Upcoming Books

May is going to be a romantic month. There’s the royal wedding (and an early morning for me on that day) and some awesome episodes with amazing guests coming your way. 

So, here are some books I’ve got lined up to review. (Keep in mind this may be subject to change.)

'Taken by the CEO' by Stefanie London ($2.99)

Oh corporate culture! In this steamy contemporary romance set in Australia, Emmaline Greene is ready to focus on herself and her career after a bitter divorce. She ends up having a super hot one-night stand with a total hunk who gives her some amazing O’s. However, it turns out this O-maker is also the new CEO of her company! Talk about COMPLICATED!

'Royal Ruin' by Jessica Peterson ($3.99)

While ‘The Crown’ has your historical accuracy, this royal sex feast has your classic “let’s pretend to be engaged” premise. Prince Kit is next in line to become King. But like any royal family, his is wrought with SO MUCH SCANDAL! To offset the negative press, his royal highness announces his “engagement” to Emily Kilpatrick, an American who is down to Earth and “relatable” (i.e. middle class.) Emily is keen on the arrangement as Kit promises to help her declining business. But keeping up the appearance of being in love becomes surprisingly difficult when Kit and Emily actually DO fall in love!

Stay tuned for these fun episodes! 

New Episode! ‘Ruby’ with Connie Shin

I wanted to cover a V.C. Andrews book for a while now because of the romantic elements in her stories and the fact that so many romance readers devour her books. Luckily, Connie Shin, a hilarious writer and performer at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, is a seasoned V.C. Andrews reader. And I’m delighted that she joined me to review 'Ruby', the first book in the Landry series. It’s currently $4.99 on Amazon. (I know! It’s up there!)

In terms of providing you with a succinct synopsis, let me just say that so much happens in this book. So here’s an attempt at a pared-down summary.

Around the death of her grandmother, Ruby, a beautiful and perfect teenager, keeps uncovering dark secret after dark secret about her family. To avoid a terrible fate at the hands of her deranged grandfather, she runs away to New Orleans to meet her long lost father and twin sister. But, BOY, things do NOT go as planned. BECAUSE OF ALL THESE DARK SECRETS!

(I mean… does that work?) 

I both LOVED the book and recording this episode with Connie. And I know you will love listening! Available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts and Google Play.

New Episode! ‘My Enemy, My Earl’ with Lindsay Katai

I had a fantastic guest on the newest episode of Too Stupid to Live, and that hilarious woman is none other than Lindsay Katai. Lindsay is the cohost of the popular podcast, Teen Creeps, where they review YA pulp fiction. She also began cohosting a new podcast called Public Domain Theater where they read literature aloud from the public domain while providing real-time commentary. Furthermore, Lindsay is a writer on the upcoming animated series, Infinity Train, which will premiere on Cartoon Network next year.

The hot and historical book we reviewed in the latest episode is ‘My Enemy, My Earl’ by Tammy Andresen ($3.99.) Taking place in Scotland, it’s the story of two people who are oh-so-bothered by one another but they can’t help feeling HOT and BOTHERED by one another. Despite the plot not being as engaging as it could be, the book was incredibly enjoyable and incredibly sexy. Have fun listening! Available where you get your podcasts.

Quickie Critique: 'Head Hunter' by Alexis Angel

As someone who reviews cheap romance novels, I can’t help but love a freebie. And podcast fave Alexis Angel was happy to oblige. 

The Mayor of Naughtywood (Alexis, I hope you appreciate this nickname) blessed me with ‘Head Hunter: A Virgin Billionaire Reverse Romance’ ($2.99). I had fun reading it, and here’s my review.

Lights… Cameras…But sorry, folks… There’s NO ACTION!

Carter Blaine is the star of this reality show called ‘Head Hunter’. The premise is that he’s a 26-year-old virgin and if he can avoid having (p-in-v) sex until marriage, he gets two billion dollars. Now, despite Carter’s interest in having your classic p-in-v, he’s managing just fine with the other orifices that are presenting themselves to him. But still there’s that part of him (namely his p) that longs for that beautiful nurturing body part (the v.) To up the ante, a professional seductress Ashley is called in to use her feminine wiles to make Carter cave. But there’s just one complication — LOVE.

The book cover works. The stock photo model DEFINITELY looks like a reality star so that’s a plus. His tattoo is very intense, but again, maybe that adds to the reality star charm. 

Look, I will say that the premise is the least outrageous part of this book. With the warped ‘Black Mirror’ reality that our world is headed toward, the idea of a reality show about a virgin avoiding vaginal intercourse is conceivable and probably in development. 

But I will say what really amused me is how unbelievably confident the characters are. Carter literally refers to himself as “alpha” and Ashley doesn’t hesitate to refer to her chest as her “large perky breasts.” 

(I guess if you ever want to have a confrontation with someone and really throw them off, start the convo by saying, “I have something I need to get off my large perky breasts.”)

But again, the sophomoric writing style of Alexis Angel really hits the spot if you’re into that thing. And boy did she get clever with the restrictions that the premise itself presents. I could’ve done without a long scene involving inanimate sex toys, but there were hot parts that some of you would get a kick out of. And for the rest of you? Pick up something else. And whatever that something else is, it’s literally the Bible compared to 'Head Hunter'. 

My rating: Hard B

Upcoming Books

Inspired by other podcasts, I decided to post a list of upcoming books that we’ll be reviewing in case you’re interested in reading for the full listening experience.

There’s a few episodes I’ve already recorded and let me tell you they are going to be GREAT. I love the guests and the books, and I’m sure you will, too!

First up is ‘My Enemy, My Earl (A Laird to Love book 1, $3.99). Kilts, kilts, and more kilts! This is your classic love tale about an English woman and a Scottish earl who don’t want to love each other but, God almighty, THEY DO! 

Next, I was inspired to do an episode with a V.C. Andrews book. So many people I’ve talked to align her books with the romance genre—and there are certainly romantic elements to her stories. Who am I to say? So, 'Ruby' (book 1 of the Landry series, $4.99) will be featured. It’s about a teenager raised in the bayou who learns dark secrets about her family that lead her on a journey to New Orleans.

Stay tuned and turned on!

New Episode! "Broken Justice" with Josh and Travis Wyman

TSTL has a fantastic new episode premiering today, and I couldn’t be more excited about my TWO guests. Josh and Travis Wyman are two comedy guys and hosts of the hilarious podcast Stacking Wood. The Wyman Brothers and I reviewed the first book in the Justice Brothers series, “Broken Justice”. And, boy, was this a HOT one.

“Broken Justice” is written by Suzanne Halliday and is currently $3.99 on Amazon. It’s the story of Cameron, a hardened veteran who rescues the troubled-but-innocent Lacey. He decides to help this damsel get on her feet by taking a road trip to his hometown. He promises her an assistant job at his private security firm he owns with his fellow sexy alpha comrades, aka the Justice Brothers.

But along the way, the flames ignite and they give into their passionate desires.

So please enjoy the latest episode of Too Stupid to Live! Available where you get your podcasts.

Well, This is Fun...

Very excited that TSTL was listed on the Smart Bitches Trashy Books’ romance-focused podcast roundup. And welcome to all the new listeners who’ve come this way. You’re in a for a treat.

You can check out the rest of the list here!

New Episode! The Experiment with Amanda Sitko

UGH! I know you probably waited FOREVER for a new episode. But finally here it is! I had been traveling, but, as many of you know, that means I had plenty of time to read some awesome books on the plane. And my first episode since returning to the States is super fun. My good friend Amanda Sitko (writer for IFC’s Brockmire) is my special guest and I had the best time recording this episode. 

Today we review ‘The Experiment’ by HelenKay Dimon. It’s currently $2.99 on Amazon. The book is published through James Patterson’s BookShots Flames. They publish books specifically to be a quick read for your various commuting experiences or waiting room escapades. Here’s the synopsis on Amazon, which I will say doesn’t entirely represent what the book is actually about. That being said the actual plot of the book is something I’ve never read before. Though not perfect, it’s original and will stick with you.

Annie Sullivan has spent her life running from her past, until she meets her soul mate, Jasper Monroe. But she isn't willing to settle down with him yet, because there's just one thing missing--one last erotic experience--that may define her relationship... or destroy it.

So please enjoy the episode! You can listen on SoundCloud, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.

New Episode! "Her Sexy Valentine" with Deborah Tarica

Picasso was DEFINITELY thinking of this book cover when he said, "Love is the greatest refreshment in life." For TSTL's super sexy special Valentine’s Day episode, Upright Citizen's Brigade performer/teacher Deborah Tarica joins me as we review the romance novel “Her Sexy Valentine.” Listen here! 

I had such a good time recording this episode and Deborah was an exceptional guest. She talks about the amusing experiences she’s had with romance novels, and our discussion of "Her Sexy Valentine" gets hot AND heavy. Plus, you'll wanna hear what kind of language is used to describe a clitoris in our sexy excerpt.

Catch Deborah in the Youtube Red series “Do You Want to See a Dead Body?” with Rob Heubel. 

"Her Sexy Valentine" is written by Stephanie Bond and was published by Harlequin in 2010. It is currently $1.99 on Amazon. 

Book Recommendation - "Restart Me Up"

Enjoy listening to guest Lesley Tsina on the latest episode of Too Stupid Live? Then I definitely recommend reading her book, Restart Me Up: The Unauthorized, Un-Accurate Oral History of Windows 95. It is, dare I say, laugh-out-loud hilarious. 

Here's the description:

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the greatest technological achievement known to mankind: Windows 95. (With all due respect, the telephone and nuclear fission can suck it.) This is the untold, unbelievable, largely untrue story of the creation of Windows 95. Go behind the system and meet those who made it all possible: the beleaguered programmers who became addicted to snorting Pixy Stix, the marketers who employed mass hypnosis tactics to trick the press, the violent battle to squash a literal giant bug in the code, the focus group idiots who only cared about getting pizza for lunch, and "mighty god" Bill Gates, who engaged in a money suitcase stand-off with Mick Jagger over the rights to "Start Me Up." It's the story of how a tiny operating system patch became a multinational, mundane media phenomenon.

New Episode! - Her Husband's Harlot with Lesley Tsina

If your New Year’s resolution involves MORE HARLOTS, here’s your chance to get off… to a good start with the latest episode of Too Stupid to Live. Special guest Lesley Tsina (Blackish, author of “Restart Me Up: The Unauthorized, Un-Accurate Oral History of Windows 95) joins Becky to review the hot historical romance “Her Husband’s Harlot” by Grace Callaway.

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