I very much enjoyed Compass Rose. This is not a shock, since the book features lesbian pirates and giant squid and thus has “Carrie Bait” written all over it. However, I did not find the end to be entirely satisfying and I had a heck of a time keeping up with the plot. The heroine, Compass Rose (yes, that’s her name) never gets lost, but I got lost in this plot all the dang time. … Continue reading Compass Rose by Anna Burke
Content warnings: recent death of alcoholic parent, several references to euthanizing shelter animals I’ve enjoyed all three of Anna Burke’s books so far, which take place in settings where I would last for no longer than a week, if I’m being generous. In order, they are: A dystopian climate fiction with lesbian pirates and terrifying giant squids A lyrical, dark f/f reinterpretation of Beauty and the Beast A super-queer Robin Hood retelling, which was also … Continue reading Spindrift by Anna Burke
CW: self-harm, threat of sexual violence, passing reference to possible actual sexual violence against a young girl Have you ever said to yourself “I want to read a Robin Hood story, but full of lesbians and other queer people?” Well, good news! Because that’s exactly what Nottingham is! I couldn’t have come up with a more joyfully queer interpretation of it if I’d tried. That said, it’s specifically the queer rep that’s joyful and not … Continue reading Nottingham by Anna Burke
This Rec League was submitted by Kris Bock and we thought the cuteness of pets in romance would be most welcome: Romances where animals have a strong role, beyond simply someone who happens to have a pet. There’s a fair number with dogs, but what about cats, ferrets, rabbits etc? (I’m talking about pets here, not shifters or animals as heroes.) Sarah: Wild on my Mind by Laurel Kerr takes place at a zoo with … Continue reading The Rec League: Scene-Stealing Animals & Pets
This Rec League request was sent into us by Elena. Thanks, Elena! I want romances where the heroine is the one who is dark, brooding, and emo instead of the hero. And ideas? Sarah: Ooooooh. Wednesday Addams, please step forward! Amanda: More of a Wednesday Addams-lite, the heroine in Bad Bachelor is a goth/punk librarian. Not brooding, but has the fashion sense. We also have a Books for Your Inner Goth Rec League but those … Continue reading The Rec League: Broody Heroines
I’ve done some posts about romance gatherings in various locations, but clearly, that was in the Before Times. During the Quarantimes, we do all the things virtually! (Except for the deeply fraught search through every closet and old travel kit for a single barrette or hair tie. That was not virtual. It was futile, however. I haven’t had long hair in more than a decade.) I’ve got a whole bunch of events to tell you … Continue reading Virtual Romance Events, Ahoy!
February has arrived and we have books to discuss! Here’s what we’re currently reading: Carrie: Mazes of Power, by my friend Juliette Wade! It’s labelled as “sociological science fiction.” The focus is less on tech and more on social and political intrigue. Very good so far. Shana: I’m digging into The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan. It’s a British cozy mystery set in WWII about an opinionated middle-aged woman searching for her missing … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? February 2020 Edition, Part One
It’s that time again where we talk about ALL THE BOOKS! We have a lovely group of new reviewers joining us, which means more books in discussion. Let’s jump right into it! Carrie: I’m prepping for some Clarkesworld Magazine articles so I’m reading Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and then back to romance. Susan: I’m reading Artificial Condition by Martha Wells because I’m doing my Hugos reading, and I forgot how … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? July 2019 Edition, Part Two
It is Howdy! Welcome to our “About Us” page, where we can wank on without limit as to who we are, and why we’re here. If you came to this page looking for how to contact us, there is a whole other area for that. Follow the pretty red hyperlinks. ❤ SB-TB Books ❤ Meet the Bitches ❤ Contact Us ❤ Once Upon a Smart & Sassy Time… Smart Bitches Trashy Books began in 2005 … Continue reading About the Smart Bitches
