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@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

herhandsmyhands

@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club

Reads (mostly genre romance). Crafts. Rabble rouses. Rants. She/her. Doesn't look like Rita Hayworth. Sweary. Blocks with abandon.

This profile is from a federated server and may be incomplete. For a complete list of posts, browse on the original instance.

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Ashley Weaver's Locked In Pursuit, the most recent Electra McDonnell (released today); good but not as good as the rest of the series.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/14/locked-in-pursuit-by-ashley-weaver/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

ICYMI: I reviewed Ashley Weaver's Locked in Pursuit, the fourth novel in the Electra McDonnell series.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/14/locked-in-pursuit-by-ashley-weaver/

CatsOfYore , to random
@CatsOfYore@varmint.town avatar

My grandmother, Gertrude, with cat friend. ❤️

herhandsmyhands ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@CatsOfYore Lovely couple of friends.

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I finally read the third Electra McDonnell's book, Playing It Safe; perhaps not the most interesting mystery-wise, it's nonetheless a fantastic entry in the seires.

#RomBkBlog

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/11/playing-it-safe-by-ashley-weaver/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

After seeing multiple books in the Lyon's Den Connected World in NetGalley, I read one; this is also my introduction to the author, Ruth A Casie, and it didn't go well. Here's my review for The Lyon's Gambit

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/09/the-lyons-gambit-by-ruth-a-casie/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

ICYMI: After seeing multiple books in the Lyon's Den Connected World in NetGalley, I read one; this is also my introduction to the author, Ruth A Casie, and it didn't go well. Here's my review for The Lyon's Gambit

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/09/the-lyons-gambit-by-ruth-a-casie/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

If a book is part of Kindle Unlimited, it is NOT free; not any more "free" than something you watch as part your streaming service subscription.

Marketing a KU title as part of "FREE" promotions is utter bullshit.

#ReadingRant

@bookstodon @romancelandia

KitMuse , to bookstodon group
@KitMuse@eponaauthor.social avatar

With the most likely imminent loss of my day job, I'm thinking of changing my patreon back to my writing.

Would it be too confusing if I had people able to subscribe either by my website, Patreon, or Ream? (Either same benefits each place OR same benefits with bonus short stories on my website.)

I've got a serial idea in the works and I hope to dive into it no later than June.

@bookstodon

herhandsmyhands ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@KitMuse

Reader here; as someone with a very limited budget who needs to pick and choose who and where and how to support creators, the suggestion of "same benefits everywhere (for the same $$), with a bit extra offered at the place YOU get the most back" makes the most sense and feels the most fair..

It allows people to make the choice to support you either on the platform they already have or where it does you the most good, being assured they aren't missing out elsewhere.

@bookstodon

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I finally read my first Kelley Armstrong: A Rip Through Time, the first in the series of the same name. So good!

mBkBlog

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/06/a-rip-through-time-by-kelley-armstrong/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

ICMI: I read Kelly Armstrong's A Rip Through Time; this is both my introduction to the author and the first in the eponymous series--and it is very, very good.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/06/a-rip-through-time-by-kelley-armstrong/

CatsOfYore , to random
@CatsOfYore@varmint.town avatar

I don’t know the story behind this photo so I’m going with “Gentlemen’s Cat Appreciation Society”. Ca. 1860 - 1880. https://www.historicnewengland.org/explore/collections-access/gusn/221756

herhandsmyhands ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@CatsOfYore placing my bet that "first in class" is engraved on that cup thing

herhandsmyhands , to random
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

You are reading a book by a new-to-you author, narrated from the point of view of a woman on a first date that's been set up through an online dating service. She's shown to be wary, as she's had prior bad experiences even with men she's known for years.

She's also a cop in her thirties.

And yet.

She lets him order her drink at the bar and bring it to her at their table.

This is how you can be sure the author is a straight cis man.

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

I didn't think it could get worse but here we are: at about 42%, we learn that the protagonist/narrator only because a cop because of what happened to her as a teenager.

Obvious inference: she was assaulted.

