Exploring the Worlds Romance Literature: Author Interviews and Insights

Join Roe, Allorah, and Shaye from The Plot With A Twist at the Wild Out West book event where we delve into the exciting literary worlds of numerous authors. In this episode, hear from Sienna Gypsy about her biker series, Polly Holmes on her cosy mysteries, and Jordan Kate Buck discussing her time-travel debut. We also chat with Hannah Penfold on her interconnected fantasy romances, Caroline Ren on her genre-spanning works, and Amy Andrews about her catalogue smutty contemporary romances. You'll also here from Layla Pine, Gemma Black, Natasha Madden, Lana Percherczyk, and the masterminds behind it all - Julie Weaver and Louisa West on their latest works, favourite characters, what drives their creative passion, how this event came to be and plans for a Wild Out West 2026. Enjoy candid discussions, author stories, and engaging book recommendations.

00:00 Introduction to Sienna Gypsy's Books

01:17 Polly Holmes: Cozy Mysteries and Romantic Suspense

02:36 Jordan Kate Buck: Time Travel and Contemporary Romance

04:30 Danni McLean: Spicy Contemporary Romance

05:10 Hannah Penfold's Exciting Day at the Event

08:02 Literary Ink's Unique Tattoos

08:51 Caroline Ren's Diverse Romance Genres

10:17 Amy Andrews' Sexy Contemporary Romance

12:38 Book Lovers Share Their Experiences

14:41 Nicole Flockton's Protector Romance

16:45 Emma Mugglestone: Wattle Junction Series

18:48 Layla Pine: Contemporary and Paranormal Romance

20:53 Rebecca Barber's Versatile Romance Writing

21:49 Lauren from Unlocking Pleasure: Pure Romance

24:53 Brittany Anne: New York City Series

25:51 Belle Harper: Reverse Harem and Omega Bears

27:08 Natasha Madden: Fantasy and Paranormal Romance

29:19 Shannon Riley: Romantic Fantasy Trilogy

30:42 Torah Channing: Alien Romance

34:11 Danni Line: Paranormal and Romantic Suspense

31:56 Book Enthusiasts at Wild Out West

35:51 Discussing Favorite Tropes and Characters

36:11 Interview with Lana Percherczyk

40:05 Interview with Claire Butler

41:59 Julie Weaver and Louisa West: Event Organizers' Insights

45:30 Interview with Madeline Te Whiu

49:52 Interview with Shaluna the Tarot Reader

51:06 Tattoo Trends at the Event

52:06 Interview with Luci Fer

53:04 Interview with Nattie Kate Mason

56:21 Interview with Danielle Drummond

57:49 Interview with Fabled Subscription Box

59:45 Interview with Fire and Spice

01:00:24 Interview with Melanie Hepburn

01:01:03 Interview with Charlize Kelly

01:02:54 Interview with Addison Acres

01:04:39 Attendee Tattoo Spotlight

01:05:43 Interview with Gemma Black

01:07:05 Event Attendee Experiences, How Much They Spent, & Farewells

Unraveling Snow: A Deep Dive into 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'

Join hosts Roe and Allorah in this week's episode of The Plot With A Twist as they explore the intricate layers of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. From Coriolanus Snow's tragic backstory to the psychological nuance of the Capitol's most notorious villain, no stone is left unturned. Delve into themes of nature vs. nurture, social conditioning, and mental health. Packed with spoilers and mature themes, listener discretion is advised. Additional discussions include notable characters like Tigris, Sejanus Plinth, and Lucy Gray, as well as the historical significance woven into Collins' narrative. Sip on The Covey cocktail as you listen and enjoy this bookish journey.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:26 Exploring the Villain: Coriolanus Snow

01:41 Shea's Departure Announcement

02:26 Casual Chat and Event Recap

03:13 Discussion on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

04:12 Nature vs. Nurture in Snow's Upbringing

08:36 Capitol vs. District Youth Treatment

14:57 Character Analysis: Lucy Gray

19:01 Snow's Inner Conflict and Manipulation

30:23 The Mentor Games and Capitol Politics

47:23 Debating Snow's Heart

47:46 Snow's Selfish Ambitions

49:40 Snow's Fear of Nature

50:51 Snow's Haunted Past

52:11 Snow's Descent into Villainy

53:41 Snow's Manipulative Nature

59:10 Snow's Poisoning Era

01:04:08 Snow's Sociopathic Traits

01:11:07 Historical Significance in the Book

01:16:40 Side Characters and Their Impact

01:29:37 Strabo's Social Status Game

01:30:21 Character Integrity and Survival

01:30:49 Comparing Characters: Katniss, Peeta, and Others

01:31:14 Ma Plinth's Backbone and Family Dynamics

01:32:54 Snow's Manipulative Tactics

01:33:54 Mentors and Tributes: A Closer Look

01:37:48 The Career Pack and Arena Strategies

01:40:36 The Covey: Found Family and Loyalty

01:42:17 Snow's Influence on the Hunger Games

01:45:10 Parallels Between Characters

01:53:06 Final Thoughts and Reflections

02:02:54 Cocktail Recipe: The Covey

02:05:36 Closing Remarks and Social Media Shoutout

Bookish Pet Peeves: What Ruins a Perfect Read?

Join hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye in this week's episode of The Plot With A Twist as they delve into the world of bookish pet peeves. Discover the specific elements that can take you out of a story from miscommunication and lazy character development to annoying tropes and problematic narration. Tune in for a spirited discussion on the books and series that have been irrevocably ruined for them and why certain genres, like Why Choose bully romance, don't always hit the mark. Also, learn about their cocktail pick of the week, the Blue Ruin Whiskey Sour, to help soothe those literary woes. Perfect for bibliomaniacs who want to avoid those dreaded bookish pitfalls.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:28 Immersive Reading Experience

01:03 Pet Peeves in Books

02:47 Repetition and Overused Tropes

09:57 Third Act Breakups and Plot Devices

19:29 DNF and Rating Books

23:11 Grammar and Writing Style Issues

38:21 Narration and Audiobook Preferences

39:42 Voice Acting in Audiobooks

40:04 Love Triangles and Romance Tropes

41:05 Character Development Issues

44:01 World Building and Narration

47:03 Books Ruined by Narration

49:00 Why Choose and Bully Romance

55:57 Specific Book Disappointments

01:15:35 Cocktail Recipe and Event Announcement