Bones of the Storie

Ever found yourself trapped in the pages of a book, unable to escape the magnetic pull of intricate plots and enthralling characters? That's precisely the enchantment that awaits you with Danielle L. Jensen's "The Bridge Kingdom" and "The Traitor Queen."Content Highlights:Stationary nightmaresThe best redemption arc, ever!!Silent letters in side character namesJenn's Rating: 4 Skulls, 1 Pepper, 5 StarsMistie's Rating: 4 Skulls, 1 Pepper, 5 StartNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 3 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 1 PepperJenn's Disclaimer - If you've read the other books that we've rated five on the darkness scale, I feel like you don't have the details that those books do on the page. So just something to consider if you aren't going to read this book because of the darkness scale, I would still say like double-check your triggers, but I would still recommend we read it.

Ever wondered where the line is drawn between a romance and a fantasy novel?Jenn and Mistie are back for a sensational second season, where we tease apart the threads of Romantasy and Dark Romance,Content HighlightsSpot the difference Real or not real We are never, ever, ever - forgetting The Ritual Other Mentions: Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, Fae Isles, Patricia Briggs, True Blood, Darynda Jones, Guild Hunter, From Blood and Ash, The Ritual, The High Mountain Court

Content HighlightsGiggling buffoonsNo drinks were drunk while recording these outtakesThat's a wrap on Season 1, please enjoy all the giggles and mishaps that didn't make into any of the episodes.Make sure you subscribe and be on the look out for season 2 to drop February 27, 2024, We've got some great discussions planned.

Content HighlightsDiscussing DNF'sRanking order of S1 favesAs we close the chapter on this season, we're already looking ahead to the dark romance tales that beckon us into their shadowy embrace. Join us as we bid adieu to the books of season 1 that have been our companions through every twist and turn, and extend an invitation to our listeners to share their own memorable moments. The curtain may be falling on season one, but the stage is set for a season two that promises even more gripping narratives to sink our teeth into. Don't miss out as we continue our exploration of the love stories that dare to venture into the night.

Content Highlights:Character Name debateHorse breed terminologyRealities of Gang Life in Romance NovelsEver found yourself bickering over how to pronounce the name Aeron, or debating whether an Arabian mare is a suitable gift for a rookie rider? That’s just a snippet of the rich banter we shared in our latest episode, where we dissect the layers of Rosa Lee's "Dead Soldiers vs Taylor's Duet."Jenn's Rating: 5 Skulls, 5 Peppers, 3 StasMistie's Rating: 5 Skulls, 5 Peppers, 2 StarsNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 4 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 5 PeppersOther Books Mentioned: Bonds that Tie SeriesOther Mentions: Arcane Society Book Box Subscription

Content HighlightsSpoilers - Lots and lots of spoilers for all books discussed in this episodeHonorary mentions & Top 6 favorite books/series of the yearForeshadowing for some future episodes on the podcastWe're rifling through our shelves to share the tales that have captivated us, from the intricate dilemmas of new adult fiction to the pulse-pounding suspense of criminal intrigue—each book a journey into the depths of our varied literary tastes.Discover your next favorite read and get insider thoughts on the latest literary gems with Jenn and Mistie on Bones of the Storie. This episode is a treasure trove of bookish delights, counting down our top six picks of 2023 and dishing out some well-deserved honorable mentions. From the dark and intense to the light and heartwarming, we've got your reading list covered. Jenn's Top 6 Reads:Butcher & Blackbird Fourth Wing (Placeholder)Emerald Lakes SeriesFae Isles SeriesTower of DawnThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRueJenn's Honorary Mentions:Lucy ScoreThe Kiss QuotientRangerLovelight SeriesThe Lochlann Feud SeriesMistie's Top 6 Reads:Butcher & BlackbirdMidnightThorne of Glass SeriesDeals with Demons SeriesSteel Demon MC SeriesFourth WingMistie's Honorary Mentions:Siobhan DavisA Court of NightmaresRangerHades SeriesBridge Kingdom DuetOther Book mention: ACOTAR, FBAA, Bonds that Tie Series, Den of Vipers, Gangsters and Guns, Tryst Venom Six, CredenceOther Mentions: Criminal Minds, Broadway, Sara Bareilles

