Sherry Thomas ( Dec 08 ) Susan Elizabeth Phillips ( Dec 08 ) CJ Lyons ( Jan 09 ) Suzanne Brockmann ( Jan 09 ) Anne Stuart ( Feb 09 ) Karen Rose ( Feb 09 ) Linnea Sinclair ( Mar 09 ) Sophia Nash ( Mar 09 ) Catherine Asaro ( Apr 09 ) Teresa Medeiros ( Apr 09 ) Rachel Gibson ( May 09 ) Brenda Novak ( May 09 ) Alyssa Day ( June 09 ) Mary Jo Putney ( June 09 )
Last year at a sci-fi convention, I picked up an interesting sounding anthology, THE SECRET HISTORY OF VAMPIRES. Thirteen stories that are alternate versions of history "exposing" the truth of vampires long past, this anthology has it all: Harry Turtledove, Carrie Vaughn (of the Kitty series fame), Gregory Frost and many others.
Then, earlier this year, I picked up MISSPELLED. An anthology of 17 stories about spells gone wonky. I loved the premise and promptly added it to my growing pile of books and it included stories by Kristen Britain (the Green Rider series) and others. I realized this was an excellent way to learn about new authors, while enjoying a themed set of stories.
As I looked around, I realized there were lots of these themed anthologies out there, just begging to be read:
FAMILIARS, obviously with many stories about familiars by authors such as P.N. Elrod, Gary A. Braunbeck and Laura Anne Gilman.
THE MAGIC SHOP, about the various fates that can befall those who enter a magic shop. Includes a couple of the authors mentioned above, as well as the wonderful Susan Sizemore.
But the one I am reading now should appeal to those who love fantasy and those who love... shopping. ENCHANTMENT PLACE is centered on the idea that a mall, especially a magical mall, is chock full of surprising experiences. Not only are there stories by Ms. Weldon and Ms. Sizemore, but the book opens with an offering by Mary Jo Putney (a very funny story about a shoe shiner who learns the hard way that magical beings are people too).
While I often have limited patience for short story collections, I love to collect them anyway, with the idea that I could discover new-to-me authors, not that I need any more. But these collections continue to catch my eye and keep my attention, while reminding me why I have fantasy books scattered among my TBR shelves.
For our American readers: Have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!
January 09 issue book titles and ratings are now up on the site. Magazine subscribers have access to reviews online. Non subscribers can access January issue reviews on February 1st.
Go to "Current Issue" page and use "Book Reviews" drop down menu or see below.
I recently read the upcoming novel TO SEDUCE A SINNER by Elizabeth Hoyt. Second book in her Legends of the Four Soldiers series, I was expecting another story about a marriage of convenience. What I got was so much more.
The story seems simple: After Lord Vale gets dumped at the altar, he is propositioned by Melisande, who has loved him for years. She offers to marry him, thus rescuing his reputation and giving her what she wanted: him.
However, as the two get to know each other and learn about one another, their expectations change. Each one was expecting a marriage of politeness and possibly children, but little more. As they spend time together, however, Lord Vale begins to see the woman behind the plain facade.
Melisande loves him, but she vowed never to let him know. However, at night, she can't help but show him how she feels by seducing him (very creatively, I might add).
What got me about this book was that the romance was incredibly believable. Unlike in many books, where the relationship seems to grow in leaps and bounds, each scene between the two characters gradually moved their love for each other forward. I was touched, I laughed and I completely fell into the story.
TO SEDUCE A SINNER comes out November 25, and to find out more about Ms. Hoyt, check out the RT podcast.
We've just added a new feature on the site: RT Podcast. In the first episode, Morgan Doremus interviews historical romance author Elizabeth Hoyt. New episodes will be added monthly.
Amazon.com recently released their lists of the Best Books of 2008. When I looked at the Editors' List and the Customers' List, I found a few interesting tidbits:
On the Editors' List:
* Some books have no reviews. Of those, a couple have not been released. Some are just books that don't really appeal to the general masses, such as the PHAIDON ATLAS OF 21ST CENTURY WORLD ARCHITECTURE. And for the ones with reviews, there are quite a few with an average customer review of four stars or under.
* There is a lot more nonfiction on this list than you might find on other compilations that compare fiction and nonfiction. This, too, is more indicative of a different group of people than the average consumer.
On the Customers' List:
* Again, some books have no reviews. I realize there is such a thing as advanced reader copies and the like, but really, how can a book make a Best of 2008 Customer list when the average customer has not even read the book? Some of those are pre-orders, which makes me think this is slightly more based on orders than true preferences.
* One of the books that has not even been released actually appears on the list twice - THE TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD by J.K. Rowling. I can't begin to understand the justification in including this book once (it has not been released and is famous for being read by very few people before publication), let alone twice.
* The nonfiction books on the list are to be expected, if annual bestsellers anyway. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING, SOUTH BEACH DIET, YOU: THE OWNER'S MANUAL all make appearances. But then there are complete surprises, such as a how-to on digital photography.
I don't know for sure how these list are compiled, if they are objectively based or include more subjective criteria, but I do know that I don't completely trust them. As many readers of RT would agree, Sherrilyn Kenyon'sACHERON should not be 99 on a list of 100. My recommendation when reading these lists is to enjoy seeing books that might be outside your usual choices, but don't trust the actual ranking to be the end all be all.
Our American Title V competition has officially begun. Be sure to vote for your favorite opening line. One contestant will be eliminated in this round based on the number of votes. At the end of the competition, the winner will receive a publishing contract with Dorchester.
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October 08 issue book reviews can now be accessed by general public (magazine subscribers can access November and December issue reviews). Go to October Back Issue page or see below.
It's been sometime since I had time to read one of my favorite types of romance: the historical. But I decided to take a break from the more dark books I have been reading of late and enjoy some fun books for a change.
My most recent pick was THE BRIDE PRICE by Anne Mallory. This book has one of the more original and intriguing plots I have seen in some time.
The central action takes place around a competition. 15 men who have been at the edges of society for most of their lives – third sons and bastards, mostly – play a series of games and amusements with the goal being a title, lands… and a wife.
The male protagonist is Sebastien Deville, a bastard who desperately wants to win the contest, if only to get back his mother's lands which are part of the winnings. He could care less for the woman who would be his bride should he win, but he is intrigued by her cousin and companion, Caroline Martin.
Caroline, recovering from running away with the wrong man, is determined not to let Deville get to her. He is just as determined to have her. However, he can't have her and the lands both.
I love impossible situations in books. I love wondering throughout the book just how the author plans to reconcile what appears to be two conflicting options. And this book handles it all very well. Even with a few hiccups regarding placement of limbs and bodies during a couple of scenes, the book is highly enjoyable and reminds why I love to read historical romance.
Melissa Marr ( Nov 08 ) Sherry Thomas ( Dec 08 ) Susan Elizabeth Phillips ( Dec 08 ) CJ Lyons ( Jan 09 ) Suzanne Brockmann ( Jan 09 ) Anne Stuart ( Feb 09 ) Karen Rose ( Feb 09 ) Linnea Sinclair ( Mar 09 ) Sophia Nash ( Mar 09 ) Catherine Asaro ( Apr 09 ) Teresa Medeiros ( Apr 09 ) Rachel Gibson ( May 09 ) Brenda Novak ( May 09 ) Alyssa Day ( June 09 ) Mary Jo Putney ( June 09 )
