Author Archives: Limecello

Team TBR Challenge Review/Rant: 暴君请放手 by 一抹初晴

暴君请放手 by 一抹初晴
(Tyrant, Please Let Go aka “Beauty’s Fault“) by Yi Mo Chu Qing
Beauty's Fault Hoopla Audiobook Cover

他擁有絕美的容顏,卻因此淪爲仇人的玩物;她爲報救母之恩,替他承歡於他的仇人身下。終有一天,她助他得以飛出囚籠,重獲新生。本以爲可以從此自由,誰料他殘忍下手,揮劍刺向她的胸膛。“怎麼,想離開我,回到他的身邊去?”他絕美的脣角掛着陰鷙的冷笑,長劍的劍尖上還淌着殷紅的血。他的劍,怎會刺進她的胸膛?這樣的結局,是她始料未及。他冷冷地指着她:“你逃不了!我不會放過他,也不會放過你!”
He has a beautiful face, but because of this he becomes the plaything of his enemies; in order to repay the favor to her mother, she acts his body double and makes nice with his captor on his behalf. One day, she helped him fly out of the cage and regain his life. She thought she could be free from now on, but who would have expected him to be so cruel that he stabbed her in the chest with his sword. “Why, do you want to leave me and go back to him?” There was a sinister sneer on the corner of his beautiful lips, and the tip of the long sword was dripping with red blood. How could his sword pierce her chest? This ending was something she had never expected. He pointed at her coldly: “You can’t escape! I won’t let him go, and I won’t let you go!”

First of all … I spent too much time hunting down the actual book blurb, and “translating” it – TBH I obviously used google translated and edited what it spit out … What it says in Hoopla is this:

“Canon grave” is based on Jiang Feng as the main line, wrote about the jiangs pawnshop in three hundred years throughout the country. The story took place in different times. The Jiangjia Pawnshop before liberation and the Jiangjia Pawnshop after liberation were staggered.

… which is obviously fucking wrong. Also I started listening to the book in my car so it’s not as if I could’ve tried to find the source material and plug it into a translator. Anyway I’m salty AF. Especially since all the [Chinese] sites I’ve found it on label it as a romance. A ROMANCE! NO!

While the prompt for the TBR challenge this month was “furry friends” I’m ignoring it because I need to rant. (Also I considered writing a review of a book I enjoyed that had a dog, but look … I need to talk about this goddamn book more.) Calling the … I don’t even want to call him a “male lead” – even in my notes I just called him “dude” other than my descriptive “13 year old shitprince” … anyway, calling him a dog would be an insult to dogs. And not just because I LOVE dogs. I felt insane while I was listening to this book. I didn’t DNF it because I’d DNF’d like eight books over the weekend – so many that I didn’t even bother putting them all into GR. I kept listening because the first part was ok, and more I kept hoping it’d get better. I kept thinking, “it has to get better, right? Everything is going to turn around.” Well, I WAS WRONG. I think this might be the most “what in the goddamn fuck” book I’ve ever read in my life. Continue reading

A Working List of Black Romance Authors

Hi friends! I have to admit I’ve largely been away from the Romance community and reading for the past year or so – so I’m sure there are many more names to add to this list. Please let me know who you/they are! Thank you!

My apologies if there are any errors. (As always if someone wants to be removed from the list, let me know and I’ll be happy to do so.)

Happy reading!

Team TBR Challenge Review: It’s Better to be the Empress Dowager (宫斗不如当太后) by by September Flowing Fire (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, 九月流火)

It’s Better to be the Empress Dowager (宫斗不如当太后) by by September Flowing Fire (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, 九月流火)
Historical romance published in 2021

It’s Better to be the Empress Dowager by September Flowing Fire Book CoverTang ShiShi was the number one beauty. She was arrogant, domineering and aggressive. She accidentally acquired a book and learned that she was just a vicious female second lead in a palace struggle. Later, she would fight for favor with the female lead, and eventually she was ruined and died miserably.

