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book review

Leigh Michaels: Review, Interview & Giveaway THE WEDDING AFFAIR

>THE WEDDING AFFAIR is Leigh Michaels’ new release as well as the first of her historical romances that I’ve read. I received the book from Soucebooks for review and so thrilled I did–as I’ve found another fantastic historical romance writer to follow!

THE WEDDING AFFAIR:

The Duke of Somervale’s sister is getting married in the wedding of year — but the wedding guests are in the mood for affairs, not vows!

The Duke needs the help of beautiful, stubborn Olivia Reyne to fight off the debutantes who have taken over his country estate. Olivia’s willing to help — at a price which will secure the future for her small daughter.

Penny Townsend sees the wedding as her last chance to salvage her arranged marriage and turn it into something more than a matter of convenience.

And vicar’s daughter Kate Blakely needs a job — and fast — before she gives in to the tempting presence of her first love!

MY REVIEW:  This novel was such a treat to read. One of the elements I loved most was its three storylines. Yes — three. Three heroes, three heroines, three stories. Each woven into the same setting, timeframe and plot so that they weave efforlessly together. I felt as if I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. Leigh’s ability to juggle three romances so fluidly turns me a tad green, as I find adding a secondary romance challanging while all three of her romances stand alone and carry equal uniqueness and weight without overshadowing the others.

The technique made the the novel fly by because there are of course three times the troubles, three times the conflicts, three times the risk and of course three times the romance *blush*.  (Tip: When you read this, make sure you’ve got a Big Gulp of ice water nearby.)  Just as one couple reaches a conflict pinacle, Leigh switches to another couple, another situation, equally as troublesome, equally as intriguing, and all the time in the back of my mind I’m wondering…but what about the others? What’s going to happen with them? The result was an eveloping page-turning read where I found myself both enthralled with the characters I was reading about, yet dying to know what happened with the others.

I enjoyed Leigh’s humor, unique with each character or set of characters true to their relationships and situations, as well as her effortless and rich character development.

THE WEDDING AFFAIR was a fun, intruiging, fast read and I’ll be watching for Leigh’s future books!

LEIGH’S INTERVIEW:
Tell us about your upcoming release.

In The Wedding Affair, the Duke of Somervale’s sister is getting married, but the guests who have gathered for a house party leading up to the wedding are much more interested in their private affairs – and I do mean affairs! – than in the bride and groom.

What’s your favorite thing about the book featured here today?

Like my previous two historicals, Just One Season in London and The Mistress’ House, this is a triple story – three heroes, three heroines, and three romances which are woven together into one book. I love writing triple stories because there’s so much action that even I never quite know what’s going to happen next.

Tell us something unusual about this book (i.e. in its creation, execution, production).

The archery scene which appears in the last fourth of the story was at the beginning of chapter two in the first draft. That’s what’s called a heavy revision.

Do You Have Any Undiscovered Or Hidden Talents?

I’m sure I do, but I’m still looking for them.

Favorite Midnight Snack?

Very dark chocolate chips, melting slowly on the tongue, one by one…

Are You An Introvert Or An Extrovert? 

Introvert pretending to be an extrovert.

Are You A Window Person Or An Aisle Person?

Window.

Ever Hit A Jackpot On A Slot Machine?

No, but I have hit the jackpot in a couple of other areas, like (1) selling my first book despite the worst synopsis and sample chapters in the history of the world, and (2) being asked to flat-sit one summer in London, about a mile from Buckingham Palace.

Are You Afraid Of Heights?

Only if I’m looking down!

How many pillows do you like to sleep with?

Just one. The other two are to prop me up so I can read in bed.

Do you believe in snipes?

Of course; doesn’t everyone? (Please don’t tell me Wesley’s a mythical character like Santa – it would break my heart!)

Which do you like more—rainy days or snowy days?

Snowy, because I can sit in the bay window in my living room and feel as though I’m in a silent snow globe. Also, because of my childhood in an isolated rural area, snow days are always kick-back-and-read days – even though, with my office in my house, I really have no excuse not to work no matter what the weather.

Where can we find you online?

My website is www.leighmichaels.com, on Facebook look for Leigh Michaels, and on twitter I’m @leighmichaels.

