Rainbow Rowell is one of those authors who always seems to attack my emotions directly, when I’m not looking. I love her use of unconventional characters, and I love that even though the character’s lives are imperfect, they get to find love anyway. Landline is not Rainbow Rowell’s best book. But through a combination of skill and serendipity the book managed to turn me into a gibbering mess. I’m not sure I’d call it “good” … Continue reading Landline by Rainbow Rowell →
Courtney Milan is well-known (and, on this site, much adored) for her Victorian romances. Trade Me is Milan’s first contemporary and once the Bitches finished knocking each other over on the way to an ARC, we commenced to raving about the book on email and now we are raving publicly because this book is pretty darn sublime. The basic sum up of the plot is this – Blake and Tina are two college students. Blake … Continue reading Trade Me by Courtney Milan →
Top Five is a romantic comedy that succeeds more as a comedy (with a lot of drama) than as a romance. Viewers should know that this is a very, very “R” rated comedy that tackles subjects of race, sexuality, addiction, and creative identity in powerful and profane ways. They should also know that the movie is freaking hysterical. Top Five has a “one crazy night” structure (actually it’s one crazy night and one crazy day). … Continue reading Top Five →
I loved the trailer for the Annie remake, and I was poised to love the movie itself, but I found myself with a huge case of what TV Tropes calls “They Changed It, Now It Sucks.” I loved Quvenzhané Wallis. I think she should be in everything from now on, as long as it doesn’t interfere with her physical and emotional health. If there is a film with a role for a child, cast her. … Continue reading Annie (2014) →
Scribd is a digital library ebook service that offers more than half a million titles for $8.99 a month. Sounds great, right? I thought so, and then I was bitterly, bitterly disappointed. I was offered a three-month trial when the news of Harlequin's exclusive deal with Scribd was announced, so I figured, why not? (NB: You can also get a three month free trial of Scribd at this URL using the promocode ScribdLovesHarlequin.) I downloaded … Continue reading Review: Scribd – A Digital Subscription Service →
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2014 review was written by RevMelinda. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Best First Book and Inspirational Categories. The summary: Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she'll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she's sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano →
Saving Mister Banks is a Walt Disney Film about Walt Disney, so if you are expecting a hard-hitting expose, this is not it. It makes Walt look as saintly as possible without actually putting a halo on him. But it’s also a marvelous showcase for perfectly cast actors in the prime of their careers, and a thoughtful look at the roles fiction can play in revealing and healing our emotional wounds. The first part of … Continue reading Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks →
The Sapphires is an Australian movie that's recently been released in the US. Before I left for Australia, my cable provider was promoting it was an On Demand choice for movie night. Elizabeth contacted me about the movie, and about the controversy regarding the US movie poster (at left). I asked her to write a review, and she did. I hope it makes you curious to see the movie. Here is Elizabeth's review: Sarah invited … Continue reading The Sapphires: A Guest Movie Review by Elizabeth →
Libraries are awesome. Like a lot of readers, I could talk about libraries and their awesomeness for hours. I could even tell you how a librarian caught the guy who stole my husband’s wallet; in fact, I will at the end of this review because it’s my review and I’mma do what I want. One thing about libraries that is slightly less than awesome is how difficult it can be to check out their e-books. … Continue reading The OverDrive Media Console App →
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2013 review was written by Livvy. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category. The summary: Upon his arrival, Butternut Creek Christian Church's newly-minted minister is met by a welcome committee led by Miss Birdie and her friend Mercedes, a.k.a. “the Widows.” Their first order of business, to educate him on how things should be done, quickly gives way to a campaign to … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek →
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2013 review was written by Emily A. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Novel with Strong Romantic Elements category. The summary: What if you found out you were the ugly friend? Emma Frazier is smart, hardworking, and loves her job as a journalist for a Florida lifestyle magazine. Emma knows she’s no great beauty, but she’s pretty certain she has a shot with her handsome new boss, … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: A Girl Like You by Maria Geraci →
