Blog Archive

Rotten Apples

On April 3, 2010 Apple launched the iPad. One other important thing happened that day. Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs had numerous interviews with reporters, natural given that his company was launching a major product. What…

Sports Romances and Heroines in Pursuit

We don’t know what it is about the combination of Heroes in Pursuit, Heroines in Pursuit, Sports Romances, and Suspense & Mystery, but we seem to have hit all your buttons. Never since we have taken…

Roasted Asparagus on the Grill

My family loves roasted asparagus, and we eat it often during the summer to compliment grilled steaks and chicken. The recipe is likely familiar, but if you cook it on the grill with your meat you…

Mary Ann Rivers talks about loss, change, and love

This week Mary Ann Rivers released her first published work, a moving novella entitled The Story Guy. Goodreads readers give it a 4.5. I thought it was almost perfect. I know Mary Ann through twitter (every…

Earworm of the day: On the Street Where You Live

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl-coD6ovc0I grew up listening to My Fair Lady. I am not kidding you: When I was a small child, my parents had a lot of classical music on records, a couple of German songwriters, and My…

AAR Staff Top 10 Favorites – Melanie's Picks

So, like the other AAR staff who have submitted their Top Ten, I’ve been struggling to make decisions about what belongs on my personal top ten. And as I made a list of some of my…

Eagerly Awaited August Books

It looks like August will be a promising month for historical fans. We’re excited about a new (non-Regency!) Carla Kelly, as well as new releases from Jo Beverley, Lauren Willig, Grace Burrowes, Kaki Warner, Caroline Linden…

Green Cleaning Take Two

Nearly four years ago I posted here about my intention to start using green cleaning products. While it was partially motivated by a desire to help the environment, my major motivation was personal: I have a…

Heroines and Aging: A Bit Painfully

Back in July of 2006, Robin Uncapher wrote an At the Back Fence column (#232) that is so timely for me as to be kind of eerie. She discussed the role age plays on romance novels:…