tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.comments2024-03-18T12:02:03.293-07:00The Misadventures Of Super LibrarianWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comBlogger17481125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-41515426249583371372024-03-18T10:30:36.946-07:002024-03-18T10:30:36.946-07:00I took it literally and went with a PNR that strad...I took it literally and went with a PNR that straddles the human and hell realms.<br /><br />I find I need to plan ahead this year as the themes are a bit tricker. I like it!Jen Twimomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11267405113503713323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-24147945129013642972024-03-17T15:55:27.170-07:002024-03-17T15:55:27.170-07:00I went fish out of water / big career change for t...I went fish out of water / big career change for this one. I dug out books a couple weeks ago for this month and next because I knew I'd need to plan ahead, instead of doing what I usually do - which is panic-grab something that hopefully fits theme at the last minute 😂Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-19433754128209586552024-03-16T16:30:03.329-07:002024-03-16T16:30:03.329-07:00A veritable bonanza! And I want them all, save the...A veritable bonanza! And I want them all, save the inspie, because inspie.<br /><br />Re: the Violet Marsh: don't get me started.<br /><br />There are some illustrated covers, veering into cartoon-style, that convey the tone of the book inside well (thinking about K.J. Charles' <b>Doomsday</b> duology here), and others leave me scratching my head--like the cover for <i>The Phoenix Bride</i>. The woman is grieving and deeply depressed, the blurb makes a point that the Great Fire is gonna happen, and yet the cover is pastels and creams. The hell?aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-63534506135173527982024-03-15T17:36:53.209-07:002024-03-15T17:36:53.209-07:00I do believe this was one of my suggestions and th...I do believe this was one of my suggestions and the thinking was: either fish out of water (city person moves to the country or vice versa); or something happens that changes everything (unplanned pregnancy, big world-changing reveal--hello, shapeshifters/angels/demons/what have you); or someone offers to do something ordinary (deliver a book, pass a message, visit a distant relative, etc), with life-altering consequences.<br /><br />Now to find something in the TBR Black Hole that fits any of these or similar.aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-5937569847538931352024-03-15T12:51:03.037-07:002024-03-15T12:51:03.037-07:00Eurohackie: Oh, I didn't know about the new Ca...Eurohackie: Oh, I didn't know about the new Carla Kelly! It's slated for August and it sounds great (also like perfect fodder for a future Unusual Historicals post). Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-51214871292857863592024-03-14T21:13:43.982-07:002024-03-14T21:13:43.982-07:00@eurohackie: the prices are absolutely ridiculous,...@eurohackie: the prices are absolutely ridiculous, especially because so many publishers are pricing the digital editions as if they were trade print--twelve to eighteen dollars for a license that can be revoked at the whim of the distributor? no thanks.aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-44469900108282865522024-03-14T16:49:53.000-07:002024-03-14T16:49:53.000-07:00Yes, I remember the hooha when the "Afterglow...Yes, I remember the hooha when the "Afterglow" imprint was introduced. Pretty much nothing about it appeals to me, because I am like you: I loathe cartoon covers and trade paperbacks! Desire isn't my favorite HQN line but I wonder where the authors are going to land. I looked up the one that is an autobuy for me (Zuri Day) and her next HQN book is coming out in January 2025 in trade paperback, so I guess she's going there. She originally wrote for the now-defunct Kimani line, so I can only imagine those writers being pretty peeved to keep being shuffled around.<br /><br />I will not be purchasing trade paperbacks. I only do that for an extremely select few authors (I'm talking basically two, only one in romance). I can't stand the price hikes that went into effect this month. I might be forced to go completely secondhand at some point.<br /><br />On the upside, I did see that Carla Kelly has a new Historical in the pipeline! I'm excited for that :)eurohackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03304922888953322957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-59767309713919004912024-03-14T06:00:57.102-07:002024-03-14T06:00:57.102-07:00Eurohackie: I don't know how comparable it is ...Eurohackie: I don't know how comparable it is as I haven't read any yet - but Desire got killed and in it's place sprang up Afterglow - which come out in trade paperback and retail for $12.99. On top of that, right now that line only releases 2 books / month. Oh, and they're around 250 pages.<br /><br />Thanks, hate it already.<br /><br />Also, this is wild speculation and I have absolutely no confirmation - but I've heard that part of the demise is because of Walmart (sales? shelving availability? the fact that cartoon covers aren't remotely sexy and Walmart are bunch of prudes?). I suspect it has more to do with the higher mark-up on trade paperback and publishers making more money off of them. Either way, it's probably a little of both.<br /><br />It makes me sad. Desire was the first category romance line I ever read and an early favorite.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-24697428706013506472024-03-14T05:51:16.570-07:002024-03-14T05:51:16.570-07:00AL: I'd blame it on drugs, but the strongest d...AL: I'd blame it on drugs, but the strongest drug I do is caffeine. My dislike for politician characters in my fiction reading isn't a recent development either. It dates back decades. Truly a mystery how this ended up on my Kindle.<br /><br />Eurohackie: LOL! When I started this book I just went all the way back into my Desire folder and this was one of the oldest books in there. Then I started reading and was like, "Really 2018 Wendy? Really?!"<br /><br />S: I literally laughed out loud. Yes, because already having money = less likely to be corruptible. Even back in 2018 that would have been hysterical!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-21899073279308188332024-03-14T05:46:04.494-07:002024-03-14T05:46:04.494-07:00This book had DNF written all over it but I couldn...This book had DNF written all over it but I couldn't stop. I had to find out who killed her mother. Which in a twisted way I guess means it was a success? But yes, it's off my Kindle now - so small victories.