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

Dear Ms Brockway,

In 2006 you gave us “Hot Dish” set in upper Minnesota. This year you return us to Fawn Creek, MN. Well specifically to a 4th rate lake not too far from Fawn Creek where the Olson clan has had a beach compound, if we want to get grandiose with our terms, for generations. It’s not much but it’s been home to almost 100 years of the family, their spouses, children, ex-spouses, children from second marriages, cousins, aunts, uncles, heck anybody who wants to come. I’ll be honest and say that this trip didn’t work quite as well for me as the previous one did. Less humor, I think and I had to work a little to like the heroine, Mimi Olson and the hero Joe Tierney.

For Mimi Olson Chez Ducky, as the family place is fondly known, has been her refuge from her demanding mother and from life in general. I understand that Mimi is the type of person who wants to let the world just slide on by with the least amount of effort. Heck, I have those moments myself. And as I get older I …

Dear Ms. Brockway:

I have loved you in the past and while I have dreaded favorite historical authors move to contemporary, I figured if anyone could do it, it would be you. After all, people complain that your historical voice was too modern. A contemporary would fit you like a glove. Unfortunately, I think your move to women’s fiction is just not one I want to make with you. I won’t belabor the plot points as Jayne summarized it so well in her review.

Yes, this story has a romance but it is not a central focus of the book. The story focuses, in part, on Jenny Lind’s ability to come to grips with her past; and, in part, on the hunt for a butterhead sculpture. I’m pretty sure that if I hadn’t agreed with Jayne to write this duel review thing, I would have tossed the book aside after the fourth chapter or so and moved on. But here I am writing a review about a book I didn’t like by an author I used to love. It’s a sorry state of things.

You did a thoroughly good job …

Dear Ms. Brockway,

I had no idea you were moving to contemporaries. Uneasy feeling number one: I usually don’t like it when traditionally historical authors move in that direction. Why? I dunno. I guess I just get used to them writing about the past, their historical “voice” and style. I suppose Jane would say I’m used to their historical brand. However, if an author already writes different genres when I discover her/him, then I’m alright with it. Yes, I can be contrary. Uneasy feeling number two: Jane emailed me that she didn’t really like the book much. But I’d agreed to do a dueling review so I got my game face on and started to read. What a relief when I started chuckling then laughing and then ended up enjoying “Hot Dish.”

Jenn Lind hates Minnesota and especially the town of Fawn Creek. After her parents lost almost all their money by some bad business decisions and took a disastrous poker playing trip to Las Vegas to try and win it all back, the family is forced to sell everything they own and head to the only property they have left which is a …