Ask Leigh a question or leave a comment to enter for 1 of today’s 2 prizes:
1) An ARC of THE WEDDING AFFAIR and matching bookmark
2) 1 of 5 handmade custom bookmarks

International
**MUST** leave a contact email to WIN

BIO:  Leigh Michaels is the author of nearly 100 books, including 80 contemporary novels, three historical romance novels, and more than a dozen non-fiction books. More than 35 million copies of her romance novels have been published. Six of her books have been finalists for Best Traditional Romance novel in the RITA contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America and she has received two Reviewer’s Choice awards from Romantic Times.

Leigh is the author of non-fiction books such as WRITING THE ROMANCE NOVEL, a step-by-step workbook, and CREATING ROMANTIC CHARACTERS and she teaches romance writing on the Internet at Gotham Writers–Workshop, www.writingclasses.com.

>Leigh Michaels: Review, Interview & Giveaway THE WEDDING AFFAIR

>THE WEDDING AFFAIR is Leigh Michaels’ new release as well as the first of her historical romances that I’ve read. I received the book from Soucebooks for review and so thrilled I did–as I’ve found another fantastic historical romance writer to follow!

THE WEDDING AFFAIR:

The Duke of Somervale’s sister is getting married in the wedding of year — but the wedding guests are in the mood for affairs, not vows!

The Duke needs the help of beautiful, stubborn Olivia Reyne to fight off the debutantes who have taken over his country estate. Olivia’s willing to help — at a price which will secure the future for her small daughter.

Penny Townsend sees the wedding as her last chance to salvage her arranged marriage and turn it into something more than a matter of convenience.

And vicar’s daughter Kate Blakely needs a job — and fast — before she gives in to the tempting presence of her first love!

MY REVIEW:  This novel was such a treat to read. One of the elements I loved most was its three storylines. Yes — three. Three heroes, three heroines, three stories. Each woven into the same setting, timeframe and plot so that they weave efforlessly together. I felt as if I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. Leigh’s ability to juggle three romances so fluidly turns me a tad green, as I find adding a secondary romance challanging while all three of her romances stand alone and carry equal uniqueness and weight without overshadowing the others.

The technique made the the novel fly by because there are of course three times the troubles, three times the conflicts, three times the risk and of course three times the romance *blush*.  (Tip: When you read this, make sure you’ve got a Big Gulp of ice water nearby.)  Just as one couple reaches a conflict pinacle, Leigh switches to another couple, another situation, equally as troublesome, equally as intriguing, and all the time in the back of my mind I’m wondering…but what about the others? What’s going to happen with them? The result was an eveloping page-turning read where I found myself both enthralled with the characters I was reading about, yet dying to know what happened with the others.

I enjoyed Leigh’s humor, unique with each character or set of characters true to their relationships and situations, as well as her effortless and rich character development.

THE WEDDING AFFAIR was a fun, intruiging, fast read and I’ll be watching for Leigh’s future books!

LEIGH’S INTERVIEW:
Tell us about your upcoming release.

In The Wedding Affair, the Duke of Somervale’s sister is getting married, but the guests who have gathered for a house party leading up to the wedding are much more interested in their private affairs – and I do mean affairs! – than in the bride and groom.

What’s your favorite thing about the book featured here today?

Like my previous two historicals, Just One Season in London and The Mistress’ House, this is a triple story – three heroes, three heroines, and three romances which are woven together into one book. I love writing triple stories because there’s so much action that even I never quite know what’s going to happen next.

Tell us something unusual about this book (i.e. in its creation, execution, production).

The archery scene which appears in the last fourth of the story was at the beginning of chapter two in the first draft. That’s what’s called a heavy revision.

Do You Have Any Undiscovered Or Hidden Talents?

I’m sure I do, but I’m still looking for them.

Favorite Midnight Snack?

Very dark chocolate chips, melting slowly on the tongue, one by one…

Are You An Introvert Or An Extrovert? 

Introvert pretending to be an extrovert.

Are You A Window Person Or An Aisle Person?

Window.

Ever Hit A Jackpot On A Slot Machine?

No, but I have hit the jackpot in a couple of other areas, like (1) selling my first book despite the worst synopsis and sample chapters in the history of the world, and (2) being asked to flat-sit one summer in London, about a mile from Buckingham Palace.

