I Love You to Death

I got my hair cut and colored today, something I usually do before going to a book signing. It's shorter than it's been in a long, long time. Getting three inches cut off is not something I want to do again. I forgot about the whole wet/dry issue--three inches when wet is a different matter than when it's dry, especially since my hair is naturally curly. It's a little shorter than I wanted, but it grows quickly. Or so I keep telling myself.

In other news, the interim results for the All About Romance 2005 poll reminded me that I need to put my list together. I was hoping to read a few more 2005 books before voting, but I suspect it would be wise to create a tentative list just in case I don't read as many as I want. I don't want the deadline to sneak up on me.

Now, to the review. I've enjoyed Amy Garvey's writing since I read her contribution to "Wicked" Women Whodunit. What I liked about the story was the way the main characters met, made love, then developed a lasting relationship. Not many authors can pull off this type of story, but Garvey does a great job with it. So, despite my desire to show some restraint, I couldn't keep myself from buying I Love You to Death when I saw it at the store.

Blind dates--the scourge of every single woman's life, even if she's secretly hoping that maybe this time Mr. Right will show up. In Amy Garvey's sexy new collection of tales, the right guys do arrive--but they come up with some unexpected complications . . .

"My Love Life is Killing Me"
Newly divorced Alex Ramsay is ready to plunge back into the dating pool when her friend sets her up with a guy guaranteed to show her a good time. Just one look proves that Matt Crawford is worth every one of her pre-date jitters--until she discovers that he's really John Tanner, private investigator, and that her date is in the men's room . . . dead. Tanner isn't the type to mix business with pleasure--unless Alex can convince him that partnership definitely has its perks . . .

"Dial M for Mortified"
Anything for business is Darcy Bennett's motto, even throwing a "blind date night" at her struggling coffeehouse, Sacred Grounds. The event is a huge success, especially when reporter Noah Gleason shows up. Darcy would rather pin him down and do some one-on-one investigation herself instead of answering his questions--and gruff, sexy Noah seems more than happy to oblige. Until someone screams, and suddenly mingling has turned into murder . . .

"Dead Men Don't Write Checks"
Elementary school teacher Franny Gabriel is fiercely protective of her neighborhood. With the Landry Foundation planning to tear down yet another historic building, she's going into battle--in her best cocktail dress and a new pair of heels. Crashing the Foundation's annual fundraiser is the best way to corner Theo Landry--it's business by very blind date. The corporate marauder turns out to be more tantalizing temptation than tough guy, though, at least until one of his opponents suffers death by dessert . . .

"Killer date" just took on a whole new meaning . . .

Garvey still writes good stories: 4 out of 5. As in the previous books I've read, each story includes a murder mystery in addition to the romance. "Dead Men Don't Write Checks" is my favorite story of the three. The summary of the story suggests that the historic building is the main conflict of the story, but this issue is actually dealt with early in the story, leaving the rest to focus on the romance and the mystery, both of which are top-notch. I loved Theo and thought he was a very compelling hero: 4.5 out of 5.

"My Love Life is Killing Me" is my second-favorite story in the anthology. Alex is wonderfully three-dimensional, and I liked the detail about her dancing background. Garvey clearly has some knowledge in this area, and it added a nice touch of realism to the story. Tanner is equally dynamic, and his journey is especially interesting to watch. He's accustomed to being a lone wolf and is both baffled and intrigued when he finds himself wanting to spend more and more time with Alex: 4 out of 5.

"Dial M for Mortified" may be my least favorite story of the three, but it's still an enjoyable read. I did wonder about the fact that Noah kept putting off writing a story. I hope he got one finished at some point. 4 out of 5.

A final piece of book news: I finished Poor Splendid Wings and enjoyed it a lot. Will post a review in the next few days.

Midnight Rose

I bought Shelby Reed's Midnight Rose after reading a glowing review of it. While the book didn't leave me speechless, I still enjoyed it very much: 4 out of 5.

By all appearances, wealthy widower Gideon Renaud is an attractive, vibrant man, and an attentive father to his son, Jude, who suffers from a rare disorder that renders him fatally allergic to sunlight. But Gideon has harbored a bloodstained secret for one hundress fifty years--he's a vampire. When he finds himself falling for Kate O'Brien, his son's new home-school tutor, only Gideon knows their passion is a time bomb, one that will end in heartbreak . . . and possibly death for the young teacher.

As Kate finds herself drawn into Gideon and Jude's sinister world, she is forced to confront their extraordinary reality, the existence of the most horrifying evil . . . and ultimately, the power of love to banish even the darkest shadows.

Midnight Rose is quite good, and its strength lies in its characters, especially Gideon and Kate. Gideon is a concerned father, and I thought his troubled relationship with the teenage Jude was portrayed very realistically. I saw what was coming regarding Jude's subplot, but it didn't make the overall story less enjoyable.

Kate is a strong heroine who's easy to like. She obviously cares about Gideon and Jude, and her freshness provides a nice contrast to Gideon's . . . I want to say pessimism, but that's not the right word. Kate's scenes with Gideon are powerful, and their chemistry is almost tangible.

The end of the book was quite moving.

My next Reed purchase will be A Fine Work of Art. I couldn't resist the description; I just wish it were a long enough story to be available in print.

Several Random Thoughts

I keep thinking of things I want to post, and individually, they aren't really enough for separate blog entries. So I've decided to lump them into one entry.

First, I've been wondering what Shelly Laurenston is up to these days, and I know a few others have as well. Looks like her next book will be published by Samhain, although I don't think there's a release date yet. It makes me wonder a little, especially after Nicole's speculation about Triskelion. But I'm looking forward to Laurenston's next book, wherever it's released.

I managed to show some restraint at the used bookstore yesterday, mainly because I accidentally left my list at home. I guess I know what I need to do to show restraint in future. I'm also showing a surprising amount of restraint in the wake of Jay's post about a sale at Amazon. I wish I could take credit for it, but what happened is that I saw books that I want to buy and thought about adding them to the cart.

Then I reminded myself about this summer's RWA signing and how I want to minimize the number of duplicate books I buy this year. So I refrained. And really, I have plenty of books from last year's signing that I haven't read yet. Will that stop me from going this year? You guessed it: nope.

I did not refrain from buying Amy Garvey's I Love You to Death on Friday. I'm going to tell myself it's because I had a 25%-off certificate. Yeah, that's it. I'll post a review of it sometime this week.

Poor Kristie has been waiting for me to finish Patricia Veryan's Poor Splendid Wings, a rare book she loaned to me. I keep getting sidetracked. So, here is my official vow. I will have it finished by next Sunday, February 5. Hold me accountable, people.

This Doesn't Surprise Me

The Noble Princess

You are just and fair, a perfectionist with a
strong sense of proper decorum. You are very
attracted to chivalry, ceremony and dignity.
For the most part you are rather sensible,
but you are also very idealistic.

Role Models: Guinevere, Princess Fiona (of Shrek)

You are most likely to: Get kidnapped by a stray
dragon.


What Kind of Princess are You? - Beautiful Artwork (Original Music is BACK!!!)
brought to you by Quizilla

Note to self: Avoid stray dragons.

Bad Boys Ahoy!

I thought I had read just about every story that could be told during the Regency period. Bad Boys Ahoy! proved me wrong: 5 out of 5.

In the first novella, "Stolen Pleasures," pirate Sebastian steals a bride, only to discover she is his bride; they've been married by proxy. The story takes an almost immediate turn from the norm. In some romances, the proxy marriage would be a secret for much of the story as part of a "Big Secret" misunderstanding.

Instead, this issue is dealt with immediately, leaving the remainder of the story to focus on delving into two fascinating characters, Olivia and Sebastian. Olivia is not a standard simpering heroine. She is passionate, strong-willed, and astute, the perfect match for Sebastian.

I love the way Day creates unique characters. Sebastian's reasons for becoming a pirate are complex, and Olivia comes to understand and know him perfectly. This story evokes a range of emotions and culminates in a sweet ending.

"Lucien's Gamble" is the second novella. In it, Lucien discovers that Julienne has disguised herself as a man to enter his club. He has always wanted her, and he takes advantage of the surpring opportunity to make the biggest gamble of his life.

As in the first novella, this one features unconventional characters who fall in love. It's extremely satisfying to read Lucien's journey from believing he is not good for Julienne to realizing that he loves her and wants to be the one to make her happy.

Julienne is a rare historical heroine--a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to pursue it.

The third novella is "Her Mad Grace." In this story, a snowstorm forces Hugh to take shelter at the house of a reclusive woman known as her mad Grace. Hugh meets Charlotte, a woman who introduces herself as a companion.

All three stories in this anthology are connected, and the hero in "Her Mad Grace" is Julienne's brother. Years have passed since "Lucien's Gamble," and the snowstorm gives Hugh the opportunity to demonstrate responsibility and show that he can be relied on.

I found Hugh's vulnerability about being needed especially poignant, and a few scenes toward the end of the story brought tears to my eyes. Charlotte is a vivid heroine, and the scene where she shows Hugh how much she loves him is incredibly moving.

I can't say enough positive things about Bad Boys Ahoy! The characters are unique and you come to care about each one. In addition, Day writes lush and unforgettable love scenes that move the story along and keep the reader engaged. I'm ready for her next book.

