COVER ALERT! Alyssa Cole shared the gorgeous cover for her last Loyal League book, An Unconditional Freedom (expected to release Oct, 30th)!
Jen and I got a shout-out on the latest Wicked Wallflowers podcast -- thanks Jenny and Sarah! Go listen to them talk about a ton of great books . . . and blame us for weird books (Jen) and book deals (me). #SorryNotSorry
Have you been keeping up with with the #RomBkLove fun over on Twitter? Go check it out! It's hosted by Ana Coqui, with help from a bunch of different readers/bloggers this year, including Jen, who did a post on groveling. You can also find the archive of all the tweets from day 1 and from day 2. Ana will be updating her blog with each new day of archived tweets.
I didn't realize it but next month will mark TEN YEARS for the blog. I can't believe it either. Let me know what you'd like to see next month and I'll do my best! Post ideas, questions you want to ask me -- or Pat, Jen, and Kat -- etc. I'm sure there will be at least one giveaway, too, so stay tuned. :)
There's some crazy shit going on with an author who thinks she can copyright the word "cocky" in titles. I just . . . I don't even know, okay? WTAF indeed. Also, good luck with that. Update: a lot of shit went down after the original tweet. I couldn't keep up, as far as listing it all here. BUT, I would suggest checking out this thread for some basics and if you want more, to go to Twitter and type "cocky" into the search. Trust me, it's pretty much all romancelandia tweets after Friday's drama with the word. There's also a couple hashtags a few have used: #CockyGate and #ByeFaleena.
On a happier note about romancelandia: I just wanted to say, again, thanks to so many in the romance community. Earlier this week, I broke down and asked for help on Twitter (on-going financial problems + suddenly needing to replace your special low vision sunglasses and new running shoes = super stressful). Romancelandia came through and then some. I know our community is not always perfect (and I also realize that I asked for help, and received it, while being in a place of privilege as a white cishet woman), but I want to point out that the community can also be amazing and super supportive. It was hard for me to ask for help -- something I always struggle with, even in regards to asking friends and family -- but I was so touched by the response I got. And so thankful. I can't even explain to you all how grateful I am for the support.
I didn't realize it but next month will mark TEN YEARS for the blog. I can't believe it either. Let me know what you'd like to see next month and I'll do my best! Post ideas, questions you want to ask me -- or Pat, Jen, and Kat -- etc. I'm sure there will be at least one giveaway, too, so stay tuned. :)
There's some crazy shit going on with an author who thinks she can copyright the word "cocky" in titles. I just . . . I don't even know, okay? WTAF indeed. Also, good luck with that. Update: a lot of shit went down after the original tweet. I couldn't keep up, as far as listing it all here. BUT, I would suggest checking out this thread for some basics and if you want more, to go to Twitter and type "cocky" into the search. Trust me, it's pretty much all romancelandia tweets after Friday's drama with the word. There's also a couple hashtags a few have used: #CockyGate and #ByeFaleena.
On a happier note about romancelandia: I just wanted to say, again, thanks to so many in the romance community. Earlier this week, I broke down and asked for help on Twitter (on-going financial problems + suddenly needing to replace your special low vision sunglasses and new running shoes = super stressful). Romancelandia came through and then some. I know our community is not always perfect (and I also realize that I asked for help, and received it, while being in a place of privilege as a white cishet woman), but I want to point out that the community can also be amazing and super supportive. It was hard for me to ask for help -- something I always struggle with, even in regards to asking friends and family -- but I was so touched by the response I got. And so thankful. I can't even explain to you all how grateful I am for the support.
Anyway, enough about me. Let's move on to the books!
Want to catch up quickly on everything I read -- and the one audiobook I DNF'd -- in April? I did a Twitter thread HERE.
And without further adieu, let's move on to what I read this week!
What I Read:
Narrated by Carmen Rose
3 1/2 Stars
✦ Older heroine, younger hero (36/30)
✦ Widow + step-son’s best friend
✦ TW: miscarriages
✦ Really quite hot 🔥🔥
✦ Like the oral/fingerbang on the table during a party
✦ Small side-eye about her identity (Spanish), how it was treated
✦ I get it, she's not from England. But she's still, you know, WHITE, yet her identity was treated like she was a POC that everyone was looking down upon? IDK, it just gave me pause more than once
✦ Wanted a bit more romance development
✦ Lust and chemistry was definitely there! But I'm not sure I saw a solid romance build before the end popped up -- was left wanting a bit more from the two, that's all
✦ Narration, as always, was good; I do enjoy Carmen Rose
✦ Enjoyed this one a LOT more than book 1; you could totally read this as a standalone, btw, would recommend
4 Stars
✦ STEM heroine: epidemiology grad student
✦ African Prince pretending to be average Joe
✦ Betrothed at birth
✦ Fun and charming
✦ That fingering scene tho! Overall: heat level was pretty mild, but still very good! There's even mention of the heroine masturbating at one point (not shown on page though).
