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Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romance. Show all posts

Monday, November 29, 2010

Finding Rose by Stephanie Humphreys

Finding Rose
From the back cover:

On his deathbed, Rose Sterling's father asks her to consider Miles Crandall as a suitor. Then Rose is sent to live with an uncle in Spring Creek, Montana, far from her carefree life with her family in Utah. Miles is returning to his hometown of Spring Creek to set up a medical practice, so Rose is certain her being sent there is a setup. Yet Miles doesn't seem interested in her, and after Rose falls ill in Montana, he seems content to act as her physician and friend. When Rose captures the attention of Miles's younger, flamboyant brother as well as the town sheriff, Miles retreats even further from any attempt at courtship.

How can Rose honor her father's last wish if Miles doesn't even try to court her? Will she have the courage to put her heart on the line and fight for the one she really loves?

My Review:
I'm going to begin by making an observation that has nothing to do with this book, simply because I really want my posts  to be something readers can learn from. With that said . . .

As both a writer and a reader, I've learned that reviews, contests, and even the finding of a publisher are very subjective experiences. Simply put, if a book isn't the reader's "cup of tea," then he or she will likely disregard it or give it a bad review. Not easy for the author to take. I know, I've been there. But the truth is, there are also many, many other readers who love what that same author has written. He or she may even become that reader's favorite author. The trick for us as authors is to find those readers. Sort of like finding friends. Or spouses. :)

But with Finding Rose, one of the things I liked most about it was it was a lot like a Hallmark Channel movie; it was a gentle romance about two people who grew into love. My novels are fast-paced, so Finding Rose was a pleasant change for me. I also loved Miles, the romantic lead. It took me a little while to warm up to him because I initially didn't think his character fit his profession, but the more I read, the more I liked him and the more I hoped he'd show up on the page--a good thing in a romance novel. So if you like quiet romances, give Finding Rose a try. Author Stephanie Humphreys just might become one of your new, favorite authors.


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Book Giveaway Celebration!

We have just reached 200 members on our Clean Romance Group on Goodreads.com! To celebrate, we are having a drawing. More than 18 books have been put up as prizes--MISSING included--and all you have to do to enter is to become a member of the group. (A Goodreads membership is required, however, but it's free!) To be part of the giveaway, enter/join the Clean Romance Group (under the group--Books/Literature, then Romance) by January 10, 2010. The festivities will begin on January 11. See ya there!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

What They Did Right--Joyce DiPastena

What do Jane Austen, Stephenie Meyer, and Joyce DiPastena have in common? The ability to make romantic scenes come to life and even, especially if you're a girl, increase your heart rate a bit. And they do it by incorporating "restrained desire."

For example, in Pride and Prejudice, both Elizabeth and Darcy occasionally convey their desire for the other, and yet because of social restraints, not to mention their belief in the other's indifference, they resist. In the Twilight series, Edward resists his desire for Bella because if he didn't, he'd kill her. And in DiPastena's Loyalty's Web, Helene and Gunthar resist each other because Gunther is engaged (at the Prince's command) to Helene's sister.

Furthermore, their restraint is depicted, not just through their situations, but through tiny, catch your breath details as they associate with each other. Think of Darcy staring at Elizabeth and then looking away. Of Bella touching Edward's hand and he pulls away. Of Helene and Gunthar's constant misunderstanding of each other and acting according to that misunderstanding.

You see, restraint is the key to compelling romance, not letting it all hang out as is so often shown in today's media. And that's exactly what Joyce DiPastena has done right in Loyalty's Web. I look forward to reading her next book.