Dragon Unleashed is a lovely and tender romance between two people who often feel misunderstood by the world around them. Unfortunately, the rest of the details outside of the romance are depressing as all get out. It’s not a fun world to be in and as a result, I did frequent skimming during the chapters that didn’t focus on the hero and heroine. Before we get into it, I do want to answer the biggest … Continue reading Dragon Unleashed by Grace Draven →
CW/TW for mentions of violence, rape, and abuse both in the book and in this review. Phoenix Unbound is a brand new fantasy romance from Grace Draven and the start to a new series. While the world building is fantastic, the pacing greatly affected my reading experience. I also want to warn that I’m going to spoil some elements of this book because some things are integral in discussing my feelings. Also, please keep the … Continue reading Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven →
Please join us June 28 at 8:00pm EDT to discuss Radiance by Grace Draven! A link to the chat room will be posted on the site around that time. We hope to see you there and we look forward to a lively discussion!
It’s time for our every-other-month Smart Bitches Book Club selection! This month, we were craving some fantasy romance, and we picked a much-recommended and much-loved title, and I cannot wait to talk about it with you. Our June selection: Radiance by Grace Draven! If you haven’t read this book before, I hope you’ll give it a try. For me, it was an ideal blend of fantasy and romance, with a friends-to-lovers plot between two characters I … Continue reading Book Club June Selection: Radiance by Grace Draven →
Candy: OK, first of all? This novella is marketed as historical erotica by its publisher, Amber Quill Press. The reality? I’ve read hotter, more detailed love scenes in short stories from mainstream anthologies. I was expecting nookie—oceans and rivers and fountains of it—and instead found one four-page love scene in 54 pages of story. It’s even a pretty standard in-out, in-out scene, though BONUS! A bodice (OK, chemise) does get ripped. Somewhat unfairly, this impacted … Continue reading Blackbird by Grace Draven →
In this week’s podcast episode, we’re looking at the ads and features in the March 2016 issue of Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews. Special and massive thanks to Shannon Stacey for sending me this issue! You can also find all the RTRW content at our category page for Romantic Times Rewind. And, most importantly, if you want to listen and follow along with this entry, we have more detail in the audio, but you … Continue reading Romantic Times Rewind: March 2016 Ads & Features →
It’s Wednesday! Wow, this week is feeling like a slog. Does anyone else feel like that? I think it’s because I just got back from vacation and hopped right back into work. But there are some things I’m looking forward to! Don’t you worry! I’m kickstarting my cheese course. My friend and I are attended a red wine and cheese pairing class on Thursday. Dungeons & Dragons resumes on Sunday afternoon. My partner and I are … Continue reading Links: Trailers, Fundraisers, & More →
A midwinter holiday fantasy romance anthology… From Darynda Jones, a standalone novella set in a world where vampyres are hunted for sport. The only thing standing between them and total annihilation is Winter, a warrior bred to save them from extinction. Forbidden to fall in love, Winter cares only about her oaths… until she meets the devilish prince of the underworld. Amanda Bouchet transports The Kingmaker Chronicles to modern-day New York City. An exiled warrior … Continue reading Fire of the Frost →
We’re about to finish up March and you know what that means… APRIL FOOL’S DAY! We like to go a bit big for that goofy holiday and yes, we do have something planned this year. I hope you’ll mark your calendars and be sure to join us on the start of the month. Anywho, let’s get into what we’re reading! Lara: I’m a teacher and my life has been swallowed by work of late. I … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? March 2021 Edition, Part Two →
It’s our last Whatcha Reading of this year! It’s kind of bittersweet, but let’s be honest…I think we’re all ready for this year to be over. Thank you all so much for being part of this great, romance-loving community! Here’s to better things in 2021. Carrie: I just (as in, an hour ago) finished the riveting and harrowing non-fiction Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker. Claudia: My hold on The Hidden Moon finally arrived! Enjoyable … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? December 2020, Part Two →
Five powerhouse authors of fantasy and urban fantasy bring you a feast of romantic midwinter holiday adventures. These heartwarming and pulse-pounding tales celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, the solstice, Yule – and holidays from worlds beyond our own. With fancy-dress balls, faery bargains, time travel, blood sacrifice, and festive cocktails, these stories will delight lovers of fantasy and romance, with a dash of seasonal joy. Ballgowns & Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong The North Yorkshire moors are always … Continue reading Under a Winter Sky →
