Jane Litte's Blog, page 1044

What is Jaclyn Reading, Week of August 30

August is getting labeled with 'explore new-to-me authors'. Last week I went on a sample downloading binge, inspired by January's Spoil of War review (that review made me ask, what in the world is getting published, self or otherwise?), which means I've been reading a ton on my phone instead of my ereader. I don't prefer the interface of the phone for long form reading, but man do I love the insta-access (I have a Sony ereader).

Locked and Loaded by HelenKay Dimon. I should have started this s...

REVIEW: One Night in London by Caroline Linden

Dear Ms. Linden:

I picked this one up when I realized I hadn't read many historicals lately. This is the first in a three book series involving the de Lacey brothers who discover that their recently deceased father may have been a bigamist threatening their standing in society and their inheritances. Edward, the second son, has been managing the estates of the Duke of Durham for some time and thus it falls to him to see to securing the legal claim to their estates while his younger brother s...

DA Weekly Deals: 29+ Titles Under $2.99

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REVIEW: Unnatural Fire by Fidelis Morgan

Dear Ms. Morgan,

I had started reading the first book in the Countess Ashby de la Zouche mystery series a few weeks ago but had put it down for other books. With an indefinite power outage from Hurricane Irene mucking up my day, I decided to apply myself and finish it. Once I refreshed myself about the basics of the plot, the book flew by.

[image error]Lady Anastasia Ashby de la Zouche is on the far side of 50 in 1699 England. She's also somewhat unstable financially and, along with her loyal maidservant ...

What Jane Has Been Reading, Week of August 29

Like my previous post, this is actually a retrospective list of what I had read the past couple of weeks:

Mistress Bride by Michelle Reid – A discussion of Reid's books prompted me to pull out this favorite of mine.  I really like how Reid uses societal constraints to keep the protags apart. She did this in the Sheik's Chosen Bride by having the loved wife of a prince of an Arab principality leave her husband because of infertility.  In Mistress Bride, the Arab Sheik is supposed to marry a...

REVIEW: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks

Dear Ms. Banks,

Your erotic romances don't really work for me. I'm not a fan of the one wife for four brothers scenario, and I tried a few others and they fell flat. When I heard you were coming out with a Highlander trilogy that was going to be a different kind of 'Banks' story, I was intrigued. I'm happy to say that this worked for me much better than your erotic romances, but I still have some hesitation on recommending In Bed with a Highlander.

[image error]In Bed is the story of Mairin Stuart, bastard ...

Dear Bitches, Smart Authors Podcast, episode #8

We're back with a new – and longer! – episode. This time around we're talking about popular series in romance, specifically small town community romances for which I have a particular name.

If you've ever wondered why it is that we so seldom choose a Save the Contemporary title, you'll learn in this episode. We'll also talk about streak reading, what we're reading that's awesome, and we'll discuss some books that are coming out this fall. Plus, there's special extra awesome erotica excerpt...

REVIEW: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

Dear Ms. Dare:

You are well known for your cute toy filled book trailers (Stud Club Trilogy / Maya Banks' Highlander Trilogy) and I was tempted to do a lego review for this book. After all, I have a castle.

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I bought some canons.

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I have minifigs where the girl's boobs look like they are busting out of her top like any decent romance heroine.

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I don't have a carriage but I did debate buying one. I have cows though which can depict a gentle, pastoral setting.

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But alas, my Lego helpers have abandoned m...

REVIEW x 2: The King's Courtesan by Judith James

Dear Ms James:

I think I have been waiting for you to write a book like The King's Courtesan since I read Broken Wing.  This book has a confidence and maturity, a depth, in fact, that impressed me, despite the numerous well-used genre tropes and devices it employs and the predictability of the overall story arc. As I was reading, I was actually highlighting passages simply for their narrative force, and I was impressed at how immersive and detailed the Restoration setting felt to me. While...

REVIEW: The King's Courtesan by Judith James

Dear Ms James:

I think I have been waiting for you to write a book like The King's Courtesan since I read Broken Wing.  This book has a confidence and maturity, a depth, in fact, that impressed me, despite the numerous well-used genre tropes and devices it employs and the predictability of the overall story arc. As I was reading, I was actually highlighting passages simply for their narrative force, and I was impressed at how immersive and detailed the Restoration setting felt to me. While...