RT Book Reviews

The 2012 Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:46:00 +0000

Thanks to the new hit movie, 2012 is a hot topic. Plenty of recently
released books have used the countdown to 2012, the year the Mayan calendar
comes to an end, as a setting or plot point for their novels. One of the
latest is author Brian D'Amato.

Here's what D'Amato had to say about his book, In the Courts of the Sun, the first in a trilogy from Dutton:

There are a lot of things I wanted the reader to get from my book In the
Courts of the Sun and from the whole Sacrifice Game series. Regarding the
2012 phenomenon, I wanted to offer an entirely different take on it—one that
would not partake of either New-Age nonsense (for example, that on December
21st, 2012 we’re going to enter a new Aquarian age of peace, love, and
voluntary socialism, with a global constitution written by John Lennon) or
the predictions of sell-by-date disaster (for example, that on that same day
the earth’s poles will reverse, putting New York, geomagnetically speaking,
where Tasmania is now). At the same time I wanted to take the Maya calendar
and Maya cosmology seriously enough to satisfy (even) Maya scholars and
archaeologists. I wanted to make the book a kind of doubled—and in a way
quadrupled —love story which, in a particular way, crosses thirteen hundred
years. I wanted to make it suspenseful enough to keep readers turning the
pages despite their daunting number. I wanted the discussion of strategy
games to be serious enough for, say, professional Go players, but still
comprehensible to that mythical creature, the General Reader. I wanted the
book to be the most serious fictional treatment, so far, of the Classic Maya
period. I wanted some poetry in the translated Maya speech. I wanted my
illustrations to be credibly Maya and to increase the book’s atmosphere of
mystery rather than diminishing it. And I wanted many, many other things.
Whether the book achieves these things is up to the readers—and, I suppose I
could say, the critics, although one of the good things about the online era
is that the readers and the critics are increasingly the same people. Also
as a result of the online era, feedback from readers has been plentiful so
far and often very illuminating. So—amazingly even to myself—the project
has been engrossing enough to keep me going through the last fifteen years,
and I’m it will continue to fuel me through the few years more that it will
take to finish. At any rate, comments or questions (as they say) can be
directed to bd@briandamato.com, and so far I’ve been pretty good about
answering them. Your move…

And the winner is ...

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 +0000

We've got our first winner in our Dark Divine giveaway! Nicole, whose e-mail subject line included three all-caps PLEASEs, will be getting an advance copy of Bree Despain's debut, as well as a fab bottle of purple nail polish.

For all the others who entered, don't despair, you've got five more chances to win! And be sure to keep an eye out Monday for an exclusive look at chapter two of The Dark Divine.

Congrats Nicole!

The Dark Divine Sneak Peek

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:38:00 +0000

Have we got a treat for you: exclusive excerpts from Bree Despain’s teen paranormal debut, The Dark Divine. Every week for the next six weeks, we’ll be posting a chapter to whet your appetites for the book’s release on December 22.

Plus, we’ve got stuff to give away! Every Friday we’ll select a winner to receive a copy of The Dark Divine, and a bottle of nail polish that perfectly matches the purple book cover. To enter, email Elissa@RTBookReviews.com.

Read on for a message from Bree, and then click the link below to read the first chapter of The Dark Divine.

Dear RT Book Reviews Readers,

I truly believe the saying “No book lives until it is read.” The author crafts a story using her own experiences and imaginings, but it is the reader who breathes life into the story. That is why I am overjoyed about The Romantic Times’ exclusive preview of the first six chapters of my debut novel, The Dark Divine. Not only are they easing my anticipation a few weeks early, but they are also making it possible for their readers—some of the most passionate in the world — to be among the first to make The Dark Divine come to life.

This story started with a storm of ideas that had been swirling in my head for several weeks, and finally came together when I was stopped at a traffic light, thinking about a teenage memory that had always haunted me: the day my long lost childhood friend came back into my life for a few hours — just long enough to throw me off kilter — and then disappeared again. I looked up at a billboard in the dark, and a conversation between a brother and sister started in my head. They were discussing a former friend who had suddenly returned to town. “He’s dangerous,” the brother warned his sister. “He’s not the person he used to be. You have to stay away from him.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about this conversation, and I was so curious about the friend who had disappeared and why he’d come back. I’d never felt so much passion for a set of characters before, and I knew that I had to write their story. I wrote the entire first chapter of The Dark Divine in a notebook the day after I heard the conversation between the brother and sister in my head, and besides a few minor tweaks, the first chapter has remained almost exactly the same as how I first wrote it. My friend had seemed troubled, and I’d always wondered if I could have helped him in some way. And the conversation between the brother and sister (which became the third scene in chapter one) was an exploration of what might have been my family’s reaction to my getting involved. But the most surprising thing that came out of chapter one, was that I discovered that the brother may know why their friend had disappeared, but he refused to tell that dark secret.

I hope that you will read, enjoy, and share these exclusive excerpts from The Dark Divine over the next few weeks. And thank you for helping make my characters and story finally live.

Love,

Bree Despain

Read The Dark Divine preview here!

Will You Read Harlequin's New E-Book Only Line?

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Harlequin recently announced they are creating a new division, Carina Press, that will offer just e-books, which will be available to readers directly through the site and through others. This is another step in the digital age by the publishing giant. In celebration of their 60th anniversary, they offered 12 titles as e-books free to readers.

Harlequin has always been pretty good at following trends and keeping up with the times. If you look at old Harlequins from the eighties and nineties, you can see the styles and plots that were popular then. With lines such as Kimani Press, Luna and Red Dress Ink, they have addressed several more recent trends in publishing.

One concern brought up by this recent line of e-books is there is no DRM protection. DRM stands for Digital Right Management, or in other words, those blocks put in place by companies to prevent unlawful distribution of digital products. This has angered some while causing other to rejoice. DRM is a controversial topic, with proponents claiming it helps prevent the abuse of an author's rights over their product. Others claim that DRM is anti-competitive and actually erodes rights. Either way, the lack of DRM is causing a stir.

I don't have an e-reader so I can't say who either the new line or it's lack of DRM would affect me. I know that one of the reasons I have resisted a Kindle or a Nook is because of the limitations put on it by the manufacturer. I want something that allows me to upload and read any document I so chose, regardless of origin. I also want to be able to manage my own electronic products, move them around if so desired. But another part of me thinks that preserving an author's right over their material is justifiable and I don't want to go against that.

What do you think? Will you read Harlequin's new e-book only line? Will the lack of DRM affect you in any way? Let us know in the comments!

Nicole

Sex in YA Novels

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:39:00 +0000

Well-known author Cory Doctorow recently wrote a blog (http://www.locusmag.com/Perspectives/2009/11/cory-doctorow-teen-sex.html) in which he discusses the reaction to a sex scene in his YA novel LITTLE BROTHER. (http://www.amazon.com/Little-Brother-Cory-Doctorow/dp/0765319853/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257816774&sr=8-1). The scene, as described by Doctorow, takes place with very little detail, with the action mostly alluded to and not explicitly spelled out. Apparently, there has been some negative reaction to this scene by parents, saying that a sex scene has no place in a book for young teens.

I love reading YA books and once in awhile I find a book with themes or scenes that I question being appropriate for my younger siblings. But then I remember how reading GO ASK ALICE (the true diary of a young drug addict) was instrumental in keeping me away drugs as a kid. I read those graphic accounts of what it was like to be on drugs and live on the streets and I learned from them. I read other books that had themes of violence, drugs and alcohol and sex and I turned out okay.

I read Ellen Hopkins’ books and wonder to myself, “Should my younger sister read about this girl doing drugs/having sex/lying to her parents?” But then I realize, as Doctorow does, that teens are going to do some of these things anyway and reading about them is not likely to make a teen run out and behave badly. In most cases the sex or lying or similar serve a purpose, a lesson that the reader can take away from the story.

What is interesting about Doctorow’s book and the uproar is that it’s the sex the parents are having problems with. As he points out, there are worse things in his book, including torture, but it’s this barely-there sex scene that has people up in arms. What is it about sex that has these parents upset as opposed to other things? Chances are, if your child hasn’t already had sex before reading about it in a book, they have definitely thought about it or seen it on TV.

So what do you think? Does sex have a place in YA novels? Are there other things that maybe shouldn’t be in your child’s pleasure reading? Sound off in the comments!

Nicole

RT Untamed Bride Book giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:47:00 +0000

The New York Times and USA Today best selling romance novelist, Stephanie Laurens, is back with The Untamed Bride and she’s giving away five copies to RT readers. Just send an email to katrinaa@wiredset.com by Nov. 10 with “RT Untamed Bride giveaway” in the subject line for a chance to win the novel, which received 4 1/2 stars in the November issue of RT Book Reviews.

How Do You Explode Your Writer’s Block?

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:32:00 +0000

Judging by the number of aspiring authors that attend RT’s annual convention, I am guessing many of you reading this are writers of one degree or another. Whether just starting out or newly published or you have lots of books under your belt, I am sure you all experience the same thing at some point in your writing: writer’s block.

