“A Norman heiress was a chattel to be sold in marriage to the highest bidder. If one husband died she was up for sale again. Only the first of Matilda de Risle’s husbands gives her anything back. His is the customary Saxon morning gift — the present to a wife ... more >
Dear Ms. Novik, Brava again for creating this imaginative world and for giving us the relationship of Laurence and Temeraire. I’m glad to see that their bond only strengthens during this book. We also get to see Temeraire growing up more and maturing into an even more thoughtful dragon. When ... more >
Dear Mrs. Norman, Some reviews might lead readers to think this book is dry, historical fiction. But I feel those reviewers would be doing readers a disservice. These characters came alive for me. The times and places seemed real. Your descriptions are so deft that for a day I was ... more >
Dear Ms. Baggot and Mr. Almond: Yours is a collaborative effort. Maybe my letter should be to Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. Want to know what a good collaboration is? See this book. Jane and John meet at a wedding and begin to have a frisky encounter in the coat ... more >
Dear Ms. Orloff: Keishon blogged the other day about books that make you cry and whether they are to be avoided and embraced. We decided that it is all about expectations. The title tells the ultimate conclusion to properly prepare the reader but I definitely wished it turned out different. ... more >
Dear Ms. Mandel, Applause, applause, standing applause. You’re gonna like what I have to say about your book. Anna Bolles is smart, funny and in love with Joe. Joe Malone is smart, gorgeous, and in love with Anna. They know they have something special, something that everybody looks for. They ... more >