Your one-stop-shop for all things romance reads + pop culture fandom!
Hosting special guests (including authors, publishers, and bookish creators) and featuring fandom-y news, book recs, and reviews along with adult language/explicit content.
Author J.R. Ward (https://jrward.com/) stops by to chat with Steph (@ideallyinspired (https://www.instagram.com/ideallyinspired/)) about her brand new romantasy book release: Crown of War and Shadow (https://amzn.to/4akrkDE) (*affiliate link) which is available now (including in Kindle Unlimited, y'all)!
In this non-spoiler-y episode we discuss the new characters you'll meet in this book (ahem, the line for MERC starts behind Steph), the world-building, and what you can expect from future books within the Kingdoms of the Compass series. And yes, we do have a Black Dagger Brotherhood question, too!
Tune in for what was a fun (and yes, unhinged) chat, and be sure to check out her new release Crown of War and Shadow (https://amzn.to/4akrkDE) which is available NOW in print + audio, and the ebook is free to read in Kindle Unlimited! YAY!!
12 Jan 2026
Heated STYLEvalry w/Jenna Rosenstein
Last week I was lucky to sit down with Jenna Rosenstein (https://www.harpersbazaar.com/author/16767/jenna-rosenstein/), the Beauty Director at Harper's BAZAAR (https://www.harpersbazaar.com/)!
We talked about her interview with actor Hudson Williams, as well as her fave books (including SJM!!), beauty must-haves, and her chat with actress Margot Robbie (https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a62154618/margot-robbie-sarah-j-maas-acotar-interview/) about that coffee date she had with Sarah J. Maas a couple years ago. It was a blast having a chance to gush, and learn about the BTS of Jenna's experience interviewing Hudson! Below you'll find some helpful links and deets referenced in this episode for your viewing pleasure. :)
If you'd like to read Jenna's interview with Hudson Williams we discussed in this episode, go here (https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a69858228/hudson-williams-heated-rivalry-finale-interview-2025/).
To view the Threads post Jenna referred to in this episode, go here (https://www.threads.com/@ideallyinspired/post/DSZ6yP7jcuk?xmt=AQF0vCrCw-AtHhDweHTfUXaW2gzsHNm8e8YXEh0G_qPTsD7aHzbfkQz6yFf-vcF86Gqx5ww&slof=1).
In addition to the book recs mentioned in this episode, Jenna wanted to share a few more:
- A book she read recently that she loved: Zakiya N. Jamal’s Sparks Fly (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/781856/sparks-fly-by-zakiya-n-jamal/)
- Books she's looking forward to in 2026: The Paddock Club (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Paddock-Club/Madge-Maril/Slipstream/9781668210666) by Madge Maril and See You at the Sunset (https://www.harpercollins.com/products/see-you-at-the-sunset-susan-lee?variant=44290290319394) by Susan Lee
5 Jan 2026
EMBER & ICE - EPISODE 2 RECAP
The shenanigans continue as Steph along with guest hosts Alicia (@alicia.mb.art) and Naomi (@frenchnbookish) as recap/debrief episode 2 of Ember & Ice, a Quinn Original (https://www.tryquinn.com/series/ember-and-ice) audio-erotica short story!
This episode covers "Episode Two: Dane", which premiered Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
You can also preview the first 8 mins of Ember & Ice episode one via Cosmopolitan by going here (https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a69876010/hudson-williams-connor-storrie-quinn-ember-and-ice/).
*Please note: There may be some slight spoilers for Embers & Ice Ep 1, and the content is not recommended/suitable for those under the age of 18.
Inside a recent episode
Crown of War and Shadow Chat w/J.R. Ward!
Published 17 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Like I need to know that everybody is going to be okay. And or what's your backstory? Hold on a second. Like we, you know, especially I think, I think this happens like in the third act, I believe because obviously it's been a little bit since I've read it, but when they're at the end essentially and they're in that town and after like the healer situation. But like in the end and just like the interest that we kind of get of like all of the different characters kind of, because kind of like they were trying to just, they were only, they were planning on just like passing through this place and then they kind of get stuck there for a little bit. […]
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