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

Lauren Conrad, socialite and reality TV star of The Hills, has signed a three book deal with HarperCollins. The trilogy will be about a reality TV star. Hmm. Self referential much? I don’t doubt that these books will be wildly successful. At least Conrad has a wealth of experience upon which to draw.

The real question is whether she will be writing these herself. Also, how many brand names will be included in the book? I’m going to go for 3 per page myself. Thanks Jana for the linkage.

Dear Ms. Collins,

I have no doubt that many people will compare this book to the Japanese novel, Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. How can they not? Both books take place in dystopian futures and feature oppressive governments that require children to compete in a last man standing survival game. And while it’s true there are similarities in premise and plot, I think your book brings enough new to the table that it’s easily one of the must read young adult novels of the year.

Set in the future, The Hunger Games takes place long after natural disasters, war, disease, and famine destroyed society as we know it. From the ruins of North America rose the nation of Panem, which consisted of a powerful Capitol ruling over thirteen surrounding Districts. The Districts didn’t like the Capitol’s oppressive rule very much and soon rose up together in a rebellion.

The results were disastrous. The Capitol quelled the uprising in twelve Districts and completely annihilated the thirteenth. As punishment, the Capitol created the Hunger Games. Each year, every District must send one boy and one girl …

I almost fell off my chair laughing this morning when I read that Brody Jenner, son of Bruce Jenner and former star of the show Hills, is going to be featured in his own realty TV show called Bromance. I’m not sure what marketing genius thought that title up.

To quote Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Update. Read more about it and maybe they are using the term exactly how they want it to be read because contestants (who are male) will be eliminated through “Hot Tub Elimination Ceremonies.”

Dear Ms. Burton:

I think this is one of those books were the hook will totally captivate people or turn them off. Gina Bliss is an action star in the vein of Jackie Chan. She does all her stunts herself. Coming off of back to back action movie blockbusters, Gina agrees to do a Reality TV show that involves physical challenges. The TV show is really a guise used by a demon hunting recruiter named Lou to gather elite fighters from around the globe to train them to be demon hunters. Derek Marks is the hot trainer who Gina constantly challenges. Derek and Gina are an explosive combination both in bed and out.

The hook or setup is just one of many really big suspensions of disbelief that the reader must undergo in order to enjoy the story. The book read more like a screen play than a novel and had little room amongst the killing of demons to focus on character developments. Where I might have bought into the story if it were on the big screen, in the more intimate setting of reading …