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-88327062706411566922024-03-14T02:49:09.813-07:002024-03-14T02:49:09.813-07:00Wendy, that "I'm already rich" tidbi...Wendy, that "I'm already rich" tidbit was truly a strike of genius by the author, but that book should be labeled fantasy, then!<br />:DS.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-16807450562216470062024-03-13T17:12:19.206-07:002024-03-13T17:12:19.206-07:00Yeah, I have your aversion to political characters...Yeah, I have your aversion to political characters in my romances (at least, contemporary romances) so I wouldn't touch this with a barge pole. I'm going to be more generous than you are to yourself, however, and suggest that maybe your finger slipped and you clicked the wrong link? Easy enough to do, especially on the HQN website.eurohackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03304922888953322957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-2565035657242104832024-03-13T17:02:22.782-07:002024-03-13T17:02:22.782-07:00Sorta off topic (only sorta - I have this entire s...Sorta off topic (only sorta - I have this entire series, in original Desire form, on my Mount TBR) but what happened to the Desire Line? I should've seen the writing on the wall these last couple of months when all the print versions were doubles but the end still came as a surprise. There doesn't appear to be a comparable new line to take its place?<br /><br />Feel free to point me in the right direction if this lands on your "let me google that for you" pile, LOL.eurohackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03304922888953322957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-28442577052195436122024-03-13T07:04:36.022-07:002024-03-13T07:04:36.022-07:00Had you told me this book was out in 2008, I would...Had you told me this book was out in 2008, I would have been slightly bemused at most. 2018? Were you sleep-downloading, Wendy?<br /><br />Glad this worked to introduce you to the author's work; I'm giving it a pass myself.aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-52516256515013156692024-03-11T08:02:48.055-07:002024-03-11T08:02:48.055-07:00Ah... that review was a joy to read, and I had to ...Ah... that review was a joy to read, and I had to get to the very end to make sure you did as well. Thanks for taking one for the team.Jen Twimomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11267405113503713323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-49679701221342274062024-03-10T16:53:08.923-07:002024-03-10T16:53:08.923-07:00Apologies in advance, but somehow my reaction to t...Apologies in advance, but somehow my reaction to the book as described her can be summarized with, "gag me with a spoon".<br /><br />At least it's off the TBR virtual shelf?aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-66641932573314359922024-03-06T17:34:27.785-08:002024-03-06T17:34:27.785-08:00Well that's immediately going on the the too, ...Well that's immediately going on the the too, thanks for rec!Whiskeyinthejarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732905501896356961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-16897293996787180132024-03-06T05:52:19.291-08:002024-03-06T05:52:19.291-08:00AL: I'm an angst junkie and even I found this ...AL: I'm an angst junkie and even I found this difficult to read - surely a sign of how well the author writes. So much rage and grief - it's A LOT.<br /><br />Whiskey: I've read three books by Gaylin now and they've all been so very good (What Remains of Me is probably my favorite so far - a #metoo book before we knew of #metoo). I need to work my way through the rest of her backlist.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-28063226357847444462024-03-04T15:17:34.670-08:002024-03-04T15:17:34.670-08:00I've never heard of this one and it sounds ama...I've never heard of this one and it sounds amazing! Definitely putting on the tbr and going to try and get one my book clubs to read it, I love when stories like this get people talking.Whiskeyinthejarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07732905501896356961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-42968750935061568382024-03-04T07:03:10.975-08:002024-03-04T07:03:10.975-08:00Wow, an A!
Ten years ago, I would have gobbled th...Wow, an A!<br /><br />Ten years ago, I would have gobbled this one up and come back here to talk about it. Damn not being able to read angst anymore!aztecladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857872357667370906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-16204438618141709492024-03-03T11:18:47.084-08:002024-03-03T11:18:47.084-08:00SonomaLass: The last historical I read I inhaled b...SonomaLass: The last historical I read I inhaled but I keep picking up contemporaries for some reason? Or not romance at all - but mystery/suspense/thriller. I've got a TON of historicals waiting for me, I need to go on a binge.<br /><br />Jo: I LOVE heroines who have "reputations" and that one does look good. Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-1812570349770814032024-03-03T11:16:08.009-08:002024-03-03T11:16:08.009-08:00SonomaLass: LOL! Well I tried reading the Nancy Ca...SonomaLass: LOL! Well I tried reading the Nancy Campbell Allen and it didn't survive the put-down-pick-up test for me. I think I might have all the HH titles waiting for me, and I need to get to The Mayor of Maxwell Street. That one in particular intrigues me.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-89724094811326541602024-03-03T11:14:26.530-08:002024-03-03T11:14:26.530-08:00Willaful: Yeah, it's terrible. Lee's singl...Willaful: Yeah, it's terrible. Lee's single titles feature illustrated covers so I'm sure Harlequin was looking to capitalize on that - but ugh. We need a book without a cartoon cover to start dominating sales so publishers head down the copy cat road - although I'm beginning to think it won't happen. I suspect the cartoon covers are cheaper to produce and here we are 🙃Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-76532908093644673912024-03-02T14:18:30.182-08:002024-03-02T14:18:30.182-08:00Went straight to Amazon for The Lady of a Lyon! I...Went straight to Amazon for The Lady of a Lyon! It sounds right down my alley.<br /><br />-- JoJo Wyrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07839237777940297933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-8915899400834346752024-03-02T11:02:52.565-08:002024-03-02T11:02:52.565-08:00Grateful as always that you keep making these list...Grateful as always that you keep making these lists, here whenever I cycle back to historical romance. And thanks to AztecLady for helping out!! SonomaLasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378768156853182596noreply@blogger.com