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The Critic
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?
- GenresRomance
229 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2008
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 3, 2012
The Critic was a book I found at a dollar store, believe it or not. I'm not one to just up and buy books because they are there. I have to say, Dyanne Davis has this fantastic way of making you feel the emotions and thoughts of her characters.
She makes you hate Jared, a cocky, television personality whose vendetta against romance writers throws your emotions for a spin. He is the one character that you begin to hate and then realize you love him by the end of the book.
Toreas, the what seemly is the main character, is portrayed as a young, naive girl whose dreams of making it in the writing world slowly begin to unravel as the book goes on.
An unlikely pair, Jared and Toreas, take the reader through a whirlwind of lies, deceit, lost love and finally found realities.
For a dollar store book, I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I began reading it at 5pm on Saturday, continued reading it till my eyes blurred and I couldn't see the words anymore. The clock read 3am. I had to sleep. When I woke on Sunday, I finished it by noon. I highly recommend this book. It's a wonderful read if your looking for that something in your life to make sense of things. It's amazingly well written. The romance doesn't hurt either! ;)
January 12, 2013
"The Critic" by Dyanne Davis is a great read! My daughter gave this book to me for Christmas, knowing I'd love it, especially since I'm writer.
Toreas Rose is working on a career writing romance novels. She develops a crush on a talk show host who she likes to watch with the sound off; when she unmutes her television, she discovers the hunk she's been drooling over is on a crusade to insult all romance authors and the 'stupid' housewives who read their work. When Toreas and her friends from her writing group appear on his show, things get even worse when she gives him a much deserved punch in the gut.
I love the way the author let her imagination take over and run with the idea of a romance writer and a critic fighting the attraction they both feel as they battle wits. She even has fun with some of the cliches associated with romance novels.
This was a fun read, and I'll gladly read more of Mrs. Davis's work.
Toreas Rose is working on a career writing romance novels. She develops a crush on a talk show host who she likes to watch with the sound off; when she unmutes her television, she discovers the hunk she's been drooling over is on a crusade to insult all romance authors and the 'stupid' housewives who read their work. When Toreas and her friends from her writing group appear on his show, things get even worse when she gives him a much deserved punch in the gut.
I love the way the author let her imagination take over and run with the idea of a romance writer and a critic fighting the attraction they both feel as they battle wits. She even has fun with some of the cliches associated with romance novels.
This was a fun read, and I'll gladly read more of Mrs. Davis's work.
March 23, 2013
Completely Delightful!
Let me begin this review by saying: Get this book! The Critic by Dyanne Davis is one of the most delightful romance novels I've read in a long time.
Although neither the title nor the cover makes a reader think the book is a romance novel, trust me, it is, and it's a romance with depth of characterization and lush sensuality. The Critic began life as something the author wrote just to take to her Romance Writers of America chapter meetings for her friends to read. Of course, they urged her to submit it for publication.
I read the trade paper edition, published by Parker Publishing, but now there is an ebook edition: The Romance Writer Vs. The Critic. Unfortunately, this cover still doesn't well-represent this wonderful romance.
Blurb It
Toreas Rose, an aspiring romance author, takes on Jared Stone, a romance-bashing literary critic and talk show host. (Don't you love it already?) Until Stone opened his big mouth on TV and trashed her beloved romance genre, the writers of romance, and the readers of romance, she was crushing on the gorgeous, hunky critic.
The old saying "out of the frying pan and into the fire" perfectly describes what happens when Toreas goes on Jared's talk show to defend romance and ends up creating a situation that is a publicity hound's dream come true.
Amidst their mutual attraction and growing desire, the publicity nightmare is the least of their problems as each confronts the demons of their respective pasts.
My Take
Jared is a hero in every possible sense even though he yields to his own insecurities -- after all, he's only human, and Toreas is maddening at times. In the beginning, Toreas seems capable, strong, and secure. As the story progresses, the reader -- and Toreas -- realizes that she's been carting around a lot of baggage.
Women especially will recognize all those "voices" in her head. Toreas learns that if she's going to be the woman she wants to be, then she must make peace with herself.There's a lot of character growth in this book. Each time you think Jared and Toreas are going to wind up in bed, those old insecurities push them apart.
As a romance reader and writer, the book is completely entertaining because it exposes all the stereotypes relating to this genre, gently pokes fun at publishing expectations, and shows why women readers have made this the most popular genre in the world.
