Bitchery reader Jennifer is a student at Davidson College who is focusing her research on the romance genre, and she comes to the Bitchery with a query. She’s looking for vampire romance, specifically those that do ti differently, or did it over but better the second time: I’m putting together a list of what I think are vampire romances that are both representative of the genre and ones that break, subvert, or rewrite vampire romances. … Continue reading GS. vs. STA: Vampire Romance Done Differently→
Bitchery reader Alyc writes: This is more general than the regular HaBO, so it may not qualify. Here’s the deal: I’m a sucker for a good Eros/Cupid and Psyche retelling. My hazy memory tells me I have run across a few in my time, but the new version of the TV show has got me yearning to read a few good Cupid stories. I’m certain the readership here would be more than able to recommend … Continue reading GS vs. STA: Gods and Mortals→
Librarian Jessica is looking for the assistance of the Bitchery. She’s writing an article for librarians on Johanna Lindsey, and is looking for books that best capture Lindsey’s style, particularly those you loved or hated the most: I’m writing (eventually) what librarians call an author readalike, a guide to the author and their appeal to readers. The second part is suggestions for other recommended authors that have a similar reading appeal…. Once I’ve read (or … Continue reading A Request For Help from a Librarian→
DeeCee wrote and asked me to help her find a book, but in doing so made me ponder the presence of piercings in romance novels: I read an erotic book awhile back (1-3 years, I think) that featured a hero with a tongue piercing. I remember absolutely nothing about it, but that and that it was contemporary. On a side note, do you know of many romance books featuring tongue piercings? I can’t find many … Continue reading GS v. STA: Hot Piercings→
Oh, the plus size heroine. You may choose from the following options: 1. She diets her way to happy endingness, because nothings says “blissful sex and unlimited love forever after” like losing weight and having thin thighs. 2. She diets her way to happy endingness after seeing the visual holyshit that is her head photoshopped onto a thin body. Once this, she suffers from absolutely no misapprehensions as to what her body looks like and … Continue reading GS v. STA: The Plus Size Heroine - The One Who’s Well Adjusted→
Magazines are all flush with the summer reading lists, and I’ve been asked to compile a never-fail list of books for the perfect summer reading. Any time, any part of the romance genre, with the only caveat that they still be in print. I’ve been doodling my faves in various genres, and have a pretty diverse list of old and newer books, but I wanted to query the Power of the Bitchery. Is there a … Continue reading Summer Reading 101→
Every so often I get a slap-upside-the-head reminder as to how big and important and powerful romance novels can be. Case in point: the following message from Bitchery reader N, who asks for your collective help in assembling a reading list: Several people have suggested that I ask you and your readers. I am looking for a book which may not exist. I have a friend whose mother is a battered wife. She reads romance … Continue reading GS (without the STA): Recommendations Needed→
Bitchery reader and aspiring writer Sarah (not me) writes in with a request: I am an aspiring writer, and am working on some of my first manuscripts after years of anime fanfiction and original fantasy shorts. Most of my readers have been saying I should get published, even if I’ve never taken one creative writing course, and am finally breaking down to maybe give it a try. Most of what I write currently is almost … Continue reading GSvSTA: Ninjas, baby! YEAH!→
Cat Marsters emailed me a very interesting question, one that I hadn’t considered: what romances do you know of that feature sane exes? Usually, the ex is a horror show, either a monstrous vindictive batshit crazy lady with an array of romance shorthand markers for shallowness, such as an obsession over nail polish (read: claws/talons), an over-attentive focus on her looks (read: vanity) or just a cold, calulating beauty (read: she’s evil). As Cat puts … Continue reading GS vs. STA: A Stab to the Perfect Virgin - Sane Exes in Romance→
Here’s an unusual request for help from our masterful collective mental library of awesome: Andrew, who has been lurking for awhile, sold a book. Yay, Andrew! Funny thing is, he’s a novelist who’s publisehd 17 novels, mostly Fantasy and Science Fiction. Trouble is, this time he’s being told by the purchaser of his manuscript that he’s written a… paranormal romance. “Really?!” says Andrew. “Oh, yes,” sayeth his publisher. “You’ve written a ‘dark historical paranormal fantasy … Continue reading GS vs. STA: A Sci Fi Writer Needs a Romance Education - Stat!→
Bitchery Exchange Student Mads is an Aussie in France, and she needs le help! She is looking to build a reading list of bodice-rippingly-good saga romances for her reading pleasure. Recently I got the opportunity to become and exchange student in France- and voila, here I am. I’ve been in France for six weeks now and despite the freezing, disgusting weather (I’m Australian; this is my idea of hell. Well, this and that Hoff strippy, … Continue reading GS v. STA: Aussie in France Needs Epic Man-titty - STAT!→
