Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts

Friday, January 12, 2018

Wow! #ebooks for #free or #cheap by Vonnie Davis

Okay, hands up. Who doesn't love a good sale? I certainly do. There's just something satisfying about saving ten cents on a pound of chicken or eighteen dollars on a sweater. Books are no different. Yesterday, I read an ad about Bookbuh, claiming to be THE new hot spot for readers. A book bargain bonanza. https://tinyurl.com/yam6fzez

Signing up is easy; just give then your email and chose four or five genres you love to read. You'll get a daily email with a list of free or deeply reduced ebooks for a day or a week.

One lady claims she's gotten more books for free from this site than she'll ever read. OUCH! Not what a writer likes to hear.

On the other hand, books put on sale there for a day or more make authors money due to volume sold. It also helps us build a reader base YAY!

A few of my books have been put on Bookbub by the publisher. One book with Harper Collins sold over 2500 copies on the day it was featured on sale. This was a book in a series of four. All benefited from that one book's sale day. That is to say, my rankings shot up on all of them over the next month.

When Random House places one of my books on Bookbub, that book will shoot to the top one-hundred and higher rankings on Amazon and the top twenty or higher on Barnes & Noble. My books typically sit in the 100,000 to 350,000 rankings. So this boost, even for a few days, is a boon for me.

But how hard is it for an independent author to place his/her book on Bookbub? First, you have to come up with the money. Calvin's checked into it for me and costs run between $400 to $800. per day, depending on the genre. For example, the romantic suspense I thought about trying to get listed would cost us roughly $500.

The numbers of reviews play into your chance of getting a spot, too. Not for a publisher, it seems, because my book with Harper Collins barely had 30 reviews. The last time I tried to get one of my independent books on Bookbub, I was told it didn't have enough reviews. But I was never told what the minimum was. How come, I wonder.

So, I'm slowly trying to get more reviews of Book One of my Paris Intrigue series in hopes of one day getting it on Bookbub.

AMAZON BUY LINK: http://a.co/3zrBkVT

CHAPTER ONE

 A grim-faced guard stepped in front of Alyson Moore when she raised her camera to take a picture. “Madame, in the Louvre, we do not photograph the Mona Lisa.” His lips fashioned a thin line of disapproval.
 Alyson’s eyes scanned the crowd, for even as the security guard admonished her, scores of other tourists, their arms upraised, used cell phones to snap photos. “Am I the only one trying to take a picture here?” Without waiting for a reply, she pocketed her camera, and the snippy, tight-assed guard moved on.
She shouldered her way through the early morning crowd in the Salon Carrẻ to get a closer look at the painting encased in bullet-proof glass. Seeing Da Vinci’s masterpiece was a dream come true. No one, not even an overzealous guard, would spoil her time with Mona.
Once the museum opened its doors at nine sharp, and Alyson passed through security, she hurried to see this woman of mystery. The throngs of people already crowding the gallery surprised her.
She slipped between two men and stepped closer to the leading lady of the gallery. Alyson’s nose twitched from the sweet and sour blitz of assorted perfumes and various degrees of hygiene. Murmurings of adulation echoed off the gallery walls as if the Mona Lisa were a five-hundred-year-old rock star. How had one painting achieved such stardom?
If the ever-present guard wouldn’t allow photographs, she’d sketch some of Mona’s fans standing, spellbound by her enigmatic smile. When she finally tugged her large sketchpad free from the tight confines of her yellow leather bag, other items fell and scattered.
Alyson crouched to retrieve pieces of charcoal, just as the man standing next to her bent to place a black backpack, the style European men were so fond of carrying, on the marble tile floor.
Their eyes locked.
“Excuse me, you’re standing on my things.” Alyson pointed to his shoe. The man, face damp with perspiration, scowled, raised his foot and snatched her navy scarf, hotel keycard and passport, crushing them into a ball. He stuffed the wadded scarf into her outstretched hand and stood.
Alyson reached, fingering for the last charcoal pencil that rolled beyond her reach. She straightened and realized the man in the dark green t-shirt was walking away. The tattoo of a scorpion on the back of his neck. “Sir? Sir, you’ve forgotten your bag. Monsieur?”
He didn’t respond.
She called after him again.
The man disappeared into the crowd.
The museum guard approached. “Is there a problem, Madame?”
“Yes, that man left his backpack here.” Alyson indicated the black canvas bag on the floor. “He set it down at the same time I dropped some things.” She held out her navy scarf to show the guard and suddenly it hit her that her scarf was empty. She shook it out to make sure. “My hotel key and passport!” Pulling apart the sides of her shoulder bag, she rummaged through its contents, hoping against hope she’d shoved them inside without thinking. Still, with her passport the same shade as her scarf, she assumed it was wrapped in the scarf’s folds.
“I don’t believe this. He took my keycard and passport. Why would he take my things and leave his bag behind?”
The guard’s eyes widened for a second. “Madame, you are sure the man left this bag?” He pressed a button and spoke into a speaker attached to the lapel of his uniforme, a scowling gaze intent on Alyson.
“Yes. He…he was setting it on the floor at the same time I squatted to retrieve my fallen items. I asked him to move his foot since he was standing on them.” Alyson groaned as realization sunk in. She was in a foreign country with no passport. Oh, hell!
The guard cautiously unzipped the backpack. Yellow wires. The man stepped back,  depressed the communications button again, and spoke rapid-fire French. Pandemonium erupted. Armed guards rushed toward the abandoned black bag. Once the word “bomb” was uttered, visitors screamed as they stampeded from Mona Lisa’s room.
Suddenly, Alyson stood in the eerie deafening silence with only the pounding of her heart and the cocking of guns reverberating in her ears—she and the black bag containing explosives surrounded by eight armed guards.
Holy effing shit!