Writer’s block is something vicious and cruel. It can stop you for a few minutes or for a lifetime. It can cause you to be stuck on a chapter, a scene, or just from getting started. Writer’s block is painful for anyone who knows there’s a story waiting to come out but the fingers just aren’t typing the words.

So what do you do when the words just won’t come?

From my extensive reading on the subject (while procrastinating my own writing), here are some of the best tips I have found for busting that block.

- Do something mindless. Can’t think of that next scene to write? Do something that doesn’t require a lot of brainpower. Wash the dishes, files some papers, take a bath. Something that doesn’t involve actively thinking about what you are writing. Often, an idea will appear while you are away from the writing and you can get back to it.

- Go outside. Go for a run or walk. Take the dog out. Take the kid out in their stroller. Get outside and look around you. Inspiration can be found by watching people, enjoying the weather and just taking a good look at what’s around you. Also, just like the tip above, this allows the writing to move to the back burner, giving your brain time to process without getting in the way of yourself.

- Read. Reading may sound counterintuitive, but reading allows you to focus on what works. Pick a book by an author you enjoy and pay attention to what you like about their story. Maybe you can apply it to your own work.

Those are some of my suggestions for blasting your writer’s block out of your way. What tips do you use to break down those barriers to your writing? Share them in the comments!

Nicole

Has anyone seen this?

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Does anybody know what's happening here?

Check this this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoRg2bQPaXU

Getting In the Way of My Reading Time

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:48:00 +0000

We all have lots of excuses as to why we need to buy a book or why we need to read “just one more chapter.” But sometimes, things get in the way and pleasure reading just isn’t possible.

For instance, while I still read several books a month, they are mostly review books. I haven’t read a book for fun in months and months. Coming up soon, I will be starting school again. My degree will be in writing and literature, which means reading, but really, what are the chances it will be fun reading? Am I going to be able to fit in the newest Jim Butcher or Marjorie M. Liu while I am doing my reading for class? Life gets in the way of my reading time!

I still think you have to make reading a priority if you really want to read. Yes, having a family, a job, hobbies and other life things are important and take up time and energy you might want to spend on reading. But I think anyone who wants to read can find the time if they just set their mind to it. Waiting for a doctor’s appointment? Read your book! Instead of taking that lunch break at your desk, sit somewhere else and read your book. Watching TV before bed? Read a book instead (you’ll sleep better, too).

But sometimes life just gets in the way, even when you make the time to read. Sometimes you need to read that work report instead, or a class assignment. Maybe you read all day at work and the thought of reading for fun when you get home is a drain. Your eyes are killing you, you are too tired to stay up and read anything other than the TV guide, or the kids’ bedtime story took longer than planned and the idea of reading your own book just doesn’t appeal.

So what do you do? Do you just give up and not read? I know I don’t. I will find a way to read my book, if it’s important enough to me. I will read at the dinner table, sneak a peek at the book while my boyfriend is in the bathroom, or even pull out the book of the week while waiting for the movie to start. I find a way to not to let life get in the way of what I want to read.

What gets in the way of your reading time? What do you do when something prevents you from reading? Tell us in the comments!

Nicole

In Honor of Kathleen Winsor, My Top 16 Romance Novels

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:20:00 +0000

Going around the blogosphere is the idea to list your top 16 romance novels in honor or Kathleen Winsor’s birthday on October 16. Many people consider Ms. Winsor’s book, FOREVER AMBER, to be the first modern romance novel. Without this book, romance as a genre would be completely different.

So here’s my top 16:

TO TASTE THE WINE by Fern Michaels
JEMIMA J by Jane Green
THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION by Lauren Willig
FRENCH KISS by Sandra Brown
WISHES by Jude Devereaux
SINS OF A WICKED DUKE by Sophie Jordan
LIKE NO OTHER LOVER by Julie Anne Long
TO SEDUCE A SINNER by Elizabeth Hoyt
SLOPPY FIRSTS by Megan McCafferty
SOUL FLAME by Barbara Wood
NOVEMBER OF THE HEART by LaVyrle Spenser
RAINBOWS by Katherine Stone
LUCKY IN LOVE: SAMMI’S HEART by Janis Reams Hudson
RIBBON IN THE SKY by Dorothy Garlock
PRISONER OF MY DESIRE by Johanna Lindsey
THE RAINBOW PROMISE by Lisa Gregory

Some of these have been favorites since I first discovered romance novels as a teenager. Others are more recent loves. It was hard to make this list – some things had to be cut and others I forgot the names of, but can think of the plot perfectly. But this is pretty close to my perfect list.

