Search Results for: "Sharon Shinn"
Book Review

Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn

Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn

Jenna Starborn is an inventive science fiction take on the Jane Eyre story.  This book is well worth reading for the creative concept even though the romance never quite gels. Since Jenna is a fairly straightforward retelling of Jane Eyre (with Jenna being Jane, Mr. Ravensbeck being Mr. Rochester, etc), I'm assuming in this review that you have already read Jane Eyre and am dishing out SPOILERS with wild abandon.  IF YOU HAVEN'T READ JANE … Continue reading Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn

Book Review

Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn

Angel-Seeker

Sharon Shinn is typically classified as a science fiction/fantasy author, but really, she’s a romance novelist. A romance novelist who sets her stories in different worlds from ours, and there’s not a whole lot of bumpin’ and grindin’ going on like there is in most mainstream romances, but all her novels thus far have centered around love stories. Oh sure, there’s usually some nominal bit of intrigue to her plots and some of them feature … Continue reading Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn

Happy 19th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

A stemless glass wineglass with the lower half dipped in bronze leaving a metal coating with a wavy effect

Nineteen years ago, on 31 January 2005, Smart Bitches began. The site launched with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann. We’ve had cover snark and cover awe, helping of bitches out, and, as a neat coincidence, Smart Podcast Trashy Books will publish its 600th episode on Friday 2 February 2024. Celebrations everywhere!! Thank you. The site wouldn’t still be here without you. Our community is welcoming new … Continue reading Happy 19th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

Romantic Times Rewind: July 2004 Reviews

Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind

In this week’s podcast episode, we’re looking at the book reviews for the July 2004 issue of Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews. Special and massive thanks to Kay Sisk for sending me this issue! Ready for an absolute mile and a half of cover art from nearly 20 years ago? Oh, this is a weird memory lane, y’all. Brace yourself, hold on to your butt and maybe also grab hold of someone else’s to … Continue reading Romantic Times Rewind: July 2004 Reviews

Happy 18th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

A deep red teacup and saucer with gold filigree accents and the word VILLAINESS written on the inside edge of the teacup

Eighteen years ago, on 31 January 2005, Smart Bitches began. The site launched with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann. Zero plans and strategy beyond, “Let’s talk about romance fiction critically and enthusiastically,” and holy cow. We’re still here. Literally, every year when I file the annual reports and taxes and all that business business, I look around my office and think, “Yup, still here.” Still talking … Continue reading Happy 18th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

Happy 17th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

A pink fabric easy chair with a matching pink pillow

Seventeen years ago, Smart Bitches began. Smart Bitches launched on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann. We’re still here. This honestly blows my mind a little. Still here, talking about books, never running out of things to say about romance. Woohoo! Thank you! I’m so honored you’re part of SBTB! Our community is still welcoming, and warm and wonderful. None of that would be … Continue reading Happy 17th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

Happy 16th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

Featured image for Happy 16th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

Sixteen years ago, the site began. Smart Bitches launched on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann. We’re still here, discussing romance and everything around it, sixteen years later. In many states, the site is eligible for a driver’s license. (We won’t discuss how my older child, born the same year as the site, may also be eligible for the same. Shhhh. SHHHH.) This year, … Continue reading Happy 16th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

The Rec League: “Normal” Heroines in Fantasy Romance

The Rec League - heart shaped chocolate resting on the edge of a very old book

This Rec League was sent into us by Deborah! Is there a good fantasy romance novel or series in which the heroine is normal and STAYS normal? I’m getting a bit tired of the Chosen One cliche and would like to read about a character who doesn’t have a billion hidden/latent talents and solves her problems like all us average plebs. Sarah: I think some of the Laurenston Pride books have heroines who are not … Continue reading The Rec League: “Normal” Heroines in Fantasy Romance

Happy 15th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

A stemless wineglass with THESE ARE MY READING GLASSES etched in the side above an image of retro glasses a top an open book

Fifteen years ago, the site began. The site launched on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann, and here we are, fifteen years later. The site is now old enough to get its learner’s permit in several states. This is alarming to me, as my older son Freebird was born the same year as the site, so he’ll soon be permit-eligible, too. HOW IS … Continue reading Happy 15th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!

Happy 14th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!!

Kate Spade gold plated necklace with mini eyeglasses charm sitting on a brown fabric bag printed with the kate spade logo

Once upon a time, long, long ago, on an internet both similar and different from the web we browse today, Smart Bitches was born. The site launched on 31 January 2005 with a review for Angel-Seeker by Sharon Shinn and for The Unsung Hero by Suzanne Brockmann, and here we are. FOURTEEN YEARS LATER. FOURTEEN! That is a lot. And yet we have so many books on the TBR, so many thoughts to share about the … Continue reading Happy 14th Anniversary, Smart Bitches!!

Recommendations for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo

ripped bodice bingo board

If you haven’t heard, The Ripped Bodice is putting on an awesome reading challenge this summer. And there are prizes! You can click the link to their site for an explanation of the rules, plus a printable copy of their bingo board. Or! You can check out their helpful tweet: RIPPED BODICE SUMMER READ-ALONG BINGO IS LIVE!!!!Download your bingo card and read more books this summer!#rippedbodicebingo pic.twitter.com/na9zdFGuPN — The Ripped Bodice (@TheRippedBodice) June 11, 2017 … Continue reading Recommendations for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo