Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

As I have mentioned, I have a big ol weakness for "I don't want to like you, I don't want to like you, I can't stop thinking about your hair DAMMIT" romance. I love when a character has a Definite Reason to avoid getting involved with someone he or she desires. I love when the Definite Reason is deeply embedded in the person's character, when acting on the impulse that draws one person toward another means breaking a tightly held self-promise. I love when the tension stems from one person desiring another, and the other person feeling that desire and attempting to squish it down because it would be better for everyone if nothing ever happened.

Most of all, I love when the Definite Reason, when revealed, is not utter piffle, not meaningless twaddle that isn't nearly sufficient enough to have held back all that pent up and denied desire.

"A Lady By Midnight" contained all of those things I loved. A hero denying to himself how much he adored the heroine. A heroine who didn't understand why… read more »

The Superheroes Union: Dynama by Ruth Diaz - A Guest Review by CarrieS

I fell in love with Dynama from its very first page, in which our heroine, TJ Gutierrez, a superhero, is interrupted -- while removing a bi-pedal shark from her city's downtown district -- by a phone call from her daughter's school nurse informing her that "Marisol is sitting in my office with a fever of 102.  We'll need you to come pick her up".

TJ is a superhero who is also a single mom of twins.  Her ex-husband turned evil and went to prison many years ago.  When he breaks out, TJ has to figure out how to save the world and protect her kids.  Luckily, the babysitting service she calls sends Annmarie, the daughter of superheroes, who is unfazed by all this super villain menace.  While the overall tone is one of pure, glorious fun (see:  bi-pedal shark) this short book has a lot of interesting subtext about a whole host of social issues, not to mention the infrastructure of a world in which superheroes exist.

TJ is great.  A Latina… read more »

Audrey’s Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman

I kept reading this book even though I wanted to stop reading because I wanted to know what happened in the plot. I didn't care much about the characters. I found some of them completely ridiculous, and I didn't much relate to the heroine, but I remained mildly curious as to what crazy thing would happen next. So I kept going.

I think there needs to be a term for this, when you read to find out what happened, not because you connected and care about the characters. You know, when a book is all plot, no real characters? Sort of the book variation of "all hat, no cattle:" all plot, no heart.

I found a point to stop reading when the plot bored me as much as the characters did. Once the same sequence of events happened three times - heroine notices something ODD! Heroine is alarmed by ODDNESS. Heroine decides NOT TO TELL ANYONE about oddness, because… read more »

Reading in the Brain:  A Guest Review by CarrieS

This not really a review, it's more of a report.  I'm in the middle of reading Reading In The Brain:  The New Science of How We Read.  I wanted to let the Bitches know about this book, as it is the ultimate meta reading experience for a nerd.

RITA Reader Challenge: Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

This review was written by Elyssa. This story was nominated in the Young Adult Romance category.

The summary:     

Gwen Frost is an outsider at Mythos Academy, a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword. Gwen is an outsider both to the students of the Academy and the rest of the world. But when her gift of psychometry - the ability to know an object's history just by touching it reveals dark undercurrents and danger afoot, she has no choice but to get involved.

And here is Elyssa's review:

Okay, I'm cheating a little here. I actually read this book for Smart Bitches Book Club when Sarah chose it last year or so. But I've reread it a bunch of times since then. One of the main reasons I decided to read this book (besides it being a book club pick) was because it took place at a boarding… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy

This review was written by Andrea. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title category.

The summary:     

Isabella’s drive to Angel’s Bay would have ended in tragedy when her car slid off a cliff if she hadn’t been rescued by Nick Hartley. As he helps her to safety, she realizes he is the man who has haunted her dreams. Nick, however, is committed to reconnecting with his estranged teenage daughter, refusing to respond to his powerful attraction to Isabella.

