In my last blog I promised that I would give examples of some of my more insightful reviews. I’ve randomly searched through the three books seen below to
find ones I feel have messages for me to pay attention to. Since I could only pick a few, I chose those that tended to cover the most popular points of view.
find ones I feel have messages for me to pay attention to. Since I could only pick a few, I chose those that tended to cover the most popular points of view.
“I read this all in one sitting which is nice
because it seems I never have enough time to finish a book. This one is just
the right length. I will definitely read more books by this author. So glad to
find another author whose books I can download without the worry that they will
be worth my money and my time! ~Reviewed by Deborah Hughes
In this review, Deborah made three points that struck
me as being extremely valuable. Beside the compliments for my work, she let me
know that she liked the shorter length of this story which was 203 pages. In today’s
busy world, people like her find that being able to read a story in one sitting
is a plus. So therefore, it’s best to keep up the pacing and not let the middle
slowdown. And… she didn’t mind spending
her money as long as she felt she got her money’s worth.
me as being extremely valuable. Beside the compliments for my work, she let me
know that she liked the shorter length of this story which was 203 pages. In today’s
busy world, people like her find that being able to read a story in one sitting
is a plus. So therefore, it’s best to keep up the pacing and not let the middle
slowdown. And… she didn’t mind spending
her money as long as she felt she got her money’s worth.
“But
sometimes we just need that little push to make the changes in our lives that
bring good things, or maybe just to see what was always right in front of our
noses.” ~Reviewed
by Sue Rees
I liked this portion of Sue’s review because the
message I had tried to install in the heroine’s world was exactly what she’d
picked up. This one line made all the work I did on this story worthwhile.
message I had tried to install in the heroine’s world was exactly what she’d
picked up. This one line made all the work I did on this story worthwhile.
Though
the book touches on some serious issues, it maintains its easy feel throughout
and doesn’t weigh down the spirit by delving into somber areas more than is
called for.
~reviewed by Word Addict
This line reassured me that my light handling of some
very somber subjects was appreciated. After all, I write romance with a touch
of the paranormal. I do not want to scare, depress or upset my readers. My sole
intention is to entertain.
very somber subjects was appreciated. After all, I write romance with a touch
of the paranormal. I do not want to scare, depress or upset my readers. My sole
intention is to entertain.
“This
is the type of story e-readers were made for, the kind you cannot put down. I
laughed and cried and cracked up laughing. The hero wasn’t an Alpha nor a beta,
he was just right, which was refreshing. The heroine was the perfect blend of
the girl down the street and the women up the road. And if you own a dog you’ll
love this story.” ~Reviewed
by Olivia Lavyn
is the type of story e-readers were made for, the kind you cannot put down. I
laughed and cried and cracked up laughing. The hero wasn’t an Alpha nor a beta,
he was just right, which was refreshing. The heroine was the perfect blend of
the girl down the street and the women up the road. And if you own a dog you’ll
love this story.” ~Reviewed
by Olivia Lavyn
From this review, I understood that humor and tears
had the reader totally invested. Engaging her emotions, even in a light
entertaining read such as this book, was important to her enjoyment of the
story. Plus, she totally accepted that this hero wasn’t the usual over-the-top, muscle-bound
fantasy so many romances feature. Instead, Liam was a guy who had to work at living
up to our expectations. And Sadie, our heroine, had hang-ups that had scarred her but they hadn’t stopped Olivia from caring, just the opposite.
had the reader totally invested. Engaging her emotions, even in a light
entertaining read such as this book, was important to her enjoyment of the
story. Plus, she totally accepted that this hero wasn’t the usual over-the-top, muscle-bound
fantasy so many romances feature. Instead, Liam was a guy who had to work at living
up to our expectations. And Sadie, our heroine, had hang-ups that had scarred her but they hadn’t stopped Olivia from caring, just the opposite.
“Oh,
and the twists and turns with a surprise ending just adds to its being a darn
good and powerful read. Thank you Mimi for lightening my heart.” ~ Reviewed by Beverley Wells
I always seem to know the endings to my stories –
either when I start the book or very near the beginning. I know it’s a blessing, so it’s a skill I’ve always appreciated. I feel like I need a
direction so I can form my character’s personalities to match the people I’ve visualized when their tale is finished. For me, the last few paragraphs are as important
as the hook at the beginning.
Personally, I love a book that wraps my reading experience
up like a gift with a pretty bow. A little twist, a surprise even a cliff
hanger that forces a person to decide their own result makes me feel like
I’ve succeeded in my job.
And… when a reader tells me I’ve lightened her heart, well then
my heart sings.
either when I start the book or very near the beginning. I know it’s a blessing, so it’s a skill I’ve always appreciated. I feel like I need a
direction so I can form my character’s personalities to match the people I’ve visualized when their tale is finished. For me, the last few paragraphs are as important
as the hook at the beginning.
Personally, I love a book that wraps my reading experience
up like a gift with a pretty bow. A little twist, a surprise even a cliff
hanger that forces a person to decide their own result makes me feel like
I’ve succeeded in my job.
And… when a reader tells me I’ve lightened her heart, well then
my heart sings.
“The
characters are so true to life, and the descriptions of the Paradise called
Hawaii, are so good. You feel as if you are there and going through their
trials and tribulations with them.” ~ Reviewed by jknitter
Although the book’s setting was in Waikiki, I’m not
the type of author to wax poetic with long narratives about things such as
weather, environments or a city’s sites. Of course, I want to establish the
setting so the reader can imagine what the characters are experiencing, but I try and do
that with succinct descriptions using as few words as necessary. Sharing the beauty or outstanding features to
spark imaginations, to move the story forward and cement the reader in her
surroundings is my responsibility and I take it seriously.
the type of author to wax poetic with long narratives about things such as
weather, environments or a city’s sites. Of course, I want to establish the
setting so the reader can imagine what the characters are experiencing, but I try and do
that with succinct descriptions using as few words as necessary. Sharing the beauty or outstanding features to
spark imaginations, to move the story forward and cement the reader in her
surroundings is my responsibility and I take it seriously.
“I love the way it implied faith and answered
prayer without the usual “conversion speak”. ~ Reviewed by Deborah M Monroe
I don’t purposefully try and instill inspirational
views in my books. I’m a romance writer who creates a love story for two people
who learn that when they’ve met the one person who makes them whole, then it’s
magic. If a reader can absorb through my words enough of a lift that it makes
her feel as if I’ve touched her faith without the usual “conversion speak” then
I’m thrilled.
views in my books. I’m a romance writer who creates a love story for two people
who learn that when they’ve met the one person who makes them whole, then it’s
magic. If a reader can absorb through my words enough of a lift that it makes
her feel as if I’ve touched her faith without the usual “conversion speak” then
I’m thrilled.
In this post, I’ve
dealt with some of the more positive observations I received from happy fans.
In the next blog, I’ll tackle some of the less complimentary comments and tell
you how I found them to be as helpful.
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