The Importance of a Review

Before I get started with my post on reviews, I wanted to remind you about a FREE opportunity for you to read my book, Fan Mail. It is available on Book Sirens, which is easy to sign up for and the book will download to any platform you might wish to use. You can find the link here: https://booksirens.com/book/IIV7EAT/R4DR1VV

The reason I chose to use this FREE service is because Fan Mail has been “stuck” at 26 reviews on Amazon, and 42 reviews on Goodreads. While the reviews have been wonderful, averaging 4.3 on each platform, I need 50 in order for Amazon to advertise it to readers. This would help immensely. If you like a good mystery with a strong coming-of-age thread, I hope you check out this opportunity and give Fan Mail a read.

Which leads into my post for the day. The review and its importance.

When any writer finishes a book, we want it to do well. We want sales to go through the roof, and we want readers to enjoy it. However, once a book leaves my computer and lands on my publisher’s website or Amazon or the like, the book is literally out of my hands. The only thing I can do is promote it- Facebook, book blogs, and other sites.

We never know what the reader thinks of the book unless the reader rates it, and/or reviews it, or lets us know by talking to us. I am one of the fortunate writers who has a large following. Lately, each time I go to a sales and signing event, I sell out of one or more of my titles, and come close to selling out on more than one or two other titles.

And what is really nice is that the same folks who have bought one or two of my books seek me out and buy another. Many times, I hear from a customer who says, “I heard about you from my friend.” For a writer, any writer, that’s so gratifying. To know that someone enjoyed one of our books and tells another about it. For the writer, it’s wonderful to hear.

But unless the reader tells another, or unless the reader rates and/or reviews it, the author has no way of knowing how that book is doing. We’re operating in darkness. Yes, we continue to write because we love writing and telling stories, but we really have no way of knowing how those books land.

Obviously, the 5 and 4 star rating are the best to receive because it does two things. It tells the author, “Hey, you did a helluva job on this! I love it!” But it also tells other prospective readers the book is worthy of a read and nudges them to pick it up and give it a try.

But ratings of 1 and 2 are just as important. They tell the author the book missed its mark. For whatever reason, the book didn’t catch the reader’s heart on fire. We learn from them (after we lick our wounds and are done feeling sorry for ourselves) and point us in a different direction.

Reviews are even better. They tell us specifically what the book did, and didn’t, do for them. They either cause us to smile or sometimes to frown and make us determined to do better next time. At least, that’s how I look at them. I try to balance the good ones from the not so good ones, and I try to view both as a learning experience. That might be the educator in me, I guess, but I think most writers feel this way.

So, I ask you to consider reading, and then rating and/or reviewing any book. It helps with sales, with promotion, but mostly, it helps writers learn and grow and to do even better the next time out.

I also want to let you know that my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is currently available for preordering at https://www.blackrosewriting.com/mystery/blackyeii If you purchase Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) prior to the publication date of January 2, 2025, use the promo code: PREORDER2024 to receive a 15% discount.

Here are some early reviews of Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) for you.

“Weaving family and friendship with gangs and murder, Lewis has a flair for packing high-octane action into his world of high school boys, brothers, and small-town Wisconsin. With a personal vendetta and more lives on the line, the suspense jumps from the page as a fabricated truth takes center stage. Never one to shy away from action, death, and despair, this latest read brings with it new, yet familiar pulse pounding villains as author Joseph Lewis stuns once again, in this his tenth book.” Jill Rey, Reviewer: For The Love Of The Page Blog

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) is a psychological thriller based in a small town in Wisconsin, featuring a group of young men recovering from traumatic events a year ago. Unfortunately, the past is coming back to haunt them, and hunt them down. This thriller features complex characters and relationships that evolve throughout the story, leading to a stunning conclusion. Lewis delivers in this story of police trying to protect the innocents from the evil that is hunting them.” Gary Gerlacher, MD, MBA, author of Last Patient of the Night, Faulty Bloodline and Sin City Treachery

“The Bottom Line: A must-read small town crime thriller that will please new and old fans.”

Bella Wright, Reviewer/Editor BestThrillers.com “I believe this is my favorite so far! In his latest crime thriller, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One), author Joseph Lewis gets readers’ attention with a shocker of a start — a brutal double murder. He keeps that going as law enforcement works to identify the person who orchestrated this and other violence, especially since it is apparent innocent people, including an acclaimed author and a family of adopted brothers, are in danger. Here is the next, and hopefully, not the last, riveting adventure for the intriguing characters Lewis has created for his books.” Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long Mystery Series

“A Complex Thriller That Strikes at the Heart, Black Yéʼii is a compelling thriller with family, honor, and the battle between good and evil as central themes. Young Diné (Navajo) man, George Tokay, helps police investigate a cover-up involving cops and the notoriously vicious gang, MS13, now hell bent on revengeful torture and murder.” International Writers Inspiring Change Review

“Black Yéʼii explores secrecy, revenge, and justice, and offers brilliant psychological intrigue that elevates the story beyond a typical thriller. It delves deep into the personal drama and interplay of the secret itself. This makes Black Yéʼii an unmissable read for fans of accomplished thriller writing everywhere.” K.C. Finn, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

“Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) by Joseph Lewis had me hooked from the start. The story was jam-packed with action, and there was never a dull moment. With all the twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next and was guessing until the end. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could.” Alma Boucher, Reviewer for Readers’ Favorite

I hope you enjoyed this post, but in any case, I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please use the comment section below. As always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …