Tag: Isabel Says

HELP!

Posted July 28, 2008 by Rowena in Discussions, Reviews | 23 Comments

For the past couple of weeks, Izzy and I have been addicted to cupcake blogs such as Cupcake Takes the Cake and Bakerella. Both of us love to bake and we’re also closet Ace of Cakes wannabe’s and I was just telling her last week that I wish I would have become a baker since it’s a passion of mine (I have so many, let me tell you, haha). I love baking cakes and cupcakes and though I’m nowhere near as good as the pro’s on Ace of Cakes at piping or decorating cakes, my cakes taste good dammit.

With all this talk of baking and cakes and everything, it got me thinking about baking in our romance novels. Are there any books out there where bakeries are featured, where either the heroine or the hero are owners of their own bakeries or bake for a living?

I tried googling it but couldn’t really find much there besides the new series by Susan Mallery, the Bakery Sisters series. I haven’t read the first book yet but I want to even though it didn’t get that many good reviews from my friends, I still want to read them because of the fact that the sisters have a bakery in the family.

So, Izzy and I want to know…does anyone out there know of any good bakery stories out there? A book/series where the hero is a chef or owns a bar/restaurant or whatever. Can anyone tell us of any books they’ve read where the heroine is a bakery owner, works in a bakery, wants to open her own bakery, anything food themed?

Please help us out, we seriously want to read some of these kinds of books! =)

23 Comments

Tagged: Bakeries, Help a Sister Out, Isabel Says, Reviews, Says, Wena Says, Wena Says

Monthly Author Spotlight: Linda Howard.

Posted April 1, 2008 by Rowena in Features | 27 Comments

Here at Book Binge, we have decided to try our hand at spotlighting different authors every month and in addition to spotlighting an author every month, we’ll be doing an author poll of the spotlighted author and then a hero showdown of the all of the author’s heroes from her books.

We think that it will be a good way to liven up this joint over here so be on the look out for more Author Spotlights as the months go on.

Our first author spotlight goes to Linda Howard.

Bio:

Linda S. Howington (b. August 3, 1950 in Alabama, U.S.A.) is an Americanromance/suspense author. Under her pseudonym Linda Howard best-selling author. Before she became a writer she was an avid reader herself and was fond of is a New York TimesMargaret Mitchell novels. After 21 years of penning stories for her own enjoyment, she submitted a novel for publication, which was very successful. She currently lives in Alabama with her husband and two golden retrievers.

She began to write at nine years old, and wrote for twenty years for her own enjoyment. She worked at a trucking company, where she met her husband, and then decided to try and get her work published in 1980. Her first work was published by Silhouette in 1982. She is a charter member of Romance Writers of America, joining in 1981 shortly after it was formed. She currently serves as Region 3 Director (until 31 October 2008).

Her husband is a professional bass tournament fisherman, and she travels with him to some very unglamorous locations where she works on her laptop. Linda and her husband live in a big house on a farm in Alabama, where they raise cattle and have two dogs.

Her friends include the authors: Catherine Coulter, Iris Johansen and Kay Hooper.

Linda Howard is one of our favorite authors. She has made us happy, book after book that we’ve read of hers. From Mr. Perfect to Heart of Fire she has not disappointed. Her ability to weave a story with fantastic characters and in your face storylines makes it impossible for you to not fall in love with all of her sexy heroes because Linda Howard can write a sexy hero.

Let’s get to that poll:

1. What is your favorite book by Linda Howard?
2. Who is your favorite hero by Linda Howard?
3. Who is your favorite heroine by Linda Howard?
4. What secondary character’s story do you want Linda Howard to write?
5. What’s your least favorite book by Linda Howard?
6. Who’s your least favorite Linda Howard hero?
7. Which heroine by Linda Howard did you want to throttle?
8. Did you like the incest in Shades of Twilight?
9. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the sexiest, how would you rate Ben Lewis? (Hey, I had to do it)
10. If you could get Linda Howard to write YOUR story, how would you want your hero to be written?

