Don’t Tempt Me was a strange reading experience for me. While I was reading it, I was so captivated by the chemistry between the hero and heroine that I couldn’t bear to stop. I resented every minute I had to spend working, sleeping or shopping. I cheerfully ignored cats, friends, roommate and boyfriend in favor of finishing the book. I haven’t read a book this way in a very long time—I think the last time … Continue reading Don’t Tempt Me by Loretta Chase →
At one pivotal scene in this novel, I made the following note: “The hottie, the twit, in the wardrobe.” I loved so much about this book. I loved the writing, the fact that Dare doesn’t waste a word or rely on cliches or even every-so-skimmable words when writing even a kissing scene. It reminded me of Deirdre Knight’s Butterfly Tattoo, or Meredith Duran’s novels. These are books so carefully, intricately constructed that if I caught … Continue reading Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare →
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago (ok, it was January, but online that’s, like, nine years ago or some shit), DocTurtle read and blogged about his romance exploration, a readerly tour of romance 101 directed by recommendations from the Bitchery. First he read Sex, Straight Up, because he dismissed the category genre in an offhand remark and I challenged him to put his reading where is snark is. He agreed, discovered the … Continue reading DocTurtle Returns to Finish Lord of Scoundrels →
I admit, I am not a fan of the novella. I think novellas, short stories, and book length fiction are very different things, and a writer who has strength in one may not have strength in the others. While anthologies are often the cup-of-oh-yes-please for some readers, they aren’t often my preference simply because the short format can cut the very parts I like best: building tension, character development, and clever, interesting dialogue. Often the … Continue reading The Legend of the Werestag by Tessa Dare →
My understanding of historical fiction is that the audience of readers expects just about every morsel, aside from the fictional existence of the protagonists, to be verifiable or at least highly researched and therefore likely fact. Donna Russo Morin’s book is nothing if not indefatigably researched. Readers experience the entirety of Kind Louis XIV’s court, from the tightly intricate manners and expectations of deportment, which ranged from who had a chair with arms and who … Continue reading The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin →
Another snarktastic chapter-by-chapter account by Li’l SBiT Patrick. I know many of you are reading along with Patrick – how are you liking the book so far? Being a bit of a blow-by-blow by SBiT Patrick, Part the Second: Chapters 3 through 5 Chapter 3: The Bluestocking Does Some Blue-Balling “Dain felt extremely reluctant to enter any room with a fille de joie, which created a serious problem, since he was just fastidious enough to … Continue reading Lil’ SBiT Patrick Reviews: Lord of Scoundrels, Part II →
I’ve recommended this book to both Jane and KatieBabs, and both of them seemed to be as caught by the story as I was. If you like meaty, thought-provoking historical romance with enigmatic characters and a use of history that illuminates the time period in a new and often difficult way, this is a book for you. This is not light, frilly, lace and ruffles romance set in the Regency; this book is marvelously real. … Continue reading Scandal by Carolyn Jewel →
A snarktastic chapter-by-chapter account by Li’l SBiT Patrick Howdy, howdy! It’s time I get underway with my next review, of the much-ballyhooed Lord of Scoundrels. As I write these words I’m about a chapter and a half in, and already I’m afraid that there might be a little less snark in this episode: so far the book is pretty much a big ol’ loaf of awesome smothered in a rich awesome sauce. I’m liking it … Continue reading SBit Patrick Reviews: Lord of Scoundrels, Part I →
In order to get this review going, I have to get one thing out of the way: “Fuck me, he cleared it!” Ok, then. The buzz is a-building about Carrie Lofty’s What a Scoundrel Wants since the buzz-o-matic Ann Aguirre launched a viral contest to spread the word about Lofty’s debut with Kensington. I read this book a few weeks ago, and I have to say, Lofty set herself for a hell of a task: … Continue reading What a Scoundrel Wants by Carrie Lofty →
Part four of my liveblogging an Historical Undone. Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV Chapter Four: The Night before Christmas Bliss is the word for it: they’ve “gotten to know” each other now that the hot sex has cleared the air, and it’s time for a merry Christmas and a merrier denouement and conclusion. Lord Alex WALON has even offered to help with the chores. HOLY CRAP. But oh, noes! … Continue reading Liveblogging: The Unmasking of Lady Loveless by Nicola Cornick →
When I wrote last week about reading a paperback and compared that experience to The Kindle-Ade, this is the book I was talking about. I grabbed this book as fast as I could because I had to complete the Act of Congress that it takes to move my posse around on the weekend and make sure I had something to read in the car. Just Wicked Enough is a American heiress/impoverished lord historical, and I … Continue reading Just Wicked Enough by Lorraine Heath →
