Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

i can has georgian kick ass womminz plz??

I love bawdy, crazy ladies- in any era.
Sign me up for the give-away please!!!

seeing as i was going to look into acquiring those books based off the review, it only makes sense to try and take advantage of an opportunity for free stuff. huzzah!

I’m in! These sound like great reads - sort of the fast, fictionalized Georgiana of Devonshire.

You know those women who are friends with scads of men but not so many women?

Heh. I am those women. Now if only I had two coins to rub together, some political clout and a really big gun…

Would Georgina be considered an anti-heroine, that DA was pondering not too long ago? hmmm…I’d like me some anti-heroine. plsktks.

me me me me me!!!  I haven’t read a good Regency in AGES…and I’m a sucker for a well-drawn character.  (I’m also a throwback to the ‘virgins are fun’ school of Regency, so if nothing else, this could convert me:-)

How refreshing, to have a little switcheroo of the hero and heroine’s positions.  I’m a bit tired of the demure heroine and the rakish hero.  Bring on the scandalous widows!

Ooh these sound fabulous.  I’m on a bit of a historical kick at the moment as it is (and finding I don’t have nearly as many of them as I thought!).  If winning don’t work, Amazon will have to…

And Kirsten, I’m one of those women too.  Girls don’t like me.  Who cares?  Men buy me drinks.

Me me me me me too!!! I’m always game for a new book that someone tells me kicks righteous ass..
the tiresome wilting regency heroine is outdated. Sounds like George says she’ll do it her way or get the hell out of her way..

Oooh, I love a good hunting party scenario.  Although I always end up thinking of this: Monty Python Hunting Sketch

I started Lord Sin a while ago and never finished it because there were so many other books out there I wanted to read. I was liking it, but (as of however far I made it) wasn’t blown away. But now you’ve inspired me to dig it up again to find out what I am missing. Darn you…

Oooh, I’m in, this sounds interesting and I’m just getting back into reading regency.

*Squee* I can haz review!

I’m one of “those women” too. My nickname at the local coffee shop is “the chick who’s a dude” due to my showing up most Saturdays in motorcycle leathers and hanging out with all the biker boys.

Kate: I totally had the Duchess of Devonshire in the back of my head (mix with a bit of Sophy from The Grand Sophy, Lady Babs from An Infamous Army, and Serena from Bath Tangle and SHAKE). Those are among my favorite heroines of all time.

Randi: I do think George is a bit of an anti-heroine (as discussed on DA), but I wasn’t about to pop off and mention my own book there. That always seems a bit too . . . too . . . you know what I mean.

BTW, if anyone wants a freebie, I’m giving away a short story on my website:

Something Wicked:  A Rakes of London Short

SCANDAL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID . . .
Eleanor Blakely is only too aware that her reputation dangles by a very slender thread. One false step, one mistake, and the entire world will know the secret her family has struggled to keep hidden. Unfortunately, she’s found herself in the midst of a desperate series of wagers with a consummate charmer . . .

AND EVEN HARDER TO RESIST . . .
Viscount Wroxton isn’t exactly sure what twist of fate has kept his friend Blakely’s sister on the shelf, but the inveterate little gamester is too fascinating to ignore. The fact that she has five enormous—and protective—brothers is hardly worth thinking about . . .

Oh, man, I’ve been wanting to read these books for what seems like forever - and my library is being pesky-slow about getting them for me!

So, the heroine is a “duchess of slut?” Oh wee about time I says!!

Pick me, pick me!  I’m always looking for something new and different.

You know those women who are friends with scads of men but not so many women?

Hi! Except as I generally explain, I’m the Janeane Garofalo of the group - one of the guys, never thought of as anything other than. Gets damned frustrating - perhaps I need a Georges to show me my mistakes. *snort*

(And I’m game for a random drawing, since the first romance I read…er..last week.. was a regency era, and I genuinely enjoyed it. And besides, it’d be a nice offset to all the Deep and Serious academic books I should really be reading, instead of flitting about the internet…)

Sounds like a fabulous character.  I’ll be on the lookout for these, even if I’m not lucky enough to get one of the sets.

WANT!

Oh hell, I’ll read these!

These sound delish, how’d I miss them?

Yay for unconventional histories! Definitely going to check them out whether I win or not.

I am definitely in!

Sound like a couple of great reads there! Count me in.

As an impoverished grad student I’m a big fan of free books and these sound like a great way to spend some of my summer break.

Count me in - George sounds wonderfully refreshing, and after Heyer’s Bath Tangle I’m a sucker for any hero named Ivo. (Even if I don’t win, I’ll be adding these books to my to-read list. We need more strong heroines in historical novels.)

And you’ve won me over! Pick me! I wanna read about about larger than life historical women! me!

Cannot. Pass. Up. Free. Books.
Count me in!

These sound really interesting. It sounded like the first book warranted higher than a B- though.

