Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine as we deep dive chapters 1-8 of Child of Shivay!
Child of Shivay is JR Cathers debut novel, and is available now from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and smuttybuddies.com/jrcathers (where you can also find the gorgeous hardcover special edition!)
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Join Kelly and Jac as they sit down to chat about Souls in Ruin, the incredible DARK romantasy debut that is breaking bookstagram.
Part 1 of this episode is spoiler free. If you haven't read the book, you can watch the first part and then we will warn you when we switch into the spoiler zone!
Souls in Ruin releases on October 30- BUY IT TODAY. (Check your trigger warnings, please!)
Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine for the start of the Child of Shivay deep dive series, with special guest JR Cathers!
This episode primes listeners with a reminder of the world, characters, and major plot lines- with some hints of unhinged theories thrown around. Also, hear from the author herself about where we should pay special attention in our re-read.
Child of Shivay is JR Cathers debut novel, and is available now from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and smuttybuddies.com/jrcathers (where you can also find the gorgeous hardcover special edition!)
Follow us on instagram @banterandbookmarks
Join us to chat with Meg LaForge, author of Choke and Burn. We talk her books, indie author life, QUICKSILVER, and more!
Episode 3 of our Romantasy BookCon author highlight series- The Foxglove by Hannah Whitten!
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Join Lindsey, Kelly and Katharine for episode 2 of a 3-part Romantasy BookCon prep series. In this episode, we discuss Broken Souls and Bones by LJ Andrews. Come escape reality with us.
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Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine for this standalone episode of Phantasma by Kaylie Smith! This is episode 1 in our 3-episode series covering some authors we will meet at Romantasy BookCon in October!
Join us for our first ever AUTHOR INTERVIEW! We are honored to have met Jess on Bookstagram and read an advanced copy of her upcoming debut, Child of Shivay. It immediately became one of our favorite books OF ALL TIME and we are so excited to be able to share it with our listeners. Listen in as we chat about what inspires Jess as an author, how she handles criticism, and get some hints about what we should look out for in our re-read.
Child of Shivay releases on October 16, 2025 and is available for pre-order now on Kindle (for only $.99 until release day!) or you can purchase the standard or special edition copies from Jess directly on smuttybuddies.com
Follow jess on Instagram @JRCathers
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Happy Reading!
Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine as we round our our coverage of Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen with chapters 45-58.
After Meryn's mother’s funeral brings the pack together, she discovers hidden journals that hint at a long-forgotten legacy...and put Anassa on HIGH ALERT! But these buried secrets begin to surface when she finds evidence linking her mother’s drawings to the lost Sturmfrost Queens, the original rulers of Nocturna. With the Unity Trial looming, and whispers of betrayal growing louder, Meryn must navigate friendships, blood oaths, and an increasingly unstable bond with Killian (that she just cannot see deteriorating!)
The final trial turns deadly, ending in Meryn’s public beheading of King Cyril and Killian’s betrayal. Imprisoned and silenced, Meryn uncovers the full truth... she is Meryn Sturmfrost, true heir to the throne. With the ancient crown reclaimed and her destiny revealed, she races to expose a centuries-old blood curse, free imprisoned children beneath the castle (Including her sister!), and confront a new enemy: Alistair Brightbane, the Siphon who now wears Killian’s skin (super gross).
Truths unravel, her friends SHOW UP when she needs them, and she is left with some very unwanted gifts. As the story ends, Meryn must face her greatest heartbreak yet and she vows vengeance against Killian with the full force of her bloodline behind her. THE QUEEN IS BACK, Y'ALL
Join us to continue our deep dive of Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen.
In this set of chapters, Meryn survives the brutal Purge Trial and earns a new tattoo (or 2) from Stark. A heartwarming visit to her mother turns bittersweet, a royal ball ends with a public (and kind of cringey...) declaration of love, and an unexpected tragedy leads to an even more shocking promotion: Meryn and Anassa are named Alpha of the Strategos pack. As she juggles Alpha training, uncovering palace secrets, and a dangerous mission to find the missing children, Meryn is pushed to her limits. Just when she thinks she can breathe, devastating news hits—and Killian picks the worst possible moment to pop the question. COME ON!
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The cross-over of our dreams is here. Join us for a night of laughs, theories, unanswered questions, and predictions for Brimstone with Con and Lauren.
Thank you for listening. Please like and comment on our episodes- it helps us reach even more romantasy obsessed humans like you!
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Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine as we dive into chapters 16-30 of Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen.
The episode begins after the shocking revelation that shakes Meryn’s world—Prince Killian is actually Lee, the love she thought she left behind. As she reels from this discovery, King Cyril unleashes the first deadly trial with the terrifying Diren Blaed, putting Meryn and her direwolf Anassa to the test.
But the trials aren't just physical—after killing a man in self defense, Meryn faces the weight of taking a life, and is marked permanently by a tattoo from Stark Therion (yes, there's licking involved). She’s granted a private room for her safety, but privacy is short-lived when Killian reveals a secret passage connecting their chambers.
As Meryn begins bonding more deeply with her Anassa and trains for survival, she receives what she thinks is a promising update about the Nabbers. When one is captured, her search for answers about her sister Saela leads to a brutal confrontation, and Meryn crosses another line she can’t come back from- another life taken.
We’ll break down her growing bond with Anassa, the complications of her secret relationship with Killian, and the chilling buildup to The Purge—a ruthless trial where only the strong survive. Plus, the suspicious gaze of Stark reminds us that nothing stays hidden for long...and this man HAS TO KNOW SOME THINGS.
Join us as we dissect the betrayals, brutal choices, and quiet moments of hope in Meryn’s journey. This episode is packed with secrets, steamy tension, and dire consequences. COME ESCAPE REALITY WITH US.
Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine as they deep dive chapters 1 through 15 of Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen.
Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine chat with Sarah and Natalie of Fabled Fantasy Events to discuss all things LOGISTICS for Romantasy BookCon in October, 2025. Want to know what to expect, how to sign up for panels, workshops, and signings, and what to wear? We've got you covered!
Join Lindsey, Kelly & Katharine as they chat with special guest ROMAN- Lindsey's 11 year old who HATES reading. BUT when his dad brought up an idea to podcast about a book to help his summer reading goals, he was VERY excited to try. Listen is through the end, where we have a special message for parents who may also have kiddos who struggle to get into reading. From this group of moms and some former educators, we hope it can help inspire some out-of-the-box thinking!
Join Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine as they kick off their deep dive series on Dire Bound by Sable Sorensen. This episode focuses on world building- think characters, setting, magic system, pack dynamics, and major plot point reminders that will help bring you back into the world of Nocturna and the Bonded City of Sturmfrost.
Come escape reality with us!
In this special edition of Banter & Bookmarks, Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine sit down with Fabled Fantasy Events, the incredible founders of Romantasy BookCon, to uncover the behind-the-scenes magic of building a community-first convention where literature, creativity, and inclusivity take center stage.
From planning logistics to costume inspiration, meaningful author connections to can't-miss workshops — this mini-series has it all! The founders share their personal journeys, pro tips for navigating the con (hello, Guidebook app!), and why fostering authentic connections is at the heart of everything they do.
Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned con-goer, get ready for survival tips, heartwarming stories, and a sneak peek into the spellbinding world of Romantasy BookCon. ✨ Come for the books, stay for the community — and don’t forget your best costume!
Be sure to tune in to episode 2 in July, which will be ALL about logistics and FAQs.
Follow Banter and Bookmarks Podcast to escape reality and enter into Romantasy worlds instead (it's better there, TBH)
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Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine discuss some last theories and questions from Quicksilver, including their final thoughts on the voice of the Quicksilver, guesses about the "big bad" and Malcolm's fate, possible betrayals, and debates about favorite side characters.
Thank you so much for joining us on our deep dive Journey of Quicksilver!
Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine FINALLY get to dive in to the Kingfisher bonus chapters from Quicksilver. We see the battle of Ajun Gate, the gifting of Nimirelle to Kingfisher, the death of Omnamshacry (along with other devastating deaths!), and get so many additional nuggets that are truly CANNON to this story. Some of our theories actually CHANGED after reading these chapters, so you will not want to miss this discussion.
Come escape reality with us!
It's here...Lindsey, Kelly, and Katharine discuss the FINAL 3 chapters of Quicksilver by Callie Hart. The downfall of Malcolm (Maybe?!), tidbits on Edina that have us asking SO MANY QUESTIONS about what else she knew, the full(er) Carrion story, and ZARETH! So many lose ends are tied up in these final chapters and somehow brand new lose ends appear that have us wishing it was November 18th already.
Come escape reality with us!