Caution warnings: Misgendering; references to forced sex work; threats of violence, acid attacks, and torture. The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter is a prequel to KJ Charles’ historical romance Any Old Diamonds. The focus is not on the Lilywhite Boys themselves, although they are an integral part of the story, but on their fence Stan and the music hall performer he admires, Miss Christiana. Their relationship is very sweet, and a stark contrast to the horrible things that … Continue reading The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter by KJ Charles →
RECOMMENDED: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox is $1.99! Thank you to all the readers who let us know about this sale! Elyse read this one and gave it B+, but issued some content warnings:
I really enjoyed this book. I wish I could delve more deeply in the incredibly spooky, ghostly shenanigans that go down, but it’s really best experienced in the moment. The author does a fantastic job balancing a Gothic sense of dread with a burgeoning romance, weaving in awfulness with hope.
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RECOMMENDED: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt is $1.99! I listened to this on audio after Elyse’s great review and loved it. I’ve since listened to the next two Maiden Lane books on audio as well. Elyse really enjoyed this book and gave it an A-:
Serial killer. And Ghost of St. Giles vigilante. And river pirate. And bondage.
If any or all of those things appeal to you, I’d really recommend this book. If you’re looking for a spicy historical, or one not focused around the glittering aristocracy, Wicked Intentions fits the bill. Aside from a few ball scenes, this book takes place among the working class of London.
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This week I am chatting with editor and author KJ Charles about lots and lots of different things. She started out as a Mills & Boon editor and then moved to writing, so she has a lot of perspective on the writing and edition process. We discuss plot, character, use of language, editing, and writing romance, especially in various historical periods. Some of the audio is a bit muddy in the recording, and my apologies … Continue reading 295. Inclusive History, Magical Writing, and Fan Art: An Interview with KJ Charles →
RECOMMENDED: A Queen from the North by Erin McRae and Racheline Maltese is 99c! This book was recently recommended to Redheadedgirl and she loved it, giving it a B+ grade:
I liked this a LOT. I liked the world building, and I liked Amelia. I liked how her initial reaction to Arthur’s proposal that they consider this level of political marriage was, “So… I’d be the first Yorkist to sit the throne since Richard III and I could actually create positive change for my people? I can’t say NO, can I? Of course I’ll think about it.”
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RECOMMENDED: All In by Simona Ahrnstedt is $2.99! Redheadedgirl gave the book an A:
I felt like this was full of Shakespearean drama, and scheming families, and hot sex, and gorgeous clothes, but also some important things to say about how the world is functioning. There’s a lot going on, though, and the ending a tad rushed.
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Squee from the Keeper Shelf is a new feature wherein we share why we love the books we love, specifically the stories which are permanent residents of our Keeper shelves. Despite flaws, despite changes in age and perspective, despite the passage of time, we love particular books beyond reason, and the only thing better than re-reading them is telling other people about them. At length. If you’d like to submit your reasons for loving and … Continue reading Keeper Shelf: A Seditious Affair by KJ Charles →
The Earl Next Door by Charis Michaels is 99c! This book came out a couple months ago and Elyse had picked it for March’s Hide Your Wallet post. Some readers mentioned that the book does have a slow start, but many loved the writing. Anyone interested in this?
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Rag and Bone is a mix of Regency, fantasy, and mystery, and while some parts were stronger than others, the two heroes and the rapidly developing plot kept me reading for hours longer than I intended. Crispin is a struggling magician whose prior tutor/master turned out to be evil, and he has a clandestine but passionate relationship with Ned, who is a waste paper dealer. Ned, who is the gentleman of color on the cover, lives … Continue reading Rag and Bone by KJ Charles →
The Magpie Lord has everything I could possibly want from a m/m romance. It has a historical Victorian setting, it involves magic, one of the two heroes is short, skinny, and booksmart, and above all the main characters are presented as real, multi-layered people in a real relationship. The story launches right into a grisly scene in which a guy who is wallowing in guilt and self-loathing tries to kill himself. I assumed I was … Continue reading The Magpie Lord by KJ Charles →