Now, they have just entered the fief of Jing Wang, and the first meeting of the male and female leads has not happened yet. There are two paths before Tang ShiShi. The first is to hold the heroine’s thighs tightly and join the female lead camp early; the second is to please the male lead and steal the favor of the female lead.

Tang Shishi chooses the third way.

Tang Shishi knew that the male lead’s adoptive father Jing Wang seemed to be low profile, but in fact he was overly ambitious. In the near future, he will invade the capital and proclaim himself emperor before the imperial court, but it is a pity that he passed away before passing the throne to the male lead.

This year, Jing Wang is twenty-four years old, still young, and has yet to marry a wife.
Anyway, she already in the game. Instead of being the concubine of the male lead, it is better to be his adopted mother, the empress dowager in one step.

————–

Zhao Chengjun had no intention to get married, so he adopted his subordinate’s son as his heir. He thought he would be with his army his whole life.

Later, the imperial family sent a team of beauties to Prince Jing, and the leader was named Tang ShiShi.

His young, adopted son and his subordinates also persuaded: Your Highness, this is a beauty trap.
Jing Wang: I know.

The so-called beauty trap was merely a bait for those who wish. – lightly edited from Novel Updates

The prompt for this month was “Once More With Feeling” and I figured since this is the only Chinese romance novel I’ve re-read so far, it fits. We’re going with loose interpretations here. It’s Better to be the Empress Dowager features another delightful mad romp of a story with a loveable heroine, a grumpy but entirely devoted hero, and a frustrating cast of characters you love to hate. I described the heroine as an utter chaos muppet, and I stand by it. She’s such a delightful mess handicapped by what she thinks is a “life cheat” and it makes her constantly second guess herself and make the “wrong” choices that ultimately of course turn out to be entirely right. Continue reading

Limecello’s 2023 [Reading] in Review

Hi friends! So ALBTALBs turns 13 this year! … The site is older than some of your children! … 😅 if the people I’m thinking of are still even checking this site/clicking links …

First of all I unfortunately am still dealing with a lot (so many 😭) health issues, so I’ve still got that GoFundMe Campaign – if anyone is willing to donate or even share the link I’d so appreciate it: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-limecello thank you!

Anyway, I did very little reading in 2023 Just a smidge over 50 books. There was that whole miserable surgery thing. Mostly I watched Chinese dramas, and if you’re curious as to what … here’s my MDL list. A few of them I watched long long ago, some I watched at the end of 2022, but the vast majority I watched last year. However near the end of the year I picked up reading again … but translated Chinese romances. And I’ve been having a grand old time.

However, I’m here to do my annual “Read in Review” or whatever – I really need to come up with an “official title” … without further ado, my 2023 reads! It was a lot of re-reads for me at first. That’s what the asterisk indicates. The “♪” means it was an audiobook read.

January
*On Fortune’s Wheel/The Tale of Birle by Cynthia Voigt
*Kincaid by Laurelin Paige
The Thief Who Loved Me by Cynthia Eden
Deck the Halls by Cynthia Eden
Division 11’s Princess Agents by Xiao Xiang Dong Er
Taken by the Horde King by Zoey Draven
Throne of the Horde King by Zoey Draven
Mine Tonight by Christina C. Jones
*The Satin Sash by Red Garnier
*Anonymous Acts by Christina C. Jones ♪
Kraving Tavak by Zoey Draven

February
Tempest by Beverly Jenkins ♪
Kiss Me This Christmas by Cynthia Eden

March
[Who Rules The World] 且试天下 (Qie Shi Tian Xia) by 倾泠月 (Qing Ling Yue)
*Downfall by Evelyn Sola
Defeat by Evelyn Sola
*Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
*The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
*Scandal Never Sleeps by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
*Teacher’s Pet Wolf by Kati Wilde

April
Touched by Ice by Cynthia Eden

May
Do Me by Sheryl Lister ♪
The Legend of FuYao by 天下归元 (Tian Xia Gui Yuan, World Convergence)
Love Me by Delaney Diamond ♪
Show Me by Sharon C. Cooper ♪
Queen of Barrakesch by Delaney Diamond ♪
Field of Pleasure by Farrah Rochon ♪

June
Spacer’s Cinderella by Adria Rose

September
Somebody’s Wife by Robbi Renee ♪
Devoted by Evelyn Sola
Desire in His Blood by Zoey Draven
Beyond The Story: 10-Year Record of BTS by Myeongseok Kang

October
All the Feels by Olivia Dade ♪
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren ♪

November
Marriage of the Di Daughter by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke)
The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke) – which I reviewed
Rebirth of a Star General by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke)
The Rebirth of an Ill-Fated Consort by 千山茶客 (Qian Shan Cha Ke)

December
The Job of an Imperial Concubine by 月下蝶影 (Yue Xia Die Ying, Butterfly’s Shadow Beneath the Moon)
Greetings, Ninth Uncle by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire) – which I reviewed
Don’t Be A Favored Concubine by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)
It’s Better To Be the Empress Dowager by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)
A Mistaken Marriage Match: Mysteries in the Imperial Harem by 浅绿 (Qian Lu)
The Yandere Came During the Night by 風流書呆 (Feng Liu Shu Dai, Casanovanic Bookworm)
The Noble Woman’s Guide On How to Tease One’s Husband by 漪光 (Yi Guang)
After Marrying the Disabled Crown Prince of the Enemy Country by 新了个喵 (New Meow)
Xiao Qi, Wait (小七,且慢) by 悠若清风 (You Ruo Qing Feng)
The General Wants to Hug and Sleep and 千草 (Sleep by Qian Cao)
The General’s Genius Daughter by 灼华 (Zhuo Hua)
I’ll Be the Male Lead’s Sister-in-Law by by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)
The Imperial Guard’s Revenge by by 九月流火 (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, September Flowing Fire)

I also want to add in my “defense” these c-novels are hefty. I might have mentioned one of the chapters for Empress was like over 30,000 words, I believe the author’s notes for Guard said the novel was over 700,000 words … so yeah. And that was without any side stories/epilogues if there are any, which I hope there are! There’s a lot going on – AND I’M LOVING IT. In fact most these books also have extra/side stories, which are more epilogues or vignettes, and I’m really sad when translations don’t have them. Anyway I wrote the English titles, not bothering to look for the original Mandarin, but for author names I tried to do both. How it works here is I put the original Mandarin, then the pinyin (pronunciation/”romanization”), and then sometimes they translate the names and added that too. As you can see some of the titles are … interesting. Some things don’t exactly translate well, and sometimes that’s part of the fun.

Anyway if anyone is interested in c-dramas or translated c-novels, I HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU! 😄

I hope everyone has a lovely new year and that 2024 is the best for all of us yet! ❤️

TBR Challenge Review: Greetings Ninth Uncle (九叔万福) by September Flowing Fire (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, 九月流火)

Greetings Ninth Uncle (九叔万福) by September Flowing Fire (Jiu Yue Liu Huo, 九月流火)
Historical romance published in 2019

Book cover of Greetings, Ninth Uncle by September Flowing Fire Plain read book cover with a yellow gold rectangle running through about the middle third with the title written in Chinese vertically. Next to it is a small block with the authors name in the style of a Chinese shop sealCheng Yujin was the elder twin sister, who was supposed to be engaged to an excellent man. However she later learned that her fiancé, Marquis Jingyong, had proposed to her because he mistakenly recognized her as her younger twin sister. Marquis Jingyong and her younger sister had a deep relationship, and after many twists and turns, finally broke through all hardships and became eternal lovers. While Cheng Yujin was the villain who replaced her sister’s good marriage, kept framing her sister, and hindered the main couple to be together. A really wicked older sister and poisonous late wife.
After the younger twin sister was reborn, she revealed Cheng Yujin’s ‘conspiracy’ early on. Everyone scorned her, and her so-called fiancé was indifferent. Cheng Yujin sneered and tore off their engagement letter in front of her fiancé.
Everyone was gloating and happily waiting to see her regret her actions. However, before Marquis Jingyong had a chance to see Cheng Yujin’s regret, he saw his former fiancee marrying her uncle.
The ninth uncle of Cheng family was truly a hidden dragon, his real power frightening everyone.
***
Cheng Yujin, this coquettish little wife, lightly lifted her eyebrows and casually said, “A mere Marquis Jingyong, is he worthy? Do you think that robbing him away will affect me?”
Almost forgot to say, ninth uncle wasn’t surnamed Cheng. His real name was Li Chengjing, the crown prince.

If you’re randomly happening upon ALBTALBS, let me tell you, I’ve left the continent entertainment wise this year. If you’re a ~regular, or follow me on social media, you know I went hard on watching c-dramas for much of this year, then turned to reading translated novels. I’ve been having a grand old time, even with some really terribly translated books. Luckily this isn’t one of them – and in fact is one of my favorite reads of the year. I know the title is a bit lacking, especially in English, but 🤷🏻‍♀️. The point is the story is a delight – and in fact when I was reading it I kept thinking “the author has got to be a psychologist or something” – the analysis and interpersonal relationships are that good.

I’m a week late on the TBR challenge, but that’s pretty on brand for me. The “prompt” for this month was “Festive” and … does it count that the hero’s birthday is on a festival? This book spans a number of years so there are also multiple festivals mentioned … so I’m going with it. Also because this book is worth gushing about. Continue reading

TBR Challenge Review: The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage (重生之将门毒后) by Qian Shan Cha Ke (千山茶客)

The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage (重生之将门毒后) by Qian Shan Cha Ke (千山茶客)
Historical romance published in 2014

The Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage by Qian Shan Cha Ke book cover - it depicts a painted image of a woman and the title written in Chinese charactersThe di daughter of military lineage, pure, amiable, quiet and yielding, foolishly in love with Prince Ding, throwing oneself to the role of a wife. After assisting (a ruler) for six years, she finally became the empress. Accompanying him to fight for supremacy, to expand the country’s territory, taking risk to be a hostage in another country, after returning five years later, there was no place for her in the Inner Palace.

The beauty in Prince Ding’s arms smiled brightly, “Older sister, the country is stabilized and you should retire.” Her daughter had met with a violent death and son the Crown Prince was deposed. The Shen family who had sacrifice themselves for the country, not one of them were lucky enough to escape. In one dynasty everything was overturned, her clan had perished and she needed to mourn for her children! Shen Miao never thought that as a married couple who went through trials and tribulations and mutually assisting one another was just a joke to him!

He said, “Seeing that you have followed *Zhen for twenty years, I will grant you with an intact corpse. Thank me for my kindness.” Under the three meters of white silk, Shen Miao made a malicious vow: In the time to come, she will take part in each and everyone’s end!

Upon rebirth, she returned to the time when she was fourteen, where the tragedy had yet to occur, her family was still alive and she was still the pure, amiable, quiet, and yielding di daughter of military lineage. Relatives hiding a black heart, elder and younger cousins are ruthless and malicious, the new Yiniang is like a tiger watching its prey and the disreputable man that wants to repeat events?

Family must be protected, the huge enmity must be avenged, the Imperial seat of the country must also be part of the trophy. In this lifetime, let’s see who can beat the others! But that little marquis from the Xie family, the arrogant and obstinate spear carrying youth, stood at her side and proudly said, “it’s just the fall of the Imperial power. Remember this, the world belongs to you. You– Belong to me!” – Summary taken and lightly edited from Chubby Cheeks Thoughts.

So November’s TBR “prompt” was “Once Upon a Time” and … why not Ancient China?  I have found my new most favorite romance hero ever. Xie Jing Xing (XJX) can’t be discussed too much without spoilers, but it’s him. I loved him so much. If you’ve visited the blog at all you know I’ve only been reviewing Chinese dramas this year – because it’s mostly the only media I’ve been consuming. However for whatever reason I got the urge to try to read the source material of an upcoming drama, and I was hooked. This book was my second read by the author, but I’m currently on my fifth book by her. I’m crushed I’ve blown through her backlist. Not only have cdramas been my jam this year, but specifically rebirth and revenge stories. Heavy focus on the revenge. This book brought me such joy. This is a pretty niche genre, and of course it requires some suspension of disbelief, but … what novel doesn’t? Continue reading

A List of Native American Romance Authors

Hi friends! November is National Native American Heritage Month!

If you’re new to A Little Bit Tart, A Little Bit Sweet (ALBTALBS) I used to have guests for the Smithsonian Heritage Months. Now, every year I post a list that I try to keep as updated as possible.  I always hope to see this number growing, and more books to look into.

Xio Axelrod
Maggie Blackbird
Marcella Bell
Christina Berry
Isobel Carr/Kalen Hughes
Pamela Clare
Louisa Cornell
Robin Covington
Kari Lynn Dell
Cynthia Eden
Yasmine Galenorn
T. J. Michaels
Danica Nava
V. S. Nelson
Alex Powell
Sharon Sala
Pamela Sanderson
Cynthia Leitich Smith (YA)
Dee Tenorio
Kristine Wyllys

As always if you fall under this umbrella and want me to add you, or know someone who could/should be added, please let me know! (And on the flip side, if you want to be removed, let me know that as well.) … Also I know at least one of the authors is Canadian – but you know, North America. (I’m still not quite sure how to split or not split international authors …)

OH DAMN Y’ALL! Team TBR Challenge Review: Miss Mystery

“Blurb”: 18 years ago a young and innocent Xue Tong witnessed her family being brutally murdered. Since then she has hidden herself quietly and patiently, waiting for the day she could put her revenge plan into action. Well that day has come, and Xue Tong has finally returned to her hometown as Miss Lin Bao Er, the daughter of a wealthy Nanyang businessman. Now an adult, Lin Bao Er is clever, cunning, good with a gun, and skilled at understanding the depths of human nature.

When she meets the charming young master Zhu Guan Wen, the two decide to pose as couple in order to progress their own interests. Neither can help but grow feelings for each other, but will their love be their greatest strength or their downfall? [– from MDL]

You. Guys. I am giddy as I write this review. Revenge, a kickass FL, and THE most supportive ML. I was constantly *STAR-EYES* and *HEART-EYES* while watching this drama. Honestly, I think you “need” both trailers to get an idea – it’s definitely got it’s dark moments (nearly all presented in trailer two), but there’s a lot of romance too. The TBR prompt for October is “Danger Zone” and … Miss Mystery really fit the bill here because our FL (female lead) Lin Bao Er/ Xue Tong is throwing herself into unknown dangers in order to avenge her family. She’s got a plan, but in life you never quite know how things will turn out. Lucky for her she has ML (male lead) Zhu Guan Wen who could be labeled “Mr. Supportive.” (ETA: I forgot to add that as a potential bonus, each episode is only 5-10 minutes long, so it’s not a big commitment.) Continue reading

A Drama to Delight Your Cold Little Black Heart. Team TBR Challenge Review: What’s Wrong With My Princess

General Murong Qiu Yu was infatuated with the second prince Li Mo, she aided him in seizing the throne. However, she was betrayed and killed by Li Mo and her sister Murong Xin Er. After being reborn, Qiu Yu found herself back on her wedding night with the seventh prince, Li Jian. Qiuy Y decided to join forces with Li Mo’s rival, Li Jian, to ensure that Murong Xin Er and Li Mo face the punishment they deserve… – source, MDL


I followed the TBR Challenge Prompt for “once!” This is a new to me scriptwriter (Luo Man Ying) – which isn’t something I usually check, but I did here. It’s also fitting because the story is the best part of the drama. What’s Wrong With My Princess is one of the most satisfying revenge stories I’ve seen. It’s a short drama so definitely not big budget, but definitely worth watching. I think I’ve seen both lead actors in other dramas previously, but ironically the one who I’d be most interested in seeing again was a character I hated – the SFL. (I chalked it down to the directing and good acting – her character is awful.)

When it comes to Chinese dramas the way lead characters are discussed are “Female Lead (FL),” “Male Lead (ML),” “Second Female Lead (SFL),” “Second Male Lead (SML),” and occasionally there’s a third FL and ML. Although ML and FL are always the hero/heroine, it’s not the case for SML, SFL, etc. – just they also get the more developed stories and longer screen time. There are some trigger warnings needed for the beginning – although it’s so unrealistic and absurd seeing it at least for me wasn’t that big of a deal – in fact I kept thinking and even said “that’s not how this shit works” but it was so awful it’s one of those “I don’t mind it’s wrong” things. The evil characters kill FL’s child in utero… right as she’s going into labor. It’s deeply fucked but that’s the point and why she comes back so angry and determined to exact justice. There’s also the dark history (or purported history) of consorts and concubines doing this sort of thing in the palace in order to grab power for themselves or preserve power … so it’s slightly less “what the FUCK”/more common to see to a native audience than to a Western audience.
Continue reading

A Working List of Latinx Romance Authors

Hi Friends! It’s Latinx Heritage Month 2023! Technically Hispanic Heritage Month by law, and I’m not educated enough to get into this discussion – I just want to highlight the romance authors I know of who fit under this umbrella. ALBTALBS celebrates Smithsonian Heritage Months this way – but in the past we had guest posts and such so you can read them via the tags, particularly Smithsonian Hispanic Heritage Month – there’s a lot of good content there! 

Of course this isn’t an exhaustive list – just who I’ve found. I’m trying my best.

And, if you missed them, you can find a list of Black Romance Authors here, as well as a list of APIA+ Romance Authors.

Lily Anderson
Carmen Baca
Natalie Caña
Sela Carson
Zoey Castile/Zoraida Córdova
Mary Castillo
Rebel Carter
Aleera Anaya Ceres
Andie J. Christopher
Chanel Cleeton
Claire Contreras
Alexis Daria
Liana De la Rosa
Taylor V. Donovan
Diane Escalera
Carmen Falcone
Barbara Ferrer aka Caridad Ferrer
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Johana Gavez
Cat Giraldo
Leora Gonzales
Nadine Gonzalez
Adriana Herrera
Isabel Ibañez
Dominique Laura
Julie Leto
Angelina M. Lopez
J.L. Lora
Evelyn Lozada
Ofelia Martinez
Mimi Milan
Janelle Milanes
Diana Muñoz Stewart
Laura Taylor Namey
Priscilla Oliveras
Berta Platas
Caridad Pineiro
Alana Quintana Albertson
Rosemary Rey
Elizabeth Reyes
Lilliam Rivera
Roxie Rivera
Danni Rose
Yamile Saied Méndez
Inés Saint
Lydia San Andres
Lynda Sandoval
Yaffa S. Santos
Jude Sierra
Sabrina Sol
Mia Sosa
Ada Maria Soto
Milly Taiden
Dee Tenorio
Allie Therin
Piper Vaughn
Jonny Garza Villa
Ismée Williams

As always – If you fall under the umbrella and aren’t listed let me know – I want to add you! I know I’ve definitely missed a lot – I haven’t been up to much this year, so please let me know who else is out there! <3