Girl From Mars is a story in a story, about a female comic book character who is brave and isolated, honest and ferocious, and about 50+ years old. Philomena Brown, or “Fil” for short, is the artist who has for a few years been drawing her comic idol, the Girl from Mars, as her job. Many people think that “Fil Brown” is a man, and are surprised and often dismissive of a female comic artist … Continue reading Girl From Mars by Julie Cohen
I’m a fangirl of Julie Cohen’s writing, particularly because she can blend sharp, smart, witty writing with characters who contain emotional depth and a unique perspective on UK-set contemporary romance. Cohen is funny, intelligent, and vivid in her stories, and I love reading them. But while I loved the hero and the setting of this book, the heroine and the mystery in the plot left me wanting more. Sophie Tennant is a private investigator who … Continue reading Honey Trap by Julie Cohen
Dear Harlequin USA: Without question, my biggest gripe with this book is the way in which you are choosing to market it. The UK title is better. Way better. Better like it was kidnapped by hot Vikings and rowed swiftly across the frozen seas to Betterland and crowned queen of all of greater Betterlandia. In the UK this book was titled Driving Him Wild. In the US? His For The Taking For God’s sake, people. … Continue reading His for the Taking by Julie Cohen
This Rec League comes from our very own Elyse, who was inspired by a particular scene she recently read. And of course, a new catnip was discovered and she wants more of it. Elyse: So after completely falling in love with Felicity on Arrow and also reading Look to the Stars, I want a smart, slightly awkward heroine who doesn’t realize she’s being wooed. There’s a great part in Look to the Stars where the … Continue reading The Rec League: Oblivious Wooing
Time for a new episode! We answer a reader letter and discuss nerd heroes and heroines – including the question of what, exactly, are we talking about when we talk about nerd characters? What does it mean if a reader is looking for more books with nerds? We also talk about what we're reading this week, and disagree about a book we both read (shocking, truly). Enjoy! Here are the books we discuss in … Continue reading 48. Nerd Characters
Hi Harlequin! You know I think you are all spiffy, right? How’s things? I wanted to give you guys a heads up that there is a blonde girl who is confusing me utterly. First, she was on Julie Cohen’s His for the Taking, which I read and really liked – and which caused me to start a Cohen-a-licious attraction to anything Julie Cohen writes. I ranted about the US Harlequin Presents cover in my review, … Continue reading Harlequin Covers: Seeing Double the Man Hands
Looking for a job? Tor.com has suggestions: Best and Worst Job Prospects in the Urban Fantasy Economy. My personal favorite: 4. Leather clothing manufacture and repair. But who repairs the belt? [Thanks for the link, Jane Drew!] The first issue of the Journal of Popular Romance Studies is online, including articles from Laura Vivanco and Kyra Kramer that cite the Bosoms as a secondary source (WOOTY!), and a fantabulous interview with Beverly Jenkins who rocks … Continue reading LINKS. You know you want them.
A few people emailed me to ask why I was going on such a short cruise, and it was super short. I hadn’t heard of a cruise this brief- we left Thursday at 5pm and docked and disembarked by 9am on Saturday. Really, it was brief. I felt like I’d unpacked and repacked in less than 24 hours – probably because, now that I think about it, I had. One thing that wasn’t brief? My … Continue reading Conference Re-Cap: Florida Romance Writers’ Cruise With Your Muse
I’ve heard time and again that neti pots are just the most marvelous way of cleansing the sinus cavities, though I believe the neti enthusiasts use warm salt water. Me, I don’t need no pot. I read your comments suggesting a better US title for Julie Cohen’s book, and I experience the neti benefits using a mouthful of diet Coke. However, I’m not sure the benefits are meant to include my screeching like I’ve lit … Continue reading The Winners of Rename That Book: A Smart Bitch Contest
Back when I reviewed Julie Cohen’s His For the Taking, also known as Driving Him Wild if you’re in the UK, I mentioned how mildly disappointed I was with the decision to re-title the US issue. Except instead of “mildly disappointed” substitute, “Pissed off and dumbfounded to the degree that there’s a head-shaped dent in my desk.” A headstrong, tomboy character who drives a freakin’ CAB from the BRONX for Chrissakes gets it on till … Continue reading Rename That Book: A Smart Bitch Contest
While we’re on the subject of the Harlequin/Silhouette titles, most specifically the Presents line, take a look at this: The Romantic Novelists’ Association has announced the shortlist for the Romance Prize for 2008. The finalists are: Lucy Gordon’s The Mediterranean Rebel’s Bride Liz Fielding’s The Secret Life Of Lady Gabriella Fiona Harper’s Her Parenthood Assignment and English Lord, Ordinary Lady Kate Hardy’s Breakfast at Giovanni’s, which I had trouble finding in Amazon.com (that link is … Continue reading Category Titles: I don’t know what category to put them in.