George sounds a lot like The Grand Sophy, except Sophy behaved when she had to. I am up for anything that brings me back to an old Georgette Heyer.

Oh, I adore stereotypes turned upside-down!

Ooh, me want!

Yeah, if I don’t win (and I won’t because I don’t), these will be the next books I buy.

Heyer came immediately to mind when I saw the hero’s name, Ivo.  Nice homage, Kalen!

Please toss my name in the hat for the drawing.

Btw, did you all know that there’s gonna be a movie with Keira Knightley about Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, out this fall?  It’s called ‘The Duchess’.

I just re-read my copy of The Unexpected Passion, a ‘faction’ about Georgiana’s daughter who married Georgiana’s sister’s lover of 15 years and their story does really restore faith in humanity, because he became a faithful husband and they really lived happily ever after for 36 years until his death at 72.  I’m reading her letters right now and they are fascinating.

Me too! I wants!

There is something to be said about the juxtaposition of oil and watercolor. I really like that comparison.

I love your reviews.  When you don’t like a book, you pinpoint why with clarity and humor (and I agree nearly all the time, which never happens), and when you do, it makes me want to run out and buy the book (or books, in this case).  So, um, yeah.  Include me in the drawing, please.  Otherwise it definitely goes on my shopping list.  I’ll even break out of my self-imposed mysteries-only run for these two.  It seems so rare these days to combine historical accuracy with a three dimensional, strong heroine.

OK…I have an admission. I bought my first Georgette Heyer book not too long ago, as she is bandied about here and at DA all the time, with raving reviews. Except…I couldn’t even get 3 chapters into it. The writing was really stylized and dated (in that it really felt like a 19th centrury novel-which I find really hard to read) and I found that extremely off-putting. Did I just get the wrong book? Please tell me, what is the attraction to Heyer?

I’m intrigued! Sign me up for the drawing.

Rhian: I couldn’t not use “Ivo”. Even though I caught some flack from non-Heyerites who thought the name wasn’t sexy. *sigh* Two of them pinned me down at a conferene and told me they’d almost skipped buying the book because the hero didn’t have a “manly” name like Jack or Jake. I kid you not: Jack and Jake. The kicker? My three crit partners at the time had heroes named Jack, Jack, and Jake. LOL!

GrowlyCub: The DD movie only covers the early (and rather boring) part of Georgiana’s life. I think it stops when she’s like 26! They’re not going to dig into any of the meaty stuff (her affair with Lord Grey, her gambling, her cancer, etc.). If you can find the illustrated version of Amanda Foreman’s biography GRAB IT. I loved the plain novel version, but all the extra paintings and cartoons etc. in the illustrated one are to die for.

Ooooh, this looks interesting.  I’ve never seen “Ivo” as a hero’s name, either.  (Yes, I am commenting to try to get the books.  No, I have no shame.)

Randi, which book did you buy? Some start off easier than others. Heyer’s voice is a bit slower than a modern romance. It WILL feel more like you’re reading Austen or Bronte than me or Candice Hern or Julia Ross.

If you can find it, try starting with DEVIL’S CUB. I defy anyone to not love that book (make yourself keep reading until Vidal kidnaps Mary, I promise you’ll be HOOKED!!!).

Haven’t heard of these books before, but I am thoroughly intrigued.

Your comments software is hating on me!!!!/wail

Me, want. I have Lord Sin already but seriously, who can have too many copies? Not I, ‘cause then I can spread the love and

infect

... erm,

push the crack

erm… give Lord Sin to my romance reading neighbor :grin:

*muttering* I hope this works

Sign me up!

Hey, how can something that’s clearly a contraction of Ivanhoe not be sexy… some people have no imagination! :)

Kalen, I’ve thought about getting the biography, but the reason I like her daughter Haryo’s story so much is because of its HEA.  Georgiana’s life, while definitely interesting, is just too sad (or should that read ‘real’?) for me.

Okay, now I’m totally picturing George from all the Nancy Drew books.  Only now she’s seduced Ned and Carson, ditched Bess and Nancy, and gotten a makeover with nails that could cut a bitch.  Awesome.

Well, if we are recommending Heyers, here are my top5:

These Old Shades
Venetia
A Convenient Marriage
Devil’s Cub
A Civil Contract

I’m also curious which one Randi bought!

Oooh! Sounds awesome. I’m in!

Romances that turn convention on its head have saved the genre for me. Just when I think the HEA gets a bit dull, I run into a book that makes it all worthwhile again. I’m adding these titles to my “get and read” list.

I always love Kalen’s comments here, so I definitely can’t wait to get my hands on these.

Never mind.  I can’t wait to see if I won.  I am all about immediate gratification.  I am ordering on Amazon now.

Wow, well, I can’t wait to read them.  I’ve tried to write historical heroines who were not the norm and was usually slammed in contests or by editors as not being accurate.  Sigh.  Maybe I just don’t have the writing chops like Hughes! ;-)

I read “Lord Sin” the other month and really liked it.  The idea of one man/one night works for me.