Let me begin this review by saying: Get this book! The Critic by Dyanne Davis is one of the most delightful romance novels I've read in a long time.
Although neither the title nor the cover makes a reader think the book is a romance novel, trust me, it is, and it's a romance with depth of characterization and lush sensuality. The Critic began life as something the author wrote just to take to her Romance Writers of America chapter meetings for her friends to read. Of course, they urged her to submit it for publication.
I read the trade paper edition, published by Parker Publishing, but now there is an ebook edition: The Romance Writer Vs. The Critic. Unfortunately, this cover still doesn't well-represent this wonderful romance.
Blurb It
Toreas Rose, an aspiring romance author, takes on Jared Stone, a romance-bashing literary critic and talk show host. (Don't you love it already?) Until Stone opened his big mouth on TV and trashed her beloved romance genre, the writers of romance, and the readers of romance, she was crushing on the gorgeous, hunky critic.
The old saying "out of the frying pan and into the fire" perfectly describes what happens when Toreas goes on Jared's talk show to defend romance and ends up creating a situation that is a publicity hound's dream come true.
Amidst their mutual attraction and growing desire, the publicity nightmare is the least of their problems as each confronts the demons of their respective pasts.
My Take
Jared is a hero in every possible sense even though he yields to his own insecurities -- after all, he's only human, and Toreas is maddening at times. In the beginning, Toreas seems capable, strong, and secure. As the story progresses, the reader -- and Toreas -- realizes that she's been carting around a lot of baggage.
Women especially will recognize all those "voices" in her head. Toreas learns that if she's going to be the woman she wants to be, then she must make peace with herself.There's a lot of character growth in this book. Each time you think Jared and Toreas are going to wind up in bed, those old insecurities push them apart.
As a romance reader and writer, the book is completely entertaining because it exposes all the stereotypes relating to this genre, gently pokes fun at publishing expectations, and shows why women readers have made this the most popular genre in the world.
July 27, 2008
Author Dyanne Davis keeps the fire going in “The Critic,” her latest romance novel.
The two characters are a study in contrast: Torese is trying to be as pure as the driven snow, hiding behind baggy clothes and her father’s sermons, while temporarily living away from home in Chicago. She has running conversations with God about what she considers her “sins.” She writes romance stories, yet is afraid to show desire in real life. Jared Stone is straightforward with more than his share of testosterone, worldliness, and good looks. He comes to Chicago from L.A. to do a local TV talk show. He is angry with romance writers and insults them on his local talk show.
Jared blames romance writers for his girlfriend’s unrealistic view of life that causes her to dump him and further insults them saying anyone could write a romance story. Torese challenges him and no holds are barred. The fun begins. How do you research for a romance story? I’ll let Torese and Jared tell you.
I enjoyed the read and laughed through each chapter. “The Critic” is a well-written, delightful, entertaining read.
The two characters are a study in contrast: Torese is trying to be as pure as the driven snow, hiding behind baggy clothes and her father’s sermons, while temporarily living away from home in Chicago. She has running conversations with God about what she considers her “sins.” She writes romance stories, yet is afraid to show desire in real life. Jared Stone is straightforward with more than his share of testosterone, worldliness, and good looks. He comes to Chicago from L.A. to do a local TV talk show. He is angry with romance writers and insults them on his local talk show.
Jared blames romance writers for his girlfriend’s unrealistic view of life that causes her to dump him and further insults them saying anyone could write a romance story. Torese challenges him and no holds are barred. The fun begins. How do you research for a romance story? I’ll let Torese and Jared tell you.
I enjoyed the read and laughed through each chapter. “The Critic” is a well-written, delightful, entertaining read.
July 9, 2013
I liked the premise of the book with a romance writer and critic who end up in a relationship. I did find Toreas' inability to trust what Jared says and does a little frustrating as the book went on. I also found her strict focus on her religious beliefs too much at times. Someone who is almost 30 should be able to reconcile their beliefs and their own needs without almost ruining a relationship.
March 28, 2012
And Dyanne Davis delivers yet another MUST READ!!!!!!! She has definitely become one of my favorite romance authors! Her stories and characters are just so real and I love it!!!!!
December 3, 2012
Not her best work by far. I found it hard to really get into this book, my mind kept wandering elsewhere.
April 9, 2016
Not a romance reader but Dyanne Davis' writing is too much of a treat not to enjoy. Enjoyed The Critic very much.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews