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Stuff We Like: Household Staples

Amanda has discovered some hidden gems during her first year of home ownership.

The Rec League: Books without Consent Violations

The Rec League - heart shaped chocolate resting on the edge of a very old book

This Rec League request came from JoVE on our SBTB Patreon Discord: I’m staying with friends. Their daughter (17) would like to avoid all sexual violence in books, including consent violations. I figured people here would understand what that means (their experience is people define sexual violence too narrowly). I know she likes fantasy but possibly other stuff. Any suggestions? Elyse: Legends and Lattes. The sequel comes out next month I believe. If she’s looking … Continue reading The Rec League: Books without Consent Violations

Links: Coupons, Tea, & More

Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses.

Welcome back to Wednesday Links! I feel like things have been a blur lately, but we’re starting our Dungeons and Dragons: Curse of Strahd campaign back up again this weekend. We took a few months off due to one of our players getting married and for other, less exciting conflicts. I’ve been doing a lot of cozy gaming on my Switch in the bathtub and I got my flu shot. My responsible thing evens out my reckless … Continue reading Links: Coupons, Tea, & More

Lightning Review

Wed by Proxy by Alice Coldbreath

Wed by Proxy

My friend recommended this book to me and I have to tell you I was hooked from the moment I read the blurb: ‘Thrice wedded, but never bedded’. I MEAN! YES PLEASE! This book scratched an itch that I thought I’d never be able to reach. I grew up on books by Jilly Cooper, specifically the series where the main character’s name was the title of the book. These were tempestuous novels with slammed doors … Continue reading Wed by Proxy by Alice Coldbreath

Books On Sale

Circuses, Shifters, & More

Books on Sale: Forget Me Not by Julie Soto & More

Forget Met Not by Julie Soto is $2.99! This is a contemporary romance debut and I mentioned this one on a previous Hide Your Wallet. I liked this one! The book does switch between past and current events to show more of the main couple’s previous history, but I understand it could be a jarring format for the reader.

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Help A Bitch Out - SOLVED!

HaBO: She Takes “Maidenhead” Too Literally

This HaBO comes from Kim, who wants to find this historical romance: The book is about a young woman who goes to live with a duke(?) she is supposed to marry. This aristocrat has a twin brother who lives in the mansion (the hero of course). The young woman believes that her “maidenhead” is her actual head and when the twin sees it, she panics and yell at him for “taking her maidenhead.” The duke … Continue reading HaBO: She Takes “Maidenhead” Too Literally

Hide Your Wallet

Hide Your Wallet: October 3rd Release Week!

Welcome back to Hide Your Wallet, where we discuss the current week’s upcoming book releases that we can’t wait to read! There are lots of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy this week and I’m sensing a trend for the rest of October. For me, personally, my TBR pile is pretty packed this month. Which books are you excited for this week? Let us know in the comments!

Books On Sale

Books by Cathy Yardley, Olivia Dade, & More

Books on Sale: When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare & More

RECOMMENDEDWhen a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare is $1.99! Elyse loved this book so much and gave it an A:

Everything about When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare worked for me. Everything. Bust out the squee mop, y’all because this review is just going to be a flappy-hands Good Book Noise® mess.

Things this book has:

1. A sexy Scot hero I pictured as Sam Heughan.
2. A heroine who is a naturalist and illustrator.
3. Tons of UST.
4. A completely crazy sauce plot that Dare pulls off flawlessly.
5. A missing lobster.

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Introducing: Romantic Times Rewind!

Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind

We’re doing something very fun: we’re traveling back in time! Ok, sort of. Starting this week, on Friday 6 October, Amanda and I are co-hosting Romantic Times Rewind, a new podcast series where we look back at old issues of RT Book Reviews, aka Romantic Times Magazine!  Remember those? Each month, Amanda and I are going to re-read old issues of RT, and record two podcast episodes each month. One episode will be looking at all … Continue reading Introducing: Romantic Times Rewind!

Cover Awe: Depth, Tension, & More

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong. A cramped alleyway in a greenish hue. Red, glowing lanterns crowd the edges. A woman in red stands in the middle, a sword in her hand.

Hey, all! Let’s look at some eye-catching covers! Cover illustration by Rebecca Mock Sarah: I LOVE THIS COVER. Claudia: That is great – lots of light play and movement! Elyse: I think a lot of illustrated covers are flat and this one has a lot of depth and motion. Carrie: The dappling is so unusual and makes all the difference in terms of motion and mood. EllenM: I love that shade of blue, I feel … Continue reading Cover Awe: Depth, Tension, & More

Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 51

Welcome back, everyone! Thank you all for celebrating with me last time when we hit our 50th post. Now it’s onward and upward. I feel like I’ve been on a kick with recommending non-fiction and that is definitely continuing. I have an anthology that is part cookbook and part memoir, plus a true crime collection all about poisoners. I also have a cute picture book and fantastic novella! For something non-book related, I also wanted … Continue reading Get Rec’d with Amanda – Volume 51

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