The Romance Dish

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Romantic times - - the end of an era.

romantic times book reviews

7 comments:

romantic times book reviews

Wow! Happy for her retirement. Sometimes that is the hardest part. Saying goodbye to an old friend.

romantic times book reviews

I'm sure it was not an easy decision to make, especially after 38 years at the helm.

It is a hard decision to make. I hope retirement is enjoyable. I was lucky enough to attend the RT Convention in Dallas, Texas a few years ago. It was a wonderful, enjoyable experience. I was not expecting such a large event with so much going on. I was hoping to attend another one. I will have to see what BookLoversCon has to offer next year. New Orleans is a favorite place for us to visit.

I'm sure it wasn't a decision she took lightly, but she sure was a pioneer for the industry. denise

Its so sad. I looked forward to the magazine every month. It introduced me to lots of authors I knew nothing about and books I have loved. Happy retirement!!!!

romantic times book reviews

It's always sad to have to say goodbye to something that so many people have loved and enjoyed for years.

I'm sure it's been harder on her than it's been for us readers. I'm sad because it's the end but I'm glad she's doing what she thinks it's best for her. Good luck to her!

romantic times book reviews

Locus Online

The Magazine of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Field

romantic times book reviews

2017 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Winners

Sci-Fi Novel

  • WINNER: The Prey of Gods , Nicky Drayden (Harper Voyager)
  • Sea of Rust , C. Robert Cargill (Harper Voyager)
  • A Closed and Common Orbit , Becky Chambers (Harper Voyager)
  • Tomorrow’s Kin , Nancy Kress (Tor)
  • The Will to Battle , Ada Palmer (Tor)
  • All Systems Red , Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)

Fantasy Novel

  • WINNER: Within the Sanctuary of Wings , Marie Brennan (Tor)
  • Winter Tide , Ruthanna Emrys (Tor.com Publishing)
  • The Long Past & Other Stories , Ginn Hale (Blind Eye)
  • Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day , Seanan McGuire (Tor.com Publishing)

Epic Fantasy Novel

  • WINNER: The Stone Sky , N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
  • The Queen of Swords , R.S. Belcher (Tor)
  • Death’s Mistress , Terry Goodkind (Tor)
  • The Witchwood Crown , Tad Williams (DAW)

Fantasy Adventure

  • WINNER: The Sapphire Manticore , Marie Andreas (self-published)
  • The Dreamer’s Song , Lynn Kurland (Berkley)
  • Ruins & Revenge , Lisa Shearin (NLA Digital)
  • Heartstone , Elle Katharine White (Harper Voyager)

Urban Fantasy Novel

  • WINNER: The Ghoul Vendetta , Lisa Shearin (Ace)
  • Hungry Ghosts , Stephen Blackmoore (DAW)
  • Silence Fallen , Patricia Briggs (Ace)
  • All Those Explosions Were Someone Else’s Fault , James Alan Gardner (Tor)
  • Heroine Worship , Sarah Kuhn (DAW)
  • White Trash Zombie Unchained , Diana Rowland (DAW)

Urban Fantasy Worldbuilding

  • WINNER: Etched in Bone , Anne Bishop (Roc)
  • Snared , Jennifer Estep (Pocket)
  • Bound , Benedict Jacka (Ace)
  • Blade Bound , Chloe Neill (Berkley)
  • Battle Hill Bolero , Daniel José Older (Ace)

Digital Urban Fantasy

  • WINNER: Blue Blooded , Amanda Carlson (self-published)
  • A Dragon of a Different Color , Rachel Aaron (self-published)
  • Midnight Labyrinth , Elizabeth Hunter (self-published)
  • Godkiller , Colleen Vanderlinden (self-published)
  • Volatile Bonds , Jaye Wells (self-published)

Paranormal Romance

  • WINNER: Bound Together , Christine Feehan (Berkley)
  • Wildfire , Ilona Andrews (Avon)
  • Red Wolf , Jennifer Ashley (Berkley)
  • Thirst , Jacquelyn Frank (Loveswept)
  • Into the Fire , Jeaniene Frost (Avon)
  • Booke of the Hidden , Jeri Westerson (Diversion)

Paranormal Worldbuilding

  • WINNER: Silver Silence , Nalini Singh (Berkley)
  • The Demon Prince , Ann Aguirre (Ann/Aguirre)
  • Wicked Abyss , Kresley Cole (Gallery)
  • The Unyielding , Shelly Laurenston (Kensington)

Fantasy Romance

  • WINNER: The Kingpin of Camelot , Cassandra Gannon (Star Turtle)
  • Breath of Fire , Amanda Bouchet (Sourcebooks Casablanca)
  • Heart Sight , Robin D. Owens (Berkley)
  • Wardance , Elizabeth Vaughan (Birch Cove)
  • The Sea King , C.L. Wilson (Avon)