And Isabella’s police chief brother has his hands full with a missing mother, an abandoned baby, and an unknown father. What is Isabella’s role in the mysteries—both past and present— that swirl around the town?When she starts helping at the Hartley family theater, all the pieces begin to link together. Loves found and lost, heartbreak and happiness, courage and betrayal are all part of the patchwork quilt of the community—and of life. Isabella’s gift is seeing the patterns. . . .

And… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: At Hidden Falls by Barbara Freethy

This review was written by Carrie S. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title category.

The summary:     

Isabella’s drive to Angel’s Bay would have ended in tragedy when her car slid off a cliff if she hadn’t been rescued by Nick Hartley. As he helps her to safety, she realizes he is the man who has haunted her dreams. Nick, however, is committed to reconnecting with his estranged teenage daughter, refusing to respond to his powerful attraction to Isabella.

And Isabella’s police chief brother has his hands full with a missing mother, an abandoned baby, and an unknown father. What is Isabella’s role in the mysteries—both past and present— that swirl around the town?When she starts helping at the Hartley family theater, all the pieces begin to link together. Loves found and lost, heartbreak and happiness, courage and betrayal are all part of the patchwork quilt of the community—and of life. Isabella’s gift is seeing the patterns. . . .

… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Where All the Dead Lie by JT Ellison

This review was written by Darcy. This story was nominated in the Best Romantic Suspense category.

The summary:     

The headshot didn't kill Taylor Jackson. But it will haunt. In her showdown with the murderous Pretender, a bullet taken at close range severed the connection between Taylor's thoughts and speech. Effectively mute, there's no telling if her voice will ever come back. Trapped in silence, she is surrounded by ghosts-- of the past, of friendships and trusts lost--of the specter of a lost faith in herself and her motives that night.

When Memphis Highsmythe offers Taylor his home in the Scottish highlands to recuperate, her fiancé John Baldwin can't refuse her excitement, no matter his distrust of the man. At first, Memphis's drafty and singularly romantic castle seems the perfect place for healing. But shortly the house itself surrounds her like a menacing presence.

As Taylor's sense of isolation and vulnerability grows, so, too, does her grip on reality. PTSD. Pills. Ghosts.… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Soldier’s Last Stand by Cindy Dees

This review was written by Paige. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure category.

The summary:     

Navy Commander Brady Hathaway is done with women. Since H.O.T. Watch is pretty much a 24/7 job, that leaves no time for female entanglements. Then he's appointed Eve Dupont's handler. Tan, leggy and blonde, the lethal-looking civilian chosen to take down a terrorist cell scares the hell out of him. Can he keep Eve safe and resist her charms?

This may be Eve's only shot to clear her name from any involvement in a terrorist cell and bring in a wanted assassin. But can the ultimate party girl do it? And can she convince the sexy Mr. I'm All Business Hathaway that there are times to move fast—and times to go very slowly....

And here is Paige's review:

It’s hard to like a book when you have an extreme dislike for the heroine but somehow, she redeems herself quite well about half way… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves

This review was written by Tabs. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title Romance category.

The summary:     

Bernadette Hogan doesn't make mistakes. Not when it comes to caring for her mother, and not at her job protecting Texas's most eligible--and infuriating--bachelor. Maybe that's why she's overcome with guilt after one tiny indiscretion: a passionate fling with her boss that's left her confused, intrigued...and pregnant.

To self-made millionaire Jeremy Bridges, women are like fine wine: if held for too long, they sour. But one wild night with Bernadette changed all that. She makes him laugh, she makes him think, and soon she's going to make him a father. For the first time, Jeremy wants to be a one-woman man.

So how can he convince the fiercely independent Bernadette he's ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad--and become the loving husband she deserves?

And here is Tabs' review:

For me, the keyword for this story is… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Black Ties and Lullabies by Jane Graves

This review was written by Annie. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Single Title Romance category.

The summary:     

Bernadette Hogan doesn't make mistakes. Not when it comes to caring for her mother, and not at her job protecting Texas's most eligible--and infuriating--bachelor. Maybe that's why she's overcome with guilt after one tiny indiscretion: a passionate fling with her boss that's left her confused, intrigued...and pregnant.

To self-made millionaire Jeremy Bridges, women are like fine wine: if held for too long, they sour. But one wild night with Bernadette changed all that. She makes him laugh, she makes him think, and soon she's going to make him a father. For the first time, Jeremy wants to be a one-woman man.

So how can he convince the fiercely independent Bernadette he's ready to change from partying playboy to dependable dad--and become the loving husband she deserves?

And here is Annie's review:

This is a heart warming novel about motherhood… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: I Love the Earl by Caroline Linden

This review was written by Willaful. This story was nominated in the Best Romance Novella category.

The summary:     

A single lady in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a suitor Margaret de Lacey has accepted her unmarried state with dignity, if not delight. She had no suitors when she was young and starry-eyed, though regrettably poor, and it’s unlikely any man will court her now that she’s older, wiser, and still just as penniless.

Until, that is, her brother unexpectedly inherits the dukedom of Durham and settles an enormous dowry on her, making her the most eligible heiress in town. No gentleman in London is more in need of a wealthy bride than Rhys Corwen, Earl of Dowling. He contrives an introduction to Margaret because of her dowry, but she swiftly sets him right: no fortune hunter will win her heart or her hand.

Far from put off, Rhys is intrigued. Interested. Entranced. And soon the only thing… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Secrets of Bella Terra by Christina Dodd

This review was written by Donna. This story was nominated in the Best Romantic Suspense category.

The summary:     

Brooding and sexy Rafe Di Luca has returned to his family's luxurious vineyard resort and discovers that a long-ago quarrel has ignited once more, forcing him to work with Brooke Petersson, the woman he seduced ... and betrayed.     

As the danger escalates and their passion threatens to rage out of control, Brooke fights her treacherous longing for a man who will never truly share his life with any woman. Remembering the anguish of the love they shared, she vows that Rafe may possess her body, but never again will he reach her fiercely guarded heart.     

The peril they face will either bring them together, or destroy them both ... unless they uncover the secret that will change everything.

And here is Donna's review:

I'll say up front that Christina Dodd wrote one of my all time favorite… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Cooper Vengeance by Paula Graves

This review was written by Rachel. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure Romance category.

The summary:     

J.D. Cooper had left no stone unturned when investigating a cold case that hit much too close to home. Or so he'd thought. Thanks to small-town deputy Natalie Becker, new evidence had surfaced that might lead J.D. closer to the truth.

But Natalie had a stake in this situation, too, and claimed that joining forces was their best strategy - and their best hope. Problem was, after years of working alone to solve a seemingly unsolvable crime, J.D. found himself distracted by his beautiful partner and her passion for doing the right thing.

He'd never met anyone like her and that scared him as much as this unidentifiable madman ... until Natalie was made his next target.

And here is Rachel's review:

While the grade may not quite seem like it, I did enjoy this book. I simply wanted more -… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: The Doctor’s Deadly Affair by Stephanie Doyle

This review was written by Lindlee. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Suspense/Adventure Romance category.

The summary:     

Fresh on the heels of their disastrous date, Dr. Camille Lawson is none too pleased to find Dr. Wyatt Holladay darkening her doorstep. But a mystery ailment is claiming her patients - and just maybe the gorgeous doctor can help her get some answers.

What should be a simple investigation of medical causes quickly reveals a very real threat. Someone is targeting Camille by killing her patients, one by one. Surrounded by suspects and unable to convince the authorities crimes are being committed, Wyatt is the only person who can keep the infuriating beauty safe.

With everything on the line, he must protect her reputation, her life and her heart.

And here is Lindlee's review:

The good news is I loved the main couple in The Doctor’s Deadly Affair. The bad news is that this romantic suspense would have been… read more »