#j.j. mcavoy

[traeumenvonbuechern]

Historical Romances by Black Authors

Aphrodite wishes to escape the marriage mart but will a second chance with the elusive Duke of Everely change her mind? Aphrodite Du Bell is a diamond of the first water and a favourite of the queen. But her renowned loveliness didn't stop the love of her life, Evander Eagleman, from jilting her and marrying another woman four years ago. Aphrodite has been in self-imposed exile ever since. However, when her formidable mother summons her back to London Aphrodite has no choice but to acquiesce. Upon her return, Aphrodite learns that the newly widowed Evander is in town and, despite her best efforts, the grand society events of the season repeatedly push them together. With each encounter, Aphrodite's traitorous feelings make it perfectly clear that the Duke still holds court over her heart. Why did Evander cast Aphrodite aside all those years ago, and now that they have a second chance, can the couple make strides to mend past hurts?

Ailsa Connery has waited three long years to finally escape her enslavement at Stirling Castle and reunite with her clan. But her carefully laid plans are completely destroyed by the arrival of the infamous Highland warrior known as Dubh Mahoun, the Black Devil…who has plans of his own. Kallum MacNeill's fearsome reputation has long allowed him to keep hidden his secret double life of freeing enslaved captives across the land. It's only when he kidnaps a servant lass—quite by accident—that he finds himself facing a wee predicament. He must accompany the lass home or risk her exposing his true identity. It'd be easy enough…if the feisty hellion didn't fight him at every turn. As they make their way to the Highlands, the perils the two must face are surpassed only by their constant sparring. Soon, their heated sniping sparks heat of a totally different kind. The kind that ignites a hunger that could consume them both. Yet the difficult journey is no match for the dangerous secrets they're about to uncover.

The first novel in USA Today Bestselling Author Beverly Jenkins’s compelling new series follows a Northern woman south in the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War . . . Valinda Lacy’s mission in the steamy heart of New Orleans is to help the newly emancipated community survive and flourish. But soon she discovers that here, freedom can also mean danger. When thugs destroy the school she has set up and then target her, Valinda runs for her life—and straight into the arms of Captain Drake LeVeq. As an architect from an old New Orleans family, Drake has a deeply personal interest in rebuilding the city. Raised by strong women, he recognizes Valinda’s determination. And he can’t stop admiring—or wanting—her. But when Valinda’s father demands she return home to marry a man she doesn’t love, her daring rebellion draws Drake into an irresistible intrigue.

A fun and feminist Regency romp from a master of the genre hailed as "a delight" by Bridgerton author Julia Quinn. Nothing happens in London without Graham Wynchester knowing. His massive collection of intelligence is invaluable to his family’s mission of aiding those most in need. So when he deciphers a series of coded messages in the scandal sheets, Graham’s convinced he must come to a royal’s rescue. But his quarry turns out not to be a princess at all… The captivating Kunigunde de Heusch is anything but a damsel in distress, and the last thing she wants is Graham’s help. All her life, Kuni trained alongside the fiercest Royal Guardsmen in her family, secretly planning to become her country’s first Royal Guardswoman. This mission in London is a chance to prove herself worthy without help from a man, not even one as devilishly handsome as Graham. To her surprise, Graham believes in her dream as much as she does, which makes it harder to resist kissing him…and falling in love. But how can she risk her heart if her future lies an ocean away? 

Jane Austen meets The Princess and the Frog For as long as Prairie can remember, living in paradise has been boring. Her days are filled with helping at her family's resort, sewing, daydreaming, and observing fashionable guests from the sidelines. But when a fairytale-Esque opportunity arises, she does something out of character and agrees to marry a man she's never met. Suddenly, she's navigating a new life that is a world and an ocean away from everything she's ever known. Her new husband, Wright, is decidedly Mr. Wrong. If there's a schedule, he'll ignore it. If there is a rule, he'll break it. If there's a risk, he'll take it. Has the girl who has always had a plan finally met her match? If you're a fan of TV shows like 'Vanity Fair', 'Bridgerton' and 'The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina' or enjoy reading comedies of manners, you'll love 'That, My Dear, Is Love.' This is a full-length, standalone novel featuring a diverse ensemble cast, whimsical magic, and hilarious misadventures. This is a clean romance with a HEA. Featuring some of your favorite tropes: Marriage of Convenience Opposites Attract Reformed Rake

The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked. The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now it's 1910, and the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they’re not supposed to. There is Olivia, the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married . . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love—unless it’s with her sister’s suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business—and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen’s brother, John. But Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can’t seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers. Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, The Davenports is the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love.