May be wrong, but if it's correct, the whole "let strange man order her drink and bring it to her, giving him opportunity to tamper with it" is even more egregious than it seemed at first (it was bad enough already)

#Reading #ReadingRant

@romancelandia @bookstodon

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

Here's the review, for my sins: The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, by Nick Louth

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/04/the-two-deaths-of-ruth-lyle-by-nick-louth/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

ICYMI: here's my review of Nick Louth's first in the Detective Jan Talantire series, The Two Deaths of Ruth Lyle, in which I call out a number of issues with the writing and editing.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/04/the-two-deaths-of-ruth-lyle-by-nick-louth/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Nora Roberts' Shelter in Place

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/05/01/shelter-in-place-by-nora-roberts/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Emily Royal's Oddity of the Ton; unfortunately, not for me.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/29/oddity-of-the-ton-by-emily-royal/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

Not for me: my review of Siera London's Fake It 'Till You Make It

@romancelandia @bookstodon

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/26/fake-it-till-you-make-it-by-siera-london/

herhandsmyhands , to random
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

Welp.

I just inhaled a book in a couple of hours, and wrote the review in about the same time.

I don't know this version of myself anymore.

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

I blame Erin @thesmutreport for this: I inhaled Isabel Murray's Catch and Release

@romancelandia @bookstodon

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/25/catch-and-release-by-isabel-murray/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Maybe She Will, by Gina Andrew, and I'm still unsure what I think about it.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/24/maybe-she-will-by-gina-andrew/

luckytran , to random
@luckytran@med-mastodon.com avatar

Hey governments, if you are completely ignoring the current pandemic, how the heck can we trust y'all to prevent the next one?

herhandsmyhands ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@luckytran The whole "we won't answer whether or not pasteurization kills or reactivates the #H5N1 virus" thing is...welp.

Milk
creamer
cheese
butter

are an of those safe or contagion vectors now?

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

A day late, here's my April's review of Sarah Morgan's First Time in Forever.

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/18/first-time-in-forever-by-sarah-morgan/

willaful , to bookstodon group
@willaful@romancelandia.club avatar

This looks like an interesting book, but can you call yourself a Titanic survivor if you were never actually on the boat?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/110976598-the-titanic-survivors-book-club?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=lEtj4hLXIY&rank=2

@bookstodon

herhandsmyhands ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@willaful @bookstodon Yeah, that part made me twitch more than a little. "Narrow escape" not a "survivor" makes.

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Kate Clayborn's The Other Side of Disappearing, and I now get all the hype.

#RomBkBlog

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/15/the-other-side-of-disappearing-by-kate-clayborn/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Katie Tietjen's debut, Death in the Details,, a murder mystery inspired by Frances Gressner Lee, "the mother of forensiic science".

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/11/death-in-the-details-by-katie-tietjen/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

I read Katie Tietjen's debut, Death in the Details, and it's very good indeed; it's a murder mystery inspired by the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death and their creator, Frances Gressner Lee:

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/04/11/death-in-the-details-by-katie-tietjen/

herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia

By Kelly Jensen at Book Riot:

Common Myths about Book Bans.

#Libraries #BookBans #BookRiot

https://bookriot.com/common-myths-about-book-bans

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

Double the #BookBans in half the time, via BookRiot:
"PEN’s report confirms that book bans are happening nationwide. The state’s political leanings don’t matter: 42 states, both red and blue, reported book bans in public schools over the three years of PEN’s record keeping."

https://bookriot.com/pen-americas-latest-book-ban-report/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

Via BookRiot: Google is killing its "news" tab--before the election. And because it's the biggest search engine, a monopoly as it were, we are fucked.

#BookBans #2024Election

https://bookriot.com/google-is-destroying-your-access-to-news/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

A few weeks ago, a school board in Millburn school district 24, in Illinois, voted to end their participation in the Rebecca Caudill awards, declaring the award to be "woke" and "have a political agenda". Since the books are selected by middle school readers--students in the district--you can see the right wing bullshit coming.

Thanks to enthusiastic community involvement, the board reversed course.