Futuristic Romance

  • WINNER: Sky Raiders , Michelle Diener (Eclipse)
  • One Fell Sweep , Ilona Andrews (self-published)
  • Born of Vengeance , Sherrilyn Kenyon (St. Martin’s)

Young Adult Fantasy

  • WINNER: Caraval , Stephanie Garber (Flatiron)
  • Flame in the Mist , Renee Ahdieh (Putnam)
  • One Dark Throne , Kendare Blake (HarperTeen)
  • A Court of Wings and Ruin , Sarah J. Maas (Bloomsbury USA)
  • Akata Warrior , Nnedi Okorafor (Viking)
  • Shimmer and Burn , Mary Taranta (McElderry)

Young Adult Paranormal

  • WINNER: The Mortician’s Daughter: One Foot in the Grave , C.C. Hunter (EverAfter Romance)
  • Loved , P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast (Blackstone)
  • Freeks , Amanda Hocking (St. Martin’s Griffin)
  • Body Parts , Jessica Kapp (Diversion)
  • Our Dark Duet , Victoria Schwab (Greenwillow)

Paranormal Romantic Suspense

  • WINNER: Twisted Truths , Rebecca Zanetti (Forever)
  • Stormchaser , Cherry Adair (St. Martin’s)
  • Her True Match , Paige Tyler (Sourcebooks Casablanca)

Winners will be honored at the RT Awards Ceremony on May 18, 2018 during the 2018 RT Booklovers Convention at the Peppermill Resort in Reno NV.

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romantic times book reviews

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romantic times book reviews

Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award

Given by romantic times, semi-finalist 2, nominee 120, tags show numbers, top members.

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“Mystery fans have another author to add to their favorite queues with the arrival of this beguiling debut novel. The book’s heart lies with the eclectic mix of characters and their tight-knit San Francisco neighborhood, which provide an engaging blend of cultures and tensions. The plot will keep more than just the characters guessing until the very end.” –Romantic Times Book Reviews

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This is a blocky collage illustration in shades of orange, green, blue and white that depicts two baseball players and a baseball.

If You Read One Romance This Spring, Make It This One

Our romance columnist recommends three terrific new books, but the one she loves most is Cat Sebastian’s “You Should Be So Lucky.”

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By Olivia Waite

Olivia Waite is the Book Review’s romance fiction columnist. She writes queer historical romance, fantasy and critical essays on the genre’s history and future.

  • April 24, 2024

Spring! There’s no better time of year for a baseball romance. We’ll wind up the column with a much-anticipated book by Cat Sebastian, but we lead off with KT Hoffman’s endearing and tender new novel, THE PROSPECTS (Dial, 346 pp., paperback, $18) .

The minor-league baseball player Gene Ionescu is almost living his best life. He’s a professional ballplayer, even if it’s for a minor-league team. He’s transitioned and is generally accepted as the guy he is, even if a trans man still doesn’t have quite the same locker room experience as a cis man. In this liminal space, he makes a finicky distinction between hope — which he exercises as dutifully as a muscle — and actual wanting, which would inevitably lead to disappointment because hasn’t it always?

The cover of “The Prospects” is an illustration of two baseball players colliding during a play.

Enter Luis Estrada, Gene’s former college teammate.

Luis, the son of a major-league star, was drafted before graduation. Now he steals Gene’s place at shortstop and upsets his balance — at least, until they’re forced to room together on a road trip and discover that making out turns their physical chemistry from something destructive into something electric. But dating a teammate is a terrible idea — especially when you’re certain the teammate is going to be called up and will leave you behind.

Except that isn’t quite how it goes. We’re right there with Gene as he struggles with going from almost enough to more than plenty, as he stops letting life happen to him and learns to actually reach for something. Because what if true happiness is right there, and it’s even sweeter than you dreamed?

The difference between wishing for good things and working toward them is precisely where Lily Chu’s THE TAKEDOWN (Sourcebooks Casablanca, 384 pp., $16.99) finds its footing. The diversity consultant Dee Kwan clings to positive thinking through layoffs, microaggressions and familial health challenges. All the while, her mother insists that a positive attitude is more important than any minor speed bump like your parents and grandmother moving in with you or a house that now smells constantly of medicinal weed. Her one true comfort is the online puzzle game where she’s usually first in the rankings.

Then Dee lands a new job, only to find her nearest gaming rival, Teddy, there. Even worse, he’s the son of the C.E.O. whose toxic corporate culture she’s being paid to improve.

Dee fixes upon improving Teddy’s dad’s company as a stand-in for fixing the world (and her own life). Teddy, on the other hand, has detached himself emotionally from his job, bruised by past disappointments. Chu’s couple find their solution in making small but significant changes to what’s immediate and reachable — relationships both romantic and otherwise. What they learn is that effort and hope have to work together: One without the other is never enough.

