TBR Update

My thoughts on Carved in Stone are now up at Heroes and Heartbreakers.

A 30 year old book about romances and racism… that couldn’t still be relevant, right?!

 

 

I’m Free!

After more than a year, I was feeling really burnt out with doing the m/m roundup, so I passed it on to another blogger. (She listed Alex Beecroft’s The Reluctant Berserker as one of her favorites of last year, so I think it’ll be in good hands!) I’ll still be writing for “Heroes and Heartbreakers” when I have a good idea for a post.

Basically this means I am totally free from having to care about new books anymore! Man, what a glorious feeling! Not that I won’t still be interested in some of them, but I can read completely by mood now.

I’m celebrating by reading Fever Pitch by Heidi Cullinan. 🙂

Kvelling!

 

 

me: “Madeline Hunter tweeted that she almost cried when she read my post!”

hub: “I hope it was the good kind of crying.    ‘How could you get me so wrong?! I happen to have Marshall McLuhan right here…'”

 

(P.S. It was the good kind of crying. 🙂 )

More Fun With Depression

I’m having a run of depressed heroes. (Not to mention a run of runaway wives in my category romance reading.) My First Look at Blue-Eyed Stranger by Alex Beecroft is up at Heroes and Heartbreakers.

For those not familiar with the site, a “First Look” isn’t a traditional review/critique. The focus is on what the reader loved most about the book, whatever that may be. For me, I loved the true geekiness of these devoted history buffs.

Full Disclosure

I have this info on one of my pages, but in light of recent events, I want to make it all very clear.

I am not an author or an aspiring author. The only writing I’ve ever had published and/or paid for is book reviews/articles about books and a few personal essays, unrelated to romance.

Actually, to be completely honest, I’ve toyed with writing a non-fiction book (also unrelated to romance) but I’m super lazy so the odds aren’t good.

To my knowledge, I only know one romance author IRL, and I never review or mention her books. (Or even read them… it just feels too weird!) I’m friendly with some authors online, though they may or may not be authors whose work I enjoy. I try to disclose whenever I’m reviewing a book by someone with whom I have a more personal relationship. I’ve never beta-read and am unlikely to; if I do, I’ll disclose. I did once spot read a book solely for formatting errors, as a favor.

The only connection I have with a publisher is that I write for “Heroes and Heartbreakers,” which is owned by Macmillan. What I choose to write for them is very much up to me. This was also the case at “Dear Author.”  I appreciate the autonomy I’ve had at both sites; I’m not sure I could work any other way.

I did not feel I could go on writing for “Dear Author” after yesterday’s revelations. The idea that I might have inadvertently reviewed, or even commented on, a book written by Jane made me extremely uncomfortable. It was sheer luck that she writes in a genre I don’t read very often — but I have done a First Look for at least one NA book at “Heroes and Heartbreakers,” so I kind of feel like I dodged a bullet there.

And I don’t like secrets in general, and don’t want to be involved with them.

If you have any questions at all about my knowledge/involvement, please feel free to ask me, here or privately. I can speak only for myself.

If you’re an online friend of mine and have an authorial/publishing relationship I don’t know about, I’d really appreciate you telling me.

When Are They Going to Start Casting Movies With White People?!

(Sarcastic title courtesy of my husband.)

I recently wrote a post about romance in Cassandra Clare’s books for “Heroes and Heartbreakers.” While double-checking on the ethnicity of the character Jem, I was disgusted to find, via this passionate post, that fans have been whitewashing the character, who is half Chinese.

While searching for that post again, I learned that the casting of an Asian actor as Magnus Bane in the movie “City of Bones” was also causing controversy amongst fans. It’s Rue of “The Hunger Games” all over again. Do people even actually read their so-called favorite books? They love these books enough to be upset by the casting, but not enough to have noticed their beloved characters aren’t white.

Here’s an especially charming quote from the comments of this post:

“I have always thought of Adam Lambert as Magnus! Adam has been doing theater since he was a kid and was in the cast of Wicked and Hair. He would make a fantastic Magnus if they could make some more of his features Asian.”

Actually, that one is really just thoughtless and naive. The reactions captured by “racebending” are far worse. (Trigger warning for racism.)

Here’s an interesting post from Clare on the casting, and on readers whitewashing her characters. And an interview at racebending.com. Read the comments for criticisms on Clare’s portrayal of race.

Love Is Where You Find It

I have a piece about romantic elements in the works of Connie Willis at “Heroes and Heartbreakers.” I loved writing this, though my heart broke about having to exclude several of my favorite books.

Elsewhere

I’m at “Heroes and Heartbreakers” today with a “First Look” at The Reluctant Berserker by Alex Beecroft. Another book for those looking for a historical that really takes them someplace else.

[Title Redacted]

The post I mentioned about the image of motherhood in Morning Glory is up at Heroes and Heartbreakers.

(8/1/14 I’ve removed the title of this post, because it was coming up in some disgusting searches.)

Two Great Tastes That Go Great Together!

I’m over at Heroes and Heartbreakers, writing about romances based on beloved children’s books.