Marian would like you to know that this was her first DNF of the year. I suppose it’s good to get that out of the way. Says Marian: I had to stop reading this book before I even got halfway. There was nothing shocking like assault or abuse… just endless, misogynistic objectification and harassment from the hero. Rape culture alert! One positive review on Amazon said he was a throwback to the 40’s, and I … Continue reading Book Rant: The Man for the Job Is Not For the Job →
Marian sent me an email that began: One thing I love about the new site design is that I discovered all the rants. That reminded me I’d written something similar, so I’ve attached my rant. The book was one of those you’d like to throw to the floor and jump up and down on, except for it being library property. So all you can do is write about it, and maybe share with someone who’ll … Continue reading Book Rant: Breathless by Anne Stuart Made Marian Angry →
Intrusion by Charlotte Stein is an unusual novel. It’s part romantic suspense, part moody, intense contemporary. It almost defies categorization. Both Sarah and I read and it we had a lot to say. Intrusion opens with Beth, our heroine and narrator, worried that her creepy neighbor Noah Gideon Grant has stolen her dog. Noah never leaves his slightly decrepit house, and there’s a rumor in the neighborhood that he killed his wife. Beth confronts Noah, … Continue reading Intrusion by Charlotte Stein →
I don’t even know where to start. You guys, this one is going to be tough. First, let me just state that I love Kresley Cole. I’ve read all the books in her Immortals After Dark series. I own Poison Princess. I’ve even dipped into her historicals. I would probably bid on Ebay for a lock of her hair. So of course, I was curious when she announced her plans to do something more … Continue reading The Professional by Kresley Cole →
There’s a trend in erotica/erotic romance that I particularly hate. I call it “Surprise! Kink!” Like the hero and heroine have been dating for a while and he suddenly tells her he’s kinky, like he's handing her one of those fake cans of peanuts that snakes pop out of. Except instead of snakes, it’s dicks. And they smack her in the face. I guess I personally believe that if your idea of a perfect committed … Continue reading Review: The Dining Club by Marina Anderson →
My real problem with 50 Shades of Grey isn’t the bad writing (though it is bad) or the paper-thin boring-as-fuck chracters (though they ARE), or even, in the abstract, the wild popularity (we all get into romance and erotica from somewhere). My problem with the 50 Shades phenomenon is the completely bullshit and dangerous view of the BDSM lifestyle, and the idea that people are using the relationship of Ana and Christian as a template … Continue reading REVIEW: The Naughty Bits Series by Joey W. Hill →
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2014 review was written by Ann MG. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Erotic Romance and Best First Book Categories. The summary: He’ll teach her how to bring a man to his knees… Dr. Ellie Swan has a plan: open her practice in tiny Bluelick, Kentucky, so she can keep an eye on her diabetic father, and make hometown golden-boy Roger Reynolds fall in love with her. But … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: Private Practice by Samanthe Beck →
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2014 review was written by Sue D. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Erotic Romance Category. The summary: Damien Stark’s need is palpable—his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in every way my match. I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: Claim Me by J. Kenner →
This RITA® Reader Challenge 2014 review was written by Lila. This story was nominated for the RITA® in the Erotic Romance category. This is the second story in It Stings So Sweet. The summary: In the aftermath of a wild, liquor-soaked party, three women from very different social classes are about to live out their forbidden desires. Clara Cartwright, sultry siren of the silent screen, is introduced to a mysterious WWI Flying Ace. If Clara, darling … Continue reading RITA Reader Challenge: When I’m Bad I’m Better by Stephanie Draven →
When I finished reading Misbehaving by Tiffany Reisz, I immediately picked up the first book in her Original Sinners series, The Siren. I knew going in that The Siren was erotica, not romance, but I didn’t expect what I got. The series centers around a world-famous dominatrix and Switch, Nora, and the men in her life: Zach, her frosty, British editor; Wesley, her nineteen-year-old, virgin intern; and Søren, her Dom. The Siren is surprisingly light … Continue reading Review: The Siren by Tiffany Reisz →
Apparently I am now the official Smart Bitches ménage reviewer. When Sarah showed me this book I knew had to read it because OMG Their Virgin Concubine. Also the blurb the said “Can they navigate the unique pathways of love as their cousin plots for the throne?” I was willing to bet that “unique pathway of love” was anal, and I was right. This book actually isn’t awful at all. It’s crazy, but it owns … Continue reading Review: Their Virgin Concubine by Shayla Black and Lexie Blake →
