Brraddicts's Blog-House

Not so Tempting for me this time Ms Chase - Don't Tempt Me: A Review

2009-09-06T12:42:00.005+10:00

So .... I've had to really wrestle with this review. I'm not so good at talking about books I don't enjoy. It's even harder when it's an author I love. Then I find it an incredibly hard process to express why a book has failed to satisfy ...and that's your warning ... read on to read about my experience with Loretta Chases' Don't Tempt Me ... and a short diatribe about RegencyLite historical romances ....

Don’t Tempt Me, is the story of an aristocratic Englishwoman stolen by White Slavers and lost to the as a girl, who is then fantastically returned to her family after ten years as harem odalisque to be launched into the Ton to assume her birthright in London’s highest echelon.

If I wasn’t already a huge fan of Loretta Chase this premise alone would tempt me to try this book because I adore bold adventurous heroines and unconventional historical locales.

Zoe Octavia Lexham is the spunky English heroine from the back cover blurb, escaping a life of slavery to return to her family where she faces overwhelming scandal and social ostracism for a past that was imposed upon her. When this crushing defeat seems ready to separate Zoe from everything English she’s longed for these past ten years, her childhood nemesis, Lucien de Grey, Duke of Marchmont, steps forward to champion her through the threatening waters of Almacks’ and Court Presentations.

Every moment Lucien spends with Zoe tempts him to uncover all Zoe’s unladylike knowledge and unmentionable talents acquired from her harem days, jeopardising his pledge to her father to make Zoe the toast of the London Season.

Loretta Chase has certainly created a story filled with her trademark familial high-jinks, with bantering heroines and heroes finding family, fun and forever after. But Ms Chase’s latest offering has left me very flat, which is always disappointing to a fan, because I felt it just wasn’t up to the standard I expect from a Loretta Chase novel. There were a couple of points within the first few pages that made me doubt the book I had picked up, enough to make me check the cover, because this was not the book I was anticipating to read. But before I go on I should explain some terminology.

Fellow BRRAddicts have often heard me lament a style of historical romance that I call RegencyLite. I cannot take ownership of this word, in fact I can’t remember where it originated, but I’m guessing the source to be a couple of good friends with a tremendous sense of language who started the ball rolling. And since then it has become the perfect way for me to describe certain books and authors within the historical romance genre.

Anyways, RegencyLite is a term I use to indicate a historical romance set within a peculiar period of time – Americanised English Regency. In this period of time the gentleman use 20th century phrases and words like “Okay” and ladies always display a shocking lack of etiquette and decorum, but it’s all cute and adorable and we all love them because they’re all such darlings, and everything is forgiven. So I’m talking about a historical romance where there are lapses in the historical authenticity.

Basically, the author hasn’t let history get in the way of a selling.. sorry.. telling a good story. If you took away the long dresses and knee breeches, the story could be modern contemporary without too much fuss.

As you might infer, I’m not a fan of RegencyLite, and I tend to cultivate a short list of authors that do not write this style of historical, and these are the authors I stick to. They’re not always the most popular or highest grossing, but I’m always assured of a great HISTORICAL read when I select one of their books.

Now, as I’m a devoted Loretta Chase fan, I read Don’t Tempt Me for a second time to make sure that my first impression was really as bad I thought it was, and subsequently, I have to believe Ms Chase that you were rushed with this book.

The characters this time were not the customary delight that they’ve been in the past, but rather lacklustre and thin; Lucien’s ennui felt forced and contrived despite the number of times this was belaboured, whilst the occasional glimpses into Zoe’s harem world were tokenistic and shallow. Maybe if the life Zoe escaped could have been further developed within the story we could more adequately realise the relief and success Zoe felt in returning to London, her family and her way of life, that was much mentioned but not ultimately communicated.

A RegencyLite novel relies too heavily on the story using industry approved and the well established lucrative aspects of a specific historical period without giving the reader a historical experience worth reading for its own sake. Unfortunately, this is the much scorned, banged out story of romance and love reformulated on countless occasions irrespective of time and place, and therefore not a memorable book.

These are books that allow the marketing department to overshadow the creative department.

As I am a Loretta Chase fan, I will state that I am still interested in her next novel when it comes around, but I do feel sadly let down by Don’t Tempt Me. Hopefully the next book will be worth a permanent place on the bookshelves just as her backlist has warranted for me in the past.

Oh GROWL!

2009-08-26T12:57:00.000+10:00

Dear Editor

Re: the Opinion column 'I will survive without Mills, Boon and misunderstood men'

The Age columnist Catherine Deveny has blogged about Mills&Boon romances today. While she is to be commended for taking a couple of steps beyond the usual detractor (the one who knows all about romance novels without ever having read one), she still falls into the 'other' category - readers of these books are 'other' to me. Women who enjoy these books are 'other' to me.

Especially when she compares reading them to eating Mars Bars.

Why must they always bring up the chocolate?

The article remains another example of how easy it is to bash the lowest rung on the ladder. Romance novels are the literary equivalent of obesity - easy to dismiss as evidence of a problematic lifestyle.No secure woman would read one. No woman in a happy relationship would read one. No woman with a grip on reality would read one.

Do we really have to go into this again?

I'm sorry, Ms Deveny, but romance novels don't tell women that men can make them happy. They simply celebrate that a strong, committed relationship can add immeasurably to life. They aren't about women throwing a tantrum at reality. They provide a snapshot at a time when life is happy. Falling in love feels good. It feels strong and right and powerful. Romance novels just focus on that aspect, instead of the messy break up, or the unequal division in housework, or the sleep deprivation of children, or the stress of mortgages.

Is that wrong? Well, no. I personally prefer to celebrate the good and the positive in life. In fact, I think the world view that celebrating those happy times are ...what was it again, Ms Deveny?...oh right, a sickly, fairytale enema, is a main causal factor in the problems in the world around us. Murder? Rape? Domestic violence? Yes, please! Show them on television, celebrate those who read about them. Love? Happiness? Basic human connection? Turn it off! Turn it off!

I appreciate that the fantasies in the 4 books you read did not appeal to you, Ms Deveny. Not everyone will find pleasure in the same thing.

But dismissing an entire genre - particularly one in which you have so very little experience - and over 60 million readers, and doing so in such clearly exploitive, over-the-top, and patronising tones, is unprofessional and inappropriate.

Perhaps focusing on some of the positivity in the novels, instead of jumping on the negative bandwagon, might have done you some good.

