Customer Reviews

Writing My Love

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a long-time admirer of Claire McNab's writing -- despite the fact I have been disappointed in the direction (or lack of it) in which she has taken the Carol Ashton mystery series. Although she is more known in the U.S. for her mystery and espionage books, her novel "Under the Southern Cross" is a bang-up, great romance delivered in her typically spare (or is it stingy?) style. I was excited to see she had written another romance and not a mystery with a 10-second sex scene thrown in. But, when I got to the last line of this book I found myself closing it and thinking that I had once again been suckered by past memories of Claire McNab.
This book has a lot of promise to it -- therefore the two stars I gave it -- but it's promise unfulfilled. There is a long setup of the writer Vonny Smith pining for the personal attention of her editor, Diana. But, why exactly is she in love with Diana? Darn if I know. The writing has great humor and spoofs the whole genre of romance novels. But the entire novel is a setup and, in the end, there is no delivery. It's annoying, frustrating, and feels like a cheat. Wasn't there an editor to say: "Claire, this story needs more!" Or was Bella Books just intent on cashing in on Ms. McNab's name? Who knows. But, this is one book I won't be rereading. I wish I hadn't paid full-price.

I'm a Claire McNab fan and have been for a very long time. From the beginning of her Carol Ashton detective series, through to her most recent Denise Cleever ones. This book steps away from the genre, into romance/fun. Unfortunately, it doesn't make a graceful transformation. Some of it is fun for sure, but the entire premise is rather silly and geared towards teens. I would love to see Claire write a romantic story but the characters need to grow up and the story line would need to be a more mature one. It is not the worse read I've ever had, but it is not even close to the best. If this is the best Ms. McNab can do with romance, she should stick with her detectives, they are far more credible and interesting.

Clare McNab is one of my favorite writers. This particular book was a disappointointment both in content and storyline. The plot and storyline was sophmoric at best. Stick with the detective.

Claire McNab is known as a mystery writer, not for romances, which may be why she chose to make Writing My Love a spoof of the romance genre. Romance authors should get a chuckle at themselves when they read this book.

Vonny Smith writes the equivalent of lesbian "bodice rippers" (think Harlequin romances) under the name of Victoria Vanderveer. Although her public life is very successful, Vonny has not found the romantic success that her own heroines experience. The answer to that problem may be her editor Diana Broswell. Vonny has fallen totally in love with the always professional Diana who is friendly, but cool to any other type of relationship. Vonny is convinced that, if she can just make Diana see how great they would be together, then they definitely have a future; however, Diana is not the type of person you simply state your desires to, especially when you're not sure she's a lesbian. Vonny decides the way to win Diana is to write a thinly disguised novel that is about them. As Diana edits the book she will slowly, but surely, come to realize how perfectly they fit together and will return Vonny's feelings. What ensues is a hilarious use of every exaggerated or bad practice used in romance novels. There are, of course, the obligatory ex-lovers of both women who show up to complicate Vonny's scheme and until the last pages, the reader doesn't know if Vonny's strategy will work or not.

McNab is showing the maturity of someone who has published many books and realizes she doesn't have to take herself or her craft so seriously. That doesn't mean that she's lazy at her craft, far from it. Her use of scenes and characters shows that she knows what she is doing. The reader can't help but feel for Vonny as she tries desperately to win the woman of her dreams while being unable to simply tell her how she feels. Romance fans, if they have an ounce of humor, should enjoy this book and the gentle way it lampoons their favorite type of story.

Victoria Vanderveer is the pen name for Vonny Smith, one of Crimson Loon's best-selling romance writers.

Vonny is attracted to and enraptured by her editor, Diana Broswell. It appears to Vonny that Diana hardly even knows she exists except for her writing.

So Victoria plans her next novel around her seduction of Diana. She names characters in her book with the same beginning alpha character and the same amount of syllables. She's wondering if Diana will ever catch on.

Come join the writers, editors, publishers of the Crimson Loon for the unrobing of Victoria Vanderveer's new novel.

Writing
This book had me thinking of why the author did it this way? As I read the book I understood why in that she was hiding her identity because she was scared that she would be turned down by the person she has attraction to. I did like it wouldn't stop reading the authors books.

I have loved all of Claire McNab's other books but this one... well, lets just say, is a drag. I tried to get into it but couldn't. The writting is sophomoric at best. I have read a lot, and I trully mean a lot, of romances (lesbian and otherwise), but this one is not up to par with even some of the more amateurish ones I have come across. What a waste of story line and talent! Then again, someone's idea of a mediocre book is another's best seller...