My internal monologue while reading this novella went as follows for the first third: “Oh, now that’s different.” “Ok, cool.” “Huh. That’s some smart use of rock and fire imagery.” “Ok, now that’s COOL.” “This is really, really different.” I love cool and different. The story opens on Aera’s final test as a priestess of fire: she must enter a labyrinth of the volcano, pass through multiple gates to the eye of the maze, and … Continue reading Heart of the Volcano by Imogen Howson→
Bitchery reader Heather writes: I think I know why there are so many paranormal romances in the past years: because back in the 80s there were these YA paranormal “romances” where the girl learns some cool little power and finds a boy and they (maybe) kiss. I had a favorite one of those in the 1980s, and I can’t remember author/title. Nostalgia is egging me to find it again, and google is not finding it. … Continue reading HaBO: Paranormal YA from the 80s→
When I first met Kate Duffy, it was at RWA in Dallas in 2007, and I was 8.5 months pregnant. I waddled everywhere, and I was, literally, a torpedo. I gave birth 6 weeks later. Like any good pregnant lady at an RWA convention, I was in the bar when I was introduced to Kate Duffy. There was much squeeing. I was a fan of hers, and she was a fan of our site. She … Continue reading In Memory of Kate Duffy→
Seems like cougars are the new black: I think there are three new TV shows this fall about older women and younger men, pointing to a cultural fascination with the experienced female and young energetic male pairing. Much of the portrayals I’ve seen in the promotional trailers and ads for these shows seem superficial at best and uninteresting – and the idea of tension based merely on age difference and maturity does nothing for me. … Continue reading Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun→
Mirror Mirror on the wall, what’s the most WTFery Book Cover Of them All? Thanks to Tishia, we now know. SO not work safe. Do not have beverages in your mouth. Does count as abdominal workout if you laugh like I did. Aren’t you glad I asked?
You never know where the hot topic of social networking will turn up. If it’s not a discussion on Twitter that’s posted to Facebook about either or both (mmmmm, meta) it’s contemporary dance. What now? From the OMGSOCOOL Department: part of the 2009-2010 season at Peak Performances at Montclair State University in New Jersey, Lula Washington Dance Theatre is premiering a new piece called http://www.connections.2010, which is dance about social networking: Washington’s newest work was … Continue reading Social Networking: On Stage→
If this book were portioned out and divided into thirds, two of the thirds would be so outstanding, so fun and awesome and interesting and innovative that I could go on for awhile on the things I enjoyed about them. The remaining portion dulls the sparkle and joy of those other two, because the flaws are contained in a character and in the structure of the tension. Let’s start with the good parts: Edwards has … Continue reading Can’t Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards→
Brandy writes: I’ve been searching for a book I read years ago. I picked it up at a used book sale in the early nineties. It had a plain green cover with no descriptions etc… I’m not really sure why I picked it up even! My Mom then noticed it later and said it had been one of her favorite books and she had read it sometimes in the 70’s (early 80’s maybe). I don’t … Continue reading HaBO: Her Mom Really Loved It. And it was CRAZY Epic.→
I’ve long stated that I’m paranormaled-out, that the struggle of Good vs. Evil with the hairy and the fanged doesn’t do much for me anymore. Too often the Presto Instant-Lurrrve because They Were Meant To Be frustrates me and I stop caring about the fate of the world. Really, if the planet blew up because there wasn’t enough emotional tension between the protagonists, it’s a justifiable loss. I much prefer a plot that forces the … Continue reading Pondering the Novella Paranormal→
It’s Freebie Friday Time once again. Books for the weekend – hooray! This week: a historical romance – A Bride of Honor by Ruth Axtell Morren. Enjoy your free stuff!
