Though I’m not usually a huge reader of Chick Lit, I did enjoy Donna Kauffman’s last book, The Big Bad Wolf Tells All. I was thrilled when I learned that her newest was set in Washington D.C., familiar stomping grounds for me. The Cinderella Rules tells the story of a lady from rural Montana who…
Jennie Klassel describes her debut novel as a medieval comedy. Though it was a winner of the New Historical Voice Contest sponsored by Leisure Books and Romantic Times, that description was worrisome. Humor is such a subjective thing. Telling the reader a book is supposed to be funny can make or break a reading experience….
I rarely read series romance, as I find that the shorter format tends to work against the kind of plot development and characterizations that I most enjoy. But there is one I picked up on a whim some years ago – Debra Dixon’s Bad to the Bone – that simply knocked my socks off. Not…
George and the Virgin was exactly what I needed to read last weekend. It was fun. It was funny. It had only the teeniest, tiniest, most negligible bit of angst – just enough for character development. It has the honor of being the only book I’ve read for review this year where I did not…
Author Linda Jones has written a series of books based on well-known fables, the latest of which is DeButy & the Beast. Now, you’d think that DeButy would be the heroine and The Beast, her eventual true love. But the author has put a fresh and funny twist on this theme, for Dr. Julian DeButy…
In medieval times, the citizens of Markesew picked a Virgin to sacrifice to their local dragon each year and Alizon is selected. “Saint” George is a professional wrestler, who is called across time to Alizon’s castle where he is expected to slay the dragon. Upon his arrival, George finds that the dragon is not the…
Once upon a time, we met Snow White, Cinderella, and scores of other characters through beloved fairy tales. These accustomed us to the idea that the heroine is usually good-looking; her Prince Charming can be counted on to save the day; and perhaps most importantly, there is almost always a happy ending. Which is why…
By all counts, Taming the Beast ought not to work at all. It is improbable in a high degree; Laura does not even see Richard’s face until page 143 since he spends most of his time skulking around in the dark and shadows sharing long talks and deep kisses with her. But such is the…
We all know the current trend: romance author hits the big time and scores a hardcover deal. Of course we’re thrilled that our favorite writer is finally garnering the attention she deserves, but secretly we cringe because we fear we’ve lost yet “another one” to mainstream fiction or gritty suspense. I’m sure most of you…
I’m sure you can think of any number of romances that are based on fairy tales – Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast are very popular candidates for transformation. But Jack and the Beanstalk? I was skeptical when I picked up Jackie and the Giant, but Linda Jones gives the old story a few new…