Share your top 16 romance novels with the rest of us. Maybe you will find some new books to try or be reminded of old favorites to revisit.

Nicole

Do Women Write Horror or Paranormal?

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:07:00 +0000

I recently read in the Guardian about an argument regarding the role of women in writing horror. The article expresses the view that female horror writers are getting pushed into the “ghetto” of paranormal romance – “not to say it is in any way inferior.”

I read both genres and I have lamented the lack of female writers in horror, while more and more men are writing in paranormal. I know there are great female writers in horror – besides the ones mentioned in the article, Elizabeth Massie comes to mind. But if you think about horror, you think about the biggies and those are all men: Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Clive Barker.

And yet, horror owes it’s birth to Mary Shelley, inarguably the mother of horror. So where are the women?

Well, it could be argued that many of them are currently writing paranormals. I won’t say just paranormal romance because that’s not really fair to some of these writers. Jes Battis, L.L. Foster and Kim Harrison don’t write romances, they write urban fantasy. Their books may have romantic elements, but then, so do Dean Koontz’s.

Despite what the article would have you believe, I think women are not taking their absence in horror lying down. Instead, they are forging ahead by working in a new genre and taking it to new heights. Women like the ones above are giving readers more to chew on that just your standard version of horror.

What do you think? Are women under-represented in the horror genre? Is paranormal romance the “ghetto” version of horror? Tell us in the comments.

Nicole

Authors and Social Media - Too Much or Not Enough?

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:54:00 +0000

If you are reading this on Facebook or MySpace, chances are good you are fairly active in online media. You might Twitter, check your Facebook updates on your phone, or just check in once in awhile, but you do use it. And if you are online buddies with RT, there is also a good chance you are "friends" with some of your favorite authors, and maybe even a few you don't know but who looked interesting when they sent you a friend request.

I am a child of the Internet and I love what it has done for the world at large, and for the reading and writing community specifically. Without it, research would be harder and finding like-minded people to share your interests with wouldn't be as simple as booting up your computer. I wouldn't be writing this blog, you wouldn't be reading it, and we wouldn't have a conversation about whatever comes to mind.

That said, I think there are some drawbacks, too. Like getting author overshare. I do have author friends and online author "friends" both on my Facabook and MySpace accounts. The in-real-life friends are because I do care about them and what they are doing. The others are because I am a fan of their work and their updates and contests are something I want to be able to read about. Oddly, it's my real friends that hardly ever post and the others who ... well, let's just say some need to step away from the computer more often.

I don't need to know the political leanings of my favorite authors. As a budding writer, learning about the writer's life from such an intimate perspective is interesting, but when sprinkled with personal anecdotes and what their results were from some stupid quiz, it can be a little too much. When it comes to some authors, a little goes a long way. I have found myself not liking the person and that can sometimes bleed over into not liking the books. There are a couple of authors that I have met in person whose personality so turned me off, I cannot read their books without that clouding my judgement. Online social media makes that even more likely.

Not to mention the pain/pleasure of hearing an author discuss their progress on the next book in their series. Knowing they just made an interesting twist in their character's lives, or have just sent off the manuscript to the publisher can be both wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time. It's almost the "so close, yet so far away" effect.

There's a line between oversharing and giving the fans what they want. Fans often want to gobble up everything they can get their hands on about an author or series they love, but do we really need the rest of it? One author who knows how to do the social media thing perfectly is Rachel Caine. She uses her Facebook updates to give small snippets of the next book, as well as discuss the progress of her books and tours. Rarely does she share something personal and when she does, it is judiciously done.

What do you think, my online friends? Do you think authors can go overboard with their personal musings or can you not get enough of it? Tell us in the comments!

Nicole

Who Said Anthologies Don’t Sell?

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:56:00 +0000

I was recently told, by a few people who just might know, that anthologies are a tough sell, at best. I laughed each time I heard that, because, in every group of books I buy, at least one is a collection.

I recently read STRANGE BREW, edited by P.N. Elrod. It includes stories from Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs and other major and coming up paranormal authors. It was fun to read different snapshots from authors I love and to discover a series I want to read: Jenna Maclaine’s Cin Craven series.

I let my friend take MEAN STREETS with her on a trip overseas. What better to read on a plane with distractions galore than a book with a collection of stories? It’s hard to concentrate on a long novel, however lighthearted, but an anthology or quadology (as many romance anthologies have lately been produced as), can allow people to finish a book even in challenging outside circumstances.