Count me in for the draw!

I hope it doesn’t matter what country you live in?

Read “Lord Sin” the other month.  Enjoyed every page.

These sound like fun reads!

It has been ages since I’ve been to the library or bought a new book. As a brand new mom of a month, I think these books would be a fantastic reason to head over to the library and see if they have them. Been a long time since a Historical caught my attention. Thanks!

I really like your review of these books, thanks!!!!

Put my name in please!

(First post, but I did just spend 2 months reading ALL of the archives. I’m actually disappointed that I’m caught up!)

There once was a widow named George
who surrounded herself with hot boys
this sporting set scandal
had Ivo flying off his handle:
he wanted his one night, then five more.

Pretty please?
Shadowedge

The review says ‘Georgian’, but everyone is now speaking of ‘Regency’.  Which?  When are the stories set?  It makes quite a difference.
;)

Free books? I’m in!

Hi! Except as I generally explain, I’m the Janeane Garofalo of the group - one of the guys, never thought of as anything other than. Gets damned frustrating - perhaps I need a Georges to show me my mistakes. *snort*

uh, that makes two of us. in high school i was known to my friends’ mothers as ‘it’snotagirlit’skari’. in fact, i think one of them used that as my name for a while.
also, i just wrote both of these books down in my planner with the books that i look for ever time i go to a bookstore. thus far, no luck at the local place, but now maybe i can win them. w00t! (i’ll keep looking at the store, though, just in case.)

Sign me up for the giveaway please!

I LOVE it when authors play with conventions.  Just finished “Kushiel’s Dart” and yes, the author had more leeway b/c it’s fantasy, but I still loved the switching of the Virgin/Experienced Lover roles.

Leslie: I got slammed a lot too. Believe me. The LORD SIN manuscript got 2s and 3s in the Golden Heart (and one 8). People either love it or hate it. I get very few “meh” responses, and that’s FINE with me! But it also got great comments in a few (my favorite—from an unnamed published author—was “Georgette Heyer meets Stephanie Laurens”).

I think it’s about finding the “right” judges and crit partners and looking closely at the reasons why the heroine is getting slammed. Sometimes the out-of-the-box heroine can come across a bit like Hermie the Elf (“I just want to be a dentist!”). The motivation is missing (or at least it’s missing from the page). Are the judges not buying WHY she’s the way she is? Or are they just disliking her on a more visceral level (the “I don’t like bitches/sluts” reaction)? These are very different problems and have to be approached in very different ways.

I think there’s more and more room for unconventional heroines in the genre. Recently writers like Victoria Dahl, Candice Hern and Julia Ross have had some great anti-heroines.

Oooh, free books! The premise of Lord Scandal sounds very intriguing.

Free books, you say? Count me in.

Randi, which book didn’t you like? I’ve recently been unable to finish Venetia, and I love the others of ehrs I’ve read.

I’d rec: Cotillion, The Convenient Marriage, and The Grand Sophy (warning for some quite horrifying anti-semitism, just skip the scene where Sophy goes to the moneylender entirely) because they’re the funniest ones I’ve read so far.

Devil’s Cub and These Old Shades are more romantic, but you may want to read The Black Moth for background (I don’t think anyone likes that one).

Good lord there are a lot of comments already!

...well, here’s another. ;)

(My spam word is ‘tell39’—I suppose I could, but that would surely just make my odds worse!)

Ooh, sounds fascinating. Sign me up!

DO WANT

I’m throwing my hat in the ring!  A big, fabulous, English wedding hat sort of hat (for which I actually do have to shop this weekend).  Here’s hoping I’ll have some books to go with it!

Wow, sounds like my kind of historical(s).

And it was good for me.

The review says ‘Georgian’, but everyone is now speaking of ‘Regency’.  Which?  When are the stories set?  It makes quite a difference. ;)

They’re Georgian. Set in 1788-1789. But the world is not that far removed from the extended Regency period. It’s not going to feel alien to someone who reads “Regencies”, though the cast of movers and shakers is going to be different which might be confusing to those who are looking for Beau Brummell and Lady Jersey and Byron. I’m working on a “Who’s Who” page for my website. I’m hoping to have it up this weekend. *fingers crossed*

Partly the confusion comes from how someone dates “The Regency”. Purists limit it to the ACTUAL dates of the Regency (1811-1820). Most readers, writers and publishers fudge the dates out to the first few decades of the 19th century (1800-1830), covering most of the period in which Empire-style gowns were worn, the conflict with Napoleon was taking place, and the Prince of Wales was either prominent, acting as regent, or king. Historically, an argument can be made to stretch back to 1788 (when George III has his first bout of madness and the first Regency crisis takes place).

