Bitchin' Blog Posts
: Self Published
May 14, 2012 | Monday | 30 Comments
I started this book last Saturday morning while my kids were at swim lessons, and I was in a dark, humid, and loud indoor pool on uncomfortable bleachers. I did not notice any of those things once I started reading. This book is amazing: confident and clever, funny and touching, and wonderfully done. This book is a simultaneous story - Mayberry's Harlequin Blaze, Hot Island Nights ( A | BN | K | S | ARe ), takes place at the same time with two separate characters. Is there a name for that style of storytelling? I know Twin of…
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May 09, 2012 | Wednesday | 41 Comments
I have a lot to say about this novella, so let's get the plot summary part done - which is not easy as a lot happens in a short space. Serena Barton was fired from her position as a governess because she was raped by the duke of Clermont, but because she didn't fight back or shout when it happened, she holds herself partially responsible. Serena is determined to be heard and seen now that she's pregnant, and decides for her own sake and the sake of the child she's now carrying, she will sit outside the duke's home and humiliate…
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April 09, 2012 | Monday | 19 Comments
The Dark Wife was recommended in the thread of f/f romance recommendations, and when I read the summary, I was really curious. Then I started reading the book and before I knew it, I was more than a third of the way into the book, it was nearly midnight, and my brain had no idea where the past two and a half hours had gone. This book swallows you whole. Be wary of picking it up if you only have a few minutes to read. The story moves so fast and the prose is so attentiongrabby that you'll keep going…
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March 29, 2012 | Thursday | 0 Comments
Tonight at 9pm ET, the window below will go live with fast-moving and often hilarious commentary as we discuss Bella Andre's I Only Have Eyes for You. I hope you enjoyed it, and I can't wait to discuss it with you! Bella Andre will be joining us at 10pm ET to answer questions, and I'm sure there will be many. If you're not able to make the chat but want to ask a question, either for discussion or for the author, you can leave a comment below or email me at sarahATsmartbitchestrashybooks.com. And if you miss the chat, the entire conversation…
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March 28, 2012 | Wednesday | 20 Comments
I was initially fascinated by the plot synopsis for this book, the opportunity to read historical romance in a setting that was unfamiliar, and the characters. But the book suffers from such poor editing that I couldn't finish it, and had to stop reading. This is the synopsis, provided by the author: Set in Gilded Age America, a young woman must choose between circumstance and destiny. Orphaned as small children, Sterling Redmond and her older sister Charlotte are raised by their grandfather at the family’s Maryland country estate of Northampton. Charlotte blossoms into a famed Baltimore beauty, but Sterling is…
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January 26, 2012 | Thursday | 37 Comments
I found this book because of a Facebook ad. If you follow me on Twitter or are subscribed to the SBTB Facebook page, you saw me talking about it yesterday. Here's the ad: This ad worked for me so well I was astonished. Hero description, heroine description, briefest plot summary with hints at the tropes to be used. I WAS SO THERE. Then I got a look at the cover. Beautiful! Looks…professional! Add to that the .99c price, and it was not difficult to click the ad, look at the book description, and click to buy. And judging from…
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January 24, 2012 | Tuesday | 82 Comments
I received a pitch for this book from the author, and was intrigued by the mix of elements she highlighted in her email: the multi-cultural characters, the use of European soccer clubs as a setting, and the interesting conflict with the heroine posing as the fiancée of her gay best friend while being attracted to his nemesis. I not only bought it but sent a message to Jane at DearAuthor, since she and I both enjoy sports-focused romances. Alas, this book is poorly edited, suffers from an outright fear of commas, is confused as to how the characters names are…
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January 03, 2012 | Tuesday | 15 Comments
It's fun to read a trilogy and see the complete story of all the featured characters, so I'm making this month's selection the Courtney Milan Hat Trick: Unraveled, better known as "Smite's Story." RedHeadedGirl already gave it an A, but I know so many of you want to discuss the book, so let's read and discuss, shall we? Here's the summary: Smite Turner is renowned for his single-minded devotion to his duty as a magistrate. But behind his relentless focus lies not only a determination to do what is right, but the haunting secrets of his past—secrets that he is…
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January 03, 2012 | Tuesday | 50 Comments
You guys know that I’m in my last year of law school (ABOUT FUCKING TIME) and it’s finals coming up and I SHOULD be writing a paper, but Sarah knows very well that I usually do reviews when I’m avoiding writing. Or studying. Or doing anything I really should be doing. SO HERE I AM and I’m also a little (a lot) unhinged (which totally should be the title of Courtney’s next book). Anyway, so I got an advance copy of Unraveled in a giveaway during the Sizzling Not Summer Book Club chat and there was pressure for a…
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November 07, 2011 | Monday | 23 Comments
Whenever I read a first person YA novel, I feel like I need to state in the review that it is first person, and the narrators are telling the story to the reader in each chapter directly. I know that drives some people bananas, though it doesn’t bother me. But be ye aware: this is first person narration from the hero and heroine’s point of view. Awareness aside: Holy, holy crap, I really enjoyed this book. Plot summary ahoy! Elodie Rose has just moved to town, and is keeping a big ol’ secret. She’s on the cusp of turning into…
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August 14, 2011 | Sunday | 17 Comments
Quite a few changes in the list this week! A few self-published books, as well as new series romances, mixed in with bargains of the classic romance sort. This week’s list is fascinating for me. Wild & Steamy Carolyn Crane, Jill Myles, and Meljean Brook [Amazon | BN: nook | AllRomance | Goodreads | Smashwords] Lord of Scoundrels Loretta Chase [Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo] Kiss an Angel Susan Elizabeth Phillips [Amazon |BN/nook | Sony | Kobo] A View to a Kiss Caroline Linden [Amazon |nook | Sony | Kobo] The Disgraced Playboy Caitlin Crews [Amazon |BN/nook |…
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August 06, 2011 | Saturday | 39 Comments
Ahem. Squee commences… NOW. OMG OMG THIS IS AWESOME. GO BUY IT. What, that isn’t enough for you? Fine. I have to come clean ad admit I have not read “The Iron Duke.” I respect the opinions of those who have loved it every which way enough to recommend it to people who I know will love it (and they have). I know that it is likely something I will enjoy when I do read it. But my brain is overloaded at present and has been for awhile, and I know it is exactly the wrong time to introduce said…
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July 28, 2011 | Thursday | 39 Comments
This novella was submitted to me by the author, and based on her description, ” about a girl who decides to masquerade as her twin in order to get the attention of the guy she’s secretly in love with” I decided to give it a try. Viola Gardener is the quiet twin, and has a Secret Thang for a Hot Earl who has danced with her once. She decides, as the author stated, to attend the masquerade ball her family is hosting and pretend to be her twin, Olivia, who is much more socially vivacious and popular. She captures Hot…
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