Content HighlightsWho is the real villain?Character ReversalPlus an additional tangent rantHave you ever imagined a Neverland where Peter Pan is not the hero but the villain? Join Mistie and Jenn as they take you on a sinister voyage into Nikki St Crowe's 'Vicious Lost Boys' series, where the tables are turned in this darkly imaginative retelling. Unpack the wickedness of Pan, the surprising depth behind a switch in character like Smee as a female and Croc as a man, and the treachery of Tinkerbell. The steamy undercurrents of the narrative are not for the faint-hearted, and neither are our candid discussions about the allure and discomfort that come with such provocative storytelling.Jenn's Rating: 3 Skulls, 4 Peppers, 4 OverallMistie's Rating: 3 Skulls, 3 Peppers, 3 OverallNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 3 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - Jenn 4 Spicy / Mistie 3 SpicyOther Books Mentioned: The Bonds that Tie series, Perfect Strangers

Content HighlightsAngst, Tension, and Nox DravenCharacter Development and Overcoming ObstaclesReverse Harem DynamicsJoin us for an exciting exploration of paranormal fantasy and reverse harem series. This episode unwraps the thrilling, The Bonds That Tie by J Bree. We circle around the strong, independent characters, a dash of darkness, and a few perplexing plot points that will leave you hooked. We highly recommend this series and encourage you to read it for an unforgettable journey.Jenn's Rating: 4 Skulls, 3 Spicy, 5 OverallMistie's Rating: 4 Skulls, 3 Spicy, 5 OverallNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 4 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 4 SpicyBooks mentioned: Emerald Lakes by Britt Andrews, Corrupt by Penelope Douglas, Guild Hunter Series by Nalini Singh, Empyrean Series by Rebecca Yarros, High Mountain Court by A. K. Mulford, Fae Isles Series by Lisette Marshall, Brandon Sanderson, Flesh and Fire by JLA, ACOTAR by SJM, Four Horsemen by Sarah BaileyOther Mentions: Arcane Society Book Box Subscription

Content HighlightsThe standard for overprotective malesMistie's unofficial tribute to Amo JonesWriting and Characters DiscussionThis episode tackles the deep discussion of "Flip Trick" by Amo Jones. This intense conversation examines the toxicity of the main characters' relationship and how it affected our reading experience. Despite some disagreements, we find common ground, agreeing that the book was a page-turner.Jenn's Rating: 2 Skulls, 2 Spicy, 4 OverallMistie's Rating: 2 Skulls, 2 Spicy, 3 OverallNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 2 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 2 SpicyBooks mentioned: All of Amo Jones Books, Penelope Douglas, and Perfect Strangers

Content HighlightsWeigh in on the charactersReality vs fiction, suspending plausibilityEvaluate the length of the seriesPrepare to immerse yourself in the captivating worlds of Tate James' Madison Gate series. We read and dissect these books, unmasking their mysteries, assessing their suspense, and exploring their characters. But we're not all in agreement - some of us are captivated by the enigmatic plots while others feel the series could be shorter and more realistic. Is the secret diamond empire too far-fetched? Does the security seem lax? Join us as we probe these points and more.Jenn's Rating: 2 Skulls, 3 Spicy, 3 OverallMistie's Rating: 2 Skulls, 3 Spicy, 3 OverallNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 2 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 3 SpicyBooks mentioned: Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

Content HighlightsFrustration over a plot twist/sPerfect chemistry and communication between James and Olivia V1Recurrent use of the term "wolf" or "wolfish" - drinking game anyone?Brace yourselves for a wild ride as we unravel the mystery and deception lurking in the pages of 'Perfect Strangers' by JT Geissinger. The heart of the book might be a mirage, but our reactions to it are as real and visceral as they come.Jenn's Rating: 2 Skulls, 4 Spicy, 3 OverallMistie's Rating: 2 Skulls, 4 Spicy, 5/1 OverallNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 1 SkullNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 3 SpicyBooks mentioned: PenPal and The RitualOther mentions: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 6, Episode 17, "Normal Again"

Content Highlights:Absence of stalkingLack of darknessOverly rushedAre you ready for a brutally honest discussion about "Sunshine and the Stalker" by K Webster and Dani René? Sit tight, because we're peeling back the book cover of this book.Jenn's Rating: 1 Skulls, 2 Spicy, 2 StarsMistie's Rating: 1 Skulls, 2 Spicy, 2 StarsNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 1 SkullNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 1 PepperBooks mentioned: Eleven series by Octavia Jensen

