One of the things I make sure to do on the weekends is curl up in the recliner with a good book. Not only does Miss Daphne, the Queen kitty of the household get some recliner company, but also, it’s a way to treat myself for spending so much time in front of the computer. This weekend, I had the joyous pleasure of reading two books. The first was Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches Guide to Romance Novels.
Oh my god, I have never laughed so much while reading a book. Everything, and I say everything, was spot-on. From the jokes about angsty vampires with badly spelled names, to the Old Skool romances. In fact, this book is such a thoughtful and engaging review of the genre that I am going to send this book to a friend who wanted to try her hand at writing romances. I think every author should read this, if nothing else to take a good, hard look at our genre and the ins and outs* of it. I have to say, I really appreciated the chapter on the “be nice” culture in our genre and the way various people are treated. I think if we want to take ourselves seriously, we have to be willing to take a serious look at ourselves, and this, in spite of all the humor, is the takeaway message I got from this book.
However the book doesn’t have to be serious. I read a few passages out loud to my partner (boyfriend), and he had a good chuckle. He, however, refuses to allow me to refer to his Wang of Mighty Lovin’.
*pun intentional
The second book I read was The Knight’s Return by Joanne Rock. Now I love Ms. Rock’s Harlequin Blaze novels, and I think she’s one of the best authors of that line. So since medieval historicals (aka not too far from fantasy) are a love of mine, and I am on a historical binge right now, I picked this one up. I am so glad I did. I loved the fact that this time it’s the hero with amnesia, and he got it after drinking in the tavern and being bashed on the head. To me, that’s a very manly way to get amnesia.
Sorcha was no wilting fair flower. After being duped once, she wasn’t going to be fooled again, and Hugh’s amnesia story didn’t quite sit right with her. I don’t blame her, and I loved her for being outspoken enough to not only trap him in his own deceit, but make him tell her the truth. The suspenseful threads woven through the book kept me guessing, and I get the feeling there’s a sequel in the works (yay!), but all in all, this April 09 Harlequin Historical was a fun read that makes you want to go back in time and find a Norman Knight all for your own.
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