Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary

Dear Ladies:

At the urging of Dionne Galace, a blogger whom I consider a friend, I purchased this book from LiquidSilver. It languished in my to be read pile because, like other readers, anthologies are often not my cup of tea. Because Dionne is a friend, though, I read it a few days ago and am reviewing it now. It’s hard to do reviews of books written by people you like or that you consider a friend, but the promise of the blog is that our reviews are as honest and as impartial as possible. With that caveat stated, we’re onto the reviews.

First up is Annie Dean’s Seven Days. Teresa has been training her whole adult life to become a bride of God. One week before she would take her holy vows, a handsome stranger appears to tempt her into sin. In a not very discreet manner, the stranger admits that she has done nothing wrong but Heaven and Hell engage in these battles for entertainment from time to time. Remember Job, is essentially his message. Teresa is determined to …

Dear Ms. Dean:

I thought the premise of your story was quite fun. An average girl decides to pen a self help book on how to pick up guys, provocatively titled “The Average Girl’s Guide to Getting Laid.” In the process, she gains self confidence and a man to die for. Overall, the story is a good one but hampered by some convenient and tiresome plot devices.

Ellie is a travel writer who pitched a sex book on a dare. The book is supposed to be about “empowering women, meeting their needs, and helping them get what they want from men.” Of course, Ellie doesn’t know anything about that. She’s like a virgin sex therapist. Only not a virgin, but inexperienced and unconfident. Basically no one is less qualified to write this book than Ellie which makes me wonder why the publisher even bought it. Okay, employing the old Suspension of Disbelief.

Her agent loved the idea and sold it. Now Ellie has to deliver. She moves to New York for a month to “research” her book. She’s very much the rube in the big city at first, …