Whoa!mance: Romance, Feminism, and Ourselves

A Very Special Website Announcement Boner

September 21, 2018 19:52 - 5 minutes - 5.06 MB

WE GET A WEBSITE YOU GET A BONER! But seriously y'all check out our brand new, state-of-the-art, all-mod-cons with water and gas included WEBSITE where you can get caught up on all things Whoa!Mance. It's truly a thing of beauty. https://www.whoamancepodcast.com/ And don't worry, this boner is on us.

Episode 28: Witchy Murder Ballad

September 19, 2018 17:01 - 20 minutes - 18.4 MB

On this week's episode Morgan and Isabeau interrogate a new medium for romance--Graphic Novels! Wild Rose is a graphic novel retelling of a popular Irish murder ballad. Writer Nicole Slaunwhite is kickstarting a wild Irish ride with a kick ass heroine who kinda gets her butt handed to her in the first issue---but there's big things in our Heroine's future or so says the witch and the tarot cards! This has it all sex, love, loss, magic, and Irish folks. If you want to support Nicole in her e...

Episode 27: "Married with Children" Making It Last by Ruthie Knox

September 12, 2018 15:30 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MB

On this week's episode Morgan and Isabeau tackle series ender and novella "Making it Last" by Ruthie Knox. The last book in the author's Camelot series--The question on the table is: What is romance and how do we know what counts as a Happily Ever After? Where do the genre boundaries get blurry? And perhaps most importantly what turns your crank when you're cranky?

Episode 26: Lisa Kleypas-ter Syndrome--Suddenly Who?

September 05, 2018 15:17 - 56 minutes - 52 MB

On this week's episode, our last in our Lisa Kleypas Series, Morgan and guest star Sean tackle Lisa Kleypas's stand alone novel "Suddenly You". A novel about a spinster (she's 30) who orders a sexual awaken for her birthday! Listen in as Morgan and Sean dive deep on the surprises of the genre, how lived in and researched the world is--and the awkward messaging mashup of "scrappy" capitalism and blue-blooded hierarchy. Spoiler alert: they are both the worst.

Episode 25: Lisa Klepas-ter Syndrome Part 2: Who has the right to talk about Lisa Kleyas?

August 29, 2018 18:37 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

Lisa Kleypas-ter Syndrome Part 2: On this week's episode we welcome back our good friend Kim and talk about what it's like to grow through an author's work, what that does to how we read characters and setting, what that means for how we view the work and cherish it (or not). Romance is special because you can grow up with it, and grow up through it, and sometimes out grow an author--but can you every really out grow something you loved? Listen and find out! Listen and find out.

Episode 24: Lisa Kleypas-ter Syndrome--The Devil In Winter....Begrudgingly

August 01, 2018 18:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MB

Do you like gaming hells? Bad dudes who become good dudes and heroines who find their voices? US TOO!!! In this week's episode Morgan and Isabeau tackle a peculiar faultline in Romancelandia--is "The Devil in Winter" worth the hype and love it receives? Listen and find out where Isabeau and Morgan land on the critical question. Part of our Lisa Kleypas series. Listeners be warned there is discussion of attempted assault.

Episode 23: All Revved Up on Hair--Sylvia Day

July 27, 2018 20:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MB

Buckle up Buttercups because on this week's episode Morgan and Isabeau deep dive into secret babies, body shaming, body hair of all kinds, but most of all romance. Listen in as we unpack our feelings about lies, masculinity and bikini lines

Boner On Us--Special Request

July 25, 2018 00:18 - 3 minutes - 2.81 MB

Whoa!mance wants to know! We've got questions and you've got answers! Morgan and Isabeau pose a series of questions that we are dying to hear our fans answer! Let us know what you think about Lizzy Bennet's hair, what man smells like, and your fav word for penis--you'll be featured on the podcast!

Episode 22: Author Interview Donna Thorland--Romance Across Mediums

July 18, 2018 15:15 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MB

In this episode Isabeau talks to author Donna Thorland about her craft, and romance across mediums. If you loved the TV show Salem, Buffy, and are interested in the reboot of Sabrina the Teenage Witch this is a good episode for you. If you've noticed that romance tropes are migrating toward your fav TV shows--you're right! We talk about that! And we talk about what it means to keep hope alive in the times we live in--romance being a key point of that. Romance is a subversive genre about revo...