But sometimes there is no hope. Illness worsens, accidents strike, you lose people you love. It’s inevitable, as Cat Sebastian’s blunt, beautiful midcentury historical makes clear: “Unless a couple has the good fortune to get hit by the same freight train, their story ends in exactly one way.”

At the start of YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY (Avon, 382 pp., paperback, $18.99) , the journalist Mark Bailey is only 16 months out from the death of his partner. He’s coasting. It’s only when he’s assigned to write about a flailing baseball player on the sad-sack New York Robins that he finds something to connect to: “What’s happening to Eddie O’Leary is an end . That’s something Mark knows about; that’s something Mark can write about.”

Eddie, “a wad of bad ideas rolled into the approximate shape and size of a professional baseball player,” doesn’t know why he is suddenly terrible at a game he loves. He’s lonely and new to the city and shunned by the teammates he bad-mouthed to the press. He’s grateful for Mark’s attention even though he knows it’s an assignment, and he’s quick to notice all the little kind impulses Mark would die rather than admit to. Their romance is like watching a Labrador puppy fall in love with a pampered Persian cat, all eager impulse on one side and arch contrariness on the other.

People think the ending is what defines a romance, and it does, but that’s not what a romance is for. The end is where you stop, but the journey is why you go. Whether we’re talking about love, baseball or life itself, Sebastian’s book bluntly scorns measuring success merely by end results: “The crowd is hopeful, but it isn’t the kind of hope that comes with a fighting chance. It’s a hope that doesn’t need success to validate it. It’s something like affection, maybe with a bit of loyalty mixed in.”

Hoping, loving are things you do for their own sake, to mark being a human among other humans. Or as Eddie puts it: “Sometimes you want to look at a guy and say: Well, he’s f——-, but he’s trying.”

I can think of no better summary of why we do any art. If you read one romance this spring, make it this one.

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romantic times book reviews

Romantic Times Rewind: March 2016 Reviews

by SB Sarah · Mar 8, 2024 at 1:59 am · View all 8 comments

Smart Podcast Trashy Books Romantic Times Rewind

Thank you to  Shannon Stacey for sending me this issue.

You can also find all the RTRW content at our category page for Romantic Times Rewind. 

And, most importantly, if you want to listen and follow along with this entry, we have more detail in the audio, but you can click play and listen and read and absorb all the visual goodness:

Ok, let’s get started!

The cover for March 2016 features Cassandra Clare's Lady Midnight, with the cover art depicting a very thin White woman sinking into some water with her back arched and her hair clouding around her, and there's a sword falling out of her hand

We’ll have more to say about the cover in the Ads & Features episode.

Starting with  Historical Romance , Amanda was extremely curious about  Reckless Desire by Isabella Bradford:

A RECKLESS DESIRE Isabella Bradford **** HOT SETTING: Georgian & Regency England For those who adore Cinderella and Pygmalion plots, Bradford's third installment of the Breconridge Brothers series is perfection. With its wit and heart-tug-ging emotions, this winning tale steals readers' hearts. SUMMARY: With pressure to marry, Lord Rivers Fitzroy leaves his scholarly pursuits to enjoy his last days of bachelorhood. He finds pleasure in the theater, especially among a troupe of Italian dancers. One evening, he agrees to an outrageous wa-ger: take the beautiful lead dancer's mousy cousin and turn her into a leading lady in six weeks. The bet could be Lucia di Rossi's chance to live her dream. As Rivers plans how to turn the quiet, shy girl into a diva, Lucia falls hopelessly in love with him, but she has no idea how attracted Rivers is to her. Each must learn to appreciate themselves before they can truly give each other the love they deserve. (BALLANTINE, Mar., 384 pp., $7.99)

I was very intrigued by  Antonía Barclay and her Scottish Claymore:

ANTONIA BARCLAY AND HER SCOTTISH CLAYMORE Jane Carter Barrett **** MILD SETTING: Scotland & England, 1586 Relying heavily on the history surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots, Barrelt adds a mad scientist, his disgusting son and a dashing Highlander to her fascinating story. They're all after the attentions of Antonia, and it's a bitter battle to the HEA. Told with over-the-top anachro-nisms, this humorous novel is a delight to read. SUMMARY: Much to Antonía's dismay, she has outgrown the gangly girl of her youth and into a beautiful woman who is attracting suitors. She is upset, as she is accustomed to such unladylike pursuits as riding the countryside in her twin brother's breeches. Friends of her broth ers are soon discouraged from courting Antonía since she's decided she wants a man, not a boy. Then she is coerced into attending her best friend's ball. Warned away from the Throckmortons by her old nanny, Antonia is accosted by Rex Throckmorton outside her room and is rescued by Breck Claymore, designer of the famed sword. The young beauty takes Breck's breath away, and it is love at first sight. (RIVER GROVE, Feb, 344 po., $16.95)

In  Mainstream Fiction ,  The Total Package by Stephanie Evanovich received two stars:

