Great Books I’ve Read Recently

I would recommend the following as either a good read or as a very useful reference base.

In the reference category:

• The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aiken Hodge. This is no sycophant’s biography. It describes Heyer’s trials and tribulations with her writing, also her limitations. It was written with the full approval of GH’s son, Richard Rougier. (Arrow Books).
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Your Romance Published by Julie Beard. The title tells you exactly what this is—a guide to getting published, with all its pitfalls and disappointments and euphoria. More to the point it is practical. There are hundreds of ‘How to Write’ books, but most of them are fluffier and a lot less pragmatic than this useful handbook. (Alpha Books).

In the reading for pleasure category:

• In for a Penny by Rose Lerner. Rose is one of my critique partners. I can thoroughly recommend this Regency ‘convenient’ marriage book. A penniless and irresponsible lord learns all about responsibility and eventually love. Penelope is the daughter of a wealthy Cit and her father ‘buys’ her a husband. Together they struggle to save his heritage. (Dorchester).
• The Killing Hour by Lisa Gardner. This is one of Lisa’s earlier books but I have only just found it. An absolute must for FBI buffs. Describes in detail how the system works—or in cases doesn’t work. (Bantam Dell).
• Kindred in Death by J.D. Robb. Her latest in the ‘In Death’ series. In my opinion it lacks a little of the pzazz of her earlier ones, but who cares? It’s Eve and Roarke and all their familiar friends and workmates and if Nora stops writing these, I’ll have withdrawal symptoms. (Piatkus)