Royalty

Tuesday News: HarperCollins to be spun off; Niche authors protest price limit; Netflix reveals ISP Speeds

Netflix ISP Speed Index | Compare global internet service provider speeds – Netflix has set up a website where it compares the transfer speeds of various ISP providers. Unsurprisingly, in the US Google Fiber is the fastest (also non existent for most of the country). Clearwear is the lowest. My guess is that ISPs aren’t(…)

REVIEW:  The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne

REVIEW: The Runaway Princess by Hester Browne

Dear Ms. Browne, In all fairness, the title does promise what is delivered. But I found that I didn’t care for a woman who would consider this acceptable behavior. The romance is like one of the heroine’s mother’s fairy cakes or ‘light as air’ sponge cakes. And even the farting dog and images of Amy(…)

REVIEW: Lessons in Seduction by Sandra Hyatt

REVIEW: Lessons in Seduction by Sandra Hyatt

Dear Readers: Given that Ms. Hyatt has recently passed away I don’t feel comfortable addressing the review to her. Sarah Wendell recommended this book to me and I’m glad she did. I rarely venture into the Harlequin Desire waters. This is a bit of a role reversed My Fair Lady story. Adam is the heir(…)

Tuesday Midday Links:  A Reader Poll and eBook Rumors

Tuesday Midday Links: A Reader Poll and eBook Rumors

EBook device rumor alert: Amazon is holder a press conference tomorrow that many are saying will be used to announce the Kindle Fire, a 7″ tablet.  This device seems marketed more toward video and audio consumption.  Amazon announced yesterday that Fox has signed up for video streaming and this content is free to Prime members(…)

Monday Midday Links: Seal Team 6 Trademarked by Disney

Monday Midday Links: Seal Team 6 Trademarked by Disney

Just a few days after the killing of Osama Bin Laden carried out by a special operations group that the press has called SEAL Team 6, Disney applied for and received a trademark for SEAL TEAM 6. The trademark is to be used in conjunction with “toys, games and playthings; gymnastic and sporting articles; hand-held(…)

REVIEW: Royal Weddings novellas

REVIEW: Royal Weddings novellas

Dear Ladies, I’ve read that Americans are more interested in British royal weddings than the Brits. Well, the bloom might be off the rose for me after watching Chuck + Di and Andrew + Fergie make hashes of their marriages but I do wish the latest young royal and his bride better luck. At least(…)

REVIEW: The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell

REVIEW: The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell

Dear Ms. Bagwell, When a review copy of your novel fell into my hands at the beginning of January, I was intrigued. I had actually seen the book at Borders a couple of days before and noted the cover rec from Diana Gabaldon (I know, I know, only gulliable fools are drawn in by cover(…)

REVIEW:  Emily and the Notorious Prince by India Grey

REVIEW: Emily and the Notorious Prince by India Grey

Dear Ms. Grey: For some reason none of the Balfour stories (even from my favorite Michelle Reid) have really moved me but this was the exception. Emily Balfour walked away from her family and all her wealth when, just as her mother lay dying, Emily learned her father had cheated on her mother. She left(…)

REVIEW: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

REVIEW: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

Dear Ms. Jemisin, Traditional fantasy is one of my favorite genres. In fact, it’s the type of fantasy I love best. And yet, I have such a contentious relationship with it because so much of it features elements I’m tired of: the vaguely medieval European setting, the quest structure in which the protagonist collects convenient(…)

Friday Film Review: The Swan

Friday Film Review: The Swan

The Swan (1956) Genre: Historical Dramedy Grade: B- Here’s a golden oldie, or moldy oldie if you don’t care for it. The movie is based on a play written by Ferenc Molnar and was filmed twice before this final one was made. It’s Grace Kelly’s next-to-the-last film made before her marriage to a real Prince(…)

REVIEW: Quatrain by Sharon Shinn

REVIEW: Quatrain by Sharon Shinn

Dear Ms. Shinn,

REVIEW: The Archer’s Heart by Astrid Amara

Dear Ms. Amara, There’s a continuing discussion among fantasy circles about non-Western settings and non-Caucasian characters in fantasy. Or more to the point, the lack thereof. I confess I count myself among their number. I realize many people take it as a given that a fantasy setting should be faux medieval Europe but these days,(…)

REVIEW: The Queen’s Bastard by C.E. Murphy

Dear Ms. Murphy, Your urban fantasy novels have failed to work for me in the past but I like giving authors second chances, especially when they expand into a favorite subgenre. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a political fantasy, and this book reminded me why I enjoy it. Set in an alternate(…)

REVIEW: Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Dear Ms. Osterlund, When I received this book from Jane, I was excited. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book solely about a princess and I admit I had a soft spot for them when I was younger. And not only did Aurelia feature a crown princess, it also had the spymaster’s(…)

The Political Elites and Their Book Income

Hilary Clinton just released her tax returns for the period in the Senate. The big numbers that jumped out at me was how much money the two made on their books: Senator Clinton’s Book Income: $10,457,083 President Clinton’s Book Income: $29,580,525 Interestingly both Clintons appear to have earned out their advances ($8 M and $15(…)