Reading the review made me want to pick these up—maybe I’ll get lucky and save myself the $$$!
Love the site!

ooooo—I’m in! I wanna read about a nonvirginal Georgian heroine! Definitely will look these up if I don’t win them. *fingers crossed*

(HA! and my keyword is ‘want33’! Yes. Yes I do want.)

I like the idea of these stories, especially the concept of the girl more at ease with men than with other women applied to a historical. I don’t think I’ve seen it before. And I love those girls who have loads of male friends, probably because I’d like to be like that too :-p. Count me in!

I love THE BLACK MOTH, but I don’t think you have to read it before you read THESE OLD SHADES (though you’ll love Avon even more if you do!). What kills me (turns me flaming green with envy!) is that Heyer was 16 when she wrote THE BLACK MOTH. 16!!!

I think the only Heyer books I don’t like enough to reread them are A CIVIL CONTRACT and BEAUVALLET. My all time fav is VENETIA.

Desperate to read these books!

Oooh, me!  me!  Pick me!

So, as I quietly admit, I’ve never read a Kalen Hughes book. Where should I start?

spamword: lay96. Ok, seriously, why does the spam blocker keep reminding me of my college boyfriend? The one I didn’t marry? Cause this is like the fourth time.

What a cool line: “George is a canvas you can smell drying from across the street.”

I just finished my first Heyer last week (The Grand Sophy).  I don’t know what took me so long—I’m 24 and have been reading romance since my early teens.  I have a very enjoyable summer ahead, I think, but would love these books to add to the pile.

I loved Lord Sin and can’t wait to read Lord Scandal! Yay!

Wow, these really sound good. Sign me up, even if I don’t win free copies!

Wow, what a great review. 

I don’t read historicals (except early Garwood and McNaught) and managed to resist the urge to pick up Bourne’s Spymaster’s Lady despite the glowing reviews here and at DA.

But, I have to say that I will be running to Border’s tonight to pick up Lord Sin and Lord Scandal to read tomorrow.  So kudos to SB Sarah and Kalen for titillating my interest with both a wonderful review and a great storyline.

OK…just found out that none of my local Borders have Lord Sin in stock so I had to order it .  And that Lord Scandal is a June release.  Bummer…I was so looking forward to reading them tomorrow.

I ordered both of these books on paperbackswap.com last week after reading some comments here. “Lord Sin” arrived yesterday; “Lord Scandal” is on its way. Woo-hoo!

I’m halfway through Book #2 of the “Outlander” series, so I think I will take a break from Jamie & Claire and move these books to the top of the TBR pile!

Gimme! I want! Pleeeeeeease! Pretty please?

*Grabbing control from the greedy inner child* Sounds great, I would love to read them.

Chance at free books?  Count me in!

These books sound so much fun!  I love historicals.

LORD SIN is getting hard to find. It was a May 07 release and right now I think ordering it (online or at your local bookstore) is the only way to get a copy. It’s the way of the world . . . you should hear my mom complain about it. LOL!

Ruth: These are my only two books (so far) so getting started is easy. If you meant you’d never read Heyer and don’t know where to start, I hear you. Try: DEVIL’S CUB, VENETIA, ARABELLA, or THE GRAND SOPHY. All of those are great introductions to Heyer.

I’m not usually one for historicals. However these definitely sound interesting so sign me up for the contest!

Beauvallet was the first Heyer that I read (at ... 13 maybe) and I loved it.  I must admit when I went back many years later and re-read it, it had lost some charm, but I still enjoy it.  I think the only Heyer’s I couldn’t finish were the non-fictiony ones.  I even enjoy her murder mysteries

*saying anything*

:-D

Diane - you really should read Spymaster’s Lady!

I’d love to win free books, but I have no room to keep them, so I’d pass them on to the next person…after I read them!

I just hated the heroine in BEAUVALLET. I spent the whole book being annoyed that the hero liked her and that I knew he was going to end up with her. *shrug* It happens.

I can get them free at the library where I work…but it’s not the same as owning!  Then I can have the spines cracked at my favorite scenes.

Favorite = most sexy

Word: seems48…seems as though more than 48 people are intrigued by these books!

Those books sound absolutely delightful - I do often get tired when it’s always the heroine who is virginal and the hero who is confidence and experienced. Have it the other way around! Some authors (Jane Feather) for example have tried having the sexually sporting heroine, but I was so completely bored by “Almost a Lady” that I couldn’t even finish it.

Ohh, I’d like one, please.  From the list of comments above, though, I’m not holding out much hope, but I’m throwing my hat in anyway!

my spamword is giving me hope, too!!  thirty43, indeed!

They’re Georgian. Set in 1788-1789.

Thank you so much, Kalen!  A wonderful period.  I am a lot more attracted to the society of the late 18th century than that of the early 19th, which is already showing the signs of the rather smothering atmosphere of the Victorian period, and I am sure you have evoked it with real panache and with that firm foundation of knowledge that will make it ring true.  I am going to look out for these books, and really look forward to reading them!

