Jane Litte's Blog, page 1061

DA Weekly Deals: 29+ Books Under $2.99

We apologize for the delay of the "weekly" deals! We originally thought we would publish this weekly but we will be changing publishing it every two weeks instead. The sale list is not changing as quickly plus it is time consuming. Please check our previous 29+ books under $2.99 post, for many of them still have sale pricing. We will continue to try and hone this process and make it valuable for you. We will be updating the list tonight with links to the other purchasing sites. Thank you for ...

REVIEW: Fourth and Goal by Jami Davenport

Dear Ms. Davenport:

Thank you for sending me your football book. I must say that your review pitch was one of the best I have read.  You pointed to my long and public quest for more romance books about sports.  Fourth and Goal displayed a deep and comfortable knowledge of football but strangely enough it wasn't the on field shenanigans that I enjoyed the most, but the off the field relationships that the characters developed.

[image error]Rachel McCormick and Derek Ramsey used to be good friends until they ...

Interview with Victoria Griffith, Publisher, Amazon Publishing

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I asked to interview someone at Amazon Montlake and was invited to send in questions. These are the answers I received.  Some answers are vague corporate answers but others were more substantive.

How many releases does Amazon Montlake plan to publish in a month and how frequently? I.e., will it follow a traditional publishing schedule such as releasing so many a month or will it release titles on a weekly basis like some of the epublishers or even daily?

The first title we are publishing in...

GUEST REVIEW: Ten Ruby Trick by Julia Knight

A while ago I mentioned some troubles with a DRMed book I got at Diesel Books in one of Dear Author's open threads for readers. I tried everything in my power to open it but failed, the nice people at Diesel Customer Service weren't able to help me, so I just gave up on it. A little later I got contacted both by Julia Knight and Carina Press, offering me a working copy of Ten Ruby Trick, to compensate for the one I couldn't open.

Since I think this speaks well for Carina Press' customer...

REVIEW: Vampire Instinct by Joey W. Hill

Dear Ms. Hill,

When I want something darkly paranormal, erotic, and edgy, you are my go-to author.  I've been listless about paranormals lately, and when I realized you were coming out with a new vampire book, I immediately wanted to read it. If anyone can get me back on the paranormal wagon, it's you. And while this book was just as well-written and compelling as anything else I've read by you, I had some problems with it.

[image error]I'm not one of those reviewers that gives a really long recap of the...

Is Courtship Passe in Romance?

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Courtship is traditionally defined as the period of dating before marriage.

One of the things I love about romance books is the courtship. The meet cute (or just the meet), the stirrings of new feelings, and prolonged tension between a couple as their desire for each other mounts are all elements that I love to experience in a romance story. One aspect of chick lit books that spoke to me was the articulation of the courtship: the dating rituals, the awkwardness and uncertainty, the fresh...

REVIEW: Barefoot in the Grass by Judith Arnold

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Dear Ms Arnold,

"Barefoot in the Grass" is a novel I've heard a lot of good things about over the years. First pubbed in 1996 and I think that the use of this issue as the main theme of a romance book was more notable then than it is today but I want to say kudos for being a groundbreaker and focusing on a topic that many still shy away from. It's a wonderful that book doesn't wallow in angst. Beth is a fighter which is a great message to take away for anyone in any circumstance. She's faced ...

Monday Midday Links: Pearson Australia to Become a Retailer

Today is supposed to be a holiday but the news is coming thick and fast. I hardly know what to lead with.  First up, though, is Pearson Australia striking a deal to buy REDGroup's online book business and to partner to sell ebooks with Kobo.  This is the first time we've seen a major publisher attempt to get into the retail market.  If Pearson Australia is successful, those new competencies might be brought over to Pearson UK or Penguin USA.  This isn't just developing a direct to consumer...

REVIEW: Shadowflame by Dianne Sylvan

Dear Ms. Sylvan:

I recommended your first book, "Queen of Shadows", to the DA readership but now I regret it. The core readership here is romance and I thought QofS had a great romantic subplot in the overall urban fantasy setting. In fact, it easily could have been marketed and sold as a paranormal romance. Shadowflame, however, takes romance readers to a place I think they will regret. This spoilerfilled summary gives the reason why.

[image error]Miranda Grey is human who becomes the vampire Queen to ...

DA/SBTB Bestseller List ending week of June 29, 2011

The Duke And I by Julia Quinn | Amazon | Nook | Sony | Kobo Duchess in Love with Bonus Material by Eloisa James | Amazon | Nook | Sony | Kobo The Secret to Seduction by Julie Anne Long | Amazon | Nook | Sony | Kobo Unlocked by Courtney Milan | Amazon | Nook | Sony | Kobo The Man Who Could Never Love (Harlequin Presents Extra) by Kate Hewitt | Amazon | Nook | Sony | Kobo Warped by Maurissa Guibord | Amazon | Nook | Sony | Kobo Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase...