Archive for March, 2007
 In this increasingly digital age, people are storing important content on their computers. Some back up their data and others do not. Even if you are one of the small percentage of folks that do back up, CDs and DVDs, the common choice for home computer users, are devices prone to failure.
Each hard drive has a MTBF (mean time between failures) which is essentially the life expectancy of a hardrive. The higher the number, the longer lasting the harddrive. An average computer harddrive has an MTBF of 400,000 hours and thus should last at least 45 years. In reality, though, the life expectancy of a harddrive is three to five years. In order to preserve your information, you must move your data from your existing harddrive within that 3 to 5 year period else face the risk of losing it or paying for an expensive data recovery service. A single scratch to a CD or a DVD and you may not be able to read any information.
Kim Novak lost her autobiography which was stored on a computer in her home. A fire in the home destroyed …
Dear Ms Kelly,
 I’m not a gamer so I’m sure I probably missed some “insider” stuff while reading your latest book but I had a great time laughing my ass off through the rest of it. And I’ve got to admire the chutzpah of having Princess Zara have you as her favorite author.
Poor Princess Zara. She’s got to be the horniest pixilated character in game land. And she’s gonna stay that way, courtesy of the Great Programmers until her hero, Sir Lincoln of Green fights his way to the highest level of the game. What game you ask? Only the best game on sale today, that’s what.
The Mythical Quest for the Illusion of Zara.
Millions had bought the game, millions were playing it even now. But as of yet, nobody&emdash;not one frickin' nimble-fingered mortal twit&emdash;had managed to reach the final level.
Zara glanced automatically at the large LCD screen adorning one wall of her chamber in the Tower of Chaos. The bar up one side was still green, not even approaching the yellow level. The final red bits at the top were distressingly dark.
She knew that once the red bars lit up, so would she. They indicated
…
 Readers were arguing about Anna Campbell's debut, Claiming the Courtesan, before it was published. An Avon historical that was actually offending readers? This I had to see. And as I sat down to read, I expected to be shocked, looked forward to it, even, because I was really craving a book that shook up my sensibilities for a change.
Unfortunately, Claiming the Courtesan wasn't that book, but it wasn't a bad book, either. For a first book it was compelling and promising, with some fresh phrasing and a bold use of the old captive heroine motif. Sure the hero is a brooding, tormented nobleman – the duke who fears he's as crazy as his father and mother and who seeks the healing effect of the heroine's body and soul. But this heroine isn't quite the virginal innocent nor the feisty TSTL aristocratic lady, and her relationship with the possibly insane duke kept my jaded self riveted for the first half of the book. As for the second half …
I was a bit flummoxed to read a post on columnist, Michelle Buonfiglio’s blog today.
there is a scene that could be read by the uninitiated romance fiction reader as flat-out rape.
That is the line from the post entitled “You Know She Wanted It”.
The post itself is about controversial debut book by Anna Campbell, Claiming the Courtesan, whose story from Avon lacks both a virgin and a widow. Robin is offering up a guest review this afternoon which captures the deep psychological underpinnings of a complicated and uncomfortable romance between a man just on the grip of insanity and a woman trying to regain hers.
In Claiming the Courtesan, there is a scene in which the hero forces himself on the heroine.
His brows contracted, and fool that she was, she read sorrow rather than fury in his face. “Well, if I must take you as a thief, then I shall be a thief.”
He pushed her legs apart, moved between them and thrust inside her.
There is no romance, no joy in this act. It is the only way that Justin believes that he can dominate Verity and in his feverish mind, make her his again. That …
 I saw this book featured on someone’s blog. The short blurb intrigued me and I went to the site and read the excerpt which really intrigued me. I immediately sent off an email to the Ace contact I have and begged for the book. The book was every bit as good as the excerpt promised. When a reader is done with a good book, an interesting book, she wants to share those thoughts with other readers. When I finished the book, I hopped onto the ‘net looking for someone, anyone who has read this book. Granted I got the book several weeks before the release date but someone had read it and would chat with me about it, right? Alas no. So finally getting to share my thoughts with people who may have read the book or will be reading the book is exciting for me.
Kate Daniels is a member of the Mercenary Guild. She hires out her sword and her magical talents to suppress those who are misusing their power. This is a world where tech and magic are competing for control. …
Dear Ms. Hoyt:
 I’ve come to the realization that your books are not really historicals, but rather fairy tales set in the mid 1700s. As such, this story need not abide by ordinary societal rules which may restrict the fair maiden from her reward with a servant. This book, like the last one, is about sleeping beauty awakening to her womanhood and then rising from her bespelled bed to assist the knight in slaying dragons and capturing her happy ever after. This time, though, the knight wears the disguise of the maiden’s land steward.
Lady Georgina Maitland is an older lady, firmly set on the shelf. She is single by choice for as the daughter of an Earl with a family fortune, Lady Georgina was frequently courted and proposed to. She always found someone else was a better match for her suitor and this dreamy and somewhat flighty woman who loved fairy tales found herself alone at the age of 28.
While traveling to view an inherited property, Lady Georgina takes a personal interest in her land steward, Harold Pye. Harry is …
Last week I claimed that the only significant release to show up on list would be For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison. However, I forgot about the power of Jane Feather and her stalwart audience. Regency spies never lose their appeal, I guess, which is why the major publishers keep churning them out. Interestingly, Jane Feather was one of Simon & Schuster’s early ebook releases which goes to show that releasing an ebook ahead of a print book does not hurt sales. Her 2006 release, Almost a Lady peaked at No. 38 on the USAToday list.
The placement of A Wicked Gentleman also shows that a mid-month release can lead to making it on the list easier and higher than a release at the end of the month or the beginning of the month during the major Tuesday release dates. This week, a book could make it to No. 11 on the strength of under 10,000 books sold. Table for Two had similar bookscan numbers to the Feather release in the week …
 I laughed a little uncomfortably when I wrote up the The Leopard Prince review. At the end of the story, Georgina loses all her good sense and intelligence, flies off the handle and makes some poor decisions. Much like me. (I liked the book despite that).
When I was writing last Sunday’s article about the RITA fiasco, I came to the end and felt like I was throwing myself a pity party. I claimed that I wasn’t but I was. And I have to acknowledge that I was. It was bad behavior on my part. It was a fiasco of my own making and I promise to do better blogging next time.
I have to apologize to the RWA and to the readers here for being an ass. I would love to go and delete the blog post and shuffle my sins under the carpet. Alas I don’t think that would be right. I’ll keep it up so that everyone can see what a pissant I can be. (not that some need any reminder).
While I was sucking on my big toe, I got an email …
Dear Ms. Stuart,
 Summer Hawthorne, the heroine of the third book in your Ice series, is the curator for a Los Angeles museum that specializes in Asian art. She is also the owner of a blue ceramic bowl that her Japanese nanny entrusted to Summer just before she died. Summer's self-centered mother belongs to a religious cult known as the True Realization Fellowship. The group's leader, a Japanese man who is known as the Shirosama (Meaning “White Lord” in Japanese), covets the bowl, which Summer's mother has promised him.
But Summer feels her mother had no right to do so, and she doesn't want the Shirosama to get his hands on it. When a bowl matching the description of Summer's shows up in one of Summer's museum exhibits, the Shirosama follows suit. On her way to her car that night, Summer is kidnapped by two of the Shirosama's men and rescued by a mysterious half-Japanese man, Takashi O'Brien.
Like the heroes of your previous books in this series, Taka is an agent and assassin working for the shadowy organization known as the Committee, which believes in saving the world by …
Dear Mrs Stuart,
 Some of your books I love. Some of them I hated. And some that I keep reading despite things which annoyed me. “Cold as Ice” is one of the later. I liked it a lot better when I first finished it but after a week of contemplation, all the little niggles are jumping out at me.
Genevieve Stuart works better for me than Clueless Chloe of “Black Ice.” But she didn’t have far to go to be better. GS has more backbone and is willing to go down fighting rather than just sit there in a haze and let someone kill her. But considering how smart this lawyer is supposed to be, she sometimes needed a clue about who was trying to save her and who just wanted to “do” her ass before killing her. Sure she didn’t know what she was walking into on the billionaire villain’s boat and the early hours on the island were confusing but, Lord help us, by the time Peter laid out her escape before the island went boom much less was rescuing her from Harry’s little California hide-away, she ought to have figured things out. And …
While perusing the deals today, I came across a sale by agent Bob Diforio to Harper Collins for three erotic novellas penned by Delilah Devlin. The wording of the deal was so different that I wondered if it meant what I thought it meant.
Delilah Devlin’s three erotic novellas, again to May Chen at Harper, for immediate e-book publication, in a nice deal, by Bob Diforio at D4EO Literary Agency (World).
After an confirmation email from Mr. Diforio, it comes to light that HarperCollins is indeed going to offer these books as ebooks first, with print options to come later. This makes a ton of sense because ebook publication overhead is so much lower than a print publication. I advocated for this back in November. An author can build on an online following, like Lora Leigh, that can be leveraged into large print sales.
Having Harper Collins enter the million dollar ebook publishing industry makes me wonder what will happen to epublishers such as Ellora’s Cave and Samhain. My hope is that it raises the standard of what is going to be published while not diminishing the diversity of offerings.
This can be …
She’s got a new book out next month which I haven’t yet read. I think I read some of her categories a long time back. She did write categories, didn’t she?