There are so many others, full of authors that are fantastic. There are books with big names, mid-range names and up and coming authors. How else are you going to find out if you like a new author? Getting a new anthology lets you not only experience an author you might love, but get to know new ones. For example, I discovered Heather Graham through a Christmas anthology in 1988.

Or, let’s say you pick up a themed anthology (such as TERRIBLY TWISTED TALES), you will find new voices with new takes on the same general theme. You can truly see the breadth in literature when you pick up an anthology. They are learning experiences, not just a collection of stories brought together for no reason.

What are you favorite anthologies? What have you discovered by reading a collection of authors’ stories? Tell us in the comments!

Nicole

Mourning the Loss of Kate Duffy

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:30:00 +0000

It is with great sadness that I bring you the news that a dear friend and colleague, Kensington editor Kate Duffy, 57, passed away suddenly on September 27 after a serious illness.

Kate worked in publishing for more than 30 years. Few know that she began her career in the trenches as a lowly assistant at Warner’s Popular Library imprint. She then advanced her editorial career as founding editor of Silhouette Books (which originated at Simon & Schuster and later became part of Harlequin). After a stint at Pinnacle Books, she moved to Pocket Books, where she discovered Judith McNaught’s classic Whitney, My Love, and worked with many of today’s bestselling authors, including Heather Graham, Julie Garwood, Jude Deveraux and Mary Jo Putney. After Pocket she went to London, England, and joined Paddington Press as a senior editor.

Returning to New York, she signed on as editor-in-chief of two startups: Meteor Publishing and Tudor Publishing, founded by Ron Busch (formerly of Simon & Schuster). She was instrumental in getting both companies off the ground and edited many diamonds in the rough, including Marilyn Campbell, Sharon Sala, Lacey Dancer (aka Sara Chance, Sherry Carr and Sydney Ann Clary), Suzanne Brockmann and Patricia Hagan, to name a few.

For the past 10 years, she was an editorial director at Kensington Publishing, where she established the Brava imprint. She was much loved by company founder Walter Zacharius and the entire Kensington family. She had an illustrious professional career to be sure, but what Kate will always be remembered for is her sharp wit, dry sense of humor, her huge heart and her genuine love for the books and authors.

Bertrice Small sent in this note that sums up the Kate we all knew and loved: “Kate Duffy was a legend in the world of romance novels. Those of us who were fortunate to work with her knew what a wonderful editor she was. She had a large Irish heart, and a dry Irish sense of humor. ‘Why on earth,’ I once asked in her presence, ‘would RWA hold their conference in Florida in August?’ ‘Purgatory was booked,’ Kate riposted back sharply. Romance has lost a great lady, and a wonderful friend.”

We will have a special tribute to Kate from friends and colleagues in the next issue of RT. Those of you who would like to share your thoughts can send them to Carol Stacy at CStacy@RTBookReviews.com. Tributes will appear in the magazine or on the website.

The wake will be in New York today at Frank Campbell Funeral Home

Wednesday, September 30
Vistation
3:00-6:00 pm
7:00 – 9:00 pm

Frank E. Campbell
1076 Madison Ave (at 81st Street)
NY, NY 212-288-3500

Inside a Book Signing

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:21:00 +0000

Most people experience a book signing from the front of the table, book in hand, a smile on their face as their favorite author signs a book or two for them. But what’s it like from the other side?

This weekend I had the supreme pleasure to witness a book signing by not one but two authors. Pat Simmons and Lisa Y. Watson were here in Houston to promote their books with a dual signing. Ms. Simmons was promoting her second book in the Guilty Series, NOT GUILTY OF LOVE. Ms. Watson had her debut novel, WATCH YOUR BACK. Each woman writes very different books, but as a team, they are perfectly matched.

The table was small, but covered in books. All three of Ms. Simmons’ books were represented in tall piles, while Ms. Watson’s covered the entire front of the table. One author stood by the table, one worked the doors. While these ladies are not household names (yet), they know how to handle themselves.

It’s hard to get people to come see what your book is about when they have never heard of you, or in Ms. Watson’s case, you have your first book just barely out on shelves. You have to work the crowd – pass out bookmarks or postcards about your book, smile and say hello to everyone walking through the door. You can’t judge by appearances, either, because you never know who is going to be interested – I saw men and women of all ages and races come by that table to see what these ladies had to offer.

One of the more critical aspects is the “elevator pitch.” Most people who want to write are familiar with this concept – sum up your book in 30 seconds or less. You want to draw people in, not let them pass you by, and then you have time to get into the details of your book.

My role was what I call the wingman. Having read two of the four books on the table and being very familiar with the books and the authors, I could help answer questions when the ladies were busy with other customers or were signing books. The wingman is not a requirement, but can be helpful. This is where your friends and family come in handy – if you have someone there saying how good your book is, people are more likely pay attention.

For authors, new and established, book signings are hard. You wonder if you have enough – enough books, enough information about your book, enough energy to stand for two hours. You wonder if you can get customers interested in your book or if you are going to be sitting alone at a table, surrounded by piles of unsigned books. But if you come prepared to work, you can have a successful experience.

Other than at RT, have you ever gone to book signing? Have you discovered a new author thanks to an author signing in a bookstore? Tell us in the comments.

Nicole

Falling in Love with Romance… Again

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:58:00 +0000

I recently read Tracy Anne Warren’s SEDUCED BY HIS TOUCH. It was
good, with heartbreak and romance, misunderstandings and sweetness –
not to mention some hot sex. This book is the second in her Byrons of
Braebourne series and I enjoyed it nearly as much as I enjoyed the
first one, TEMPTED BY HIS KISS.

I am about to read Julie Anne Long’s SINCE THE SURRENDER. Knowing I
had read something of hers before, I went back to check. LIKE NO
OTHER LOVER was the one I was thinking of and I think I wrote about it
in the blog. It reminded me of all the good things about falling in
love.

I read so much romance that sometimes I think I get immune to its
charms. Ms. Warren’s recent book reminded me how much I enjoy this
genre. Romances, even the darker ones, are about finding love, and
really, what can be better than being loved? My great-grandmother
still loves her romances and she hasn’t been married or in love in
many a decade. But reading these reminds her of what it’s like,
something she wants to hold on to.

I had been getting bored with my reading, anxious to move on to other
genres. But as I continue with my pile of romances to read, I realize
that the fault was not with the books I was reading, but was with me.
With a romance you often get it all – action, the full spectrum of
emotions, and that grand gesture every woman yearns for from her mate.
Getting a reminder as to why I read these books, when I could be
reading something else, is priceless and gets me ready to tackle my
TBR pile with enthusiasm.

Coming up, I have a wide range of romances to read and I plan to share
the very best of them with you.

What books are your favorite romances? What makes you remember why
you read romance? Tell us in the comments!

Nicole

Top Producer Release Party!

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:24:00 +0000

It was a gorgeous late summer evening in New York City, and the
view from the 61st floor of the Empire State Building was amazing. Pity
debut author Norb Vonnegut, who was hosting a book launch party for his
financial thriller Top Producer (Minotaur) -- he was too busy autographing
copies of his book to check out the view!

But RT Book Reviews Mystery Editor Diane Snyder and Managing Editor Liz
French had a little more time to take it all in. The entire floor (empty
except for a few bars, tables and chairs) was given over to Norb and his
fans, and he sure had a lot of them. The signing line never flagged during
the two-hour event, and the crowd differed from the usual book-signing
groupies. Most looked more like they were from Wall Street than Publisher's
Alley, like Norb, who worked for years as a wealth adviser and on the "sell
side" at a white-shoe brokerage.

Thriller writer Emily Benedek was spotted chatting with a friend and looking
out the south-facing window; Minotaur publicity people Hector DeJean, Sarah
Melnyk and Anne Gardner, along with other St. Martin's staffers, mingled
with guests; trays of traveling hors d'oeuvres wafted through the crowd; two
full bars slaked attendees' thirsts; and Norb smiled and signed, smiled and
signed!

Maybe the author was worried that if he stopped, he'd be bumped off in front
of all of his party guests, as the best friend of Top Producer hero, Grove
O'Rourke, is. But that's fiction, and if that's what you're interested in,
read a review of the book in our October issue, log on to www.NorbVonnegut.com.
or, buy Top Producer, it's officially on sale today.

photo credit: Toni Agovino

Catching Up On Book News

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:15:00 +0000

After taking time off for Labor Day, I come back only to find myself
inundated with book news. I thought I would share some of it here.

As the world knows, Dan Brown’s newest book is released Tuesday. When
I went to Borders the other day, I was told if I reserved my copy of
his book, I would get it at 40% off, “more than anyone else is doing.”
But it was just for this book, even though they allow you to reserve
other books.

I was disappointed that I wasn’t offered the same deal if I reserved
John Twelve Hawks’ THE GOLDEN CITY, which came out last week. THE
GOLDEN CITY is the third book in the Fourth Realm Trilogy. While it’s
having some mixed reviews on Amazon, I am still looking very forward
to it and I can’t wait to pick it up – even in hardcover.

Lots of biographies and memoirs are making the news. As RT noted
before, Ted Kennedy has a comic on its way out, but there is also a
biography due to come out soon. While the print addition comes out,
the publisher is holding off on e-book editions “indefinitely” Sue
Monk Kidd, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, and her daughter have
written a memoir that tells readers more about the events that
inspired the bestselling novel.

But what I find most interesting is Jon Krakauer’s latest book. WHERE
MEN WIN GLORY: THE ODYSSEY OF PAT TILLMAN, tells the story of football
player turned soldier Pat Tillman, whose death and subsequent cover up
have been news fodder ever since. It’s an intriguing choice of
subject, even for a man known for his coverage of intriguing men.

The boyfriend recently watched the movie STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE,
about the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. One of the main players in that
scandal, Lynndie England, is suing her biographer. While sales of the
book aren’t going well, according to the biographer, England is suing,
citing multiple issues with him. Not sure this is helping to improve
her image, as she had been hoping the book would do, but then, I am
not in her shoes, either.

Most aspiring writers find it hard to sit down and write their first
novels or short stories, so writers like Nora Roberts, who produce
several books a year, tend to be a bit in awe. Well, this will really
knock them on their butts: James Patterson will be producing and
publishing 17 books by the end of 2012. Most of those are adult
books, like his Alex Cross series, some are his YA books like Maximum
Ride, and one nonfiction book. Good grief, that’s a lot. Granted,
many of his books lately are co-written, making one wonder how much of
Patterson’s books are really written by Patterson. Or are they more
like V.C. Andrews ghostwriters?

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Will try to share more later
this week. If you have any comments about any of the above, feel free
to comment!

Nicole

Novel NYC Happenings

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:46:00 +0000

One of the best things about having the RT offices in New York City is that
we're right in the thick of the publishing industry. This means when
industry-focused conventions come to town, we're there. When a big author is
in town meeting with her editor and doing a small book reading, yup, there's
us! And, best of all, we get invited to parties! It's such a treat to mingle
with publicists, agents, authors and readers in person, instead of over the
phone or through the computer.

And now that summer is over, the party scene is revving up again!
Tonight some RT staff will be attending an event at the Empire State
Building for former Wall Street executive Norb Vonnegut's debut, a financial
thriller called Top Producer. And this Thursday we're going to one of our
favorite annual events, the New York City chapter of RWA's Golden Apple
Awards (Visit RWAnyc.com/, and click the GAA link for more).

As always, we'll keep you updated on any and all happenings!

Elissa and Stephanie Dish About New Fall YA Titles

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:43:00 +0000

Elissa: Hey, Stephanie

Stephanie: Hey, Elissa

Elissa: I'm so glad we went to Teen Author Reading Night on Wednesday!

Stephanie: Me too! And I was really glad to see the huge turnout.

Elissa: It was a very back-to-school thing to do, even though we don't go back to school anymore.

Stephanie: Oh, I miss back to school. I might have to go buy some new pencils later. Just because.

Elissa: I miss the back-to-school outfit!

Stephanie: There were some great back-to-school outfits at the reading. Plus, you know, a lot of fantastic YA authors reading. I loved the way E. Lockhart kept cracking herself up.

Elissa: Yes! I have loved E. Lockhart ever since reading her very exceptional The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. It was neat to hear her reading from The Treasure Map of Boys for the first time, even if she couldn’t say ‘boobs’ without laughing.

Stephanie: BOOBS! Her new book seems pretty funny. I remember those horrible shopping trips with my mom. When she'd come into the changing room with me and it was all horribly embarrassing.

Elissa: Oh and the fights! There was a lot of fighting in those dressing rooms between me and my mom

Stephanie: Definitely. You know who else was really funny? Bennett Madison.

Elissa: He was funny!

Stephanie: Terribly droll, even if I took issue at his comment about no one being naturally blond.

Elissa: It's true you should have stood up and shouted that hair color really is destiny.

Stephanie: IT IS. I’M HAVING MORE FUN THAN YOU. And then I could have laughed maniacally.

Elissa: As a brunette who streaks her hair with pink, I might have to disagree. I also loved how he talked about how he used to work at The Gap, and how the only interesting thing that would ever happen there was when people would steal.

Stephanie: Oh, I worked retail too. I remember…

Elissa: His book, The Blonde of the Joke, sounds great! I loved the passage he read, about the mall, because as a teenager from New Jersey, I spent quite a lot of time at the mall.

Stephanie: I really liked the relationship between the two girls, when in the passage he read the skateboard rolled up to her feet -- OBVIOUSLY she should have had dibs on the injured guy.

Elissa: OBVIOUSLY! Yes, it was very realistic. You know what WASN’T realistic? Scott Westerfeld's neat-o illustrations from Leviathan!

Stephanie: YES!

Elissa: Leviathan really looks to be the book of his heart, to use a romance parlance.

Stephanie: Absolutely. I really loved Leviathan. The illustrations of the alternate history add a lot to the tale. And now I want a pet thylacine

Elissa: Who doesn’t? (Except maybe my cats.)

Stephanie: Totally. It’s too bad that Scott's wife, Justine Larbalestier, wasn't able to be there, because I really enjoyed her October release, Liar, too.

Elissa: Yes! Well next month is shaping up to be a great event too, with Libba Bray and Natalie Standiford. We’ll have to make sure to get on down to the Jefferson Branch of the New York Public Library on Oct. 7th to check them out.

Stephanie: We'll have to get there earlier next time -- maybe we'll get a seat!

Ted Kennedy Comic Book Tribute

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:26:00 +0000

from Jason Schultz, Bluewater Productions:

Ted Kennedy spent a lifetime in politics and in the spotlight of the public eye. In November 2009, the "Lion of the Senate" will be the featured subject of an upcoming issue of Bluewater Productions' Political Power biography comic series.

Considered by many to be the voice of the modern Democratic Party, Edward "Ted" Kennedy triumphed over tragedy and scandal to carve out a legacy that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with his celebrated brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy.

POLITICAL POWER: TED KENNEDY, scheduled for release in November, examines Kennedy's eventful life from his youthful competition with his brothers and dealing with their untimely deaths, to the Chappaquiddick scandal that nearly destroyed his career; his failed bid for the presidency in 1980 and his distinguished career in the Senate.

"You might not agree with his views, but you have to agree that Ted Kennedy is an American icon of politics," said Bluewater president Darren G. Davis.

"We could have filled several volumes with his accomplishments and failures, " Sprecher said. "However, in 23 pages, I think we created an objective and insightful portrait of Senator Kennedy and his impact on the national landscape."

For more information, visit: www.bluewaterprod.com

To find a comic book store near you, go to the comic shop locator: www.comicshoplocator.com

Rob

Videos from Lady Jane's Salon 8/3/09 in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Check out our videos of the featured authors at August's Lady Jane's Salon romance reading:

Johnny Diaz - 8/3/09 Lady Jane's Salon, NYC

Anna DePalo - 8/3/09 Lady Jane's Salon, NYC

Delilah Marvelle - 8/3/09 Lady Jane's Salon, NYC

Lady Jane's Salon takes place on the first Monday of every month. If you're in the NYC area, come to Madame X, talk to authors, and have fun!

Rob

Judging People By Their Books

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Slate recently wrote an article that analyzed what President Obama was reading on his vacation. His choices:

THE WAY HOME by George Pelecanos
LUSH LIFE by Richard Price
HOT, FLAT, AND CROWDED by Tom Friedman
JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough
PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf

Besides being geographically diverse, I don't know how much this says about the President. Slate basically says it's boring, and I must say, I don't disagree. None of these, except HOT, FLAT AND CROWDED would have been on my list of summer reading.

So it got me thinking - what does one's choice of reading say to others about them? Many people use book covers to disguise their reading material, and I don't think it's so much about shame, but about not letting people have a certain impression about them.

Then there are those who flaunt what they are reading - whether it's the newest Dave Eggers, political thriller, or sexy erotica, there are those who like others to know what they are reading and take a particular perspective from it.

I was recently told by a neighbor that I didn't seem the "bookworm type." I wasn't sure how to take that, as I showed her my wall o' books. Then, she couldn't believe I had such a wide variety of books.

And I wondered some more - does that make me look indecisive? Or does that make it look like I enjoy learning? Or like I have ADD or even possibly kleptomania? What does my book collection say about me?

So what do you think this reading material says about the President? What about your choices in books - what does it say about you? Do you judge people by what they are reading?

Nicole

RT's September Email Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:42:00 +0000

Our September email newsletter just went out! If you haven't already signed up to receive our monthly newsletter, you can do that here:

RT Newsletter Registration

You can read our recent newsletters on that page, too. Happy reading!

Rob

Ask the Author: Cathy Maxwell

noreply@blogger.com (RT Book Reviews) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Cathy Maxwell (THE EARL CLAIMS HIS WIFE, IN THE HIGHLANDER'S BED) is our current Ask the Author forum guest. She will be answering your questions until September 6, 2009.

Go say hi and ask Ms. Maxwell some questions:

RT - Ask the Author

Thanks,

Rob