#BookBans #Millburn

https://bookriot.com/the-rebecca-caudill-awards-unbanned-by-millburn-school-district-in-suburban-chicago/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

You know shit is real when the topic comes up in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

#Libraries #BookBans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42xZB80sZaI

herhandsmyhands , to bookstodon group
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon #IndieAuthors

Do yourselves a good turn and make sure to follow Author Beware by @victoriastrauss

The most recent post is about #CityOwlPress, but there's wisdom that applies to all small presses:
"there is a kind of alchemical process where long-standing strains and stresses within a publisher...abruptly reach critical mass and boil to the surface in the form of a rush of complaints."

https://writerbeware.blog/2024/03/08/author-complaints-at-city-owl-press/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

Via Writer Beware: in order to avoid scammers, you must understand how your industry actually works. This post tackles the oh, so tempting "we can help you get your book made into a movie!" scam.

#IndieAuthors #Scams

https://writerbeware.blog/2024/04/12/guest-post-how-a-book-really-becomes-a-movie/

herhandsmyhands , to random
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

I just came across this TikTok " for their for dinner" remark", and I love how clear the goal and mechanism to achieve it are: if enough people do this one fairly little thing for a full quarter, the powerful will notice, and can be forced to change their behavior.

That's how boycotts work, after all.

https://www.tiktok.com/@tallgirl6234/video/7340723750792367403

There's a playlist, where she answers a lot of "but..." and "what if..." comments. Go listen.

More at: https://www.letthemeatcereal.org/

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

Have you told people around you about the #KelloggsBoycott

Find out more at

https://letthemeatcereal.info/

Or a condensed version with links to resources at:

https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

#LetThemEatCereal

Because those who aren't rich deserve better.

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

Hump day check in: are you in with the #KelloggsBoycott? Have you shared with the people around you?

If yes: GO, YOU! THANK YOU!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can find the nitty gritty context and links to more information here:
https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

Because food prices have increased over 25% in the past four years, and food corporations' CEOs make millions a year, while the minimum wage has been $7.25 for decades.

#LetThemEatCereal

herhandsmyhands OP ,
@herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

@romancelandia @bookstodon

You know why there's a #KelloggsBoycott underway? There's obscene food price increases, there's also shit like this. To the CEOs and Csuit assholes, we are not human, we're either labor or profit sources (the poor's can't afford their shit)

Find more information at https://letthemeatcereal.info/

Read my rant at https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

#LetThemEatCereal

Because the rest of us, the 99% of humanity, deserve the dignity of decent, affordable food.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAgn5R3EUnU&t=0s

YouTube community post at the More Perfect Union channel: Nestle, Kellogg's, and other big food conglomerates have been funding a massive misinformation campaign to make you think their foods are healthy. Their goal is to get you addicted, and make billions in profits. It's straight from Big Tobacco's playbook--literally.
ALT
  • Reply
    • herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    We are at the start of week 3 of the #KelloggsBoycott, how's everyone doing?

    #LetThemEatCereal

    For information and resources:
    https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    For wider context (and a rant):
    https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Have you heard about the #KelloggsBoycott? Have you shared the information with family/friends/neighbors?

    #LetThemEatCereal

    For information and resources:
    https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    For wider context (and a rant):
    https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    I'm late to remind you that we are starting our fourth week of the #KelloggsBoycott.

    It is time to curb unbridled corporate greed while building solidarity across communities: all but the super rich have noticed how quickly all food staples are pricing out of our reach--then Kellogg's CEO told us to "eat cereal" instead of, you know, food.

    #LetThemEatCereal

    More information at: https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    More context at: https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    Share and join!

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    We are thirty (30) days into the #KelloggsBoycott; how are you faring, fellow 99 percenters? If you need help, be sure to check the resources tab at https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    I have more context and a few links at https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    Go forth and share with friends and family; there's always room for more people paying attention and participating; the boycott ends on June 30.

    #LetThemEatCereal

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Month two of the #KelloggsBoycott starts today--onwards!

    Second verse same as the first: #LetThemEatCereal

    Context: https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    More information and links: https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    As you plan your grocery run this week, keep the #KelloggsBoycott in mind; because the 99% deserve affordable food, and less contempt from the CEOs of the big food corporations.

    Context: https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    More information and links to other resources: https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    #LetThemEatCereal

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Are you planning your weekly grocery store run? If so, please keep in mind the ongoing #KelloggsBoycott. You can start at any time; if you have already joined, be sure to share with family, friends, neighbors.

    Here's some context: https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    And here are more links to other resources: https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    Because the 99% of us deserve affordable food.

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Are you planning your weekly grocery store run? If so, please keep in mind the ongoing #KelloggsBoycott. You can start at any time; if you have already joined, be sure to share with family, friends, neighbors.

    Here's some context: https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/03/06/let-them-eat-cereal/

    And here are more links to other resources: https://letthemeatcereal.info/

    Because the 99% of us deserve affordable food.

    herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia
    Brit friends, help? Would someone from a good family--not aristocracy, but perhaps landed gentry--refer to themselves as "a posh" when talking to someone else? As in, "I may be a posh from (place), but..."

    (please share for reach)

    ETA: question answered; thanks!

    #Language #LanguageHelp

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    Help?

    In the book I'm reading, someone "extruded a smile". Is this a British expression? (setting is Devon)

    #Language #LanguageHelp

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    herhandsmyhands , to Romancelandia group
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    Hey, @romancelandia, please boost and share!

    , a genre romance authors-led effort that raised over US$750,000 for the 2020 and 2022 elections, mostly through silent auctions and funneling donations to Democratic candidates.

    They're ramping up their efforts again, but since Xitter is, well, shitty, you can sign up for email notices here:
    https://forms.gle/h4yHf8VKQmsGaNQS8

    For more context, here's a write up of the group from 2022:
    https://www.themarysue.com/romancing-the-vote-stacey-abrams-fair-fight-midterms/

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Romancelandia, assemble! #RomancingTheVote is back, baby!

    Don't know what I'm talking about? Here's some historical context for the 2020 and 2022 elections: https://herhandsmyhands.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/romancing-the-vote-2024-edition/

    Sign up for updates here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKJol1hZsq-4GfyKHbALii5X4K06byHffIGRFAgmBEmsv5lA/viewform

    #USPolitics #2024Election

    Text of the update email I received today: Hello, friends of democracy! We're reaching out today to officially announce the timing of this year's auction, so you can start your planning and crafting now. This year's auction will run from Monday July 1st to Friday July 5th! We will be reaching out in June to start soliciting official donations. We are also nailing down our final list of beneficiaries for this year. As in past years, we will be focusing exclusively on organizations that help fight voter suppression and make it easier to get to the ballot box. Once we have our final list, we'll send an update! Thank you so much for signing up to be a part of this tradition, and we hope that with your help, 2024 is the year we break $1,000,000 raised for voting orgs! And if you have any friends who didn't get this email but who want to get future ones, please let them know about our sign-up form! - The Romancing the Vote Team
    Header from the notifications/updates sign up form: Hello, fans of Democracy! Now that it seems clear that we may keep doing this, we'd like to organize our contact list once and for all. If you'd like to be a part of future auctions (whether as a donor, a bidder, or both!) please fill this out form and let us know when & how to contact you! We will not sell, share, or transfer your information from this list beyond what is necessary to facilitate auction and fundraising activities!

    herhandsmyhands , to random
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    I have posted 73 book reviews this year.

    Holy crap.

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Last year I published 105 reviews, about half NetGalley ARCs; this got me the "100 reviews" badge. So this year I wanted to go for the next badge, for 200 ARC reviews.

    But this year reading has not been even; it's feels like I have barely read anything at all, and that it would be impossible to read 100 books, let alone review them--never mind making sure they're all NetGalley ARCS.

    Then I counted, and I've reviewed 25 books, 22 of them NetGalley ARCs.

    oops

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    Heads up: just updated their TOS. I know it's not fun, but I do recommend reading them as carefully as you can; I have refrained from accepting them for now, until I get answers to a couple of questions I have, including what's covered under "vulgar, obscene or otherwise objectionable" in reviews, and the reporting mechanism. Some people object to the existence of queer people and/or books/reviews talking about them, for example.

    herhandsmyhands OP ,
    @herhandsmyhands@romancelandia.club avatar

    @romancelandia @bookstodon

    I highly recommend emailing them (they tell you how) with any questions and concerns you may have about their updated TOS; the more people ask for clarification on how they are going to protect those users most likely to be reported in bad-faith, etc., the more likely they are to pay attention.

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