Prince of Magic author Linda Winstead Jones’s THE EMPEROR’S BRIDE, a new trilogy, to Wendy McCurdy at Berkley, by Richard Curtis of Richard Curtis Associates (NA).
I’ve never read or heard of Robin Miller. Why the name change? Does she write novels with sex under Miller and novels without under Caroll?
Robin Miller writing as Robin Caroll’s BAYOU CORRUPTION, involving rival reporters who agree to work together to solve an attempted murder and end up uncovering a gun smuggling ring, and love, to Krista Stroever at Steeple Hill Love Inspired, for publication in March 2008, by Kelly Mortimer of the Mortimer Literary Agency.
This could be really touching or very schmaltzy.
Television writer Robin Epstein’s GOD IS IN THE PANCAKES, the story of a 15-year old girl in the midst of an ethical dilemma: whether or not to help her favorite nursing home resident die, and how this affects her closest relationships, to Kate Harrison at Harcourt Children’s, by Talia Cohen at the Laura Dail Literary Agency (NA).
This was sold as …
But it doesn’t make it right, of course. Harry Hurt III reviewed Suze Orman’s latest get rich book by opening with an ad hominen attack of Orman’s looks:
There are many things more flammable than the subject of mammon and women, but most of them come in steel canisters stamped ‘hazardous materials.’ Among the substances that need hazmat warning labels are the liquid that bronzes Suze Orman’s hair, the paste that whitens her teeth for her publicity photographs and her latest financial advice manual, Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny.
I hestitate to throw the whole mysogonistic label out there having not read much (none) of ol’ Harry’s reviews before. I hope the next book review of, say, Robert Kiyosaki, is treated with the same disrespect. How about “Kiyosaki’s Asian background makes his advice relevant only to the short rice eating crowd.”
Via Galley Cat.
Dear Ms. St. Claire:
 I availed myself of the Simon & Schuster early ebook release program and snagged the ebook version of Take Me Tonight (Bullet Catchers, No 3) a few weeks ago. This week, the print version makes its way into bookstores. I had enjoyed the previous Bulletcatcher books. Unfortunately this novel required one to make an incredible suspension of disbelief. I tried to make that leap but ended up falling into a crater of implausibility that was too large for me to escape.
Sage Valentine is an investigative reporter whose best friend and roommate supposedly committed suicide after a fantasy kidnapping/sex experience run by Take Me Tonight. Keisha was a member of the Blizzards dance team and as part of a bonding experience, all the dance members have to be kidnapped and then rescued. This is all orchestrated by a company called Take Me Tonight. As part of the package, the participant who gets rescued can have sex with the rescuer. Or not.
Sage is convinced that Keisha did not kill herself and tries to investigate …
Dear Mrs Balogh,
 Yes, yes I know I said I wouldn’t be reading your next book without some great reviews but it’s hard to turn down reading a free arc of a much anticipated series by an author who has generally given me such reading pleasure in the past. I really need to put my foot down and control myself better because this book doesn’t please me any more than the last one did.
While Susanna Osbourne acknowledges that Peter Edgeworth is one of the most handsome men she’s ever met, from the moment he opens his mouth and spouts some inane comment, she’s determined to have nothing to do with him. And after all, once her two week summer holiday with former teacher Frances, Countess of Edgecombe, is over she’ll be returning to her job as a teacher in Bath at Miss Martin’s School for Girls. Susanna will try to ignore Viscount Whitleaf until then.
But Peter Edgeworth is determined not to be ignored by this lovely young woman. Chagrined that his initial inane complement goes ignored by her, he decides to discover just why Miss Osbourne dismisses him before even …
Book Chronicle, a ezine or blog dedicated to book nerds, has announced its first annual lit blogging awards called the Litty. Dear Author is one of the finalists. How we got on the list or what award we’ll win, if any, remains to be seen. However, any award that rhymes with Man Titty should be awarded to a romance blog, no?
Yesterday, Borders Rewards members received an email announcing changes to the Rewards program. Last year, when you made purchases, a percentage of those purchases were rebated back to you to spend during the Holidays. This year, you’ll receive a $5 Borders Buck coupon for every $150 spent. This is akin to other shopping programs such as the Banana Republic rewards card. The goal is to increase traffic year around by enticing customers to spend more money to reach the $150 level and then bring them in once they’ve received the $5 Borders Buck.
It works pretty well for me with the BR card. As soon as I receive my reward, I’m at the store trying to pick out what item I don’t need so I can waste my $25 reward card. Of course, it also serves to remind me that I spend way too much money at BR. I blame this on Ned. He’s a BR freak.
Mrs. Giggles, the first reader blogger in the romance community (est. in 1999), has come under attack by authors who send her books for reviews. Apparently, authors are sending her books and when Mrs. Giggles gives a review that is less than glowing, the author makes a public claim that she never sent the book to her.
What’s the point? Authors, seriously, no one will know to whom your book is sent if you don’t tell anyone. Everyone will just assume that Mrs. Giggles bought the book. Really. No need to go around disclaiming any association with Mrs. Giggles.
The trainwreck, though, doesn’t appear until the end when authors who run the Romance Divas come out in full force to exclaim what a wonderful and unique site it has compared to Mrs. Giggles and how they don’t need to tear anyone down to feel good about themselves while at the same time suggesting that Mrs. Giggles refusal to frequent their site is a sign of she is intimidated by them or that RD isn’t for her because it is “one of the most supportive sites online. We don’t tear each other down …
A very important consumer rule is being considered by the Supreme Court which would impact retail pricing in the US. Yesterday, in the case of Leegin Creative Leather Products Inc. v. PSKS Inc., No. 06-480, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether the rule which prevents manufacturers from dictating to retailers what price a good should be sold at and when sales can occur.
Leegin sold Brighton products at a discounts that Brighton did not authorize. Brighton refused to continue to supply Leegin, arguing that Leegan violated their contract regarding resale prices. Nine West, in 2000, had to pay a $34 M fine for resale price fixing when it tried to proscribe when a sale could occur on its products and for what price.
To do away with the rule against resale price fixing is bad for the consumer. Publishers could set minimum resale prices for books, like Harry Potter, at a certain price and booksellers, per the agreement, would not be able to discount the books. Changing the rule is not good for the consumer.
Dear Readers and Authors,
There was music from my neighbor’s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars. At high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while two motor boats slit the waters of the Sound, drawing aquaplanes over cataracts of foam. On week-ends his Rolls Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city, between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains. And on Mondays eight servants including an extra gardener toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden shears, repairing the ravages of the night before.
Recognize this quote? It’s from what some consider the greatest American novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. No, this is not a pop quiz for high school seniors. I’m quoting Fitzgerald because I want to talk about an element of the novel that isn’t discussed on romance boards …
Dear Ms. Glass,
 I started reading this book out of curiosity and couldn’t put it down. I wasn’t expecting much. I’ve purchased a few gay “romances” and most let me down in one of two ways. Either they’re erotica that has left romance and character out for the most part, or they’re just not written that well. This book, on the other hand, is all about characters and romance, and you write very well.
The flow and pacing of your book just pulled me through it. It was so smooth I didn’t notice pages slipping by. I loved your dialogue too. You seem to have a gift for that. The internal monologues of your hero and his talks with the others in the hospital were completely natural. His point of view said loads about his character without you have to say more.
The language of the story is very British and very authentic (probably because you are authentically British?). It might confuse some American readers a little, but those familiar with any British literature should understand it …
After today, Warner Books will now be called Grand Central Publishing to coincide with its move to a new physical location just north of the train station. Hachette Books bought the imprint from Time last year. As part of the purchase, Warner Books had to pick a new name by 2011. The official launch will occur at Book Expo in June and the first books to be released under the new imprint will be in the fall of 2007.
Warner has been behind the other publishers in digital publishing initiatives. According to Neil De Young, Warner currently publishes 15 titles in digital format across all publishers and imprints. Compare this to Harlequin that releases almost 70% of its line in eformat. The lack of “books” in the imprint name recognizes that there are “other emerging forms of publishing that go beyond ink and paper.”
Julie Ann Long, a favorite of DearAuthor bloggers, moved from Warner to Avon. I can’t help but speculate if there is more change in the water at Warner than just its name.
Via New York Times
 Keri Arthur’s road to success was solidified with her appearance on the NYT Bestseller List last month. Her first sale, Dancing with the Devil, to a small print publisher, ImaJinn Books, in 2001. In an interview with RW of Australia in 2002, Arthur admitted that finding a publisher for her work was tough because the paranormal market was so small. Initially ImaJinn had rejected Dancing with the Devil because there was “too much Aussie slang.”
Since 2001, Arthur went on to have 12 more books published through ImaJinn. In 2006, Bantam released a hardcover version of Full Moon Rising which introduced Riley Jensen and her twin brother, Rhoan, who began to fight against cloning of paranormal species. Capitalizing on the paranormal romance craze and Arthur’s prolific writing, Bantam seized the opportunity to present Arthur in back to back to back to back releases of her work starting in January with Full Moon Rising. Last month’s release, Tempting Evil, found Arthur on the NYTimes Bestseller List at No. 14.
This month’s release, Dangerous Games, …
According to today’s NY Times Book Review, the editors regret publishing a March 4 essay by Ben Schott. Mr. Schott opined about his book abusing ways in an article entitled “Confessions of a Book Abuser.”
Several readers found some disturbing similarities between Schott’s essay and a piece of Anne Fadiman’s 1998 book, “Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader.”
The Editor’s Note articulated the most similar passages as the opening lines of each essay.
But the most striking resemblance occurs in the opening lines of each essay. Schott’s begins: “I have to admit I was flattered when, returning to my hotel room on the shores of Lake Como, a beautiful Italian chambermaid took my hand. . . . Escorting me to the edge of the crisply made bed, the chambermaid pointed to a book on my bedside table. ‘Does this belong to you?’ she asked. I looked down to see a dog-eared copy of Evelyn Waugh’s ‘Vile Bodies’ open spread-eagle, its cracked spine facing out. ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘Sir, that is no way to treat a book!’ she declared, stalking out of the room.”
Fadiman’s essay begins: “When I was 11 and my brother
…
If you were expecting an ebook weekly article, come back next Sunday. We are taking a little detour today.
 Last week Barbara Samuel put up a plea at Romancing the Blog for Readers to pay more attention to the RITAs. She titled her post “Why Readers Should Care About the RITA Awards.” I commented that readers don’t care because there is no personal investment in the process or the outcome for the readers. It was an industry award given by writers to writers and there was no place in that equation for the readers.
Samuel sparked off a huge debate on the internet, both at RTB and at SBs. There were over 300 comments at both threads with authors and readers weighing in. I was mentally exhausted after participating in the discussion. Later that day and the next, I thought about the RITAs and what it would take for readers to feel part of the award and the event.
One solution I thought of was to live blog the RITAs, much like the ladies at Go Fug Yourself did for the Oscars and like the …
 So, after some thought and rooting around in the backend of BlueHost, I found a thing called Simple Machines Forum which is a great open source software program for forums. I installed it and added a couple of packages to extend functionality, and waa laa – we now have a forum for readers. It is for readers and by readers, I mean, anyone who reads. If you are an author, we’d love to have you but we ask you put on your reading cap when you come in.
You don’t have to register to post. The only required field is your name, which can be ANON, if you like, but I suggest Jean or perhaps Jamie or even Jericho. If you do sign up, you can have a reserved name and an avatar. There are a few other features that are available when you register.
The best way to use the forum, in my opinion, is to use the following two options that appear under your name when you login:
We all …
Dear Ms. Charles,
 I like your decision to write a western with a strong heroine in it. Like you, I grew up watching TV westerns and always wanted the women to do more than just wait at home while the menfolk went out and saved the day. You’ve certainly given your heroine something to do, too.
Bethany Hart has no intention of getting over the day her family was slaughtered by renegade Conferderate soldiers. At least not until she’s hauled all five men in to face justice at the end of a short rope. To that end, she’s spent years practicing her shooting, riding, and roping and honed her bounty hunting skills bringing in wanted criminals. One of the former soldiers has already been hanged for his crimes and she’s elated to be bringing in another to the Kansas town of Burnt Prairie. But when she drops him off with the local Marshall, Bethany gets a weird feeling. The Marshall is a little too eager to shut the man up and throw him into a jail cell. The next morning, when she finds out the man escaped, Bethany is disgusted to have to head out after the man …
 Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not a hater of Victoria Beckham. I have three pairs of Rock n Republic Beckham jeans which I love. They are very comfortable. But a book club started by a woman who bragged to the Spanish press while promoting her autobiography that she has never read a book her entire life, including her own, sounds a bit suspicious. Do we even know that she can read let alone engage in a discussion about an entire novel.
I’m all for stars using their fame to promote literature, like Jon Stewart on the Daily Show, but when he recommends a book, I actually believe that he has read it. She did tell the press that she likes fashion magazines so perhaps Margaret & Lizz Weiss’ name brand novel would be right up her alley. Heck, maybe she’ll single-handedly bring chick lit back into vogue.
Via The Superficial.
If Ned ever leaves me, I’ll have to hook up with this guy. There are only so many people in this world that can draw adequate stick figures.
Yes but No But Yes put together a list of the Top 15 Unintentionally Funny Comic Book Panels. The list includes references to the Joker’s Boner, Wonder Woman’s vanity, Archie beating off three other guys, and Robin exposing himself.
Part of me read the panels with some disbelief. Surely, these were photoshopped, but alas, no. Probably they were the comic illustrators idea of a “in” joke. A pretty good one too.
I can’t help but wonder what jokes Jodi Picuolt will write in for Wonder Woman or whether Jennifer Estep’s upcoming novel about superheroines, Karma Girl, will be a bang or a bust. I have my fingers crossed for “bang”.
Kate Rothwell is running an experiment on her site asking readers to guess whether the author of a quoted passage is black or white. You can guess anonymously.
Borders severing times with Amazon is getting alot of play in the business world. One analyst from Citigroup believes that Borders accounts for 2-3% of Amazon sales. I have real questions about the profitability of the digital download centers.
Borders currently buys direct from the publisher at a 40% discount as do most bookstores. It’s markup is then 40% minus any coupons or sales. Borders currently sells the Sony Reader. Sony has its own retail distribution of ebooks. Sony purchases its ebooks from the publisher (likely at the same 40% discount) and then resells them for 20% off. Borders will have to sell the Sony books for the same cost thus earning them no money or at a higher cost which makes me question why I would even buy an ebook at Borders digital download center. Unless Borders comes up with its own device, not tied to Sony, I can’t see ebooks being a big profit center unless the money is being made on the sale of the electronic reading devices. And if Borders sells its own branded ereader, then will that mean yet another …
Dear Mrs Munroe,
 While I’m not a recent Ellora’s Cave virgin like Janine, I’m still not a “rode hard and put up wet” veteran either. Since my tastes don’t run to BDSM, a lot of EC offerings leave me less than enthused about trying them. But your book with its mix of history and tenderness fits my criteria nicely.
Margo Harrington and her flatmates, fellow WAAFs, are out on the town in war torn London. Just for a night they want to forget air raid sirens, bombs, rationing and the war. While dancing with a young soldier, Margo thinks for a second that she saw Johnnie, her first love and the man her parents made her give up. At the end of the dance, he does appear, cutting in on the other man and dancing Margo away. Since she was the one to break off their relationship, Margo is unsure of how he will react. One thing she’s learned in the 6 months since Johnnie went away to war is that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed to anyone and she has to live up to her new resolve to grow a backbone and tell him now she …
AAR has now consolidated all seven boards into one board with one registration.
Dear Ms. Feather:
 The most recent issue plaguing your books have been the appeal of your heroes. One common theme for your heroes is that they often use the heroines for their own selfish motivations and then are seemingly “redeemed” by falling in love with the heroines as if the “love” word automatically excuses villainous behavior. Sometimes it works for me, as it did in Almost a Bride but not in Kissed by Shadows. A Wicked Gentleman fell somewhere in between. I will not re read it as I have Almost a Bride and I do not revile it like I did with Kissed by Shadows. It failed to evoke any type of strong response which is its real failure.
Harry, Viscount Bonham, works for the Crown as a spy. A piece of code embedded in an objct is taken and is purportedly at a house on Cavendish Square that is conveniently absent. After a few attempts at retrieval, the house suddenly becomes occupied making the capture of …
It’s list day again. It surprises me how fast books fall, particularly the genre books. Rhonda Byrne’s book, The Secret, remains at the top after 16 weeks on the list here. A Young Adult novel, It’s Not Easy Being Mean (Clique Series) by Lisi Harrison (Little Brown For Young Readers), $9.99, is in the top 15 and Lisa Scottoline’s book, Daddy’s Girl, debuts at 15. The only significant release this week was Kim Harrison’s debut in hardcover, For a Few Demons More so we’ll look to see what effect that will have on next week’s list.
If there is a commonality amongst the genre fiction books on the list, minus a few exceptions, it is suspense and action. Nearly all of the books that have staying power since their debut has a suspense or action theme in its story, regardless of whether its paranormal or just us old humans.
Morning Comes Softly, Debbie Macomber, Avon, $7.99, No. 10 (Peak 5).
Hey, Good Looking, Fern Michaels, Pocket, $7.99, No. 21 (Peak No. 16).
McKettrick’s Pride, Linda Lael Miller (HQN), $7.99, No. 28 (Peak 11)….
Borders announced an unexpected fourth quarter loss despite increased sales. Sales rose 2.9% but posted a loss of $73.6 Million versus a profit of $119.1 M posted in the 2005 4th quarter.
There was no explanation for the loss but indicated that there would be a re-evaluation of its overseas outlets and an unveiling of its own Borders.com website to handle internet business. It will also close near to half of its Waldenbooks stores by 2008. This coincided with previous reports that Borders was cutting ties with Amazon who previously fulfilled Borders internet book sales. Via Bloomberg.
Edited to add: According to Shelf Awareness, Borders plans to increase its digital offerings. Borders was the first non Sony Store retailer to offer the Sony Reader. In conjunction with that, Shelf Awareness reports:
Borders will add digital centers in stores that will offer products such as audiobooks, e-books and MP3 players as well as services such as downloading and personal publishing. Digital downloading will be available both online and in stores. Borders is talking with potential partners about digital offerings.
With all the book publishers having glowing profitability in 2006, I think its safe to say …
First Penguin, the Simon & Schuster, and now Random House posts positive marks for growth in 2006. Worldwide revenues rose 6.5% to $2.59B according to Publishers’ Weekly. This is despite the $43.3 million that Random House was owed by AMS.
CEO Peter Olson pegged growth in the North American (all divisions with Crown and Knopf leading the way) and German markets as the primary reasons for increased profits. Random House also had 201 New York Times bestsellers with 37 of them no. 1s.
Despite the rosy past, Random House is still concerned about the future. If you recall, a few weeks ago, Random House UK CEO spoke about the increasing difficulty to make a profit in today’s marketplace. Agents came away with the opinion that Random House was readying them for lower advances. Olson didn’t have any specific concerns about 2007 and felt that RH would meet its financial goals.
So, on the one hand: investors don’t be concerned and on the other, agents: tighten your belts. It’s not a mixed message or anything.
Stephen King will be announced as the editor for the 2007 Best American Short Stories to be published by Houghton-Mifflin in October. The Best American Short Stories have traditionally been edited by best selling authors but perhaps not one with a publishing record as deep, varied and successful as Mr. King’s. Personally, I think Mr. King is a great editor for this series as he has written novellas and short stories and from his work demonstrates an understanding in the craft difference between a short story and a novel. Some of my favorite King stories and perhaps favorites of the American movie going population, are short stories such as Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption, The Body (adapted into Stand by Me), and the more recent, Stationary Bike.
Dear Mrs Kelly,
 I was upset when I learned Signet wouldn’t be publishing any more of your delightful regencies. Then elated to hear the news that you’d been picked up by Harlequin Historicals. Then pissed when that line was due to close. Then happy when they reversed that decision then frustrated to learn the wait for “Beau Crusoe” would be 6 months, then a year. In other words, I’ve been waiting for this one. While it ends up not being one of my favorites, it’s still well worth the wait.
Lt James Trevenen gets his first command when HMS Orion splits open on a coral reef somewhere in the South Pacific. Out of the total ship’s complement, only 5 men make it into the long boat and only James is an officer, hence it’s his command. After two weeks with no food or fresh water, things get desperate. After three weeks James alone makes it alive to the small island he will call home for the next five years. To save his sanity, he begins to study and document the small crabs that live in the tidal pools of the island. After five years of …
Dear Mses Weiss:
 When I first saw the promo that Margaret Weiss of the fantasy Weiss fame was going to be authoring a paranormal romance, I was quite excited. Sometimes paranormal romances are heavy on the romance but weak on the worldbuilding. Thus would not be the case with an author whose entire career has been made in the fantasy genre. Alas, either someone told you that romance readers are dumber than dirt or that is the understanding that you came to after gazing at too many covers filled with heaving bosoms and bare chests. I want you to know that you shouldn’t judge readers by the covers of the books that we read.
Derek de Molay is a Templar Knight who was tortured mercilessly in the Inquisition. When he passed over, he was given the opportunity to enter Paradise but had to repent of the sin of pride. Angered over this, Derek turns away and becomes a warrior angel, fighting demons in Purgatory. Derek doesn’t believe he’s a sanctimonious prick, but with passages like this, there can be only one conclusion:
Derek saw some of his comrades
…
MSNBC reported on the contents of former Senator Tom DeLay’s tell all, No Retreat, No Surrender. In an effort to burn all bridges and to come off sounding like a hurt teen because whose friends have been whispering behind his book, DeLay criticizes everyone but his wife and daughter.
At one point, DeLay recounts how Armey told Gingrich that his Pink Ladies were going to topple Gingrich’s Pink Ladies, but this was a lie, lie, lie. I wonder if Armey wrote that on the bathroom stall in Congress or what. As for his indiscretions (liquor and women but not the taking money for favors), they were a source of “deep sense of grief” that he now acknowledges in this “cleansing” memoir.
Via MSNBC.
In December, we blogged about the State library of Victoria in Melbourne was offering up speed dating nights where each person must bring a book they love or loathe to help break the ice. A new love story was reported at a Lisa Scottoline signing. While waiting in line for Scottoline’s autograph two people began talking to each other and afterward went for a cup of coffee. One year later and they are back in line, together, waiting to meet Scottoline. This time, a big cheer went up to celebrate “their love.”
Books and romantic couplings have always made sense to me. You have an instant commonality and if you hook up, even in the direst times, can always have a book in which to bury your nose and ignore your partner. Viva La Books and Romance!
Via MediaBistro.
Never Kiss a Stranger by Madeleine Kerr and Mayu Kasumi. Retail: $7.99. Rated T for Teen, 12 and up, lots of sweet kisses only. 1 of 1 volumes. D.
Three Wishes by Darlene Scalera and Matsuri Akino. Retail: $7.99. Rated T for Teen, 12 and up, lots of sweet kisses only. 1 of 1 volumes. Based upon A Man for Megan, 1999. B+ for young girls and for older readers. (Oh, and I just noticed these books are selling for $6.39 at eHarlequin. You can’t beat that!)
