SBTB is more independent, and probably 48% more silly
My guest this week is author Ryka Aoki, whose new book Light from Uncommon Stars is out this week! We cover transgender identity, found family, space opera & The Brady Bunch, the liminal state of The Olive Garden, Chonky books, and what, and where, is the best donut? That last part is key! And! I really want to hear your donut recs: sbjpodcast@gmail.com! … Music: purple-planet.com
RECOMMENDED: How Not to Fall by Emily Foster is $1.99! We had two reviews of this book, one from me and one from a guest reviewers. We both really enjoyed it. Foster had plans for more romance novels in a the podcast episode we did with her, but I have a feeling those plots are on hiatus.
I would recommend this book, honestly. The smart characters and Annie’s earnestness as a heroine are so refreshing, despite the emotional shift in the narrative. I’m glad I read it and I’m going to scramble for the continuation because I want to know what Emily Foster will do with these characters.
And guest reviewer, Sabra Nicole, gave it an A:
I highly recommend this book to people (all genders, everyone) who are maaaybe, possibly interested in exploring BDSM themes in contemporary romantic-comedy, but are a little intimidated by the genre, or unsure where to even find that unique genre mish-mash.
When You Wish Upon a Duke is a historical romance with Peter Pan references. Given that the heroine is named Isobel Tinker, I feared a whimsy overload. However, I ended up having a wonderful time with this ridiculous yet utterly enjoyable novel, in which a female travel agent and a duke who is doing one last job for the Foreign Office are forced to confront pirates in Iceland. I told you it was ridiculous! This … Continue reading When You Wish Upon a Duke by Charis Michaels
Welcome to Wednesday Links! We’re starting to get the first whiffs of fall in New England and I’m so ready. The biggest downside is allergies. I never knew fall allergies were a thing until I moved up here and now I get two seasons where I’m a snotty, sneezy mess with awful sinus pressure. It’s absolutely terrible. In other news, I’m attending a Halloween wedding and I’m so excited to turn my cocktail attired into … Continue reading Links: Ina Garten, Photography, & More
Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai is $1.99! Maya wrote a great review for this one and gave it a B-:
If you can handle some angst, some systemic oppression, and a distinct lack of totally justified vengeance, check out this slow burn romance between two damaged, but kind people of color who desire only each other and the safety of anonymity.
Catch is a romance set in Bodega Bay, one of my favorite places. In fact I read some of this in Bodega Bay by complete coincidence. So I was primed to like this contemporary romance and I was not disappointed. I also found that this romance, which deals with pain and rejection, family of both blood and choice, and growing up with an alcoholic parent, touched me in personal ways that I only understood when … Continue reading Catch: A Love Story by Tracy Ewens
This HaBO request is from Michelle, who is looking to find this romance: I guess you get tons of these requests, and here’s yet another one! I posted this on Reddit’s Romance thread, and someone suggested I ask here. I am copying and pasting my thread: Hero is half-spanish (not the Earl of Rayne). Years ago, spiteful rumors drove his mother out of England, leaving him with his abusive father. The woman driving the rumors, … Continue reading HaBO: Another Historical Romance Revenge Plot
RECOMMENDED: Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik is $1.99! This is a sci-fi romance and I absolutely loved it. Be warned that it does have a bit of a pushy alpha hero. You can read my A- here:
I am so incredibly happy that this book is in the world, especially after feeling like I’ve exhausted all my sci-fi romance options. Polaris Rising is exciting. It’s funny. It’s fan-fucking-tastic. My quibbles are minor in comparison to the joyful Good Book Noises I made while reading this.
This HaBO is from Liz, who wants to find this historical romance: The book is a historical romance set during the Regency. The main character is a widow who owns a theater in London. Her mother was a French actress and her father was from an aristocratic family, but a minor branch. She had a crappy marriage (husband was a cheater), but her family doesn’t know that, and she has several young kids. She also … Continue reading HaBO: Siblings, Magnus & Christine
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon is $1.99! This is also a Kindle Daily Deal. Catherine read this one and gave it a B-:
There was some lovely writing, some fantastic banter, and I really did like Shay and Dominic together. They had terrific chemistry and the sort of teasing relationship that makes me very happy, because it means there is a firm foundation of friendship underneath the romance.
Welcome back to Cover Snark! There are definitely certain elements taking center stage today. From Karen: The Most Eligible Viscount in London by Ella Quinn (it’s a new book). As a whole, the cover is quite nice but I was struck by the very weird thumb on the hero’s hand. It looks like it would be longer than any of the other fingers. I think somebody did a very bad Photoshop and it’s kind of … Continue reading Cover Snark: Smushed and Veiny
