Nicole MacDonald's Blog, page 25
February 20, 2011
The Numbers Game
A Newbie's Guide to Publishing
I highly recommend you have a read of this post by Joe if you're in the 'maybe considering' self publishing space. And for those out there still sticking devotedly to the old ways and refusing to believe that an author is truly published unless under a Publisher's name, may this enlighten you a little. Traditional isn't necessarily best and in the long run, to do what we love we need to sell the numbers : )
Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
I highly recommend you have a read of this post by Joe if you're in the 'maybe considering' self publishing space. And for those out there still sticking devotedly to the old ways and refusing to believe that an author is truly published unless under a Publisher's name, may this enlighten you a little. Traditional isn't necessarily best and in the long run, to do what we love we need to sell the numbers : )
Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
Can you spot the fib?
Here is my entry for the First Crusader Challenge! The instructions are below and then my attempt *grin*
The Challenge: In 300 words or less, tell us:
· one secret
· one lie
· one interesting quirk
· one annoying habit
· one of your best character traits, and
· one of your favourite things in the whole world.
The post can be in any format, including poetry (for those poets among us), but must include the random words, "bloviate," "fuliguline," "rabbit," and "blade" (tee hee).
Finish your post with something along the lines of, "I may have revealed something about me that isn't strictly true, can you guess what it is?" (this last bit isn't included in the word count). And don't forget to tell us the answer in your next post!
I'll admit it, I don't know everything. Shock horror, I know, but yes I can admit this even if I do tend to bloviate on any subject I have the slightest knowledge of. For example were you aware that fuliguline pertains to sea ducks? Indeed. Or that katana refers to any single edged blade and not just a samurai sword? But I digress. New topics do fascinate me (well I do love to bloviate about them) and I will obsessively research them till I'm capable of some debate on the topic. I think it started from a school journal that had an article about rabbits and how to tell the difference between a tame rabbit and a wild one. My tenaciousness can drive my family and friends bonkers but it's one of my best traits - I get things done! How else would I have got my pilots license at such a young age? Helicopter flights are my favourite!
Okay and just a FYI - I DESPISE the two words 'I digress'. There's a blogger on one of our NZ news sites that uses it at least three times in each post *shudder* Hope you enjoy my shot at the challenge *lol*
Take care all! Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
February 18, 2011
Welcome to!
Welcome to my blog solely related to my book trilogy! This is where I can place review, updates and pictures! That's right all the crazy images that intrigue and inspire me *grin* So follow this blog - it's pretty easy going and doesn't require comments, it's just to help get the word out there (and it's pretty!).
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
Bye bye Bookstores *sob*
This was in our Wellington paper this morning
Trans Tasman administration Borders and Whitcoulls in both Australia and New Zealand were placed in administration yesterday by Australian parent company REDgroup Retail, which manages operations in both countries.
REDgroup's New Zealand managing director Peter Kalan is said to be in meetings this morning with his Australian counterparts.
The administration is thought to have been triggered by tough retailing conditions in the publishing sector, where online bookstores are becoming a more popular option for customers because they are able to undercut their bricks and mortar equivalent. Both Whitcoulls and Borders businesses are characterised by their large-store formats with high overheads for staffing, rent and utilities.
Yes I've complained about books here being steeply over priced ($35-$40) and the last new book I bought was Keary's latest in the Fallen Angels series, Forsaken - which by the way cost me a total of $20, even if it took a month to arrive ;pBut I still love Borders!! It's where I love to go at lunch time to write. I lug my rather weighty ancient Toshiba laptop in with me, order a cup of tea at their café and enjoy watching people as I ponder through lines. I really hope they manage to figure something out (save Borders! It has a café & comfy leather seats!) cause I'll miss my favourite reading n writing spot!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
Trans Tasman administration Borders and Whitcoulls in both Australia and New Zealand were placed in administration yesterday by Australian parent company REDgroup Retail, which manages operations in both countries.
REDgroup's New Zealand managing director Peter Kalan is said to be in meetings this morning with his Australian counterparts.
