Jane Litte's Blog, page 900

Tuesday News: Bella Andre inks print only deal with Harlequin; New digital first imprint launches; Legal Geeks teach contract law via FireFly

New digital imprint launched by ex-Harlequin Marketing Controller – Oliver Rhodes, a former Harlequin Marketing Controller (I’m not really sure what this position is), has launched Bookouture, a new digital publishing imprint which appears to be focused on women. The press release stated: “At Bookouture we’re offering authors great digital royalties (45% of net receipts); global publication; and a global vision for their brand, social media and marketing. The name ‘Bookouture’ is a hint to th...

Guest Post: The PlaceHolder Heroine by Moriah Jovan

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Image via Icanhascheezburger

Introduction

Except for those little moments relieved by the occasional huge moment, everyday life can be a drudgery. Whatever you are engaged in, be it work (no matter how glamorous or lucrative it is) or raising a family or fulfilling your calling at church or attaining some long-held goal (usually all of them at once), at some point, you’ll find yourself slogging through it and wondering where the magic is.

The truth is, there is very little magic, except that whi...

Daily Deals: From Wall Street chick lit to small town magic at the Cut n Curl

[image error] Bond Girl by Erin Duffy. $.99.

From Jacket Copy:

When other little girls were dreaming about becoming doctors or lawyers, Alex Garrett set her sights on conquering the high-powered world of Wall Street. And though she’s prepared to fight her way into an elitist boys’ club, or duck the occasional errant football, she quickly realizes she’s in over her head when she’s relegated to a kiddie-size folding chair with her new moniker—Girlie—inscribed in Wite-Out across the back.

No matter. She’s deter...

REVIEW: Finally Home by Helen Scott Taylor

Dear Ms. Taylor,

Cute cover, crappy book.

Finally Home must be what Carina calls “sweet” and, in this case, that means–among other things–no sex. More’s the pity. It’s not I must have sex in my romances–although, in general, that’s my preference. It’s, if there isn’t sex, there’d better be something else compelling in the book: characters, plot, context, back story… something. This book had none of those things and I found it a chore to finish. The best thing I can say about it is that it’s err...

REVIEW: Rules to Catch a Devilish Duke by Suzanne Enoch

Dear Ms. Enoch:

The Scandalous Bride series as this is called has been a challenge for me. I really appreciate the thoughtful presentation of women and their powerlessness in the Regency period. Through the Tantalus Club, set up in Book 1 of the series, women of all backgrounds have found a safe haven. As Diane, Lady Haybury notes, the club was to provide for her own future. It was “not a home for lost women or a refuge for the scandalous and ruined.” Yet it had become one. Within its walls, a...

Monday News: Journalism failing science while Cat Videos enjoy a movie festival

Cats Entertainment Watch The First Ever Internet Cat Video Festival Winner – I forgot to report on this. This piece was sent to me by reader Leslie. Someone organized a cat video festival and over 10,000 people attended to see awards handed out for the best cat videos on the internet. That’s some job creation right there. E! Online

PIN number analysis – DataGenetics took a look at data from leaked passwords to determine some surprising information about pin numbers and password numerical combi...

Bestseller list for week ending Sept 23, 2012

The Amorous Education of Celia Seaton by Miranda Neville A | BN | K | S
On Dublin Street by Samantha Young A | BN | K | S
Tainted Innocence by Joss Alexander A | BN | K | S
In Bed with the Boss (Harlequin Presents) by Susan Napier A | BN | K | S
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey A | BN | K | S
Guilty Pleasures (Avon Romantic Treasure) by Laura Lee Guhrke A | BN | K | S
It Had to Be You (Chicago Stars / Bonner Brothers) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips A | BN | K | S
To The Moon and Back by J...

Daily Deals: 2 classics and 2 republished digital backlist titles for $.99 each

MacLain’s Wife by Jillian Hart. $.99.

From Jacket Copy:

Sensual Content. Re-issue. Approximately 70,000 words (about 250 printed pages).

The Sheriff and the Outlaw

Polly Brown was nothing like typical women whose only dream was to marry and start a family. The daughter of a notorious outlaw, Polly grew up wearing six-guns and learning to ride horses and cook over an open fire. But while being pursued by an enemy with a grudge, Polly decides her best option is to pose as a mail-order-bride. In th...

REVIEW: The New Hope Cafe by Dawn Atkins

Dear Ms. Atkins:

Apparently you wrote for Blaze and your bio says that you are known for your funny, touching stories. There isn’t much Blaze in this book but that’s not a bad thing. The story of an abused woman falling in love with the strong, silent type and being embraced by the small town she stumbles upon doesn’t tread new ground but it’s still a good story, particularly for those who like this particular trope.

[image error]Cara Price had hoped to use her ex’s entire prison sentence to get a degree an...

REVIEW: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Dear Readers:

This book came to my attention because it was included in the goodie bag Random House handed out at the Power Reader breakfast at BEA. Ordinarily the only non fiction works I read are about the law and those can be dry works. The Power of Habit is not. I listened to the audio book while on a week long business trip.

[image error]Duhigg drills down life to this. We are all habitual people and our lives are run by a series of mini routines which are triggered by a cue and end with a reward. Iden...