Kind regards,

Kate Cuthbert

A New Review For You - Lauren Dane's Laid Bare which was Awesome!

2009-08-17T21:22:00.003+10:00

Alrighty. I’ve just got to write this down.

I’ve just finished Lauren Dane’s Laid Bare, a new Penguin Heat release, and I have to tell y’all how fantastic it was, and how I want you to read it too.

I’ve been a big fan of Dane’s in the past with the Cascadia Werewolves series making her a favourite Ellora's Cave author and for her many other books as well, because she’s so good at writing a suspenseful tale whilst keeping everything spicy hot and steamy with edgy alpha heroes we all so love.

So, after my good friend and fellow BRRAddict, Rose, pressed Laid Bare into my hot hands, I was eager to sink into this offering of contemporary erotic suspense with lashings (LOL!) of ménage and D/s thrown into the mix. This was a one-sitting read. You will not want to be interrupted reading this at turn’s tender and erotic story.

We start with a hot and heavy affair between Todd, stand-up Seattle cop and Erin, a dread-locked and tattooed bassist for the hottest grunge band heading for LA. The affair ends when Todd refuses to accept his need to dominate in the bedroom and Erin calls it off.

Ten years later, some life-threatening danger and two unsuccessful marriages a piece, Todd returns to Seattle to re-enter Erin’s life after fortune, celebrity stalkers and attempted murder leaves her jumping at loud noises and locking herself away in her own personal ivory tower. Erin has built a contained life for herself in Seattle again, with a coffee shop beside her brother’s tattoo parlour and studio work compensating for the rock ‘n roll spotlight, while she struggles to cope with the death of her baby girl.

Todd has accepted his true Dominant sexuality and wants what he could have had for these past ten years. He wants Erin. But he needs to overcome her fears about loving again, and breaking down her fierce shields. To keep the pace lively, Erin’s highly protective brothers add volatility, and when a third, Ben, Todd’s best friend gets introduced to the relationship, the dynamic becomes a lot more complex.

Laid Bare is a stripped back emotionally charged story of second chances between three characters that have each suffered disappointment, heartache and loss. A tender and erotic ménage contemporary with strong and passionate characters, that left me with a heartfelt satisfaction that you only get from truly great romances.

Well worth the trade paperback price, and a keeper. Bring me some more Lauren Dane now please! Yum-O!

Coming up on the TBR pile, I've got two more Lauren Dane futuristic/sci-fi erotic romances to delve into this week. As well as the new Loretta Chase - Don't Tempt Me, which does immensly, and a golden oldie from Jo Goodman With All My Heart which should be filled wtih historical high-melodrama.

Brought to you BUY Sherry Thomas

2009-06-25T16:52:00.008+10:00

Gracious, I've got to say, things are looking mighty thin here at the Blog House. No one's popped in to visit, or review, or toss up a rant about the state of the bookshelves at Borders, or tell us all about used book stores you've just gotta visit --oh, wait, that one will come.

Gird your loins because darlings, the Blog House is about to be dorky.

Or should I say gushy?

Perhaps glommy because glomming was a recent topic of discussion?

Maybe even, "Scrumptious Victorian confection... A Cinderella story with a compelling culinary twist."

Oh, yes, my dearest BRRAddicts, I'm talking about Sherry Thomas and her novel, Delicious. Like most fairy tales, it's the story of True Love--long lost True Love. It's Cinderella retold--sort of. And you've all probably already read it. It was published last year, and Kate's mentioned it already on the loop, but it deserves to be mentioned again because this aptly titled work is utterly delish.

Hard to believe the Stalwart Contemporary Reader is fawning over something Historical, innit? Just you wait until I get going on Jo Goodman, which I will at tomorrow night's gathering (7pm Borders in Brissy CBD). But back to Sherry's Delicious, or more appropriately, Sherry herself.

I purchased two copies of the novel. One I lent to Elle before reading. The other was because of the odd way it had been printed--back to front. The step-back became the rear of the book, the back 'blurb' wrapped around the spine, displacing the window image on to the front, and when one opened the book, the contents were upside-down. For some reason, I was outraged. Sherry, this wonderful author, was likely to lose a sale, because someone (Like Elle!) would never buy her book, no matter how wonderful, in such a state. Knowing a few of our members are authors, I was further outraged.

Herein lies the dorky part: I was so full o' outraged beans, I wrote to Sherry to tell her about the misprint, so she could contact her publisher and be compensated. I never expected to hear back from her, but I did. Here's the entire conversation.

Hi Sherry,

Perhaps someone one has already brought it to your attention and the issue has been rectified (in your favour!). I've come across several copies of your novel Delicious that have covers printed back to front, which means the back cover blurb folds over the spine and the print inside is upside down. I have no qualms purchasing a book in such a state because it's got a certain quirky appeal, and, well, you wrote it. I know there are some who might not be willing to buy your wonderful novel in such a state, but I'm a little curious. I know the books store is compensated by Random House because the novel is considered "damaged," but would you receive some sort of compensation as well, since the print mistake lies with the publisher? Is a stupid print muck-up like this something that could possibly hurt you and keep you off a best-seller list, a list that could net you more profit? I know it's kinda silly, but I was mad for you.

All the best and thanks for the great read!

Dear OB,

Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know about this problem. I'll pass it along to my editor.I think the bookstore doesn't actually get real compensation from Random House, more like a credit to their account the same way books unsold are returned. But if otherwise, well, I'll definitely demand my due! :-)

Again, thank you. And wish you all the best,

Sherry

P.S. I'm so happy you liked the book.

Hands up here. How many of you would buy a "damaged" book? Would book in a state like the copy of Delicious I bought postpone your glom?

Put in your two cents at tomorrow night's BRRAddict-o-rama! I'll expect some lively discussion about this.

See you all there!

2009 Starts with Hit! Suzanne Brockmann's Dark of Night

2009-02-03T19:58:00.002+10:00

Greetings and Salutations 2009! My you have been a busy year already. January has flown by and as we steadily progress into February, getting closer and closer to ARRC time, the impetus to gush about a wonderful, fabulous new release spurs me to break open the password recovery instructions and blog.

The first big hit that I've been waiting for this year has been Suzanne Brockmann's latest release in her Trouble Shooters series, Dark of Night. Released on the 27th January, the ability of Australian booksellers to deliver this prized tome into greedy readers grubby paws was pretty much THE discussion of January.

