668. Hot Takes with Sarah & Amanda

May. 23rd, 2025 06:00 am
[syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed

Posted by SB Sarah

Inspired by a recent episode of The Sam Sanders Show, Amanda and I are sharing our own hot takes and possibly controversial opinions about romance.

We’re talking:

  • Third act bleak moments!
  • Transcending the genre!
  • Rom coms!
  • Cozy things!
  • Conferences and gatherings!
  • Accessories for Readers!

TW/CW: We take a brief side trip into parental estrangement and emotional abuse.

Check out the SKIMS Ultimate Bra Collection and more at https://www.skims.com/sarah #skimspartner

Listen to the podcast →
Read the transcript →

Here are the books we discuss in this podcast:

Our midroll ad was for The Historical Romance Sampler podcast – check them out! 

We also mentioned:


Check out the SKIMS Ultimate Bra Collection and more at https://www.skims.com/sarah #skimspartner

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Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/smartpodcasttrashybooks

 

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What did you think of today's episode? Got ideas? Suggestions? You can talk to us on the blog entries for the podcast or talk to us on Facebook if that's where you hang out online. You can email us at sbjpodcast@gmail.com or you can call and leave us a message at our Google voice number: 201-371-3272. Please don't forget to give us a name and where you're calling from so we can work your message into an upcoming podcast.

Thanks for listening!

Remember to subscribe to our podcast feed, find us on iTunes or on Stitcher.

Daily Happiness

May. 22nd, 2025 10:13 pm
torachan: close-up of a sleepy kitten face (sleepy molly)
[personal profile] torachan
1. Lots of driving today as I had to go down to the San Diego store, but the drive itself wasn't bad and I got a lot of audiobook listening in, and things seem to be improving at the store, so hopefully that keeps up.

2. Yesterday I found Jasper with his arms around Ollie's neck for grooming, and he kept pausing in the grooming but keeping his hold on Ollie and Ollie honestly just loved it.

[ SECRET POST #6712 ]

May. 22nd, 2025 06:38 pm
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[personal profile] case posting in [community profile] fandomsecrets

⌈ Secret Post #6712 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


01.


More! )


Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 08 secrets from Secret Submission Post #959..
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.
darkjediqueen: (Default)
[personal profile] darkjediqueen posting in [community profile] fan_flashworks
Title: Sleepy Thoughts
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: No Warnings Apply
Fandom: S.W.A.T.
Relationships: Donovan Rocker/Molly Hicks
Tags: Established Relationship, Fluff
Summary: They both loved naps, even when it turned to more.
Word Count: 2,905

Sleepy Thoughts )
[syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed

Posted by Amanda

The Dead Take the A Train

RECOMMENDED: The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey is $1.49! Carrie reviewed this one and gave it a B+:

I really enjoyed this book. There’s a lot of dark, snarky humor, and snarky humor is my very favorite kind. The satire of corporate culture is as hilarious as it is horrifying. The horror is very, very horrifying with body horror, your basic supernatural beings, and just oodles of Lovecraftian cosmic horror. Not enough trigger warnings in the world, people.

Bestselling authors Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey have teamed up to deliver a dark new story with magic, monsters, and mayhem, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill.

Julie Crews is a coked-up, burnt-out thirty-something who packs a lot of magic into her small body. She’s been trying to establish herself in the NYC magic scene, and she’ll work the most gruesome gigs to claw her way to the top.

Julie is desperate for a quick career boost to break the dead-end grind, but her pleas draw the attention of an eldritch god who is hungry for revenge. Her power grab sets off a deadly chain of events that puts her closest friends – and the entire world – directly in the path of annihilation.

The first explosive adventure in the Carrion City Duology, The Dead Take the A Train fuses Khaw’s cosmic horror and Kadrey’s gritty fantasy into a full-throttle thrill ride straight into New York’s magical underbelly.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Holding the Reins

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope is $1.99! Honestly, what a perfect name for a contemporary western. This is book one in a series and seems full of tropes.

In this steamy cowboy romance, a woman returns to her family’s ranch after a broken engagement and finds herself falling for her brother’s best friend—the first novel in the Silver Pines Ranch series.

Take a deep breath and let go of the reins.

Cecilia “CeCe” Ashby is finally escaping the toxic relationship that has consumed her entire adult life. She’s returning to her hometown of Laurel Creek, Kentucky, and to her family’s equestrian ranch, unsure of what the future holds.

Nash Carter, the newly retired superstar of the Dallas Stars, is Laurel Creek’s hometown hero, local business owner, and notorious bachelor. He’s also the unofficial fourth sibling in the Ashby clan. It’s been years since his days of tormenting CeCe with her older brothers Wade and Cole. So, when CeCe needs a job, he feels drawn to help her.