WWW.VONNIEDAVIS.COM

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

A Writer’s Thanks! By Leah St. James

It’s the day before the U.S. Thanksgiving, and if you’re as busy as I am, you won’t have much time for reading blogs, so I’ll keep this short.

When I contemplate my author life, here are a few biggies I am grateful for:
•    My hubby who encouraged me to write after I speed-read every romance novel in our local library;
•    Virginia Romance Writers for that unpublished author contest that gave me hope that I might have something;
•    Virginia Romance Writers for encouraging me to submit my crazy story to The Wild Rose Press; and
•   TWRP editor who took a chance on that  crazy story (and she knows who she is!). :-)

But beyond those, I'm grateful for readers who pick up our stories and give them a chance, especially when you consider the millions of books currently on the market (100 pages of Romantic Suspense alone on Amazon!).




Special thanks to all who write reviews, even the woman who trashed my "Christmas Dance" with a 2-star review and called my characters selfish. She was right, by the way, but that was kind of the point of the story! She said a whole lot more that I have (in selfish, self-preservation mode) blocked from my memory, but the point is that she cared enough about the story to stop and post her thoughts. And thankfully there were other reviewers who reacted a bit less negatively to the story. :-)
                                   
And then there are the readers who don’t like posting reviews but who tell their friends and co-workers about a great book they just read. If that’s you – thank you! Word of mouth is the author’s best friend.

So a big THANK YOU today to those who read. You keep us going.

Wishing all my fellow Roses, all my fellow authors, and all my fellow readers a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving. 


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Leah writes stories of mystery and romance, good and evil and the power of love. Learn more at leahstjames.com, and stop by and visit on Facebook. She loves talking to other readers and authors!

Thursday, June 29, 2017

What Makes a Hero? by Mackenzie Crowne

Like many authors, I write what I know and I have solid ideas about what makes a hero. At the top of my list of hero characteristics is strength, or perhaps a better word would be toughness. Not that that trait doesn’t have its drawbacks. Believe me, it’s not always comfortable to be attracted to a tough guy. I know this because I will have been married to one for 34 years next week, but hey, tough guys do it for me. 