I felt utterly indulgent last Friday, leaving work early and crossing town to get my hands on my own copy, and then spending the rest of the afternoon and evening reading with a fellow devotee (Rose) and discussing the pitfalls of an author having a highly successful and popular series. I know a few of you (Kate) will raise your eyebrows over this pearler from me, but we should remember at the end of the day ... it is only fiction! Hahaha! I was totally amazed to hear that Sooze had to shut down her discussion board due to backlash on the release of Dark of Night, and this was before it was actually released!

Well, as I know some devotees haven't been able to read Dark of Night yet, I won't gush about the story at all, except to say that Sooze once again chilled me with the depth and breadth fo her amazing and outstanding talent. I didn't read DON completely spoiler free, but I avoided the most of the pre-release information just teasing myself all those months ago with the Prologue. That was enough!

I think Dark of Night was entertaining, beguiling, energizing and most of all diverting. As always I was itching to turn the page to find out what happened next. I loved the controversial character pairings. They ABSOLUTELY work!
I was one of the doubting Thomas' and I was so wrong. The pairings were perfect, couldn't be better and I look forward to seeing more of these couples in future books.

It's so hard to say something without tipping a direction. Sandra almost walloped me Monday when I burbled.

Dark of Night was totally great and another favourite keeper on the shelf! I hope all who are looking forward to reading it, get to read it as soon as possible and experience the thrill ride.

Thank you to Christine and Karen for a Fabulous Christmas Party!

2008-11-23T20:03:00.003+10:00

I just wanted to say a BIG Thank You to Christine for hosting us Brraddicts for Christmas last weekend. You're absolutely awesome Christine!

And thanks to Anna Campbell for coming down and chattering away with us all afternoon about books, readers, publishers, rants, blogs, new books, old books, upcoming releases, release schedules, stupid bookstores and their zombie staff members, and anything else I missed.

Annie, I hope your mum wasn't too green with envy when you told her where you'd been! :)

So, happy Christmas to all Brraddicts and to romance reading addicts everywhere . Get a grip on the festive season before it wrestles you and your book budget to the floor. (Or is it just me that thinks that?)

Hugs and more,

Elle

ARRC Brisbane Roundup!

2008-11-23T19:41:00.005+10:00

The following is my response to today's ARRC meetup with fellow Brisbane delegates to ARRC 2009. So bear with me! LOL!

Okay, so today I and a few other Brraddicts (Carolyn, Heather and Rose) met up with some fellow ARRC delegates over at Chermside Borders where Christmas present-buying season was in full sway! The hordes of people swarming through Borders and evil eye-ing our large table in the coffee shop area was starting to get a little overwhelming. But I think we did good to hold onto it for 3 hours or so! (And I told you they wouldn't throw us out for bringing in Starbcuks, Carolyn!)

So, there was Amy Andrews and her so delightful arm-cast, which in no way impeded her ability to sign the lovely HAQ Med-romance "Top Notch Surgeon, Pregnant Nurse" that she brought for us all. And Amy even put up with my scoffing of HAQ titles! Thanks Amy! But Oy! the title!! :) Like I said, the Richard Roxburgh-like cover model makes up for it!

And Meg, A.K.A Margaret Leigh handed out some postcards for her release The Heart Divided. Thanks Megs. I hope you enjoy those books you bought. Start with the Nalini Singh. She's fantastic! And make sure you get Dark Lover, JR Ward. I couldn't beleive it wasn't on the shelves! At least they had the Companion, even if it was the Piatkus release. And you definitely can't start any Lora Leigh series with the latest books, though I was pleased to see that Wild Card was there, even though there was no sign of Mercury's War. Sigh! Still, you can't start with Tanner's Scheme.

Here's Meg's picture! Good picture Meg!

And then after was chatted and nattered and dickered and gabbed for three hours, we had a "Browse" of the shelves. And Chermside Borders wasn't too bad. It was pretty good. They certainly had a few more later releases on the shelves, but then I haven't been near a bookstore in a few weeks, mainly because I've been insanely busy at work. (Ok, they've got to start letting me out at lunchtime to get up to Borders, or else something's gonna get broken that can't be fixed pretty!) And yes, I convinced Meg to get Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks, Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh and Witch Blood by Anya Bast. I also talked Evelyn into getting that one too. Even though it isn't the first book (which they didn't have I might add)

I think you can enjoy the second book without knowing what happened in the first book. If you disagree send your postcards to 131 I'mpreparedtofightthisout@brraddicts.org .. (This isn't a real address , but I'm happy for you to try it! Heh Heh Heh)

Okay, and to round me up for the night, because I'm getting a little punchy already, I've started reading the Kim Harrison series that Kate-chan lent me sooooooo long ago, and I'm really enjoying the first book. So, you'll get them back soon Kate. Thanks for the long lend. I also read the second and third Sharon Page's in her Regency Erotica series that started with Sin. Black Silk and Hot Silk were fabulous, so I look forward to more Regencies from Ms Page. Yummy Yummy.

Alrighty then ... last Brraddicts meeting for the year is this coming Friday(28th) at 7pm-ish at Borders in the City where hopefully we can re-shelve some books, drink some coffee and chatter a bit more about readerings!

Love and Politics

2008-11-06T09:04:00.004+10:00

I'm sure I'm not the only one celebrating victory after the elections yesterday - in fact, the world seems to be a happier, more hopeful place this morning.

...

which kind of reflects the way I feel when I finish a good romance novel. Coincidence?

Thoughts on Romance - the action, not the genre

2008-10-22T07:03:00.007+10:00

One of my favourite stereotypes about romance novels is that they deal only with the romantic - that is, our heroes hold doors and bring flowers and chocolates, and our heroines plan intimate dinners for two.

Umm, yeah. When was the last time you read a book where the hero had roses delivered and hired a string quartet to play 'Moon River' when he got down on bended knee to propose?

That would be a big ol' 'never' over here in my little corner of the world.

That doesn't, however, mean that the characters in romance novels can't be romantic or do romantic things - it's just that the definition isn't nearly as narrow as conventional wisdom would have you believe. Sure flowers and chocolates - especially chocolate - are lovely gifts, but it's the thought behind the action that displays the true romance. A gift of any kind tells the receiver that the giver was thinking about them while they were apart. That's the romance.

And, let's face it, can you see any of the spate of spunky, snarky, kick-ass heroines that have been coming our way lately accepting flowers gracefully? What would Mercy Thomson do with flowers? Brighten up her garage? I imagine Rachel Morgan would use hers in whichever spell she was brewing at the time. And though women in the Regency were much more used to receiving flowers as their due, how would Soraya have reacted if Kylemore had attempted to woo her with bouquets?