Are You Afraid Of Heights?

Only if I’m looking down!

How many pillows do you like to sleep with?

Just one. The other two are to prop me up so I can read in bed.

Do you believe in snipes?

Of course; doesn’t everyone? (Please don’t tell me Wesley’s a mythical character like Santa – it would break my heart!)

Which do you like more—rainy days or snowy days?

Snowy, because I can sit in the bay window in my living room and feel as though I’m in a silent snow globe. Also, because of my childhood in an isolated rural area, snow days are always kick-back-and-read days – even though, with my office in my house, I really have no excuse not to work no matter what the weather.

Where can we find you online?

My website is www.leighmichaels.com, on Facebook look for Leigh Michaels, and on twitter I’m @leighmichaels.

Ask Leigh a question or leave a comment to enter for 1 of today’s 2 prizes:
1) An ARC of THE WEDDING AFFAIR and matching bookmark
2) 1 of 5 handmade custom bookmarks

International
**MUST** leave a contact email to WIN

BIO:  Leigh Michaels is the author of nearly 100 books, including 80 contemporary novels, three historical romance novels, and more than a dozen non-fiction books. More than 35 million copies of her romance novels have been published. Six of her books have been finalists for Best Traditional Romance novel in the RITA contest sponsored by Romance Writers of America and she has received two Reviewer’s Choice awards from Romantic Times.

Leigh is the author of non-fiction books such as WRITING THE ROMANCE NOVEL, a step-by-step workbook, and CREATING ROMANTIC CHARACTERS and she teaches romance writing on the Internet at Gotham Writers–Workshop, www.writingclasses.com.

Review, Interview & Giveaway: The Queen’s Gamble by Barbara Kyle

>

Barbara Kyle’s upcoming release, The Queen’s Gamble, is as rich and intricate as it’s gorgeous cover. 
Before I forget, I have 5 beautiful bookmarks to give away!
AND a print ARC of The Queen’s Gamble!
Comment  or ask Barbara a questions to enter.
Open internationally.

I am the first to admit to a historical knowledge deficit, alarming (or maybe more embarrassing) considering my father was a history teacher for 30+ years. But I can’t deny my fascination with Barbara Kyle’s ability to weave true history with her own brand of fiction–complex story lines, unexpected twists, seething passion and drama galore. Add in rich characters with seemingly insurmountable conflict, stakes high enough to spear clouds and a smooth, engaging writing style … you’ve got a real can’t-put-it-down read.

I could go on and on about how this book held my attention and gave me a read beyond anything I anticipated, but RT Reviews and Publisher’s Weekly — the REAL reviewing professionals — already do it so well:

” … action-packed adventure that expertly blends fiction with history … a pulsating story of valor and greed, love and passion, and the tremendous cost of loyalty. – Publishers Weekly blog

Not only does Kyle create memorable characters, but she infuses her stories with lush historical detail, fascinating intrigues and court drama. History and romance merge, loyalty and passions run high and readers are riveted to the pages of her highly addictive novels.”  – RT Reviews

Young Queen Elizabeth I’s path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England.

Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the queen’s loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth’s trust only goes so far—Isabel’s son will be the queen’s pampered hostage until she completes her mission. Matters grow worse when Isabel’s husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly cold war.

Set against a lush, vibrant backdrop peopled with unforgettable characters and historical figures, The Queen’s Gamble is a story of courage, greed, passion, and the high price of loyalty…

Now, a little about Barbara
First let me say to Joan, thanks so much for inviting me to your blog. It’s a pleasure to reach out to your readers. (Everybody, check out Joan’s upcoming novel, Fever.)

Q: You weave real history in with fiction to create your novels. That’s fascinating. What sparked that idea?
Movies. Filmmakers have used this technique forever; it’s a grand tradition that I’ve incorporated into my novels. I’m scrupulous about not deviating from the historical record – for example in 1558 Queen Elizabeth did secretly send money to help the Scottish rebels fight their French overlords, and when this “cold war” broke into a hot one she sent an army. Then, into real frameworks like this I set my fictional characters – members of the rising, middle-class Thornleigh family – to play crucial parts in the historical drama.

Q: What is your writing routine?
In the early morning I answer emails for about an hour. For the rest of the morning I fix what I wrote the day before. That’s my favorite thing to do – I could fix forever – so I have to cut myself off at noon. Quick lunch (often eaten at my desk: messy). Then I buckle down to create the next bit. I aim to create five pages a day, but rarely make it; usually it’s three or four pages. At about three o’clock I’m done, and I go for a walk or to the gym.

Q: Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
Great writers of big stories like Leon Uris, Margaret Mitchell, Herman Wouk. And fine writers of narrative non-fiction like David McCullough on John Adams; David Starkey on Elizabeth I; Adam Hochschild on WWI; Erik Larson on Berlin as Hitler came to power. I never tire of reading how we got where we are now, a.k.a. history. 

Even more vivid and beautiful in person.
Reminds me of red velvet cake – YUM!

Q: How does your family view your writing career?
My husband is my biggest supporter and best editor, really almost a co-author. We talk about my characters all the time. If people overheard us they’d think we’re brainsick. (Isn’t that a terrific word? It’s a 16th century word. I use it whenever I can in my Tudor novels.)

Q: How do you keep in touch with your readers?
My Facebook Author Page at http://tinyurl.com/3jljjrl is fun. I respond to almost every comment that readers post there. Also, I love running contests; the one I’m running now is to name the grand new manor house that my characters have built. I also send out a Newsletter every few months. And I adore Twitter and tweet every day. Follow me at @BKyleAuthor.

Q: What authors do you like to read?
Anyone, in any genre, who brings to life the human condition with grace and panache. I’m always reading, about half fiction and half non-fiction.

Q: Do you have a second career? If not, what did you do before you became a full-time writer?
I write full-time, plus every few months I run my “Master Class: Your Novel in Workshop” weekend for writers. I really enjoy helping emerging writers. Before I became an author I enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in theater and TV.

Q: What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Characters that readers care about. And, always, characters who face huge challenges.

Q: What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
Perseverance. And a love of humanity. I don’t mean sentimentality, which is all surface, I mean a deep empathy for the shared values of all peoples in all times.

Q: Which is your favorite of the books you have written?
Yikes, that’s like asking a mother which of her children she loves most! Truly, all of them. Except the work-in-progress, which at the moment is an unruly adolescent, but I have faith that it’s just a stage. Writing, like being a parent, takes a lot of faith.

Q: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I cannot write with any noise around; even a radio in the next room makes me crazy. I can, however, write anywhere, as long as I have silence, heat, and tea.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Walk, just about every day. Sail – my husband and I have a Cal-46 ketch and we sail her on beautiful Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. And I cook. I’m a very good cook. Vegetarian.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming release.
The Queen’s Gamble is the fourth book in my Tudor-era “Thornleigh” series. Isabel, the Thornleighs’ daughter, returns to London from the New World with her Spanish husband Carlos Valverde and their young son, and is swept up in the first international crisis of the young Queen’s Elizabeth reign: the French, who control Scotland, have landed troops along England’s border, threatening an invasion. The Queen recruits Isabel to take money secretly to aid the Scottish rebel faction trying to drive out the French. But when Carlos is sent to Scotland as a military advisor to the French troops, he and Isabel find they are on opposite sides in this deadly war – and the Queen has made their little boy her hostage.

Q: Where can we find you online?
http://www.barbarakyle.com. Do visit!

Comment or ask Barbara a questions to enter for a chance to WIN:



1 of 5 beautiful handmade bookmarks
A print ARC of The Queen’s Gamble

Open internationally
**MUST** leave contact email to WIN

Barbara Kyle is the author of the Tudor-era novels The Queen’s Gamble, The Queen’s Captive, The King’s Daughter and The Queen’s Lady, all published internationally, and she is pleased to have recently signed a 3-book deal to continue this series. Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’ including Beyond Recall, a Literary Guild Selection. Over 400,000 copies of her books have sold.

Her latest contemporary novel Entrapped is available as an e-book at amazon.com.

Barbara is passionate about helping emerging writers. She has taught her “Writers Boot Camp” for the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, and is known for her dynamic workshops for many writers organizations. She offers her own Master Class workshops focused on each participant’s novel-in-progress.

Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S. Visit www.BarbaraKyle.com

>Review, Interview & Giveaway: The Queen’s Gamble by Barbara Kyle

>

Barbara Kyle’s upcoming release, The Queen’s Gamble, is as rich and intricate as it’s gorgeous cover. 
Before I forget, I have 5 beautiful bookmarks to give away!
AND a print ARC of The Queen’s Gamble!
Comment  or ask Barbara a questions to enter.
Open internationally.

I am the first to admit to a historical knowledge deficit, alarming (or maybe more embarrassing) considering my father was a history teacher for 30+ years. But I can’t deny my fascination with Barbara Kyle’s ability to weave true history with her own brand of fiction–complex story lines, unexpected twists, seething passion and drama galore. Add in rich characters with seemingly insurmountable conflict, stakes high enough to spear clouds and a smooth, engaging writing style … you’ve got a real can’t-put-it-down read.

I could go on and on about how this book held my attention and gave me a read beyond anything I anticipated, but RT Reviews and Publisher’s Weekly — the REAL reviewing professionals — already do it so well:

” … action-packed adventure that expertly blends fiction with history … a pulsating story of valor and greed, love and passion, and the tremendous cost of loyalty. – Publishers Weekly blog

Not only does Kyle create memorable characters, but she infuses her stories with lush historical detail, fascinating intrigues and court drama. History and romance merge, loyalty and passions run high and readers are riveted to the pages of her highly addictive novels.”  – RT Reviews

Young Queen Elizabeth I’s path to the throne has been a perilous one, and already she faces a dangerous crisis. French troops have landed in Scotland to quell a rebel Protestant army, and Elizabeth fears once they are entrenched on the border, they will invade England.

Isabel Thornleigh has returned to London from the New World with her Spanish husband, Carlos Valverde, and their young son. Ever the queen’s loyal servant, Isabel is recruited to smuggle money to the Scottish rebels. Yet Elizabeth’s trust only goes so far—Isabel’s son will be the queen’s pampered hostage until she completes her mission. Matters grow worse when Isabel’s husband is engaged as military advisor to the French, putting the couple on opposite sides in a deadly cold war.

Set against a lush, vibrant backdrop peopled with unforgettable characters and historical figures, The Queen’s Gamble is a story of courage, greed, passion, and the high price of loyalty…

Now, a little about Barbara
First let me say to Joan, thanks so much for inviting me to your blog. It’s a pleasure to reach out to your readers. (Everybody, check out Joan’s upcoming novel, Fever.)

Q: You weave real history in with fiction to create your novels. That’s fascinating. What sparked that idea?
Movies. Filmmakers have used this technique forever; it’s a grand tradition that I’ve incorporated into my novels. I’m scrupulous about not deviating from the historical record – for example in 1558 Queen Elizabeth did secretly send money to help the Scottish rebels fight their French overlords, and when this “cold war” broke into a hot one she sent an army. Then, into real frameworks like this I set my fictional characters – members of the rising, middle-class Thornleigh family – to play crucial parts in the historical drama.

Q: What is your writing routine?
In the early morning I answer emails for about an hour. For the rest of the morning I fix what I wrote the day before. That’s my favorite thing to do – I could fix forever – so I have to cut myself off at noon. Quick lunch (often eaten at my desk: messy). Then I buckle down to create the next bit. I aim to create five pages a day, but rarely make it; usually it’s three or four pages. At about three o’clock I’m done, and I go for a walk or to the gym.

Q: Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?
Great writers of big stories like Leon Uris, Margaret Mitchell, Herman Wouk. And fine writers of narrative non-fiction like David McCullough on John Adams; David Starkey on Elizabeth I; Adam Hochschild on WWI; Erik Larson on Berlin as Hitler came to power. I never tire of reading how we got where we are now, a.k.a. history. 

Even more vivid and beautiful in person.
Reminds me of red velvet cake – YUM!

Q: How does your family view your writing career?
My husband is my biggest supporter and best editor, really almost a co-author. We talk about my characters all the time. If people overheard us they’d think we’re brainsick. (Isn’t that a terrific word? It’s a 16th century word. I use it whenever I can in my Tudor novels.)