Book Signing and Conference

I'm attending a multiauthor book signing a week from tomorrow. Authors will include Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Brenda Novak, Jo Leigh, Lynn Kurland, Marjorie Jones, Ravyn Wilde, Phyllis Campbell, Sunday Larson, RaeAnne Thayne, Ann Chamberlin, Mary Martinez, Sara Fitzgerald, Cathy Miller, Charleen Earley, and Julie Belmont. Some I've heard of, other names are unfamiliar to me. For now, I think I won't take the cart with me. A tote bag should be sufficient. Anyway, watch for a report on or after February 5.

The signing is part of a romance writing conference. I am attending the entire event. My alter-ego will blog about the bulk of the conference. :) There will be agent and editor appointments available at the conference, but I'm not at a point where I'm ready for either one. Maybe once my manuscript is finished . . .

No news yet on the Amber Heat Wave contest. I'll keep you posted.

Memory in Death

I received my autographed copy of Memory in Death yesterday and read it all in one night. I'm now listening to the audiobook: 4.5 out of 5.

Eve Dallas is one tough cop. She can deal with a holiday reveler in a red suit, who plunges thirty-seven stories and gives new meaning to the term "sidewalk Santa." She can take on purse snatchers, drug dealers, and worse. But when Trudy Lombard--a seemingly ordinary middle-aged lady--shows up at the station, it's all Eve can do to hold it together. Instantly, she is plunged back to the days when she was a vulnerable, traumatized young girl--and trapped in foster care with the twisted woman who now sits smiling in front of her.

Trudy claims she came all the way to New York just to see how Eve was doing. But Eve's fiercely protective husband, Roarke, suspects otherwise--and his suspicion proves correct when Trudy, rebuffed by Eve, shows up at his office, demanding money in exchange for keeping the ugly details of Eve's childhood a secret. Using every ounce of willpower he has to restrain himself, he shows her the door--and makes it clear that she'd be wise to get out of the city and never bother them again.

Eve and Roarke will be satisfied if Trudy Lombard just heads back to Texas. Somebody else, though, wants her dead--and just a few days later, she's found on the floor of her hotel room, a mess of faded bruises and fresh blood. A cop to the core, Eve is determined to solve the case, if only for the sake of Trudy's bereaved son. Unfortunately, Eve was not the only one who suffered at this woman's hands--and she and Roarke will follow a circuitous and dangerous path to find out who turned the victimizer into a victim.

There have been more than 20 installments of the In Death series, and I continue to find the characters compelling. Memory in Death is perhaps more character-based than many, since it offers a new glimpse into Eve's troubled past. Eve's time in Trudy's home may have been short, but it had an obvious effect on the nine-year-old Eve.

Trudy herself is quite a piece of work. Although Eve wasn't subject to severe beatings in Trudy's home, the "care" she provided was far from pleasant. Like Eve, I had trouble having much sympathy for Trudy when she became a victim, and I thought that was an interesting aspect of the book.

There are a number of memorable moments: preparing for the annual Christmas party, the gift exchange. The references to past cases are interesting, and they make the story even more rich. I also like the new aspects of Eve's nightmares. The fact that they are evolving makes them realistic and intriguing. The Christmas tree image, for instance, is a disturbing one. I'll leave it at that.

The scene where Trudy visits Roarke in his office is one of the most memorable of the series for me. It's exceptionally well written, and you can see and feel Roarke's anger about what this woman did to his wife. I can't help but love seeing the dangerous side of Roarke as he protects the woman he loves.

Speaking of this scene, it's beautifully done in the audiobook, read by Susan Ericksen. I'm only on tape 3 of 8, but I can tell this will be one of my favorites. Ericksen's portrayals shine even more than usual, and if you're a fan of the series, I encourage you to listen to it if you can, even if you have to check it out of the library.

The Givenchy Code

My ongoing unofficial TBR challenge is to read books I started but hadn't finished. Julie Kenner's The Givenchy Code is a book I started last year, then set aside.

As if a recent breakup, scrounging for rent money, and lusting after designer shoes weren't enough to make graduate student Melanie Prescott's life challenging, suddenly she's practically living The Da Vinci Code. A mysterious stranger is sending obscure codes and clues her way and she soon discovers she had to solve them in order to stay alive. With stakes like that, her dissertation on "the derivation and primary characteristics of codes and ciphers used by prevailing nations during wartime" is looking a little less important than it was yesterday. Right now she's just worrying about living to see tomorrow. The only bright spot in the whole freakish nightmare is Matthew Stryker, the six-foot tall, dark, and handsome stranger who's determined to protect her. Well, that and the millions of dollars that will be her reward if she survives this deadly game. And she'd better survive. Because that's a heck of a lot of money to be able to spend on shoes and handbags and sunglasses and
dresses, and, well, it's hard to be fashionable when you're dead.

I picked this one up again after reading Rosario's review, and I'm glad I did: 4 out of 5.

I started and set aside this book around the time Paperback Reader reviewed the book. Here's a quote from that review: "Problem is, the first thirty pages are so weighed down with designer-name dropping that it's tempting to put the book aside. However, once the initial onslaught of labels ends, the book takes off in a steady rhythm with increasing danger."

The first part of the quote is exactly what happened. I read the first thirty pages and grew frustrated with the whole name-dropping thing. I must also confess that I'm growing tired of shoe-obsessed heroines. When shopping consumes Melanie (Mel) through the first section, I gave up. After reading Rosario's review, I picked up the book again, and discovered that I had quit one chapter before the real action begins. After that, we start to see what Melanie is made of, and I came to like her much more than I had in the beginning.

The clues are quite well done. I certainly couldn't have deciphered them, but I didn't feel cheated or alienated from the story because of it. I simply enjoyed following Mel and Stryker on their journey. We get less of Stryker's point of view, but I liked him very much and thought he was terrific.

So the end result was that I liked the book, although I'm still wondering why someone would pay that much to play this "game." And I'm glad the celebratory shopping wasn't described in great detail. I'll probably get the next one in the series, The Manolo Matrix.

Shadow Touch

I've been looking forward to Marjorie M. Liu's Shadow Touch for a while, and I had a chance to read it. I wasn't disappointed.

Elena Baxter can work miracles with her hands. She can coax bones to knit, flesh to heal. She can mend the mind. She has been doing such work for almost all of her twenty-eight years. That is why she will be taken.

The media called it a rampage of terror, the recent murders. But fighting crime is why Artur Loginov joined Dirk & Steele. The international detective agency specializes in the impossible, and their creed is simple: Help those in need, no matter how difficult, and no matter what, keep the secret safe. For the agency helps its employees. Dirk & Steele gave the Russian emigre purpose, protection, community . . . and refuge from his past, for who can trust a man who can start a fire with his mind, or shape-shift, or read others' thoughts as easily as drawing breath? For his similar talent, Artur will be taken.

Into the darkness Elena and Artur will be drawn, into the clutches of evil. Cornered, isolated, caged, they will fight for their very souls. But salvation awaits. It exists in a form least expected: a dream of a face, a brush of a mind, the hind of a kiss, and finally, at long last . . . a shadow touch.

After reading Tiger Eye, I knew I enjoyed Liu's writing. That book is certainly no light tale. Nevertheless, I confess that I was surprised by how dark Shadow Touch is. Artur and Elena are abducted early in the story and they remain imprisoned for more than 100 pages. The two meet in a corridor and develop an instant connection, a connection that becomes the basis for a compelling romance.

The first section of the book is completely riveting, since it's clear that the abductors will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. The most pressing question is whether Elena and Artur will escape. I read this part in one evening, then raced home from work the next day to finish it. The next part of the story shows Artur and Elena on a quest.

Characterization is the best part of the book. The world of Dirk & Steele is intriguing, and the adventure is gripping, but without strong characters, the story wouldn't be as strong as it is. Elena and Artur are complex people I liked, rooted for, and wanted to know more about.

I especially enjoyed the ending. I don't want to give it away, so I won't go into detail, but a certain possibility is suggested early in the story, and I was fascinated when it played out in just that way. I hope this is sufficiently vague, but you'll understand when you read it.

I did wish there had been more sex, but the structure of the story didn't allow for it. There is still physical and emotional connection.

At any rate, I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it: 4 out of 5. I can't wait until the next installment.

Futurelove

There are simply not enough hours in a day. Yesterday, I came home from work and did some scrapbooking for the first time in months. I also worked on revising the NaNoWriMo story so I can inflict it on share it with other readers. What this means, though, is that I'm not spending as much time reading.

Anyway, I'm home with a stomach bug today, so I have time to read and blog. I bought Summer Devon's Futurelove and thought it was terrific: 4.5 out of 5.

Time-travel agent Collins is preparing for a routine assignment to the past when rebels kill his commander and force him back in time, unprepared. With no sex-suppression drugs and incomplete training, he's stranded in a strange old world.

Candy was almost resigned to her humdrum life until a man in a strange black get-up dropped onto her park bench. If he wasn't gorgeous, and wounded, she might listen to her common sense and run. But curiosity and kindness have always been her weaknesses, and the fact that this guy rouses her long-dormant libido doesn't hurt, either.

Overwhelmed by the novel sensation of lust, Collins can't resist Candy's sensual sweetness. But every fevered joining of their bodies breaks the stringent laws to which he's sworn allegiance. Being trapped in the past is bad enough. Committing carnal crimes with an irresistible 21st century indigenous could destroy his future--and hers.