Dear Harlequin,
*sigh* No, no, and no. I read the second of my Harlequin Pink purchases, Never Kiss a Stranger. Aside from the annoying visuals (more about that later), I noticed the story seemed decidedly … dated. I looked at the copyright. MMCLXXXV. 22 years old. One of those …
CindyS has two great posts that summarize the documentary on Bravo Canada, Who’s Afraid of Happy Endings.
- FYI Part 1
- FYI Part 2
I don’t know when it will be aired in the US, but it sounds like a fascinating look at publishing and romance. I highly suggest every one read both articles, but I’ll include some highlights to tempt you.
Kelly Harms (with Avon) is the woman that is hearing the pitch. Ms. Boyce is nervous and starts her pitch off, basically her story is not earth shattering but her heroine is a widow.
——————-
So, you have a widow, did Julia (I have no idea who she is referring to here) tell you I always complain when there are widows?
The first thing I always send her or any of my pros is to try and envision the book with The Virgin.
——————
I’m telling you she drew out The Virgin as if it was the magic and she says that it absolutely sells. Not only that she mentioned that the story being pitched was a stand alone and that there were no opportunities for a series.
Dear god in heaven, no. Seriously. We readers need to …
Dear Mrs. Reavis,
 I was thrilled to learn that your latest book would tie together two series of yours that I love, the Navajo Family Blessings and the Fort Bragg series. But while I enjoyed the book, I couldn’t help but compare it, unfavorably, to both of them. It starts out with a lot of promise yet ultimately ends up frustrating me as I wish for what it could have been.
Neither Army Specialist Will Barron nor recently divorced, single mother Arly Meehan can afford to indulge in any type of romantic entanglement. They know it and even their families know it. But the reasons go deeper than the fact that Will is soon to be deployed into harm’s way and they barely know each other. Arly’s well connected ex-husband is the type who grabs at what he doesn’t have, even if he really doesn’t want what he’s reaching for and right now he’s making waves like he’s going to try and get custody of their young son, Scottie. While Will is a half-Navajo former holy man whose sense of place has gotten lost since before he joined the Army and volunteered for the …
IIL Publishing, a niche publisher who puts out books on project management, is partnering with Google and Microsoft to make its books browsable on the ‘net through Google Book Search and MS Live Search. Publisher Judith Umlas was quoted as saying the reason for the digital move was “to be both innovative and customer-friendly.” It would really be customer-friendly if you could download a book in conjunction with the print copy. Just saying.
Via PRN.
I was looking at the March slate of releases a couple months back. There were so many awesome March releases that we could barely fit all the reviews in the last week of February and the first couple weeks of March so that the reviews were timely. It got me to thinking about Tuesday, the Holy Day of Publishing.
It’s on Tuesdays and no other day on which books are released. In fact, it’s not just books, but it’s movies, music, and games. Retailers call it Super Tuesday (not to be confused with the political Super Tuesday). When I first started researching why Tuesday was the release date over some other day of the week, I didn’t get any definitive answer. I went straight to American Association of Publishers (AAP) and received the response that if Tuesday was the day for release as I was asserting, it was unknown to them the reason why. I figured that was a source not worth following up.
I turned to a publishing insider who indicated she did not know, but speculated it might be because of the NY Times lists. My local bookseller thought that was the reason …
Dear Ms. Guhrke:
 I admit to not buying your book when it first came out. It had nothing to do with you, the author, and everything to do with the fact I wasn’t really in love with the last couple books you put out. Further you wrote primarily in the Regency era which is done, dead, finito to me unless something really amazing comes along. But then, a funny thing happened on the way to the bookstore and that was I started seeing people talk about how great this book was. I read the excerpt and caved and bought the ebook version.
What a fool I was to think your best days were past you. And Then He Kissed Her was fresh, smart, and romantic. It’s the type of book that made me love romance so many years ago. In this volume, we see the beauty of awakening; not a woman to her sexuality, although that is part of it, but it is an awakening to self. Emma Dove throws off the mantle of propriety to live life because being alive is only half the …
Samhain Publishing exploded onto the romance and erotic fiction market in November 2005. In little less that a year and a half, it had multiple books selling 5,000 copies or more rendering it eligible for RWA recognition. Samhain received that just last week, in March 2007. Angela James is its Executive Editor and long time fellow blogger. She’s come to share her thoughts on editing and books.
 Can you briefly describe what an editor does. I think that readers assume that you get to do what we all dream of doing and that is get paid to read for a living. I suspect that the truth is less romantic.
A content editor at Samhain has responsibility for reading submissions, writing the acceptance/rejection letters, assisting the author with blurb writing and polishing, content edits and finalizing the manuscript after copy edits, which includes putting the book into it's proper format, inserting excerpts to the back of the book and making sure it's ready to go for final formatting. We do that in addition to being the main contact person for the author …
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