Jane Litte's Blog, page 1020

The Enduring Appeal of The Small Town Romance

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Who doesn't love a small town Romance? Given Jane's observation in her 2011 RWA wrap-up that small towns remain very popular, apparently a lot of readers do. Given the comments to that post and various lamentations from readers online, there are many readers who absolutely despise the small town Romance.

While all genre devices have advocates and critics, the divide over the small town device seems especially wide. Critics charge it with being anti-feminist and reactionary, not to mention...

REVIEW: The Virtuoso by Grace Burrowes

Dear Ms. Burrowes:

I have been anxious to read your books since The Heir came out and circumstances (and other books) have always interfered with that goal until this month.  I bought The Virtuoso the day that it came out and sat down one evening with great anticipation.  The sad fact is that there scarcely seems a page goes by that does not include some kind of historical inaccuracy. The unstated invitation is to enter the book and put aside any form of reality and simply immerse oneself in t...

Monday Midday Links: New Nook Tablet

Barnes and Noble held its press conference today to announce the new Nook tablet and price reductions for the Nook Color and Nook Touch WiFi.  The details were actually leaked last week but there are a few new details.  Physically, it looks exactly the same as a NookColor.  For the Nook Tablet, the battery usage was underreported and that there will be up to nine hours of use time with video and 11.5 hours for reading (presume that the wifi must be off for this).  Tim Carmody with Wired says ...

REVIEW: Hot Head by Damon Suede

Dear Mr. Suede.

When Hot Head first came out, I heard good buzz about it, read the blurb, and refused to read anymore. I didn't even read the excerpt because the blurb sounded so ridiculous:

Since 9/11, Brooklyn firefighter Griff Muir has wrestled with impossible feelings for his best friend and partner at Ladder 181, Dante Anastagio. Unfortunately, Dante is strictly a ladies' man, and the FDNY isn't exactly gay-friendly. For ten years, Griff has hidden his heart in a half-life of public...

Review: Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Dear Mr. Mullin,

When I first ran across this book on Amazon, I couldn't wait for it to be released. While I have a spotty track record with Young Adult books, the concept was very intriguing for me – a supervolcano eruption that turns the world into chaos. As I read, I couldn't help but compare this novel to the Susan Beth Pfeffer books and I'm pleased to say it held up very well and provided a much needed dose of variety in the dystopian/post-apocalyptic glutted shelves of Young Adult.

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Recommended Reads for November

It is a sparse recommended reading month for us here at Dear Author.  We'll need help from you guys in the comments.  Reviews (if not linked) to come.

GLBT

Master Class by  Rachel Haimowitz, Recommended by Sarah F
Sublime by Rachel Haimowitz, Recommended by Sarah F
The Closer You Get by  L.A. Witt, Recommended by Sarah F

YA

Ashfall by Mike Mullin, recommended by DA_January

Historical

The Famous Heroine by Mary Balogh, republished in a volume with Plumed Bonnet, recommended by Sunita and...

DA/SBTB Bestseller List

Week ending October 31, 2011

Venus in Blue Jeans by Meg Benjamin Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo The Windflower by Laura London, Sharon Curtis and Tom Curtis Amazon | BN Bad Karma by Theresa Weir Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo Wildstar  by Nicole Jordan Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton Amazon | nook | Sony | Kobo The Heart Breaker  by Nicole...

How to install apps on an Android device with no access to the Android Market

There are tons of great Android devices out there now, with more on the way. While many of these devices have the official Android Market on them from Google, quite a few (such as the new Kobo Vox) do not since they don't meet Google's Compatibility Requirements.  So what's an owner of one of these devices to do?  Have no fear; there are quite a few options available.

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Many of the devices that don't have the Android Market come with some type of third party market loaded on them, so a user has ...

How to install apps on Android device with no access to the Android Market

There are tons of great Android devices out there now, with more on the way. While many of these devices have the official Android Market on them from Google, quite a few (such as the new Kobo Vox) do not since they don't meet Google's Compatibility Requirements.  So what's an owner of one of these devices to do?  Have no fear; there are quite a few options available.

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Many of the devices that don't have the Android Market come with some type of third party market loaded on them, so a user has ...

REVIEW: Avenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden

Dear Ms. Killough-Walden:

I was excited about this book because while I found your self published title compelling, it was rough. I hoped that a professionally edited and full length story would bring out the best in your writing.  Unfortunately, the voice that I found so interesting in the short self published work seemed missing and the really crazy aspects of the story made me roll my eyes instead of laugh.  The characters and plot lacked originality and details were missing consistency...