Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Sins of the Heart by Eve Silver

This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Plaatsch. This book finaled in the Paranormal Romance category.

Plot Summary: Half human, half god, Dagan Krayl is the Underworld’s most powerful soul reaper. When one of his brothers is murdered, Dagan must use every ounce of his power to hunt down those responsible for his brutal death. But he must move swiftly—and carefully—if he’s to have any chance of resurrecting his brother.

Yet that resurrection could wreak havoc on the mortal world. As an Otherkin, Roxy Tam has sworn to protect the human race, and it’s her mission to stop Dagan. But when she sees him face-to-face, she realizes that she has seen him once before—a meeting that changed her life forever.

Neither Dagan nor Roxy expect to join forces for the sake of mankind. Or to have their loyalties tested as they struggle against the potent desire that threatens to consume them both.

And here is Plaatsch’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Pieces of Sky by Kaki Warner

Ev’s RITA® Reader Challenge is for this novel, which finaled in the Best First Book category.

Plot Summary: On a stagecoach traveling through New Mexico Territory, Jessica Thornton is a long way from the cool mists and lush gardens of her native England. An authoress and milliner, she carries the weight of a scandalous secret-a horrible shame that has brought her to the West on a desperate search for the only family she can trust: her brother.

No one prepared Jessica for the heat and the hardships. And no one prepared her for a man like Brady Wilkins. For, despite the rancher’s rough-hewn appearance and her own misgivings, Jessica must put her life in his hands after their stagecoach crashes. And she begins to see the man behind the callused hands and caustic wit. A man strong enough to carve out a home in the wilderness, brave enough to fight for his own, and passionate enough… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge Roundup: Still the One by Robin Wells

I didn’t receive a RITA® Reader Challenge review for this book, so I have gone in search of other reviews for the collection here. This book finaled in the Contemporary Single Title category.

Plot Summary: After Katie Charmaine’s husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she’s always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.

Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn’t felt in years. But he’s in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Killbox by Ann Aguirre

This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Kate. This book finaled in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category.

Plot Summary: Navigational grimspace “jumper” Sirantha Jax forms an army to defend colonists stationed on the outskirts of space from a legion of flesh- eating aliens.

That’s one heck of a short summary. Wowser.

And here is Kate’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Friendly Fire by Jill Shalvis

This RITA® Reader Challenge review was written by Cassandra. This story finaled in the Best Novella category.

ETA: I also have a review from Alyssa, who gave this novella a B.

Plot Summary: Permanently injured on a black-ops mission, Cord Madden is furious at the world. Then Lexi McGowen reappears in his life to nurse him back to health. Little does he guess that she’s about to reveal a whole new world to him, one touch at a time.

And here is Cassandra’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Silent Scream by Karen Rose

This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Jen B. This book finaled in the Romantic Suspense category.

Plot Summary: When a teenage girl dies in a suspicious fire, Detective Olivia Sutherland is assigned to track down the arsonist. Then she discovers something more sinister: a vicious blackmailer who preys on young people and murders without hesitation. Making her work even harder is sexy firefighter David Hunter. He’s not only sharing the case but sparking memories of their long-ago night of passion, when feelings were left unspoken and hearts were broken. David has his own ghosts, and a million regrets. But while he and Olivia try to face the wall of pain between them, a diabolical puppet master is pulling strings to make a group of twentysomethings do his bidding. Soon Olivia and David are scouring the city for a calculating criminal who seems tantalizingly close—and is moving in for the kill.

And now, Jen… read more »

The 2011 RWA Literacy Signing: All You Need is Love

Here it is, the 2011 Literacy Signing video, complete with dancing. Well, some dancing. Mostly authors and readers making one awesome night for romance and literacy.

Link!

Enjoy, y’all. And thank you to all the authors and readers who participated. Someday I’ll do one of Freebird or In A Gadda Da Vida so I can use every last person I film in the video.

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Renegade Angel by Kendra Leigh Castle

This RITA® Reader Challenge was written by Laura. This book finaled in the Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure category.

Plot Summary: It’s been thousands of years since Raum’s angelic wings turned from white to black, and the Destroyer of Dignities and Robber of Kings never looked back. These days he’s also on the outs with Hell and works with a motley crew of ex-demons on a new mission: snuffing out lesser demons and their half-human progeny.

Raum’s latest assignment brings him to a small Vermont town—and a sweet, funny half-demon, half-human he’ll risk everything to save. Ember Riddick stirs him as no woman ever before—and she holds the key to what Lucifer will move Hell and Earth to prevent: his team’s redemption.

But Ember’s secrets are as dark as Raum’s midnight wings. And their fate may leave them entwined but destroyed.

And here is Laura’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts

SusiB reviewed this book for the RITA® Reader Challenge. This novel finaled in the Contemporary Single Title Category.

Plot Summary: As the public face of Vows wedding planning company, Parker Brown has an uncanny knack for fulfilling every bride’s vision. She just can’t see where her own life is headed. Mechanic Malcomb Kavanaugh loves figuring out how things work, and Parker is no exception. Both know that moving from minor flirtation to major hook-up is a serious step. Parker’s business risks have always paid off, but now she’ll have to take the chance of a lifetime with her heart…

And here is SusiB’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Roundup: Water Bound by Christine Feehan

This is another book for which I did not receive a RITA® Reader Challenge review, so I’ve rounded up some strong reviews for the purposes of this collection. I have not, however, assigned a letter grade to this review. This book finaled in the Paranormal Romance category.

Plot Summary: Off the shores of Sea Haven, a beautiful diver rescues a man from drowning, a man with no memory of who he is-or why he seems to possess the violent instincts of a trained killer. But soon, he and his savior will be engulfed in a storm of dizzying passion and inescapable danger…

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Whisper on the Wind by Maureen Lang

Emily reviewed this book for the RITA® Reader Challenge. It finaled in the Inspirational category.

Plot Summary: In Brussels at the height of WWI, a small, underground newspaper is the only thing offering the occupied city hope-and real news of the war. The paper may be a small whisper amid the shouts of the German army, but Edward Kirkland will do anything to keep it in print. Meanwhile, Isa Lassone, a Belgian-American socialite whose parents whisked her to safety at the start of the war, sneaks back into the country to rescue those dearest to her: Edward and his mother. But Edward refuses to go, and soon Isa is drawn into his secret life printing the newspaper . . . And into his heart.

And here is Emily’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Welcome Home, Cowboy by Karen Templeton

This RITA® Reader Challenge review was written by Lisa. This book finaled in the Contemporary Series romance category.

Plot Summary: He’d never really had a place to call his own…

But the broken-down ranch in front of him was the closest he’d ever come. Now, pregnant widow Emma Manning was struggling to keep it, her children and herself going. She could use a hand. Well, that was all burned-out musician Cash Cochran could spare.

He’d never had a woman to call his own, either…

That was painfully obvious to Emma as soon as Cash knocked on her door. And though, with her ever-growing brood and her money pit of a ranch, she was the last woman on earth he could ever fall for, he was falling nevertheless. They both were.

But what would happen when they landed?

RITA Reader Challenge Review: A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl

This RITA® Reader Challenge review was written by ReadinginAK, who, contrasted with the other review for this novel, didn’t enjoy the book entirely. This novel finaled in the Historical Romance category.

Plot Summary: Jude Bertrand is not an excellent dancer. Nor does he wear the most fashionable coats. But when Marissa York’s brother approaches him, desperate to preserve Marissa’s tenuous reputation, Jude does prove heroic enough to offer to marry the girl. In fact, the union should more than make up for his lack of social graces and his own scandalous past. . .

Marissa knows that betrothal to the son of a duke, even one as raw and masculine as Jude, will save her from ruin, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy about it. Soon, though, she finds that Jude has a surprisingly gentle touch and plans to use it to persuade Marissa that their wedding day cannot come soon enough. . .

And here… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge Review: A Little Bit Wild by Victoria Dahl

This RITA® Reader Challenge review was written by Zulma, who really enjoyed this book. This novel finaled in the Historical Romance category.

Plot Summary: Jude Bertrand is not an excellent dancer. Nor does he wear the most fashionable coats. But when Marissa York’s brother approaches him, desperate to preserve Marissa’s tenuous reputation, Jude does prove heroic enough to offer to marry the girl. In fact, the union should more than make up for his lack of social graces and his own scandalous past. . .

Marissa knows that betrothal to the son of a duke, even one as raw and masculine as Jude, will save her from ruin, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy about it. Soon, though, she finds that Jude has a surprisingly gentle touch and plans to use it to persuade Marissa that their wedding day cannot come soon enough. . .

And here is Zulma’s review:

RITA Reader Challenge Review: Breaking the Sheikh’s Rules by Abby Green

Runswithscissors reviewed this book for the RITA® Reader Challenge. It finaled in the Contemporary Series romance category. 

Plot Summary: The huge imposing castle and the barren terrain of Merkazad are a far cry from the modest farm and the emerald fields that horsewoman Iseult calls home. Or used to, until Sheikh Nadim bought her family’s stud farm. As part of the deal, she must work at his royal stables.

Nadim enrages Iseultbut he also inspires a more unwelcome, unfamiliar feeling: desire. Drawn into Nadim’s sensual world, Iseult feels like a beautiful, confident woman for the first time.

But she must remember the sheikh’s cast-iron rule.

And here is runswithscissors’ review: