Comments on: REVIEW: Tangle XY (Anthology edited by Nicole Kimberling)

By: REVIEW: Tangle Girls (anthology edited by Nicole Kimberling) | Dear Author: Romance Novel Reviews, Industry News, and Commentary

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:01:35 +0000

[...] in July of 2008, I reviewed Tangle XY, an anthology of short speculative m/m stories. Earlier this year, Blind Eye Books, the [...]

By: Janine

Janine — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:54:48 +0000

Thanks for the heads up. I think Johnson has a beautiful way with words, so I can completely understand how one could fall in love with her writing, even though “Release in A Minor” didn’t work for me as well as I would have liked.

By: Ann Somerville

Ann Somerville — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:37:15 +0000

Great review, Janine, though I loved Johnson’s piece to bits, despite the length. I did wonder why a couple of the dud pieces were included. The Gunnells and Adamson stories fell well below what I’d expect from Blind Eye and considering what *was* featured, I couldn’t figure it out at all. I guess it comes down to pesky personal taste again.

Overall, it’s extremely good value for money, and so far above so much of the usua; gay romance dreck, that I’d urge all serious lovers of this genre to get their sticky mitts on it asap.

By: K. Z. Snow

K. Z. Snow — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:25:32 +0000

So maybe Tangle should have been titled Tangle Wood. ;-)

By: nicole kimberling

nicole kimberling — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:00:40 +0000

Thank you for the review, Janine. I really appreciate your interest in our company’s line.

Since you wondered about Tenea D. Johnson, I thought I’d mention that a much longer story of hers will be featured in Blind Eye Book’s Tangle Girls, a new anthology featuring lesbian protagonists. It’s the companion volume to Tangle.

By: K. Z. Snow

K. Z. Snow — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:13:44 +0000

I’m going to sample me some Drollerie Press work next. It seems to be another little pub with class and vision.

By: Janine

Janine — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:39:31 +0000

Jia — Thanks. I am really looking forward to your review of The Archer’s Heart.

K.Z. — I’m glad you enjoyed the review. I was especially impressed with Jesse Sandoval, Astrid Amara, and of course I already knew Ginn Hale was really good.

I think a big publisher probably has to cater to a greater variety of tastes, whereas a small one can often focus on a niche.

By: K. Z. Snow

K. Z. Snow — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:18:05 +0000

Wonderful reviews, Janine; thank you! I’m so glad you tackled Tangle. I, too, have been itching with curiosity about the anthology since reading Wicked Gentlemen. It seems little Blind Eye Books has managed to attract some mightily talented writers.

That fact in and of itself would make for a fascinating discussion. Why is it certain pubs — and, usually, small ones — seem to put out such high-quality products? The answer obviously lies in each owner’s taste and vision, but why aren’t more publishers exercising the same degree of discernment?

Honestly, this issue has bugged me for years.

By: Jia

Jia — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:01:50 +0000

Your reviews of the Amara stories make me look forward to reviewing the novel even more.