Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

RITA Reader Challenge: “Unforgiven” by Ruth Ryan Langan

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

The summary:      

The shattered soul of an angry spirit imprisoned in a Scottish manor house could be a young widow's only salvation.

And here is Emily's review:

Ironically I don’t have much to say which is odd, because I usually have a lot to say.

This novella was fine, but filled with characters we’ve met before like the lonely widow, the haunted mysterious Scottish mansion, the groundskeepers, etc….

The ending was a bit of let down with gimmicky twists. I did appreciate the heat in this one compared to the other novellas, but I thought this one the weakest novella in the collection.

I think in a longer book the author might have made ways to make it more distinctive. If you’re like me and a print reader, you’ll buy the whole anthology. Since I read the whole anthology, I am including bonus lightning… 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: Lord of the Abyss by Nalini Singh

This review was written by Zulma. This story was nominated in the Best Paranormal Romance category.

The summary:     

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who'd cursed Micah. She sees past Micah's armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Hourglass by Myra McEntire

This review was written by Patricia. This story was nominated in the Best YA Romance and Best First Book categories.

The summary:     

For seventeen-year-old Emerson Cole, life is about seeing what isn’t there: swooning Southern Belles; soldiers long forgotten; a haunting jazz trio that vanishes in an instant. Plagued by phantoms since her parents’ death, she just wants the apparitions to stop so she can be normal. She’s tried everything, but the visions keep coming back.

So when her well-meaning brother brings in a consultant from a secretive organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to try one last cure. But meeting Michael Weaver may not only change her future, it may change her past. Who is this dark, mysterious, sympathetic guy, barely older than Emerson herself, who seems to believe every crazy word she says? Why does an electric charge seem to run through the room whenever he’s around?

And why is he so insistent that he needs her help to prevent a death that… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Donovan’s Child by Christine Rimmer

This review was written by Carrie S. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Series Romance category.

The summary:     

The first time, it was a tumble down a mountain that threatened Donovan McRae's very survival. And though he had once been the Man Who Had Everything, at that point he thought he had nothing left to lose.

Until Abilene Bravo walked into his life—and he realized he was wrong. Because though he thought he'd lost his heart years ago, he found himself losing it again as he fell fast…for the feisty woman who wouldn't take no for an answer.

And here is Carrie S's review:

One of the first books I reviewed for Smart Bitches involved a couple who realized that they were experiencing a zombie apocalypse when they found their marriage counselor eating another client.  That story was more plausible than anything that happens in Donovan's Child.

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: Unveiled by Courtney Milan

This review was written by Heather. This story was nominated in the Best Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all.

But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….

And here is Heather's review:

Ash Turner exposed the Duke of… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Unveiled by Courtney Milan

This review was written by Saira Ali. This story was nominated in the Best Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all.

But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….

And here is Saira Ali's review:

I don't read many… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Unveiled by Courtney Milan

This review was written by Milena. This story was nominated in the Best Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all.

But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….

And here is Milena's review:

Courtney Milan has become one of… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Unveiled by Courtney Milan

This review was written by Michelle. This story was nominated in the Best Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

Ash Turner has waited a lifetime to seek revenge on the man who ruined his family—and now the time for justice has arrived. At Parford Manor, he intends to take his place as the rightful heir to the dukedom and settle an old score with the current duke once and for all. But instead he finds himself drawn to a tempting beauty who has the power to undo all his dreams of vengeance….

Lady Margaret knows she should despise the man who's stolen her fortune and her father's legacy—the man she's been ordered to spy on in the guise of a nurse. Yet the more she learns about the new duke, the less she can resist his smoldering appeal. Soon Margaret and Ash find themselves torn between old loyalties—and the tantalizing promise of passion….

And here is Michelle's review:

Normally, I'm not a fan of the whole mistaken… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase

This review was written by Julie Brannagh. This story was nominated in the Best Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

From the Design Book of Marcelline Noirot:
 The allure of the perfect gown should be twofold: 
ladies would die to wear it . . .
and gentlemen would kill to remove it!

Brilliant and ambitious dressmaker Marcelline Noirot is London's rising star. And who better to benefit from her talent than the worst-dressed lady in the ton, the Duke of Clevedon's intended bride? Winning the future duchess's patronage means prestige and fortune for Marcelline and her sisters. To get to the lady, though, Marcelline must win over Clevedon, whose standards are as high as his morals are . . . not.

The prize seems well worth the risk—but this time Marcelline's met her match. Clevedon can design a seduction as irresistible as her dresses; and what begins as a flicker of desire between two of the most passionately stubborn charmers in London soon ignites… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: Silk is for Seduction by Loretta Chase

This review was written by Milena. This story was nominated in the Best Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

From the Design Book of Marcelline Noirot:
 The allure of the perfect gown should be twofold: 
ladies would die to wear it . . .
and gentlemen would kill to remove it!

Brilliant and ambitious dressmaker Marcelline Noirot is London's rising star. And who better to benefit from her talent than the worst-dressed lady in the ton, the Duke of Clevedon's intended bride? Winning the future duchess's patronage means prestige and fortune for Marcelline and her sisters. To get to the lady, though, Marcelline must win over Clevedon, whose standards are as high as his morals are . . . not.

The prize seems well worth the risk—but this time Marcelline's met her match. Clevedon can design a seduction as irresistible as her dresses; and what begins as a flicker of desire between two of the most passionately stubborn charmers in London soon ignites into… read more »

RITA Reader Challenge: When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

This review was written by Tessa. This story was nominated in the Best Regency Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

Miss Linnet Berry Thrynne is a Beauty . . . Naturally, she's betrothed to a Beast.

Piers Yelverton, Earl of Marchant, lives in a castle in Wales where, it is rumored, his bad temper flays everyone he crosses. And rumor also has it that a wound has left the earl immune to the charms of any woman.

Linnet is not just any woman. She is more than merely lovely: her wit and charm brought a prince to his knees. She estimates the earl will fall madly in love—in just two weeks.

Yet Linnet has no idea of the danger posed to her own heart by a man who may never love her in return. If she decides to be very wicked indeed . . . what price will she pay for taming his wild heart?

And here is… 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: To Seduce an Angel by Kate Moore

This review was written by Phyllis. This story was nominated in the Best Regency Historical Romance category.

The summary:     

The youngest of the Jones brothers, Kit, has just been made the Marquess of Daventry-heir to his vengeful grandfather, the Duke of Wenlocke. Kit wants to free his family from the old duke, and he hires the beautiful Emma Portland to tutor his young wards while he makes his plans.

But Emma's true identity may be even more dangerous to Kit than his dastardly uncle. And the feelings they begin to have for one another may spell their mutual doom.

And here is Phyllis's review:

I can't figure out who the angel was supposed to be – hero or heroine? The hero is too young (twenty-ish) and his story too improbable. [SPOILER: The heroine was a princess? Sorry, Anne Gracie did that one much better.]