Of Swords and Soulmates

Mari
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Is this a kissing book? Of Swords and Soulmates features two couples (and sometimes more), with varying reading preferences and experiences, as they read, listen, and sometimes watch romantasy stories and discuss plot, fantasy elements, romance, spice, theories, and more. Join us for our non-expert opinions as we discuss, argue, rave, rant, and hopefully entertain. We may just help you find your next reading obsession or at least contribute to that TBR list!

  1. 1d ago

    Monsterotica BookCon Field Report

    Send us Fan Mail A romance book convention where people line up for tattoos before they line up for book signings sets a very specific tone, and Monster Erotica BookCon fully commits. We’re back from Baltimore with a field report from the Hyatt Regency Inner Harbor: how the con is structured, what the vibe feels like on the floor, and why this event has a reputation for being high energy without losing basic kindness and respect. We’re joined by guest author CD Rachels to talk about what brought him to writing male male romance, especially the push to create queer romance as an Asian queer man who dates men. We dig into how he moved from contemporary romance into monster romance, why some series lean cozy and rom-com, and how he thinks about writing self contained happily ever afters that still connect inside a larger world. If you’ve been looking for new MM romance authors or softer monster rom-com reads that still hit emotional beats, you’ll get plenty of direction here. Then we get into the real Monster Erotica BookCon experience: trinket trading like a mini renaissance fair, a Discord community that functions like mutual aid, monster romance trivia that turns strangers into teammates, and karaoke that somehow feels like the perfect finale. We also talk about what makes this con feel like a safe space for so many readers, including explicit consent culture like the lanyard system and the way people still ask before touching, even when the answer seems obvious. If you love monster romance, indie romance authors, queer romance, or you’re curious about what a modern romance book con is actually like, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a weekend away, and leave us a review with the most unhinged con activity you’d try first. Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    1h 3m

  2. May 21

    "The Hurricane Wars" - No Hurricanes And A Shadow Daddy Anyway

    Send us Fan Mail The Hurricane Wars sets expectations fast, and we had one immediate question: where are the hurricanes? We bring our full reading group energy to Thea Guanzon’s viral fantasy romance, digging into what worked, what dragged, and why a book can be beautifully written while still leaving you feeling like you hit pause halfway through the story. Before we get to the main review, we run through bookish news we can’t stop thinking about: upcoming romance releases, cozy sci fi we’re excited to read, and the surprise announcement that sent us spiraling into Baldur’s Gate curiosity. We also unpack a New York Times conversation about massive fantasy age gaps and why so many readers find it appealing when the love interest “knows how to adult.” Then we get into The Hurricane Wars review: the Raylo fanfiction roots, the dense worldbuilding, the light magic versus shadow magic setup, and the kind of true enemies-to-lovers tension that’s rare when a story commits to making the characters actual enemies. We debate pacing, trope overload, and the uncomfortable edge where “redemption romance” can start to resemble a colonizer love story if the narrative doesn’t do the moral work. We also talk about whether the audiobook format makes the poetic prose easier to sink into, and who we’d still recommend this to even if it wasn’t a slam dunk for everyone at our table. If you’ve read it, we want your take: did the slow build pay off, or did you bounce? Subscribe for more romance book reviews, share this with your favorite romantasy reader, and leave a rating or review so more listeners can find us. Links from the News Segment and Show: Sara Raasch’s Royals and Romance book 3 has been announced: Joyfully Ever After releases March 2027Instagram LinkBecky Chambers new novel As You Wake, Break the Shell releases October 2026Sapphic sci fi love story Facebook LinkT Kingfisher has written a Baldur’s Gate novel called Astarion Releases late Sept. 2026Instagram LinkNew York Times article about the allure of multi hundred-year-old age gap“A 481-Year Age Difference? For Some Readers, That's Hot.Instagram LinkNY Times LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    1 hr

  3. May 7

    We Each Pick A Grumpy Sunshine Book And Compare Notes

    Send us Fan Mail Grumpy sunshine is the trope that turns emotional contrast into chemistry and we put it to the test with a brand-new format: we each pick our own book and bring the receipts. Along the way, we hit quick romance community news, including special editions, indie book day hype, and a Netflix adaptation update for a dark romance fan favorite. Then we define what grumpy sunshine really means, from classic brooding bodyguard energy to softer versions where the “grump” is just scared of hurting people, and the “sunshine” is optimistic because they choose to be. Our book stack ranges wildly, which is exactly the point. We talk cozy romantasy with sentient buildings and a charming fairy-tale vibe, a surprisingly tender mafia romance centered on disability representation and protective devotion, and a cozy fantasy romance where a halfling and a goblin share a cottage and clash through culture, rules, and attraction. We also dive into a sapphic, steampunk-leaning political fantasy where automatons rule humans, rebellion simmers, and enemies-to-lovers tension raises the stakes. To round it out, we revisit a beloved paranormal romance finale packed with found family, trauma recovery, and a sunshine heroine determined to pull a grim hero back toward the light. If you love romance tropes, grumpy sunshine dynamics, cozy fantasy romance, romantasy, sapphic fantasy, and character-driven love stories with real emotional payoff, this one gives you plenty of new titles to add to your TBR. Subscribe, share the episode with a fellow romance reader, and leave a review, then tell us what trope you want us to “choose our own” for next. Links from the News Segment and Show: Sarah Beth Durst announced Spellshop book 4Instagram LinkGerald Brom is doing a special edition version of SlewfootInstagram LinkHannah Schneider selected as showrunner and writer for Lights Out Netflix showInstagram LinkIllumicrate special edition of The Exquisite Torment of Loving Your Enemy by Brigitte KnightleyInstagram LinkCM Nascosta  announced as an attending author at Romantasycon in OrlandoInstagram LinkShield of Sparrows book 3 by Devney Perry releases March 2027Instagram Link·        Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    1 hr

  4. Apr 23

    J.R. Ward Interview - Romantasy, Floppy Disks, and Vampires

    Send us Fan Mail A romantasy idea on literal floppy disks. A vampire series with 20+ books and a fandom that can crash a streaming app. A writing process that starts as “movies” in the author’s head and turns into scenes readers swear were pulled from their own lives. We get into all of it with our special guest, J.R. Ward. We talk Crown of War and Shadow and the Kingdoms of the Compass series, including where the story came from, why writing first-person romantasy is its own beast, and how she builds a world that feels cinematic without losing the emotional core that makes romance hit. If you love romantasy worldbuilding, enemies, quests, and a love story under pressure, you’ll hear how those pieces get assembled from the inside out. Then we go deep on Black Dagger Brotherhood: what to tell a newbie, why the books can be read standalone but still “hook” into each other, and how readers have connected to themes like trauma, addiction, disability, and survival. J.R. Ward also shares behind-the-scenes details on the Passionflix adaptation, from casting and script approvals to the surreal moment of seeing characters she’s carried for decades walking around on set. We close with real talk on career pivots, work discipline, pen names, author events, and how to encourage a young writer before the inner critic shows up. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a romance reader friend, and leave us a review. What part of J.R. Ward’s process surprised you most? Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    1h 3m