I like so many things about this story that I don't know where to start. Futurelove features one of my favorite kinds of heros--one with less sexual experience than the heroine. Collins struggles to stay aloof as he has been trained to do, but he finds Candy very tempting. His inexperience was realistically depicted; at least, it seemed that way to me. And he learns quickly, hoo boy!

Candy ends up experiencing a roller-coaster ride in this story as she tries to figure out where Collins is from. She's a delightful heroine with a great sense of humor. In fact, I smiled all through the story. Futurelove is a wonderful combination of comedy and romance.

I enjoy futuristics, and while this one has a primarily contemporary setting, I thought the futuristic elements were well explained and incorporated into the story. I also enjoyed Devon's first story, Perfection, so I'm adding her to my auto-buy list.

Anticipating My Death

You will be smothered under a rug. You're a little
anti-social, and may want to start gaining new
social skills by making prank phone calls.


What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?
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Reviewing Revisited

Seems like the topic of reviewing comes up in the online romance world every few months. There's a lively discussion today at Romancing the Blog stemming from Angie's column. It would take too long for me to discuss each point that's been raised so far, but I want to write about a few issues I haven't mentioned here before and respond to a few comments.

Angie wrote:
There are other things that lead to my inability to trust in a review on a site dedicated to that purpose: past and present reviewers who have reported being told not to write a negative review, seeing, as I skim a list of reviews, no rating lower than a three has EVER been given (why bother having the 1 and the 2 available?), reviewers reviewing books of authors they chat with daily and are, if not friends, than friendly with (it's more difficult to say honest, not so lovely things about a book than it is to gush far and wide about it, especially when you "know" the author).

When I first got online and started looking for sites that review romance, All About Romance (AAR) and The Romance Reader (TRR) were two of the first ones I found. Since I learned more about some of the other review sites, I'm glad I applied at TRR. I've never been asked to discuss only positive aspects of a book, and I remember being surprised when I heard that some review sites did. I've written one- and two-heart reviews.

Have I written reviews about books by authors I am friendly with? Yes. If I'm writing a review for The Romance Reader, I write what I think. Period. If I like it, great. If not, I'm still obligated to write a review explaining what works and what doesn't. As difficult as it is to write a negative review--and that's true even if I don't know the author--it would be 10 times as difficult to write a positive review I didn't really believe.

My blog is a slightly different matter. I read between 250 and 350 books a year. I don't have time to review every book I read, and I don't even try. Quite honestly, my blog wouldn't be fun any more if I felt like I had to review everything I read.

Of course, that brings up the issue of what books I choose to review. I pick some to meet TBR challenges, some based on timeliness, and some because I feel strongly about them. Others I review because they are unique or aren't getting a lot of buzz.

Circling back to the issue of reviewing a book by an author I'm friendly with, I'll be honest. There have been a few times I chose not to blog about a book I didn't particularly like. If I were writing a TRR review of the book, I'd set aside everything else and write my honest opinion about the book. But not mentioning a book is as far as I go. I don't gush about something I don't genuinely believe is gush-worthy at TRR or here on my blog.

Stacie wrote:
I review on my blog. I try very hard to be honest. If I had a problem with something, I state it. But I review with the purpose of sharing my thoughts on a book, not stroking the author's ego. I feel the same way about my blog reviews.

I feel the same way. (Note to self: check out Stacie's blog.)

Marianne wrote:
Many of their comments didn't really read like reviews - they didn't explain what was so original or engrossing about the work. If I'd come across those in the normal course of events, they're exactly the sort of reviews I'd discount.

Marianne's opinion is one I share. So many of Amazon's reviews don't offer specific reasons for liking or disliking a book, they just say that they love, love, love or hate, hate, hate a book. When I read Amazon reviews, it's usually because they are the subject of some controversy. I don't use them when selecting books to buy.

Sybil wrote:
Well I guess you could say I am hardhearted but really I don't see liking or not liking a book as a view of the author. I have read books I love by authors I like and books I hated by authors I like. And I have liked books by authors I don't like.

If you know someone well enough to call them a friend, they should be able to value your honesty or call you a bitch and move on because you are friends.

I love this idea, and I've found that the few authors I'm friendly with know they'll get an honest review from me.

MaryJanice Davidson wrote:
As a published author (Undead and Unwed, The Royal Treatment, etc.) I'm sort of amazed that *other* authors even care about Amazon reviews. Doctors can only be reviewed by other physicians, you can't supervise teachers without a graduate degree, you can't get a doctorate without the help of someone else who has one . . . or, more likely, a whole committee . . . the list is endless. But any asshat can post a review on Amazon and trash a book. Or love a book. So who cares? It's never going to be an even playing field. I've gotten gushes and I've gotten the "axe to grind" kind, and I pretty much ignore 'em all and keep my head down and write.

