It is spooky witchy season, and this week's guest is Celestine Martin! She is the author of the Elemental Love series, including Witchful Thinking, Kiss and Spell, and Deja Brew. We talked about finding inspiration in the history and liminal magic of the Jersey Shore, and giving black women the paranormal fairytale romances they deserve. Plus why cozy low-stakes romances are having a moment!

As a head’s up, there is some city noise in the background during our conversation. If you hear police sirens, that’s us, not you.

You can follow Celestine on Instagram as @celestinemartinauthor and on Patreon here. Purchase all of Celestine's books from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here!

Attend my event with Sarah Beth Durst at Northport books on 9/11 at 7pm! Reserve your free ticket here.

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support!

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

Books and other media mentioned this episode:

• Midnight by Beverly Jenkins
• The work of Nisha Sharma
• The work of Sarah Beth Durst
• ZomRomCom by Olivia Dade
• The work of Virginia Hamilton
• The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling
• Witch Please by Ann Aguirre
• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
• Charmed (1998 - 2006)
• Ever After (1998)
• Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe

My guest this week is Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask and Once More With Feeling. She walked me through writing her new book Totally and Completely Fine, about a widow and single mom still grieving her late husband when she meets a famous, younger actor. Then we talked about her new podcast But How’s the Sex about the sex lives of fictional characters, and how romance novels celebrate and respect horny women. Plus: Are small-town romances “cozy” or homogenised? And why are heroines in their 40s so rare?

Follow Elissa on Instagram as @elissa_sussman or visit elissasussman.com. Purchase Totally and Completely Fine from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here!

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support!

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.

This week on Rebel Ever After, my guest is the wonderful London Sperry, author of the 2024 rom-com Passion Project. London and I talked about the range of mental health representation in romance and her quest to write a self-destructive, grieving baddie who deserves love. Content warning that this episode touches on depression, anxiety, mourning and some light references to suicidal ideation. I promise we laughed a lot about being weirdos in New York City, golden retriever love interests, and our love for Sebastian St. Vincent.

Follow London on Instagram @londonsperrywrites. Purchase PASSION PROJECT from the Rebel Ever After affiliate bookstore here!

Subscribe on Patreon at patreon.com/brosandprose to get access to the Rebel Ever After Discord server, as well as premium episodes of the podcast. Your financial support makes this independent production possible. Please reach out at rebeleverafterpod.com/contact with advertising and sponsorship inquiries.

Please remember to RATE AND REVIEW the podcast wherever you like to listen. Thank you for your support!!

Books mentioned this episode:

• Passion Project by London Sperry
• City People by London Sperry (a work in progress!)
• But How Are You, Really by Ella Dawson
• Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas
• Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen

Theme music created by Dalton Deschain. This show is brought to you with the support of my patrons.