THE TOTAL PACKAGE Stephanie Evanovich ** A story of redemption and love conquering all set in the world of professional football, this novel gives a second chance to first love. Despite an overall light, summer-read nature, readers may take issue with the novel's structure, which lacks sufficient buildup and follow-through for its more crucial components. Readers may be left feeling like there's something missing from this one. SUMMARY: The world of football gave Tyson Palmer everything he ever wanted - until a pill- and alcohol induced spiral took it all away. In secrecy, Tyson climbs from rock bottom back to the spotlight, making an honest comeback. The world applauds Tyson for his effort - everyone except for one critic - sports reporter, Dani Carr. When their professional paths finally cross, sparks fly. No matter how hard they try, Tyson and Dani can't seem to get away from one another. Are these two meant to be, or are they a catastrophic combination? (WILLIAM MORROW, Mar., 256 pp., $26.99)

While Amanda was surprised that  The Pastor’s Husband by Tiffany L. Warren wasn’t in inspirational, given the review:

Multicultural THE PASTOR'S HUSBAND Tiffany L. Warren **** When faith, fidelity and favor collide with fame and fortune, friction takes up residence on the pages of The Pastor's Husband. Warren crafts rousing characters who remind us that the church invites believers who are discerning, sanctified, humorous, unwavering and loyal. In this case, the door is also open to gullibility, pretentiousness, lunacy and temptation. Nevertheless, in keeping it real, the author skillfully takes us to the edge, as we eagerly hope and pray that reconciliation and repentance will triumph over drama arrayed in counterfeit kingdom business. SUMMARY: Nya and Gregory Hempstead are co-pastors in their ministry. The one time she yields to pressure to prophesy without hearing from God proves to be catastrophic. She's catapulted to fame due to that "suddenly blessed" proph-ecy. While a financial boon to their ministry, Nya's elevation nationally leads to alienation from her husband and their church. This door of opportunity is ripe for Felicia Caldwell's scheme to commandeer all that's dear to Nya • including Greg - as revenge for that prophecy five years earlier. (DARINA, Mar., 320 pp., S15.00)

In  Teen Scene we found books that were WAY ahead of their time, like  Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky:

KILL THE BOY BAND Goldy Moldavsky **** Macabre mystery collides with snarky teen angst here. Moldavsky illustrates the intense power of peer pressure with a deft hand. Her writing captures the effervescence and (allogic of teen girls brilliantly. The author may have jumped on the unreliable narrator bandwagon, but her writing has an authenticity that makes this a standout. SUMMARY: She and her friends are fans. Actually, that should read FANS. Because being a fan IS their identity, and the members of The Ruperts, the world's biggest boy band, are the object of their intense obsession. In fact, il's what makes their friendship possible. So when they get word that their boys will be staying in a nearby hotel, they book a room. It's the perfect plan - a chance encounter in the elevator will clearly lead the boys to fall madly in love with them. Until it all goes horribly wrong. Before she can blink, one of the Ruperts is tied up in their hotel room. Suddenly, the night is spiraling out of control, and her friends are not the people she thought she knew. As dark secrets come to light in the swanky hotel, the term "crazy fangirl* has never been truer. And no one is more vengeful than a teenage girl with a broken heart. (POINT, Mar, 320 pp., $17.99, ISBN: 9780545867474, HC, 14 & Up)

This GoodReads review from Nicole is true art.

The cover is also delightfully minimalist:

KILL THE BOY BAND written in BIG PINK ALL CAPS LETTERS with the authors name in white against a black background.

Amanda took a close look at Seven Black Diamonds by Melissa Marr:

Fantasy SEVEN BLACK DIAMONDS Melissa Marr ****½ TOP PICK» Marr always sucks you in from the first page and leaves you gasping for more long after the ending, thanks to a mix of suspense, action and romance. The faerie world is wonderfully descriptive and there's a realistic plot. You won't be able to put this twisty tale down. SUMMARY: Lily was never supposed to exist. Her whole life has been a big lie - a necessary one. There is a war going on between humans and faeries, and half-hu-man/half-faerie Lily is stuck in the middle, considered an abomination by some. As she starts a new school, her greatest worry will not be making new friends, but surviv. ing. (HARPERCOLLINS, Mar., 400 pp., $17.99, ISBN: 9780062011176, HC, 13 & Up)

It’s a very short review, and a very short summary, isn’t it?

Seven Black Diamonds has a close up of a blue columbine flower with the title written in what looks like white marker pen in a loopy style

In the  Inspirational  section, and I could NOT say the name of this series without slowing down, I investigated  Dressed for Death by Julianna Deering:

Mystery DRESSED FOR DEATH Julianna Deering **** Christie fans now have Julianna Deering to add to their must-read list. Deering keeps readers on their toes guessing who-done-it in this well-plotted mystery. Don't get too cozy, as any character is unsafe and subject to an untimely demise. SUMMARY: Once again amateur sleuth Drew Farthering and his new bride Madeline find themselves in the thick of a murder mystery. But this time the murders become personal and Drew's faith is shaken and he begins to doubt his calling and usefulness in life. Can Drew, Madeline and their trusted friend Nick solve the mysteries before they become the murderer's next target? (BETHANY HOUSE, Mar., 320 pp., $14.99)

FARTHERING. My gosh my mouth does NOT want to say that.

