Jane Litte's Blog, page 1007

REVIEW: Open Minds by Susan Quinn

Dear Ms. Quinn,

I keep meaning to try more self-published books, but I admit I get overwhelmed by sheer amount available. There's so much out there that I just don't know where to start. I have no idea how January does it. But when you offered your novel up for review, the premise and excerpt caught my interest and I decided to give it a try. For my first foray into the world self-published YA novels, this was a good place to start.

[image error]In a future where everyone is telepathic, Kira is a zero —...

REVIEW: Lessons in Seduction by Sandra Hyatt

Dear Readers:

Given that Ms. Hyatt has recently passed away I don't feel comfortable addressing the review to her. Sarah Wendell recommended this book to me and I'm glad she did. I rarely venture into the Harlequin Desire waters.

This is a bit of a role reversed My Fair Lady story. Adam is the heir to a small (and fake) principality, San Phillipe. The weight of this responsibility has always sat heavy on his shoulders making him more serious every day. He should be married but his betrothed...

Tuesday Midday Links: News and Deals

I'm combining the posts for the news and the deals in one. The deals are at the end.

First up is the news that Dan Lubart has been hired by HarperCollins as SVP of Sales Analytics according to Publishers Marketplace. I find this fascinating because Lubart's firm, Iobyte, has been analyzing price data and list placement. I can't help but wonder if it is because of Lubart's influence that the prices of the Avon 2012 frontlist romance books are being reduced to $4.99 and $6.99. You can read some ...

The Villain

 

There are four types of romances as it pertains to villains:

Romances with no villains.
The redeemable villain
The domestic villain
The international villain

The straight contemporary and the straight historical rarely have villains. The story is propelled primarily by the main characters and their romance.

Paranormals, Science Fiction romance, and urban fantasy books almost all have villains and usually another worldly creature who has lost touch with humanity. Humanity being usually being l...

REVIEW: Bad Boyfriend by K.A. Mitchell

Dear Ms. Mitchell.

You've done it again. While Bad Boyfriend is perhaps not as perfect (to my mind) as No Souvenirs, I much prefer it to Bad Company. The book focuses on two fascinating men and their relationship with each other and with those that surround them. There's no intrigue, no mystery. There's just people trying to live life without getting hurt too much. Eli and Quinn just jump off the page from the first time they touch and they don't let go until their book is done.

The book opens ...

Jennie's Best of 2011 List

2011 does not stand out as one of my more memorable reading years; many books fell in the okay/mediocre range, with a whole lot of B range books and a handful of C range books. Only one D, and no Fs! – which I guess is a good thing, though I feel oddly nostalgic about the notion of reading a Really Bad Book. Following are the best 2011-published romances (or romance-y books) I read this year.

Mr. Bishop and the Actress, Janet Mullany, A (my review)When Beauty Tamed the Beast, Eloisa James...

REVIEW: Priceless by Lena Matthews

All she wants for Christmas is him. All he wants is everything…for her.

Urban Fairytales, Book 3

As Christmas bears down on Eric Athers's empty wallet, one question plagues him: What to get the love of his life when he has less than nothing?

It doesn't help that his wife, Nia, who works extra shifts to support him through his medical residency, practically glows with holiday spirit. Her determination to put the "Merry" in Merry Christmas only serves as a painful reminder of everything he's...

DA/SBTB Bestseller List

Week ending December 6, 2011

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo
Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo Lessons in Seduction by Sandra Hyatt Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo The Hedgewitch Queen by Lilith Saintcrow Amazon ...

2011 Holiday Buying Guide for EReaders

We've posted a comparison table between the three reading tablets and a hands on review of the Vox, the Nook Tablet and the Kindle Fire. Not to mention the Kindle Touch, Nook Touch, and Nook Color. But once you have the device or your loved one has the device, what next? Now it is time for accessories.

The Case

I used to be a huge proponent of the cover versus the sleeve but since the advent of the gorilla glass, I've changed my mind. It is harder to scratch the screens on these devices and...

REVIEW: Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos

Dear Ms Doornebos,

We at Dear Author get sent a lot of requests to review books and many of us have lamented at the frequency of Jane Austen themed ones. Yet, despite that, another reviewer and I were interested in the description of your book "Definitely Not Mr. Darcy." A reality dating show with a 1812 theme and $100,000 at stake for the lucky contestant who "nabs" the handsome Regency guy? Could be fun.

Chloe Parker is a 39, divorced single mother with a failing business who desperately...