Coast to Coast Romance

Ann Jensen & Skylar West

Ann Jensen and Skylar West are two friends and authors who share and discuss everything about romance novels in all their glory. Our episodes will have specific topics and discussions regarding genres, sub genres tropes and much much more. From time to time we’ll invite our author friends, publishers and bloggers to join in on our discussions and give you a behind the scene look at romancelandia. We hope to make C2C everything you need to get your romance fix and help you find your next book boyfriend. You can find Ann Jensen at www.annjensenwrites.com and Skylar West at www.authorskylarwest.com. read less
ArtsArts

Episodes

Daddy Dom Romance books
Dec 12 2021
Daddy Dom Romance books
In this episode we break down what Daddy Dom Romance books are all about. Genre: BDSM - defines the power exchange in this type of play.Subgenre: DaddyDom – levels and classificationsRisk/Reward of writing in what many would consider an edge kink. Discussion on bdsm books and how they are reality adjacent.Variety and comfort level when talking about the sexual play when an adult is regressed to a younger age.The difference between calling someone Daddy as a Dom and a “Daddy Dom”Classifications within LittlesAdult BabyLittleMiddleTeenThe type of relationship Full time, in and out, the scene only, scheduled time.Discussion points for Daddy DomDaddy-dom relationships are not limited exclusively to a male dominant and a female submissive. Though “daddy” kinks are more commonly discussed, the “mommy” kink is also prevalent in the BDSM community, and the kink doesn't have any gender quota. Levels of Participation: (using the M/f as an example for this discussion) Little Girl takes the role of the child-like, sweet girl and regresses in the age. The age can vary from baby who wears the diapers to a young teenage girl called a middle. DD/LG daddy dom/little girl kinky age-play/role-play between two consenting adults and is a close cousin to BDSM. ABDL (adult baby diaper lover) is a fascinating two-way street, that makes perfect sense when you consider the kink and the non kink versions. What is a diaper lover in kink? A ‘diaper lover’ is somebody with a fetish for diapers and the act of wearing them a turn-on. From a fetish or sexual standpoint, people are aroused sexually, either through role-play or from the product itself — the sound, texture or feeling – or the humiliation aspect of acting out, like soiling a diaper.Who is drawn to age play? As role-play pertaining to age, age-play is broadly considered a subset of BDSM encompassing bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism. Within Age play, there is much role-playing with these weighing out as the top roles Contact Us:Contact Information:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/SkylarW63773206
Interview with Laylah Roberts
Dec 5 2021
Interview with Laylah Roberts
A little about Laylah…Laylah Roberts Lives in New Zealand and writes books with alpha overprotective heroes and heroines. With a strong theme towards Daddy Dom’s and CowboysFavorite written book: Protector Daddy Favorite set of main characters? Sunny and Milly – quirky characters Hardest book to write? Daddy’s saving graceExternal inspiration for your series? – I start with a character or scene Plot or Prance? I write the plot but it does veer, the plot can alter 4 or 5 times.Odd inspirations? Real People?Do you fully develop characters from the beginning?Do you set a number of books in a series in advance or if their successful do you keep writing?I keep going until I run out o characters or time.You’re from N.Z, but write American characters have you been to the states?Yes – Disneyland and Texas. Hoping to visit Montana in the future. Do you like to read the reviews? I generally avoid themA fun fact you can share about one of your stories? What can we expect from you in the near future? Crime boss daddies coming in 2022Follow Laylah https://www.laylahroberts.com/FB: https://www.facebook.com/laylahrobertsauthor/Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laylah-Roberts/e/B008068KI0Contact Information:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/SkylarW63773206
Interview with Book Blogger Deborah Apodaca
Nov 14 2021
Interview with Book Blogger Deborah Apodaca
On this episode we interview  Deborah Ainsley Apodaca a good friend and great Book Reviewer.We ask her: What made you decide to blogOnly Romance?What kind of  books can’t you put down. Do you get a lot of Book Review RequestsDeborah discusses interviews and requests from narrators.Do you have a favorite sub-genre? Deb discusses elements of dark romance that she is drawn to.Favorite Book? A book that took you by surprise?Deb discusses how blurbs can be completely different than the book. They discuss covers as a reader and an author.How do you find new authors to read?Deb discusses ARC’s Are they sent to you?Do you have an author that you automatically work with, buy and/or review?What aspect of all the services that you offer do you enjoy the most?Discuses authors feedback. Learning stories from the authors perspective and behind the scenes with stories was born. And is doing well. Discusses views and blogging. Additional reading outlets to interview and review.Check out Deborah Apodaca's blog Reading by Deb and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter!https://www.facebook.com/deborah.apodacahttps://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/https://www.instagram.com/deborah_ainsley_apodaca/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/DeborahApodacaContact Us:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar West/Rogue Londonhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/   https://www.authorroguelondon.com https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/ https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/  https://www.facebook.com/authorroguelondon/ https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/SkylarW63773206
Regency Romance with special guest Kate Batemen
Nov 7 2021
Regency Romance with special guest Kate Batemen
Special guest, Regency Author, Kate BatemanIn this episode we discusKate Explains regency time period and the subgenre. What drew her to regency?Bridgerton series, differences between the adaptation vs. the books. How much real live events go into your writing?Kate's Background in history Are her character driven, or plot driven as an author?Non PC or dated values. How does she find the balance between reality adjacent close to real but not stepping on modern toes?Kate discusses reinvention for entertainment.Customs in Regency that need to be observed?Do you have any particular influences for fiction or nonfiction that inspires you to write Regency?Regency newbie, what should we know if we are going in to read our first regency book?Suggestions based on tropes and preferences.Are there other sub genres you write in, or would like to write in? As a reader, do you run in the opposite direction and read alien romance 😊 or is there a specific type of romance you enjoy reading simply for pleasure?Discusses the writing reading relationshipContact us:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westskywestauthor@gmail.comhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/SkylarW63773206Kate Bateman / K.C. Bateman, is the #1 bestselling author of Regency, Victorian, and Renaissance historical romances. Contact her via her website: www.kcbateman.com and sign up for her newsletter to receive regular updates on new releases, giveaways and exclusive excerpts. Sign Up for Kate’s newsletter: https://www.kcbateman.com/subscribe/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcbatemanauthor/Twitter: http://twitter.com/katebatemanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kc_bateman/Join Kate’s FB reader Group 'Badasses In Bodices': http://bit.ly/JoinKatesBadassesFind Kate's books at: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KygAb9Apple: https://apple.co/378YPXLB&N: https://bit.ly/30CoZQ5Google Play: https://bit.ly/GoogleKateBatemanKobo: https://bit.ly/3nfnOjr
Skylar West's Angels and Demons
Oct 31 2021
Skylar West's Angels and Demons
Behind the Scenes with Skylar West, and Angels and Demons RomanceHow do you classify the sub genre: Demon in book 1 could be considered paranormal. Outside of being explained by science. Urban fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, my specific story is defined by ‘they walk among us.’ — Described as a Current contemporary end of the world possibility in which it is doomed or saved by a sect of beings we can not see.What drew you to using angels and demons: I wrote the series because of topics I’ve wrestled with as a person. I was exposed to things that would be considered evil, then was baptised in the church, I wanted to create a world in which there was more acceptance of the pathway we take. That individuals can come together without judgment. Reason some people avoid A&D stories: our influences can make us feel uncomfortable with reading about angels or demons. Moral context preaching, or the opposite that’s not what angels do. Don’t want their belief system questioned. My books don’t preach, or question people’s beliefs. People are looking for reality adjacent romance literature, and that’s what I provide.When we pick genres and tropes, we pick the best plot to show off our characters. I don’t classify myself as a paranormal writer although I have a paranormal series.Loki character as a leading man: We want our book boyfriends to be evil to everyone but the female heroine. We would never want Loki to be captain America to the rest of the world, but her could be with the leading lady. Vanilla romance harder to tell, touches, glances, conversations, often in our steamier stories the very act of kink or sex they engage in is necessary as part of the growth of the characters. The level of trust has to form faster, establish those relationships much sooner and often in real life too.Encourage readers to explore different genres and tropes of romance, be an educated reader. Read blurbs, and reviews, before deciding to buy. Ann discusses M.A Innes, an example of trying a story that she couldn’t image she’d like about alien tentacle love and was surprised by how much she enjoyed it.Contact Information:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/SkylarW63773206https://www.tiktok.com/@skylarwest08
