I have been ‘shipping Lyall & Biffy since way back in the days of The Parasol Protectorate. This novella is all I hoped for minus the handwringing. Gentlemen, divest yourselves of ALL the clothing and HAVE AT IT!! (Sincerely, a voyeuristic fan.)

In many ways, this novel is a retelling of Gone With the Wind, you know, if Margaret Mitchell was into sex dwarves, genital deformities, and the Inquisition. I wish I was kidding.

Take one blind beauty with the Shining, who travels with a priest, and add a cursed sea captain with a burning need for revenge. Place them in a haunted manor in Cornwall. Stir in a Lamia, the gate to hell, a charming imp of a girl, tormented souls trapped in an underwater ballroom, and one lesbian soul possession. This recipe yields a ghost wedding complete with protective ghost parents and miracle healing. Add heaps of crazy sauce for flavor.

Summer Lovin' had me a blast!

In honor of World Book Day and the birthday boy, himself.

If you are one of those who secretly (or not so secretly) wanted plain, braw, badass Brienne of Tarth to win the heart of the wickedly beautiful Jaimie Lannister, this novel is for you. Bonus: Unlike Martin, you actually get three dimensional, complex characters AND medieval machinations for absolute power. So, yeah, READ IT!

With a title like The English Witch, I was expecting a willfully tempestuous heroine and 100% more smut. Instead, this is a tonny novel of manners and marriageable misses. The anti-hero, the rake in need of reform however, is delightfully witty;and while Basil is not diabolically wicked, his naughty charm is the bright point in an otherwise slog of a book.

Medically-minded Gentile lady of a castle meets a nice Jewish Doctor and forbidden love blossoms. Radically opposing cultures, mad sisters, angry fathers and of course, the plague decimating all of medieval Europe, provide a handful of the conflicts facing the star-crossed lovers of 14th century Strassburg.

Apparently, I am not the only one who wants to read this book.

Even though there were a lot of places where the story dragged, the text/twitter exchanges didn't translate well into the audio version, and the elements of the absurd that Mark Darcy cherished about our Bridget became cliche slapstick in nature, Fielding still manages to deliver a poignant portrait of womanhood and widowhood for women in middle age. I am also v. disturbed that I am closer in age to widow Bridget instead of spinster Bridget.

For fans of the TV series, Vikings, who wanted Aethelstan and Ragnar to throw caution to the wind and have it off, this is the book for you! A Vikingr and a Priest find love in an 8th century remote monastery. A surprisingly tender story set amid the daily life of the Brotherhood with complex supporting characters, hidden treasure, and obstacles galore. Bonus: those cassocks get flung aside for some steamy man love in the fields. *fans self*

When the Dolls are done, it will be time to catch fire old school. Bosoms will heave and bodices will rip!

50 Year Anniversary demands a re-read!

Sheriff Walt Longmire is back in form--puller of twine, unraveler of mysteries, searcher of truth and justice. Aided as always by The Cheyenne Nation, collectively and Henry Standing Bear, Longmire tries to find justice for a murdered woman and still get his daughter to the church on time.

I can't even describe how much I love Carriger's Finishing School books. Listening to this series makes me laugh out loud, cry human tears, and revel in the sheer absurdity of the antics at Mademoiselle Geraldine's.

Summer break starts with smut! Going old school here--spirited Cornwall lass meets jaded London rakehell and adventure ensues. Mistaken identity! Meddling servants! Middle aged lovers reunited! Nefarious smugglers because Cornwall! Daring décolletage and a bit of bodice ripping! Hello Summer!