Reviews: A Paradox

Today, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on book reviews. Book reviews are a useful tool in helping readers navigate through the myriad of books on sale, making their next choice an easier one. A good review is a good marketing tool for authors, as well.

Authors need a healthy amount of reviews in order to advertise their stories on the very websites which cater to giving readers reviews on the books being offered in the particular genres they seek. So in order for the author to gain recognition on a site, they must already have the necessary reviews to gain entrance onto said site. 

It’s virtually a catch-22, wouldn’t you say?

As a writer, I know the importance of having readers review your story. A review can be a good thing—a bellwether of sorts—letting me know if I’ve pleased my readers. Did my story make them laugh or cry? Or did I miss the boat entirely? I use this feedback when writing my next book.

However, reviews are subjective. A story might engage one reader, but not the next. Everybody has different tastes. That’s fine and understandable. A good reviewer will explain his or her reasons in a critique of the book. And for the most part, most reviewers are fair and give excellent feedback on the story. They will touch on the things they liked or disliked, giving their reasons why. However, every so often, someone will leave a review that isn’t constructive, but destructive in nature, sounding vindictive at best. When this happens, and though it’s quite hurtful, it’s best for the author to bite the bullet and ignore it. The author can only hope that when other readers see that horrendous review they will dismiss it for what it is and not allow it to influence whether or not they read the story.

Getting people to review your story can sometimes be a Herculean feat to an author. Authors can submit their book to particular sites, that might or might not, review it. This process can be subjective, too. Reviewers often go by name recognition. And some authors are left out in the cold.

Writing in the 21^st century has become quite complex for an author. No longer does the author just write the book. They have to market it now, as well. Reviews help authors get their name out there. So, whenever you read a book, please be so kind to leave a review.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

AND MAY YOUR EVERY WISH COME TRUE!

Happy Thanksgiving!

IGNORE THE DISGRUNTLED TURKEY. HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

NOW IN PRINT: A TWIST OF FATE

Ask any author if they have a favorite book that they have written—one with special meaning to them, and they will always say, yes. And in some cases, they may even give you several titles. As for me, all my books are special. If I didn't have some emotional attachment to them, I couldn't have written them. Now having said that, there is one story that is very close to my heart.

A TWIST OF FATE, is now in print, published by Highland Press. It is the one novel that I truly wanted to see published. It tells the love story of two people from different backgrounds and religions. In order to survive, their love must be stronger than the hate and prejudice they encounter.

Though my story takes place during the 60s and reflects back on the events of World War II, namely the Holocaust, it has relevance to today. History of repeats itself and people tend to forget that. The themes running through A TWIST OF FATE are as relevant today as they were yesterday. People sharing this planet must learn to live with one another despite their differences.

I only hope they do so before they end up destroying the planet.

http://amzn.to/1fYctLv

Is there a love so strong it could weather all storms?

When Susan Blaine meets Joseph Maisel, she knows he’s the one man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. Their love blooms, but the differences in their religious and cultural backgrounds chip away at its foundation. However, it is the discovery of whom her biological father was that destroys their love, driving them apart, until fate steps in.

VETERANS DAY

Today is VETERANS DAY. As a nation we must support our veterans and all who serve in our military. It is those people who put their lives on the line protecting the freedoms we cherish.

 

Real Heroes

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES

Whoever said beware of what you wish for, was definitely considering the "unintentional consequences".

For me, it all started nearly two months ago, when I decided to replace my ratty old dining room table and chairs. It had been a cheap set to begin with and needed desperately to be chucked. Knowing that if I didn't act decisively and go look for one that very day, it would probably take me another five years before I actually did. So I marched into Raymour & Flanigan and picked one out.

Unfortunately, now that I was going to have a new dining room set, the chandelier above it had to be replaced, as well. I live near a Lowe's and a Home Depot, but I hit the Lowe's first. Keep in mind, my husband is with me and he hates to shop. However, for some reason he's being very cooperative. Perhaps, it's because I'm paying for that all this. But I'm getting off point, so back to the story.

The only thing that I wanted was a fan with a lamp. As I looked at them, all I kept seeing was Rick's Café in Casablanca. Being the romantic and writing romance, I really wanted and had my heart set on getting one. The only problem was, my husband hated them. He liked a bright room and felt none of those fan lamps would provide enough light in my dining room. I couldn't understand why, because my dining room is so small. To make a long story short and despite my husband’s protests, I picked out one at Lowe's after having checked out all their other lamps, as well as all the lamps at the Home Depot.

My husband wasn't happy, but he let me have my way. So the lamp sat in its box and waited and waited for him to put it up. The table eventually came, but the lamp was still in its box. I would look at the picture of the lamp and sigh.

I helped him put up a shed, (and nearly lost my thumb, which is another story), so he put up the lamp for me the weekend following the last screw being turned on the shed.

I hate to admit it, but he was right about the light. We tried to get a brighter bulb, but it didn't fit. I went back to the store and spoke to someone about the problem. I had suggested to my husband beforehand that I pick up a torch lamp for the corner of the room. He didn't think it would help and told me not to bother. However, after talking to the guy in the electrical department at Lowe's, the only solution to our problem was another lamp. A higher watt bulb would burn the plastic in the fan lamp and probably cause a fire. So I got a torch lamp for the corner.

Okay, the second lamp did help, but not to my husband’s satisfaction. I had to remind him that he wasn't going to read, only eat, in the dining room. Begrudgingly, he agreed and that's where we left the situation.

There are moments when I am so sorry I threw out my dining room set.

Out from the Ashes

Like the fabled Phoenix, the new trade center rises from the ashes of 9/11 in lower Manhattan. Here are some pictures: