Holy moly, are you guys good cooks. I’m seriously ready for a fourteen-course meal here. Thank you for all the brilliant ideas for how to cook my copy of Unveiled, and my apologies to those who are horrified. I did say I wanted to eat it, and having been called on it, I have to keep my word. Or eat them. Or both. Anyway. Behold, the winners! Megan B Emily Liz Please email me at … Continue reading Unveiled by Courtney Milan: The Winners
If you’ve been reading on Twitter or read the transcript of the Sizzling Book Chat, which over 7500 people have (whoa!), you know that the February Sizzling Book Club pick is Courtney Milan’s Unveiled. Ahem. And now, I squee. OH MY GOD. THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD I WANTED TO PUT IT IN MY MOUTH AND EAT IT. There, how was that for a blurb? Heh. Here, have some cover copy to whet your appetite: … Continue reading Sizzing Book Club Pick: Unveiled by Courtney Milan
There’s a lot to love about this novella. It’s different in the setting, in the characters, in the meaning and the conflict, and the intelligence of the plot. Lavinia Spencer, bookkeeper to her family’s lending library, does everything for everyone, is taken for granted, but at heart is warm and loved. William White does everything for a brutal boss, survives on a pittance, is taken for granted after being cheated out of his promised inheritance, … Continue reading This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan
The Duchess War, the first book in Courtney Milan's Brothers Sinister series, is the Kindle Daily Deal and is priced at $1.99. Carrie S reviewed this novel and gave it an A+. The prequel novella, The Governess Affair (SB grade: B+), is free, and A Kiss for Midwinter, the novella that comes after The Duchess War is $.99c right now. Miss Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled wallflower, and she wants to keep it that way. After … Continue reading Books on Sale: Milan’s Brothers Sinister, a Hist-Para-TimeTravel set in the 20s, and YA Shakespeare
Welcome back to Whatcha Reading! It’s our first WR post of May 2024. Here’s what we’re reading at SBTB HQ: Lara: Shana inspired me with an idea to get out of a reading slump. I’ve returned to a series that is totally different to what I had been trying to read: GA Aiken’s dragon series. I’m currently devouring How to Drive a Dragon Crazy and it’s a bloodthirsty, lusty adventure. Finally I can settle into … Continue reading Whatcha Reading? May 2024, Part One
This Rec League request comes from Varian in the SBTB PatreonDiscord. Their request: I’d like some romances without an act 3 breakup. Amanda: Note that I guess this could mean spoilers for certain books, so FYI before reading further. Sarah: Courtney Milan doesn’t like 3rd act breakups. Shana: I love those books so I can’t wait to see what the Bitchery comes up with for this one. Ana Maria and the Fox doesn’t have a … Continue reading The Rec League: No Third Act Breakups
What’s the last book you were reading where you thought midway through, ‘This book is FUN’? Maybe it made you laugh, maybe it was extremely clever, maybe you were in the perfect location or brain space to enjoy it? (I love when that happens.) Elyse: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. Sarah: Really? That’s awesome! Elyse: It’s very much a “get the old gang together for one last heist” story and it’s funny and just generally fun … Continue reading Books That Are a Really Fun Time
This guest post is from Eliot West. Eliot West is an independent editor specializing in romance and interactive fiction. Their work is informed by deep interests in inclusive language and storytelling, gender diversity, human sexuality, and consent. They hold a PhD in English literature, with a focus on literary theory and the novel … but their real education has been in reading queer romance, working with students, and getting their hands dirty in manuscripts as … Continue reading Guest Post: Consent in Romance
It’s time in the northern hemisphere! You know, when the days get shorter, the temperature at night drops to a level that annihilates all the bugs that want to bite me, and…. The SEASONAL FLAVORS have ARRIVED! Let’s start with the one that’s in my house: That’s right, PUMPKIN. SPICE. OREOS. Please note: any and all disparagement of pumpkin spice is not necessary. Please also note: I did NOT get to try one of these, … Continue reading Seasonal Oreos and Books
Hey hey! It’s Wednesday! I’m currently listening to a chunky fly buzz around my room, while my cat Linus does not give two single fucks about it. The heat is about to break in New England (yay!) and just in time for me to attend an Emo Night concert. Gonna bust out the spiked jewelry and band t-shirts and I’m really excited. Sometimes, your girl just has to dance. I’m sure some of you get … Continue reading Links: Paddington, Beyonce, & More
When I went looking for fat heroines in historical romance, I quickly learned to be skeptical of book covers. A main character might be plump, abundant, generously rounded, or my favorite, “a lady of healthy appetite,” but the model on the book cover will still be thin. A reader of fat histrom has to be a detective, examining each cover for clues: Is most of her body covered by a sheet? Is there a flower … Continue reading Fat Girls in History