If my father were still alive, he’d tell you he always knew I’d marry one. I know this because he told me so as we waited in the vestibule of that church 34 years ago just before Dad walked me down the isle. He wasn't a tough guy by anyone's standards, but he was a strong man, witnessed by the day he picked up a baseball bat and attempted to track down the guy who attacked me in a town park when I was thirteen. Thank God we didn't find him that day, because I have no doubt my fun-loving father, who never lifted a violent hand, would have crushed the cretin’s skull for preying on his little girl if we had.

That’s what strong men do. They act when action is required and they fight for those they love. It’s in their genes. Some women like their men that way. It’s in their genes. I’m one of them. As a strong woman who knows her worth, I need a strong man who won’t crumble beneath my confidence. I appreciate a man who sees my feminine confidence as a strength rather than a symptom of PMS. And I like a man who is willing to go after something he wants, especially when that something is me. I like a man who is willing to stand up for what he believes. A man who speaks his mind and is willing to die for me, even if I don’t deserve it.

The man I’m describing has faults, as do I. He gets angry, like me, but when the dust settles, he apologizes if he’s in the wrong. Sure, he has definite beliefs and isn’t afraid to voice them, but he also listens. He’s a guy. He’s quite often wrong, but he’ll never let you down when you really need him. That’s the man I married. Not perfect, certainly, but dependable as a Timex. I’d trust him with my life, and do.

I write what I know and because I want my heroines as happy as I have been all these years, I give them similar heroes. Unfortunately, an occasional reviewer disagrees. I recall one who trashed one of my heroes as a scary violent guy because he was pissed at the heroine and said so. Mind you, I don’t do violence in my romances, so I can't help wondering what this particular reviewer’s perfect hero looks like. For that matter, what type of men is she dealing with in her life? Are they so perfect, or docile, they never have a moment of anger? If so, she should probably watch out. Either they’re in love with their sister, haven’t come out of the closet yet, or they’re conning her royally. I have yet to meet a man, or woman for that matter, who doesn’t lash out in anger in times of conflict, and if you’re reading a romance…hello, conflict is essential.

The truth is, as in real life, no hero or heroine is perfect, but we all have our tastes. What qualities are necessary in your perfect hero and are there ever deal-breaker traits that make you toss the book aside, or worse, trash the book in a review?





When Mac isn’t hissing at stupid reviewers, she spends her time weaving HEAs for her tough guy heroes and their ladies, like Wyatt and Piper, the hero and heroine of To Win Her Smile, the last in her Players series from Kensington releasing 7/18/17 


Sunday, July 17, 2016

Book Reviews: The Good, the Bad and the Funny by Betsy Ashton

I admit it. I read book reviews. I read those posted on Amazon and Goodreads for the books I write. I read reviews of books I read and review, but always after 1) I've finished the book, and 2) after I post my own review.

So it should come as no surprise that I've become a connoisseur of reviews. Not all mine come in through social media or other websites. I have a ton of "old school" readers who send emails or, gasp, snail mail.

Not long ago, I received this from a friend I've known nearly 50 years. He may be a tad partial. He's a critical reader, normally, but he went all fan-guy on me for Uncharted Territory: "I loved the first book, but this one is miles ahead. Great story line, engaging characters, a hint of suspense, and you deal with important contemporary themes without preaching. Brava." I'm still blushing--bragging too.

Posted on Amazon was this gem for Uncharted Territory: "I enjoyed the new characters here, namely, the English tutor Max hired to homeschool the children and the two pastors from different sides of the track. The desolation of the area (post-Katrina, MS) when they arrive is palpable."

Then there was the snail mail letter in which a reader apologized. "I know it took you over a year to write Mad Max Unintended Consequences, but I read it in two days. I couldn't put it down." Well now, that just fine with me.

My favorite one-star review was from a disappointed reader who thought I'd tried to jump on the Jessica Fletcher bandwagon with Mad Max and failed. Bless you, dear reader. I didn't try to be the next Jessica Fletcher. There is only one. I want to be the only Betsy Ashton with Mad Max.

I howled at this three-star review for Mad Max Unintended Consequences: After seeing  "Fury Road...I was overjoyed to learn that Mad Max's adventures continued in literary form. However, after finishing the book, I was left with a lot more questions than answers...Overall, I thought it was a well-written book, even it if took quite a departure from the films. I do hope that, if there is a sequel, Ashton will incorporate more car chase scenes and explosions."