Wow, I just read the excerpts at Amazon and if I don’t win, I’ll definitely order them from Bamm.com (Amazon is good for that, but not for buying any longer, he he).  Btw, even if we can’t all win, the prices are really reasonable for books ($3.99 and $4.99), but they are also shorter than I’m used to (301 and 285 respectively).

Kalen, was that just the way the stories went or was that a publisher imposed limit?

Spam word: question82, well, if I think long enough I can probably come up with 82 questions… :)

Wonderful review, the books sound great!

From the number of comments, I gather I’m not the only one who is eager to read these. I hope I’m lucky, but one way or another I’ll need to get my library to buy them too.

I don’t normally read this sub-genre—but your review is making me say, “Where’s my copy??”

Yes, you had that effect48. :)

These books sound great, especially George. I love heroines that are secure in themselves, and not afraid of being who they are.

I’ve had a streak of bad luck with romance novels lately with a high “asshat to doormat” ratio, so I’ll definitely look for these two the next time I go book shopping.

Do indeed want, since the first book just sounds fascinating and the second sounds—well, if I like the first book, I’ll be glad to see the characters in the second book.  !

But they are also shorter than I’m used to (301 and 285 respectively) . . . Kalen, was that just the way the stories went or was that a publisher imposed limit?

It’s about the way the publisher laid them out (type size and # of lines per page, aka “leading”). The manuscripts are actually standard length (and LORD SCANDAL is longer in manuscript form than LORD SIN, but shorter in book form; go figure).

I forget the name,  as it is at home and I am at work; but I think it’s a newer release…?It’s about two male twins, and one twin is MIA but is supposed to marry a lady, so the second twin steps in to pretend he’s the first twin. Does that make sense? hahahaha.

Randi, that’s False Colors.  If your local library carries Heyer you might want to check out some and see if any of them appeal more.  I hate it when I can’t hook romance readers on Heyer!  :)

I hate it when I can’t hook romance readers on Heyer!  :)

Me too!

Wow, great review. I want to read them—and get them as a prize? Yes!

Must have. Glad I’m not the only one reduced to LOL speak when confronted with a giveaway for books I must have. Must Have.

Help a poor bitch out please? Pretty please? Please please? I am completely surrounded by nothing to read.

Count me in on the drawing and I LOVE Heyer.  Still a classic in the romance field though definitely not modern.  I don’t think people who haven’t read Heyer know any of the background of the “regency romance”.  They don’t know about who invented some of the literary types that we take for granted in historical romances and some of the conventions of the field.  Too sad!  It would be like a mystery fan who had never read Sherlock Holmes!

Anything!  Anything for free books!

You know, I don’t even read romance, but y’all are so entertaining I read your blog anyway.  These books sound like they’d be a fun way to try out a genre I don’t usually read.  Sign me up?

(Full disclosure: I read one romance, once.*  This Raging Flower, by Lynn Erickson.  IT SCARRED ME.  It sounds like, from the stuff you review, that some of the tropes that grossed me out in that book have phased out of the genre.  These books don’t sound like that at all, thank gawd.)

*I definitely enjoy stuff with romantic elements, but I’ve never shopped in the Romance section of the store.

Me too please!  (But with a name like George—I kept seeing Nancy Drew’s best friend as satirized in Confessions of a Teen Sleuth.

And why yes, I am over16.  And in a week—more than double!

Rene, welcome to the shiny pink side. *grin*

There I was at Borders, taking full advantage of their “Buy 4 romances, get 1 free,” and I was thanking my lucky stars that I’d found the Smart Bitches; your excellent taste has kept me in good reading material all year.  Then I get home, and find out there are more free books to be had.  Even better!  As a girl from the boy’s club, these sound right up my alley.

I only ever win contests where being bizarre or tasteless is a plus, not random drawings.  I expect I’m going to have to buy these, but why not try?

Oh mah gosh.  Reading this review has me chomping at the big.  ...Reading the comments has me snorting with laughter.  You guys are great.

Please add me to the list!  ...And, please, please pick me!  ;)

Would love to win some books! I promise to pass Lord Sin on to someone else cause I’ve already read it—and loved it—and recommended it to my critique group. Also read Kalen’s on-line read. Very fun! All you lurkers go check it out. Keep writing Kalen!

Reading this review has me chomping at the big.

Wow - if that ain’t Freudian, I don’t know what is.  I meant to type “bit.”

*sigh*  A Freudian Slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.

Hmm…hope for a freebie, or just go out and buy them? Decisions, decisions. Well, since I’m in the middle of a tornado watch right now, I guess I can wait and hope my number is picked. But I’m warning you! If I’m not picked, I’m going to go right out ... and buy ... them. Wait a minute…

I need to work on my threat skillz.

Random drawing contest?
“You know what Jack Burton always says… what the hell?”

free the books! books want to be free!