Content Highlights:Explicit Sex ScenesMain Characters Short ComingsOverly Complicated PlotReady for a riveting revelation? This episode of our podcast unravels the maze of Shantel Tessier's dark romance novel, "The Ritual", with a critical lens. We pull no punches as we dissect the plot, the characters, and the controversial tropes that infuse the narrative. From scrutinizing the naive protagonist and her complicated relationship with her love interest, through to the fast-paced narrative filled with a frenzy of plot twists, we leave no stone unturned. We delve into the intricate web of relationships, power dynamics, and secret societies that form the backbone of this narrative.Jenn's Rating: 4 Skulls, 5 Spicy, 1 StarMistie's Rating: 4 Skulls, Spicy, 3 StarNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 4 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 5 PeppersBooks mentioned: Abby Jimenez, Sinners Duet

Topics Highlights:Hottest scene on a table in a warehouseSociopaths showing emotionDifferent tones from book 1 to book 2.Join us for an enthralling analysis of Sophie Lark's Sinners Duet series. Delve into the intricate dynamics between Mara and Cole, exploring control, manipulation, and unexpected nurturing in their predator-prey relationship. Uncover gripping themes, characters like Cole and Shaw, and the series' mysterious threads. Brace for a spicy debate on the dark romance elements, discussing standout scenes, 'heat,' and their unique relationship dynamics. Stay tuned for our book ratings and final verdict in this electrifying discussion!Jenn's Ratings: 2 Skulls, 2 Peppers overall but 5 Peppers for Warehouse scene, 4 StarsMistie's Ratings: 2 Skulls, 2 Peppers overall but 5 Peppers for Warehouse scene, 3 StarsNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 3 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPDATED March 11, 2025 - 2 Peppers

Topic Highlights:Serial Killer Rom-ComHarvey's House of HorrorsGouging and PluckingGet ready to journey with us through the compelling world of Brynne Weaver's "Butcher & Blackbird". In this episode, we unravel the book's intricate plot, exceptional character development, and some thought-provoking story elements. We dissect the opening scene that perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the tale. We delve into our favorite scenes, praising the author's adeptness in weaving diverse plot lines seamlessly into the main narrative. We also ponder over darker plot elements and the protagonists' uncanny knack for serial killings, keeping you engrossed with our lively discussions.So, brace yourself for an episode filled with laughter, pondering, and gasps as we dissect this extraordinary masterpiece.Jenn's Ratings: 5 Skulls, 3 Peppers, 5 StarsMistie's Ratings: 5 Skulls, 3 Peppers, 5 StarsNEW DARKNESS SCALE UPDATED JULY 2, 2024 - 3.5 SkullsNEW SPICY 2.0 SCALE UPATED MARCH 11, 2025 - 3 Peppers

Topic Highlights:Defining Dark RomanceWhy we read Dark RomanceCreating a dark romance scale, a spicy level, and overall ratingEmbark on a captivating exploration of dark romance with Jenn and Mistie. From '50 Shades of Grey' as our launch pad, we dissect the genre, from unconventional norms to triggers, creating a unique scale to rate dark romance. Our discussion transcends mere romance, challenging genre boundaries and delving into unpredictable elements and the allure of the anti-villain.Books mentioned: Fifty Shades, Sinners Duet, Consequences, Hangman Series, Sea of Ruin, Cat & Mouse Duet, Credence

Introduction:Hosts: Jenn and MistieGenre: Dark RomanceFocus: Forbidden, Taboo, Thriller ThemesTeaser theme: Dark romance stories and what to expect from the podcast.Topic Highlights:Introduction to the podcast's premise: Exploring dark romance in all its intriguing facets.Mention of the hosts, Jenn and Mistie, as the passionate creators of the podcast.Description of the types of stories the podcast will delve into: Forbidden desires, taboo relationships, and thrilling narratives.A glimpse of the podcast's style and approach: Analyzing characters, plot twists, and the intensity of love in each episode.A call to action: Encouraging listeners to subscribe for updates and the upcoming first episode.Follow us on Instagram @bonesofthestorie