Q: How do you keep in touch with your readers?
My Facebook Author Page at http://tinyurl.com/3jljjrl is fun. I respond to almost every comment that readers post there. Also, I love running contests; the one I’m running now is to name the grand new manor house that my characters have built. I also send out a Newsletter every few months. And I adore Twitter and tweet every day. Follow me at @BKyleAuthor.

Q: What authors do you like to read?
Anyone, in any genre, who brings to life the human condition with grace and panache. I’m always reading, about half fiction and half non-fiction.

Q: Do you have a second career? If not, what did you do before you became a full-time writer?
I write full-time, plus every few months I run my “Master Class: Your Novel in Workshop” weekend for writers. I really enjoy helping emerging writers. Before I became an author I enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in theater and TV.

Q: What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
Characters that readers care about. And, always, characters who face huge challenges.

Q: What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
Perseverance. And a love of humanity. I don’t mean sentimentality, which is all surface, I mean a deep empathy for the shared values of all peoples in all times.

Q: Which is your favorite of the books you have written?
Yikes, that’s like asking a mother which of her children she loves most! Truly, all of them. Except the work-in-progress, which at the moment is an unruly adolescent, but I have faith that it’s just a stage. Writing, like being a parent, takes a lot of faith.

Q: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I cannot write with any noise around; even a radio in the next room makes me crazy. I can, however, write anywhere, as long as I have silence, heat, and tea.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Walk, just about every day. Sail – my husband and I have a Cal-46 ketch and we sail her on beautiful Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. And I cook. I’m a very good cook. Vegetarian.

Q: Tell us about your upcoming release.
The Queen’s Gamble is the fourth book in my Tudor-era “Thornleigh” series. Isabel, the Thornleighs’ daughter, returns to London from the New World with her Spanish husband Carlos Valverde and their young son, and is swept up in the first international crisis of the young Queen’s Elizabeth reign: the French, who control Scotland, have landed troops along England’s border, threatening an invasion. The Queen recruits Isabel to take money secretly to aid the Scottish rebel faction trying to drive out the French. But when Carlos is sent to Scotland as a military advisor to the French troops, he and Isabel find they are on opposite sides in this deadly war – and the Queen has made their little boy her hostage.

Q: Where can we find you online?
http://www.barbarakyle.com. Do visit!

Comment or ask Barbara a questions to enter for a chance to WIN:



1 of 5 beautiful handmade bookmarks
A print ARC of The Queen’s Gamble

Open internationally
**MUST** leave contact email to WIN

Barbara Kyle is the author of the Tudor-era novels The Queen’s Gamble, The Queen’s Captive, The King’s Daughter and The Queen’s Lady, all published internationally, and she is pleased to have recently signed a 3-book deal to continue this series. Barbara previously won acclaim for her contemporary novels under pen name ‘Stephen Kyle’ including Beyond Recall, a Literary Guild Selection. Over 400,000 copies of her books have sold.

Her latest contemporary novel Entrapped is available as an e-book at amazon.com.

Barbara is passionate about helping emerging writers. She has taught her “Writers Boot Camp” for the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, and is known for her dynamic workshops for many writers organizations. She offers her own Master Class workshops focused on each participant’s novel-in-progress.

Before becoming an author Barbara enjoyed a twenty-year acting career in television, film, and stage productions in Canada and the U.S. Visit www.BarbaraKyle.com

Happy Birthday Georgette Heyer + Giveaway!

>

I received a copy of Georgette Heyer’s COTILLION from Soucebooks for review and decided to post it on Georgette’s would-be 109th birthday.

While I couldn’t dream of writing a historical romance (at least not at this point in my career), I do love reading them.  I love all the royalty, the dress, the language.  I find the stiff rules a great source of conflict and enjoy the contrast it creates with personalities.  So, I expected to love Georgette’s work.

This was a very different type of historical than what I was used to.  At first I found the language so complex, I labored over the paragraphs, flipping words and sentences around in my mind to grasp their meaning before moving on.  But it didn’t take but a chapter or two before I fell into the rhythm, and once I did, I could thoroughly appreciate so much of Georgette’s beautiful craft.  And instead of finding the prose restrictive, I was able to recognize what depth it added to the story.

