Recently Amanda and I did a Weedy AMA where we answered questions from the Podcast Patreon for a bonus episode – one that starts out pretty cogent and then derails a fair bit as I lose my train of thought. One of the questions asked, to paraphrase, has online critique softened over the years, and why? My answer was: Yes. Because safety. Blogs used to be little micro-communities, and somewhat insulated from the larger internet, … Continue reading Ali Hazelwood Dislikes Peeta, And That Was a Problem for Some Folks →
Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt is $1.99! This is book nine in the Maiden Lane series, which is a favorite with many romance readers. Elyse was pretty excited about this release last November. We ran two guest reviews during out RITA® Reader Challenge (RIP). It earned a B and a C+.
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I’ve been talking about writing this post for months, ever since I started saving cover art and realized I’d ended up with more than 30 different covers. So you know how there are a lot of romances that look very similar to one another? There’s the two people facing each other with something in the middle illustration, the two people standing with their backs to each other illustration, the – you get the point. My point … Continue reading Fifty Shades of Thursday Murder →
by Amanda · Jun 15, 2025 at 3:00 am · Comments Off on Sunday Sale Digest!
This piece of literary mayhem is exclusive to Smart Bitches After Dark, but fret not. If you’d like to join, we’d love to have you! Have a look at our membership options, and come join the fun! If you want to have a little extra fun, be a little more yourself, and be part of keeping the site open for everyone in the future, we can’t wait to see you in our new subscription-based section … Continue reading Sunday Sale Digest! →
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- A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya Amazon | B&N | Kobo
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Hey hello! Welcome back to Whatcha Reading! Here’s how we’re kicking off June: Lara: I’m currently reading Welcome to Murder Week by Karen Dukess. It’s women’s fiction, which is an unusual choice for me, but the premise had me curious. So far it’s compelling enough for me to make time to read, but not enough to make me sacrifice sleep. Will report back! Claudia: Lara, I just started Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews!! I … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? June 2025, Part One →
Dukes Are Forever by Anna Harrington is $1.99! This is a historical romance with what seems to be an enemies to lovers plot. It’s the first book in the Secret Life of Scoundrels series. Some readers found the heroine a bit TSTL, but others really loved the hero and his quest for revenge.
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Amanda and I are traveling back to May 1995 – yes, thirty years ago. I know, me too. We’ve got weird reviews, outstanding side character names, a debut of a much-loved historical romance author, and a few side trips into pet names and fanfic ships in traditional publishing. We’re talking about the past and the present at the same time, which is one of my favorite things to do when discussing romance fiction!
Hot Earl Summer by Erica Ridley is $3.99! This is book five in The Wild Wynchesters series. The heroine is a bodyguard and the hero is impersonating his cousin. Have you read this one?
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Thanks to Jen B. for submitting this interesting take on rereading: This is very random, but I thought of a topic for the SBTB editors to bat around: I know you’ve done comfort reads and favorite re-reads, but does anyone have a book that you read at such a perfect time in your life that you won’t re-read it, because it will never be as good? I had just moved to a new state, the … Continue reading Which Books Gave You the Perfect One-Off Reading Experience? →
Welcome back to Wednesday Links! If you missed it, we posted the 2025 Summer Romance Bingo card. Bingo officially starts next Friday, June 20th. I know some readers have already started planning out their square selections. Besides that, how are we all doing? It’s a tough time right now, if you’re in the U.S. I’m here to participate in the collective commiseration. … If you’re in the New England area, I’ll be in conversation with … Continue reading Links: Events, Cats, & More →
