Comments on: Smugglivus Presents – Jessica (Racy Romance Reviews)

By: Monday Morning Stepback «

Monday Morning Stepback « — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:37:22 +0000

[...] to do with romance? Well… nothing much, although Hanukkah is coming up, and last year I read a pretty good Hanukkah romance. Hanukkah is a minor holiday, so I am not too surprised, although folks have yet to explore the [...]

By: Lori

Lori — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:12:00 +0000

Jessica,

I felt the exact same way that you did about the book. I was thrilled to death with the way that Mallory and Kent’s faith was presented – important to them both, but also simply as just a part of their life. It’s what I’ve been pleading for.

I also agree with your assessment of the rest of the book, although I may not have judged it quite as harshly as you. But I agree that Mallory endangered her son multiple times over by not revealing his parentage sooner simply out of fear for herself.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:26:00 +0000

Carolyn Jean,

I was thrilled that Dan was Jewish, and Megan Hart has said somewhere that readers should assume her characters are Jewish unless proven otherwise, which I think is so funny and terrific.

Ana,

No, I haven't read Gordon, but thanks for the tip -- and thanks again for the invite!

Heather,

"Character arc", is that what it is? I am new to reviewing and I find I do not have the right vocabulary half the time. Thank you!

By: Heather

Heather — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:33:00 +0000

Thoughtful post there. Your insights point to the importance of a good, solid character arc. Well done.

I read Private Arrangements this year and enjoyed it very much, for the reasons you stated. Good stuff.

By: Ana

Ana — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:28:00 +0000

Jessica, have you ever read any Noah Gordon’s books? I read most of them and the ones I read have Jews as mains characters and their “Jewishness” is very much explored…Interesting point though, I don’t recall ever reading a romance novel where any of the characters was Jewish….

By: Carolyn Jean

Carolyn Jean — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:19:00 +0000

Oh, boy, great review! Wow, this sounds like quite a story. I, too, would be amazed at the length this woman was willing to go to keep that secret. That’s an interesting point about the issue of Jewishness in books, how it’s made much of or nothing of. I didn’t even remember that Dan in Dirty was Jewish until you noted it, and then I did. It was like, one line.