And later:

I'm just saying, if the barely literate (we've all seen those wildly misspelled reviews, right?) don't like your book, who cares? They don't know you. They haven't a clue what your life is like. And you don't have a clue about theirs. Ships passing in the night, and all that. Let them rant. Get your ass back in the chair and do YOUR job . . . write. The rest will work itself out.

I didn't interpret these comments as saying that you have to be a writer to review someone else's writing--although I can see how someone might reach that conclusion. I saw these comments as more about credibility. The sad thing about Amazon is that it really can be "any asshat" who posts a review. It might be the author's mother or brother, the author's worst enemy, a professional reviewer, someone who has never read the author's book, an impartial reader, etc.

I interpreted Davidson's comments as being more about the fact that an Amazon reviewer doesn't have to say anything about who he or she is to post a review rather than that a reviewer also has to be a published author. But maybe that's because I found other parts of the post funny. Plus, take my opinion with a grain of salt, since I've reviewed several of the Undead books.

Wendy wrote:
At this point in my life, I feel like I've been reading long enough to know what I'll probably like. So, I tend to buy based on plot descriptions.

When I do go by reviews, I'm looking for a clear concise analysis of why the book did/didn't work for the reviewer. That's it really. . . .

And to go with the Amazon review thing - don't read 'em, don't pay attention to 'em. So often they're biased - either gushy glowing or axe to grind. It's very hard to find even-handed, unbiased reviews at Amazon IMHO

I don't have much to add here, other than amen.

Megan wrote:
I think MJD is right about ignoring reviews on Amazon, but I don't think other writers would do anything close to an objective job in terms of reviewing their peers. I know when I was writing reviews AND fiction, an author told me I had to make a choice: either I was a reader/reviewer or a writer. If I continued to do both, I would face awkward situations and possibly snubbing, etc. in the authors' community.

I found Megan's comment to be especially timely. I don't know if I want to make a career out of writing fiction, but I'm writing four to six days a week. At what point should I make a choice? If I keep writing at least five days a week and don't pursue publishing? If I start looking for an agent? If I publish an e-book? If I get a contract with a NY publisher? On the one hand, separating my reviews from my fiction is one (admittedly small) reason I chose a pseudonym.

On the other hand, speaking as a reader, I view author recommendations with some skepticism because I always wonder if the authors or friends or have an information agreement about promoting each other. I don't think my opinion is less valid because I'm writing fiction, although one could argue it makes me prejudiced. But what reviewer isn't biased? That's why reviews are opinions. I know there are a few authors reviewing at AAR, although they use a pseudonym and don't review books in their subgenre.

None of this really addresses the "awkward situations and possible snubbing" Megan mentions, though.

Daria wrote:
Why so few bad and average reviews? Easy. If you didn't care that much about the book, why waste your time reviewing it when you could spend those twenty minutes reading a new and more enjoyable one?

There's definitely an element of this. When I have a pile of books I can review for my blog, it's easier to pick up a book I'm enthusiastic about. This is one reason why I particularly enjoy Rosario's blog. I think she does a terrific job of reviewing a variety--the good, bad, and the ugly.

TBR Challenge: She Went All the Way

I'm participating in Angie's TBR challenge, so today I picked a contemporary. What I realized while reviewing my shelves is that I have a lot of series romance and a lot of historical romance TBR and not as much straight contemporary. Anyway, here's what I went with.

Title
She Went All the Way

Success hasn't spoiled screenwriter Lou Calabrese--it's just given her a taste for luxury. And it's put her in some bizarre situations--like in a helicopter en route to the wilds of Alaska, sharing too-close quarters with the last man she wants to be with: Jack Townsend! Once a sexy nobody whom Lou helped make a somebody, Jack's just been dumped by a high-profile Hollywood airhead--who's eloped with Lou's longtime love. So what else could go wrong?

Their pilot could try to shoot the most adored man in America. They could crash land in the icy, mountainous middle of nowhere. And at the worst possible moment, when survival should be their only consideration, Jack could start wondering if maybe he wasn't a wee bit hasty for not giving this sexy screenwriter a second look--while Lou could start noticing how superstar Jack is kind of hot after all . . .

Author
Meggin Cabot

Year published
2002

Why did you get this book?
I have liked several of her other books, both as Meg Cabot (contemporary) and as Patricia Cabot (historical). So it was natural to buy this book.

Do you like the cover?
I like it, although I'm not in love with it. Still, it's nice and one I wouldn't mind reading in public.

Did you enjoy the book?
Yes; I rate it at 4 out of 5. I liked Lou and Jack's story, although I wish there hadn't been so much about the secondary characters. They were supposed to be quirky and fun, but I just wanted to get back to the main story. On the other hand, it helped to get to know some of the characters and to get information about the suspense aspect of the story. Still, I think some of it could have been omitted.

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?
Not new to me, and I have another Meg Cabot and several Patricia Cabot titles to read. I like to spread out reading books by one author so I don't overdose, so it will probably be a few months before I read another one.

Are you keeping it or passing it on?
Good question--this is kind of borderline. I usually keep books that are 4 or higher (with the occasional 3 thrown in), but I haven't decided for sure whether I'll keep it. I'll probably decide in the next month or so.

Anything else?
I wish there had been a little more with Lou and Jack toward the end; I wan't completely convinced of their happily-ever-after. But it was still a strong enough story that I recommend it.

Her Body of Work

I can tell it's going to be very difficult to choose a favorite series romance for the All About Romance annual poll. This week I read Marie Donovan's Her Body of Work and enjoyed it very much: 4.5 out of 5.

When sculpting a nude, the artist must . . .
Understand the male body
Chicago sculptor Rey Martinson has always worked with nudes, but she is floored by her new model's male perfection. Cuban-American Marco Flores's body is more than inspiring--it's irresistible.

Be good with her hands
Because it turns out that Marco is incredibly talented with his--on Rey! After each wildly arousing modeling session, they find release in intense lovemaking.

Have an eye for detail
Rey can't ignore that there's something suspicious about Marco. He's the first lover she's ever had who sleeps with a gun under the pillow! But for Rey, being with Marco is worth the risk. Because she's never been with a man who stimulates her so strongly--as an artist . . . or as a woman.

This was such a good book I don't know where to start. First, there's Rey. I liked her unusual occupation, and for the most part, she's an excellent heroine. I didn't appreciate Rey's agent implying that she needed to have a "personal relationship" so she could get revitalize her art. Other than that, though, I thought Rey was a strong character. She's a woman who can take care of herself, as she shows a few times in the story.

I loved Marco. I'm no expert, but I thought Donovan did a great job of creating a Cuban-American hero and of making his heritage very much a part of him. It was such a treat to watch him fall for Rey. When he realizes his feelings for her are serious, he doesn't try to hide it from her or himself.

As for that "intense lovemaking"--well, that's definitely accurate. I would say there's more sex than in the typical Blaze, but it's incorporated well into the story and didn't seem superfluous.

I also liked the way Marco's secret was handled. Readers learn about it early in the story, but he doesn't reveal it to Rey until much later. It was nice to see Marco realize that the time had come to tell her rather than waiting for circumstances to reveal it for him.

I visited Donovan's site and didn't see any news of an upcoming book. Hopefully she'll have another one coming up. I thought this was a fresh contribution to the Harlequin Blaze line.

Virgin for Sale

No, the title of this blog entry isn't a reference to my resolution (heh!), it's actually the title of a January Harlequin Presents by Susan Stephens. I bought it because it's the first in a new series, Uncut, which proclaims "even more passion for your reading pleasure." There was more sex than I've read in many Presents titles, but I was too frustrated by the hero to enjoy reading it: 2 out of 5.

Constantine Zagorakis has left poverty behind to become a billionaire known for his ruthless tactics. . . .

Lisa Bond has defied her past, too; now she's independent and successful.

Their deal: One week on Constantine's private island to talk business--and he'll show her the pleasure of being with a real man. . . . But when the week is over, and their working deal sealed, both may pay a price on which they hadn't bargained. . . .

Constantine (Tino) is an alpha run amuk. I don't pick up a Presents thinking I'm going to read about a softer, gentler man, but geez. He plans to buy her company, while Lisa only wants to sell part of it, enough for a much-needed cash infusion. Otherwise, her company is likely to go under. Stated like that, it sounds like an interesting conflict.

But Tino is terribly high-handed. It's his way or the highway in business and in his personal life. The business is understandable, I guess, but I was frustrated by the way he kept thinking that Lisa was such a controlled woman and she needed someone to tame her. This, even though he knew about her background from day one--Lisa came to live with her father after leaving a fanatical commune. Does Tino really have to "tame" her to make a point?

And that brings up another thing. I thought there was so much here that was underexplored: Lisa's past and Tino's troubled past are mentioned but not delved into. This could have been a source of so much richness and character development but it just didn't happen until the very end of the book.

There are a couple of good moments that happen toward the end of the book. I was touched by the thing with the flowers (trying to be cryptic here), for instance, and I was starting to believe the scenes at the end are pretty good.

