Washboards pressed between two covers

by Barbra


I love books. I am a bit of a bibliophile, true, but above all I’m a bookworm. I have one clear preference, though. I want strong stories that pull a multitude of emotions from me – which isn’t easy, sure, but it can be done. What especially appeals to me is if books are not only well written, but spicy too.

I admit it openly: as reader my expectations are high. As writer they are even higher. I want all the basic ingredients for a good story: the characters must have a Goal that’s worth dying for, psychologically logical Motivation and a clear Conflict. But on top of that the narrative plus some sexy scenes should blow my socks off – which is quite hard, but let me say once again: it can be done.

I’ve read quite a few books that had astoundingly little going on GMC-wise – not to mention the spicy scenes. They were as tantalizing as my new washing machine’s manual. They even read like it: Put tab A into slot B. What you get then is a careening, jerky movement for a few minutes. After that pull out and hang to dry.
Exciting, isn’t it?

But lo and behold, every now and then I discover books that combine everything I’ve wished for: wonderful narrative, a strong plot that make me laugh out loud on one page and cry on the next, and the spicy scenes provoke a reaction out of me other than rolling my eyes or bored yawning. Now I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those authors that met my expectations.

My first erotic romance was Emma Holly’s Ménage a few years ago. I’ve gobbled up her books ever since whether they be historical, paranormal or contemporary. Holly’s skill at forging good stories that also have a deliciously hot element is, truth be told, outstanding. Not to mention her gift for employing the English language at its best. I’m absolutely devoted to her books.

Lisa Valdez’ historical romance Passion has a strong plot that is so romantic it made me actually shiver at times. It was an honest to goodness page-turner. Above all, the sensual scenes were simply delicious. I can’t wait for her next book (Patience) to come out.

Madeline Hunter’s historical romances are simply marvelous. So good in fact that I caught myself wishing once or twice I had a real-life alpha-male Dante by my side!

As for paranormal escapes from reality, Lynn Viehl and her Darkyn books are always a nice treat – and not just because one of the minor heroes in her books is Austrian. I just wished her resource for the Austrian/German language would have been better, i.e. more reliable. I could help her out, of course. She’d only have to ask. Of course, I’d have to overcome first shock then a fangirl moment. But eventually I’d manage, I’m sure.

Last but not least, Lara Adrian’s paranormal “Midnight Breed” series (Kiss of Midnight, Kiss of Crimson, Midnight Awakening - although a reliable German speaking source might have been helpful with that one too - Midnight Rising and Veil of Midnight) is enticing, awesome... in a word sublime.

This of course is just a small list of authors I admire. The more I read, the more it is likely to evolve. But whenever I’m ordering another shipment of books, those names have to be among the many other books. Those authors, you see, make me close a book and sigh with bliss, a content smile on my face. They give me the feeling that I haven’t wasted my time or money – which, I agree, isn’t easy but it can be done. I can only say:
Capital, capital! Ladies, don’t stop writing. You make my day.

Dear Author - Genre Fatigue Poll

I was very interested to watch the results and comments of 

 Dear Author's Genre Fatigue Poll .

 As I said in the comments:

When I started reading Romance I read only Historical. Then because I was watching Paranormal TV I started to read tons of Paranormal. But now it’s lost all interest for me and I’m back to almost exclusively reading and writing Historicals.

The fact that European Historicals are third on the list at the time of my post is very interesting because, from what I know and hear, non-European Historicals are still a hard sale to most major houses. Thank goodness not all! :)

A List of Things I May Never Know the Answer to

1. How some Authors can be complacent about promotion

2. If S. K. knew the person she chose as the new face of her best loved character, Acheron, is a former adult film star.  

3. Why some people are picky eaters.

4. If Jack and Gwen will ever get together with only a mini series to go. 

What's on your list?

Review: The Marriage Spell - Mary Jo Putney

****SPOILERS****

 

This Book had so much potential and I was so in love with the concept that I'm devastated that alas it didn't live up to it. The basic premise is that there is a slightly alternate Regency England where the Ton despises Wizards as much as Trade, maybe more. Then you have a Hero who as a young boy was sent to a school that beats a love for magic and wizards out of you and a heroine who is proud to be a wizard. Wonderful unique Idea with the makings of great conflict right? Well I had hoped.

There is no doubt that MJP is a power house of historical writing talent, the prose was wonderful and the historical details great but the emotions and conflict felt lacking. 

I think the first place she went wrong was in the prologue. I think it focused too much on the friendships Jack formed at Bizarro Hogwarts and not enough on the emotional consequences and the horrors of the place and what it would do to him. Introducing a group of friends that might indicate that there are sequels to come is fine but not at the expense of needed emotional backstory. He says he hates magic and the school did that to him but you never really feel it.

Next the way they ended up married is groan worthy and I think the author realized it too. Abby has always had a crush on Jack from a far. Then Jack is brought to Abby's father's house dying from a hunting accident. After some talking and debating and Jack agreeing to be treated with magic. Abby makes marriage the price of her services. Oh come on what is she thinking! I thought. Then MJP must have thought it too because a few pages later the character says, that was so wrong what was I thinking. Her explanation though isn't sufficient to erase the bad taste already there.

And then there is even more back peddling when she tells him she won't hold him to it but he say no that's ok you seem like you'd make a good wife and you saved my life let's go ahead with it. Where is the conflict in that? Where is that prejudice against magic that is supposedly so great he branded an anti-magic spell into his skin? Neither her bargaining for the marriage or his agreeing to it seemed in character at all. 

Through his recovery Jack is way too excepting of her and her wizardry given his background and supposed feelings on the subject. And again it was like the author realizes that and then suddenly there is a scene where he blows up about magic. But as it turns out NONE of the feelings that caused even the slightest conflict including his feelings about wizards were even really his, they were planted by his father and the headmaster of the We hate Magic school. So what little conflict there was killed by that revelation. It was almost as if she was making that rookie mistake where you love your characters so much you really don't want them to have anything bad happen to them. 

Prejudice is an uncomfortable and tricky thing and it felt to me like it seemed like a good idea in concept by she got too spooked to really write it into the book like it should have been. What spooked me though was that fact that the woman he almost married the season before looked just like his sister and mother. That's just creepy. But she was sufficiently bitchy and mean like all jilted lovers should be. 

I will admit that the conflict with Jack's sister and Brother in Law was quite well done. I think a book focused on that story would have been more what I was looking for in this one. You felt his pain and dislike for magic, your hurt for the her and the problems caused by their infertility. They were real tough issues there.   

Even with the external conflict of the evil step father at the end the resolution seemed just too easy. Never once in the book did I feel like any of their problems were insurmountable and I wanted them to be. I wanted to feel like that was no way he'd ever be excepting of her or any way she'd be happy with him. I want more than two people in all of London Society to make it hard for them and I wanted to step-father to seem more unbeatable. 

I really hope she tries again with Ashby or another of Jack's friends and gets it right next time. It really is a great idea. 

Link - Interview with Kendra Leigh Castle

Kendra Leigh Castle has a great interview on Alyssa Day's Blog Warriors of Poseidon