I'm on a roll. Of sorts. I'm fleshing out yet another story line, and I've got Harlequin Presents in my sights. I'm zeroing in on them, and to properly do that, you need research. Research, when it comes to writers, equates to reading and I love, love, love to read. No, seriously. Read the "about me" section if you need more proof.
I picked up author Annie West's "Blackmailed Bride, Inexperienced Wife" yesterday and I'm already mostly through with it. The girl's good, I have to say. Much love to Ms. West, and many happy returns. Dario is a bit of an ass at first, but c'mon, he's smokin' hot and he's Sicilian. And he's out for revenge...he's not exactly going to hold doors open for her or make her breakfast in bed. Yet.
The story, in my opinion, had a great pace to it. Not much to comment on about secondary characters, but with 50k words, you don't have much room to develop strong side kicks or confidantes, and the author did well with what she had. Again, many happy returns to Annie West and I can't wait to read the upcoming titles.
The other book I'm working through is "Believe" by Victoria Alexander. It's a reprint of 1999 
novel she wrote...with a jazzier cover. (Yay!). I like this story. I really do. I like our heroine. I like the fantasy element of time travel and Galahad is a hunk, for sure. I was excited about this book the past few weeks...I had it's half page ad from the Romantic Times Book Review taped to my corkboard so I wouldn't forget to buy it on its release date.
novel she wrote...with a jazzier cover. (Yay!). I like this story. I really do. I like our heroine. I like the fantasy element of time travel and Galahad is a hunk, for sure. I was excited about this book the past few weeks...I had it's half page ad from the Romantic Times Book Review taped to my corkboard so I wouldn't forget to buy it on its release date.But this book brings to mind a tiny pet peeve of mine when reading romance novels. Heroines who try to talk a little too sarcastically EACH TIME THEY SPEAK, or who use little names like "pal" or "bub" or "buddy" after each sentence...it makes my skin crawl. Crawl. Crawl. Crawl.
I immediately dislike the character a tiny bit (which grows bigger and bigger with each usage), and I begin to skim over her end of the dialogue. And it's funny, but the heros in books rarely have that annoying habit. I'm sure it's all part of the building a character with sass and fire, but c'mon. We're not all THAT brilliant and biting and sarcastic each time we open our mouths, and we certainly don't end each sentence with "pal." (Thank God!)
Phew. There. I feel better. Less sarcasm, more character development. That's all I ask. :)
2 comments:
Hi Harper,
How lovely to read your blog and hear you're enjoying BLACKMAILED BRIDE, INEXPERIENCED WIFE. That's music to my ears. Must admit I'm smiling about you saying Dario is 'smokin' hot'. A friend described him yesterday as 'tssss hot'! That was how he seemed to me so I'm glad it's coming through in the book.
Best of luck with your Presents research. There are lots of fantastic stories out there to enjoy.
Harper, Annie West is an incredible. I've read everything from her first Presents and I have her latest release. Besides being an incredible author, she gives back to the romance community.
If you haven't stopped by the Pink Heart Society, hopefully join us on this contemporary romance site for authors and readers. Reviews are also available and I review for them.
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