Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Wow, I'd like an Alka Seltzer and a refund, not necessarily in that order. What a huge disappointment, and a hardcover disappointment at that. Others have covered the plot particulars ad nauseum, and since they weren't worth discussing even once, I won't repeat them. Instead, I'll say this: IF Julie Garwood indeed wrote this book, is it really the best she thinks her fans deserve? Her strengths in the past have included strong, likeable heroes and heroines, quirky but believable, who fit her historical style to a "T". Even the repetitive storylines (hard to avoid in romance) worked, because of the characters and her ability to make us root for them. And many of her stories were first-rate as well. Her earlier historicals are among my favorites, especially The Secret, The Wedding, The Prize, The Bride and of course, Honour's Splendor. At some point, Ms. Garwood turned to writing "modern" romance; those books (yes, I actually bought one new based stricly on her name, then another used) were mediocre at best. The snap and vitality of her historical characters just didn't translate to modern times to make those works anything special. At least, not for me. And now, after all these years, apparently Ms. Garwood has decided to settle for being a mediocre (at best) historical romance novelist as well. I know the "modern" romances didn't do as well (that happens when the work doesn't shine). But really....she just phoned this one in. It doesn't sound like her, doesn't work at any level, and has just become for me an expensive doorstop. I've complained in earlier reviews of the dreck pumped out this year by so-called "established" historical romance writers; I was counting on Ms. Garwood to pull out an end of the year save (probably not entirely fair, because now I'm even more disgusted). But slogging through this thing has helped crystalize my New Year's resolutions: 1) No more advance orders, PARTICULARLY of established writers (except Madeline Hunter who has NEVER let me down); 2) No more auto-buys based on "name" and/or "past performance"; 3) Everything I read, I'll review and post; 4) Romance authors have websites, they want to hear from their "fans" - well, they're going to hear from me. Here's the thing, guys: If you're all happy with what you've been reading from the romance community this year, so be it...not everyone has the same requirements. If you're not (based on what I've read in the reviews here at Amazon, I'd say that's pretty much the case), then you have to be willing to say so in ways the writers and publishers understand. With your buying power. When an established, admired and trusted romance writer can sell her fans this $18.00 waste of a tree...well, enough said. I'll be interested to see if this review sees the light of day. Here's to a better 2008; that shouldn't be too hard.