Reviews - how useful are they?

Today’s Friday Friend, Toni Lynn Cloutier, talks about reviews .

Have you ever written or received a book review?

I picked this topic because lately I’ve been hearing about negative/spiteful posts on Goodreads and Amazon. It makes me wonder if reviews really matter to readers when it comes to purchasing a book. Sometimes a negative review can pique the interest of folks just as much as a good review. I know honest reviews have made a difference for me as a writer.

As a reader, there are a few things I read before I buy a book. The back blurb gives me an idea of the plot, the first few pages gives me a feel of the author’s writing style, and then I read the acknowledgements because I like to read the personal side of an author. Only if I purchase a book from online, of course, I will glance at the reviews.

If you have been following my tour, you will know that I am a writer who is not a big reader. So if a plot or the writing catches my interest, I will read the book regardless of the reviews.

With that said, as an author who receives reviews, I have to say that reading a good review feels like being the ugly duckling getting a compliment from a beautiful swan. It’s priceless!!!! Of course all writers would love for a review to be positive but the reality is not everyone is going to enjoy your story. I totally get that. I don’t mind a positive/honest review I can learn from such as this one:

This review is for The Patriot Girl (The No Bulls Series) (Kindle Edition) by By Jess@From Me to You ... Book Reviews (Elizabeth City, NC)

4 out of 5 stars, this dramatic romance throws a lot of twists your way and keeps you wanting more! I thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry and relationship between MaKayla and Dustin!! It's as if they were made for each other! Also, I appreciated MaKayla's dedication to Paul, even though at times I just wanted her to give up her personal fight earlier than she did so she could have been with Dustin sooner!
My only big problem with the book was all the little secondary storyline questions that were left unanswered. Like .... What happened to Tiffany to make her not show up to meet Buck? Did Tiffany's Dad like the "gift?" Will MaKayla and Dustin have more kids? What did MaKayla's in-laws think of Dustin? ... etc. So, I hope that within the next book in this series they will answer some of these questions and more.
Otherwise, I recommend this novel to those of you who like reading a dramatic-packed contemporary romance!!

How great is that? Now those of you who have read the book might be thinking.. Hmmm…I never thought of that. I remember these questions were answered in the original story but somehow had been deleted during the revisions. I never thought they were that important, but obviously someone thought so. It’s these little things a writer might miss in a story and I’m glad Jess mentioned them because it will help me to consider what to include in book 2 and what not to exclude in book 2.

You never know what your words can do to an author. Just a small shout out to say “Awesome book!” can make a writer's day. There are several ways to compliment an author. A private email, a post on Facebook, a Tweet, a full review on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or on your own personal blog.

Here is a private email I received from Patty H, a reader in Rhode Island:
Good morning. Here’s a BIG compliment for you. As I was reading Patriot Girl last night I cried twice; real tears! Once when Jodi was arguing w/Makayla at the bank about Paul being “dead”. And then again when Dustin was at the hospital and remembering what happened. I’ve got to tell you I am really enjoying this story; no bull.

I enjoyed receiving this email because there is a personal story behind the first scene she described. I, too, cried while writing this part of the story. My husband came into the room as the tears were flowing. When I told him I was crying because of what I was writing, he shook his head, smiled, and then quietly left me to my characters. At this point, his reaction had me laughing that I had to stop and get myself together. So reading that Patty had the reaction I’d hoped readers would, had really made my day.

If you’ve never written a review or think you can’t, don’t worry. The only thing a review is, or at least should be, is the reader's honest opinion on a book. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Knowing there are readers out there enjoying what we do helps us to sit behind a computer and live in a fantasy world for a few hours while we put our real world on hold.

So, if you’ve ever read a book and really enjoyed it, or just want to tell the author your thoughts, don’t hesitate to send her/him a quick email or a short letter in the mail or a quick comment on Amazon. It could mean the difference between a writer writing her/his next book or throwing the computer out the window.

So, do you think an author should be concerned about whether or not he/she has good or bad reviews?

Toni Lynn Cloutier lives in Rhode Island with her husband and teenage son. She likes listening to country music while cleaning house, rearranging furniture, and playing with the cat they adopted from the shelter. As well as writing contemporary romances, she has also compiled two word search puzzle books which are fun and entertaining for all ages.

The Patriot Girl (published by The Wild Rose Press)
MaKayla Adams has always been curious about the wild side of life. Making love with her late husband wasn’t exciting, and she never could understand the big deal…until hunky nightclub owner Dustin James hires her as a public relations consultant. His touch arouses feelings she’s never known, and his kiss tempts her to cross the line between business and pleasure.
Dustin doesn’t remember the car accident that put him in a coma three years ago, but since his recovery, he’s pushed his own needs aside to be a single father to his young daughter. When MaKayla offers to help publicize his country nightclub, however, she ignites deeper feelings he can’t ignore.
But there is more than mutual attraction between MaKayla and Dustin—there is a shared past connected to her husband’s death. Will the truth bring them together or tear them apart?

Excerpt:
She tilted her head toward his touch. “We do have an unusual chemistry, but anything more between us would complicate things.”
“In what ways?”
“Alex wouldn’t understand. Not to mention Paul’s parents.”
“What about what MaKayla wants?”
A loaded question she didn’t know how to answer. She wanted what she couldn’t have—not to be alone, the noises in her backyard to go away, a husband to spoil, and another child to mother.
“It doesn’t matter what I want. What matters is doing the right thing.”
“For who?”
“For everyone.”
“Even if it means being unhappy? When was the last time you did something for MaKayla without worrying about consequences?” He rolled his tongue and smiled.
“There was liquor involved. Otherwise, I never would have growled at you.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “Because it’s inappropriate.”
“A tease?”
“Yes.” He cupped her cheeks between his palms. “I find you sexy as hell and I’m going to kiss you. The time to stop me would be right now.”

Now here's the good news! Toni is offering an e-book copy of The Patriot Girl to someone who leaves a comment or question for her (don’t forget to add your email address so she can contact you if you are the winner)
Also, if you follow her 2013 blog tour, and leave comments on the other blogs, you’ll have more chances of winning the grand prize at the end of the year. Visit her blog for more details: http://tonilynncloutier.wordpress.com/about/

Other links for Toni are:
Website: www.tonilynncloutier.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortonilynncloutier
Twitter: @ToniLCloutier
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=toni+lynn+cloutier
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=209524634&trk=tab_pro
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/189-7580713-5667355?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=toni+lynn+cloutier

A Release Date!

It's official! The Vampire and the Vixen will premiere this fall on October 16! I just love it when those kinds of e-mails appear in my in-box, don't you?



Excerpt:

“Nights like these are magical, aren’t they?” The words were as soft as the velvety darkness below.

She nodded. What other than magic could explain how she felt like she knew him, even though they’d never met before? As if their souls and bodies recognized one another, even if their minds didn’t. What else could explain her intense reaction to him? “Rafe. I…” She needed to get back inside before she did something stupid. She hated heroines who were too stupid to live. Kissing this stranger, which every instinct in her being clamored for her to do, put her right in that category. She stepped back.

Warm hands on her shoulders stopped her. “Grown- ups hardly ever get to play dress up. To…pretend…to be someone else for a while. It’s nice, don’t you think?”

“Rafe.”

“Shh.” His silken whisper skittered over her. “Let’s just pretend for a little while longer.” He lowered his head and his lips found hers.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

What makes a page-turner?

I’ve received a lot of comments/reviews where someone has said they’ve started one of my book and then couldn’t put it down. It’s great to read those comments because that’s really what I’m aiming for in my stories. I consider myself first and foremost a storyteller!

 

Here are a few of those comments:

 

I was taken in by the first chapter and it was hard to put my Kindle down until I'd finished reading the entire novel! (His Leading Lady)

 

It's a page turner with a secret hanging over the couple's relationship that you knew at some point would drop on top them and wreak havoc. (Fragrance of Violets)

 

It was again hard for me to stop reading this story. I kept wanting to take another peak at the next chapter until in the end I surrendered to the story and finished the whole thing. (Changing the Future)

 

Paula has a great style which gets you hooked from the first page and does not allow you to take any break until you reach the last page (Her Only Option)

 

I read it over 3 nights, because I could not put it down once I had started and ended up burning the midnight oil for 3 nights (Dream of Paris – this was in a handwritten letter from someone I mailed the book to)

You suck your reader into the story and each page pulls you in further. Page turners and sleep robbers, that is what you give us, Miss Paula!

 

So it seems I have created page-turners, so this got me wondering what it is about my books that makes people want to keep turning the pages.

 

I like to think (hope!) that my readers become invested in my characters and want to find out more about them. It’s also occurred to me that what I was doing (almost unconsciously) was what the soap operas do here in the UK (and I assume in other places too). They usually end each episode with a cliffhanger – a sudden appearance of a new character who threatens to throw the other characters into chaos, a conflict or problem that is introduced or only partway solved, a moment of despair when you wonder how the character is going to cope with whatever life has thrown at him/her. Soap operas episodes rarely end with something happy occurring. They end with situations that raise a big question mark in the viewers’ minds. What’s going to happen next? How will this affect someone? That’s because they want the viewers to tune in to the next episode.

 

The same applies to our stories. If we end chapters with something neatly rounded off, or worse still, the hero or heroine switching off the light and going to sleep, the bedtime readers will probably do the same. We need to ensure our readers need to find out happens next.

 

The basic message seems to be 'Keep up the tension' and ‘End each chapter with a bang, not a whimper’! Ask a question, foreshadow something that is going to happen (without giving it away), end a chapter with a dramatic moment for one or more of the characters. Watch the soaps and try to end your chapters in a similar way that will make your readers want to carry on reading – even though it might be midnight! 

Say it Well

I'm taking a workshop in Passive Writing, and the following list of active verbs was recommended by the instructor, MM Pollard, editor at Black Velvet Seductions.

1000 Verbs to Write By    by Deanna Carlyle

Copyright 2004 by Deanna Carlyle at deannacarlyle.com

For "walked" or "ran" lumbered plodded scurried sidled slinked/slunk proceeded wended scuttled went on his way shuffled scuffed scuffled stumbled shambled waddled wobbled scooted slouched scrambled scampered minced trotted strolled sauntered ambled marched stepped paced roamed roved meandered shadowed pursued trekked continued on drifted past/along strayed glided along strode stalked stomped strutted swished swaggered stamped tramped trudged traipsed trod/treaded/trodden limped hobbled lurched staggered tripped crawled crossed traversed inched across hurtled galloped charged darted advanced approached bushwhacked chased climbed crept along, crept away sneaked/snuck tiptoed stepped lightly pussyfooted dashed danced pranced descended ascended dodged edged eluded emerged entered evacuated escaped evaded fled flitted flew hauled off groped his way launched across scaled lunged moved paraded passed patrolled plowed prowled propelled pursued raced sailed rushed sidestepped skidded skipped stole stomped steered swerved veered listed trampled ushered waded wandered hiked withdrew ambulated perambulated absconded trailed after bolted tore tore along made rapid strides covered ground sprinted careered scudded hastened raced hurried jogged cantered loped tripped took flight decamped drifted For "reacted" reeled back rocked back flushed blanched blushed scowled nodded her consent nodded his agreement smiled grinned grimaced fell silent shrugged and said admitted with a nod shook his head beamed smirked simpered listed tilted swayed keeled over flinched shivered sniffed blinked retracted sighed exhaled inhaled flicked flung reclined shifted relaxed swallowed pouted looked + adj. yielded hesitated made no attempt to frowned made no answer fell silent paused stared gasped started startled slackened reclined drew back stepped back stiffened resisted retreated raised an eyebrow cocked her head to one side put her head to one side tilted her head chuckled yawned laughed snickered giggled stifled a yawn stifled a laugh took a deep breath glanced off glared shrugged devoid of emotion grinned sneered For "said" uttered mumbled drawled parroted echoed said half-aloud snarled blurted moaned muttered murmured cooed whispered crooned hollered shrilled sassed prompted questioned demanded queried replied suggested responded sang out scoffed screamed yelled yelped shouted inquired chirped squealed squeaked asked herself asked assured commanded cried out exclaimed advised announced growled stuttered stammered instructed told jeered scolded lamented mocked objected questioned roared speculated snapped spat stated whined jabbered prated prattled gibbered cackled gabbled sputtered blathered rambled on rattled on maundered digressed sermonized preached came out with declaimed pontificated harangued ranted rhapsodized gushed spouted let slip enlightened him pointed out chatted revealed boasted crowed vaunted bragged disparaged belittled notified addressed blabbed nattered bantered yakked whispered wondered aloud rejoined retorted replied recited repeated remarked came out with conveyed declared summoned imparted mentioned added put before revealed let out divulged disclosed made known vented aired breathed betrayed recited predicted advanced averred avowed avouched assumed imagined professed claimed purported insinuated cited named offered proposed pleaded imputed implied asserted expressed pledged ascribed affirmed professed admitted

For "jumped" vaulted leapt/leaped pounced startled flinched sprang lunged launched jerked jolted erupted exploded shot from For "took" drew withdrew pulled out a picked selected chose plucked removed snatched out scooped up rooted out snatched trapped took up raised picked up hoisted set upright elevated seized prized open wrenched wrested produced extracted extricated accepted fetched grabbed snitched took hold of jimmied gathered grasped gripped fingered nabbed packed ransacked appropriated swiped snared dragged acquired obtained gained procured garnered gleaned pilfered lowered took down tore down swapped For "pulled" pulled out removed took out extracted produced tugged extricated lugged drew dragged yanked For "pushed" propelled ballasted set in motion drove trundled shoved thrust pressed forward made one's way squeezed through roused prompted forged ahead For "put" stashed placed posed posited plunked down mounted positioned stationed set before dropped crammed stuffed stuck lodged plopped plunked parked stationed planted perched inserted lay set set upright stood on end upended deposited consigned relegated strapped tossed threw flung lobbed hurled heaved cast slapped onto draped dunked eased shifted interposed installed For "looked, saw" glared glanced off regarded made out descried remarked had in sight glowered squinted shot him a look fixed her with a stare sighted ogled cast a glance his eyes begged her to amplify gazed gaped spotted surveyed turned an eye on looked upon distinguished fixed her gaze on noted recognized identified took a look took a glance stared leered scowled scanned peered squinted gaped noticed observed considered watched viewed took in studied examined inspected scrutinized perused sized up took stock of skimmed glanced through flipped through perceived discerned beheld watched for looked on eyed detected contemplated kept in sight held in view stood guard kept watch monitored For "thought, remembered" wondered asked herself pondered noticed reflected struck her as entertained the notion held in one's mind It occurred to her It came to her realized knew she considered. she considered this. he was tempted to brought to mind he was taken with the idea that she reasoned understood considered went over reviewed pictured featured imagined pretended hoped feared envisioned deliberated envisaged called up conjured up conceived of fancied allowed the conceit judged suspected intended expected planned concentrated mused ruminated recalled mulled over brooded over projected anticipated concluded esteemed took heed kept in mind guessed supposed formed an image of conjured hatched fabricated fashioned formulated concocted reasoned that turned it over in her mind flirted with the idea recollected bore in mind deduced inferred thought back to put her in mind of called to mind reminded her of acknowledged weighed reconsidered thought better of For "felt, seemed, showed, looked like" sensed had the impression understood detected seemed appeared betrayed indicated betokened foretokened revealed bespoke suggested signified connoted hinted at alluded to implied intimated presaged portended forewarned disclosed displayed lay open made manifest exposed bared struck her as looked as if looked like had the look of had every appearance of had the earmarks of resembled sounded like exhibited evidenced showed manifested emblematic of

For "touched" clutched pawed gripped grasped took hold of adjusted felt manipulated maneuvered twiddled palpated palmed handled thumbed rummaged through caressed fondled stroked grazed rubbed tugged squeezed scratched pinched patted tapped tamped rapped brushed bedaubed dappled dabbed swept across scraped glanced alighted pressed wrung kneaded shoved gouged grazed prodded ticked trapped jabbed poked pressed probed goaded twisted wedged pried prized open pry/pried pulled pushed primped preened rattled pumped mangled massaged felt flattened smoothed scooped up flicked flipped flogged fondled groped handled held knifed mauled tapped drummed wiggled worked stubbed scoured scrubbed For "had, held" bore exhibited showed displayed betrayed wielded carried was furnished with contained wore sported spanned suspended grasped gripped clutched contained toted possessed retained embraced evinced For "hit" beat socked bumped clapped thumped lashed pummeled punched rammed crashed thwacked slapped smacked pumped impacted attacked hacked swiped swung trounced tackled For "was, were" stood sat took up perched lay hung took place contained spanned loomed occupied remained stayed persisted befell (happened) bechanced occurred happened For "sat" slumped eased into lowered himself sank into sat himself was seated plopped down crouched squatted hunkered down roosted perched settled straddled sat astride sat bestride reposed leaned reclined lolled lounged sprawled lodged For "stood" got to his feet jumped up rose rose to his feet got up remained upright held herself erect stationed herself For "smelled" got scent of sensed sniffed detected snuffled snorted inhaled scented snuffed breathed in savored perceived discerned reeked stunk assaulted the nostrils For "tasted, drank" savored relished nibbled at tried sipped gulped took a deep swallow chewed ingested ruminated sampled sank his teeth into bit into crunched melted licked slurped chugged smacked suckled sucked swigged swilled chomped ground munched gnawed rended quaffed imbibed tippled nipped supped drained washed down swilled down guzzled down lapped up soused quenched For "heard" overheard caught detected picked up perceived apprehended eavesdropped listened listened in gathered heard tell of strained her ears harked harkened attended to took heed of took in gave audience to gave an ear to lent an ear to heard him out within earshot out of earshot For "lie down, lay" reclined eased onto flopped onto lay prone lolled luxuriated lay prostrate lay recumbent lay back rested reposed lazed sprawled lounged slouched slumped For "entered" stepped inside went in came in sailed in burst in set foot in/on broke in forced her way in intruded penetrated passed into For "left, exited" ran off walked off went out departed retreated decamped deserted repaired retired withdrew quit took off fled sallied forth bowed her way out For "turned" wheeled around twisted to one side whirled about rotated spun on her heels pivoted revolved swiveled reeled trundled circled eddied swirled sheered veered shifted divagated angled off shunted