Christmas magic is in the air… From the ballrooms of London, to abandoned Scottish castles, to the snowy streets of Gilded Age New York, four bestselling authors whip up some unforgettable romance…with a little help from some enchanted shortbread. “Meet Me in Mayfair” by Tessa Dare Louisa Ward needs a Christmas miracle. Unless she catches a wealthy husband at the ball tonight, the horrid, heartless Duke of Thorndale will evict her family from their beloved … Continue reading How the Dukes Stole Christmas →
Welcome to SBTB’s Fall Week! We decided to dedicate a week of time to review books, give book recommendations, and talk about general autumn-loving things to help get everyone in the mood for this time of year. We hope you enjoy and find something new and fun to read! … Amanda: Fall pairings! Let’s talk about our favorite fall things and what books would make the perfect complement. Sarah: I just ordered a big ol’ … Continue reading Reading Recs for Your Favorite Fall Flavors →
Comfort reads are a mainstay of the romance community, and there are so many different kinds that I return to when I need restorative reading and mental solace. There are romances that reaffirm acceptance for who we are, and romances that allow us to ride along as the characters burn everything down. There are stories that transport us away from our own emotional and mental bruising for awhile, and books that wrap us in virtual … Continue reading “Here, Try This:” Recommendations for Comfort and Solace →
Oh buddy, get ready. It’s time for Whatcha Reading! If you’re new, welcome! This is the post where we recount some of the good (and bad) things we’ve read in the past month. As always, we want to hear your hits and misses, so be sure to comment below! Amanda: I finished A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe and whoooo boy, it’s so good. I also nearly read the entire Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? September 2018 Edition →
It’s Whatcha Reading time! This is the post where we talk about all the good, bad, and ugly things we’ve been reading. There is squeeing! There is griping! And we might suggest somehow putting your credit card in a block of ice or trying to somehow block the “1-Click” option on Amazon. Sarah: I am reading The Phantom Tree which has all these words I like: time slip, dual narratives, lots of women in history, a … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? August 2018 Edition →
Joanna Shupe returns to New York City’s Gilded Age, where fortunes and reputations are gained and lost with ease—and love can blossom from the most unlikely charade With the fate of her disgraced family resting on her shoulders, Lady Christina Barclay has arrived in New York City from London to quickly secure a wealthy husband. But when her parents settle on an intolerable suitor, Christina turns to her reclusive neighbor, a darkly handsome and utterly … Continue reading A Notorious Vow →
Earlier this year, I did a podcast with Sarah where I described making myself a self-care bag to help me get through my mom’s two surgeries and subsequent in-home care. I put things in my bag that were designed to give me comfort and help me break away mentally from the stress going on around me. The holidays are stressful for a lot of people, for a myriad of reasons, so I decided to assemble … Continue reading 2018 SBTB Hanukkah-palooza, Part Three →
Set in New York City’s Gilded Age, Joanna Shupe’s Avon debut introduces an English beauty with a wicked scheme to win the man she loves—and the American scoundrel who ruins her best laid plans… Lady Honora Parker must get engaged as soon as possible, and only a particular type of man will do. Nora seeks a mate so abhorrent, so completely unacceptable, that her father will reject the match—leaving her free to marry the artist … Continue reading A Daring Arrangement →
It’s December! This month, for me, always tends to feel both agonizingly long and gone too quickly. I should be doing laundry this afternoon, but all of my free time is currently going to Dragon Age: Inquisition. It’s truly a way better use of my time. … Reader BetseyDub sent us this link on the lawsuit against writer Emma Cline. Content warning for harassment. “What should have been a happy milestone — publishing my first … Continue reading Links: Events, NPR Book Concierge, & an Awesome Cover Song →
Over the weekend, The New York Times Book Review published a three page round up of romance fiction. On the front page! Can you believe that?! I’m not sure where you are in your paywall or whether you’ve used up your free views this month if you’re not a subscriber, but you can read the piece online. And many people are talking about it. Many. Why? Because romance was featured on the front page of … Continue reading The New York Times Book Review Looks at Romance →
The RITAs are officially over! Before we get to the winners and a brief livestream recap, I personally want to thank every single one of you who participated. This is the first year where we’ve reviewed all of the nominees! How awesome is that? Seriously, this Challenge wouldn’t be anything without this lovely, thoughtful community of readers. I can’t wait to do it all again next year. If you missed the livestream of either the Golden Heart … Continue reading Your 2017 RITA Award Winners! →