The title of this book is a misnomer. Lisa is a virgin, but she's not for sale. And about the Uncut aspect--as I said, it's racier than other Presents I have read, but it's not racy like a Brava, for instance. Though there was some spanking, which I hadn't read in a Harlequin before.

In any case, Stephens is clearly a good writer; I just wish Tino had been a bit less bulldozer-ish. I'm ready to read about a sweet beta hero. Have any suggestions?

More Writing Thoughts

I've entered. Now it's a waiting game until March 1 when the winners are announced. (And to my reader who was reading the revised version, keep reading! I'll still welcome any feedback.)

I read the story aloud tonight before submitting and discovered some interesting things:

• The hero took off the heroine's suit jacket even though she had already taken it off herself earlier.
• He took her hand twice in the last scene. He doesn't take both hands; no, he takes her hand twice.
• The hero refers to an event that happened "yesterday" when it really happened that morning.
• I used the same phrase twice in one paragraph several times.

I fixed these problems and definitely recommend reading your work aloud for just this reason.

I submitted under a psuedonym. When I first starting writing romance in high school, my pseudonym was going to be Rebecca Lindsay. I'd never read Johanna Lindsay, by the way; I just liked the sound of the name. I guess even then I knew that if I ever published fiction, it wouldn't be under my given name. I thought about sticking with the first name at least, but it doesn't have the same rhythm as the one I ultimately went with.

Speaking of which, it doesn't have to be a huge secret, but I'll still put the name of my alter-ego in the comments section rather than in the body of the post.

Wish me luck . . .

Writing Update

Since I've been sick, I haven't been doing much writing. Or wasn't, until yesterday. Then the writer in me started feeling frustrated that I wasn't writing, so I went back to the NaNoWriMo project for an hour or so.

Since 2006 starts today, I realized that I must decide whether I am entering the Amber Heat Wave contest. I had kind of assumed I would, but the date to start entering seemed so far off. Now it's here. Yikes! Suddenly I'm wracked with nerves about the whole thing. The worst thing they can do is say no, right? And there's no chance at all if I don't enter, right? Ugh. Thinking about this makes me feel sick of myself.

At times like this I wish I drank. I could use a stiff drink right about now. LOL!

Off to get a Diet Sprite,

Midnight Run

Here's the last book I read in 2005: Midnight Run by Lisa Marie Rice. It's a good one to end on, although it's not perfect: 4 out of 5. Before I explain why, I'll give the summary:

Claire Parks has been very sick, but she's fine now--just fine--and ready to paint the town red. Well, pink. On her first excursion into the wild world of dating, she meets Bud, a tall, sexy, good-looking lumberjack. She won him fair and square, her prize for not dying. But after a weekend of wild sex, she discovers he's not what she thinks he is.

Undercover police office Lieutenant Tyler "Bud" Morrison can't believe his eyes. What's a 'princess' doing in a dance club known for its rough trade? She needs rescuing, and rescuing women is what Bud does best. He saw Claire first--finders keepers. After a weekend of the hottest sex he's ever had, he's definitely keeping this one. When trouble comes her way, he pulls out all the stops to protect her. Except Claire doesn't want Bud at her back. She wants him in her bed.

The first part of Midnight Run is very, very good. I love romances where the hero falls for the heroine in a big way, and Bud's fall is a considerable one. Rice does a terrific job of portraying how Bud, who is usually passionate but controlled with women, completely loses control with Claire.

I love one scene in particular that really emphasizes what he feels for Claire. After Bud and Claire establish that he has always used a condom in the past, and she is on the pill, he responds immediately to the thought of being inside her without a condom. I might add this to my list of favorite love scenes--not because Bud shows particular finesse; in fact, he shows the complete opposite of finesse, but his thoughts make the scene memorable.

If the story had continued in this vein, it probably would have received a 5, but it takes a turn midway through. At that point, two elements are introduced: first, Bud becomes overprotective after learning about Claire's illness from her father; and second, the suspense aspect of Midnight Man (the first book in the series) intrudes.

I use the word "intrudes" deliberately, because although the suspense affects Bud and Claire, they aren't really the center of it. At first, it was interesting to get their point of view, but it ultimately doesn't add anything new. We hear how the events of Midnight Man affect them, but there's no real sense of danger. I say this, having read Midnight Man. I suspect, though I can't be sure, that someone reading this book without having read the previous one would be a little frustrated by how peripheral Bud and Claire are to this particular part of the story.

Then there's Bud's overprotectiveness. At first I was annoyed with it, and then I was annoyed with Bud and Claire. All they needed to do was sit down and talk about it, and the issue would have been resolved. So ultimately, I liked the book, but had problems with the second half. I'm still looking forward to the next one. I'm just waiting for it to be available in print.