The administration is thought to have been triggered by tough retailing conditions in the publishing sector, where online bookstores are becoming a more popular option for customers because they are able to undercut their bricks and mortar equivalent. Both Whitcoulls and Borders businesses are characterised by their large-store formats with high overheads for staffing, rent and utilities.
Yes I've complained about books here being steeply over priced ($35-$40) and the last new book I bought was Keary's latest in the Fallen Angels series, Forsaken - which by the way cost me a total of $20, even if it took a month to arrive ;pBut I still love Borders!! It's where I love to go at lunch time to write. I lug my rather weighty ancient Toshiba laptop in with me, order a cup of tea at their café and enjoy watching people as I ponder through lines. I really hope they manage to figure something out (save Borders! It has a café & comfy leather seats!) cause I'll miss my favourite reading n writing spot!
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
February 16, 2011
Creative Monsters
If you've read my book you will have noticed I use my own spin on mythical creatures to create species on Sytas. Mythical creatures have fascinated me for years, even before I could read. This is because from the age of 5 till I was 7 I was an appalling reader. I would memorise books and 'parrot' them to my parents and teachers. Mum and Dad clicked when they tried getting me to read certain sections of a book and I couldn't do it *grin*.
Anyway the school library, even though I couldn't read, was one of my favourite places to go. It had giant cushions you were allowed to drag around and pile up. Now as youngling I wasn't discrete about my imagination (course I thought it was normal to imagine EVERYTHING!) and I got introduced to embarrassment rather quickly when other kids teased the heck out of me. For pretending to be a fairy/My Little Pony/Cat/magickal or for having an imaginary pet (a foxy called Katie). This makes me sound like I was excessive about it *grin* I wasn't, but as a child I took critical comments very hard. So while it might only have happened a couple of times I didn't forget.
The worst time was when I was 5 and in the new entrants class. I had discovered humming. The only problem was that I didn't realize others could hear me. I thought because I had my mouth closed it meant I only heard it in my head… oops.. I nearly died when the teacher pounced on me after repeatedly asking 'for the person making that noise to stop'. Anyway in the dark 'safe' corner of the library I would drag one of the monster cushions and climb onto it and pull books from the shelves to look at their pictures. The dark safe corner was actually the non-fiction corner were books on mythical creatures, UFO's, mysteries' and Dinosaurs were shelved. Thus began my rather intent fascination with mythical creatures and classical times.
This fascination has helped shape a lot of what Sytas is. Things that annoyed me about mythical creatures I was able to fix to my liking. I've also attempted to make the species as 'real' as possible. Just like in a normal ecosystem, each creature has its place. It makes for some intense planning as I work through a creature (the harpy idea is getting much bigger - I'll explain in another post) what its habits are, where it lives, why, what it eats, potential threats if it is introduced to any area it isn't native too. This is one of those parts of writing that I love and loathe. I loathe it for the time-consuming side of it and then love it as it helps to make Sytas more and more real. Every time I plan a creature though I wish SO much that I could draw and really create a physical image of it *sigh* Well until then I just have to rely on the creativeness and utter talent I discover via the internet and very often Elfwood.com a site I highly recommend if you need.. something different *grin*
What's your favourite mythical creature - how would you change it? Or if you could create one, what would it look and be like?
How about a My Little Zombie Pony...
Anyway the school library, even though I couldn't read, was one of my favourite places to go. It had giant cushions you were allowed to drag around and pile up. Now as youngling I wasn't discrete about my imagination (course I thought it was normal to imagine EVERYTHING!) and I got introduced to embarrassment rather quickly when other kids teased the heck out of me. For pretending to be a fairy/My Little Pony/Cat/magickal or for having an imaginary pet (a foxy called Katie). This makes me sound like I was excessive about it *grin* I wasn't, but as a child I took critical comments very hard. So while it might only have happened a couple of times I didn't forget.
