Ah Daylight Longer -- And on Writing and Reading

Some people get really irritable in the winter. How do I know this, you may ask. I know it because I'm one of them.

In the winter, it's always harder for me to stay chipper and bright. It's not even because it's colder in winter, as I live in Florida. I called this winter the Winter That Wasn't. We had very, very little cold this winter. (Thank you, God)

Still--with shorter days--I'm grumpy. I think they call it seasonal affective disorder. See, I'm not nuts, it has a name.

Oh wait--the fact that it has a name might make me nuts? Nah, it doesn't. :)

During the winter, I tend to do less writing and more reading. Which seems kind of backwards to me, but there it is. In winter I want to escape and not think, so I read a lot more.

I've read some really good books lately--most of them are reviewed on my review blog: Books To Love Reviews. I enjoy doing book reviews, I must admit.

That brings me back to writing. To be a writer, you must be a reader. I'm sure I've said it before, but it's true. I try to read in whatever genre I'm currently writing in--and I love to read new authors I've never read before. Lately, I've been on a wild YA craze. I'm addicted--and believe me, I'm not a young adult--not even close. Still, I really enjoy YA novels. I love authors like PC Cast, Imogen Rose, Amanda Hocking and Gena Showalter. But there are some newbie indie authors I've enjoyed, too (other than Imogen and Amanda)

I have a queue full of books--and half of them are YA. I recently joined NetGalley, and I seem to be getting approved for Harlequin and Kensington the most. So, look for more reviews of those authors.

I'm also the member of several facebook groups having to do with writing and have offered to read books for some of the other indie author.

Do you like to read new authors? What have you been reading?

Pay It Forward -- The Romance Reviews

Hello Readers!

I'm an avid believer of the "Pay It Forward" philosophy. If you saw the movie, Haley Joel plays a boy that has to do a project in school. He chooses to pay forward nice things done.

To 'pay it forward' when someone does something nice for you--you in turn do something nice for someone ELSE. Not just the original person that was nice.

When I sent my book to The Romance Reviews to be reviewed, I actually had two of their reviewers choose to review my book, Linked. I got 4/5 stars. Now, if you're not familiar with this review site, let me just say--they are awesome.

Not only are they wonderful with their reviews, but they are also great to their authors. I can't recommend the site enough if you're an author or a reader. The reviews are unbiased and honest.

Next month, they will be one year old

For their anniversary, they are doing a huge give-away. I'm sending 5 of my books for it--and hundreds of other prizes will be available, too. Don't miss out on the party! Be sure to check out their contest page while you're there. I'm giving away books there, too.

On Reviews.....2 New Review Site

Hello All

I've decided to keep this blog mostly about my writing, not my book reviews. I've started a new blog, Books2LoveReviews.blogspot.com

Please check it out and add it to your list of blogs! I have several books to review and they will be posted shortly on the site.

Need a review? Check the site for more information!

Reviews and General Rumblings and Rants

First and foremost, let me say...that without reviews, books do not do well. Any author will tell you that they both need and appreciate the time it takes the reviewer to read your book and write a review.  Always, we appreciate your time. Second, let me explain that none of these comments were directed at my writing.  LOL I'd have to have a few reviews first!

But.  (didn't you know there was a but coming?)

A few things to remember when you review.  These books are written by real people.  We all know that not every reader will automatically love our work as much as we do.  We don't expect it.  But, would it be so difficult to at least pretend to consider the feelings of the person that wrote the book in your review?

Review the story. Let the reader know what worked for you and what didn't.  But, keep your review polite and non-antagonizing.  

"A rip-off of (insert your favorite title here)"

The above is my personal pet-peeve.  There is very little that hasn't been done somewhere before.  Vampires, faeries, elven, shapeshifters, love triangles--they've all been done.  The key is the ability to take an old idea and make it new and exciting.

"Riding the coat tails of. (insert your favorite author here)"

Hello, your favorite author isn't the only author out there.  Her/his work isn't the only work out there.  Often, we haven't even read the author you're accusing us of 'coat tailing'.


"I couldn't get past page X"

Again, hello?  Many times part of the character growth happens via some situation that happens in a story.  The protagonist might seem weak, shy, whiny, (insert verb here) or whatever in the beginning.   How can you give an honest review if you don't finish it?


"I don't read this kind of book and..." 

Then why bother to read it?  Just so you can bash it because it's not your type of book? 

"The author is obviously writing about herself and her ...(insert whatever here)

Look up the term Fiction.  Certainly authors will write what they know--and/or what they've researched.  They aren't autobiographies.  Just because the heroine falls in love online doesn't mean the author did.  And if she named the cat in the story after her own cat, it doesn't mean she's secretly had an online fling.

Many books require hours and hours of research.  Others, just seem to 'come' to us. But, we don't have to live something to imagine it.  We can research or use our imagination.  I personally have very steamy novels published under another name.  They are stories.  I had fun writing them--and they have a market. I certainly don't live it--but it's fun to write it.

"It's just romance, I didn't expect a lot but..."

Do you know that 40% of all books sold are romance fiction?  It's a genre that allows a reader to escape into a fantasy for a couple of hours.  The author still creates the world, the fantasy, the story.  Don't knock an entire genre, then give it a one-star review--because it's not your genre. 


Please, folks, consider the purpose of the review process, and, even more importantly, if you don't like the book--consider the person behind it when you hit the 'review' button.

Edited to add:  None of these comments refer to my own books; they all refer to well-known or bestselling authors from Amazon.
Readers, thank you.  We wouldn't be publishing our work if it weren't for you.  But, please, remember to think when you review. We do understand that not every reader will love what we've written--honest.  But review the work--not our lives!

I have intentionally not listed the names of the authors--as some of the reviews I'm discussing here are bordering on slander--and I don't want to propagate the idiocy I've read.