Could this be why so many people on Twitter and Facebook want to hook up at Comic Con???

###

Betsy Ashton is the author of Mad Max, Unintended Consequences, and Uncharted Territory, A Mad Max Mystery, now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I'm really excited that the trade paper edition of Uncharted Territory was released this week. Please follow me on my website, on Twitter, Facebook and Goodreads.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

How to Find Your Readers by Alison Henderson

I know you're hoping I have the answer to that perplexing writer's conundrum and am preparing to spill the beans. No such luck. Believe me, if I knew I would definitely share. Instead, I'm hoping for a give and take brainstorming session here.

I've been thinking about this topic lately because I have a book coming out this fall that will be the second in my female bodyguard agency series. I'd like to do more targeted marketing instead of my usual scattershot approach. A significant number of readers enjoyed the first book in the series (note: I said enjoyed, not purchased. Big distinction). I'd like to get the word out to them about the second book on the off-chance they might actually buy a copy. 

Like you, I've read innumerable articles about book marketing that advise, "find your readers and market to them where they hang out." Great! But you have to figure out who they are first, and that's no easy task. Very few of us are lucky enough to have well-attended booksignings or participate in large reader events where dozens of readers come up and tell us about themselves. So how do we identify them? The members of my mother's book clubs always enjoy my books, but does that mean my readers are largely in their eighties? Possibly, but I doubt it.

I've received a few emails from readers over the years, but not enough to give me much insight. I decided to turn to my reviews--might as well get something useful out of them. Since almost 20K people downloaded UNWRITTEN RULES during its free days three years ago, I was lucky enough to get a large number of reviews. I decided to read back through them looking for any useful data. Most of the reviews said basically the same things. Here are some common threads:

  1. Enjoyable, fast read; good pacing
  2. Appreciated the lack of off-color language and graphic sex
  3. Successful suspense plot
  4. Fun and enjoyable characters
To me, these suggest busy, fairly conventional people looking primarily to be entertained. I can definitely relate to that.

Two reviews stood out for me for different reasons:

"Absolutely brilliant book. Lost myself in it for hours. Hope there are,ore like this in the pipe line. We'll done for a really riveting read."

"This is a fast pasted novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I started reading and could not put it down. I ended up reading threw the nite and my shift was a 15 hr one."

The first review is from a man. I was very surprised by the number of men who read this book and enjoyed it--probably due to the legs on the cover. This might mean I should look beyond the romance community for more general readers. Book Bub would be the answer there, if I'm able to get the book accepted.

I think the second review may define "my reader"--someone who works hard and is looking for a diversion to lighten her load. If I can help someone else get through a 15-hour night shift, I've done all I set out do as a writer. 

But where do these readers hang out online? My best guess would be Facebook. They also might get emails from bargain book recommendation sites. I'm not young and hip, and I doubt my readers are either, so I'd be surprised to find them mainly on Twitter or Instagram. For this new book, I'm considering trying a sponsored Facebook ad or two. Does anyone have experience with them? Ditto for FB readers groups--any positive experience there? If so, which ones? What other venues have you tried?

Remember, we're all in this together, and I'd do it for you. 

Alison
www.alisonhenderson.com


Sunday, April 17, 2016

I Love My Readers by Betsy Ashton

We all say that. We are grateful when one reaches out and shares a review, an e-mail, a picture. Today's post is all about you who have taken time to let me know how you enjoyed or didn't enjoy my first two books. Some sent photos from around the world. That's right. Mad Max has gone global.

My first picture comes from my heart daughter in India. Debarati translated Max 1 and read it aloud to her mother when her mother was ill. Debarati holds my book, while her mother looks down from her portrait. Her dear Maa passed a few months after this picture was taken. Both live in Kolkata.








Another friend, Prakash Brother, also lives in India. He's an actor who I met through Facebook. Actually, I met Debarati through a private FB group. I sent a copy to Prakash, because he's been very interested in my creative process. It is different from his, because he's in performing arts, while I'm in literary arts.




