I appreciate the heads up about the name dropping as it is distracting if oft done in a story, particularly if one is not familiar with the product. *might as well be written, “blah, blah, blah”*

Don’t minding reading about food, it can indicate cultural preferences and some personality clues. Although, When she ate Indian food, we found out it was chicken tiki masala, sag peneer, chana masala, and lamb vindaloo, basmati rice, and naan. I am under the impression this was at ONE sitting and I am about to burst in swollen empathy.

C+ and my interests, plus Kathryn’s gentle replies, culminate in a book buy!

And I liked Dawn’s relationship with her parents too.

Great review Jane, it is as the others said, a C review that sounds very positive.

As for product placement, can I nip that conversation in the bud? No one offered me a contract for anything, but if a major cosmetics company would like to do that, I’m open for discussion. :-) I name/product drop because Dawn is a brand-name wh*re — plus I used Duane Reade because it’s definitely a NYC thing, and personally, I thought it was a nice touch. Although, I don’t think I did it as much in the second book, so hopefully it won’t be an issue for you in that one. ;-)

Now I never pictured Morpheus as Larry Fishbourne. For some reason he looks like Jamie Denton off Desperate Housewives in my head.

Regardless, I think this is the best ‘C’ I’ve ever gotten. So, thanks!

Kathryn

Considering that most everybody who has commented on name dropping did not appreciate it in the least, one wonders about efficacy. On the other hand there are many readers who don't say anything or do not seem bothered by it, and who knows, some might actually decide to buy X product after having read about it. After all, people do buy products from SPAM emails, too…

An recent-ish example of a name being distracting to me was the Bugatti Veyron in Lick My Horns…though now that I actually know what that is, I doubt many people will actually be rushing out to buy one.

Good job at sucking me into reading a C-review, btw. If you’re not going to be tagging reviews, can you still tag the A’s, maybe B’s, at the end? I only say this because I can imagine people might want to browse them, looking for something/someone new.

Considering that most everybody who has commented on name dropping did not appreciate it in the least, one wonders about efficacy. On the other hand there are many readers who don’t say anything or do not seem bothered by it, and who knows, some might actually decide to buy X product after having read about it. After all, people do buy products from SPAM emails, too…