The Novel: A Certain Appeal
The Author: Vanessa King
The Guest: Queenie von Curves, burlesque artist and producer of Bare Book Club Minneapolis

The Synopsis:
After a betrayal derailed her interior design career, Liz Bennet found a fresh start in New York. Now an executive assistant by day and stage kitten by night, she's discovered a second home with the performers at Meryton, Manhattan's top-tier burlesque venue. Love's the last thing on her mind when she locks eyes with Will Darcy across the crowded club. The spark between them is undeniable--that is, until she overhears the uptight wealth manager call her merely "tolerable."

Bennet is determined to write Darcy off, but once their besties fall head-over-heels, they're thrown into each other's orbit again and again. Each encounter begins to feel more heated than the last, but is their chemistry enough to topple that terrible first impression? What's more, when a charming newcomer arrives on the scene with accusations against Darcy, his claims leave Bennet torn. And when a sudden development leaves Meryton's fate in jeopardy, she will have to decide who to trust in time to salvage her design dreams, her heart, and the stage she shares with her found family...

Show Notes:
- Discussing the film "Burlesque" with Queenie, a burlesque performer
- Healing and exploring our trauma throw art
- Find your local chapter of Bare Book Club
- Introducing today's read, A Certain Appeal - a romance set within the world of burlesque (00:16:42)
- A modern retelling of a Jane Austen classic
- A brief synopsis for A Certain Appeal (00:21:31)
- Dispelling a few stereotypes about romance
- All of the connections to Pride and Prejudice
- "It's about the sizzle, not the steak."
- The different levels of intimacy
- "Fact checking" for accuracy with the burlesque expert (00:41:53)
- A few steamy sexcerpts, but really... it's all in the banter and eye contact (00:47:16)
- Some early romantic influences, from Sweet Valley High to Twilight
- The level of continuous consent is *chef's kiss*
- Heart, Humor & Heat Ratings (01:09:05)
- More romance in Queenie's future?

Books & Other Media Mentioned:
- The best (and worst) of burlesque-ish movies: "Burlesque", "Cabaret", and "Showgirls"
- The Curvy Canvas, as featured in the Feminist Book Club box
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
- Nicole Byer's podcast, Why Won't You Date Me?
- Sweet Valley books
- The Sookie Stackhouse series (aka the books that inspired "True Blood")

Links:
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