Add Ansu, who has the only copy (that I know of) on the African
continent. Another FB friend. we have been corresponding for more than a year. Ansu lives in The Gambia in West Africa.

Of course I have many readers in the U.S., the U.K, Canada and Australia. Oops, I nearly forgot those in New Zealand who've been kind enough to let me know they read my books.

I love all of my readers. I even love those who didn't like Max 1 and who will not likely read Max 2. For those who shared their reasons for not liking the book, I thank you. I know I disappointed you in ways I didn't intend. I'll try to do better.

Some of you will not like the manuscript my agent has out with several publishers. For those of you who thought Max 1 and 2 had too much violence, please stay away from the serial killer book. It's psychological suspense. It has violence. It has blood. And it's written from the point of view of the serial killer. She is a psychopath with her, that's right, her, own moral compass. Just thought I should warn you.

How do your readers let you know you've satisfied or disappointed them?

###

Betsy Ashton is the author of Mad Max, Unintended Consequences, and Uncharted Territory, A Mad Max Mystery, now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Reviews -- The Blessing and Bane of a Writer's Existence by Vonnie Davis

I'm a proud owner of a Kindle so, no, I'm not enamored of the smell and feel of books. Having packed thirty-one boxes of books to move from one state to another kind of ended my love affair with short and heavy tomes. Not to say Calvin and I are book hoarders, but we still had books from college and those we read at bedtime to the kids. Yeah, it was time for me to switch to something lighter.

So when I shop online for eBooks, I read reviews. I notice the number of reviews, but it's not a deal breaker. I read three of the top reviews and two of the lower ones and make my decision to click or not click.

Reviews can make or break a writer's sales.

Or so we tell ourselves.

I've been blessed with many good reviews ... and not so blessed by bad. Some of them I deserved and learned from. A well-written bad review can spur a writer to do better next time. After all, I'm not a perfect writer. Weaknesses abound. I mean, I'd like to think I'm like Mic Jagger, getting better with age but, sadly, I'm not.

 I do have a tendency to end the book on a sudden note. As a reader, I like a quick start, a quick ending, and I don't need my hand held with a bridge from one scene to another. But that's me. As a writer, I have to consider my readers and give them the long drawn out, emotion-filled ending they seem to want. If I don't, I'll get reviews like "That's it? Really? After this romance you want to end it on a dime? Really? You ruined this book for me!"

Then there was the reader who claimed I'd made my heroine weepy. "She cried sixty-five times." What did the reader do? Keep a tally? Even I would have noticed sixty-five crying spells. I had a review of another book where the reader said, "I can't stand stories where infertility is magically healed." What? Never once did I say the heroine could not have children. She'd lost two babies because of an abusive husband who beat her.

I dislike it when a reader attacks the author instead of the book. I've been called dumb, uneducated, untalented, too lazy to do research (oh, if only she could see my research files), over-sexed *cough* ... okay, we'll gloss over that one.

My editor was thrilled there were three-hundred and fifty requests for BEARING IT ALL through NetGalley before its release. She actually believed I'd get that number of reviews. The first two that came in were two-stars. Ouch. Sales skidded.

Several said I stretched the bounds of believability--it was a paranormal, y'all. Bear-shifters done my way. Did I get three-hundred and fifty reviews? No. Three-hundred? I wish. Two-hundred? Can a grown woman cry here? Last week, the book just got it's sixtieth review. I nearly dropped to my knees in gratitude.

Free reads does not guarantee happy readers. It seems to bring out their snarky side. Do I review every book I read? Only if I can leave a good to average one. I know the effort that goes into writing a book. It's not in my nature to bash another writer. If a book was a "did not finish" for me, I'm not reviewing it--and I do this for two reasons. I don't want to hurt another person's feelings and it can be career suicide for me to leave a bad review for another. The writer's posse or fan club may gang up on me and leave a bazillion one-star reviews. While it doesn't seem fair we can be battered in reviews, but cannot express our true feelings without fear of reprisal, it is becoming more and more the nature of the business. And that saddens me.