The romantic gestures that I remember from the novels I've read have been personalised action that show that the hero (or heroine!) have listened to their love-interest and put some thought into what would bring them pleasure. If this means a new wrench instead of roses, or, to slip away into a movie flours instead of flowers, this doesn't mean romance is dead - rather it means it's alive, well, and deliciously personal. Just like it ought to be.

What are your favourite romantic moments from a romance novel? Are there any that stand out as being particular romantic? Or, for that matter, can you think of a novel where the hero brings the heroine flowers or does something very traditionally romantic?

The Borders Official Response

2008-10-16T21:37:00.002+10:00

A few days ago I posted an Open Letter to Borders on the blog addressing the issues of their poorly sorted and stacked Romance Section. Well, I emailed the link to Borders as a matter of interest to see what kind of a response I would receive. To be honest, considering my post was very much a rant, I didn't expect any response at all. Most impressively, I received the following email response back today:

Hi Annie,

Thank you very much for the opportunity to view the feedback that you have provided – this is very constructive criticism and currently we have our buying and merchandise teams fully investigating and discussing the comments that you have made.

I have been informed that they are considering moving some of the titles that you have mentioned in the blog. Once they have fully investigated this and decided on their action we will get back to you with a full response.

We do appreciate any feedback that our customers provide so please don’t hesitate to drop us a line if you would like to have a chat or make any comments about our titles and stores in general.

Now I'm sure they think I'm crazy and taking this much to seriously but they responded most respectfully. I'll let you know what the final response is on their investigation. You never know, maybe the merchandising team will read a Barbara Erskine or spice up their lives with some romance?

A Borders Rant...

2008-10-08T21:18:00.009+10:00

Dear Borders,

I'm writing today because it has recently come to my attention that you may require some education regarding the genre of Romance and the importance of female authors in the book industry. While I appreciate you donating an entire two shelves of your store to a billion dollar a year romance industry, I think you may have received either (a) no information or (b) seriously misguided information as to what a romance novel actually is and what romance readers want.

Take a look at the below photo recently snapped in the Romance Section of your Garden City store.

I would like you to take note of three books in particular by Barbara Erskine; Child of the Phoenix, Whispers in the Sand and Hiding from the Light. None of these books, or any others written by this particular author, would in my view be classified as a romance. They are brilliant books by an author who pioneered the Paranormal Historical novel some 21 years ago and paved the way for authors like Diana Gabaldon. BUT unlike Gabaldon, they primarily deal with themes like abuse and the concept of time, not love. In fact, the only novel I've ever read by Ms Erskine that contains a male/female relationship story ends with her being suspended over a castle in a tiny cage and consequently losing her mind. Powerful writing but I'm sure you'll agree, not very romantic. So, just to be clear, a Romance novel is a fictional story that centres around a romantic relationship between a man and a woman and generally ends with a happily ever after.

If I was a reader looking for a new book to read and I picked this one off your Romance shelf, I would not only be thoroughly disappointed but slightly irked. Not only does this show that none of the staff at Borders Garden City have never read a Barbara Erskine but it seems to me that she has been placed there simply because she is a female author. In fact, if your staff had gone so far as to even read the back of the book they would have been able to classify it quite simply. This shows a flagrant lack of respect for both the Romance genre and female authors in general. Why don't you just call half the store 'Women's Fiction' and shove all the women writers in there and let us wade through it? I'm quite sure that you wouldn't shove Bernard Cornwell or Jeffery Archer in Sci-fi simply because they're male. For that matter, you probably wouldn't double stack their shelves insanely so that readers couldn't locate their books either.

Okay, here's your next problem.

Since when, was The Fiery Cross a CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE??????? It's set in freakin' 1771! And don't even try telling me a customer had just shoved that there. There were multiple copies of it on that shelf! I don't know a Romance reader in her right mind that would pick up a book from your Borders Recommends Shelf. Obviously, nobody's even reading these to recommend them. On the very same shelf you've got Nora Robert's Blood Brothers (the first of her Sign of Seven Trilogy) listed as a Contemporary Romance. Not good. This again, would be more of paranormal. Although you only lose half a point because it is set in the present day.

Borders, I think you need help. Big time. If you would like to prevent us from spending our money buying our Romances from Amazon then I strongly suggest reviewing your shelves. Why bother having an ill-stocked Romance section with ugly double stacking and a barely coherent alphabetical order. Why bother having a Borders Recommends section when clearly none of the books belong there. Why bother putting female authors in the Romance section simply because of their gender? This is a massive, untapped market in the Australian book industry and as readers you are letting us down.

You want some help? The Brraddicts are on it. We already rearrange your shelves for you every time we have a meeting there anyway. Why not have some real readers offer consultation on what's hot in Romance? Why not let some real readers make some recommendations? Failing that, why not have your staff read the blurbs on your books before they shelf them?

Yours faithfully,
Annie

September BRRAddicts Meeting - Border's Garden City

2008-10-01T21:25:00.004+10:00

Here’s a summary of our September meeting, held at the coffee shop in Border’s Garden City, Southside Brisbane. We had a healthy attendance and bookmarks that have been sent through to the group were distributed before we started. Thank you Cynthia Eden, Jaci Burton and Cherry Adair for the promotional materials received lately.

Okay, BRRAddicts’ at Borders - Take Two was another great success. Even if we didn’t buy as much as last time, we certainly scored highly with meeting two new romance addicts and recommending new authors to both these (hopefully) future BRRAddicts’ members.

It’s so much fun introducing new readers to great authors. I absolutely love it! Sure there’s a little bit of doubt that they might not enjoy the book, but mostly I feel pure pleasure knowing someone’s got a thrill ahead of them.

However, when the stacks aren’t as well stocked as they should be, particularly for such high profile authors like Lora Leigh and Suzanne Brockmann, being able to put your hands on books that NEED to be on someone’s bookshelves is a little difficult.

Maybe another group of Romance Reading Addicts had cleared this shelf of favourite authors?

But, Borders GC was redeemed when I was able to recommend Elizabeth Hoyt and we found not only To Taste Temptation but also Hoyt's ‘Prince’ trilogy. Loretta Chase’s Your Scandalous Ways was also there and it too, went merrily zipping through the checkout. Big Tick Borders for Historical Romance latest releases.

Okay so the meeting started with heartfelt and deep discussion about Facebook and what we’ve all learned since the new style Facebook has come out. There was also Coffee. Sorry Sandra, it wasn’t Starbucks, but it was tall and hot, and it did just fine. Facebook doesn’t have a lot to do with Romance reading, but it certainly is close to most of our hearts.

It also gives me a great segue into the Australian Romance Reader’s Convention in February 2009. The first of its kind in Australia I believe. Debbie and Annie explained how I had to sign up for the Yahoo group for ARRC 09 instead of the Facebook group to get the registration information. This is why I didn’t get the early registration information. And now I also know that available seats for the Saturday night dinner are getting fewer and fewer, so best to register soon.

So we discussed who was going, why we were going and what we wanted to get out of ARRC 09 the most. Debbie was of the opinion that it’s going to be a tremendous ‘Girl’s Weekend’ at the hotel, so that, combined with all those books makes it a Perfect Weekend Away. What a totally inspiring thought!

Rose liked the camaraderie aspect of spending a weekend surrounded by a few hundred like minded individuals revelling in their favourite indulgence. For that reason I’m looking forward to getting the skinny on what everyone enjoys and also what they would recommend to me! For more information on how I feel about reading recommendations, we covered this above.

Annie’s pointed out that it will be a sensational opportunity to purchase new books as well shopping for several other things that are on offer. Ties in with the ‘Girls’ Weekend’ theme quite well. Ah! Melbourne; a shopper’s Mecca! Carolyn impressed us all with having her own chauffeur lined up already for the weekend.

We then discussed the benefits of subscribing directly to Romantic Times BookClub Magazine for a 12 month membership. I signed up for my own copies late Saturday night, given the day's inspiration, and hopefully will see them on my doorstep soon. Nice to save that extra money and put it towards a few more books.

We had a lively debate over the benefits of ordering our books via America, Amazon or even the UK. Annie is a dynamo when it comes to hunting down the cheapest price for your fav new release read.

Annie also astounded us with the latest goings on over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and their reviews of shifter erotica offerings. We were all tempted to find this Duck Shifter book. I forgot to ask whether the heroine was the Duck or the Hero. But I guess it might be the Hero, now I remember we discussed large appendages.

The next BRRAddicts Meeting will be on a Friday night, last Friday in November. But we will have Saturday afternoon meetings again. We’re meeting at Borders in the City and even though we didn’t discuss a time, I reckon the old 7pm might be a good meeting time. That gives us 2 hours to chatter and peruse the stacks. Anyone found wandering the stacks earlier will get a head start on the others. All’s fair in love and books, girls!

An Abundance of Pleasure from Larissa Ione!

2008-09-23T20:16:00.005+10:00

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione.
Review by Elle. 5 out of 5!

Tayla Mancuso was sixteen when a demon raped and murdered her mother in front of her. So she’s not a fan of demons. Years later she becomes a demon-slayer; a Guardian, someone who protects the rest of human-kind from demons and vampires, shape shifters and the assorted ghoulies that make night-time in New York City a dangerous place.

Eidolon is the head Doctor at the demon-run Underworld General Hospital, where victims are being brought in mutilated; harvested whilst still alive, for their body parts. Someone is preying on his people for the Underworld Body Organ Black Market.

Eidolon is also about to go through his final transformation into an rampaging Incubus unless he can find the perfect mate that will anchor him through The Change.

When Tayla and her fellow Guardians look to be the culprits behind the gruesome attacks, Eidolon and Tayla are caught between their people and the irresistible attraction they share. Someone is going to have to betray the other when they discover that everything they ever held dear might not actually be the truth.

Larissa Ione has created a wonderfully fascinating world of demons and Other-folk that is fast-paced, action filled and seriously addictive.

Our demonic ‘hospital romance’ sizzles with sexy star-crossed lovers, deliciously dark humoured and tormented secondary characters that make you itch to learn their secrets, and a conscience-challenging storyline. What DO you do when everything you believe to be true is false and the actions that you’re taking are unaccountably wrong?

Pleasure Unbound was an absolute treat.

The sassy bickering between Eidolon and his brothers was a hoot, very sexy and alpha, and hopefully we won’t have too long to wait for their stories. It won’t be a hardship to catch up with these demon brothers again.

I wish I had another book to dive back into the world of Underworld General Hospital and the demons, vampires and shifters that work there. Ione’s reinvention of Incubus demonology is refreshingly stimulating, comparable to how JR Ward and Meljean Brook retooled vampires and angels. She's rewritten the Matrix.

I look forward to more from Larissa Ione, and I’m not surprised to hear she’s part of the dreadfully talented Sydney Croft partnership. I’ve picked up a Larissa Ione short story from Red Sage Publishing that I’m keen to get into. Ione’s a find.

This is a five out of five book. Too juicy to let spoil! Get yourself some!

Elle

At the Brisbane Writer's Festival

2008-09-10T09:48:00.002+10:00

Did you know? There are a couple of romance-related events at the Brisbane Writer's Festival this year.

Workshop: Marketing a Romance with Christine Wells and Anna Campbell. Sunday 21st of September, 9:30-12:30. Details here

Panel: The Exoticism of the Past: Romance, History and Fiction with Christine Wells, Susan Parisi and Anna Campbell. Moderated by Glen Thomas. Saturday, 20th of September from 4:40 to 5:40. Details here

A Bit of a Tumble Backwards...

2008-09-06T20:55:00.004+10:00

'Tumbling Through Time' by Gwyn Cready (2 out of 5 stars)

Review by Annie

After reading Seducing Mr Darcy and falling in love with the author's easy comedy, I thought I'd read her debut novel Tumbling Through Time. I had high hopes for this novel because it sounded like it had an interesting premise - a would-be romance writer gets sucked into the plot of her novel and is seduced by the hero she created. This really could have worked really well but unfortunately didn't for a few reasons.

Firstly, the plot became a little convoluted when the heroine Seph, discovers that the hero from her romance novel is actually a real person. Did I explain that well? So, she has the power to create these characters who are modeled after real people in her life but when she is actually pulled into the novel, she realises she's actually gone back in time to a real place (Venice in the 1700's) and therefore no longer has any powers of creation. This seemed like a kind of bizarre choice for the author to make and didn't really make sense.

