In January, I was having a conversation on Twitter with Sheri W, who mentioned that she re-reads a few Jennifer Crusie books “on the regular to battle a bad day.” I know exactly what she means. As I replied to her, I have books like that, “Bad Day Re-Reads,” which are always happy/sexy/fun books. Sheri agreed, saying hers were Bet Me ( A | BN | K) or Agnes and the Hitman ( A | BN | … Continue reading Bad Day Re-Reads: Books That Make It All Better
I recently received an email from Jen, who wanted to tell me about a book she'd found via the Books on Sale posts, because she loved it. Like, loooooved it. Like, composed a terrifically passionate email all about the book and the characters because they gave her all the happy reading joy. So of course I had ask if I could share it with you. Please meet Jen! Kate Locke's heroine Xandra from God … Continue reading Reader Recommendation From Jen: God Save the Queen by Kate Locke
The subject of comfort reading has come up many times on Smart Bitches. Everyone has their warm-fuzzy author, the one we go to when we want to feel a little better about the world or visit an old friend. My comfort author is the late Edith Layton. When someone wants to try Regency romance for the first time, I always suggest they start with Layton. There's something about her writing that transcends the usual tropes found … Continue reading Comfort Reads and Edith Layton
I was invited to be on NPR's All Things Considered (which you can read – and hear! woo! – at this link) as part of a feature wherein they link a current news story to a related or recommended read. They asked for my recommendation in response to the story about Francois Hollande, the president of France, whose longterm affair with Julie Gayet was revealed recently — sending first lady Valerie Trierweiler into the hospital … Continue reading Romance and Revenge on NPR
I have two sets of reader recommendations for you, should you be looking for more books. Because who ISN'T looking for more books, right? Of course. On 3 December writer Ida Pollock passed away at the age of 105. She had written 125 romances – the 125th to be published very soon. From the Daily Mail: Mrs Pollock went on to use ten pseudonyms and saw 70 of her books published by Mills & Boon … Continue reading Two Sets of Reader Recommendations: Foodie Memoirs and Ida Pollock
This week, many YA authors were discussing online the recent news that due to insufficient entries, the YA Romance category for the 2014 RITA® has been cancelled. Marni Bates wrote about her reaction, as did Diana Peterfreund. My reaction: Aw, bummer. I discover many terrific authors in the YA Romance category when we do the RITA® Reader Challenge each year, and end up with books I recommend for years afterward. This year I thought there were some … Continue reading YA Romance in 2013