[triviareads]

Releases on April 11th

Summary:

In a sequal to Aphrodite and the Duke, Lady Verity Eagleman is experiencing her first season in London with her godmother and her family, the Du Bells. She instantly falls for Dr. Theodore Darrington. Unfortunately, Theodore is the illegitimate son of a Marquess, and doesn't feel like he'll be a suitable spouse for Verity, the daughter of a duke, even as his attraction towards her grows...

My review:

Let me first say that I love this cover, as well as J.J. McAvoy stating right off the bat in an author's note that this is a regency romance with Black aristocracy, because this is fiction. Period. Like, this is all I need and I would love for more authors to write diverse historical romances based on this premise rather than creating some convoluted Bridgerton-esque "love cured racism" plot.

Moving on to the story, I'm a big fan of class differences that result in the hero going like "I'M TOO SCANDALOUS/POOR/LOWLY FOR YOUUUU" and the heroine just refuses to give him quarter and clings on for dear life, which was pretty much the plot here. It was interesting that Theodore admitted his feelings to her pretty much right off the bat, but then backtracks (of course he does lol; because he is, to use his own words, a Bastard). That being said, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to base their relationship on by the time Theodore tells her he loves her (midway through the book; again, pretty early, and despite him still feeling like he's not good enough for her).

Theodore is a cinnamon role hero. He says all the right things (he outrightly says at a dinner party he believes women have "harsh fates" in that their education is limited and they don't have a choice in marrying), and does all the right things (spending all his money on helping people who cannot afford his treatments). Same for Verity; she doesn't enjoy the Season and all its pretty falsities, and she would rather be studying at university or writing. They are characters that are entirely in line with the modern audience's notion of what is Right, which got a little boring at times.

I think the passion between Theodore and Verity could have been amped up a bit. For example, I really enjoyed their clandestine encounter in Verity's godmother's house and there's a lot of back-and-forth about Theodore being *unsuitable* for Verity. The build-up was great, but the follow-through kiss was anti-climactic. Speaking of which-

The sex:

The sex was low-heat, just a few pages and not very explicit. As I have not read J.J.'s other books, this could just be how she usually writes them. I don't think the heroine is aware of what an orgasm is before she has penetrative sex, nor is she aware of how one becomes pregnant (when he tells her he has to pull out, she doesn't get why).

Overall:

If you like diverse, family-centric stories and romances light on spice, then then I would recommend this book to you. That's not to say this book is low on the drama. There's a lot of familial conflict, ranging from Verity's brother refusing Theodore's suit of her, to the fact that Verity suffers nightmares from past abuse by her stepmother, and the drama of the last several chapters, which I won't spoil here but it was a lot.

This book wasn't personally for me, but I deeply appreciate seeing more people of color on the cover of historical romances, as well as reading POC rep in stories down to their skin color and hair being explicitly described, and I commend J.J. McAvoy for this.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[musesoup]

Neil Gaiman “The Sandman: A Game of You” /  Finn Eccleston “The Community” / J.J. McAvoy “Ruthless People” /

@musesoup: marlene shuyler x kairon kavanaugh

[the-book-queen]

Hide your wallets, it's that time again! Your daily thread of romance deals is ready, FREE to $1.99!

FREE ✦ Dancing with Danger by Kerrigan Byrne

Bluestocking, who likes to be an amateur sleuth, ends up getting arrested at a murder scene alongside a ruthless smuggler who she knows is innocent -- of this crime at least.

Historical Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/47McjHr

FREE ✦ Knock Down Dragon Out by Krystal Shannan

Photographer needing to get away and reset her life heads to the Alaskan wilderness. Only to be attacked by dragons, and rescued by the dragon prince who was after them.

Paranormal Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/3YSvP0N

$0.99 ✦ Ice Cold Saint by Cynthia Eden

He's a bounty hunter who also works on cold cases. She's a suspected Black Widow, linked to the disappearances of 3 men. He's just been hired to find her and the proof of her crimes.

Romantic Suspense (MF) | https://amzn.to/3PhpNDP

$1.99 ✦ Verity and the Forbidden Suitor by J.J. McAvoy

"An heiress and an outcast—a match made for scandal". She's the sister of a Duke. He's a doctor, the bastard son of a lord, forbidden from pursuing anyone in the ton.

Historical Romance (MF) | https://amzn.to/3sFkZyY

$1.99 ✦ Game for Anything by Bella Andre

Second chance, they hooked up in high school. Now he's a pro-football star (quarterback) and she's the image consultant the team just hired to work on his reputation.

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Putting these lists together takes time. If you appreciate this content, please consider buying me a Ko-Fi. http://ko-fi.com/danielletbq

[alltimebibliophile]

Book Title: The Ruthless People ( 4 book series)

Author : J.J. MCAVOY

Book description: To the outside world, they look like American Royalty, giving to charities, feeding the homeless, rebuilding the city. But behind closed doors is a constant battle for dominance between two Bosses, cultures, and hearts.

