Mar 9, 2014

REVIEW: The Past is Myself by Christabel Bielenberg

Jayne B+ Reviews autobiography, Germany, non-fiction, World War II 8 Comments

Dear Readers, I first heard of Christabel Bielenberg’s story via a 1980s made-for-TV movie staring Elizabeth Hurley and Stephen Dillane in the title roles of Bielenberg and her German husband, Peter, as they melodramatically attempted to survive Hitler’s wartime Germany…. more

Mar 8, 2014

REVIEW: Freeing by E.K. Blair

Jennie C+ Reviews m/m, New Adult, Rape, Series 2 Comments

Dear Ms. Blair: I read books #1 and #3 in the Fading series, Fading and Falling, last year. The two books essentially told the same story from the perspective of the two main protagonists, Candace and Ryan. Book #2, Freeing,… more

Mar 7, 2014

REVIEW: Simple Faith by Anna Schmidt

Jayne B Reviews Belgium, European-Historical, Historical, inspirational, military hero, War / Military, World War II 8 Comments

After losing her beloved husband and daughter and surviving Hitler’s Sobibor death camp, Quaker widow Anja Steinberg dedicates her life to helping others and keeping her son safe. As a member of the resistance, she helps displaced Allied airmen get… more

Mar 7, 2014

REVIEW: Drift by Lyn Gala

Sirius B Reviews space opera/ romance/BDSM 5 Comments

Previous book: Turbulence Allie always enjoyed casual sex with crewmates, but the war never let her get too close to anyone. Now the war is over, and shipmates lost. Somewhere Allie lost some part of herself, too. But no matter… more

Mar 5, 2014

REVIEW: Nil by Lynne Matson

Jia D Reviews island, Macmillan, survival, Young-Adult 8 Comments

Dear Ms. Matson, I was a big fan of Lost during its early seasons. My attention wavered as the series progressed, but I do recall my obsession when it first aired fondly. Your novel, Nil, reminded me of Lost and… more

Mar 5, 2014

REVIEW: The Mapmaker’s Daughter by Laurel Corona

Jayne B Reviews 15th century, European-Historical, Historical, Jewish-faith, religion, Spain 5 Comments

A sweeping story of 1492 Spain, exploring how what we know about the world shapes our map of life 1492. During the waning decades of Spain’s golden age, Christian religious fervor culminated in the expulsion of all Jews and Muslims… more

Mar 4, 2014

REVIEW: Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra

Kaetrin B+ Reviews/ Recommended Reads Contemporary, Small-Town 11 Comments

Recommended Read

Dear Virginia Kantra, Carolina Man is the third book in your Dare Island series which, so far has featured the three offspring of Tom and Tess Fletcher.  Tom was a Marine for 20 years and after his retirement from the… more

Mar 3, 2014

REVIEW: Mnevermind 1: The Persistence of Memory by Jordan Castillo...

Sirius B+ Reviews paranormal/ scifi m/m romance 5 Comments

Every day, Daniel Schroeder breaks his father’s heart. While forgetting your problems won’t solve them, it does seem like it would make life a heck of a lot easier. Daniel thought so once. Now he knows better. He and Big… more

Mar 3, 2014

GROUP REVIEW: The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin

Willaful A Reviews/ B+ Reviews/ Recommended Reads China, courtesan heroine, historical romance, police, Tang Dynasty 13 Comments

Recommended Read

  Dear Ms. Lin: A number of us here at Dear Author have really enjoyed your historical romances set in China, including (and perhaps especially) the Pinkang Li series.  Sunita and Jayne read and recommended The Sword Dancer and they… more

Mar 2, 2014

REVIEW: Lingerie for Felons by Ros Baxter

Willaful Book Reviews/ C Reviews activism, chicklit, fiction with strong romantic elements 0 Comment

Dear Ms. Baxter: Lingerie For Felons is a little hard to categorize: after a beginning that feels like New Adult, it settles into chicklit, then veers into “women’s fiction” in the second half. (With a final veer into fantasy/fairy tale.)… more

Mar 1, 2014

REVIEW: I Have a Bad Feeling About This by Jeff...

Jayne B Reviews Contemporary, crime, friendship, YA 9 Comments

Everything 16-year-old Henry was dreading about survival camp turns out to be true—or even worse. The only thing to help get him through is his equally unathletic best friend Randy and the discovery of a girls’ music camp just down… more

Feb 28, 2014

REVIEW: Baby, It’s Cold Outside by HelenKay Dimon

Sunita B- Reviews Contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, one night stand, workplace-romance 17 Comments

Dear Ms. Dimon, I’ve enjoyed your Harlequin Intrigue Romantic Suspense books for years, I thought your recent Cosmo Red-Hot Read was great fun, and one of your contemporaries for Carina landed on my Best of 2013 list.  So when I… more

Feb 28, 2014

REVIEW: Down on Her Knees by Christine Bell

Jane C+ Reviews BDSM Lite, Contemporary romance, opposites attract 1 Comment

Dear Ms. Bell: I requested this book via NetGalley. I know I’ve read you before and I think I’ve even read books in this series before but I didn’t have a strong recollection of the previous two couples referenced in… more

Feb 27, 2014

REVIEW: The Anonymous Miss Addams by Kasey Michaels

Jayne C+ Reviews amnesia, Historical, Regency England, Regency Romance, sweet romance 5 Comments

He was London’s most eligible–and outrageous–bachelor. But though Pierre Standish didn’t give a whit for polite society, he could not deny his father’s latest request. To prove himself a true gentleman, Pierre had to perform a random good deed. The… more

Feb 27, 2014

REVIEW: Shadowboxer by Cari Quinn

Jane C Reviews Athlete, Contemporary romance, sports romance 5 Comments

Dear Ms. Quinn: I bought this book at the bargain price of 99c and as of today, the book is still priced at that amount. Mia Anderson is an underground MMA fighter and she believes if she could get the… more