Behind the scenes with Ann Jensen
Oct 17 2021
Behind the scenes with Ann Jensen
Behind The Scenes with Ann JensenIn this Episode Ann tells you about writing the Dark Sons MC Series.Series: favorite book and why? Favorite characters and why?Lost in the dark – one scene makes me cry every time. Tami caught in the dark favorite character to write, loved inhabiting aspects of Cami that I really enjoyed. Dragon and his dirty talk because I like dirty talk. Tell us more about Dragon – big brother vibe, his love interest, Tari in book 2. Yoga scenes and the reality of what you can write, vs what you can actually do.MC live in a world that is dark, but the men that create darks sons are special forces guy that missed the sense of purpose higher calling, brotherhood they shared in the military. They strive to create a community and world. Home, and family. Key element in my books is found family.Was there a book in the series you found difficult to write?Book 4 – the first time my characters tried to veer off course. Undercover in the DarkCharacter, takeovers, happen for me, in the outline stages and I spend three weeks percolating and allowing it to settle. Before I decide to move forward with my final decisions on the plot and character development.Most fun to Write: Caught in the dark, favorite to write.Soon to release - Leap into the dark book 5 coming out next. Steamy sex scenes. Idea with this novel was to blow open stereo types.Did you have an external inspiration for the series like another writer or series you have read?Why MC? I had written urban fantasy with shifters and couldn’t find a home for it. I wanted to write a spicy romance with villains instead of internal angst. I spent some time in a MC bar and learned a little of their culture. I wanted to create the ultimate MC fantasy.Are any of the characters based on real people? I like to study people and makeup backstories about people I observe. I take these elements and place them into a made-up person.What is your process for picking and developing a storyline?For the Dark sons, I first outlined Hawks love story, the president of the club. I built his club around him. Characters, officers and a few others beneath it. Once I had the cast of characters. I wanted the women to have trouble but not be a bunch of victims. One kind of women would thrive inside the dark son’s environment. Then I created my female cast and then I placed them together. Every man was assigned a kink and that played into which woman would go for that? Which helped with matchmaking. Next?Two series that are slowly percolating. Mercenary and Alien. I’m also still working on my Urban FantasyWhat would you love to write?A mystery if I had the skill set to write it.Contact Information:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/
Episode 8: Setup Tropes
Oct 10 2021
Episode 8: Setup Tropes
Setup Tropes: I this show we cover tropes that have to do with where a love story starts. How they meet or come together.Circle Of Friends: This trope features three or more protagonists all searching for love.Coming Of Age: The first discovery of love as teenager can be a powerful theme to explore in a romance novel or story. Coming Out: A gay hero, heroine, or transgender lead character decides to come out about their true sexuality or identity – their coming out is a catalyst for a new love interest.Country Inn: A career-driven city girl inherits or buys a charming little inn, bed-and-breakfast, or guest house in the calm, bucolic splendour of the countryside. Cursed: In a fantasy or folklore-inspired romance, the heroine may have fallen under a curse, spell, or wicked charm that only the hero can break or reverse. Ghost: The heroine falls in love with a ghost, or both romantic protagonists are paranormal entities. A Divorce Never Went Through: The lead characters discover that their marriage was never annulled, or a divorce decree was never issued because of a bureaucratic mistake or some other misunderstanding.Grieving Lover: The heroine falls in love with a man who has lost a spouse or lover in the recent past. (a secondary trope to First Love)The Guardian Or Ward: An older male is bound by the obligation of a legal will or promise to oversee the care of a young charge. Makeover: The heroine is transformed from drab to fab to catch the hero’s attention. Alternatively, the hero has to transform his looks, body, and attitude to prove his worth to the heroine.Rags To Riches: A struggling, or down-on-her-luck heroine comes into money and/or fame through a surprising windfallRiches To Rags: A wealthy heroine or heiress loses her money and status overnight. Return From the Dead: A man she believes is dead returns to upset the heroine’s life in a major way. Secret Billionaire: The hero hides his identity and/or his wealth from the heroine, usually to test if she loves him for his true nature or his enormous wealth. Small Town: Heart-warming stories set in small towns. Trauma: A main character who has been traumatized in the past, finds healing through a romantic relationship. Unexpected Inheritance: The heroine comes into a windfall from a distant relative. Unexpected Parenthood: After a sibling dies or becomes ill, the heroine is now the sole guardian of one or more children.Unexpected Pregnancy: After learning of an unplanned pregnancy, the heroine must deal with the unexpected news and decide if she will tell the hero or not. Contact Information:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en