Nash can’t seem to take his eyes off of his best friend’s sister, and it seems she’s been staring right back, not without animosity left over from his childish teasing back in the day. Despite their initial reluctance, the fire between them ignites and it isn’t long before they jump into the flames.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Secrets of an Accidental Duchess

Secrets of an Accidental Duchess by Jennifer Haymore is 99c! This is book two in the Donovan Sisters series, though I think it can operate fine on its own. Have you read any of Haymore’s books?

With her pale hair and slim figure, Olivia Donovan looks as fragile as fine china, and has been treated as such by her sisters ever since a childhood bout with malaria. But beneath her delicate facade, Olivia guards a bold, independent spirit and the kind of passionate desires proper young ladies must never confess…

It was a reckless wager, and one Max couldn’t resist: seduce the alluring Olivia or forfeit part of his fortune. Yet the wild, soon-to-be Duke never imagined he’d fall in love with this innocent beauty. Nor could he have guessed that a dangerously unpredictable rival would set out to destroy them both. Now, Max must beat a Madman at his own twisted game-or forever lose the only woman to have ever won his heart.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke

Ten Rules for Marrying a Duke by Michelle McLean is $1.49 at Amazon! It’s showing up as $3.99 elsewhere. This is a standalone historical romance with a marriage of convenience.

Bookish Arabella Bromley never gave a fig for society’s rules—until her sister ran off with a man below her station. Now Arabella is desperate to restore her family’s ruined reputation to favor amongst the ton. She’ll have to marry quickly and well. But in order to carry off her plan, Arabella needs a duke… and she has just the rakish fellow in mind.

The Duke of Whittsley has an ungentlemanly tendency to disregard the rules. Unfortunately, a sense of mischief doesn’t excuse a high-ranking noble from family duty—especially where it concerns producing a son. And that’s where he can’t quite resist Arabella’s distinctly outrageous plan: if he saves her family, she’ll give him an heir.

Now the deal’s been struck. They have one year to achieve their goals and ten iron-clad rules to keep them on track. Like long, scorching kisses and ensuring they’re both exquisitely satisfied. And the only thing that could ruin their plan is the one thing they never planned on: love.

Add to Goodreads To-Read List →

You can find ordering info for this book here.

 

 

 

linaewen: Girl Writing (Girl Writing)
[personal profile] linaewen posting in [community profile] writethisfanfic
Hello on Thursday! How's the day going so far for fic? (If you haven't gotten started on your day as yet, how did yesterday go for writing fic?)

    - Excellent!
    - Terrible
    - Somewhere in between
    - Nothing doing

How much time have you spent on writing fic today, roughly?

    - None
    - 30 minutes or less
    - 30-60 minutes
    - 60-90 minutes
    - More than 90 minutes

In five words or less, how do you feel about that?

Volunteers for June

May. 22nd, 2025 12:57 pm
lilly_c: Harley Quinn smiling and holding Arkham Asylum headed paper with sane stamped in red (Default)
[personal profile] lilly_c posting in [community profile] writethisfanfic
I'm on holiday during weeks four and five so won't be available for taking check ins.

Week 1: 1st to 7th
Week 2: 8th to 14th
Week 3: 15th to 21st
Week 4: 22nd to 28th
Week 5: 29th to 5th

June sign up

May. 22nd, 2025 12:57 pm
lilly_c: Harley Quinn smiling and holding Arkham Asylum headed paper with sane stamped in red (Default)
[personal profile] lilly_c posting in [community profile] writethisfanfic
It's time to sign up for the June WIP challenge! Some people join the challenge mid month, or comment on check-in posts without signing up, which is fine -- I'm glad there's a way for the challenge to be useful in a variety of ways. For those of you who find the commitment of signing up useful, please leave a comment with the below information.

Sign-ups will be open until the end of June.


    Level of challenge: 1 chapter, 1000 words, 1 fic finished, whatever you like
    Fandom(s) involved: if you know at this point
    What you're looking for from the challenge: this could be as vague or specific as you like: someone to be accountable to, someone to remind you to write, someone to bounce ideas off, etc.
    What you could offer other participants yourself: ditto!
    How people should contact you: DW message, e-mail, IM etc.
    Time zone: useful for seeing who might be up for a writing session at a time convenient to you


Copypaste below:



The post for hosting the daily check-in is here and thanks to everyone who helps out with this. If you're interested in helping out and there are still slots available the post remains open until the last week of the month and we generally run our week Sunday to Saturday, I'm happy to chat via PM on DW for anyone who might need it.

If you have ever completed a fic through this challenge we have a collection on AO3 and on SquidgeWorld both collections are open and unmoderated. Should there be an issue with adding a work, let me know and I'll see if there's a fix for it.

Rebel in the Deep by Katee Robert

May. 22nd, 2025 08:00 am
[syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed

Posted by Lara

C-

Rebel in the Deep

by Katee Robert
May 20, 2025 · Berkley
Fantasy/Fairy Tale Romance

I’m keeping this review brief because there’s only so much you can say about the third book in a trilogy without completely giving away the other two books. Also, this book is kind of a letdown. The glory and wonder of that angry vampire in book two is admittedly a tough act to follow. But let’s unpack.

