France

Friday Film Review : Le Pacte des Loups

Friday Film Review : Le Pacte des Loups

Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) (2001) Genre: such a mixed bag Grade: B- Eighteenth century conspiracy theorists would have had a field day with this movie and the real events that inspired it. As it is, twenty-first century film goers can watch it then wonder, “What on earth did I just see?”(…)

REVIEW: The Countess’s Client by Alison Richardson

REVIEW: The Countess’s Client by Alison Richardson

Dear Ms. Richardson, When your Countess Trilogy was recently recommended to me by no less than three friends, I sat up and took notice. I quickly purchased the first of the three stories, downloaded it to my Sony reader, and devoured it. The practice of genuine virtue leads to a life of odious boredom–of that(…)

REVIEW: Transformed into the Frenchman’s Mistress by Barbara Dunlop

REVIEW: Transformed into the Frenchman’s Mistress by Barbara Dunlop

Dear Ms. Dunlop, A friend of mine married her Frenchman so when I see books with French heroes, I check them out. Since I’ve found that the Desire line tends towards less assholic heroes, I decided to give “Transformed into the Frenchman’s Mistress” a shot. If there was anything Charlotte Hudson had learned in her(…)

Friday Film Review: How to Steal a Million

Friday Film Review: How to Steal a Million

How to Steal a Million (1966) Genre: Romance, Comedy Grade: B+ I first saw this movie years ago and fell in love with it. In the many times I’ve watched it since, I’ve picked up on some details which make little sense or which are glossed over to carry the plot but it still amuses(…)

REVIEW: White Flag by Thom Lane

REVIEW: White Flag by Thom Lane

Dear Mr. Lane: I reviewed your Dark Heart in February (the book of the gorgeous cover), which I very much enjoyed. So when you sent me White Flag, I was thrilled to have it, short though it is (only 68 pages). And it was an enjoyable, if predictable, little read. But I’m really writing about(…)

REVIEW: The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson

REVIEW: The Pleasure Palace by Kate Emerson

Dear Ms. Emerson Your mysteries and historicals have been among the books I’ve pondered buying from Belgrave House. But, as with many books out there, I’ve never gone beyond the, “hmmm, that could be interesting” stage. So it was with pleasure – yes, I’m being bad here – that I picked “The Pleasure Palace” out(…)

REVIEW: The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin

REVIEW: The Courtier’s Secret by Donna Russo Morin

Dear Ms. Morin, I too love “The Three Musketeers” so it was with anticipation that I began reading your book, “The Courtier’s Secret.” Though set during the reign of Louis XIV instead of his father, Louis XIII, I had high hopes for swashbuckling, handsome musketeers and daring do as they fought to save the life(…)

REVIEW:  Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel

REVIEW: Honor Thyself by Danielle Steel

Dear Ms. Steel: It was with avid curiosity that I read your February release, Honor Thyself, feeling quite out of the loop for not having read any of your previous work.   After finishing the book, I was less curious but a bit confused, and so I went to Amazon to see what other readers thought(…)

REVIEW: A Rather Curious Engagement by C.A. Belmond (7/08)

Dear Mrs Belmond, When I finished reading “A Rather Curious Inheritance,” I knew there ought to be more about Penny Nichols (who is aware of the silliness of her name) and Jeremy Laidley (her sort of English cousin) after their show of interest in each other and in combining the actually rather lovely inheritance from(…)

REVIEW: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne

Dear Ms. Bourne, It’s taken me a while to get around to reading your debut, The Spymaster’s Lady. Back in the winter, Robin asked me if I would review it in a conversational review with her before your next book came out, and I promised that I would. When I got to reading it last(…)

REVIEW: Stranded with a Spy by Merline Lovelace

Dear Mrs. Lovelace, When I’ve had a bunch of disappointing books in a row, I know I can turn to you to pull me out of my rut. Whether it’s a historical (which you don’t seem to write much anymore) or contemporary or romantic suspense, you generally hit the spot and give me something readable.(…)

REVIEW: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne

Dear Ms Bourne, My blogging partner Jane and I usually have similar tastes in historical novels. Usually, I say, because we’ve been known to disagree at times. And it’s those times that I almost hate to do a review and have to say, sorry but I think this one sucked. I’m glad to say that(…)

DUELING REVIEW: Black Ice by Anne Stuart

DUELING REVIEW: Black Ice by Anne Stuart

Dear Ms. Stuart, Black Ice is my favorite of all your books — the ones I’ve read, that is. You have a huge backlist and I have not come anywhere near reading them all, but I’ve read several of your most popular titles, including A Rose at Midnight, To Love a Dark Lord, Moonrise, Nightfall,(…)

REVIEW: Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

Dear Ms Harris, I’d seen your books available in a few other catalogues but it took one of the 100% rebates from Fictionwise to spur me into action. As Jane says, what’s to lose? Watching the new Ken Burns PBS series on WWII had me in the mood so I took the plunge. The book(…)

REVIEW: A Wedding in Paris by Bretton, Ferrarella and Myers

REVIEW: A Wedding in Paris by Bretton, Ferrarella and Myers

Ladies, Who doesn’t enjoy reading about a wedding? Especially one in Paris? Or the romantic city of Paris as you all felt compelled to repeat several times in each story just to make sure we got it. I got it though I did wonder if some French board of tourism had bribed you all to(…)