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

The Hunger Games Revisited: An In-Depth Discussion on the Trilogy and Beyond

In this episode from the vault of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shae delve deep into Suzanne Collins' iconic series, The Hunger Games. They discuss the impact of the books on readers worldwide, revisit key plot points and character development, analyze what made the series so successful, and compare the films to the books. Additionally, the episode highlights upcoming events, like the Wild Out West signing event in Perth, and the much-anticipated release of Sunrise on the Reaping the prequal which follows Haymitch's games which we will be exploring in a podcast of its own in the very near future. The show also features a fun, themed cocktail recipe in honor of Haymitch Abernathy. Tune in for a nostalgic and insightful discussion that takes you from the initial Reaping to the Rebellion and beyond.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:26 The Hunger Games Phenomenon

01:00 Special Announcement: Wild Out West Event

03:06 Personal Reflections on The Hunger Games

05:25 Character Development and Relationships

06:34 Themes and Social Commentary

13:59 Favourite Moments and Critiques

26:21 Plot Points and Story Impact

31:51 In-Depth Character Development in the Book

32:00 Snow's Manipulation and Leadership

34:27 Flawed Characters and Their Impact

38:53 The Love Triangle Debate

45:52 Book vs. Movie Adaptation

51:11 The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes Review

55:54 Upcoming Release: Sunrise on the Reaping

58:16 Haymitch's Hooch Cocktail Recipe

59:46 Closing Remarks and Social Media Outlets

Essential Side Characters: The Unsung Heroes of Our Favourite Books

In this episode of The Plot with a Twist, hosts Roe, Allorah, and Shaye delve into the world of side characters from beloved books. From the lovable Kip Snowden in Legends of Thezmarr to the complex Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, the discussion covers various characters who shine beyond their supporting roles. The hosts share their favorite secondary characters and why they believe these characters deserve their own stories. Tune in for an engaging conversation about the vital role of side characters, complete with laughter, in-depth analysis, and a whimsical cocktail recipe to enjoy while you listen.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:35 Discussing Memorable Side Characters

01:47 Characters We Wish Were Main Characters

02:07 Shea's First Pick: Kip Snowden from Legends of Thezmarr

05:26 Rob from the Alliance Series

07:12 Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games

10:10 Carrion Swift from Quicksilver

12:17 Riddick Gamlyn from Fourth Wing

15:42 Ruhn Dannan from Crescent City

30:36 Adrian Ivashkov from Vampire Academy

37:22 Magnus Bane from Shadowhunter Series

45:10 Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter

49:44 Theta Knight from The Diviners

57:05 Hermes in A Touch of Darkness

59:33 Becky from HR in Assistant to the Villain

01:06:56 Parisa Kamali from The Atlas Six

01:16:54 The Role of Side Characters in Books

01:21:06 Cocktail Recipe: The Sweetest Sweet Tart

Exploring Literary Classics: Tackling Topics Ahead of Their Time

In this episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe and Allorah delve into the world of literary classics, reflecting on how these iconic works have shaped modern literature. They discuss the definition of a classic book, the timeless impact of pioneering authors, and examine classics like 'Great Expectations,' 'Pride and Prejudice,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' 'The Scarlet Letter,' 'Catcher in the Rye,' 'Sherlock Holmes,' and more! Through engaging conversations and personal anecdotes, they highlight the enduring relevance of these works and explore contemporary books that could become future classics. The episode also features an exploration of banned books and their implications, wrap-up discussion, and fun segments all tied up with a recipe for a classic Old Fashioned Cocktail. Tune in for a nostalgic and insightful bookish episode.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:31 Exploring the Classics: A Journey Through Time

03:05 Defining a Classic: What Makes a Book Timeless?

03:54 The Impact of Classic Literature on Modern Genres

06:04 Great Expectations: A Masterclass in Character Development

07:29 Pride and Prejudice: Feminine Power and Social Commentary

10:42 To Kill a Mockingbird: A Critique on Racial Injustice

15:33 The Scarlet Letter: Symbolism and Social Stigma

19:04 Catcher in the Rye: Mental Health and Adolescence

23:33 Sherlock Holmes: Eccentric Genius and Early Mental Health Representation

25:35 The Great Gatsby: Wealth, Corruption, and the American Dream

27:36 Shakespeare: The Pioneer of Morally Gray Characters

33:44 Edgar Allen Poe: The OG of Dark Academia and Gothic Literature

35:01 The Dark Side of Literary Reception

35:35 Exploring 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath

39:06 Wuthering Heights: The Original Dark Romance

43:52 Timeless Themes in Classic Literature

46:11 Books That Changed the World

50:05 Modern Books Destined to Become Classics

55:27 The Influence of Classics on Contemporary Authors

56:23 The Controversy of Banned Books

01:03:26 Classic Book Adaptations and Must-Reads

01:05:14 Favourite Authors and Final Thoughts

One-Star Books and Their Five-Star Reviews: A Heated Debate

In this lively episode of The Plot With A Twist, hosts Roe and Allorah dive into the world of subjective reading tastes by exploring their one-star books that received five-star reviews from others. They candidly discuss their own frustrations with popular titles like A Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas, Hawke by Jessie Hall, and Kiss and Don't Tell by Meghan Quinn. Tune in for a passionate discussion on what worked and what didn't, and stick around for this week's cocktail of choice, Bloated Bag of Monkey Spunk. Whether you agree or disagree, there's something for every book lover in this episode. And, if you want to join in the conversation, be sure to find us on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram to tell us your most overrated reads!

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:45 Discussing Our One-Star Books with Five-Star Reviews

02:26 First Book: A Throne of Glass (Allorah)

13:01 Second Book: The Name of the Wind (Allorah)

19:27 Third Book: House of Flame and Shadow (Allorah)

25:43 Character Assassination in the Latest Book

28:25 Mixed Feelings About SJM's Works

28:47 Frost and Starlight: A Divisive Novella (Roe)

34:59 Hawk by Jesse Hall: A Polarizing Read (Roe)

38:17 Kiss and Don't Tell by Megan Quinn: A Humorous Take (Roe)

48:28 Cocktail Recipe and Upcoming Events

Reviewing SJ Tilley's 'The Alliance Series' - Spoiler-Free & Spoiler Discussions

Join hosts Roe and Shaye in this engaging episode of The Plot With A Twist as they delve into SJ Tilley's captivating The Alliance Series. They provide a comprehensive, spoiler-free rundown of the interconnected books 'Nero,' 'King,' 'Dom,' and 'Hans,' before transitioning into a detailed discussion that includes favourite moments, character dynamics, and key plot twists. The hosts also share drink recipes and discuss other works by SJ Tilly. Tune in for a lively bookish conversation filled with humour, insights, and plenty of enthusiasm for dark romance and Mafia tales.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:30 The Alliance Series by SJ Tilly

01:40 Technical Difficulties and Allorah's Absence

02:40 Spoiler-Free Rundown of the Series

03:32 Book Ratings and Reading Order

05:41 Ranking the Main Characters

09:55 Side Characters and Writing Style

12:27 Favourite Quotes and Recommendations

18:00 Spoiler Alert: Deep Dive into the Series

30:23 Hans' Unexpected Heroism

31:42 Dark Romance and Mafia Underworld

33:46 Tattooing Kink and Forced Marriage

37:59 Possessive MMCs and Bromance

41:26 Favourite Moments and Family Dynamics

48:42 Annoying Characters and Pet Peeves

52:16 Quotes and Highlights

55:46 Upcoming Reads and Cocktail Time