Various Odds and Ends

Various Odds and Ends

First up is the Apple iPhone issue. On Thursday, Apple released an iPhone firmware update that adds several functions incluing TV out functionality (meaning you can hook up the iPhone to the TV and watch the video iPhone content on the TV) and the ability to buy music over a wifi connection from the iPhone. [...]

REVIEW:  Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce

REVIEW: Dark Rival by Brenda Joyce

Dear Ms. Joyce: This is only the second book of yours that I have read, so I am still basically a novice regarding your style and vision. The Conqueror was the first book of yours I read, and I did not have a positive experience with it. When I heard good things about your new [...]

The Marvelous Melanie Murray Is Leaving Warner

Sadly, the marvelous Melanie Murray, editor of one of Jayne and my new favorite authors, Elizabeth Hoyt, is leaving Warner Publishing for other endeavors. Goodbye Ms. Murray. Best of luck. I hope Warner can find someone to fill your shoes.

Teen Reader Week Celebrated by ReaderGirlz

Teen Reader Week Celebrated by ReaderGirlz

ReaderGirlz is a site devoted to Young Adult (YA) books and to celebrate Teen Reader week which starts October 14, the site is hosting an author a day for 31 days. The list of authors that will come and participate in reader chats is like a who’s who of Young Adult authors, beginning with Meg [...]

VIDEO REVIEW:  Courtesan’s Daughter by Claudia Dain, Part 3 of 4

VIDEO REVIEW: Courtesan’s Daughter by Claudia Dain, Part 3 of 4

Part 3 of the Video Review of Claudia Dain’s The Courtesan’s Daughter

Gather.Com’s Romance Semi Finalists

Gather.Com’s Romance Semi Finalists

Gather.Com’s romance writing contest sponsored by Simon & Schuster, Borders and Gather.com has whittled 500 manuscript submissions down to twenty-five semi-finalists. You can read the second (and the first) chapters of the semi-finalists and rate which one you like the best until October 8, 2007. Some of these books are going to need serious title [...]

My First Sale by Madeline Hunter, A Million Tiny Steps Before Publication

My First Sale by Madeline Hunter, A Million Tiny Steps Before Publication

Madeline Hunter is famous for her rich detailed works. There’s not a wallpaper historical in her catalog of books. Last year’s publication, Rules of Seduction, was one of my favorites in 2007. Hunter’s latest release, Lessons of Desire, is out now and can be purchased in paperback or in ebook format at Books on Board. [...]

REVIEW: Flirting in Cars by Alisa Kwitney

Dear Ms Kwitney, I got started reading your books way back (well not all the way back with your first one) with “The Dominant Blonde” and haven’t missed one since. As my fellow blogger Janine says, you have a way with flawed characters. They usually seem flawed in a believable, human way instead of a [...]

USA Today Bestseller List, Week Ending September 23, 2007

USA Today Bestseller List, Week Ending September 23, 2007

Alan Greenspan debuts at the top with The Age of Turbulence. Julia London appeared with her authorized fan fiction story based on the soap opera Guiding Light. There were no other meaningful debuts and only four books dropped out of the list. * * * 74 Seaside Avenue, Debbie Macomber (Mira), $7.99, No. 11 (Peak [...]

Purging of Books at Prison Libraries Stopped

Purging of Books at Prison Libraries Stopped

Bureaucracy generally moves slowly. In spring of 2004, the Justice Department issued a warning that there was a radical Islamist influence in the prisons. A couple of weeks ago, in response to that warning, the federal Bureau of Prisons began the “Standardized Chapel Library Project”. The BoP worked with “experts” and compiled a list of [...]

REVIEW: Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye by E C Sheedy

Dear Ms. Sheedy: Family dynamics are always rife with inherent conflict. You use the theme again in Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye to good effect. While KTG was much more romantic than the first book I read, Without A Word, and while the suspense was strong, I thought that the ending was almost too pat with all [...]

REVIEW: The Wedding Officer by Anthony Capella

Dear Mr. Capella, I’m so glad your editor persuaded you to write this book. And for the positive buzz at various other romance review sites that brought it to my attention. I’ve also heard that it’s already been optioned for a movie and after reading it, I can see why. The descriptions of Italy and [...]

USA Today Bestseller List Predictions

USA Today Bestseller List Predictions

I’m starting a new column for Wednesdays on USA Today Bestseller list predictions. There were a few books that were on sale last week that had street dates for Tuesday, September 25, 2007. The most notable one was JR Ward’s Lover Unbound. According to Bookscan, purchases of Ward’s book were made as early as two [...]

Saving Money Spans Generations

Saving Money Spans Generations

Yes, I didn’t know that there was a National Coupon Month either but there is. I read a press release this morning from CoolSavings.com about a survey of coupon use by age. The most consistent user of coupons is the 55+ age group. 65% of the AARP crowd use coupons on every shopping trip. But [...]

REVIEW:  Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter

REVIEW: Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter

Dear Ms. Hunter: I really enjoyed Rules of Seduction and was greatly anticipating Lessons of Desire and the story of the independent and unconventional Phaedra Blair. When I began the book, I was even more interested because I could see that the story that was going to unfold was an exploration of a fundamental feminist [...]