Well now I’m completely hooked. Nothing makes me buy a book faster than a good review by SBTB. :)

Please toss my name in the drawing. Great review, and the books sound awesome!!

Awesome review—very interested in reading the books.

I wish there was a site that reviewed only Georgian/Regency romances somewhere.  I love Heyer (and that goes without saying) but don’t know who else might be equally satisfying.

I enjoy both chest hair and trampy heroines. Pick me!

“anything”

They sound great! Pick me!

Let us go then, George and I,
When pantaloons are tight ‘round our thigh
Like lover’s lips upon a neck;
Let us go, through romancelandia!

(I can haz books?)

Daphne B: RT and AAR both tell you what era a book is set in, so you can read just the ones for Georgian/Regency. If you’re looking for a few recomendatations, these are all on my MUST BUY list:

Julia Ross
Candice Hern
Pam Rosenthal
Tracy Grant (historical romantic suspense and KICK ASS!)
Jo Beverley (esp her Georgian ones!!!)
Loretta Chase

Yes I want to enter! Those characters sound awesome…

Oh man, I’ve been wanting to read a romance with a heroine who’s not all fluff, and even if I don’t win, I think I may have to pick this one up.  George sounds like my kinda girl.

I love when an author takes romance tropes and turns them on their head in interesting ways.

Sounds intriguing…

I’m just getting back into reading romances, and these sound like great fun. Not that I ever win anything, but what the heck….

Spam word: look67. These books definitely are worth a look!

These sound positively juicy. I’d love to win them.

Here’s hoping for a random win!

Sounds like a pair of very good reads. I have to wonder at Imogen’s reaction to George, if she’s been a good politicians wife for most of her life…really, I’d have to wonder at everyone’s reaction to George. She sounds like one insane individual.

Sound so good!

Thanks for the in depth review. I thought I had given up on historicals of this time period but your review has intrigued me to give these books a shot!

I don’t read a lot of historicals, so I’m always way reluctant to try a new historical author.  Even with that, I’ve been eying these 2 books at the bookstore the last couple weeks!  These sound really good!  I’m even more intrigued now =)

I’d like to give them a try - sign me up, thanks!

These sound fun & interesting—sign me up for a chance!

I have the first book and it has just dived up to the top of Mount TBR. Would love a chance to win the second one.

Am I shallow if I admit that one reason I want these books is because I just want to stare at the guys on the cover?  With all the terrible covers out there, how wonderful that great stories got the covers they deserve—atmospheric and very nice to look at.

As for Georgette Heyer, one of my favorites is Black Sheep.  I love the scene where Miles and Abby meet and she mistakes him for his nephew—a great “meet cute” scene.  I also love The Talisman Ring.  The book has two main couples, and IMHO the older outshines the younger one as far as wit and romance are concerned.

oh, please, oh, please.  Mistress, may I have another (book)?

Ohhh…... this sounds good.  A woman with a spine who’s not ready to fall into vapors with the first good looking man.  Please, please, let mw win

Yay- a new author for me to read!

Ooooooh, new genre-y goodness!
Put my name in the pot!

Two of them pinned me down at a conferene and told me they’d almost skipped buying the book because the hero didn’t have a “manly” name like Jack or Jake.

I love the name Ivo, but I love Jack too.  (And I’m not just saying this because I have one in my WIP!  But I’ve also got an Arthur and a Hector, so I’m doing my part for names that sound unusual and maybe not so blatantly manly to modern ears.)  My pet peeve is names that just don’t feel remotely period-appropriate, whether they’re truly anachronistic or just don’t match the character’s background—e.g. I just don’t think there were that many English aristocrats in the 18th or 19th century named Aidan or Brendan!  I’m also a bit weary of heroes whose names or titles have over-the-top allusions to devils, wolves, darkness, etc.  So, yay Ivo!

Dude, a non-virginal heroine who isn’t condemned by even the narrative itself? A hero who’s torn due to his own moral standards and who isn’t the one sleeping around? Please sign me up for this drawing, stat!

Gimme, gimme!

my word is let79… yeah, let me have them!

I just want the books!

One of my constant conflicts is my love of historical romances with my love a really strong female character who isn’t always a damsel in distress.  I’ve come across some that are pretty good (and some that make me throw the book across the room because the girl is such an annoyingly weak waste of space), but this is a new stretch.  Not sure how historically accurate it may be, but it sounds like it’ll be a fun read regardless. 

(pick me, pick me!)  :)

So glad I stopped by so I can enter into the drawing for awesome books!!! Woot!

Haven’t had a chance to read all 152 comments (waiting for a friend to pick me up) so you may have answered this, but why the B-? I mean, is it because of the second book, that has a secondary character that completely rocks (and so glad to hear she keeps her characters the same, which doesn’t always happen in sequels) and takes over, or what?

I mean, I still wnat the books, don’t get me wrong, just curious is all

I logged on (away on vacation) and went, “Whoa, damn, 156 comments?  What did SB Sarah say in that review?”  Then I read it—I see, she said “free books.” Explains it all.

Yay, Kalen Hughes—these books have been in my virtual TBR pile since I first heard of them; they sound like a breath of fresh air.  It would be nice to win them, but if not I will get them some other way (nefarious plots…).

And I’m SO glad to see that I’m not the only one who thought of George from Nancy Drew!!!

GeeWhiz, I ordered both of these a few days ago and now I see you’re giving away FREEBIES! Mom always tells me not to jump on things so fast!

RE:Heyer
I read my first a month or so ago (Venetia) and I have to tell you, it took a lot to not put the book down. I had a friend I really trust recommended it, so I plowed through and boy I didn’t regret it! It gave me such a different view of this time period! Pick her up and give her try if you haven’t.

These sound a bit like Your Scandalous Ways, which I’m reading now. In the sense that they turn standard historical romance novel conventions on their head. I’m all for that. Virginal and inexperienced woman vs. more experienced older man can get kind of old. I’m enjoying reading about a couple who are more on equal footing, at least as far as experience goes.

I’m shameless, so free books are as good a reason as any for a first comment for me.  These sound great!  And, dudes, I’ve got a 2 1/2 bus ride everyday, so the more reading I can bury my nose in so as to avoid my fellow passengers, the better.

me too!

except if I win, will you ship to Korea?

I read historical romance almost exclusively and I would //die// for the chance to read something that’s both historically accurate and doesn’t feature the oft-repeated mixture of TSTL, oh-noes-my-precious-virginity type of heroine and the stalker-psycho hero who (kind of) loves her. 

These books sound so refreshingly different.  And not only that, but the setting is the Georgian period instead of the done to death Regency era! Great review; I’ll have to find a way to get my hands on these books…

me! me!

Yes, please, sounds great

Ooo! Ooo!  *waves hand*  pick me! Pick me!

Is this still within the 24 hours? Time zones confuse me…anyway, I’m joining the crowd of shameless beggars!

Ooh! I’m not normally interested in romances (I come here for the snark), but that sounds like a heroine I can admire…

...maybe15? Maybe double that and more, O Spaminator! ;P

Okay, someone does like The Black Sheep, so I’ll tell you all my secret, I really love the secondary couple. The hero’s sensible younger brother brother, and his wife, the villain’s flighty younger sister. I cared more about whether they’d get through their problems than about the hero hooking up with the heroine. And I get really defensive when other character’s call him boring, and may have shed a figurative tear when [SPOILER] he was revealed to have died between These Old Shades and Devil’s Cub[/END SPOILER].

And I really liked Avon as a villain in tBM, but was a little annoyed by him being the hero of TOS, then swung back around to liking him in DC. So either I can’t handle him as main character, or I don’t like a rakish hero. This theory is baacked up by me not being able to finish Venetia, but that may be the narrative condemnation of the woman Dameral ran away with while clearing him him of any faults. The word ‘slut’ was thrown around, and so was the book.

Sounds fascinating!  I will give Kalen Hughes a try!

Sounds like the scenario I’ve been hoping for ever since my first regency :)

Wasn’t there a spell check function on comments? I am so sorry for the abuse of innocent punctuation marks and all of the unsightly typoes, people.

These sound great. I love books that turn a convention on its head. Plus the review made me very curious to see just how George managed to dominate the second book. Those pesky secondary characters who won’t stay in the background when it would benefit the main couple are always a trial for authors to deal with. Sheesh, and you’d already given her her own book, Kalen!

BTW, I too loved THE BLACK MOTH. I hadn’t realized that Heyer was so young when she penned it.

Cheers for your thoughtful and entertaining reviews, SB Sarah. Keep ‘em coming! You keep adding to my TBB list. I can still get in my front door, so I clearly don’t have enough books yet.

Hugs,
Liddy

through29 Come to think of it, I’ve fired a few of those domineering seconds, but I doubt I’ve been through 29 of ‘em!

I’d love to win the books.  I’m always looking for something different.

I always love a new take on an historical romance. There are way too many of those “come here, come here, come here…get away, get away, get away” bits of fluff where relationships make no sense. And let’s face it, there were women in that era who said “to hell” with it and faced down society.

So, if I’m not one of the lucky-these will go on my list!

I’m in!  I’m halfway through Quinn’s latest and having a grand time.  Two days off from work in a row and I’ve read 3 Ranney and will finish the Quinn tonight.  Keep the darjeeling coming!

Why have I not already read these books?! DOH!

If I win a set, I promise to place them on the top tier of my TBR mountain.

pleasePleasePLEASE!

Ooh!!  I want to read it.  I NEED to read it.  I haven’t found a new good author in months!

It sounds like the author really did the impossible.  Made a modern female character fit inside an accurate historical setting. 