Ruthless People is a romantic crime fiction set in modern day Chicago, following the life and marriage of Melody Nicci Giovanni and Liam Callahan-rivals by blood and leaders through fear. Their marriage was arranged by their fathers in hopes to end years of bloodshed between the Irish and the Italians. Liam, next in line to lead the Irish, believes he's getting a simpleminded wife, one he can control, one who bends to his every need . .. the complete opposite of Melody. Bred to be a Boss, a world-class marksman, master of disguise, with no mercy and no fear. Twenty-four years later, she has achieved more than any man could even dream of, killing anyone who steps in her way. She knows exactly what type of man Liam is, and she would rather die than give up the power she has spent her whole life building. But with no other family left, she must not only learn to work with Liam, but the whole Callahan clan. The Mafia of the past is evolving, and with rival bosses gunning for them, Melody and Liam will have to figure out how to work as one to take down those who stand in their way, all while keeping up appearances.

Book review: Okay it’s been long since I stopped reading romance novels, but I had to post this. I see people loving arranged marriage romance everywhere but I am surprised no one talks about this.

I read this book back in 2015, and absolutely loved it. It had everything that I love in a trope like arranged marriages with the added benefit of it having a ruthless and badass Female Lead.

Melody was absolutely ruthless and smarter than Liam, she didn’t take anyone’s bullshit and was always a step ahead of everyone. Unlike most FL she was not the damsel in distress waiting for the guy to help her.

Now that I reread it 2-3 years ago, I did see some problems that I overlooked as a teen, but still that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of it.

[insomniac-jay]

J.J. McAvoy writing Aphrodite and the Duke

[bookclub4m]

Episode 190 - Reading Resolutions and Rants

This episode we’re discussing our 2024 Reading Resolutions (and Rants)! We talk about how we’ve already failed our 2024 reading resolutions, audio books, short stories, reading long things, not being able to read long things, and more!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | Jam Edwards

Media We Mentioned

Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder by Caroline Fraser

Born to Be Posthumous: The Eccentric Life and Mysterious Genius of Edward Gorey by Mark Dery

War and Peace by Lev Tolstoy (Wikipedia)

Anna Karenina by Lev Tolstoy (Wikipedia)

Animal Farm by George Orwell (Wikipedia)

Stalingrad by Vasily Grossman, translated by Robert Chandler and Elizabeth Chandler

The Platform Edge: Uncanny Tales of the Railways edited by Mike Ashley

Baldur's Gate 3 (Wikipedia)

Yakuza (franchise) (Wikipedia)

Feed by M.T. Anderson

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao

Minecraft (Wikipedia)

Two Point Hospital (Wikipedia)

Links, Articles, and Things

Episode 167 (version 2) - 2023 Reading Goals & 2022 Reading Report

Which Pokémon are the most goth? 🦇 - Friday Night Spooktacular

2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Manga, Manhwa, and Webtoon titles on YALSA's 2024 Great Graphic Novels for Teens List

Manga for Teen Librarians (page 26) by Matthew Murray & Jean Broughton

Episode 187 - Favourite Reads of 2023

Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong (Podcast)

Teacher training programs don't always use research-backed reading methods

Literacy crisis in college students: Essay from a professor on students who don’t read 

Hark Episode 354: A Special Kind of Horny

Topping & Company Booksellers

The ladder Matthew mentioned

Our Reading Resolutions

Anna

Read (and finish) a book

Listen to audiobook fiction

Jam

Reading (physical books) on public transit

Matthew

Read the books in his office

Read (all) the graphic novels on library ebook platform wish lists

Read short story collections

Meghan

Read more (very) long books

30 Romance Books by BIPOC Authors (including 11 new releases from 2024)

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

Our Cursed Love by Julie Abe

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel (2024)

Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan (2024) 

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black 

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton (2024)

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa (2024)

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory

Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde (2024)

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

Let Me Love You by Alexandria House

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang (2024)

Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (2024)

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

Aphrodite and the Duke  by J.J. McAvoy

The Marquis Who Mustn't by Courtney Milan

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (2024)

The Lover, the Lake by Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau, translated by Susan Ouriou

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan (2024)

The Takeover by Cara Tanamachi  (2024)

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (2024)

Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email!

Join us again on Tuesday, March 5th we’ll be talking about the genre of Dark Fantasy! 

Then on Tuesday, April 2nd we’ll be discussing Non fiction Graphic Novels and Comics!

[illiliilliliiilli]

“Step one, accept she was a damn boss. Step two, hide all the knives, guns, and maybe the pillows, too.” ― J.J. McAvoy

[traceydyer]

[Download PDF] Aphrodite and the Duke - J.J. McAvoy

Download Or Read PDF Aphrodite and the Duke - J.J. McAvoy Free Full Pages Online With Audiobook.

  [*] Download PDF Here => Aphrodite and the Duke

[*] Read PDF Here => Aphrodite and the Duke

  A jilted beauty and a regretful duke discover that second chances can be divine in this diverse Regency romance for fans of Bridgerton Second chances are even sweeter. . . .Aphrodite Du Bell has always resented her name. While the members of the ton, and even the queen herself, praise her warm brown skin, perfect curls, and exquisite features, Aphrodite can't help but think that living up to the literal goddess of beauty is asking a bit much. Her renowned loveliness certainly didn't stop the love of her life from jilting her and marrying another woman four years ago.When Aphrodite's formidable mother summons her back to London to aid in her sister's debut, she has no choice but to acquiesce. But Aphrodite is determined to ignore one man in particular: Evander Eagleman, the Duke of Everely, the man who devastated her all those years ago. Yet why does her guileless heart still flutter at the sight of him?Evander Eagleman lost his chance for true love, but now that he is an

[ingek73]

Tabloids: Meghan plagarised The Boy On The Bench!!!!

The author:

Other authors who tweeted negatively often deleted their tweets when others pointed out the racism, such as:

And this:

How it started

The follow-up

A reply calling them out

How its going

brb, off to check out The Boy On The Bench & books by J.J. McAvoy

[blkgrlsread2]

Ruthless People by J.J. McAvoy

4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I fucking loved this book. This book is about the joining of two mafia families through marriage. it's traditional to the point where Liam and Melody don't even meet for the first time till about a couple days before their wedding. This is all about a contract and becoming more powerful. Melody is such a fucking badass you seriously can't help but to love her, even if you hate her a little bit. The fact that there are random chapters dispersed throughout the novel where you can see others POV does nothing but enhance the story. I'm already reading the second one. 

It did seem like Liam fell for Melody super fast but I enjoyed it which is crazy cause normally I fucking hate when that happens. I didn't understand how Olivia and Coraline was just so oblivious, soft and just stupid. I expected to be more like Evelyn not really involved but wasn't just fucking stupid. That's the only way i can think to describe it. Coraline did became more and more likeable as the story progressed of that I appreciated. 

[triviareads]

Have you read Aphrodite And The Duke? What are your thoughts on it?

I have! I read it to "prep" for an ARC I got of Verity and the Forbidden Suitor (see my review here), which is the next book in the series. I think J. J. McAvoy's choice to create a racially diverse aristocracy and write Black aristocrats was great. There's no weird "love cured racism" origin story here and that's just the way it is. Characters' varying skin tones and hair textures are explicitly described, which I really appreciated. I think other historical romance authors should absolutely use this premise in order to write more diverse historical romances.

The romance itself wasn't my cup of tea. I think it was stilted and I didn't really buy Aphrodite and Evander's chemistry. There's also the matter of Aphrodite's extreme naiveite when it came to sex. There is something to be said for trying to combat the oversexualization of Black women in media, but from what I remember, Aphrodite didn't understand why a couple she stumbled across was aggressively making out, nor did she know what masturbation (or arousal) was until Evander told her. Verity was similarly clueless in her book. Overall, I think anyone looking for low heat, diverse historical romances will enjoy this series (The DuBells), but it wasn't quite for me.

[constantlytiredpigeon]

"Don't try to sweet-talk me. I'm Italian, we wrote the book on it."

- Orlando Giovanni in Ruthless People by J. J. McAvoy

[vasyaskarachun]

―    melody nicci giovanni callahan (ruthless people series) 

"I will get out of this. I will kill you, and I will protect my family the same way I always have. I'm Melody Nicci Giovanni Callahan, I don't run away. I destroy everything in my path, which includes you."  

[myromancebooksworld]

My bookhaul for August 2018 part 1!

[bookclub4m]

30 Romance Books by BIPOC Authors (including 11 new releases from 2024)

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

Our Cursed Love by Julie Abe

When I Think of You by Myah Ariel (2024)

Stay with My Heart by Tashie Bhuiyan (2024) 

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black 

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole

Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton (2024)

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest

Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa (2024)

Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory

Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde (2024)

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

Let Me Love You by Alexandria House

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang (2024)

Where We End & Begin by Jane Igharo

To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang (2024)

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

Aphrodite and the Duke  by J.J. McAvoy

The Marquis Who Mustn't by Courtney Milan

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava (2024)

The Lover, the Lake by Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau, translated by Susan Ouriou

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai

Never Cross a Highlander by Lisa Rayne

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan (2024)

The Takeover by Cara Tanamachi  (2024)

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams (2024)

Frankly in Love by David Yoon