Comments on: REVIEW: Chance of a Lifetime by Portia Da Costa

By: Portia Da Costa

Portia Da Costa — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:14:21 +0000

Thanks, Kirsten! I’m well chuffed that Chance was your first Sony read, and even happier that the story worked for you.

I didn’t know Spice Briefs were available for Sony, so that’s great news. I read ebooks on a Palm Tungsten T3 at the mo, but I’m seriously considering getting a dedicated reader. A lot of the ereaders aren’t widely available in the UK yet, but the Sony is, so it’s looking like a contender. Esp. if I can read Harlequin books on it. :)

By: kirsten saell

kirsten saell — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:33:18 +0000

This was my inaugural story for my brand-spankin’-new Sony, and it was wonderful. I always love Portia’s stuff, and I’m realistic about the HEA in an erotic short. I’m not hugely into spanking in my erotica, but her stories have a way of grabbing you and making you reconsider your predilictions…

By: Portia Da Costa

Portia Da Costa — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 20:01:24 +0000

Thanks, K. Z.!

By: K. Z. Snow

K. Z. Snow — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:34:52 +0000

I like PDC’s stories — nothing coy about them. In defense of all erotic shorts, though, I must caution readers to keep in mind those two words: erotic and short.

It really is a shame so many publishers insist on calling these “romances.” Almost invariably, the romance element is doomed to fall flat. Given the length constraints of EC’s “Quickies” or HQN’s “Spice Briefs” or similar tidbits offered by other pubs, it’s virtually impossible to pack in explicit sex scenes and weave a believable, fully developed romance. I do think readers and reviewers need to adjust their expectations accordingly.

Maybe, someday, publishers will begin to distinguish between short stories intended primarily to appeal to our prurient interests and those intended primarily to satisfy our need for engaging plots and characters. In the meantime, as long as authors are expected to jam both into a handful of pages, one element or the other is bound to suffer.

By: Portia Da Costa

Portia Da Costa — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:39:41 +0000

Many, many thanks for the review, Jane! I had lots of fun writing Chance of a Lifetime. :)

It’s a bit late to wish you a Merry Christmas, but here’s wishing all at Dear Author a happy, peaceful and fulfilling New Year.

Portia