war

JOINT REVIEW: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

JOINT REVIEW: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

Janine: I’ve been hankering for Nalini Singh’s Kiss of Snow ever since I realized Hawke would be paired with Sienna, and was so excited to receive the ARC that even though I was in the middle of two other books, I dropped them to read this one the day I got it. When I had [...]

JOINT REVIEW: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh (and Giveaway)

JOINT REVIEW: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh (and Giveaway)

UPDATE: We’ve decouple the review from the giveaway because this is a book so many want to talk about. The review will be reposted on Monday in a new and separate post. The winners have all been emailed. 1) Andy Swanson 2) Cath 3) Adrianne Robinson 4) Jenny 5) Sera 6) Nicola 7) sequoia 8) [...]

REVIEW: Grayton Beach Affair by James Harvey

REVIEW: Grayton Beach Affair by James Harvey

Dear Mr. Harvey, When we were contacted about possibly reviewing your first book “Grayton Beach Affair,” the WWII setting plus the intriguing German born/American raised hero who returns to the US on a mission caught my attention. Now this was something different and I looked forward to discovering how a romance could develop between Christian [...]

REVIEW: French Letters (Engaged in War) by Jack Woodville London

REVIEW: French Letters (Engaged in War) by Jack Woodville London

Dear Mr. London, You promised us romance in the second book in the “French Letters” trilogy and you delivered. You promised us characters who are “Engaged in War” as the Allies liberate France and you delivered. You promised us answers to some of the questions posed in the first book “Virginia’s War” and again, they [...]

REVIEW: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

REVIEW: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Note: This review contains spoilers. I would also expect any potential comments to contain spoilers as well. Readers wishing to avoid spoilers will want to skip this. But for the people who’ve already read the book, as well as the spoiler-loving seekers, come on in. Let’s discuss.

REVIEW:  Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

REVIEW: Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas

Dear Ms. Kleypas: I’ve never fully understood the phrase “two sides of the same coin”, but my feelings toward Love in the Afternoon perhaps gives new meaning to the saying. This is two books in one which could be a boon except I liked the first book (the first half) far better than the second [...]

REVIEW: Marrying the Royal Marine by Carla Kelly

REVIEW: Marrying the Royal Marine by Carla Kelly

Dear Ms. Kelly, At last, at last the final book in the Brandon Sisters series. Eldest sister Nan found love with a naval Captain, middle sister Laura married a naval doctor and now it’s youngest – by quite a few years – sister Polly’s turn. But instead of the Navy, the Royal Marines provide our [...]

REVIEW: For Your Arms Only by Caroline Linden

REVIEW: For Your Arms Only by Caroline Linden

Ms. Linden: I came away from this book thinking that I should have liked the story more than I did and I wasn’t sure why.   Your prose is good, as always.   You have thoughtful characters.    I liked the premise – the story of a man whose honor was totally stripped away by a false [...]

REVIEW: Havemercy by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett

REVIEW: Havemercy by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett

Dear Ms. Jones and Ms. Bennett, Like my fellow Dear Author bloggers, Jane and Janine, I’m participating in Keishon’s 2009 TBR Challenge.   Unfortunately, I seem unable to follow directions and completely failed to meet this month’s theme.   Again.   That sound you hear in the distance is probably Jane laughing at me.   Again.   In my defense, [...]

REVIEW: Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott

REVIEW: Daughter of the Flames by Zoe Marriott

Dear Ms. Marriott, Your book came at exactly the right time.   I’m a little burned out on paranormals and have been looking for a change, so your young adult fantasy was much appreciated.   I just wish I could be more enthusiastic about it because it contains many elements I generally like in this genre. Zira [...]

REVIEW: To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt

REVIEW: To Taste Temptation by Elizabeth Hoyt

Dear Mrs Hoyt, I love the beginning of a new series. New characters to meet, new situations to explore, new relationships to work out. Everything’s fresh and (hopefully) wide open. “To Taste Temptation” is, I believe, book one in what looks like a four book series if the fable at the start is our guide. [...]

REVIEW:  Manga Review: Epic Adventure and Romance: Basara

REVIEW: Manga Review: Epic Adventure and Romance: Basara

Basara by Yumi Tamura. Published by Viz. Retail: $9.99. Rated T+ for older teens (frank sex and violence. The sex isn’t graphic but the violence can be.) 25/27 volumes published, complete in Japan. Dear Readers, Some long running romance manga series are drawing to a close this month, and all deserve mention here.This column is [...]

REVIEW: The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

Dear Ms. Turner, Since in reality, our reviews are at least as much for readers as they are for authors, let me begin this letter with a warning to readers who haven’t embarked on your YA fantasy series beginning with The Thief. The book I am about to review here is The Queen of Attolia, [...]

DUELING REVIEW: Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn

DUELING REVIEW: Reader and Raelynx by Sharon Shinn

Dear Ms. Shinn, I was tired, crabby, and busily packing for a trip when the ARC of Reader and Raelynx arrived on my doorstep. Minutes later, I gleefully sent off an email to my fellow Dear Author reviewers, quoting the little note that said “Sharon Shinn said you would be interested in seeing a galley [...]

REVIEW:  How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

REVIEW: How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

Dear Ms. Rosoff, When a book has won a slew of awards including ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2005 and Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year, and has even been nominated for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, it hardly needs more accolades from me. Here I am regardless, writing this open [...]