It reminded me a lot of when my daughter was assigned The Scarlet Letter in high school.  Mildly dyslexic, she already struggled with reading, though still loved the activity.  But The Scarlet Letter and all its intricate sentence structure and language uses drove her to tears…literally.  To get her through the book, I resorted to reading it aloud to her, stopping every few paragraphs to explain what they were saying.  Again, the prose daunted me at first, but soon my daughter and I looked forward to reading the next installment together and even enjoyed discussing the events.

Georgette Heyer’s humor is both subtle and smart and so very unexpected.  Her character development is masterful, her weaving romance threads intricate and her plot threads complex.

If you read regency romance, you’ll love this book.  If you are an avid historical romance reader of more “modern” historicals, it won’t take you long to slip into the style of Georgette’s writing.  And if you’re an occasional historical fan, the richness of Georgette’s talented storytelling is worth the initial effort.

Share your thoughts on COTILLION, or historical romance in general, for a chance to win
a trade copy of COTILLION.
*Must leave an email for WIN contact!*

>Happy Birthday Georgette Heyer + Giveaway!

>

I received a copy of Georgette Heyer’s COTILLION from Soucebooks for review and decided to post it on Georgette’s would-be 109th birthday.

While I couldn’t dream of writing a historical romance (at least not at this point in my career), I do love reading them.  I love all the royalty, the dress, the language.  I find the stiff rules a great source of conflict and enjoy the contrast it creates with personalities.  So, I expected to love Georgette’s work.

This was a very different type of historical than what I was used to.  At first I found the language so complex, I labored over the paragraphs, flipping words and sentences around in my mind to grasp their meaning before moving on.  But it didn’t take but a chapter or two before I fell into the rhythm, and once I did, I could thoroughly appreciate so much of Georgette’s beautiful craft.  And instead of finding the prose restrictive, I was able to recognize what depth it added to the story.

It reminded me a lot of when my daughter was assigned The Scarlet Letter in high school.  Mildly dyslexic, she already struggled with reading, though still loved the activity.  But The Scarlet Letter and all its intricate sentence structure and language uses drove her to tears…literally.  To get her through the book, I resorted to reading it aloud to her, stopping every few paragraphs to explain what they were saying.  Again, the prose daunted me at first, but soon my daughter and I looked forward to reading the next installment together and even enjoyed discussing the events.

Georgette Heyer’s humor is both subtle and smart and so very unexpected.  Her character development is masterful, her weaving romance threads intricate and her plot threads complex.

If you read regency romance, you’ll love this book.  If you are an avid historical romance reader of more “modern” historicals, it won’t take you long to slip into the style of Georgette’s writing.  And if you’re an occasional historical fan, the richness of Georgette’s talented storytelling is worth the initial effort.

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>Do You Review?

>My Twitter buddy, Ellen Meister, posted on Girlfriends Book Club today about posting negative book reviews.  It’s a great, thought-provoking post…and something that’s been on my mind as I deleted my Goodreads account just days ago. 


In my own recent post Writing for the Impatient Reader, I describe how I have turned into the very type of reader I’ve always loathed–the one that had to be immediately entertained and constantly stimulated at every turn.  And while I believe that can be a good thing when it comes to my writing, as I try to keep the story quipping along at a pace I’d be happy with as a reader, I also think it disqualifies me from being an objective reviewer.  At least as a reader.


As a writer, I’ve been toying with the idea of reviewing novels from a writer’s perspective, noting the strengths in an author’s work.  A future endeavor possibly…but as a reader, I’ve decided to stay out of the “starring” arena. 


What about you?  Do you review?

Do You Review?

>My Twitter buddy, Ellen Meister, posted on Girlfriends Book Club today about posting negative book reviews.  It’s a great, thought-provoking post…and something that’s been on my mind as I deleted my Goodreads account just days ago. 


In my own recent post Writing for the Impatient Reader, I describe how I have turned into the very type of reader I’ve always loathed–the one that had to be immediately entertained and constantly stimulated at every turn.  And while I believe that can be a good thing when it comes to my writing, as I try to keep the story quipping along at a pace I’d be happy with as a reader, I also think it disqualifies me from being an objective reviewer.  At least as a reader.


As a writer, I’ve been toying with the idea of reviewing novels from a writer’s perspective, noting the strengths in an author’s work.  A future endeavor possibly…but as a reader, I’ve decided to stay out of the “starring” arena. 


What about you?  Do you review?