The Critic [Paperback]

Dyanne Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2008

Anyone can write a book. . . At least that's what literary critic and talk show host Jared Stone thinks. After all, how hard can it be to pen a romance novel? The women who churn those books are a bunch of empty headed, bored women, and the women that read that trash are even worse. It takes no skill to either write or read the dribble. To prove his point, he's willing to walk the walk by joining a local romance writer's chapter and cranking out a silly little novel. It should be easy once he penetrates the group and uncovers the formula for writing. He's sure he can finish in a single week, no more than two. But that's only the beginning. . .\nToreas Rose has spent years crafting her novel, sweating through revisions and weathering rejections with the best of them. When Jared challenges her by promising he can finish a novel in a couple of weeks, she graciously steps aside, ready to watch the fun as he flounders through his personal learning curve at breakneck speed. And everything has a twist. . . When Jared and Toreas match wits in a contest of the literary critic vs. the romance writer, no holds are barred. As challenges, insults, and sparks fly between them things start to heat up. And quicker than you can crack the cover on a new book, the confrontation gets personal- so personal that they're creating a steamy subplot all their own. But will their ending be a literary tale of woe or a classic happily-ever-after?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Award winning author, Dyanne Davis lives in a Chicago suburb with her husband Bill and their son Bill Jr. An avid reader, Dyanne began reading at the age of four. Her love of the written word turned into a desire to write. She retired from nursing several years ago to pursue her lifelong dream. Her first novel, The Color of Trouble, was released in July 2003. The novel was received with high praise and several awards. Dyanne has been a presenter for numerous workshops including several workshops for teens at Chicago and Suburban high schools. She has a local cable show in her hometown to give writing tips to aspiring writers. She has guests from all genres to provide information and entertainment to the audience. She has hosted such notables as USA Today Best Selling erotica author, Robin Schone and vampire huntress L.A. Banks. A member of Romance Writers of America, Dyanne is now serving her second term as chapter president for Windy City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 229 pages
• Publisher: Parker Publishing, LLC (May 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600430325
• ISBN-13: 978-1600430329
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,954,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I believe in true love and soul mates becasue I've been married to my soul mate for 36 years. We have one son, Bill Jr.

I worked for many years as a nurse until my husband encouraged me to take the time from working to try and fullfill my writing dreams. Our deal was for two years. If in that time I had not collected anything but more rejection slips I would return to work. Well two years came and more rejections. My husband said keep trying and I did. See why he's my true love?

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Critics Need Love Too, June 13, 2008

By 

M. P. McKinney (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Critic (Paperback)

Dyanne Davis pens an interesting and entertaining tale of romance in her latest book, The Critic. Aspiring romance writer, Toreas Rose, has secretly been pining over talk show host Jared Stone. Her romantic bubble is burst when he cruelly and ruthlessly attacks romance writers on his show. When Toreas is asked to appear on the show on behalf of romance writers, she sets off a string of events that bring her and Jared to the brink of insanity as they try to figure out if they are drawn to one another by hate or by love. Their heated encounters serve as a great source of inspiration for her writing and a source of stress as Toreas discovers passion that she never experienced before.

Davis presents a very funny romance that incorporates and embraces Christian beliefs. Readers may get impatient with the main characters as they dance around the inevitable fact that they are destined to be together. Although this was the unedited version of the manuscript, there were a surprisingly high number of typographical errors. This reviewer sincerely hopes the final manuscript will address these issues so that readers can truly enjoy this book. Unedited manuscript errors aside, The Critic is a cleverly plotted and delightful love story.

Reviewed by M. P. McKinney

APOOO BookClub

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Surprize!, May 22, 2008

By 

Denise Bolds "Lion Who Reads A Lot!" (New York United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Critic (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful love story - modern but it reminds me of Pride and Prejudice! Here is the black version of P&P and this story is funny and holds the readers interest. I am so sorry this book did not get more publicity - this is a true romance for the romance reader! Ah! if only I could find a Jared of my own...!

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, in an age of cookie cutter, by the book romance novels, September 6, 2008

By 

Brenda "avid reader" (athens, GA, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Critic (Paperback)

Toreas Rose is an aspiring writer who has fallen in lust with local talk show host and book critic, Jared Stone. And who wouldn't, Jared Stone is one fine brother. Every day she tunes in to his show just to watch him on her small screen. The one sided relationship is blissful, that is until one day Toreas turns the sound up and gets an earful of Jared bashing romance writers and the books they write.

Outraged Toreas goes with a group of her book club member to appear on Jared's show. But instead of giving him a piece of her mind, she punches him in the gut with an unexpected result.

Turns out Jared blames romance writers for ruining his life. So as a way of getting revenge or venting his anger, he begins taking potshots at romance writers on his show. But after his encounter with Toreas Rose, Jared finds he can't stop thinking about her and can't figure for the life him why he's so drawn to her, a romance writer of all things. Toreas appearance on his show not only fuels his ratings, but his desire for her as well.

Toreas has had to live with critics all her life, seen and unseen. It's the reason she moved three states away from her parents. She's given herself two years to prove herself as a writer with the finical backing and blessing of her father. But her time is nearing an end and Toreas is no closer to fulfilling her dream. That is until Jared places himself squarely in her life and brings out not only her writing muse, but Jared also brings out her awareness of herself as a woman. Even their constant arguing is a form of foreplay.

I found myself laughing out loud at the subtle humor in this book and the way it took on the notion of how true romance should be written.

If you're looking for a book filled with passion, lust, skin, sin, and heaving bosoms. Keep looking.

If you want to read a story about two real people who take you along on their journey of discovering true love. With romance, lots of laughs, some sighs, and a few tears thrown in. Then read this book and savor each page. I promise you it's worth the trip.

Well done, Mrs. Davis, very well done indeed.