Episode 21: Love in the Time of Reagan - Wild Orchids by Karen Robards

July 11, 2018 17:34 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MB

Ever wonder what Romancing the Stone would have been like with a strong neoliberal bias? Unlike the big hair, there's a lot about the Reagan era that doesn't hold up no matter how much spray you lacquer on. This week, Morgan and Isabeau take Wild Orchids by Karen Robards to task for its worldview and experience some unexpected trickle-down titillation. Dedicated to all the far flung Midwesterners out there trying to find love in this mad world.

Episode 20: HBD America 🎆🎆🎆--Donna Thorland's Mistress Firebrand

July 04, 2018 20:19 - 58 minutes - 54 MB

Hey There Listeners! Do you love conversations about consent, safe sex, and revolutions internal and otherwise? Well this star spangled episode is just for you! Morgan and Isabeau break down Donna Thorland's Mistress Firebrand and get into the nitty gritty of french letters and french kissing. It's so much fun you might throw your tea in the harbor!

Episode 19: 177fic

June 27, 2018 23:32 - 1 hour - 66.4 MB

In this episode Morgan and Isabeau tackle some of Isabeau's particular tipples--namely 1776 Fanfiction, America in general, and what it means to want to love things that are problematic. If you've ever had questions about fanfiction, what Mr. Feeney did before Boy Meets World, or if you're looking for a safe harbor in an increasingly bleak place--this episode is for you. Conduct Unbecoming: https://archiveofourown.org/works/8595313 New Girl on the Block: https://archiveofourown.org/works/142...

Episode 18: Bromancing--Dudes Read Romance: Paradise by Judith McNaught

June 20, 2018 12:00 - 1 hour - 74.2 MB

In this special episode Isabeau interviews long time friends Nigel and Maarouf about the time in their early twenties when they read a romance novel out loud to each other. The novel? Paradise--by Judith McNaught a snazzy bit of 90s Regan Romance--bootstraps and all. This second chance scorcher takes place in Chicago--and boy howdy does it deliver. Boardroom brawls, blackmail, letters gone astray, miscarriage and HEAs all over the place. Want to hear how much two straight dudes learned from a...

Episode 17: "Flock of Mongooses/geese" Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase

June 06, 2018 16:49 - 1 hour - 60.3 MB

In this episode Morgan and Isabeau welcome a dear friend to discuss one of her favorite romance novels. In this particular discussion we tackle cultural appropriation, colonization, and of course always female empowerment. If you've ever watched The Mummy and thought "IT ME!" this is the episode for you! Travel to the sun swept sand dunes of Colonial Egypt (yikes) and get whisked away into hilarity, adventure and happily ever afters!

Episode 16: The One Where We Agree on Everything----The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

May 30, 2018 19:43 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

It's our Sweet Sixteen! And on this week's episode we talk about Courtney Milan's delicious and scintillating "The Suffragette Scandal". Do you love men with damage? Do you love women with gumption? This book is for you! Let me tell you what Free is Victorian England's His Girl Friday and Morgan and Isabeau freaking love it!!!

Episode 15: "An Inconvenient Booty" A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey

May 23, 2018 18:06 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MB

On this episode Isabeau and Morgan tackle a sea monster of a Classic in Johanna Lindsey's A Pirates Love--Readers be Warned this book deals explicitly with sexual assault----as our producer said it really puts the rape back into rape and pillage. It's a lot. So take care of yourself listener. However if you want to brave the tides with Morgan and Isabeau on this classic anchors away me hearties! Lets get down and dirty.