 
 
THE SIXTY REVIEW WONDER
 

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Why I Write (It Sure Isn't the Money!) by Alison Henderson

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I’m gentle with myself about goal-setting. I’ve never had a prescribed daily word count, and I’m not starting now. I may not accomplish as much as other writers, but I’ve reached the stage of life where I avoid all avoidable stress. Been there, done that, paid the price. For the most part, I’m all about the Zen these days. But I do have writing plans for 2016, even if they’re quite flexible.

Mainly, I plan to keep writing. But why?

After publishing five books, I’m not sure why I’m asking myself that question now. Shouldn’t I have sorted that out years ago? Maybe, but sometimes it takes the perspective of time to reach the truth.

Unlike many writers, I haven’t always written. I haven’t even always wanted to write. I came late to the game after a lifetime as a dedicated reader. I’ve heard other writers say they have voices in their heads, demanding their stories be written. I don’t. My characters don’t tell their own stories, with me serving merely as scribe. While I love the creative process of crafting characters and plots and the emotional rush of letting my imagination run free, I’m not driven to do it. So why put in all the time and effort required to write an entire book?

I’ve thought about it and have come to the undeniable conclusion that one of the reasons I write is for validation. It’s embarrassing, but since we’re being truthful here, I might as well face facts. I’m sixty-one years old and quite comfortable in my own skin. I shouldn’t need or want the validation of others—and generally I don’t—but there’s something different about writing.

I don’t write deep, heavy, soul-searching stuff. I write to entertain myself and others, to brighten readers’ days and lighten their loads. But even when we aren’t flaying ourselves open on paper, we writers spill our guts in more subtle ways. What could be more intimate than sharing your fantasies with strangers? And what is more satisfying than knowing someone else “gets” you—laughs at what you find funny and sighs at your romantic flights of fancy?

Do you remember Sally Field’s acceptance speech when she won the Oscar? She gushed, “You like me. You really like me,” and people made fun of her. I didn’t understand at the time, but I understand now. She put her creative product out in the world and needed validation. I feel that way about reviews. Some writers say they never read their reviews. I couldn’t do that. I need feedback from readers. I don’t need to be told I’m a good writer; that’s a skill I’ve worked on and continue to improve. I need to hear that someone understood and enjoyed my view of the world. I think we all need that. It’s like a hug that says, “You’re not alone.”

And that is why I write.

Alison
www.alisonhenderson.com

Friday, March 7, 2014

Reviews are hard work by Barbara Edwards

My writing friends are having a debate about book reviews. Everyone wants a good one for their book. And everyone is hunting for those reviewers. We ask friends and family and other authors to take the time to read and review our work. Many authors will feature a book on their blog and do a review. I’ve had my book, Journey of the Magi, reviewed in this way. It was a wonderful bonus. Those authors are booked for months ahead with good reason.
One of the things I found when I published my last book was that there are places to buy reviews. Yep. And they can be cheap. Five for five dollars seemed to be the going rate. Guaranteed to supply your tome with five star reviews.
I’m not talking about legitimate review sites where you can request a review, submit a copy and get a decent, honest review. Those places are being overwhelmed with submissions. I’m talking about the shady side of business.
Lots of places offer free advertising for your reviewed book. The offer is pre-supposed on the fact your book is good enough to rate a four or five star review. It’s a neat way to get your title in front of a new audience. So the underbelly of the business is exposed. Not many unknown authors can gather fifty or more good reviews before the book even goes on sale. Soo...
I no longer blithely trust those wonderful free book lists I signed up to receive.
I do look more closely at Goodreads and Amazon reviews. And I sometimes thank the commenter for taking the time to post a review.
I admire a good review. It’s a fine talent to put together a brief, clear description of the book and why you like it. My efforts in reviewing don’t please me. I struggle to explain why a story has touched my heart, but I do try especially when I’ve found a terrific story.
If you’ve read a good book, take the time to give it a review. I actually got a thanks for one I did last week and it made me smile all day.