Interview with Maren Smith
Oct 6 2021
Interview with Maren Smith
Interview with with author and publisher Maren SmithIn this episode we discuss:Do you write under one Pen Name or severs?I write under several pen names mostly BDSM, adult romance with plot, and Daddy DomWhat your sub genre of romance? Reading Contemporary Western, Paranormal Writing – contemporary -discusses villains and her book “Dark Vows”Regardless of the genre you’re writing, you prefer down to earth male POV? Yes, discusses hero characters.Focus of your publishing house? KinkHow did you choose high heat? Write what you know. Discusses 50 shades popularityFavorite Tropes? Contemporary, alpha male, trapped, fake relationshipLeast Favorite? Enemies to lovers, MafiaCharacters or story, what comes first? It’s different every time. An action comes first, and the character defines themselves as I’m writing it.From a fan or a review that was positive? Stopped reading most reviews, but the ones I like most where the comments from a book I wrote with Delta James. Worst thing about your book that you’ve read? The worst review, the one that made me angry in a laughy way “The Suffragettes” written in early 2000’s. Discusses feminism.As a writer if you could write anything what would if be? HorrorWhat is one thing about you that people probably don’t know? Hard to offend, easy to approach.WIP?  Anthology 2021, Daddy’s little convict, contemporary kinda paranormalish anthology in the new year.As a publisher? Eden Bradley – San Fran Dom Series – rebranding Contact Information:Maren SmithI also write under the names of Denise Hall, Darla Phelps, and Penny Alley.Want information on free stories, new releases, takeovers, giveaways and prizes? Join my newsletter! http://MarenSmith.com/newsletter/Get the latest on sales and special release pricing by following me on Bookbub! https://www.bookbub.com/profile/maren-smithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthMarenSmith/Twitter: @authmarensmithInstagram: maren_smithGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2886639.Maren_SmithAnn JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/SkylarW63773206
Personality Tropes
Sep 26 2021
Personality Tropes
Personality Tropes (What are the Main characters, Like?)Personality, or Character Tropes? ... In the context of fiction, character tropes refer to common attributes or even entire stock characters. Alien Hero: A human heroine falls in love with, or is abducted by, an alien life force hero from another planet.Alpha Hero: The heroine must contend with a strong-willed, domineering, hyper-masculine, successful and wealthy hero.Armed Forces: A sexy, dynamic hero in uniform draws the heroine into a relationship, but a career in the army, navy etc., creates conflict.Athlete Hero: Sports themes are popular in North American romances, especially for teen and young adult audiences.Beta Hero: The good guy, the guy next door – this type of hero is usually more even-tempered and more realistic than the typical alpha hero.Bisexual Hero Or Heroine: This character is openly and equally attracted to both men and women. As a protagonist, they live by their own rules or sexual code, which makes them irresistibly unpredictable.Cowboys: Whether a rancher or a Texas Ranger, the hero embodies the characteristics and moral codes of the American frontier: courage, integrity, and usually a bit of chauvinism.Cyborg Hero: The heroine falls in love with an electromechanically enhanced man. The hero may have become cyborg after an experiment, accident, or some other tragedy.Dominant Alpha: An archetypal character in explicit, erotic fiction, the dominant alpha is rich, sexy, possessive, and always in charge.Domme Heroine: A domme, female dominatrix or BDSM mistress is often found in erotica, steamy romances, or period romances.Fish out of water: The heroine comes from a small town to a big city and is unprepared for the sophistication of the hero. Similarly, a city girl finds herself working or stranded in a small town and falls for the charm of a local hero. Thank you for joining us,Ann Jensen & Skylar WestContact Information:Ann JensenAnnJensenWrites@gmail.comhttps://annjensenwrites.com/https://www.amazon.com/Ann-Jensen/e/B08VRMR5SK/https://www.facebook.com/annjensenbookshttps://www.instagram.com/annjensenbooks/Skylar Westhttps://www.authorskylarwest.com/https://www.amazon.com/author/skylarwest/https://www.facebook.com/authorskylarwest/https://www.instagram.com/author_skylarwest/?hl=en