  5. Apr 9

    "I Am Dragon" - We Made JP Read a Movie

    Send us Fan Mail A bride gets kidnapped at her own wedding, dragged to a remote island, and the “monster” watching her from the shadows turns out to be the only person who understands her. We’re talking about I Am Dragon, the 2015 Russian fantasy romance film that feels like a Beauty and the Beast retelling filtered through folklore, snow, and surprisingly strong visual effects. Before the dragons, we hit romantasy news that’s actually useful: a special edition Black Dagger Brotherhood drop, RomanticyCon announcing an Edinburgh, Scotland event plus next year’s Orlando dates and venue change, and adaptation updates including Amazon optioning Abigail Owens. We also hype new releases like Danielle L. Jensen’s Defy the Dusk (post-apocalyptic fantasy with convoys outrunning the dark) and a holiday-ready advent romance collection that turns short stories into a daily read. Then we break down the movie’s core romance and its biggest questions. Why summon a dragon who only appears when called? What’s the deal with the “honor” storyline and the fog rules? And what does it mean that Arman doesn’t want to be a dragon, even when the world insists he has to be? Also, one of us tries to watch the whole thing without reading subtitles, which becomes its own chaotic experiment in storytelling. We wrap with dragon romance book recommendations across spicy and sweet, including Rebecca F. Kenney, Opal Reyne, Katee Robert, Kimberly Lemming, Grace Draven, and more. If you love romantasy, dragon shifter romance, fantasy romance films, and folklore-flavored love stories, hit subscribe, share this with a fellow dragon reader, and leave us a review. What’s your all-time favorite dragon romance, and does I Am Dragon count as a kissing story? Links from the News Segment and Show: Books for Days Crate special edition of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series Website LinkRomantasyCon NewsEdinburgh Scotland in 2017! July 15-18, 2027; tickets on sale 4/18/26Orlando 2027 dates Oct. 28-30Instagram LinkLegendary Entertainment studio tapped for AlchemizedInstagram LinkDanielle Jenson new duology - Defy the DuskInstagram LinkThe Twelve Loves of Christmas - an advent romance collectionAmazon LinkAbigail Owens Games Gods Play TV series by AmazonFacebook LinkConspiracy of Charming Monsters by Holly BlackInstagram LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    59 min

  6. Mar 26

    "Crown Of War And Shadow" - When Kindness is a Weapon

    Send us Fan Mail A demon wall is cracking, a crown is missing, and the only person who can cross the Badlands alive might be the exact person you should never trust. We’re Mari, Ashley, and Jonathan, and we go deep on Crown Of War And Shadow by J.R. Ward, the first book in the Kingdom of the Compass series. If you like gritty romantasy, high-stakes quests, and a love story that keeps asking “is this real or is it control,” there’s a lot here to argue about.  We start with the book-world vibe check: this isn’t a bright, courtly fantasy, it’s harsh, cinematic, and dark, with demons pressing in and ordinary people making brutal choices. We talk pacing, the heavy journeying, and the moments where Ward’s writing turns almost poetic. Then we dig into what makes Sorelle compelling: she’s a healer and outcast, not a swaggering assassin, and her kindness becomes a real kind of power in a world that punishes softness.  From there, we get into spoilers and twists, including what Merck is hiding, why the romance hits differently than other “he lied to her” stories, and how the late-book reveals flip the meaning of key symbols and alliances. We also explore a fun theory about whether this new series could connect to Black Dagger Brotherhood lore, and what that might mean for Ward’s wider universe.  If you’ve read the book, come tell us where you landed: Team Merck or Team Absolutely Not? Subscribe to Of Swords And Soulmates, share this with your favorite romantasy reader, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show. Links from the News Segment and Show: SJM announced dates for next ACoTaR installment on Call Her Daddy PodcastInstagram LinkDead Beat by Leigh Bardugo releases Sept. 2026Goodreads LinkSarah Beth Durst book tour 3/31 to 4/08Instagram Link  Minalima has opened preorders for The Little PrinceOfficial WebsiteSebastian Nothwell is doing a Oak King, Holly King KickstarterKickstarter LinkFantasy Fangirls podcast cohost Nicole has a 3-book dealTikTok LinkCinci 2026 (WardenCon) tickets are going on sale 03/30Instagram LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    1 hr

