Authors Tawni Suchy and Latisha Sexton join us for a thoughtful conversation about dark romance—what it is and whether it’s something Christians should be reading. We also explore a deeper question: why are we drawn to stories with gritty, soul-stirring themes in the first place?

You can find Latisha through her website https://latishasexton.com/ and on Instagram, @sincerely.latisha

You can find Tawni on Instagram @authortawnisuchy and @tawnisbookshelf

Thank you to our episode sponsor Olivia McCarthy with her book, Off-Limits Love in Shenandoah.

A little tease from our sponsor:

He’s her brother’s best friend.
She’s seven years younger.
They’ll never work.
So why can’t she get over him?

Be sure to check out Off-Limits Love in Shenandoah from the National Parks Rom-Com series!

This week’s Five Star Reads:

Tawni: It’s Always Been You by Rachel Chamberlayne

Tiffany: In the Midst of the Storm by Latisha Sexton

Latisha: Battle Charged by Hannah Hood Lucero

Sarah: What Love Washed Up by Catherine Brusk

We’re the Clean Romance Podcast, but what exactly makes a romance “clean”? And no, it’s not books about vacuuming.

In this episode, we unpack the four pillars of clean romance, talk about why these stories matter to us, and get a little vulnerable along the way (don’t worry—Sarah edited the worst of it out).

Thanks to this week’s episode sponsor The Space Between Our Hearts by Hannah Stone. The Space Between Our Hearts is an award-winning contemporary YA romance for fans of Eleanor & Park and The Atlas of Us. You can grab your copy on Amazon and everywhere else books are sold!

Check out our Five-Star Reads

Tiffany Grits and Glamor by B.R. Goodwin

Sarah Meet Me In The Margins by Melissa Ferguson

Also, Tiffany mentioned this article in the episode. If you’re interested you can read it here: https://www.biblicallyresilient.com/post/what-does-the-bible-really-say-about-lgbtq-identity

In this episode of The Clean Romance Podcast, we’re joined by clean romance author Drew Taylor as we explore the nuanced role of politics in clean and Christian romance novels. Don’t worry—we’re not telling you who to vote for or endorsing a specific party!

We discuss how worldview, morals, and political themes can be woven into storytelling—without it becoming an us vs. them mentality. We also talk about the importance of discernment, the impact of entertainment on worldview, all while emphasizing the centrality of Jesus in our lives.

You can find Drew Taylor on Instagram @authordrewtaylor and online at www.drewtaylorwrites.com.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Sara George and her book, Wish Wrecked. Wish Wrecked is a clean, fast-paced, contemporary fantasy/romance. You can check it out here: https://amzn.to/3NIorUC

This week’s five star reads:

Sarah’s pick: American Royals by Katharine McGee https://amzn.to/4t4ukdM

Drew’s pick: What Remains by B.R. Goodwin https://amzn.to/4lJZ29w

Tiffany’s pick: Emma Jane’s Guide to Matchmaking the Mayor by Drew Taylor https://amzn.to/4rTPkmu

Follow us on Instagram and join the conversation @thecleanromancepodcast!

With Easter approaching, Sarah Hickner and Tiffany Noelle Chacon share the clean romance books that have encouraged their faith and stayed with them long after the final page. From historical fiction to contemporary fantasy, these stories have impacted us, and we think they’ll impact you, too.

This week’s sponsor is The Game She Hates: An Opposites Attract Christian Romance (A Healing Kind Of Love Book 1) by Ella Marie
It’s available on Kindle Unlimited and paperback and fits perfectly with our episode theme of books that get you closer to God. https://amzn.to/4bPXLt6

Here are links to today’s book recommendations.
Tiffany’s recs:
– Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers – https://amzn.to/40ZumI3
– Bram Baxter Marries the Wrong Sister by Latisha Sexton – https://amzn.to/481Eu6O
– Falling for You (Bradford Sisters) by Becky Wade – https://amzn.to/4lZ8dDb
– All the things that come between us by Sarah Hickner – https://amzn.to/4sGeEO1

Sarah’s recs:
– also Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers – https://amzn.to/4dipQvB
– A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander – https://amzn.to/4rXaaBn
– The Life After Series by Julie Hall – https://amzn.to/4bXaOc8

Check out Tiffany’s website and take her quiz: What sport are you? https://tiffanynoellechacon.com/what-sport-are-you/

Check out Sarah’s website and snag a free ebook! https://www.liveridelearn.com/free