Episode 14: "Tempest" by Beverly Jenkins

May 16, 2018 19:40 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MB

For this episode Morgan and Isabeau tackle a western! Do you love cowboys, history, and sex positivity? Got secret hots for the country doc? This book has it all! Tell us which bit was the best bit - [email protected]

Episode 13 Interview with a Romance Author: Caroline Linden

May 09, 2018 15:16 - 1 hour - 63.3 MB

Whoa! It's Whoa!mance's first ever author interview! Listen as Isabeau fangirls all over one of her favorite authors--the Rita Award Winning Caroline Linden. Curious about how Caroline broke into the field? The first romance she ever read? Or how she writes smutty periodicals for her hilarious and strong characters? Listen and find out--we cover everything from Happily Ever Afters to diversity in stories and publishing.

Episode 12: Gaywyck by Vincent Virga

April 25, 2018 16:32 - 1 hour - 63.5 MB

If you love the sound of the ocean, sexual awakenings, murder plots, candles and late 19th century New York--this new Whoa!mance is just for you! The Grandfather of Queer Romance is a gothic stunner of sensual delights. Loosen your cravats m'lovelies this one gets good.

11: "Love And Other Scandals" by Caroline Linden

April 18, 2018 16:17 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MB

This week Morgan blows Isabeau's mind on the social construct of flattering fashion and what constitutes a freudian sex scene. If you love fancy balls, trashy mags, discussions of female friendship--and bobbing penises this is your episode! NSFW but you knew that.

Boner-on-us (Bonus) Episode: The Rita Awards

April 14, 2018 03:05 - 25 minutes - 23.1 MB

Isabeau patiently explains to Morgan the Rita Awards - especially the recent controversy over long-standing, systemic problems therein. Apologies for the lack of cool tunes and sound-goodness--without Nick we really boner'd this ep. But we wanted to be timely.

10: "A Princess In Theory" by Alyssa Cole - Part Two

April 11, 2018 16:53 - 39 minutes - 35.7 MB

Pt. 2 of our two-part series on A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole. LISTEN as Morgan and Isabeau argue the difference between a strain and a reach, shout about what it means to be progressive and inclusive in genre fiction, and finish with some ASMR sound triggers. Hashtag intentional, indeed.

9: "A Princess In Theory" by Alyssa Cole - Part One

April 04, 2018 14:46 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MB

This week on Whoa!mance we're talking about Alyssa Cole's new and delectable book A Princess In Theory. If you love PhD candidates trying to scrape by under the oppression of the patriarchy in NYC--who suddenly meet a woke and hot as hell prince this is the book for you! IT'S A TWO PARTER!!! Morgan and Isabeau had a lot of feelings on this gem.

8: "No Other Duke Will Do" by Grace Burrowes

March 28, 2018 12:50 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MB

Do you love libraries, castles, house parties and discussion of gauche merchants? You'll love Grace Burrows regency delight--this one takes place in Wales--and listeners you've nothing to loose but your inhibitions. That's right this gem is class conscience and NOT in a Cinderella way!

7: "Improper Arrangements" by Juliana Ross

March 22, 2018 00:40 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MB

In which we tackle "Improper Arrangments" (a novella-ella-ella eh eh by Juliana Ross), perspectives, family planning, sea sponges, underpants and more. Can you believe it--this was the second Whoa!mance ever recorded! ........ whoamance.tumblr.com twitter: @mance_whoa instagram: @whoamance [email protected]

6: "Shanna" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

March 14, 2018 12:20 - 57 minutes - 52.4 MB

Hold on to your stays for this romance classic! Shanna has it all! Pirates! A marriage plot! Assumed names! A feisty heroine and a Caribbean island. If you like Sandals Commercials you will like some of this book. Listeners beware there is discussion of non-consensual sex and slavery. #the70s #whoa!mance #romance

5: "Montana Sky" by Nora Roberts

March 07, 2018 13:22 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MB

We tackle "Montana Sky" by lioness in her field NORA ROBERTS while discussing the vanilla candles, The American West, and 1996 in general. Warning: This episode (and book) contains discussion of violence against women.

4: "Priest" by Sierra Simone

March 01, 2018 04:16 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MB

Heads up--there is discussion of rape and violence in this episode. WOW! We talk about religion, Three Billboards, the complexity of complicity, the complexity of consent, the complexity of guys who won't shut up about their Women Studies class, and some pretty graphic sex!