There are two plots in this book: the romance plot and the adventure plot. The romance plot focuses on Nox, Bastian and Siobhan, all key figures in the rebellion that we’re introduced to in book one. Yes, this book features a throuple. Nox and Bastian have history, so that connection is a second chance romance. Nox and Siobhan have crushed on each other for a while now so that’s a slow burn (but you’re just told about it; there’s very little longing before sex starts). Bastian and Siobhan are currently in a romantic relationship and have been for about a decade. Aside from one very inventive sex scene, this romance is kind of boring for me. There’s a little bit of ‘learning to trust again’ but for the most part, they fall into bed and love at the same time and that’s about it for conflict. As romances go, snoozefest.

The far more exciting plot and the reason that I kept reading and even had to take little breaks to get my nerves under control: the adventure plot. The rebellion has been building and expanding for a number of years now. Bastian has been taken and Siobhan and Nox launch a rescue mission. This rescue mission forces the rebellion into the light. And so there are a series of intense skirmishes between a small group of rebellion members (made up of our main characters from books one, two and three with some of the skirmishes including Nox’s crew) and the Cŵn Annwn who are represented by council member Morrigan. The world building and exploration of myths is really interesting and it was a genuine surprise how the plot unfolded. The use of magic is unique and makes for some very compelling battles.

I absolutely read this book for the adventure plot. I needed to know how this overarching story that was set up in books one and two would culminate. I would say this book is required reading for anyone who enjoyed books one and two, but temper your expectations on the romance front if character development in romance is important to you.

Daily Happiness

May. 21st, 2025 08:53 pm
torachan: a chibi drawing of sawko, kazehaya, and maru from kimi ni todoke (sawako/kazehaya)
[personal profile] torachan
1. We finished up another puzzle today. This is the first 500 piece one we've completed. It actually didn't feel much more difficult than the 300 piece ones as the characters are all pretty well differentiated colorwise (which is why I bought it). A fun one for sure.



2. This afternoon I had to drive around to four of our stores (three of which were our more distant ones while still being in the greater LA area) with a couple guys here on a business trip from our Hawaii branch. Didn't love that I had to change my schedule when this week is already pretty packed (this was only decided on Friday) but it was a pretty enjoyable afternoon showing them around the stores.

3. I have one of those phone wallets that sticks on the back of your phone and holds a few credit cards/driver's license, and tonight after work I picked it up from my desk and noticed all the cards were gone. I knew they were there yesterday because I got gas, but I couldn't remember when I'd last seen them after that. Thankfully they had just fallen out in the car and not somewhere else! I'll have to be more careful about it from now on.

4. Look at that cutie curly tail Gemma's showing off.

Daily Check In

May. 21st, 2025 09:15 pm
senmut: Eleven in the yellow shirt, in the rain, text says friends don't lie (Stranger Things: El friends don't lie)
[personal profile] senmut
*\o/* Word Count Step Count Headache?
Daily 0 7,811 yes
Monthly 12,133 194,216 7 days

Daily Check In (Tuesday, belated)

May. 20th, 2025 11:30 pm
senmut: Jubal Sackett and Komi from the novel's cover (Fandom: L'Amour)
[personal profile] senmut
*\o/* Word Count Step Count Headache?
Daily 470 8,833 no
Monthly 12,133 186,405 6 days

[ SECRET POST #6711 ]

May. 21st, 2025 07:10 pm
case: (Default)
[personal profile] case posting in [community profile] fandomsecrets

⌈ Secret Post #6711 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


01.


More! )


Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 16 secrets from Secret Submission Post #959..
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Links: Always Cats and Libraries

May. 21st, 2025 06:00 pm
[syndicated profile] smartbitches_feed

Posted by Amanda

Workspace with computer, journal, books, coffee, and glasses.Welcome back everyone!

This week and the last week have felt like such a slog. I feel like I could sleep through an entire weekend at this point. In fairness, I’ve had a lot of social obligations and deadlines. Hopefully, I can get a weekend just to rot soon!

Anyone else feeling some burn out?

This link was sent in by Vicki S. Connecticut has passed a bill to give libraries more agency when negotiating ebook prices. It’s nice to have some positive library news!

Claudia shared this in the SBTB Slack. Scientists have cracked the genetic mystery of orange cats.

I am obsessed with Pyaari the cat! It’s the classic tale of a person not wanting a cat and now they have an IG account of dressing them up. There’s also another cat, Chandini, who doesn’t tolerate being dressed up, but likes to be brushed and sang to.

Lastly, how about Hank Green ranking AI logos based on how closely they resemble buttholes?

Don’t forget to share what cool or interesting things you’ve seen, read, or listened to this week! And if you have anything you think we’d like to post on a future Wednesday Links, send it my way!

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