Why was the judgement of the disapproving so valuable? Who said that their good opinions tended to be any more rational than those of generally pleasant people?

...Speaking of, I've been playing with the letters - Lovers In a Very Enlightened Regard." "LIVER. Good one." "Also, how about Life Invasion Via Exceptional Respect?" "Life Invasion. Like it." "Or Lovelike Intensity Via Emotional Rapport." "Doesn't that spell OLIVER?

Razo was sorely tempted to assert that all was true and he'd lost his horns and tail in a tragic childhood accident

Throwing herself into learning helped Miri ignore the painful chill of solitude around her.

I’ve always believed that as an author, I do 50% of the work of storytelling, and the reader does the other 50%. There’s no way I can control the story you tell yourself from my book. Your own experiences, preferences, prejudices, mood at the moment, current events in your life, needs and wants influence how you read my every word.

He did a very good impression of a stone column.

Miss Hayes, have you stopped to consider that you might have this all backward? That in fact you are my fantasy?