The Saucy Wenches Book Club

“I can believe things that are true and things that aren't true and I can believe things where nobody knows if they're true or not.  I can believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny and the Beatles and Marilyn Monroe and Elvis and Mister Ed. Listen - I believe that people are perfectable, that knowledge is infinite, that the world is run by secret banking cartels and is visited by aliens on a regular basis, nice ones that look like wrinkled lemurs and bad ones who mutilate cattle and want our water and our women.  I believe that the future sucks and I believe that the future rocks and I believe that one day White Buffalo Woman is going to come back and kick everyone's ass. I believe that all men are just overgrown boys with deep problems communicating and that the decline in good sex in America is coincident with the decline in drive-in movie theaters from state to state.  I believe that all politicians are unprincipled crooks and I still believe that they are bett

"Has he come armed, then?" she asked anxiously. "Has he brought a pistol or a sword?" Ian shook his head, his dark hair lifting wildly in the wind. "Oh, no, Mam!" he said. "It's worse. He's brought a lawyer!" ~ Diana Gabaldon, Voyager

We need villains in our novels to give us some drama and spice things up. In my reading, I'm currently back in Westeros, doing a combined reading of A Feast for Crows and A Dance with Dragons . My problem right now is that Daenerys Targaryen is boring me to death. I almost want to root for Cersei Lannister because at least she has a personality! Sure, she's a horrible person, but I just want some action and entertainment! So, this Fangirl Friday is all about Cersei Lannister. Love her or despise her, she is never, ever boring! (Disclaimer: I have only read up to the beginning of AFFC and ADWD, and beware of spoilers.)

"Nice blouse, Sage," he told me, deadpan. "It really brings out the khaki in your pants." The Golden Lily ~~Richelle Mead

Today Maya Angelou transcended from this plane to the next and my heart is saddened to hear that she has left us. Although she will no longer fight battles for equality, or pick up a pen to write her ideas into a profound piece of art, she will forever live on for she has bequeathed to us her labor of love, her body of work. Upon hearing the news this morning that she had passed away at the age of 86, my first instinct was to make a simple request of my fellow Wenches and see if there was some way that we could honor this Phenomenal Woman. Seeing we are a book review blog and her work has been a profound influence in my life as well as the world I just wanted to pay my respects to her and her memory. The request was embraced wholeheartedly, albeit with sadness in our hearts, so if you would please follow through the jump we would like to dedicate this post to her memory.

“And I came to believe that good and evil are names for what people do, not for what they are. All we can say is that this is a good deed, because it helps someone or that's an evil one because it hurts them. People are too complicated to have simple labels.”  ― Philip Pullman , The Amber Spyglass Source

It has been some time since I last wrote up a review for the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones for the Wenches. The gap in reviews has not been for lack of material, since in that time there have been a couple more books published in my beloved series, but because other Wenches love the books as much as I do. However just this past week book number six in the Charley series came out and, let me tell you, book six has got this Wench not only on the edge but fully over the edge and needing another hit. My love for this series has grown exponentially and if you follow me through the jump I’d be happy to tell you how Sixth Grave on the Edge has me begging for my next hit the same way Charley begs for coffee!

“When all else fails, give up and go to the library.”

Source Some of us have picked up the brand-new released of the next installment in a favorite series, while some are on pins and needles waiting for another new release. A few rereads, continuing with an epic saga, and tackling one of the world's most loved authors have been keeping the Wenches busy this week. Click through to discover who's reading what, and share your reading list in the comments below!

"It is my fault," Saxton said roughly. "And accordingly, in front of you all, I tender my resignation and removal from the bar of solicitors. It is unforgivable that I missed this--" "Fuck that," Wrath said with exhaustion. "I do not accept your-" "My own father is the one who did this. Just as bad, I should have researched this. I should have--" "Enough," Wrath snapped. "If you follow that argument, I should have known all along, because my sires are the ones who drafted that shit. Your resignation is not accepted, so shut the fuck up about all the quitting and sit the fuck down. I'm going to need you." ~J.R. Ward, The King

It's time for another round of Marry, Fuck and Kill, Once Upon a Time style. Season 3 is over and as such I challenged the Wenches to see who they would love to run away with in wedded bliss and who they want to off in a gruesome fashion. Maybe by guillotine, maybe by a dagger to the heart. The choices of course were varied, although a certain dashing pirate seems to feature on the lists. Is it that wicked glint in his eye, his hook or his charm? Barb and Anne, I thought we had this sorted. Time share remember!!!! We have to share. They keep staring at me evilly now. Look, those daggers in my back aren't going to make me change my mind. What? I'm now having to share him with Merit, Zee, Diane and Care as well. I think a Captain Hook commune is looking like a definite possibility. I hope none of you get seasick. Mild spoilers after the jump.

“But when I touch you, your aura … it smolders . The colors deepen, it burns more intensely, the purple increases. Why? Why, Sydney?” He used that hand to pull me closer. “Why do you react that way if I don’t mean anything to you?” There was a desperation in his voice, and it was legitimate.”   Source. {snip}   "My body doesn't know any better. I'm as susceptible to lust as anyone else." There was probably a book about that or at least an article in Cosmopolitan.   The hint of a smile played over his lips. He was fully in tune with my again. "No, you aren't. I mean, you are, but not without reason. I know you well enough to realize that now. You're not the kind of person who's 'susceptible to lust' without some emotion to back it."    He moved his hand back to my hip, sliding it down my leg. I shuddered, and his face moved closer to mine. There was so much in his eyes, so much desire and longing. "See? There it

“I turned in my seat. Will’s face was in shadow and I couldn’t quite make it out. ‘Just hold on. Just for a minute.’ ‘Are you all right?’ I found my gaze dropping towards his chair, afraid some part of him was pinched, or trapped, that I had got something wrong. ‘I’m fine. I just . . . ’ I could see his pale collar, his dark suit jacket a contrast against it. ‘I don’t want to go in just yet. I just want to sit and not have to think about . . . ’ He swallowed. Even in the half-dark it seemed effortful. ‘I just . . . want to be a man who has been to a concert with a girl in a red dress. Just for a few minutes more.’ I released the door handle. ‘Sure.’ I closed my eyes and lay my head against the headrest, and we sat there together for a while longer, two people lost in remembered music, half hidden in the shadow of a castle on a moonlit hill.” ― Jojo Moyes , Me Before You     

Ghosts, werewolves, vampires, demons, angels, and two brothers, who won the genetic lottery, but lost everything else. This is the basis (and fan-conceived tagline) for my favorite show on television right now. What show is that, you ask? Supernatural , of course. I'm obsessed. After joining Tumblr, I kept seeing Supernatural posts and GIFs. And, after some wearing down convincing by some other friends, I started watching. To say I was hooked from the first is an understatement. I already love a good horror story. Add in Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles and I'm sold. I expected to like it. I didn't expect it to take over my life the way it has. I also didn't expect it to be such a well-written and well-acted show. But, it really, really is. I'm here today to tell you just why I adore this show so, so much. **Some Spoilers ahead** **Also, this was written pre-Season 9 finale!**

"I noticed you tore down Donovan’s house.”He lifted his gaze until it locked with mine. "He is alive because he left town. his house chose to stay. It paid the price." Fifth Grave Past theLight , Darynda Jones

“She liked a very particular kind of plot: the sort where the pirate kidnaps some virgin damsel, rapes her into loving him, and then dispatches lots of seamen while she polishes his cutlass. Or where the Highland clan leader kidnaps some virginal English Rose, rapes her into loving him, and then kills entire armies Sassenachs while she stuffs his haggis. Or where the Native American warrior kidnaps a virginal white settler, rapes her into loving him, and then kills a bunch of colonists while she whets his tomahawk. I hated to get Freudian on Linda, but her reading patterns suggested some interesting insight into why she is such a bitch.” Tempest Rising ~~Nicole Peeler 

For some reason, our Man Candy posts are very popular. Gosh, I can't imagine why? <g>  What could be cuter and hotter than gorgeous men showering adorable pets with love and affection? Click through to check out all of the adorable pets, and their even more adorable owners!

“I’m revoking your warrior status,” he says as he watches Clara and her family. “I had warrior status?” “For about thirty seconds.” “What heinous crime did I commit to lose my exalted status?” “A true warrior would have retrieved her sword first before doing personal business.” “I’m all about personal business. Every battle I have is personal.” “Hmm. Good answer. Maybe you’ll eventually regain your status.” “I won’t hold my breath.” ~ Susan Ee, World After

Source Some upcoming releases have the Wenches all atwitter! Today is the release of Sixth Grave on the Edge by Wench favorite Darynda Jones, so look for a review soon! And that's just the beginning of a summer (for Northern Hemisphere Wenches) filled with wonderful new books. Next up is the long awaited MOBY, Outlander #8, and several Wenches are preparing for that. Click through to see what else has captured our attention this week, and share what you're reading in the comments below!