✦ Only complaint: felt like the pacing was off a bit, too much time spent in the lie, then a few brief chapters of her back in her home country, and then a super quick wrap up after [spoilers] BS goes down. IDK, maybe I'm being picky, but I was left wanting a bit more
✦ Likotsi needs a book RIGHT NOW!
✦ In the meantime, can't wait to start Portia's
Remember, Jen reviewed this one a few months ago
Find all the quotes I shared HERE
Narrated by Abby Craden
1 Star
✦ Widower + late-wife’s friend
✦ The thief cat was the best part
✦ But WTF is with the cat on this cover?!?
✦ And his parents still being all couple-y, that I enjoyed
✦ They probably already have a book? IDK and I'm not sure if I want to try it after this one, tbh
✦ WHERE’S THE DAMN ROMANCE, HUH?
✦ JIZZ IS NOT A MARRIAGE LICENSE
✦ Just read this rant thread
4 Stars
I really don’t read YA anymore, but I couldn’t resist (finally) picking this one up. I’m glad I did! It was great. Funny at times. Charming during others. Loved their email exchanges (that’s catnip for me). I think I’ll read Leah’s book as well at some point. And I look forward to watching the movie to see how it compares to the book.
Currently Listening To:
Remember I read my first Jenkins earlier this year, decided it's a good time to pick up another from the library. I must admit, this one is a bit slow going for me, but I'm hoping things will pick up soon.
Biracial hero who passes as white and owns a bar of sorts in Nevada + the young woman he rescues from the middle of the desert (she's on her way to California, but her ride stole her money and left her). She's a cook.
Currently Reading:
I so enjoy this series of anthologies. And so far I'm liking this one as well. Plus, who can resist (ha! no pun intended, since these are all "resistance" themed) the price?
As a teaser: the first story has a femdom vibe with a Black VP and her younger Secret Service agent (Indian-American Muslim). Really lovely story.
Want to follow along as I share quotes and thoughts? Check out the hashtag RogueHeartsTBQ.
Miscellaneous Links
So what are YOU currently reading?
And remember: what would you like to see/ask next month when we celebrate 10 years?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins
Remember I read my first Jenkins earlier this year, decided it's a good time to pick up another from the library. I must admit, this one is a bit slow going for me, but I'm hoping things will pick up soon.
Biracial hero who passes as white and owns a bar of sorts in Nevada + the young woman he rescues from the middle of the desert (she's on her way to California, but her ride stole her money and left her). She's a cook.
Currently Reading:
Rogue Hearts by Suleikha Snyder, Emma Barry, Stacey Agdern. Kelly Maher, Amy Jo Cousins, and Tamsen Parker
Out Tuesday -- only $0.99!
I so enjoy this series of anthologies. And so far I'm liking this one as well. Plus, who can resist (ha! no pun intended, since these are all "resistance" themed) the price?
As a teaser: the first story has a femdom vibe with a Black VP and her younger Secret Service agent (Indian-American Muslim). Really lovely story.
Want to follow along as I share quotes and thoughts? Check out the hashtag RogueHeartsTBQ.
Miscellaneous Links
- Romancelandia Recap
- Cover Alert -- New Alyssa Cole!
- An Unconditional Freedom (expected out Oct, 30th)
- Wicked Wallflowers Podcast
- Jen and I are mentioned in this week's episode!
- I found my new tagline
- #RomBkLove -- general hashtag
- Jen's post -- groveling! The good, the bad, and the failed
- WTAF? Copyrighting Cocky
- My April Reading Recap [Twitter thread]
- Books
- Sophia Jordan -- I mentioned I didn't care for book 1:
- Alyssa Cole -- Book 2 comes out in July
- Becky Albertalli -- I mention Leah's book, which just came out
- Leah on the Offbeat
- And I mention the movie for Simon's book, called Love, Simon, which releases to DVD, etc., in June
- Beverly Jenkins
- I read, and liked, Tempest, her latest release
- But also 3 of her books are on sale
- Rogue anthologies
So what are YOU currently reading?
And remember: what would you like to see/ask next month when we celebrate 10 years?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
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