Journey of the Magi blurb
Widow Noel Martin never breaks promises, and she promised her kids they’d have Christmas at her childhood home in Connecticut. But driving across country takes money. Noel is broke when a snowstorm blows them into a tiny Minnesota café owned by a man who can change her mind. She accepts his offer of a job. Despite her attraction to him, she makes it clear she is only temporary help.
Dan Longstreet isn’t adopting any more strays, but he needs a waitress. Dan works so hard to make his café a success, he doesn't have time for love. Though Noel’s slender blonde beauty stuns him and her two adorable children tug at his heart, he denies how they threaten to change his life.
When tragedy strikes, their new-found love is the first victim. Noel can't stay and Dan can't leave. Will their journey be the gift that reunites them? 

Please follow, friend or like me. I love to hear from my readers.
Amazon Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A
Facebook like page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Edwards/7404155889            Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/102148715888439595783/posts



Saturday, February 1, 2014

LOVE READING & REVIEWING SUSPENSE; HATE RATING IT by ROLYNN ANDERSON


This month’s theme is ‘Love and Hate.’ What came to mind was my love of reading and reviewing books written by my colleagues, but my hate for rating their novels.  Now that I know how much work goes into writing and publishing books, I wish I could give everyone a five, but I know better.  I mustn’t rate on effort; instead, I score a work based on my big picture sampling of the genre, placing the book I’m reading on a spectrum of quality from one to five.  (Heck, I just finished CASUAL VACANCY by the Potter-famed Ms. Rawlings, and 3.5 is my rating of her tome.) 
My role as a high school principal, opening a brand new high school with a demanding curriculum, taught me a good deal about rating inflation.  Teachers yearned to grade on effort, but I encouraged them to measure learning, a student’s grasp of the subject matter, instead. As a matter of fact, as a staff, we eliminated ‘D’ as a passing grade.  Could a student with a ‘D’ understanding of a subject be successful at the next level of that subject?  Our answer was no.  We became the only school in the district where a ‘D’ was not a ‘passing’ grade.
So, back to novels, suspense/romance, in particular.  If certain contemporary novels by Suzanne Brockman and Linda Howard are 5’s to me, then a whole lot of novels I read in that genre are 4’s.  To me a 4 is an excellent rating, not quite the page-turning, riveting quality of the pros.  Will that 4-rated writer get to a level 5?  Of course they might, and I’m happy to continue reading books by a 4-rated writer while she builds to that prowess.
I’d love rating more if people understood that a 4 from me (from anyone!) is an honorable score. 
SUSPENSE SPIKED WITH ROMANCE 
LAST RESORT * FADEOUT * SWOON
FADEOUT won a RONE award!  LIE CATCHERS is out on KDP right now!  It goes free Feb.11-15!
Web: http://www.rolynnanderson.com

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Some Wild Reviews that Make You Think Twice

Laura Breck
I enjoy reading book reviews that are left at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, etc. I have found some wild ones that make me smile.

One anthology I was interested in reading received a one-star review because the reader put down the book halfway through. It seems she couldn’t follow the plot. Someone commented on the review, telling her that it was an anthology of eight stories, and not just one big book.

Another one-star review of a sexy romance book said, simply, “Trashy, trashy, trashy.” Sad to say, that’s what made me buy it. Heehee!

My favorite was the person who rated a free book with one star because it was too short. They had poured a cup of coffee, sat down to read, but finished reading the book before they finished their coffee. I love that rating system.

Speaking of rating systems, a woman rated a friend’s erotic romance two-star because she was too old to read that kind of sexy stuff. She said if she’d been ten years younger, she would have given it five! That’s so cute.

Whatever you feel about a book; love, hate, disappointment, be sure to leave a review of it. It may help another reader find a great author, or may help people steer clear of marginal works. As authors, we love to see your feedback, and appreciate your taking the time to comment on our work.

Now it’s your turn. What are some of the wildest reviews you’ve read or written?

Have a lovely day!
Laura
~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance
LauraBreck.com
~Dancing in a Hurricane is available in digital formats at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace
~Love in the Land of Lakes is available in digital format at Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace