Jane Litte's Blog, page 905

Friday News: Music market controlled by four labels; Walmart says no to Kindle; eBook discounts are reaching 97%

Wait, it’s Friday already?

Universal-EMI Merger Could Yield New Mega-Label To Threaten The Future Of Music – Did the internet ruin record labels? I mean, Napster, Pandora, the decline of the CD and the rise of the low priced single heralded the end of labels, right? Apparently not. The four largest record labels currently control about 90 percent of the music market and FTC is considering whether to agree to a merger between Universal and EMI which would place control over 40% of the music mar...

Daily Deals: Classic fantasy; YA; and historical romance

[image error] American Gods by Neil Gaiman. $2.99.

From Jacket Copy:

First published in 2001, American Gods became an instant classic—an intellectual and artistic benchmark from the multiple-award-winning master of innovative fiction, Neil Gaiman. Now discover the mystery and magic of American Gods in this tenth anniversary edition. Newly updated and expanded with the author’s preferred text, this commemorative volume is a true celebration of a modern masterpiece by the one, the only, Neil Gaiman.

A storm is...

REVIEW: Not Proper Enough by Carolyn Jewel

Dear Ms. Jewel,

I was excited to read Not Proper Enough because two of your earlier books are on my list of favorite historical novels—my Ballin’ Bodice Rippers compilation—Lord Ruin (reviewedhere by Jane) and Scandal (reviewed here by Janine.) I haven’t read the first book in your Reforming the Scoundrels series, Not Wicked Enough (reviewed here by Janine), but I can’t say thatimpededmy (non)enjoyment of this book. Not Proper Enough is well-written, but dull. I never became invested in the le...

REVIEW: Reluctant Bride by Joan Smith

Dear Ms. Smith,

I read this book years ago based on reviews and posts at the regency listserv and I loved it. I will say, however, that it’s not going to be for everyone. To begin with, you made it first person and secondly, it’s fairly realistic in it’s portrayal of the fact that even close family members don’t always get along. It also takes a little while to truly get going but readers who persevere past the first chapter or two will be richly rewarded.

[image error]Elizabeth, Lizzie, Braden is a 25 year...

Thursday News: Writers in underwear; EU settles price fixing case with Apple and four pubs

Pisarze w slipkach | Booklips.pl – A collection of male writers in their underwear (or possibly swimming trunks). It’s not what you may think (or maybe it is).Booklips.pl

Hachette to raise ebook prices for libraries by 220% – Hachette has followed in the footsteps of HarperCollins and RandomHouse by jacking up the cost of digital library books. In March, Random House increased the wholesale prices of the ebooks it offers to libraries by as much as 300 percent. Now Hachette, which only offers b...

Daily Deals: Historical mysteries, romance, and an international thriller

[image error] To Pleasure a Duke by Sara Bennett. $1.99.

From Jacket Copy:

It has taken Eugenie Belmont but a moment to decide whom to marry . . .

Unfortunately the gentleman in question, the Duke of Somerton, hasn’t yet offered—a mere formality for a confirmed member of the Husband Hunters Club of Miss Debenham’s Finishing School. Like her friends, Eugenie is unwilling to wait demurely until the perfect mate happens by. And, despite the handsome duke’s imposing reputation, she can feel his heated glances in...

REVIEW: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Dear Mr. Westerfeld,

Your steampunk YA, Leviathan, was recommended to me on Twitter by one of The Book Pushers. I believe it was Lou. Lou loved the book so much that I decided to put it on the list of possible books to read with my husband. Flash forward a few months, and we were reading it. At first I wasn’t sure about this novel, but it did eventually grab and satisfy me.

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Leviahtan takes place in an alternate version of Europe during World War I. In its world, Europe is divided by two kind of...

The DA3 Interview & Giveaway: Foster Care

Three diverse books sharing one common thread: that’s the idea behind the DA³ Interview. All of today’s books include characters who are, or have been, part of the foster care system. First, meet the books:

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Picture This is Jacqueline Sheehan’s follow-up to her best-selling women’s fic Lost & Found.

The foster child in this story is seeking her biological father, whom she believes is the late husband of main character Rocky Pelligrino. Healing from her loss, and in the midst of making a new life...

REVIEW: The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle

Dear Ms. Towle:

I found out about this book over at the Amazon forums. It’s one of the better places to discover self published books by authors that aren’t widely known. Part of the success of the book will rely on the reader’s ability to a) buy into an instant love between two childhood friends and b) tolerate cheating by the heroine on her existing boyfriend with the hero.

Trudy Bennett and Jake Whethers were best friends from tots to teenagers. Jake’s father was a brute of a man and his mo...

Wednesday News: One of the truest, most inspiring love stories you may ever read

A Love Story In 22 Pictures – If you love a romance with a true happy ever after ending, you really owe it to yourself to click on this link Buzzfeed

Followup: I tweeted this link out yesterday and someone provided me with a link to a photography friend of Taylor Morris’ who has three incredibly moving blog posts about Taylor and his girlfriend, Danielle. This is an epic true love story. Be prepared with tissues.

If you are so moved, you can send Taylor and his girlfriend a care package.

Taylor...