Let's Talk: Guilty Reader

I mentioned this on Twitter recently, so why not turn it into a longer discussion?

Let's Talk: Romance Newbies

I've been thinking lately: what books do you give someone in hopes of turning them into a full-blown romance reader?


Obviously there's no right or wrong answer to this because everyone has different taste in books. A book that you loved and recommend may be just "meh" to a potential reader, while a book that you didn't enjoy as much might be the exact catnip that same reader needed to dive into the romance genre. And that's okay!


But I am curious about what books YOU would give to a non-romance reader to bring them to the smexy side. :) As SmartBitches put it, what books are in your Romance Conversion Kit?


It could be books for the entire genre or for certain subgenres. (Perhaps a book to convert a historical romance reader to a paranormal romance reader, a book to recommend to a first time M/M reader, etc.)


In short, let's talk about all the awesome books we think potential romance readers need in their lives! Because really, you can never have too many recs. :)



Enjoy!


Until Next Time,

  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Talking Books: "The Siren" Giveaway!

The Siren by Tiffany Reisz

Publisher: Harlequin MIRA (July 31, 2012)

Series: The Original Sinners, 1

Genre: Erotica (Contemporary)

Notorious Nora Sutherlin is famous for her delicious works of erotica, each one more popular with readers than the last. But her latest manuscript is different—more serious, more personal—and she's sure it'll be her breakout book...if it ever sees the light of day.

Zachary Easton holds Nora's fate in his well-manicured hands. The demanding British editor agrees to handle the book on one condition: he wants complete control. Nora must rewrite the entire novel to his exacting standards—in six weeks—or it's no deal.

Nora's grueling writing sessions with Zach are draining…and shockingly arousing. And a dangerous former lover has her wondering which is more torturous—staying away from him...or returning to his bed?

Nora thought she knew everything about being pushed to your limits. But in a world where passion is pain, nothing is ever that simple.

 

 

Where to Buy*:

Amazon | Kindle | BN | NOOK

More Info:

Author's Site

Add it on GoodReads | Find the Series

A NOTE TO ALL READERS--in case you didn't already know, Tiffany's books are not for everyone. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. I don't want to scare you away from her books, but be prepared--it may not be your thing. And that's okay. But at least give it a try--if nothing else, try her many freebie stories that relate to the Original Sinners series. If you end up loving her work, then I have only one thing to say: You are welcome. If not, well, I'm sorry, and I hope you still trust my opinion on other books in the future! :)

 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Thoughts:

....Hold on. Still trying to get my thoughts and emotions all lined up. I think even if I waited a month, I'd still be reeling from THE SIREN, though...

M'k, here we go. Where to start?


Well, first I have to thank the wonderful kink-pimps, Kati and Jamie from RRFTLOR. If they hadn't threatened to flog me convinced me I had to start THE SIREN, like RIGHT NOW, I may not be writing this post. Mainly because, as you know, my Mt. TBR does not allow for buying many new books anymore, but I broke down and bought Tiffany's book, and bumped it way up to the top of my list for the week. Thanks, ladies! :) You shameless sluts, you! :D



Nothing about this book is simple, and I am not a writer--I don't have the words nor the talent to accurately explain why this book is so awesome. All I can do is tell you how it made me feel, how it made me think. I can only hope that's enough to convey to you how much I loved it. And how much I wanted to hate it, but couldn't.

This is not a romance novel, in any sense of the word. And yet...it is, in a twisted, kinky, dark way. But there's not a HEA, or at least not a traditional one. And it's bound to change, as the series continues. That's just the way it is. Don't say I didn't warn you...

THE SIREN was, simply put, an amazing, if darkly emotional, journey, and I loved every moment of it. It's like nothing I've read before, and while that was both surprising and off putting at times, looking back, I wouldn't have changed one moment of it. Nope. Everything was done the way it was for a reason, and I trust Ms. Reisz (though I'll admit, I may be slightly frightened of her....), and while it may have been hard to accept, deep down I understood.

This is so much more than just a kinky sex book. Sooo much more. Really, other than the obvious BDSM elements, the book wasn't nearly as, well, shockingly erotic as I had pictured it. Is that a good or bad thing? Depends on your view, I guess. Inside this very dark world that Reisz is introducing us to (or at least those of us who belong to the vanilla group...), a lot can be learned, about love and living and everything in between. It's as real as it is fantastical, a guilty pleasure for many, and perhaps even real fantasies for others. It's honest, it's blunt, and yet it has its moments of humor (dark, dirty humor, perhaps, but humor nonetheless). :D

By the end of this book, Reisz had me, completely.

Oh sure, I may have  cursed at her, yelled and screamed, perhaps even begged this scene or another to turn out different, while realizing that it would never work that way. But... I was loving Zach, glad that he was able to work things out with Grace; I was crying for Wes, and wishing I had him to myself; I was drooling a bit over Kingsley, though I don't think I can handle all his awesome kink; I was curious about Griffin, as well as Michael. And I was fearful intrigued by Søren--I'm not sure yet if I can ever fully understand him, but I wish to find out (though perhaps not in real life, I'm a baby when it comes to pain....). In short, I don't believe there was any character or element of this story that didn't capture my attention, in one way or another.


THE SIREN has a lot to offer, and if you dare to step outside your comfort zone and join the underground world for a few hours, you will enjoy it. Perhaps not sexually, although if you do, great. I don't believe this will ever equal pleasure to me like it does for Nora and her group. But I enjoyed it because it is nothing like my life, nothing like what I read or love. It was a fantasy journey, one that I was able to take without submitting to any Doms, without receiving any beatings. The only injury I received from reading THE SIREN is purely emotional, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now please excuse me while I take a few days to rest, prepare myself for diving into THE ANGEL. And until then, I'm off to pour over all Tiffany's short stories. Yes, I'm now addicted. Thanks, Tiffany, thanks.

Because I loved this book so much, and

wish to share the pain/pleasure of it with

others, I'm going to give ONE e-copy of

THE SIREN to a lucky reader!

 

Winner's choice of NOOK or Kindle.

 

 

 

How to Enter:

 

• Fill out the Rafflecopter's first option [Mandatory]
• Leave a comment below [Optional, Extra entry]
• Fill out the rest of the Rafflecopter [Optional, Extra entries]

Giveaway ends October 6th!

Winner will be picked via Rafflecopter after October 7th. Winner will be announced and contacted within a few days. If I do not hear back from the winner within 48 hours (from the time the email is sent), another winner will be choosen.

 

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Here's my question for you, dear readers:

Regardless of your personal lifestyle, does Nora's world sound intriguing to you? Why? And if it doesn't, would you still be willing to try it (the books, that is, not the lifestyle)?







Enjoy!   




Until Next Time,








*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Talking Books

My Fellow Readers,

The other day I was reading a few reviews for a book I was about to read. Many mentioned that they didn't like the book much because the hero was a total jackass, an alpha-hole, etc. Now, I still read the book (A Rogue By Any Other Name) and I actually liked it, though I'll be the first to admit that Michael was indeed quite an ass to Penelope (and everyone else).

However, I started to wonder.... Which is better? A book where the hero is such a jerk that we hate him (or hate to love him) OR a book where the hero has about as much definition as a cardboard cutout?

That's kind of a hard question, simply because no one loves a jerk for a hero--I mean, that's an oxymoron! But who would want a man who elicits NO response, positive or negative? Not me! So perhaps the alpha-hole is the better choice...But there are requirements!

• The alpha-hole cannot be too much of a, well, alpha-hole. :) There must be a boundary line, and if he crosses...well, that's it!
• The alpha-hole must either have a reason why he is this way or must have had a tortured childhood. This doesn't excuse his behavior, but it does help us to understand him a bit more.
• The alpha-hole must be redeemed, some how, and preferably not on the very last page of the book. Also, it must be enough of a redemption to over come his worst as seen earlier in the book!
• The alpha-hole must not continue to be an alpha-hole (and never to the heroine) into the HEA. No--just no.

I'm sure there are a few other "requirements"--what would you add (or take away) from this list?

Now, I must say--as bad as an alpha-hole can be, the one thing I cannot stand is when the A-H has a heroine who simply lets him push her around, insult her, etc. If the hero is going to be such a dick before he's tamed, then the heroine should be strong enough to fight back, she shouldn't just take his sh*t and smile. That will make me throw the book for good!

Why do we continue to put up with the alpha-holes then if they are such assholes? It's simple--when done correctly, there is nothing better than watching a A-H finally fall to his knees for his woman. And as we all know, the worst they are, the harder they fall! :D That is why we continue to read about such men, right ladies?

Please chime in--let me know if I'm wrong (I'm okay with that!) or if you agree. What was the worst alpha-hole you came across? Share, please!




Enjoy!   


Until Next Time,
 
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

Talking Books: Reading Funks

Talking Books: Reading Funks

Reading funks--I think we can all agree they suck, right?

Lately, for whatever reason, I've been having a hard time getting into a book. I've been trying to work through one book, which I'm suppose to review ASAP, for well over 3 1/2 weeks. True, I have been busy lately, which means I haven't had nearly as much free time to read. But when I do have that free time? I actually *gulp* dread picking up the book.

Yes, you heard me, and I know I should be whipped, but hear me out! I know that the book isn't holding my attention, and instead of losing myself in the book for the next hour, I'll just be struggling to read each page, hoping it will pick up, dreading that it won't.

Why do I continue then? I guess I'm too "nice" when it comes to books. Especially review copies. I feel like a horrible person if I put a book aside, never to finish it. Whether it's right now or a month later, I always try my very hardest to finish the book. I know many people only give a book so many pages/chances before they set it aside. But I can't do this--though sometimes I wish I could.

We all have our faults and issues, right? Well, this is mine. Don't judge. :D LOL

I did take a break for a week from this book. Instead, I picked up one that BookWhore had recommended, which has been in my TBR pile for far too long--A Hellion in Her Bed. Now I love Sabrina's books; they were, in fact, some of the first romances I read. You know the tale--back when I was far too young to be reading them, but I borrowed them from the library ("For my mother") and read them in secret. ;)

It took me almost a week to read (due to being busy, not because I wasn't interested), but I finished A Hellion in Her Bed yesterday. I really liked it--thanks Danielle! :) I do wish I had read book 1 first, but I plan on doing so as soon as I can, as well as grabbing the rest of this series.

But the first thing that popped into my head when I reached the final page? "Oh no... I still need to finish that Review Book." 

*sigh* So I picked it back up, read another 10 pages, and then put it back down. Even after taking a break, even after reading another book in between...I'm having a hard time getting into it.

I have to say, I don't believe it's the book's fault. I'm just in one of those funks, where I'm waiting for a book to come along and blow me away--and instead I keep getting disappointed. I've read a few great reviews on this book, so perhaps it's just me...

And I'm dreading when it comes time to write my review--what can I say, how can I explain why I had problems with this book without making it seem like I can't stand the book or author?

But that's another discussion entirely!


When you get into a reading funk, what do you do? Do you reach for an old standby (a favorite book you never grow tired of)? Do you try new books, hoping to shake it off?

Do you swear off reading entirely and start a new hobby until the mood strikes you again?

However it is that you deal with it, how long do your funks typically last, and how often do they occur?


I'm nosy. And I'm hoping that I'm not alone! ;)



Oh, one last question:
Do you have any suggestions for books/authors that you think will help to bring me out of my current funk?


I'd prefer if it was something in my giant TBR (I'm trying not to buy books right now), but if you have a suggestion for a book that I don't own, and you are sure that it will work, let me know--perhaps I can be swayed towards breaking my vow and buying a new book.





Enjoy!



Until Next Time,

*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

^The picture used at the top of this post is not mine; it was a clipart image found on Google. I do not claim it.