Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

With a name like Fenris, I sure hope the guy’s a bit of a wolf, if not a full-blown werewolf.

THe funny sound you’ve just heard was me squealing and hopping up and down in my hotel room in rainy Newcastle upon Tyne. Wheee! I’m so happy to hear you’ve enjoyed CASTLE, Sarah. Thank you for the lovely interview. You’ve just made my day! :)

And Berni (I hope that’s really your name; I’m typing this using the hotel’s TV internet which makes reading stuff a real horror ...), no, Fenris is not a werewolf. His father is simply a great fan of Nordic mythology.

I was thinking I wanted to pick this up so I will most likely check it out.

PS- So what are your thoughts on Dark Shadows?

I bought this on the strength of the ad that flipped by on the site (and after I read the blurb behind it) and lurved it. (Feels vaguely fangurl after reading SS’s post above.)

Now I’m trying to find her first novel through one of the online second hand shops, and then girding myself to bribe them into shipping general postage (book rate takes forever to get to me--I live in a largeish city, so there’s never a partially empty truck coming our way!)

Fantastic!  I just got it from B&N and it’s next up to be read.  Now I’m REALLY looking forward to it.

I’m not much for gothic romances either but you make this one sound pretty appealing. I’ll have to check it out.

I saw this book advertised on the Smart Bitches site and it really intrigued me. So I ordered it. I wasn’t disappointed. It really was well written and kept me entertained. I’ve added Ms Schwab’s name to my fav authors. Can’t wait for her next book.

Hmm, I’m not a huge fan of gothic, new or old, but I love me some paranormal and I might have to check this one out.  Very complimentary review, definitely interesting!

Thats sounds good. I actually love some of the old Gothic stuff, so a book that plays with the genre should be fun. Not to mention I’m German. ;-)

Poor Sandra,
when I was in Newcastle at the beginning of June, the sun shone.

I so admire Ms. Schwab’s success here, bringing a German setting into a Romance novel writing in English as a German writer. When I was a teenager I used to fantasize of doing that with fantasy, but I’m a lazy person, so nothing ever came of it. Ms. Schwab my non-existing hat is off to you, teaching English at university level as well completely slays me.

*says the ESL grammar school/middle school teacher from Germany*

Best of luck to you with all your endeavours.

She is German? Lol, so I’m not the only German writing in English. ;-)

Thank you for the lovely interview.

*head desk* REview. Duh. (See? That happens when you write these romance novels: not only do you destroy countless marriages by writing about unattainable ideals of masculinity, no, writing about unattainable ideals of masculinity will also corrode your brain. But that’s the writer’s own fault, of course, for not being a good submissive, little woman.)

Anyway, thanks all for checking out CASTLE! I’m happy to hear you’ve enjoyed it, and, of course, I hope those of you who haven’t read it yet, will like it as well.

Kaite, as to feeling like a fangurl—why? When I was the one who was doing the squealing and hopping around? *g* (That’s not to say that I’m adverse to the idea of having a fangurl or two of my own. :) ) (As long as they’re not of the scary kind, that is.)

~*~

when I was in Newcastle at the beginning of June, the sun shone.

Gabriele, I so hate you. ;)

Sandra,

If you’re still checking in on this loop I went to B&N last night after reading this review. I thought it sounded great a twist on gothic - I couldn’t resist.

You evil woman. I was up until 2:00 am reading and now I’m dead tired at work. I blame it on you. All on you.

Thanks for a great book. This one is going on the shelf.

Well, I read the review at lunch and was so intrigued I went straight to Borders and bought the book after work and just finished reading it. WOW! I was not disappointed. Not my usual kind of romance, but I loved it. Perfect blend of humor, romance and scariness. In fact, I liked it so much I am considering rereading it immediately, but instead I am going to drive it over to my best friend and make her read it tonight. Fabulous book, really interesting, can’t put it down, I loved it. It’s one of the few I’m making my best friend give back when she’s done!!!

PS. Thanks for the great review - I wouldn’t have ever checked it out otherwise ...

This thread is a bit old now but just wanted to add that The Lily Brand is also fabulous.  I neglected my children reading that one.  Had to get to the end. (I hope you’re proud of yourself Sandra Schwab!)

Joanna, Melissa & Stephanie, you really know how to make a girl feel good. :) It’s absolutely lovely to hear you’ve enjoyed my stories so much! Thank you!

And Stephanie, yes, I’m definitely evil. I aspire to be called the Horror-Schwab at uni. I believe I’m slowly, but surely getting there. *ggg*

I just read this book and it was SOOOOOO GOOD… It’s my first romance for a while and makes me want to read more of them, but then I remember that they aren’t all high quality like this!

But anyway, I’m just posting (in case anyone reads this) to say… did anyone notice it has like an ebook cover? It’s all computer generated. That cracked me up and made me muy suspicious, but I’m glad I read it anyway!!!

Hi Alice (I hope you’ll read this), thanks for your kind words, which made for a great start of the day. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed CASTLE so much!!!