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Besharam roughly translates to “shameless” in Hindi. This collection from Indian writer Priya-Alika Elias is a bold, sassy, and brilliantly written book on love, dating, body image, consent, and other issues that women today relate to and men should be thinking about. Elias reflects on, and challenges, the ideas of how women are told by society to be humble, obedient, and ashamed of their actions and desires.
Real quick clarification about the disclaimers I gave last time. The old school disclaimer was intended with the Woodwiss that was listed last and not the first one. Middleton’s novel is not an old school romance, so it doesn’t have the issues that may typically be associated with the earlier books in the genre. Apologies for any confusion this may have caused.
Greetings from the frozen South, a phrase I never thought I would utter. Seriously; I may not be an old hen just yet, but I’m far from a spring chicken, and I can’t recall another winter where we’ve had this much arctic weather (as in the snow actually sticking to the ground) in my entire life. And I can say with utmost assurance that I don’t like it. I’m ready for spring to show up.
That said, I am blessed in that I have been working from home. So, I don’t have to worry about going out in it or using sick days. So, I’ve been able to stay bundled up inside, drinking all types of warm beverages, and reading. The cold, much like the snow, is a bit more bearable if I don’t have to go anywhere.
But still…spring…you need to come get your seasonal sister. She’s overstaying her welcome.
The Ripped Bodice 2020 Award Winners for Excellence in Romantic Fiction were announced on Valentine’s Day, which seemed fitting. I’ve read 4/12 of the winners here and yes, I know it’s only a third of them. But that just means more books for my TBR.
If you also need more for your own TBR pile, then check out this list of love stories from Namera.
I’m a bit late to the party, but would it ever be too late to swoon over the cover reveal for Lisa Rayne’s Never Cross a Highlander? I’m sure a lot of readers have already pre-ordered this item and are looking forward to when it comes out towards the end of 2021.
I also forgot to mention that the latest from Charish Reid, (Trust) Falling For You is out today. I read this and loved every single page of it.
Last Friday, Disney+ began streaming the 1997 made for television version of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. I know I’ve mentioned this a lot but bear with me since I’m about to go into the why, because I had this discussion with my spouse. When I was talking about how the Interwebs were going bonkers over it, he didn’t understand. He had seen it when it first aired and enjoyed it, but didn’t get why it was a big deal until I told him my take.
It’s not just due to how unapologetically diverse it is, although for me that’s a big factor. A big part of it is that this was the first time a lot of Black girls saw a princess that looked like them. With all due respect to Atlantis: The Lost Empire’s Kida (another woefully underappreciated Disney movie) and Tiana, Brandy Norwood is the one who came through and shattered that mold. She showed little girls that no matter what their upbringing was, no matter how people treated them, that they had a right to a happy ending with someone who loved them unconditionally and would make them feel like the princesses, and eventually queens, they truly were. And now, these girls who are now women get to introduce their children to this and hopefully see them light up like they did.
And, yes, it’s somewhat better now. But not completely. Remember the backlash there was when it was announced Halle Bailey would be playing Ariel in the live action remake of The Little Mermaid? Cries of ‘not my Ariel’ were heard around the world. People can call it what they want but it boiled down to racist tendencies. Completely overlooking the fact that mermaids aren’t real and if they were, their skin would be some kind of gray due to being so far from the sun and beneath the ocean’s surface? Or that they likely ate sailors rather than marry them? How about how the story originally ended, which a lot of people seem to forget? People didn’t want to see a girl of color as a princess who got her happily ever after, and my mind can’t be changed on this. So, yes, this version of Cinderella was important then and may be even more important now.
And this isn’t just restricted to Black children. It’s important for all children of all races to see themselves in these roles. Because royalty is not just for people who are ‘fair of skin’. That leads me to my recommendations for this week, which will include royals from all different types of ethnic backgrounds.
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
Okay, so technically the only royal-like character in the story for a majority of it is the hero and not the heroine. However, since they do get married (it’s romance after all, so an HEA is a must), the heroine eventually becomes a Duchess. Plus, the slow build from friends to lovers in this is so well done. This is a genuinely sweet book overall and one I thoroughly enjoyed.
How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole
I just downloaded this one this weekend since it was on sale at the time (and may still be so be sure to check your preferred e-book outlet), but the absolute power that emanates from Shanti on this cover is so overwhelming, as well as the chemistry between her and Shanyu. I can’t wait to read the dynamics of this power couple and how they reign supremely together as equals.
Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin
During the Tang Dynasty, Princess Ai Lee is betrayed and has to flee her home with only her butterfly swords in hand to defend herself. She has to enlist the help of Ryam for protection and help reclaiming her rightful place. If memory serves this was the first When in Romance book club pick, so you’re in great company on that alone by picking it up.
And that’s all she wrote for now! As always, it’s been a pleasure. Stay safe, stay warm, and follow me over on Twitter under @PScribe801 if you’d like. Until next time.