27 Comments

Tagged: Author Spotlights, Author Spotlights, Casee Says, Casee Says, Holly Says, Holly Says, Isabel Says, Linda Howard, Wena Says, Wena Says

Things Are Looking Different Around Here…

Posted February 14, 2008 by Holly in Discussions | 17 Comments

Many thanks to Lara from Designed by Lara for the wonderful template she created for us. And for putting up with us and our constant demands. I’m thinking the woman is a Saint. 🙂

Also, thanks to Rowena for setting it all up.

So, what do you think? Like the new template? See anything you don’t like, or something you liked before that’s no longer here?

Feedback would be much appreciated.

17 Comments

Tagged: Casee Says, Casee Says, Changes, Designed by Lara, Holly Says, Holly Says, Isabel Says, Template, Wena Says, Wena Says

Booking Through Thursday: After the Honeymoon

Posted February 14, 2008 by Holly in Features | 6 Comments

This week’s Book Through Thursday question:

I had a post ready for today, but I liked this suggestion from Chris even better, so … thanks, Chris!

Here’s something for Valentine’s Day.

Have you ever fallen out of love with a favorite author? Was the last book you read by the author so bad, you broke up with them and haven’t read their work since? Could they ever lure you back?

Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!

Holly:

There have been a few authors I felt the need to break up with the last few years. The two main ones? Linda Howard and Julie Garwood. Maybe it’s the “It’s Not You, It’s Me” thing, but I swear their writing changed and I just don’t like it. I felt betrayed by their last few efforts..and I just couldn’t stay in the relationship anymore.

Maybe (maybe) if they release something and I hear nothing but STELLAR things about it from those readers I trust, I might, MIGHT, try them again. But..well, I think it’s over…for good.

Two authors who write large series that I’ve officially (and quite publicly, I might add) broken up with are J.R. Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I don’t think I’ll ever be lured back into their clutches..not even for Ash or Tohr. It’s sad, and my heart was broken for a minute..but I’m all better now.

Oh, and I’m “taking a break” from Stephanie Meyer, too. But probably I’ll take her back in August. I’m a sucker like that, I know.

Casee:

Though I do have authors whom I have taken a “break” from, I’m just not the breaking up type. I stick with things until the bitter, bitter end. Though most people who really know me would disagree, I am an optimist (when it comes to authors, that is). There are two reasons I stop reading authors. #1: Start writing in 1st person. #2: Change genres.

A few authors that I have fallen out of love with are Julie Garwood, Linda Howard, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and JR Ward.

I still read them, though. What can I say? I’m a sucker.

Rowena:

Hmmm, I’d have to think about this for awhile. I guess you can say that I broke up with J.R. Ward. I haven’t read her books since Z’s book and I really don’t have a desire to read her anymore…sad because I really loved Wrath, Rhage and someone else, it’s been so long that I’ve forgotten who’s all in that Brotherhood. Oh well. I’m not sure if she could ever lure me back, I’m thinking maybe…I’m easy like that.

Isabel:

Ummm, i would say, that I’m fallen out of love with Sherrilyn Kenyon and J R Ward. I dont think they could lure me back.

So, what about the rest of you?

6 Comments

Tagged: Booking Through Thursday, Casee Says, Casee Says, Holly Says, Holly Says, Isabel Says, meme, Wena Says, Wena Says

Guest Author: Meljean Brook Feb. 4-8

Posted February 3, 2008 by Holly in Promotions, Reviews | 4 Comments

Starting tomorrow, fabulous paranormal author Meljean Brook will be guest blogging with us here at Book Binge. We’re very excited to have her with us. She’s the author of The Guardians series, a lush, imaginative tale about the battle between good and evil. On the 5th of this month, her fifth book in the series, Demon Night, will be released in paperback. To help celebrate it’s release, Meljean will be here discussing covers, answering questions and even giving away a copy of her novel to one lucky winner.

For more information on the series, please visit her website at meljeanbrook.com. If you’re new to the series, or just want to refresh your memory before starting Demon Night, you can check out the Guardian Primer.

This primer is designed to bring readers coming into the series after the first book the background they need. However, it might be useful for current readers to refresh their memory about the story arc and players involved when a new book is released.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Meljean’s first post. In the meantime, check out the reviews we’ve done for her series: