Tag Archives: Lime Sucks

When So For Real Was Too Real: On Reviewing, with a Shout Out (and Apology) to Rebekah Weatherspoon et al

So Sweet by Rebekah Weatherspoon book coverI’ve been thinking about writing this post since October 2016. Rebekah Weatherspoon sent me an ARC of So For Real on October 16, 2016. I read it shortly thereafter. I’d think everyone in the US remembers we were gearing up for a major election … and … welp. So there was a lot going on, and I remember reading So For Real – I had loved So Sweet. I believe I wrote a “First Look” (a review) of that book and for So Right at Heroes & Heartbreakers. (Remember that site?) I’m even blurbed in So Right because I loved it so much! But I remember reading So For Real and – it’s definitely real. Kayla Bradbury née Davis goes through a lot. From what I recall, she’s struggling with newly married life, with friends, with her new business, with life. I meant to review it, but was putting it off because I wanted to love it more than I did … and I just so strongly associate it with the election cycle. I haven’t gone back to re-read it for that very reason. (Unfortunately low key the whole series…) I’m definitely a “mood reader,” which is also why I comfort re-read recent favorites, and sometimes avoid “old favorites” because I’m scared they won’t stand the test of time. Or my bad mood.

I have a highly developed sense of guilt. Not only do I feel bad for not reviewing So For Real (and others) since 2016 … I still feel guilty for agreeing to review a book in like 2005 or 2006 and not getting around to it. (I think I started reviewing books online in ~02-03?) There was a lot of school … and life kicking my ass. Not just the election but a massive cycle of doctors (when I talk about “surgeon #12” sometimes it’s because I literally had to consult with more than 12 orthopedic surgeons across the country. I’m up to at least 14 now…) Then there were the major surgeries… I was thinking the other day that I was pretty much drugged and out of it for a good chunk of the dumpster administration. (Silver linings?) Anesthesia brain is very real too. Unfortunately, that’s also just part of it. Let’s not get into the rest though. Continue reading

Unexpected Hiatus

Hi friends. ALBTALBS has been basically inactive since early October … and hopefully that changes soon, but no promises.

It’s entirely my fault, so my apologies to the ALBTALBS review team that had reviews set, to people with expected posts, and to anyone who expects new content. [The last one is me poking fun at myself because I don’t think there is anyway, but you know, hope springs eternal?]

If you play along with me on social media you may have noticed I’ve been a lot less active there as well. [It might not seem that way, but I truly have been.]

I also haven’t been reading, or basically functioning.

What with work, and constant migraines, and just all the things, I’ve also played countless rounds of the fun game “where is this blood coming from?” [Spoilers: it was always me, and it was never fun.]

Just … wanted to have a placeholder and kind of let people know what was going on. And hopefully have things figured out soon with more regular content, and possible [back]dated posts.

Thanks, all, and much love for hanging in there with me. <3 <3 <3

Teaser “Tuesday” Exclusive Excerpt: Secrets of a Runaway Bride by Valerie Bowman

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for your patience with me. As you can see I’m all over the place and barely grasping at threads. My apologies. I know it’s obviously not Tuesday, but I FUBAR’d the ALBTALBS schedule and Valerie Bowman was very gracious and said she didn’t mind turning Saturday into Tuesday. Incidentally, don’t expect much better anytime soon because I’m trying to do my taxes… 

Anyway. Clearly Valerie is a wonderful woman. So without further ado – a snippet from Secrets of a Runaway Bride which will be available this Tuesday March 26!

THE THRILL OF ESCAPE

Miss Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent her flight to Gretna Green—nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong gentleman.

THE SWEETNESS OF SURRENDER

When Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best friend’s sister-in-law, he didn’t realize she would prove so difficult. But when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters worse, he’s stuck playing the role of honorable protector…when what he really wants is to run away with her himself.

~*~*~

“I will not ask again. Tell me where Miss Andrews is and tell me immediately.” Jordan’s voice boomed through the town house. Devon’s normally staid butler had managed to summon both Evans and Mary and now, all three servants stood quaking in front of him in the foyer, while he asked for the third time where their mistress had gone.

Evans gulped and pulled at his neck cloth. “I told ye, milord. I haven’t seen Miss Annie today.”

Jordan’s raking gaze settled on Mary.

“You must believe me, Lord Ashbourne. I’m quite sure Miss Annie told me, but I cannot remember. It’s an affliction I’ve ‘ad, ahem, had, for quite some time. Ye can ask these gents.” Mary gestured to Evans and the butler with her thumb.

“Aye, that I can vouch fer milord,” Evans replied. “She can’t remember a thing wot happened five minutes ago.”

Jordan turned his piercing gaze on the butler. “Nicholls, I’m counting on you to be the only sane member of this trio. Tell me where Miss Andrews is.”

Nicholls bowed. “My lord, I assure you. I’ve already related all of which I am aware. Miss Andrews had a caller around ten o’clock this morning. It was Mr. Arthur Eggleston. He left his card.”

Jordan had already seen the damned card. He’d crumpled it in his fist.

“Mr. Eggleston and Miss Andrews spoke in the blue salon until half eleven,” Nicholls continued. “Then he took his leave.”

Jordan paced. “What did they speak about?”

“That I don’t know, my lord. I was not asked to bring refreshments and I pride myself on never eavesdropping.” He gave Evans and Mary a stern look.

“And I might well have been eavesdropping, milord,” Evans admitted with a wry smile. “Had I known there was anything to hear, but I swear upon my honor I wasn’t even awake at ten o’clock.”

“That I can vouch fer, me lord,” Mary interjected. “Saw ‘im meself, upstairs dozing in a chair by the window ‘round that time.”

Jordan paced back and forth across the fine Indian carpet that adorned Devon’s foyer. “Annie did not order a coach?”

Nicholls shook his head. “No, my lord.”

“She did not leave a note?” Jordan continued.

“No.” Mary shook her head.

“She did not go on an errand with a friend?” Jordan ground out.

“No. I went ‘round to Miss Birmingham’s house me’self and Miss Frances hadn’t seen nor heard from her all day,” Evans assured him.

“Has Aunt Clarissa seen her?”

“My lady has been…indisposed…” Nicholls cleared his throat. “Most of the day, sir.”

Jordan raked a hand through his hair. It was nearly ten o’clock at night and apparently Annie had been missing all day. How had this happened?

He’d wanted to discount Medford’s warning. Annie had seemed so sad and so repentant last night. But some niggling sense of doubt in the back of his mind, had spurred Jordan to check on her tonight. The tears in her eyes and the look on her face had convinced him that she finally understood why she should not be chasing after Eggleston. But now, standing in front of the three unwitting servants, Jordan understood that Medford had been exactly right. Annie hadn’t been ready to give up at all. It had merely been the proverbial calm before the storm. She’d regrouped, ready to do her final damage. And all on Jordan’s watch again. Perfect.

Jordan turned on his heel and reached to open the front door. Nicholls rushed to do it for him but got there too late. “Where are you going, my lord?” he asked in a strained voice.

Jordan barely turned his head, his jaw clenched. “To visit Mr. Arthur Eggleston and if he is not there, there will be hell to pay.”

Jordan left, slamming the door behind him.

* * *

Jordan’s questioning of the Eggleston servants yielded much the same information. Mr. Arthur had left around ten that morning to pay a call and he hadn’t returned since.

Minutes later, Jordan left the house with a growing sense of dread in his belly. Damn it. She’d done it again. Somehow convinced that idiot Eggleston to take off to Gretna Green. Jordan knew it. Just as sure as he knew he must follow them immediately.

Less than half an hour later, he was back home packing a bag, tossing money in a pouch for the journey, and imagining what he’d do to the errant lovers when he caught up to them. How in the hell had that young woman managed to fool him? Again? And what were either one of them thinking? No doubt she would argue that Jordan had pushed her to this. He could hear the explanation now. But putting her life and reputation in danger again was serious. The last time the little fool had done this it had taken her sister and Devon’s marriage to deflect the scandal. God only knew what it would take this time.

The good news was that no one seemed to know. The servants at both households knew the master and mistress were gone but didn’t appear to suspect they’d gone to Gretna Green together. The servants might be persuaded to remain silent.

Jordan knew one thing for certain. He was through playing the beleaguered chaperone. As soon as he found Annie Andrews, he intended to make it clear that he was in charge. He’d tried it her way for nearly two weeks now. The next fortnight would be on his terms. And she wouldn’t like his terms one bit.

Jordan hefted his bag to his shoulder. His valet, Cunningham, scurried into the room. “My lord. I didn’t know you’d returned. Do you require my assistance?”

Jordan shook his head. “No. I’m just taking a few things for now. I’m going on a trip.”

Cunningham nodded. “Is there anything else you require?”

Another shake of the head. “I’ll stop by the kitchens before I leave to get some food for the journey.”

“Will you be back soon, my lord?”

Jordan stopped for a moment in the doorway. He turned to look at the valet. “I won’t be back for a fortnight.”

BIO: Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps! Secrets of a Runaway Bride has been named a 4.5 star TOP PICK! by RT Book Reviews. It’s been called “Too Delightful Too Miss!” by New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas, and New York Times bestselling historical romance author Sarah MacLean says it’s, “Everything a romance should be—sexy, quirky, fun…once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop!” Valerie’s debut, Secrets of a Wedding Night, the first in the Secret Brides series from St. Martin’s Press, was nominated by RT Book Reviews for Best Debut Historical for 2012!

Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.

Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her rascally rescue dog, Roo. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or watching Downton Abbey and Hoarders. You can find Valerie on the web, Facebook, and Twitter.

So what did you think of the excerpt? Do you enjoy historical romances? Two lucky people who comment today will win a copy – either print or ebook, winner’s choice. “US, Canada, and Australia only. Void where prohibited.”