Paradise Cove by Jenny Holiday is $1.99! This is the second book in the Matchmaker Bay series. We’ve heard good things about it and Aarya mentioned it on a Hide Your Wallet over the summer. Have you read it?
Today, I’m talking rakes, rakesses, and historically ferocious women with Scarlett Peckham. We talk about what she calls her feminist primal scream book, The Rakess, about steely steadfast cinnamon roll heroes, and we deep dive into what we love about characters who destabilize and unpeel one another emotionally and, uh, literally. Also: a sneak peek into what’s next in her Sirens series and for the Charlotte Street series! TW/CW: talk about sexual harassment, the price … Continue reading 407. The Privileges of Being a Rakess with Scarlett Peckham
TW: Dead birds, alcoholism, death of infants at birth, spousal abuse I came here looking for an amazing story and Bitches, I was not disappointed. Even during a time when I have an attention span of about five seconds, this book kept me reading. It up-ended tropes, subverted expectations, and, thanks to the Author’s Note, gave me a seriously happy historical fix. The romance itself combines some actual realities with a big dose of crumbling … Continue reading The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham
After reading a slew of perfectly adequate but largely forgettable romances lately, reading The Lord I Left was a nice, trope-tastic surprise. Granted, I’d sign up for pretty much any story featuring a snowy road trip, but I got a lot more than that by the end of this book. Henry Evesham, Methodist preacher, former editor of a “evangelical news rag,” and a Lord Lieutenant tasked with investigating London’s sex trade, is saying his goodbyes … Continue reading The Lord I Left by Scarlett Peckham
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik is $2.99! This is a lovely fantasy with romantic elements. My friend and I recently discussed Novik and comparisons between Uprooted and Spinning Silver. We feel Spinning Silver was the better of the two, but both are still REALLY GOOD. What are your thoughts?
Let’s take a look at some gorgeous covers! Cover art by Valentina Remenar Lara: Oh, I love that cover! Sneezy: That’s so atmospheric! Sarah: Well damn. Amanda: The position of the smoke! The dripping tea (or is it?). The image of the city within her body. Such great composition! Sarah: The hair over her eye! Echoed by the smoke! Sarah: This is pretty. Amanda: This reminds me of those I Spy books and you have … Continue reading Cover Awe: We Have a Clinch!
Happy Saturday! We’re closing out June with our second Whatcha Reading. Here’s what we’re reading right now: Sarah: I am about to start the audiobook of My Lady Jane because the trailer looked heckin sumptuous and I am very curious. Lara: I’ve wrapped up G A Aiken’s dragon series and I’m currently rereading her Scarred Earth series. Once this cross-country move is over, I’ll hopefully have the bandwidth for new-to-me books! Elyse: I’m reading Seasick … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? June 2024, Part Two
The scandalous women of the USA Today bestselling author Scarlett Peckham’s Society of Sirens are back with the final stage in their fight for female rights—and this time the battle is to be waged in bed… She’s the most infamous harlot in London…and she’s up for auction. Thaïs Magadalene is a legend. The nation’s most notorious courtesan, she sells herself once a week, for one night only, and never to the same patron twice. Until … Continue reading The Mistress Experience
We’re wrapping up March with our part two of Whatcha Reading! Sneezy: I’ve recently started Between Harlem and Heaven by JJ Johnson and Alexander Smalls. The writing is lovely and I can’t wait to read all about the food!!!! Elyse: I’m just over halfway through The Priory of the Orange Tree and I’m loving it. It’s epic fantasy, very immersive, and so far there hasn’t been a ton of violence like in other books I’ve … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? March 2023, Part Two
Welcome back to Cover Awe! Cover design by Leah Jacobs-Gordon Amanda: What a sunny cover that definitely taps into my longing for winter to end already. Sarah: That’s a cover I would cross a room to look at. Kiki: This is so beautifully warm that it feels like it is actively glowing—perfect color design. Cover art by Ravven From Joanne: I had this preordered before it had a cover, and it arrived on my kindle … Continue reading Cover Awe: Bright and Golden Colors
We’re approaching the end of the year and there’s only one more Whatcha Reading left after this one in 2021! Lara: I’ve hit a rough patch emotionally so I’ve turned to a series that Sarah has recommended: the Cadfael books by Ellis Peters. They’re a marvel and a balm for the soul! Sarah: Aren’t they lovely? I am so glad they are giving you the mellow reading feels. Lara: They’re just the best! I’m trying … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? December 2021, Part One
