daughter of the night born vampire king. She enters the Qajari, a magical tournament held by the goddess of death, in order to become more than just prey. Rain, our MMC, is obviously a ruthless vampire from an enemy house, but come on, enemies to lovers. Trials. Vampires. What more can you want? I can't wait to read the next one. but also because I'm sure many have read this booktalk sensation, I am going to recommend one that I am currently reading. So bear in mind, I have not finished it, but I am very much enjoying it so far. it's called Fang Fiction by Kate Stammen London. It is, Set in New York City, where the FMC Tess discovers her favorite fantasy novel, Blood Feuds, based on vampires, is actually real. And it's neatly done. It's not just the narrative. It has, podcast transcripts and reddit posts, and it's like this accumulation of, like, you're trying to figure out this story, it's just, like, It's really cool. I'm really enjoying it, so I'm going to recommend it, just because I'm enjoying it that much. And I'm only about halfway through, so that's how much I'm enjoying it.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955If it ends bad, blame Linzy.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955I'm sorry. I apologize. But, the first half is great. And on my TBR is, Hot Blooded by Heather Gouliers. I don't know how to pronounce her last name. I apologize. it's actually number two in a series. I believe they're kind of interconnected standalones, so you don't have to read them together or in order. but it's number two in the Tooth and Claw series. The first book is about shifters, which is why I didn't pick it. this one is about, I guess I'm on a Tess theme too, person's name is Tessa, who is a human in a crazy amount of debt and she gets referred to an agency that pairs vampires with blood donors for cash. Amos, on the other hand, is a vampire who has finally, given up on finding a blood mate, but finally gives in to getting his blood from just a paid blood donor service. of course, she's perfect for him and he wants to keep her. Enter the convincing, the courtship, the sweet semi slow burn romance. There is some spice, again that I've been promised, but I am excited to read this one,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956one sounds so good.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955right? I know, I know.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956adding to my TBR.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955It sounds cute and cozy,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956good.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955yeah. it's supposed to be really sweet, too, which I'm excited about. Like, he's just trying to court her and keep her, make her more than be just his paid blood donor.
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Cute.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955that.
lindsey_1_12-18-2024_153955Well, That's our episode for today. If you enjoyed this episode and can't wait for more, please like and subscribe, and maybe even leave a review. It helps other romance lovers find us. Speaking of more, our next episode titled Potions and Passions is going to focus on witches with a spellbinding second chance love story by Erin Sterling called The Ex Hex. Thank you so much for listening, and as always,
kacy_1_12-18-2024_153956Here at Blush and Bindings.
laurasaur-guest444_1_12-18-2024_153955We're breaking down stigmas, lifting up love stories, and getting cozy with the pages that bind us together.
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