UNDER A CRESCENT MOON by Violette Dubrinsky

Description: When Azaleigh Montclaire inherits her eccentric aunt’s estate, she discovers that she’s inherited more than a house. There’s also a book of spells, a job as the town’s guardian witch (its only line of defense against vampires), and — oh yeah, a shockingly handsome protector name Victor St. Croix. The Good: This is a doozy of a tale, with a twist so unexpected and huge I gasped out loud. The story was thoroughly compelling and even somewhat funny. Also, both the sex and hero were written very well. The Bad: The hero’s motivation in regard to the resolution felt slightly unearned. The Naughty: Steamy. Masturbation. Biting. Editing issues: 5 typos found Publisher: Author Length: 154 pages (Amazon estimated length)...

So Disappointed in Romance Writers Ink *and* Romance Writers of America

I wanted to add my voice to the many writers and bloggers who are raging against the decision made by Romance Writers Ink, an Oklahoma chapter of Romance Writers of America, to ban novels featuring same-sex protagonists from their writing contest. This official declaration is gross at every level. And I’m appalled that the national org isn’t stepping in. They say that they can’t police local contests, but you know if this chapter had decided to ban black novels or interracial novels from their, they would have done so. I’ve no doubt that they would have done so. It’s easy enough for RWA to say that local chapters cannot openly discriminate against their members due to the sexual orientation of their characters! They’re choosing...

WE ALL SCREAM by Nona Wesley

Description: The economy has been rough on Diahann Marshall’s family-owned ice cream shop and her love life has gone even colder than the product she sells. Can local business owner Sun Li, who she thinks is a Chinese food delivery guy, be the perfect solve for both? The Good: Compelling premise. I’m a big fan of mistaken identity plots and kept on reading just to see how it would all turn out. The Bad:  The H/H relationship is so under-developed that the great set-up is effectively ruined. Both characters (but especially Sun Li) lack strong/clear motivation, which makes suspension of disbelief particularly hard when certain romantic plot points play out. At the end of the day, this romance just isn’t very romantic. Also, the heroine’s...