Reader Reviews Matter
Any writer will tell you that a review by a reader is a wonderful thing…that is, unless the reader totally trashes your book. Reader reviews catch some flak for potentially being biased or solicited. And, yes, that can be true. Authors frequently solicit readers to review their books, especially on Amazon where the star-rating makes a big difference in the ranking of a book. Even bestselling authors solicit readers. The big publishers offer ARCs (Advance Reading Copies) of their anticipated novels so that reviewers can read the book and create a buzz before it is released. I, myself, was solicited on Twitter by the marketing firm that was publicizing Frank Delaney’s book The Last Storyteller: A Novel of Ireland. That was a thrill. I was sent a downloadable ARC via NetGalley. I felt like an insider. I guess I was an insider. And I really enjoyed the book, but I was under no obligation to give the book a favorable review. I really enjoyed the book and gave it four stars. Yet, by the cessation in communication, I do believe they were perturbed that it wasn’t a five-star review. Ah well.
The bottom line is that if you are getting reviews, people are reading your books. Granted, an author would be haunted to see a string of 1-star and 2-star reviews. My rule of thumb as a reader and sometime reviewer is that if I can’t in good conscience give the book a 3-star or higher rating, I won’t review it. Statistics are a big thing with Amazon and a few 2-star slaps can damage ranking and sales and, ultimately, a career. I’m not willing to do that. If a book is crap, I figure that people will figure it out and eventually stop buying it. It’s literary evolution.
So, imagine my delight when I received another 5-star rating this past weekend for my romance short, The Christmas Bottle. I love readers!!
December 16, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
I read Kellyann’s story knowing it was going to give me a wonderful read and I wasn’t disappointed. The story of Lola, the woman who just desires to be loved, and her domineering and brutal husband Fernando is one that lifts the mood and makes sure you aren’t left wanting. The lovely and heart warming story of a woman who wishes for love and finds it in the guise of a very sexy, half naked jinn called Shai who appears before the fireplace (yes, absolutely every woman’s – and probably some men’s too- fantasy and I dare you to to disagree)and makes sweet passionate love to her. There is karma at work here and soon, the rather nasty Fernando gets his come uppance and not a minute too soon either. I love Kellyann’s passion and knowledge of her subject matter.It left me wanting to seek out the very first green bottle I can find at a second hand store or antiques shop just in case I can get the same magic to work for me. I too desire a sexy jinn. Of course, if I could find a stocking on my mantelpiece containing a huge diamond too I’d be the happiest woman in the world…I can definitely recommend this as a really feel good read. Happy Saturnalia to Lola and Shai!
It’s not an ARC, but you can download it for 75 cents from Boroughs Publishing Group. Give it a read. If you like it, give it a review. And thanks for reading. It’s why I write.
Best Wishes,
Kellyann