Secondly, the device that manages to transport the heroine back in time is a pair of pink stiletto shoes. Now when I read that in the blurb, I didn't really mind. I was perfectly happy to suspend belief...a good pair of shoes can do practically anything, right? Well, let's just say I don't believe even a hot pink pair of shoes can give you a screaming orgasm in the middle of Venice. That was really stretching it for me. I know it was supposed to be funny but it just came across as lame.

Thirdly, the novel picked up toward the end and I was starting to think I could rate it a 3 or maybe a 3.5 but then the ending sucked. We all know how a romance novel is traditionally supposed to end and I usually read them when I'm wanting that guaranteed happy high when I read the final page. I don't want the hero and heroine to end the novel living in different countries and agreeing to see one another 'on the holidays'. That sounds like something that would happen in the real world! I didn't read the book for that!!!

There were some enjoyable aspects in the novel but the ending has kind of wiped my memory of what they were. Gwyn Cready is certainly a great author...I just don't think her debut novel was in the same league as Seducing Mr Darcy.

Setting your baby free...

2008-08-20T12:03:00.007+10:00

As many of you will be aware, I recently launched a project I've been working on for almost a year - one which started as an idea almost 2 years ago.

The Australian Romance Reader launched 2 weeks ago, on August 7th at a lovely party hosted by Dymocks Melbourne. Watch for pictures on the site :)

So how do I feel now that it's out in the world?

Well, there's relief there, certainly. It's nice to have something that so many people have contributed to finally out doing what it was designed to do.

But mostly, (and I think this may be an almost universally female thing), I'm worried. I worry that my little project won't make its way in the wild and crazy world of the internet. I worry that the other websites will make fun of it, or, potentially worse, ignore it. I worry that it's out where I can't protect it from scorn and mockery. I even worry that it will be too successful and get too big for its britches.

In What Women Want, the Mel Gibson/Helen Hunt movie of a few years back, Mel Gibson accidentally gains the power to hear what women think. Mostly, I found the movie annoying and thought it relied too heavily on cheap laughs. But there's a part in the film, where he's explaining what he's learned about women. The quote goes like this:

"She's thinking about what she wants out of life. What's she gonna accomplish? How's she gonna do all that ? Women, you know, they think about that a lot. I mean, surprisingly a lot. They worry all the time - about everything."

I loved that. I loved the truth behind it. Because, frankly, that's me. I'm pretty sure that's you. And her over there as well.

My best friend paraphrased Mark Twain at me the other day: "I worry about things all the time and sometimes they even happen." Meaning of course, that we spend a lot of time worrying about things that aren't ever going to pass. Essentially, wasting our mental time and energy on nothing. We do it all the time - thinking, planning, contingency planning, organising, adapting. No wonder we need the escapism of a good book to take a break every now and again. A guaranteed happy ending takes a lot of pressure off of ceaseless worrying.

And that's what I'm doing with TARR. Don't get me wrong; I'm proud of my accomplishment, and I'm excited and thrilled and happy and hopeful too.

But I'm not going to stop worrying.

I think it burns calories :)

Curses!

2008-08-17T08:49:00.005+10:00

As promised, this joins the previous post, the one re: the crash & trash letter that appeared in August's RT Book Reviews. The author of that letter is from Texas, which just so happens to be the setting for Rachel Gibson's Not Another Bad Date.

In Texas, they do things big. They love "God, family, and football." By football I mean American Gridiron, and by big I mean big football players, big hair, big blue eyes and dates with big jerks.

When it comes to men, Adele Harris thinks she cursed. Every man she's dated has turned into a gigantic jerk, and the first man she ever loved, was the big jerk who started it all. After her pregnant sister's marriage falls apart, Adele returns to the Texas town where she grew up--and runs into Zach, the big former football player-turned football coaching big jerk who broke her heart 14 years earlier.

All those years ago, Zach dumped Adele to marry Devon. He's a widowed dad to a teenage girl now, but he's never forgotten about Adele's big blue eyes or big curly hair, or their lovemaking in a big bed . Once he sees her again, he can't stop thinking about her. Adel can't get her mind off Zach either, but can he redeem himself? Can he prove he's not a big jerk? Will he win Adele back in a big ol' Texas way or will he just stay the first jerkface carved into her bad date totem pole?

Ok. I'll be frank. I was looking for a big read and I didn't get it. I was as disappointed as Adele when she went on a date with Joe, the assistant coach/jerk who gets one of the funniest lines in the story. I set MYSELF up for disappointment because I expected big things from one of my favourite authors.

Not Another Bad Date opens well. If you're familiar with Rachel Gibson, she's got a knack for drawing you in right away, and I got sucked in in an instant. There's Rachel's trademark steamy sex, sense of humour, and quirky characters like Zach's dead wife, Devon. Unfortunately, for me, the story becomes a vortex of backstory and flashbacks. There's far too much history and not enough here and now, not enough interaction between Adele and Zach. There's so little dialgoue, so few conversations between them I didn't believe he could redeem himself just by sleeping with her. I didn't believe she'd forgive him or want him back just because he was so good in bed he made her forget how he'd wronged her. Plus, there's a silly plot device used and it irritated me. However, it's a pet peeve of mine that's in the same please spare me basket as a heroine with a ticking biological clock. I don't want to spoil what happens or give anything away. I'll just say, the book seemed rushed, as if I were reading Rachel's quick first draft, not something fully fleshed-out as per her usual wonderful offerings.

This book is part of a series that includes Sex, Lies, and Online Dating, I'm in No Mood For Love, and Tangled up In You. For me, its weakest of the bunch, and although I didn't enjoy much of it, I'd still place it on my shelf, right along side Lola Carlyle Reveals All.

3 stars.

Sandra

In the words of Kate: Squeeee!

2008-08-15T16:23:00.004+10:00

I can't contain my excitement! Not Another Bad Date is my treat, my reward for completing the oral part of my thesis. I've had this book sitting on my shelf since it was released back in June--or maybe it was May. Anyhow, now, as of yesterday, when I kicked some butt with the public speaking part, I can finally read Ms Rachel.

So far I've read one chapter--or rather the prologue. It was fantastic. it made me laugh out loud, which to me is the hallmark of fab writing. I loved it.

But now I'm scared.

You see, I've put a lot of eggs in the basket of this one book. I'm expecting something spectacular, something stellar, something that is so going to be worth my waiting two whole months to read it.

What if if doesn't deliver?

What if it bites the big one?

What if...what it...

Perhaps you know what I mean. Perhaps something similar has happened to you. You love an author. You have every book she (or he) has written. Your palms itch when you hear a new book is coming out and you pre-order. The book arrives and you devour it...And then tragedy hits.

The book sucks (insert gloom and doom music here).

I've recently read a post or a letter to the Ed (the thesis haze keeps me from remembering what site) where someone mentioned they were so disappointed with a beloved author's new book, they actually got rid of everything they had once prized. Because the latest offering was such a dud, every book was tossed into the trash (or rubbish or garbage if you prefer).

Now, I've read books or series that start with a cymbal crash and end with a slow leaking whine. I Keep them all--or at least I keep the ones I liked best. Example? The first six Laurell K. Hamilton Anita Blake books.

So here's what I want to know before I toddle off to cuddle with Not Another Bad Date. Hands up. How many of you would THROW away an entire backlist of an author you loved just because one book was sub-par?

Talk amongst yourselves. I'll be back later with my two cents on RG's latest.

Sandra

Totally Seduced Me!

2008-08-12T21:09:00.008+10:00

'Seducing Mr Darcy' by Gwyn Cready (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Reviewed by Annie

Type 'Mr Darcy' into Google Blog Search and you'll be confronted with over 22,000 hits. As Bloggers, as women, we are Darcy obsessed. Plenty of the polls I've conducted on my blog have certainly ranked him as one of our favourite heroes. Is it any wonder then that there has been an influx of P & P Spin-offs?

One of the most recent is Gwyn Cready's second time-travel romance, Seducing Mr Darcy and it is fabulous. There is a condition to reading and enjoying it though. You can't be a stick-up-your-bum-Austen-purist. Approach this romance with a light heart, be prepared to suspend your disbelief and you'll be greatly rewarded. This is true of many of the romances I normally read anyway :-)

The most enjoyable part of this novel has to be the constant, fun way Pride and Prejudice is constantly discussed. I loved reading the hero Magnus's educated view of Austen combined with Flip's BBC Mini-series opinions. It was an excellent combination and pulled the novel from full-out sexual fantasy into a tongue-in-cheek Austen commentary. What a fun way to stimulate debate on a classic novel!

In terms of what I look for in a romance - Sex, Sex and a Happy Ending - this book didn't disappoint. The love scenes were just hot enough to be confrontational but not so explicit or long that they made you want to close the book. By the end of the book I had forgotten Darcy (almost!). Oh Magnus is such a smart, sexy guy. I love a hero with a brain! You know what they say about the quiet types...Which reminds me, I've got to find a new Scrabble partner.

Read this novel if: You've ever secretly wished Jane Austen had written another chapter of Pride and Prejudice - the wedding night. Just delightful and oh so fun!
Don't read this novel if: See stick-up-your-bum-purist description above.

What Women Really Want: The World According to HIM

2008-08-11T16:26:00.005+10:00

Perhaps it caught my eye because of Pierce Brosnan's open white shirt in Mamma Mia (Yes I caved and saw it). Or it's possible, since I have a thing for facial hair and don't mind a man with some pelt on his chest--and for those of you just joining the program, this does not suggest I like a Chewbacca-back or wall-to-wall deep pile shag on a guy.

Anyhow, I digress. This is not about facial hair or Barry Gibb's manly chest.

Or is it?

Well, according to a book I came across today it just might be--minus the falsetto of course. Readers, i give you The Retrosexual Manual--How to Be A Real Man.

In much the same vein as Real Men Don't Eat Quiche (if you've never heard of RMDEQ, rest assured the title sums up the gist of the book nicely) The Retosexual Manual decries the neutering David Beckham foppiness of today's man-bag carrying, Mestrosexualised wimp.

TRM argues the need to bring back the man from the brink, and what's more, it states WHY women want "a man whose very lifestyle shouts drama, risk, and above all, sex." It lists Errol Flynn, Steve McQueen, John McEnroe and the 70s, THE SEVENTIES, as the retrosexual template. As you read on you'll discover what women think they want, what they really want, as well as what they don't want.

So what does this book really want? What does it espouse?

The Alpha male of course. Alphas like Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Nelson and Jeremy Clarkson.

Jeremy Clarkson? Yes, that's right, the curly haired-opinionated one with the beer gut on Top Gear seems to be the height of the modern Retrosexual man, but as a hero?

So here's my question for all of you. Alpha, Beta, Gamma or a mix of all those things; what makes the hero for you? Can he cry? Are cooking skills effete? Does he have to have a name like Jack or Phury, or can he get away with being Percy (Hello, Scarlet Pimpernel!) or, as Billy Crystal mulls over in When Harry Met Sally, can Sheldon be a name that conjures up demon in the sack?

I leave you with a single hearty slap on the back. And if anyone wants to borrow The Retrosexual Manual, let me know. I bought it. For purely writerly reasons, you understand.

Sandra

Your Scandalous Ways, Loretta Chase

2008-08-04T07:05:00.009+10:00

(That last blog was my first ever, and this is my first review, so go easy on me... )

Back cover:

James Cordier is all blueblood and entirely dangerous. He's a master of disguise, a brilliant thief, a first class lover--all for King and country--and, by gad, he's so weary of it. His last mission is to “acquire” a packet of incriminating letters from one notorious woman. Then he can return to London, and meet sweet-natured heiresses--not adventuresses and fallen women.
Francesca Bonnard has weathered heartbreak, scorn, and scandal. She’s independent, happy, and definitely fallen; and she's learned that “gentlemen” are more trouble than they're worth. She can also see that her wildly attractive new neighbor is bad news. But as bad as James is, there are others far worse also searching for Francesca's letters. And suddenly nothing is simple--especially the nearly incendiary chemistry between the two most jaded, sinful souls in Europe. And just as suddenly, risking everything may be worth the prize.

My review - 4 stars

This definitely needs a re-read, since I read it so fast the first time, but mainly I loved James. He's just gorgeous. Now, I know spies are the latest thing, I've read several 'tortured spy' books in the last few months, but this guy seems a bit different. For one, he's already wanting to give it up before he meets the heroine. There's nothing I dislike more than the spy who is heart and soul into his work, and then meets the heroine, and the whole 'save the country' bit fades away...

I found James quite believable, and enjoyed his story - I'm not sure if we'd define him as an Alpha male (Sandra, Kate?) but I didn't find him too tortured (mentally or physically), so it worked for me.

Francesca was also interesting, although I didn't identify with her as much. She also had good growth through the book, and I was quite delighted to find that although she mocked herself at times, she was fairly content with her Independence, and her courtesan ways. I loved the jewelry! Jewelry plays a rather large role in this book, as does Venice, and they are both wonderful.

The story is fast paced, and interwoven. Not all is revealed until later in the book, and I for one am still confused about Magny. (Yes, I know, must re-read.) The secondary 'romance' between Giulietta and her lover was also nice, adding to the tapestry of the courtesan life.

I would love to see a what-happened-next for this story (let's face it, wouldn't we all love that for most stories...!)

Keep an eye out for the scene at the top of the Campanile San Marco, well, you wont miss it, but it's great!

Pierce-ing sounds

2008-08-02T17:12:00.015+10:00

Pierce Brosnan.

Yes, that international man of mystery, probably the sexiest Bond ever, our favourite as Remington Steele, and now the number one gay icon in the 'over 50's' category.

Is there anything this man can't do? Well, yes, I'm afraid there is. Ladies and gentlemen, I feel terrible to have to break this to you, but here goes....

Pierce Brosnan cannot sing!

See the hit movie: Mamma Mia, for proof of this. BTW - run, don't walk to see this movie. It is brilliant!

Anyway - back to Brosnan. Not only can he not sing, which is not a crime in and of itself, but they make him try it several times in this film, and it really does not work. Half the audience in the theatre were cracking up every time he opened his mouth to sing. I'm sure that wasn't how it was intended.

I must say though, the other reason we were laughing so much was the look on his face every time he had to sing. He looked like he was in pain. Or constipated. Or in constipated pain. It was terrible, like watching a car crash...

Please, please do see the movie though - the scenery alone is worth it. Well, the Greek islands probably fall a distant second behind Colin Firth and Pierce for me, but you might find different.

Has anyone else seen Mamma Mia yet? What did you think? Did you howl with laughter at poor Pierce's attempts at singing, or did you not notice?

Back to the books, do you know of any books where the hero's singing voice, or lack thereof, is made evident? I can recall a few, perhaps Christmas related, where the hero sings with a 'fine baritone', but a point is never made of it, it's always a background detail.

Now, decisions, decisions... do I watch Pride & Prejudice, or The Thomas Crown Affair?

The Bald Truth

2008-07-30T15:47:00.002+10:00

As I was driving down Edward Street, shortly before I met Elle for a Starbucks ultra-mega caffeine experience and paid a shocking $24 bucks to park for 75 minutes in the Myer Centre, I caught sight of a man. Tall, he was well-dressed with a strong, straight nose, a killer jaw and...thinning hair. Since I was stopped in traffic, my eyes tracked him as he walked past my car. In fact, I turned around and watched him walk up the hill.

Oh, Yum.

A little while later, as Elle and I were in Dymocks, I wound up doing the same thing, only this man was dark skinned and completely bald. His head was very shiny.

And I couldn't keep my eyes off him.

Oh Yum.

Over then next few minutes, Elle and I talked about Patrick Stewart. You know, Captain Picard from Star Trek, the Next Generation, and I got to thinking why bald works on some men, why thinning hair a la Bruce Willis in his Moonlighting days was freakishly appealing (David Addison was no alpha), and why bald Bruce is still freakishly appealing.

So I put it to you. When is bald good and when, besides the Godfrey's Vacuum Cleaner-incredibly-bad-comb-over-guy, is bald not good? We've had a brief discussion about this on the loop, but I want to know what you think of a hero who's balding. Not bald. Not a hero who shaves his head. Balding.

Balding is supposed to be a sign of a man with lots of testosterone. I could be wrong. However, it makes me wonder about something. Don't Alphas have lots of testosterone? If the male hormone is responsible for an increased sex-drive, as well as the desire to join Fight Club, be a navy SEAL, and run with the bulls at Pamplona, wouldn't it make sense to have a balding hero?

Yes. I'm trying to rile you up. Plus I'm biased because my DH is thinning.

And I like it.

I like his goatee too.

Alpha-bet soup

2008-07-28T17:53:00.005+10:00

Howdy fellow romance lovers!

Alphas. Kate loves Alphas in sheep's clothing--I'm guessing she means like the Scarlet Pimpernel. But maybe she means something else. She'll tell me soon enough.

As for me. Well, I want to fire off both barrels of my estrogen (or oestrogen if you prefer) guns when an Alpha saunters into the room because everything is about being such a MAN that women swoon and other men have to take notice that someone in the room has a bigger, shall we say, sword.

So I stand up here and say I am decidedly anti-Alpha. Perhaps it's because I'm not a huge historical fan and not much for Harlequin-Mills& Boon Billionaire sheiks. Perhaps it's the fact the alpha men I've known were all the sort who thought his sword was the biggest and made sure everyone knew it. This is what I like to think of as the Shaft Principle. You know the song. Who's the cat who won't cop out when there's danger all about... He's a complicated man, but no one understand him but his woman...

Oh please.

The Theme from Shaft sums up why Alphas bug me so much. It's dreadfully cliched the way I believe alphas are. I just don't buy the alpha.

Yes. A romance is a fantasy, but what's wrong with a little realism, a little believability in the fantasy? I want the focus to be on the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine. I want to be there as they struggle towards the HEA, but I prefer heroes who are, like 98% of the men in real life, regular guys who face unusual circumstances and rise to the occasion. I like the hero who knows he's a man, but doesn't have to prove it to anyone. That's fantasy I can relate to.

However, I must confess that I love Batman. And Iron Man. And Wolverine. And I wonder what it is about comic book heroes that allows me to suspend my dislike of alphas. Is it because they're comic book heroes not romantic leads?

I'm not knocking anyone's love for The Alpha. Honest and for true. I'm actually pleading for someone to help me understand my dark need for the Dark Knight. My guess is it's the emotionally wounded part of the hero...not the cape...or the hard metal suit, or the muttonchops facial hair...

Or is it?

Thanks for allowing me to put in my two cents!

Sandra

InAugural Post

2008-07-09T19:42:00.000+10:00

Okay, I'm out here guys ... putting together a bloghouse for us to post our reviews and general book thoughts to the wider public.
I'm also trying to avoid my sugar cravings by doing something constructive too. Who knew both would be that hard!!

As discussed at the May Brraddicts meeting, we thought there should be a place where we can me identified to a broader audience as Brraddicts. A place where we can write up our reviews of books we've read, harass the naked public with our PERSONAL views on books we've enjoyed or not.

So, here it is ... Braddicts Blog House.