Cillian stripped the clothes he'd worn to the club, rubbing the bites on his shoulder as he logged on to his computer... and found a dick staring him in the face. He sat back and studied it for a second, because honestly, it was a really good dick, and then he read the note below the picture.  Only then did he IM back, I know that's not you, Prophet. The response came back seconds later, still from Prophet's account.   How? Because Prophet never sends me pictures of his dick. Nor does he ask for pictures of mine in return. Who's the idiot in this equation, then?      ~ Dirty Deeds by S.E. Jakes

We believe in celebrating milestones and anniversaries around here, and today we've reached a milestone.  This is our One Thousandth post !!! PARTTYYYYY!!! We could not have made it this far without all of our amazing readers! The ones who love all the same books and authors as we do! The ones that don't and we have the best book debates with! The ones who love all the same book boyfriends! The ones that recommend books that have become favorites! It just would not be the same without you! So thank you. We love you. And to all our new Saucy readers. We can't wait to get to know you! Welcome to the family. As a big thank you to our readers, we're giving away a terrific prize pack. Take part in our Giveaway below : a Rafflecopter giveaway **International Entries Welcome

Source I stepped inside and stopped, blinking in astonishment. From the exterior I'd expected a charming little book and curio shop with the inner dimensions of a university Starbucks. What I got was a cavernous interior that housed a display of books that made the library Disney's Beast gave to Beauty on their wedding day look understocked. I love books, by the way, way more than movies. Movies tell you what to think. A good book lets you choose a few thoughts for yourself. Movies show you the pink house. A good book tells you there's a pink house and lets you paint some of the finishing touches, maybe choose the roof style, park your own car out front. My imagination has always topped anything a movie could come up with. Case in point, those darned Harry Potter movies. That was so not what that part-Veela-chick, Fleur Delacour, looked like. Still, I'd never imagined a bookstore like this. The room was probably a hundred feet long and forty feet wide. The fron

When sorrows come, they come not single spies But in battalions. Shakespeare’s Hamlet , Act 4, Scene 5 I just “came down” from watching the last episode of season 6, which is the last season (so far), of Sons of Anarchy . I am still reeling. I don’t remember who recommended that show to me; I am not sure if I should curse them or thank them. I am infatuated with it. I couldn’t stop watching, episode after episode of the violent, harsh, brutal life of this TV series. I would like to share my addiction with you after the jump. Warning: A few spoilers ahead!

"...well, Adrian was pretty much the least scary vampire I'd ever met. He was too bratty for me to feel any real fear, and actually...as much as I hated to admit it, I kind of looked forward to seeing him. It made no sense, but something about his infuriating nature made me forget about my other worries. Weirdly, I felt like I could relax around him." Bloodlines ~~Richelle Mead

I am so super excited. See, this past week I've been terrible to Wench Barb, because my ducks have been very much out of their rows. I've been *busy*! I have things to do! Books to read! Now, last time around, I did a blog tour piece for S.E. Jakes' Dirty Deeds. I haven't read it yet, but I did read several other things she'd done prior - and loved the blazes out of them. But now, with Daylight Again on the horizon, and the opportunity to host another spot for Ms Jakes? First thing I did (after I made sure Wench Barb wouldn't be upset with me for throwing another thing onto my plate) was say "YES!!!!"... and then run over to the nook store to grab Hell or High Water 1 and 2. In the span of about a week I plowed through both books, and am now in the middle of Daylight Again. Oh, this series. It grabbed me by the shirtfront, yanked, and hasn't let go since. I'm really excited to seek out Dirty Deeds, too, with brand new understanding of the char

"Can is not the same as must." "But if you must and you can, then there's no excuse.”  ―  Philip Pullman ,  The Amber Spyglass Source

My Four Favorite UF/PNR Heroines One of the best things about urban fantasy and paranormal romance is that there is no shortage of amazing female lead characters. You can't throw a rock in the UF/PNR section of the bookstore without hitting a female who is not only strong, but faceted, smart, romantic, cynical, optimistic, vulnerable, honorable, damaged, and generally real. And one would think that with so many wonderful female characters, both leads and supporting cast, it would be challenging to narrow down which ones are the best to just a few. However, I have absolutely no qualms about pointing out exactly which heroines are the best, the feistiest, the smartest, the snarkiest, and just plain the best. Girls rule! Zee told us about her favorite heroines in this post , although that has changed a bit. And you may notice that my favorite heroines list bears a striking resemblance to my favorite series list . What can I say? I'm a sucker for a great female protagonis

“You're not eating anything," said Marilla sharply, eying her as if it were a serious shortcoming. Anne sighed. "I can't. I'm in the depths of despair. Can you eat when you are in the depths of despair?" I've never been in the depths of despair, so I can't say," responded Marilla. "Weren't you? Well, did you ever try to IMAGINE you were in the depths of despair?" "No, I didn't." "Then I don't think you can understand what it's like. It's very uncomfortable a feeling indeed.”

Source  This week the Wenches are reading about vampires and other supernatural creatures, relocated highlanders and their clans, people falling in and out of love, and families that are created rather than born.  Click through to see what The Wenches are reading this week, and tell us what you're reading, in the comments below.

"I don't care if he's not the emotional type or the complimentary type or what. No one can look at you in this dress, in all that fire and gold, and start talking about anachronisms. If I were him, I would have said, 'You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen walking this earth.' " The Golden Lily ~~Richelle Mead

Help me! I'm overloaded. Remember the time when you didn't have a Goodreads or a Booklikes in which to record all those books you wanted to read? Maybe you kept a notebook, maybe it was mental list in your head. Remember going to the library and picking a book and being pleasantly surprised or horribly disappointed in equal measure? Sure even in this digital age we can still experience these things, but I find that a lot of what I now read is recommended by others and that eureka moment of uncovering a gem myself has kind of faded. Not that I'm dissing recommendations. How else would I have discovered the October Daye series  by Seanan McGuire or   Others series by Anne Bishop. Suddenly I'm overloaded. I have books of the month, buddy reads both with online and real life friends. I find myself in a place where I question am I reading books that I want to. Would I pick these books for myself? Yes, I'm being shown new and wondrous books. I'm having a wond

“He was dead; I needed to let his memory go, too. That was the first step for me, before discrimination. Yet my love was the ghost of a young girl's dream. It walked alone in the abyss, stubbornly, where only illusions prospered on tears and regrets. My love had a life of its own; it was perverted but nevertheless still vital. For that reason, I wanted to return to deep space. Honestly, I would have preferred it if we had traveled forever and never stopped at another star system. To fall into endless blackness, that was my new fantasy.   The young girl with the ancient dream wept. I could hear her; I even saw her tears on the glass of the observation deck. It made me feel old. I didn't want to know her name. I couldn't forget Tem but I needed to forget her.”  Christopher Pike, The Starlight Crystal .

Liked! view quote Share on Twitter Likes the quote "I can't do this because I can't...I can't be the man I want to be with you. And that means that this - this just becomes...another reminder of what I am not." always post: reviews user statuses “All I can say is that you make me... you make me into someone I couldn't even imagine. You make me happy, even when you're awful. I would rather be with you - even the you that you seem to think is diminished - than with anyone else in the world.”  ― Jojo Moyes , Me Before You     

Source After a long and arduous winter, it’s finally the glorious season of rebirth and renewal! When trees burst into bloom, critters croon courting calls, and the bodily appendages start flying again on Game of Thrones . Continuing my recent celebrations of the dangerous women in my life, I thought this an excellent time to fangirl about the winsome, witty, and wickedly wild wenches of Westeros. Splendidly outrageous and diverse, these women are anything but tame! Whether by nature, nurture, or the exigencies of circumstance, they refuse to hide in a corner while men and major events pass them by. I hope you’ll join me in a light-hearted look at these fabulous females after the jump. Warning: Spoilers for the tv show (mid-season 4), which correlates to about 2/3 through A Storm of Swords , book 3.

“The first thing I have to tell you is that we lived on the seventh-floor walk-up, so you can take my word for it that Madame Rosa, with all the pounds she had to lug around with her, had more than her share of daily life with all its sorrows and cares. She said so too, whenever she wasn’t complaining about something else, because to make matters worse she was Jewish. Her health wasn’t so good either, and I can tell you right now that if ever a woman deserved an elevator it was Madame Rosa.” The Life Before Us (Madam Rosa), Romain Gary

“When a man takes up arms, he does so for many reasons. Sometimes to punish, sometimes to intimidate or frighten. But when a woman picks up a weapon, she means to kill."

I was going to try to write something funny, but I failed. It’s one year since that fateful day when The Book That Shall Not Be Named was released worldwide (you can check out our initial reactions here ). All we had asked for was an ending that would remain true to the characters we had come to love over a long, long period of time. all we asked Spoilers had already leaked about how the series would end. Spoilers some of us were grateful to have known. Spoilers some of us didn’t believe could be true. I was one of the latter. Believing that there was no way the rumours could be true. The first set of spoilers had us going : And by the time people we trusted had read the books : Our (mostly awesome) fandom was large, yes mainly Eric and Sookie lovers. However that wasn’t solely why we read the books. We knew Eric was a vampire and Sookie a human. We knew Sookie had no desire to be turned. Yet we trusted that the author could find a way to leave both characters wi