An illustration of a dour looking white man with short dark hair dressed in Regency clothing, with a large stately home in the background

This book is set in the 1930s, but it’s set AT a Regency costume house party. So that was confusing for me.

But soft! A Goodreads review has revealed unto me a WONDERFUL new term : “God-bothering.” As in, “the god-bothering gets steadily more intrusive with each book.”

Amanda looked at  From Bags to Riches by Sandra D. Bricker:

FROM BAGS TO RICHES Sandra D. Bricker ** The concluding book in Bricker's Jessie Stanton series is great for wrapping up some loose ends, but overall not much happens. Some plot points that should have taken just a few pages are dragged out, whereas others namely the reality series story-line) are mentioned and then completely forgotten. The scenes with the baby are grating because they are so out landishly unbelievable. SUMMARY: Danny Callahan wants to make Jessie Hart his wife now that her legal troubles and all of the Jack Stanton business is behind them. Jessie isn't sure, and when Jack keeps show. ing up, she's even less convinced that she wants to travel the marriage road again. As her grampy's cancer seems to be worsening, Jessie and Danny travel to Louisiana to spend some time with him. Can Jessie sort out her love life while trying to say goodbye to the most important person in her life? (ABINGDON, Mar., 304 pp., $14.99)

The scenes with the baby are grating! Baby bothering AND God bothering: this episode has it all.

A set of four-strand pearls on a black necklace stand against a green fabric background with the title in white abve the necklace

In  Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller , there were many series names, and the book Amanda chose is a perfect pun title:

Mystery, Amateur Sleuth AND THEN THERE WERE NUNS Kylie Logan ****½ TOP This highly addictive series continues with a clever PICK® storyline, quity characters and an ideal island location. As the mystery evolves and the main character realizes the parallels to Agatha Christie's famous novel, the suspense intensifies, and the twists and turns keep on coming. SUMMARY: Bed and breakfast owner Bea Cartwright has agreed to provide meals for 10 nuns who are attending a retreat at the reclusive Water's Edge Center. When the retreat's host is a no-show, Bea becomes a little suspicious. And just when the retreat starts, a nun is found dead in the water. Is it a drowning or murder? When a second nun goes missing, everyone is on high alert. Bea delves into the mystery with the help of the chief of police and the League of Literary Ladies. Will Bea catch the vengeful murderer before more nuns are picked off one by one? (BERKLEY, Mar., 304 pp., $7.99)

AND THEN. THERE WERE NUNS. 10/10, no notes.

In  Romantic Suspense , I didn’t understand why a book with a SWAT team made up of shifters was NOT in paranormal romance, but what do I know:

Paranormal HER FIERCE WARRIOR Paige Tyler **** HOT As another hybrid shifter is discovered, the action takes a backseat to the romance. It's a fine balance, but the characters are written with such compassion that readers will continue to be charmed by the X-Ops series. SUMMARY: Finding a lone hybrid in the mountains of Tajikistan is definitely not part of Angelo Rios' mission. To ensure her safety, he has to get her to headquarters and under the care of their doctor, Zarina. Fortunately, Minka's inner self is calmed by her contact with Angelo, and the two are instant soulmates. As she learns to control her abilities, their emotions take over. There are members in the DCO who only see Minka as a tool, and Angelo is afraid of what will happen to her when he returns to his unit. Also, the organization must stop two doctors from using stolen DNA to create new hybrids. (SOURCEBOOKS, Mar., 352 pp., $7.99)

Shifters says paranormal more than suspense, but again, not in charge. Just confused!

Amanda thought this review was just word salad:

MIM THE SECRET OF HUNTER'S BOG Ally Blue **** HOT Blue is back with another thrilling tale of love in unlikely places and with unexpected twists. This new story not only pairs new love with past intrigue, but with a dash of mystery and some sexy romance. Fans will love this new tale and new characters.

New love! Past intrigue! Dash of mystery and some sexy romance! That’s literally why I’m here but this doesn’t say anything specific about this book?

In  Sci-Fi and Fantasy , a book I had just read for a podcast that will air in September ( Plot Trysts is going to do a Vorkosigan re-read! Stay tuned! ) was reviewed, leading me to feel like the book is following me around.  Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen is terrific, but the review is spoilery so I won’t include it here.

Amanda is really confused as to why she hasn’t read this book yet because it is entirely her jam, coulis, and fruit preserve.

