As an ardent fan of Jane Eyre, I have read many literary adaptations of her story. I’ve read about a vampire slayer Janes (Jane Slayre) and Jane in space (Jenna Starborn) and Jane in the 1950s (The Flight of Gemma Hardy) and many more, and I’m usually disappointed. Jane Steele, however, was just about the most viciously satisfying thing in the history of ever. NB: book titles in this review are italicized while names are not. … Continue reading Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye →
Trigger warning: Various kinds of sexual abuse are referred to in this story. When we were told that there were grey places the RITA spreadsheet I looked to see if there was anything I wanted to review. I went to Amazon to read the description of this book and somehow clicked on “Buy with 1 click” instead of the title. Sneaky Amazon. I was upset because the cost is above what I allow myself to … Continue reading Once Pure by Cecy Robson →
I have been waiting for this book for SO LONG and it was worth it. Every time Hoyt released a book in the Maiden Lane series I would gobble it up and then whine on Twitter “But when is Val’s book coming?” Well, it’s here now and it’s 100% what I was hoping for. Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt is one of those books that worked for me on all levels, but I can … Continue reading Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt →
Plum Bun is a classic novel from the Harlem Renaissance. This book is a pretty optimistic story that features the lives of mostly middle-class African Americans. Its subtitle is “A Novel Without a Moral,” and the book is realistic without being preachy or tragic – in fact, the ending is quite a “happy sigh” moment. Plum Bun is about an African American woman, Angela, who is able to “pass” for white. As a child, she … Continue reading Plum Bun by Jessie Redmond Fauset →
The Devil’s Doorbell is an erotic anthology made up of seven stories by authors that I’ve heard of and/or read. The stories are all contemporary but they aren’t really connected, save for the explanation of “the devil’s doorbell.” Each story has some reference to the fact that “the devil’s doorbell” is another term for a woman’s clitoris. Recently, I was going through a heavy reading slump and an anthology seemed exactly what I needed. I … Continue reading The Devil’s Doorbell by Anne Calhoun, et al →
I hate horror movies. I really do. That last time I willingly watched a horror movie, I saw Paranormal Activity in theaters and slept with the light on for a week. But when I saw The Babadook (an Australian-Canadian psychological horror film) on Netflix, after hearing so many great things about it, I figured I was safe. The Cute Boy™ and one of my roommates were going to watch it with me. We would have … Continue reading Movie Review: The Babadook →
Wake of Vultures is not a romance (although there’s a romance in it) and it ends on a cliffhanger. Seriously – the characters are left on the edge of a literal cliff. I realize that cliffhangers are a non-starter for many readers, but keep this in mind: Wake of Vultures is also an excellent, gritty, terrifying and fantastical Western about Nettie, who dresses as a boy and who is both bisexual and biracial (African American … Continue reading Wake of Vultures by Lila Bowen →
NB: All the triggers. Seriously, all of them. Yes, even that one. Not kidding. Many of us at this site are Tom Hiddleston fans, and thus many of us are no doubt considering seeing High Rise, a movie in which our dear boy wears nothing but a strategically placed brochure. As it happens, High Rise is available for rent on iTunes ahead of theatrical release on May 13, so I checked it out … Continue reading Movie Review: High Rise →
(TW: pregnancy loss/premature birth) His Lost-and-Found Bride was my first foray into the world of the Harlequin Romance line. I’m fairly picky about my categories, as I’ve been disappointed in the past by the Presents line. I tend to like Blaze though, so was hoping for the best. This was certainly different from Blaze – sexy times happen behind the curtain, if you will – but I very much enjoyed it. Getting enough story into a … Continue reading His Lost-and-Found Bride by Scarlet Wilson →
Somehow I have managed to be SBTB’s Resident Geek Reviewer for almost six years without every reading Sweet Starfire by Jayne Ann Krentz, and let me tell you, this book is simply delightful. There are giant bugs and snakes and river monsters. There is fashion. There’s a dingy spaceship and futuristic gambling. There’s a brooding bad boy who isn’t too bad and a very sweet ingénue who totally kicks ass. There’s a fluffy alien pet with … Continue reading Sweet Starfire by Jayne Ann Krentz →
Rarely has a book with such a glorious title fallen so tragically flat. The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin tells of Pirate Captain Gayle, who abducts a seamstress, Celia. She does this because she needs someone to stitch up a wounded man, the ship’s doctor is dead, and none of the pirates can sew. Since I’m pretty sure a lot of pirates could sew quite nicely for practical reasons in real life, this … Continue reading The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin by Colette Moody →