The worst time was when I was 5 and in the new entrants class. I had discovered humming. The only problem was that I didn't realize others could hear me. I thought because I had my mouth closed it meant I only heard it in my head… oops.. I nearly died when the teacher pounced on me after repeatedly asking 'for the person making that noise to stop'. Anyway in the dark 'safe' corner of the library I would drag one of the monster cushions and climb onto it and pull books from the shelves to look at their pictures. The dark safe corner was actually the non-fiction corner were books on mythical creatures, UFO's, mysteries' and Dinosaurs were shelved. Thus began my rather intent fascination with mythical creatures and classical times.
This fascination has helped shape a lot of what Sytas is. Things that annoyed me about mythical creatures I was able to fix to my liking. I've also attempted to make the species as 'real' as possible. Just like in a normal ecosystem, each creature has its place. It makes for some intense planning as I work through a creature (the harpy idea is getting much bigger - I'll explain in another post) what its habits are, where it lives, why, what it eats, potential threats if it is introduced to any area it isn't native too. This is one of those parts of writing that I love and loathe. I loathe it for the time-consuming side of it and then love it as it helps to make Sytas more and more real. Every time I plan a creature though I wish SO much that I could draw and really create a physical image of it *sigh* Well until then I just have to rely on the creativeness and utter talent I discover via the internet and very often Elfwood.com a site I highly recommend if you need.. something different *grin*
What's your favourite mythical creature - how would you change it? Or if you could create one, what would it look and be like?
How about a My Little Zombie Pony...
I have the crazy warm nights to thank
For some seriously freaky harpies! *shudder* it's been a long time since I've had a dream that freaked me out enough for me to NOT want to go to the toilet. Yes - I'm one of those - no I don't watch horrors anymore.. or much more anyway ;p
With spidery bat like wings and at least the size of me these nasty creatures (well all creatures have their place in Sytas - but I don't have to like them!) attack villages and slaughter the inhabitants and stock. They carry the corpses back to their nesting places in trees high in the mountains and hang them in sacks they create from a disgusting sticky membrane they expel. Then the corpses are left to rot until they are almost liquefied at which point the harpies feast on them.
EWWWW!!
(this horrid critter doesn't even come close!)
Okay so I woke from that dream half terrified cause it takes me a moment to register I'm in bed. Then I have that ridiculous fear of moving least a harpy hiding under the bed pounce... Hey I'm not saying they're rational fears! It took about an hour to relax after that dream and wow are those images stuck in my head *shudder* It's fantastic as I've been working on the idea of a nasty flying creature but I just couldn't 'see' it quite yet.
Problem now solved!!
And I won't deny to actually dream of been on Sytas - as Catherine - was very cool. Of course the inane running and shrieking I did was very UN Catherine like.. but hey - I'm only human *grin* and while she might have ten years jujitsu under her belt as well as the ability to shoot fire at will - I SURE AS HELL DON'T!!
Still as methods go, dreams are one of the coolest ways to get inspiration. Because right there in the moment they are SO darn REAL!
Okay it's bed time now, I'm off to get ready and make Glenn check under the bed and in the closest...
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
With spidery bat like wings and at least the size of me these nasty creatures (well all creatures have their place in Sytas - but I don't have to like them!) attack villages and slaughter the inhabitants and stock. They carry the corpses back to their nesting places in trees high in the mountains and hang them in sacks they create from a disgusting sticky membrane they expel. Then the corpses are left to rot until they are almost liquefied at which point the harpies feast on them.
EWWWW!!
(this horrid critter doesn't even come close!)Okay so I woke from that dream half terrified cause it takes me a moment to register I'm in bed. Then I have that ridiculous fear of moving least a harpy hiding under the bed pounce... Hey I'm not saying they're rational fears! It took about an hour to relax after that dream and wow are those images stuck in my head *shudder* It's fantastic as I've been working on the idea of a nasty flying creature but I just couldn't 'see' it quite yet.
Problem now solved!!
And I won't deny to actually dream of been on Sytas - as Catherine - was very cool. Of course the inane running and shrieking I did was very UN Catherine like.. but hey - I'm only human *grin* and while she might have ten years jujitsu under her belt as well as the ability to shoot fire at will - I SURE AS HELL DON'T!!
Still as methods go, dreams are one of the coolest ways to get inspiration. Because right there in the moment they are SO darn REAL!
Okay it's bed time now, I'm off to get ready and make Glenn check under the bed and in the closest...
Take care all!Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
February 14, 2011
Creating change with powerful affirmations
We all have things we want to fix in our lives or if not fix, at least improve. Anyone who has read/watched or listened to The Secret will know where I'm going with this. It's the Law of Attraction. Essentially, 'what we think about, we bring about'.I'm wanting my book sales for The Arrival to increase and to be able to really throw myself into writing the draft of book two. I have a teensy, tiny, minor, issue though….
Patience. I appear to lack it. Rather a lot *sigh* And this in turn can eat away at the good thoughts I have, leaving just enough space for niggly worries to sneak in.To try and help work through those niggly feelings and get the good positive energy flowing I like to meditate and keep affirmations going through my mind. I have seriously considered recording my own to play back to myself but the sound of my voice is off putting (v. weird to hear yourself ;p).
The niggly thoughts at the moment are hitting hard and making me anxious which doesn't really bode well for drafting. So I need to fix it! I'm going to announce my intentions on here so I can't go backwards *grin*.
1. I will not check my sales till Saturday next week. Watching them like a hawk doesn't make them increase. Patience and perseverance will however.2. I will attempt to blog daily and will now sign off each blog with a 'signature' that links to my book on Amazon.3. I will make a point to read someone else's work for 30mins a day. I read before I wrote and the only way I will improve my writing is to continue to read.4. I will not put comments on more than four Amazon Kindle forums a day. I will click the e-mail me button if anyone responds and I will otherwise forget about it.5. I will work on my draft daily. Even if it's for only 10 mins - it is in no way a waste of time.
And I have these affirmations to focus on as I work through the niggly patch.
I find joy in writingI focus on the future I desire.Work inspires inspirationI write daily with excitement, enthusiasm, and confidence.I am a good writer.
Do you have any affirmations you'd like to share?
Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
Patience. I appear to lack it. Rather a lot *sigh* And this in turn can eat away at the good thoughts I have, leaving just enough space for niggly worries to sneak in.To try and help work through those niggly feelings and get the good positive energy flowing I like to meditate and keep affirmations going through my mind. I have seriously considered recording my own to play back to myself but the sound of my voice is off putting (v. weird to hear yourself ;p).
The niggly thoughts at the moment are hitting hard and making me anxious which doesn't really bode well for drafting. So I need to fix it! I'm going to announce my intentions on here so I can't go backwards *grin*.
1. I will not check my sales till Saturday next week. Watching them like a hawk doesn't make them increase. Patience and perseverance will however.2. I will attempt to blog daily and will now sign off each blog with a 'signature' that links to my book on Amazon.3. I will make a point to read someone else's work for 30mins a day. I read before I wrote and the only way I will improve my writing is to continue to read.4. I will not put comments on more than four Amazon Kindle forums a day. I will click the e-mail me button if anyone responds and I will otherwise forget about it.5. I will work on my draft daily. Even if it's for only 10 mins - it is in no way a waste of time.
And I have these affirmations to focus on as I work through the niggly patch.
I find joy in writingI focus on the future I desire.Work inspires inspirationI write daily with excitement, enthusiasm, and confidence.I am a good writer.
Do you have any affirmations you'd like to share?
Take care all!
Nic The Arrival, only .99c on Amazon or .71p on UK Amazon or .99c on Smashwords Buy it today!
Genre definitions
I've just received two more reviews on the UK Amazon. One is a 3 star and one a 5
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, could be better, 14 Feb 2011By This review is from: The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)This is a very easy read suitable for late teens/young adults. The plot is interesting and well thought out.
Unfortunately I found the book really hard to get into. This was mostly because the person narrating the story changes so frequently at the start and it is not always clear who's viewpoint we're seeing. The main viewpoint appears to be that of Cat, with the other characters added in at nearly every single interaction.