Oh, and my security word is HAVE68.  You know what that means?  You owe me one!

/Okay, I’ll admit that’s a bad joke.

Hey!  Pick me!  Poor college student here.  Between working minimum wage, paying summer tuition(ewww) and saving up for the Fall I am FLAT BROKE and cannot afford books.  *begs shamefully*

Kalen Hughes:
Rene, welcome to the shiny pink side. *grin*

Hey, shiny and pink sounds good to me.  Most of the books I like have a degree of romance in them, sometimes a pretty big degree, they’re just not shelved in the romance section.  I figure genre is mostly a convenience for publishers/readers.  The Kushiel series is one of my favorites, and to me that means I like 1) alternate history, and 2) the romance, and 3) gender bending, so… it sounds like I’ll like your books, no matter how pink & shiny the covers are . :)

Just so you know, I’ll be buying these if the internet contest gods don’t smile on me. (They never do.)  I also enjoyed a look at your website & look forward to the Rakes of London.  (How could I not, with a name like that?)

Thanks for posting through this thread.  It’s interesting to get snippets of the thought behind the book.

I saw the number of comments and immediately thought, What the hay? There’s nothing controversial about this post!

Then I read the giveaway line.  And it all made perfect sense.  DA is also bombarded with responses when there’s something free to be had.

Freebies or no, these do sound like fascinating books.  Just sayin’.

BOOKS BOOKS, I want books!

OK now that I have that out of my system, off to read the holyfriggenLONGBatman comments.

I just wanted to say that I’ve been reading your site for a while now, despite the fact that I’m not typically drawn to romance (well, ok, mainstream romance), but you both make for compelling writers, and have certainly helped to get me rethinking romance as a genre.

These books sound like a rollicking good time, making excellent use of the period. I’d love to give ‘em a try.

You guys seriously make me want to try romance. I haven’t read a romance novel since a total sellout author came to speak at my high school and gave out free copies of her awful books. You make me want to belieeeve!

They sound fun, especially Lord Sin. I want a set!

Di

Lordy, I miss Heyer.  When I first started reading romances, I discovered her (and Sergeanne Golon) at the library.  The library had almost every single book Heyer had published, and they were all available to me through high school and for several years beyond.  Cut to 20 or so years later, a couple of career changes, and several moves.  Most of my books are in storage, as I’m boarding, and my limited space means that any books I buy have to be ruthlessly purged regularly.

So, recently reminded about Devil’s Cub (thanks to you bitches), I trotted off to the library to pick it up.  They have THREE Heyers!  And two of them are Lady of Quality!  (The library is grossly undersized and they also have to ruthlessly purge.)

Multiple copies of Danielle Steele, though. Yergh.

Will delurk for books.

This means I should really read my Heyer, eh? I’ll add it to my roadtrip pile for this summer.

A Freudian Slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother.

LMAO.

Definitely getting these books if I don’t win the contest (pick me!). They sound like they’re going against what I hate in (historical) romances.

I wish that I had something witty to say, but really I’m grovelling for books.

Pick me! I’m random!

Definitely go read her short story. Excellent.

Love the reversal of some of those gender conventions. Just finished Daggerstar by Elizabeth Vaughan that had the kick-ass mercenary heroine who propositions the introspective hero who is getting over emotional trauma. Not what I was expecting, but I love that element of surprise.
Sign me up!

Cynthia, at the risk of butting in and providing unwanted recs, if you’re going to give historicals a shot I recommend Julia Quinn (I love, love, love, The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever and How To Marry a Marquis). Also, Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels.

For historical/fantasy type I recommend Shana Abe’s Smoke Thief and Dream Thief (sadly I’ve yet to read the third book in the series because it was released in hardcover and I hated the cover so I’m holding out for, hopefully, a better paperback release).

I could go on. I’ll refrain.

wowser. look what’s happened to SBTB. it’s grown into a powerful, smart, shiny pink monster.  clearing 200 comments on a weekday post?  when i first started stopping by it was not quite the same.  how sarah and candy have grown! it just brings out the annoying great-aunt side of me. 

keep seeing Kalen’s expert comments in resource guides and RWA craft sections - must be fun to see how she applies her own advice

WOO-HOO now these sound like my kind of ladies and can I say, finally, a historical were the heroine isn’t a “demure, virginal, milky white” twit!

Thanks for the recommendation . . . and if I don’t win *snort* . . . I’m off to the bookstore tomorrow.

These books sound like fun!

I enjoyed reading Lord Sin earlier this year.  Georgie was a refreshing character.  I look forward to Lord Scandal.  Thanks for the review and the book offer.

These are definitely going on my “must read” list, but getting them for free would certainly make it easier! 

*crossing fingers*

Okay, so I’m going to Fat Camp for 2 months (wish me luck!) and I need something to read and get me through- that’s NOT chocolate related. Help!

These sound… saucy.  Count me in!