I have read several contemporary romances in a row with the conflict resting in part on the idea that it's not acceptable to date the sibling of one's best friend. If, for example, the heroine's got it bad for her brother's BFF, said BFF is off limits to her, and more importantly, said sister is waaaay off limits to the BFF. On one hand, I understand that conflicts in contemporary romance are tricky because, really, … Continue reading The Sibling Code: Love a Little Sideways and In the Clear →

What follows is Carrie's report on Con-volution 2013, which was held Nov 1-3 in California. I had the immense pleasure of attending Convolution 2013, a science fiction/fantasy convention in Burlingame, CA, during the first weekend of November.  For me and my peeps, Halloween never really stops.  As evidence I give you the fact that I reported for work every day in a cape and on one occasion responded to an offer of candy (chocolate eyeballs, … Continue reading Carrie Went to Convolution 2013 →

It's the most expensive comment thread of the site, when I ask what you're reading, and how you like it, and then I buy about 3/4ths of the things you suggest.  (Please tell me I'm not alone in that problem, please.) I'm reading a mix of holiday titles, and am trying not to allow myself to read the Tessa Dare historical that isn't out until February, but I have a feeling I'm going to cave … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? And Cooking? →

 Molly O'Keefe prevously wrote about her love of Bruce Springsteen, and is back with a discussion of how she – and we – learn about sex. I never had a discussion with my parents about sex. Or even a vague and confusing birds and the bees conversation. Which is odd considering my dad was a high school health teacher and my mom was a nurse. Instead what I got was a musical montage of pornography, … Continue reading “It’s Not Really Like That” or How We Talk To Girls About Sex - A Guest Post from →

Former Intern Amanda is back, this time with the historicals she always re-reads. I do love me some romances and there are a few that I make an effort to reread every so often. They are books that remind you of why you read the things you do and why you love them. Those books that help instill faith back into the genre after a particularly harrowing reading of some new, glossy paperback that you … Continue reading Historicals: They’ll Keep You Coming Back for More →

 I've often said that I prefer realism over accuracy in much of my reading. I don't care if the duke drives a Porsche to Almack's, but I do care if the dialogue is wooden and the characters are unrealistic once he gets there. But I've been thinking about how much reality I want, especially after seeing fan reaction to the news that in the next installment in the Bridget Jones series, Jones is a widow … Continue reading Characters Live Forever… In My Mind →

I've been commissioning illustrations from Vicky Scott, a fine, fine illustrator, about book and reading terms that are familiar to us all. First, we did “Abibliophobia:”      And now, “Comfort Reading:”   When I posted the latest illustration on Facebook, Heather S. asked the question perfectly: “What are your 'comfort blanket' books?” What books would you make a blanket out of if you could, and why? 

G'day! Whatcha reading, mate? I love this thread, even though it's hella expensive because I want to read all the things you're reading. Me, I'm reading in small snippets because I'm traveling with my family, so I've got some American magazines and some novellas that I'm reading in tiny bits.  What about you? What are you loving right now? Anything you think everyone should read right now right now? Anything you thought wasn't too terrific?  … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? →

Jenny D. wrote me this email a few months ago, and I asked if I could share her story with you because it made me laugh so hard. Sometimes the way in which people who aren't familiar with the romance genre approach it can be unintentionally hilarious.  I had a hilarious/infuriating romance novel-related interaction today, and needed to share it with someone who would appreciate it. =) So my eight-and-a-half months pregnant self is waddling through … Continue reading Reader Encounters: Accidentally Hilarious →