Heroine – Fine arts, not including musician/writer
Fast & Fury, Book #2
Review of Fast & Fury, Book #1
Heat Factor: It’s not not sexy
Character Chemistry: I confess I’m not sold
Plot: Lots of expectation re honesty and owed information
Overall: I just…what even…I don’t know
To celebrate Women’s History Month, every Saturday in March we’ve prepared a Saturday Smutty Six list of some of our favorite heroines.
This week: Artists
Agatha’s primary concern is her printing business, but she’s also an engraver, and there’s nothing you can say to convince me that she’s not an artist. (We also highly recommend the first book in this series, which deals explicitly with questions about what “counts” as art as opposed to work or a hobby – and whose art is therefore celebrated.) This wonderful slow-burn epistolary romance between two middle-aged women is thought-provoking, heartfelt, and so sexy. (Full Review)
Vanessa monetized her artistry by setting up a business designing book covers, tattoos, and pretty much whatever else anybody wants drawn. While a lot of the story is centered on Aiden and the world of football, Van makes a place in the world that she’s always wanted for herself with her art. (Full Review)
Former model turned fashion photographer Anya thinks she already has her HEA when the book opens. After all, she and Zac are happily married with a cute baby. Turns out, the HEA gets even happier *waggles eyebrows* when they invite Cal to join them. All jokes aside, while this sexy menage focuses more on Zac and Cal and their joint musical career, the group also prioritizes Anya’s ability to continue working as the mother of a young child; we desperately need more of this in romance (especially all those romances that end with a marriage and a baby). (Full Review)
Fiber arts! So cool! Jerusha is already selling her work for thousands of dollars per piece when she moves in next door to Karl, but she’s excited about studying for her MFA and creating new pieces that are ultimately included in a gallery showing of her work. (Full Review)
Julie serves drinks at the cider bar to pay the bills, but she makes jewelry for happiness. Her non-traditional, non-9-to-5 lifestyle is a stressor in her life, because it’s a point of contention between her and her family, but it’s also not something she’s willing to let go of. (Full Review)
Struggling painter Keeffe comes by her artistic talent honestly: her mother was a sculptor, who was, perhaps, divinely inspired. Too bad Satan is trying to collect all of Keeffe’s mother’s sculptures, and Keeffe is the only thing standing in his way. Enter Bad, Certified Cinnamon Roll Demon, also known as the Demon of Sloth and the head of hell’s technology department. There’s some body snatching, an art commission, a beautiful date reenacting Keeffe’s favorite painting (!!!), nuanced portrayals of lay Catholicism, and lots of demonic shenanigans. (Full Review)
Shifter Bites, Book #1
Heat Factor: It’s closed door (this whole new series is meant to be no sex/closed door)
Character Chemistry: Their shifter personalities flow into their interactions SO WELL
Plot: Hester is getting over a cheating ex when she ends up snowbound with her fated mate
Overall: Adorbs!
Heat Factor: Pretty standard Zapata slow burn
Character Chemistry: It kinda wasn’t there and then all of a sudden it was?
Plot: Let’s have a marriage of convenience because of reasons
Overall: I liked it but I kinda don’t know why
Heat Factor: The sex writing is remarkable. Also there’s pegging.
Character Chemistry: I believe the friendship. I believe the attraction. And I believe the love.
Plot: The third wheel becomes an equal partner.
Overall: This is a beautiful book.
