Comments on: REVIEW: The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman

By: The Price of Desire « Jorrie Spencer

The Price of Desire « Jorrie Spencer — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:23:15 +0000

[...] has an in-depth review at Dear Author. And Jane reviews it too. Both gave [...]

By: MoJo

MoJo — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:50:22 +0000

Jo, I’m so glad you said this. I read these reviews and think how layered all these works are, then start feeling inadequate because I wouldn’t be able to think of all those layers and layers, much less wind them into the text so well.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:31:16 +0000

That’s so interesting, Jo. Thanks for sharing!

By: Jo Goodman

Jo Goodman — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:45:52 +0000

I’m just going to jump in here at the end; maybe no one will even see this. It is so interesting to me how a reviewer like Robin/Janet can make me look at my own book in a new way. I’m not talking about the fact that she liked it (though surely that’s a plus). I’m talking about the way she’s able to see things I’m not entirely sure I was conscious of. Writing is such an in-my-head experience, and I’m never certain where it’s going. Her comment about the “marker” metaphor…how does that happen when I’m hardly aware of it? I’ve been doing this for a long time, and after reading the review I’m realizing I don’t even understand my own process. Thanks for giving me something to think about!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:08:15 +0000

Looking back on the novels I’ve read by Jo Goodman, I think you are right, Janet. She’s getting better and better with each book. I look forward to her next one.

It does make me question whether I should go back to read some of her U.S. historicals. I really miss those a lot, but I’ve only read the Regency novels by J.G.

By: Robin/Janet

Robin/Janet — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:47:44 +0000

Janine: I am still baffled by the fact that you haven't been won over to Goodman, lol. Oh, well. Maybe someday. Kirsten: Okay, well, now you know about Terry. I have two words for you: digital cable. MoJo: Yup, that's me. Anah: I can't say that comments like yours are why I review, but they sure add another pleasant dimension to what is a somewhat laborious process. I am so glad you liked the book! Jennie: You might want to try If His Kiss Is Wicked, which won the AAR Reader Poll last year. That book really seemed to hit a nerve with a wide variety of readers. Chrissy: One of my favorite things about Goodman is that she writes kind heroes, even though they are always very masculine and strong. She definitely has some old school types, but without the cruelty on the hero's part. So you get the depth of the old school books without the sadism within the main relationship, IMO. Devon: Get thee to a Goodman novel, girl! Michelle: A friend and I were talking about how one of Goodman's unique strengths is that she keeps getting better and better with each book. Her writing gets stronger, her pacing tighter, her descriptions more purposeful. Yeah, she has a habit of over-explaining, but even that seems to be diminishing, and in the end, it's worth it, IMO, for the strength of the read, as you say. I don't know why I wasn't more upset about the fate of some of the characters, but I think it comes down to the confidence I have in Olivia and Griffin to handle any trouble that might come their way in the future.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:24:01 +0000

I just finished this book this afternoon, and I savored it all weekend. I am one of those occasional Jo Goodman readers (read 6 or so of them) who thinks she’s a bit wordy, but if I have patience, I trust that she will deliver a good story featuring complex characters. This one “flew by” the most for me and is my favorite so far. I need to try more of hers.

Now that you point it out, I agree that Griffen was not as well-developed/shown as Olivia – but Olivia’s journey was wonderful.

I agree with Statch as well. I thought that Olivia’s relative – and his “friends” – were most likely still a threat and could not figure out why that was not more of a concern for folks. I may have read the book you referred to, but I don’t remember the details well at all.

By: Devon

Devon — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:31:22 +0000

Great review! Jo Goodman is one of those authors who, every time I read a review, I’m like, why haven’t I read her yet?

By: Chrissy

Chrissy — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 17:14:29 +0000

The thing I love about Goodman is that her books are old school. She writes dense plots with careful development and has a wonderful command of natural dialogue appropriate to the period.

Discovered her a year ago and bought her entire list. LOVE her.

By: Jennie

Jennie — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:10:07 +0000

I need to check this one out. I keep meaning to read more Goodman – I have one of the Compass Club series that I started and abandoned after a few pages (I rarely do that, but if I recall it had less to do with the book itself and more to do with the fact that something fell into my hands that I really wanted to read). I know I really liked one of the Compass Club books I read – the heroine was an actress (named India, I think?). I think I’ve read a few Goodman books, but for some reason even though I like her writing, I don’t feel compelled to make her an auto-buy. Also, I get her confused with Jo Beverley.