  7. Mar 12

    Tropes - Forced Proximity and Why it Works...Sometimes

    Send us Fan Mail Two characters. Zero escape. That’s the secret engine behind some of the most addictive romance books and rom-com movies, and we’re pulling it apart: forced proximity. We talk through what the trope really means, why it shows up across romance, romantasy, and adventure stories, and how it creates the kind of pressure that makes characters drop their defenses fast. We also share a pile of recognizable setups, from contests and quests to workplace romances, academic rivals, bodyguard situations, fake dating, and marriage of convenience. We get into the craft side too: forced proximity works because it forces change. When routines collapse and the clock is ticking, characters have to interact more intensely than they normally would, which can spark conflict, banter, and genuine vulnerability. We connect it to the social psychology “proximity principle,” then ask the hard question writers have to answer: once the storm ends, the job wraps, or the contract expires, why would these two still choose each other? Finally, we debate the risks. When does the trope lean too hard on deception? When does a high-stakes ordeal create trauma bonding that looks like romance on the page but feels shaky afterward? We also detour into some fandom news, including a Sarah J Maas interview recap with spoiler-aware context about her process, pressure, and creative control. If you love romance tropes, forced proximity, fake dating, and romance book recommendations, you’ll leave with new ways to spot what’s working and what isn’t. Subscribe, share the episode with a trope-loving friend, and leave a review so more readers and watchers can find us. Interesting articles ·      What is a trope? ·      Examples of tropes. Follow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    54 min

  8. Feb 26

    "I Got Abducted..." - Alien Romance, Chaos, a Lion, and a Pink T-Rex

    Send us Fan Mail What if aliens tried to rebuild human culture using half-baked research and vibes—and you had to survive it with a lion, two dangerously attractive strangers, and a pink tyrannosaur? We dive into Kimberly Lemming’s Cosmic Chaos debut to unpack how a wildlife biologist becomes the most competent person on a planet that shouldn’t exist, why slapstick can carry real stakes, and how consent and agency still matter when a so-called love serum enters the chat. We trade favorite set pieces—from crash-landing to cul-de-sacs copy-pasted across the horizon—and dig into the sharper edges hiding under the humor. The “almost-right” suburbia becomes satire of AI mimicry and media pastiche; an ancient war with no remembered cause turns into commentary on propaganda’s long tail. Along the way, we celebrate the audiobook performances, debate whether this counts as a kissing book or a gloriously filthy romp, and crown Toto the lion as the episode’s undisputed MVP. If you love sci-fi romance with riotous banter, found-family warmth, and worldbuilding that winks at our own chaos, this one belongs on your TBR. We also share quick-hit book news, special editions worth hunting, and upcoming reads, then map who will love this story: fans of Hitchhiker’s Guide energy who want it spicier, readers craving absurdist humor with heart, and anyone who believes laughter is a survival skill. Hit play, laugh with us, and tell us your take: did the chaos win you over, and who stole your heart—Dory, Sol, Locke, or Toto? If you enjoy the show, tap follow, rate and review, and share this episode with a friend who needs a chaotic cosmic getaway. Links from the News Segment and Show: Fae Crate is doing an Opus edition of Jacklyn Hyde’s Monster Bae seriesInstagram LinkThe cover for Bk Borison’s Grim Tidings is outInstagram LinkThe Bone Singer by Abigail Owen releases Sept. 2026Instagram LinkFunko is doing Cruel Prince funkos!Instagram LinkPaige Lavoie new book details - My boyfriend is a Swamp MonsterInstagram LinkCover for Julie de Soto’s Rose in Chains (paperback)Instagram LinkFollow us: Instagram - @ofswordsandsoulmates TikTok - @of.swords.and.sou Fable BookClub - https://fable.co/club/of-swords-and-soulmates-with-mari-391738504099

    48 min
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About

Is this a kissing book? Of Swords and Soulmates features two couples (and sometimes more), with varying reading preferences and experiences, as they read, listen, and sometimes watch romantasy stories and discuss plot, fantasy elements, romance, spice, theories, and more. Join us for our non-expert opinions as we discuss, argue, rave, rant, and hopefully entertain. We may just help you find your next reading obsession or at least contribute to that TBR list!

Information

  • Creator
    Mari
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Of Swords and Soulmates
  • Show Website
    Of Swords and Soulmates