Fantasyy A GATHERING OF SHADOWS V.E. Schwab ****½ TOP PICK® Schwab wastes no time diving into the action with a corker of an opening scene in this sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic. She delves deeper into her vision of four Londons, complicating the politics within and across worlds without ever slipping into convolution. The glimpses of White London and Black London are as chilling as ever, the introduction of Emery is a delight and Schwab hits all the right notes as she explores the fallout of Kell and Rhy's life bond. But the real shining jewel of this novel is the unexpected yet completely organic character evolution she's crafted for Lila Bard. No cookie-cutter heroine, Lila isn't just bold and brave - she'll slit a throat as easily as she'll pick a pocket. Outside of television's Jessica Jones, I can't remember encountering an anti-heroine this ruthless - and this engaging.

Note the typo at the top there – eep!

This review might as well have said, “Amanda, you should read this.”

A gathering of shadows is a drawing of a woman with light skin and a dark bob wearing a black mask with horns and a black cloak against a red background

In  Paranormal , we have a book about gargoyles. In fact, Elyse reviewed  Rocked by Love by Christine Warren.

ROCKED BY LOVE Christine Warren **** HOT Warren does an excellent job making each of her Gargoyles books unique in voice and central relationship, while still building a strong central premise and keeping the stakes sky-high. This fourth book features a heroine whose personal journey and discovery of her own strength is as fascinating as her involvement in her stoic hero's mission and their joint quest. Though there is an inevitable bit of exposition that slows the early part of this story, longtime fans will find this book a fun and significant addition to this series.

Amanda was kind of bummed to find out that this is a prequel to a series that takes place in the present day, but the review for  The Deepest Well by Juliette Cross has a TERRIFIC first line.

THE DEEPEST WELL Juliette Cross ****½ HOT TOP Demons are a natural fit for the Regency era, and PICK» Katherine's shining soul attracts them like magnets. Luckily, she has a protector in George, who is more than he seems. Dark and opulent, drawing on rumors of the infamous "Hellfire Clubs" of the 18th century, Cross' worldbuilding tantalizes and seduces the reader, much as events unfold between characters in the book. This series starter is full of surprises and never takes the easy way out: Katherine and George's struggle to be together is grand in scale. Period details and diction feel spot on, and the climactic battle scene is positively cinematic.

Demons  are a natural fit for the Regency era? Really? Ok, sure.

In the  Urban Fantasy section, we have a new grade, Five Star Gold, with no explanation, though it is for a book that is part of a series that I know is very good:

MARKED IN FLESH Anne Bishop ***** FIVE STAR GOLD As the fourth book in there is an extinction threat hanging over the entire human population of Thaisia. The only thing preventing it at this point is the Elders' curiosity about the effect blood prophet Meg Corbyn is having on the Lakeside terra indigene ("Others"). Without doubt this is one of the best UF series on the market, and in this newest chapfer, the peril and terror factors are completely off the charts! Bishop is one hell of a storyteller!

The covers were all pretty great, too.

In  Series , Amanda found a review for a book that sounds wild, and a cover with a hero hairstyle that evokes George Michael, of blessed memory.

Forbidden Temptation by Anne Mathers has the Harlequin Presents red banner at the top, and an image in a circle of a white woman with auburn hair in asilver gown, and a white man leaning over her. he has floppy golden brown hair falling in a curtain behind his head

Look at that floppy hair!

A FORBIDDEN TEMPTATION (44) by Anne Mather: TOP PICK After widowed architect Jack Connolly moves to England, he meets lawyer-turned-real estate agent Grace Spencer when she comes to his home with her boyfriend Sean, an old friend of Jack's from school. Initially, Jack fights his attraction to Grace, but when he learns she and Sean are broken up and Grace has moved home to help her parents, he decides to pursue her. Grace tries to resist him, but she soon falls prey to their mutual attraction. The addition of Jack's wife's ghost in the story makes for a fun, engaging read. Additionally, Mather's talent for dialogue is a real treat.

And in  Erotica, Amanda was very curious about  Julian’s Sins by Robin L. Rotham, especially as the review thinks male/male sex and electrical play are both kinks?

Erotic Romance, Ménage, M/M JULIAN'S SINS Robin L. Rotham Rotham's novel includes all sorts of intense, dark play that will titillate some and offend others. Kilmartin's end goal is shocking to the extreme - the excess sexual kink is minor by comparison.

But you are NOT prepared for the summary:

SUMMARY: After Dr. Rachel McBride is offered an exciting contract to explore her skills as a vascular surgeon, she's offered something even more thrilling. When former lover Dr. Colin Carter approaches her with the prospect of working with Julian Kilmartin's research project, she is stunned. Both have been the object of her submissive fantasies for years. Given little time to make up her mind, Rachel makes a snap decision to travel to Eastern Europe, where the Castle Bangenschloss is located. All goes well until Julian discovers Rachel did not read her contracts before signing them. He sends her to bed without her supper, which seems like a childish punishment, but it's only the beginning of many. (SAM-HAIN,

Castle. Bangenschloss. Again, 10/10, no notes, chef’s kiss, perfection.

