Comments on: The Quest for the Perfect Book

By: epson perfection v700

epson perfection v700 — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:19:29 +0000

epson perfection v700…

[...]The Quest for the Perfect Book « All About Romance’s News & Commentary Blog[...]…

By: Diane Farr

Diane Farr — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:04:32 +0000

JML wrote: “I’m always a little confused when authors say they have a wonderful story but when they pitch the idea they’re told that those books don’t sell well. If they have the plot and place and characters already set in their head why not write the book and pitch the finished product?”

Sometimes we do — if it’s a “book of the heart” that we just can’t get rid of any other way. But frankly, once you’ve been told point-blank that a book won’t sell, it’s hard to justify pouring a couple of years of your life into writing it.

And yes, I speak from experience. Bitter, bitter experience. [grin]

Diane

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:20:00 +0000

Outlander is my go to favorite whenever I’m in a rut. It has everything and I absolutely adore Jamie Fraser. It’s as close to perfect that I’ve ever found.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:10:31 +0000

But but but the tortured hero is my favorite!!! It’s how he gets through his experiences to the other side that makes the book for me. But then I like highly emotional books in general. It must be the English major in me. What’s love without a little (a lot…) of tragedy.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:56:43 +0000

Thanks Carrie. . . The narrator nailed the character of Caz. I don’t know if I would have picked up on so many things. I had a little problem visualizing the names. I am not good with pronunication so I rely on visual. The names of the two women kept running together for me but the story is awesome.

I have three credits, so I am off right now to check out Shards Of Honor.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:49:28 +0000

Lauren, I haven’t read a medieval book in a long time. I just got tired of most historicals. Like you I wait anxiously for books by certain authors.

bungluna, I am not even going to ask whose reviews are the exact opposite of your taste for fear it is me. Kidding aside, I have had the same thing happen. I knew if the reviewer loved the book, then there was a good chance I wouldn’t. Glad you have found someone that has similar taste in books. And it works out that someone has the opposite taste too. She/he recommends it and you avoid it.

RTD I really enjoyed the first three books by Sara Donati. Typically I am not good with series books. I have made it to book 13 on the Virgin River, which I think is a record for me. I do understand when you are in the mood for a certain type book, and nothing else appeals because that happens at times to me. I started a cute book, but after reading the first page, I realized that because what is going on in my life right now, it is not what I want to read.

Dabney, I hated Presumed Innocent. . . It had no happy ending. I have this obsessive need for HEA. . I haven’t read any of the others. . .

I want to thank you guys for your contribution.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:44:47 +0000

Leigh~ I just started Curse of Chalion on audio. I love the narrator so far. If you haven’t read Shards of Honor I highly recommend it on audio. Amazing book, great narration.

By: Leigh

Leigh — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:27:51 +0000

Jml, from what I understood, Julie James has the screen play already written, it just needs to be changed into a novel. Her time is better spent on books that she does have contracts for. Although I do understand what you are saying. . .

Carrie, I like Lois McMaster Bujold’s Sharing Knife series, but it didn’t blow me away like The Curse of Chalion did. Still she definitely is an author I watch. Nature Born Charmer is one of my favorite books.

Farmwifetwo. . . lol on K.I.S.S. Yeah, I hate plot holes. . . and the more complex they make it sometimes the bigger the holes. I stand in awe when someone is able to make all the puzzle pieces fit together.

Susan, at times I wish I was so easy. I think part of my problem is I want the hero and heroine to be heroic and so I don’t have much patience with tortured or T.S.T.L. When I do find an author that I love, I am very loyal for a very long time until I finally I give up. But I don’t give that loyalty easily

Ell I don’t remember the cute meet on the James book but I might have missed the excerpt. Eloisa James is one of my few auto buy historical authors.

Maggie, your enthusiasm and Rachel’s got me started on YA books. It never crossed my mind to read them before. I really like that typically the emphasis is on the story, and not the immediate physically attraction between two characters. They remind me of the early romantic suspense books

By: jml

jml — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:34:29 +0000

Totally Off Topic:
I’m always a little confused when authors say they have a wonderful story but when they pitch the idea they’re told that those books don’t sell well. If they have the plot and place and characters already set in their head why not write the book and pitch the finished product? Sounds just a little like ‘if I were only 8 inches taller and 20 pounds lighter I’d be a Supermodel’.

On topic: I really don’t have perfect books since my reading mood changes so often. What I love today might not be perfect for me tomorrow. I do have perfect authors. NOT that they always write perfect books but their voice and the rhythm of their writing almost always hits a good note for me.

If I had to choose one perfect book it would be Pack Challenge by Shelly Laurenston since it didn’t follow any recipe or prototype I’ve read before or since. It was a surprise in every way so I guess that makes it perfect.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:52:11 +0000

Reading challenges and book clubs help me get out of my comfort zone. This year I’ve participated in Wendy the Super-Librarian’s TBR Reading Challenge (I’ve now read 60 books that were on my TBR list before Jan 1, 2011), 2011 SFR Reading Challenge (I’ve read 10 out of 15 for my “Moon” level of the challenge), SOA 2011 Listing Challenge (13 of 15 categories finished) and I belong to a Romance Lover’s book club founded by last-year’s RWA Librarian of the Year, Jennifer Lohmann. For the book club, Jennifer picks two books, generally based around some theme or time period, and we get together to discuss them.

I tend to like contemporary, RS, SFR, and some UF. I used to have to be pushed to read historical romances. this past year I’ve read several I’ve really enjoyed, and while it may never be my favorite genre, I’m happy to explore it more thoroughly. I’ve now read a few PNR books due to the urging of friends and reviewers, and have enjoyed several.

A few “near perfect” books I’ve read (romance genre only):

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook
The Outsider by Penelope Williamson
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews (should read the others first–all good)
Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold (audiobook)
Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro (audiobook)
Beguilement and Horizon (Sharing Knife #1 and #4) by Lois McMaster Bujold
Fallen from Grace by Laura Leone
Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight
Cry No More by Linda Howard
Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
No Such Thing as a Free Ride by Shelly Fredman (4th of a series, all good)