lazaraspasteLetters of OpinionErotic-Romance / genre critique / tropes61 Comments

In the history of American Arts and Letters there have been many persons convinced of their own ability to write. Since they speak the language, they are certain that they can wield a pen and produce a story, transferring the errant imagination into a book. Writing, in this view, is ... more >

July 10, 2012

REVIEW: The Dark Palazzo by Virgina Coffman

lazaraspasteB+ ReviewsFrench-Revolution / Gothic / Historical / spies / Venice7 Comments

Dear Ms. Coffman, During my junior year of high school, I happened to take AP European History. I recall many things from that course, but what I chiefly remember is the section on the French Revolution. Perhaps it was my general interest in all things French during that phase of ... more >

February 7, 2012

REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James

lazaraspasteF ReviewsBDSM / E. L. James / fan-fiction / Fifty Shades / Twilight Saga267 Comments

This review is being posted in lieu of a morning opinion piece because it is an opinion piece of sorts and because, well, it is verbose. So you get three reviews today. Yay! Dear E.L. James, So I’m pretty much in the minority when it comes to this book as ... more >

January 31, 2012

REVIEW: The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey

lazaraspasteC- Reviewscoming-of-age / HarperCollins / Jane Eyre17 Comments

Dear Ms. Livesey, The cover song has always occupied a precarious position in the annals of music lovers. On the one hand, it is quite a safe thing to do—cover someone else’s song. One already knows that it is beloved. One already knows what sort of person might like that song. ... more >

December 22, 2011

Lazaraspaste’s Best of 2011

lazaraspasteTop Ten ListsBest of 2011 / best of list / Meredith Duran / Miranda Neville / Recommended Reads2 Comments

This year was a bit of a crap year for me. I actually haven’t read all that much—at least in so far as romance is concerned. Between the final semester of school, exams, work and the most severe case of reading burnout I have ever had in my life, I ... more >

December 22, 2011

REVIEW: Once Upon a Winter’s Eve by Tessa Dare

lazaraspasteB+ ReviewsHistorical Romances / novella / Samhain-publishing / spinster / Tessa Dare8 Comments

Dear Ms. Dare, In the usual way of things, I am not a fan of the novella. Neither am I quite keen on the short story. I find both lacking in character, particularly in romance where that is the key to any relationship development. Neither the novella nor the short ... more >