The multiple POV's, when done well, help to round out the other characters. Thankfully if you persevere with the book it does improve and you'll learn to recognise when you're about to jump from character to character. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The Arrival, 14 Feb 2011 By The Arrival has good world-building and the characters actually come up with a reason they can speak with and understand the locals. The interaction and 'relationship development's' between the girls and their guides/rescuers The Griffon Guards is not too cloying and girly. People may look at the 'blurb' for the book and think it's one for the girls but trust me - it isn't.
The magic system is clever and works well and not just enough time is spent with the girls learning to harness their abilities.
The one thing that troubled me at first was the multiple POVs but once I was into the story I hardly even noticed it and to be honest I think the style actually added to the story.
The book ended on the biggest cliffhanger ending I believe I have come across yet and I really cannot wait for the second book in the Birthright series to be published
Both good reviews that I'm happy with except (and you knew this was coming ;p) that darn mention of it being suitable for late teens/young adults..
So to clear up any uncertainty anyone might have about book genres. Here are the actual definitions.
Young Adult - Young Adult Literature is literature written for adolescent readers, and in some cases published by adolescent writers. The Young Adult Library Services (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) defines a young adult as "someone between the ages of twelve and eighteen". Young adult novels have also been defined as texts written for the ages of twelve and up. Authors and readers of young adult (YA) novels often define the genre as "literature written for ages ranging from ten years up to the age of twenty"
Now I do realise that my book isn't as dark as some fantasy novels but just because it's an easy read doesn't mean it's young adult. The youngest of the leads in the book is 21 and Cat, the main, is 25.
And a few more definitions if like me, you find the array of genres now used a tad bewildering.
Dystopian - Dystopia is defined as a society characterized by poverty, squalor, or oppression.
Steampunk - steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy.
Paranormal Romance - Paranormal romance blends the real with the fantastic or science fictional. The fantastic elements may be woven into an alternate version of our own world in an urban fantasy involving vampires, demons, and/or werewolves, or they may be more "normal" manifestations of the paranormal—humans with psychic abilities, witches, or ghosts. Time-travel, futuristic, and extraterrestrial romances also fall beneath the paranormal umbrella (The Arrival has been referred to as Paranormal Romance)
Any other genres you'd like to understand better? How many genres does your writing fall under? It's surprising how many you can cover!
(my fav pic I forgot to include on last post ;p)
3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, could be better, 14 Feb 2011By This review is from: The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)This is a very easy read suitable for late teens/young adults. The plot is interesting and well thought out.
Unfortunately I found the book really hard to get into. This was mostly because the person narrating the story changes so frequently at the start and it is not always clear who's viewpoint we're seeing. The main viewpoint appears to be that of Cat, with the other characters added in at nearly every single interaction.
The multiple POV's, when done well, help to round out the other characters. Thankfully if you persevere with the book it does improve and you'll learn to recognise when you're about to jump from character to character. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The Arrival, 14 Feb 2011 By The Arrival has good world-building and the characters actually come up with a reason they can speak with and understand the locals. The interaction and 'relationship development's' between the girls and their guides/rescuers The Griffon Guards is not too cloying and girly. People may look at the 'blurb' for the book and think it's one for the girls but trust me - it isn't.
The magic system is clever and works well and not just enough time is spent with the girls learning to harness their abilities.
The one thing that troubled me at first was the multiple POVs but once I was into the story I hardly even noticed it and to be honest I think the style actually added to the story.
The book ended on the biggest cliffhanger ending I believe I have come across yet and I really cannot wait for the second book in the Birthright series to be published
Both good reviews that I'm happy with except (and you knew this was coming ;p) that darn mention of it being suitable for late teens/young adults..
So to clear up any uncertainty anyone might have about book genres. Here are the actual definitions.
Young Adult - Young Adult Literature is literature written for adolescent readers, and in some cases published by adolescent writers. The Young Adult Library Services (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) defines a young adult as "someone between the ages of twelve and eighteen". Young adult novels have also been defined as texts written for the ages of twelve and up. Authors and readers of young adult (YA) novels often define the genre as "literature written for ages ranging from ten years up to the age of twenty"
Now I do realise that my book isn't as dark as some fantasy novels but just because it's an easy read doesn't mean it's young adult. The youngest of the leads in the book is 21 and Cat, the main, is 25.
And a few more definitions if like me, you find the array of genres now used a tad bewildering.
Dystopian - Dystopia is defined as a society characterized by poverty, squalor, or oppression.
Steampunk - steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy.
Paranormal Romance - Paranormal romance blends the real with the fantastic or science fictional. The fantastic elements may be woven into an alternate version of our own world in an urban fantasy involving vampires, demons, and/or werewolves, or they may be more "normal" manifestations of the paranormal—humans with psychic abilities, witches, or ghosts. Time-travel, futuristic, and extraterrestrial romances also fall beneath the paranormal umbrella (The Arrival has been referred to as Paranormal Romance)
Any other genres you'd like to understand better? How many genres does your writing fall under? It's surprising how many you can cover!
(my fav pic I forgot to include on last post ;p)
February 13, 2011
Lazy post! Naughty & funny animal pics and 1 CRAZY human..
This one is specially for my mum and her bright purple crocs. And here's a link to a funny video - see! Even a tortoise is fooled!!
And in-case any of you forgot, cause I really, really wouldn't want you to miss out...
February 12, 2011
First 5 star review on UK Amazon!
Thank you Tim! Have a read, I'm very happy with it and now crossing fingers it helps to boost my sales in the UK market. I'm still having issues with Smashwords as I can't locate my book on any of the channels they've apparently distributed it too and no one is replying to my queries regarding it *sigh* but you can buy it from Smashwords directly in the format you require if you don't have a Kindle. It's just a bit of a round-about way of doing it ;p Otherwise hope you are all having a safe and enjoyable weekend : ) Take care and look forward to chatting with you!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Reading Enjoyment, 12 Feb 2011By (REAL NAME) This review is from: The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)I found this book to be slightly different from the run of the mill fantasy offerings. I typically don't read books where the "heroes" are transported to a different world and have various adventures, because I find them irritating, in their total disregard of potential issues involved in actual transportation to another world. Nicole recognises these issues and whilst she doesn't go into great depth over their solution, she does use them as part of the plot, I smiled when Cat uses the phrase "Away with the fairies", and then realises that such a phrase could have a totally different meaning in a world where fairies actually exist.
The plot in The Arrival is fairly simple and straightforward, easy to read and to follow. It is an ideal read for somebody who doesn't want to think to hard about their book, but simply to read it get immersed in the story and enjoy it.
If you are the kind of person who reads romantic fiction, then try this book. If like me your preference is for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre and Westerns (romantic fiction for boys ;o) ) then again - try it I'm fairly certain you will enjoy any time spent in this well realised and thought out new world.
I personally hope that book two will be along soon as I REALLY want to know how the fight at the end of book one turns out!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Reading Enjoyment, 12 Feb 2011By (REAL NAME) This review is from: The Arrival (BirthRight Trilogy) (Kindle Edition)I found this book to be slightly different from the run of the mill fantasy offerings. I typically don't read books where the "heroes" are transported to a different world and have various adventures, because I find them irritating, in their total disregard of potential issues involved in actual transportation to another world. Nicole recognises these issues and whilst she doesn't go into great depth over their solution, she does use them as part of the plot, I smiled when Cat uses the phrase "Away with the fairies", and then realises that such a phrase could have a totally different meaning in a world where fairies actually exist.
The plot in The Arrival is fairly simple and straightforward, easy to read and to follow. It is an ideal read for somebody who doesn't want to think to hard about their book, but simply to read it get immersed in the story and enjoy it.
If you are the kind of person who reads romantic fiction, then try this book. If like me your preference is for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre and Westerns (romantic fiction for boys ;o) ) then again - try it I'm fairly certain you will enjoy any time spent in this well realised and thought out new world.
I personally hope that book two will be along soon as I REALLY want to know how the fight at the end of book one turns out!
