Inflation Is High, But It Ain’t That Damn High

@morgstaysbookd returns after a packed few weeks, and we jump right back into books, life, reading slumps, and why some of these book festival prices are starting to feel like a car note.

@Sloane_Bueller is listening to a K.C. Mills secret-baby football romance and already has Enigma by C.M. Barnes and Our Vicious Oaths by N.E. Davenport lined up next. We also take a quick detour into Kennedy Ryan’s pseudonym getting mentioned on the Today Show and why so many romance authors write under pen names in the first place.

LaCie cannot stop talking about N.E. Davenport’s Our Vicious Oaths, a salacious, rivals-to-lovers Black fae fantasy with enough tension, betrayal, and fine men with grills to keep her locked in. She also talks Nek Mills, Daniel Black’s Perfect Peace, Chenell Parker, and why some authors make you stop what you’re doing and read the whole damn backlist.

@morgstaysbookd has been in her YA feels with Nic Stone’s Dasia, plus a gaslighting thriller that had her questioning everybody. She also has Britt W.’s newly released audiobook on deck for an immersive read.

Then we get into the real conversation: the 2027 Black Romance Book Festival prices. With @morgstaysbookd bringing her event-planning perspective, we talk sponsorships, hotel blocks, what is actually included, what is not included, and whether the math is really mathing.

We also compare the experience to events like Apollycon, the Bronx Book Festival, Alexandria House’s house party, local bookstore signings, and library events. Bottom line: we love Black romance, Black authors, and a good bookish experience. But if the dollar does not make sense, do not force it.

What we’re reading:

@Sloane_Bueller

• "Only For Me" by K.C. Mills
• Up next: "Enigma" by C.M. Barnes
• Up next: "Our Vicious Oaths" by N.E. Davenport

LaCie Knight

• "Our Vicious Oaths" by N.E. Davenport
• "Desired by a Maniac" by Nek Mills
• "Perfect Peace" by Daniel Black
• Backlist love: Chenell Parker, Kami, and Beverly Jenkins

@morgstaysbookd

• "Dasia" by Nic Stone
• On deck: Britt W.’s newly released audiobook, "Open for Business: A Ruevielle Romance"

📚 Books, links, and shout-outs are in the show notes.
📧 Reach us: urbanwhisperspodcast@gmail.com

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