Tuesday, October 03, 2006

SO WHAT AM I READING?

I have a pile of books on my bedside table. A Medical Romance, THE ITALIAN DOCTOR’S BRIDE, from brand new author Margaret McDonagh, a luscious sheikh, AT THE SHEIKH’S COMMAND, from Kate Walker, THEIR CHRISTMAS DREAM COME TRUE by the lovely Kate Hardy. The November Bella Brides story (a Romantic Times TOP PICK), MARRIED UNDER THE MISTLETOE, by Linda Goodnight (just the thing to get me in the mood to start planning for the holiday) and How I Write, by Janet Evanovitch.

The last is irritating me. I’d anticipated an exuberant book that shared the experience of writing the Stephanie Plum stories; too late, I’ve discovered that this is no more than a rehash of answers to questions from readers and writers on her website and that I could have read it all for free. Entertaining, and I’m sure it will be hugely useful to new writers; it just wasn’t what I expected.

What I did read yesterday – I’d finished the revisions on The Journey Home and I owed myself a treat – was ACCEPTING THE BOSS’S PROPOSAL by Natasha Oakley. And treat is the word.

The cover, I have to say, doesn’t do this book justice. Those skyscrapers, that “city slicker” look suggest something chick-litty that, to be honest, put me off buying it. I should have known better – I’ve had some clunkers of covers of my own -- and when, on another blog I read this snippet from the moment when Miles, the hero, wished the ground would open and swallow him whole ...

“It was up there in number one slot along with the time his mother had given a television interview explaining that he’d been conceived in a moment of ‘peace and meditation’...”

... I knew he was a hero I had to know and clicked the “Romance”link at Mills & Boon link and pressed the “buy now” button.

I am so glad I did.

This book is engaging, warm-hearted, in turns funny and touching as it shares the journey of two brittle people discovering that, despite all evidence to the contrary, till-death-us-do-part love is a possibility. This isn’t a book that turns on a sixpence. Incredulity was not stretched. There’s real growth here. A real “Romance”. Definitely a keeper.

I’m sorry I judged your book by its cover, Natasha. Next time I’ll just look at the name and know I’m in for a good time.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much, Liz. I am not the least worthy to be amongst the rest of the books on your bedside table - and am now scared I shall be in the 'clunker' category once you have read it. But I am exceedingly honoured and very grateful for your support and encouragement.

Love,
Mags

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much, Liz. I am not the least worthy to be amongst the rest of the books on your bedside table - and am now scared I shall be in the 'clunker' category once you have read it. But I am exceedingly honoured and very grateful for your support and encouragement.

Love,
Mags

Liz Fielding said...

I do hope everyone realises that it was the covers I was referring to, not the books!

Anonymous said...

ooh.. that just reminded me that Janet Evanovitch will be in town at B&N on Thursday for a book signing.. can't wait!

Jopee said...

Liz, its funny you mention covers. When I read Sheikh's Guarded Heart, looking at the cover was weird for me coz the guy reminded me of tennis player Roger Federer and the girl looked like a softer version of Pete Sampras' wife, Bridgette Wilson *g* The color and the feel of the cover was beautiful though... just didnt want to look at the faces!

Liz Fielding said...

Thanks for reading the book, Jopee. I have to say that the "sheikh" didn't exactly match my vision, either -- a point I made to my editor last week when I met her. Nothing could dampen their enthusiasm since sales have, apparently, been through the roof.

Pretty much made my day, too!

Natasha Oakley said...

I am so glad you enjoyed my book, Liz - despite the cover. ;)

I was a little bemused by the picture of Canary Wharf when I'd set it in Covent Garden. Especially since they went to such trouble over these launch month covers. Weren't there four possibilities sent out to focus groups???

Liz Fielding said...

I imagine the choice of cover was to emphasize the range of the books, Natasha. It's tough to make Covent Garden look like a "tycoon" story!

Natasha Oakley said...

Still wish you couldn't see up Jemima's nose!

And, honestly, your Han really should buy the next shirt size up!! :)

Liz Fielding said...

If you want to see the inside of a heroine's nose (close-up!), check out the UK cover my book The Bridesmaid's Reward. She has a moustache, too. Of course, my overweight heroine was on the verge of anorexia on the US version (although it was prettier!)

And Han definitely is on the tubby side for someone who's supposed to be gaunt with grief. Editors were told!