Julian's Sins features a photograph of three nude people embracing above a path through the woods , and the entire image is washed in hues of orange and red

The series is called FRANKENDOM.

Ah, romance, I love you so much.

Our next episode will examine the advertisements and features in this issue, and that’ll air on March 22.

And remember, if you join the Patreon, you’ll get access to the entire issue as a PDF. So! Many! Reviews! And strange ads, too!

What do you think? Have you read any of these? Which would you recommend? 

Categorized:

Romantic Times Rewind

paige tyler , cassandra clare , anne bishop , jane carter barrett , stephanie evanovich , tiffany l warren , isabella bradford , julianna deering , juliette cross , sandra d bricker , melissa marr , kylie logan , ve schwab , ally blue , christine warren , anne mather , robin l rotham , Goldy Moldavsky

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I haven’t read them, but my husband loves VE Schwab’s books, including the Gathering of Shadows series (I believe it’s a series, or at least a trilogy/duology, and the new one just came out? Has a beautiful purple and orange cover? I am apparently too lazy too Google right now).

I used to read romances by Anne Mather in the seventies and eighties, so I was surprised to see her name above. I have read (and reread) Marked in Flesh and all the Others books by Anne Bishop; they are favorites.

I also enjoyed Bujold’s Vorkosigan series (though my favorite of her books is The Curse of Chalion).

JULIAN’S SINS is probably not for me but I was curious about it too, so I looked it up on Amazon (after failing on Kobo — it’s out of print and has no ebook).

Apparently “Frankendom” is the title it was first published under. The author bio (which boldly includes an author photo) says:

… Robin’s stories all include ménage and BDSM themes. She loves exploring evolving sexualities and the fluidity of D/s dynamics in her writing. Robin is married to a farmer … and lives in rural Nebraska.

The book elicited this curious review:

… I think readers will either love it or hate it. Overall I was indifferent. …

And these more enthusiastic ones:

… I love Robin’s books; they are not for the squeamish. She definitely pushes the envelope right to the edge of the table. And I love her for that. An erotic take on the Frankenstein story …
… I loved it so much I bought paperback copies for a couple of my friends. …

I did discover that Amazon does have the 1st 2 books in the FrankenDom series combined into a single edition titled Monster Brothers: FrankenDom Books 1 & 2. It’s available for Kindle for $5.99… Just in case anyone was interested!

What a loss to not title the series “ESCAPE TO CASTLE BANGEN CASTLE.”

@KathyB Good find! I see now that Kobo has Book 2 but not 1. Among her other books they also have NOT SO TINY TIM (“Reader Advisory: Contains 30% more cheese and 20% less kink than your usual Robin L. Rotham fare.”).

I’ve read HER FIERCE WARRIOR by Paige Tyler, and yes, it’s PNR. That book isn’t part of the SWAT shifters series (that’s Special Wolf Alpha Team) but part of the X-Ops series (more than just wolf shifters – feline, wolf, coyote and bear, to name a few). I quite enjoyed it, and the rest in that series, but preferred the SWAT series.

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  1. Best Romance Novels of All Time

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  1. RT Book Reviews

    From bestsellers to hidden gems, find your new favorite books and authors. RT Book Reviews is one of the world's most popular independent book sites. From bestsellers to hidden gems, find your new favorite books and authors. ... Book Reviews. Browse All Reviews. The 20 Best Bookstores in Los Angeles - Ultimate Guide. The Snitch By Sophie ...

  2. Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (RT Award) Winners

    Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards honor the best books of the year. The winners and nominees are selected by the RT staff of over 50 ...more Winners. The Hating Game by. Sally Thorne (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 716,758 ratings ...

  3. "This is the last RT"

    After 37 years of serving the book community with news and reviews, Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews, the RT VIP Salon and the RT Booklovers Convention will be retiring effective immediately. We'll keep the website live for about a year so that you can still access previous blogs, reviews, award nominees and winners, but there won't be ...

  4. Romantic Times

    Romantic Times was an American genre magazine specializing in romance novels. It was founded as a newsletter in 1981 by Kathryn Falk. [1] The initial publication took nine months to create and was distributed to 3,000 subscribers. [2] In 2004, the magazine reportedly had 150,000 subscribers, and had built a reputation as "Romance's premiere ...

  5. The Romance Dish: Romantic Times

    Romantic Times - - The End of an Era. Kathryn Falk, founder of Romantic Times, now known as RT Book Reviews, announced today at the 2018 RT Booklovers Convention in Reno, Nevada that she is retiring and bringing RT to an end. I've never been to a RT convention but I've subscribed to the magazine for 18+ years and have discovered many favorite ...

  6. Introducing: Romantic Times Rewind!

    One episode will be looking at all the reviews by genre in a particular issue, and the other will look at the features, ads, and book covers inside. So on October 6, the podcast episode will be all about the reviews from our first trip down Romance Memory Lane with the May 2014 issue of RT Book Reviews. Then, on October 20, we'll be looking ...

  7. 2017 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Winners

    Romantic Times Book Reviews has announced the winners for their 2017 Reviewers' Choice Awards. There are over a dozen categories of SF/fantasy/horror interest. Sci-Fi Novel. ... If you enjoy our book reviews, news, and recommendations, and use these resources to keep up with new books and in touch with the field:

  8. RT Book Reviews

    RT Book Reviews. 32,939 likes · 1 talking about this. The ultimate destination for fiction lovers! Check us out online at www.rtbookreviews.com and follow

  9. Romantic Times Rewind: December 2015 Reviews

    In this week's podcast episode, we're looking at the book reviews for the December 2015 issue of Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews. Special and massive thanks to Shannon Stacey for sending me this issue!. You can also find all the RTRW content at our category page for Romantic Times Rewind.. And, most importantly, if you want to listen and follow along with this entry, we have more ...

  10. About Us

    Welcome to RT Book Reviews - your destination for unbiased book recommendations! As a leading independent book website, we feature everything from New York Times Bestsellers and timeless classics to undiscovered gems from new authors. Explore captivating reads from beloved writers or discover new favorites to add to your collection.

  11. Books Like

    9 Topical And Timely Books Like The Hate U Give. 10 Moving Romance Books Like Beach Read That You Need To Check Out. 5 Books Like Bridgerton To Feed Your Obsession. 6 Incredibly Good Books Like The Spanish Love Deception. 8 Epic Books Like Lord Of The Rings (By J.R.R. Tolkien)

  12. RT Book Reviews

    RT Book Reviews. May 16, 2018 ·. A note from RT founder, Kathryn Falk: Dear Readers, After 38 years, I am retiring and ending my participation in publishing. It was a great privilege to have a lifetime experience in the book industry and specifically women's fiction. When I wrote Love's Leading Ladies and published the first issue of ...

  13. Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award

    2013. Law Man by Kristen Ashley. Romantic Suspense. 2013. All That I Desire by Francis Ray. Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award. 2013. The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord. Science Fiction Novel.

  14. Romantic Times 4-Star Review

    The book's heart lies with the eclectic mix of characters and their tight-knit San Francisco neighborhood, which provide an engaging blend of cultures and tensions. ... -Romantic Times Book Reviews. Featured Book. Coming in 2020 from Minotaur Press. Buy Now: Mystery Writers of America / Minotaur Books First Crime Novel Award Winner-Read ...

  15. Romantic Times Rewind: June 2014 Review Images

    In this week's podcast episode, we're looking at the book reviews for the June 2014 issue of Romantic Times, aka RT Book Reviews. Ready for an absolute mile and a half of cover art? I am! Let's do this! You can also find all the RTRW content at our category page for Romantic Times Rewind.. And, most importantly, if you want to listen and follow along with this entry, we have more detail ...

  16. TBS: ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK REVIEWS

    TBS: ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK REVIEWS *Top Pick* This is not a lighthearted adventure story; this is a novel about survival. As the protagonists deal with insanity, death and utter despair, the complete hopelessness of their situation makes it more compelling, and the bond that they form all the more real. 4.5/5 Romantic Times Book Reviews View Full →

  17. RT Book Reviews

    RT Book Reviews is a magazine for women (and men!) of all ages who are rabid readers. Every issue features over 250 reviews, including romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal, multicultural ...

  18. Romance

    by Anna Davis. Punk 57, by Penelope Douglas, isn't the heartfelt romance book you may think it is, instead, it portrays real love with all the messiness of life involved - perfect for those looking for a more relatable novel. The story follows Ryen and Misha who have been best friends and pen pals for seven years, but ….

  19. Romantic Times Rewind: July 2004 Reviews

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  20. About Laura Taylor Romance Author

    About Laura. "Laura Taylor writes with the power and sensuality that characterizes the best authors in the romance genre.". Romantic Times Book Reviews. Laura is the recipient of numerous writing awards, including: * RWA RITA Finalist Award - Mainstream Fiction. * 2 Maggie Awards for Mainstream Fiction from GRW/RWA.

  21. Romantic Times Magazine : r/RomanceBooks

    Blush Magazine. And here are some romance reader centric sites with articles, review, interviews, and more: Thank you! InD'tale Magazine - a source for indie romance authors, but it also has tons of reviews (for self-published romance books only) in every issue, which comes out monthly, I believe.

  22. If You Read One Romance Book This Spring, Make It This One

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  23. Romantic Times Rewind: April 2005 Reviews

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  24. Romantic Times Rewind: March 2016 Reviews

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