EDITORIAL: Book Reviews Matter

Frequently in the book community I see authors reminding readers the importance of leaving reviews as well as readers lamenting how to write one.  So in the interest of both parties I’ve decided to create this post to:

A) Help readers become better reviewers.

B) Help authors get more reviews. 

Hopefully, it’s a win-win situation.

💕Note: I’ve tailored this post to be applicable to romance publications.💕  So if writing a review for a different genre, obviously some aspects won't not apply.

¶ First, let’s address one very important issue when it comes to book reviewing.  Honesty.  If a review, whether a glowing 5 star or a scathing 1 star, isn’t honest and unbiased, then it has no place in the book community. Not only that, but it compromises the whole purpose of the review system. And I'm going to take that sentiment a step further. Withholding reviews that do not meet a certain star level also negates the integrity of the review system. I know some readers feel bad about leaving a negative review or adopt the "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" philosophy, but before you go that route strongly consider how it can be misleading to both other readers and the author who wrote the book. 5 stars lose their luster when handed out too easily. There's nothing wrong with a low star review when written in an honest, constructive criticism manner. Not everyone likes the same things. Just choose your wording carefully. And don't fall prey to these myths:

http://book-bosomed.blogspot.com/2017/05/editorial-mythbusting-book-review-system.html

¶ This brings me to a second point. It's also important to remember that book reviews are designed to serve two purposes.

1. To help other readers choose books.

2. To provide valuable feedback to the author.

A truly helpful review will and should do both.  After all, simply and only stating “It was AMAZING!” or on the flip side, “This books sucks!” really tells no one anything about why the book was good or bad.  Was it the writing? The characterization? The plot? A helpful review won't leave either other readers or the author scratching their heads trying to figure out the reason for the rating or simply discrediting the review altogether. 

So where to start when writing a review…

& If you have the time, it’s best form to start with a brief explanation of the premise of the book. Not only can this be helpful if the book description or blurb is a bit vague but it can also help illustrate that you possess a basic understanding of the book’s purpose.  To be clear though, this is NOT retelling the whole plot. And if 90% of your review is a summation of the book description, then you aren’t writing a book review but writing a book report.  

& Once you’ve  helped establish what your interpretation of the underlying foundation of the story is in a few simple sentences, it’s time to move on to what you perceive to be the book’s strengths and weaknesses.  If it’s a 5 star, it’s probably all strengths. If it’s a 1 star, it’s probably all weaknesses. And all the stars in the middle are a variation of both.   

Things to consider and include when reviewing romance titles: (You don’t have to include them all in every review, but these are valid points to take into account.)

C or D

• Are the main characters sufficiently developed?  Did they meet your expectations as the hero and the heroine of the story?

• Is the romance sufficiently developed? Did the author aptly convey a sense of chemistry between the characters? Did you understand and/or relate with the reasons why they fell in love?

• Is the story well written?  Overall, is it grammatically correct?

• Did the plot flow well? Did it make sense? Were there any continuity errors or factual mistakes in the storytelling?  Did you ever feel the need to skim? Was the story so engrossing you couldn't put it down?

• Are there significant themes to the story and if so, did the author handle them well?

Other helpful aspects to consider including in your review that may be critical to other readers in deciding if this story is for them:

Romantic Angle:  Is this a second change romance? Opposites attract? Friends-to-lovers?  Does the romance develop quickly (insta love or insta lust) or is it a slow burn? 💑

Romantic Content:  (I'm  being PC with this heading. Let's face it, if you're reading a contemporary romance then you probably should comment on the steam factor.)  As far as the sex scenes go, is it dirty and erotic? Or is it a clean romance?  Maybe it's somewhere in between, but do your best to rate the smut level. 💏

Tone/Mood:  Is this story dark? Is it angsty? Is it light-hearted? Does it have humor? Is it suspenseful?  This might also be where the phrases "I laughed my ass off" or "I had a big ugly cry" could be used. 😉

Narration: Is the story written in the first person, and if so is it the heroine’s POV? The hero’s?  Dual POV?  Or is it told from a third person narrator?

Length: Was it too short? Too long?  Is it a novella or a full length novel?

Publication Information: Is this story part of a series? Can it be read as a stand-alone? Or is it part of a serial that must be read in order?

Genre/Subgenre:  Is this a billionaire romance? Step-sibling? Sports? College?  Rockstar? Mafia? Or perhaps most importantly, is the category listed on the retailers website or Goodreads an accurate description of the story?   For example, if there was a lot of drama and little romance, then perhaps the book would be more acutely labeled General Fiction or Fiction-Drama than romance. Helping identify the type of story that’s portrayed can go a long way in steering other readers in the right direction.  Audience is key!

Recommendation:  As you bring your review to a close, you may choose to comment on your recommendations for the book at hand. Is it for everyone who enjoys romance or readers that prefer a specific brand? Are there triggers that could be a turn-off or offensive to other readers? It doesn’t have to bother you yourself in order for you to mention it out of courtesy for others who might. If you truly feel it's could be construed as a spoiler, simply tag it appropriately. 

¶ Don't get overwhelmed. Just consider the above mentioned literary aspects and comment on the ones that speak to you most in your review.  The more reviews you write, the easier it will become.

¶ Always keep in mind that a review is subjective, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. For readers, that means that not everyone is going to agree on the same book. So be respectful of other but don’t be afraid to leave your own review if it differs from your reading friends. For authors, that means the opportunity to use reader feedback to be a better writer—by both focusing on your strengths and improving your weaknesses.  And no matter which category you fall in, reader or writer, it’s always important for everyone to keep things courteous and professional.

As far as major no-no's in the book community go…

N:Readers—Don’t attack other posted reviews. And be careful to not take things out of context. Book discussion is all part of reading, but keep it friendly and polite so it stays fun. If you have been the victim of bullying, don't let it stop you from writing reviews. Use the proper channels to report the offender to the administrators of the site you are using. 

N:Authors—Publicly complaining about negative reviews is very unprofessional, and while it might garner you some drama, it will just as likely turn off not only new readers but existing fans.  Social media is not the place for venting. If you feel a review was truly unfair or has no merit, confide in a trusted personal friend or spouse to let off some steam. 

—Also, requesting that readers and reviewers withhold reviews under a certain star rating is not only unethical, it also constitutes a form of censorship and infringes on free speech. So don't even entertain the idea, yet alone make it a condition of reviewing. 

*Policy note from the blog: This blog does not support authors who behave badly. Review and promotion will not be provided to any author caught publicly posting in an inappropriate manner or requesting readers withhold less than stellar reviews. 

O One last thing I’d like to address because I occasionally see some confusion on this. There is a difference (albeit in some instances slight) between writing a review and providing an endorsement in the publishing world.  Reviews should represent unbiased opinions provided without compensation or rating/reviewing conditions and can be written by anyone from a general reader to someone in the book or publishing field. As discussed above, a review may contain praise; it may contain criticism; and will quite possibly be a mix of both.  An endorsement, on the other hand, is all praise or support for a publication generally written by either an expert in the field, a celebrity, or someone with an affiliation to the author.  It is a marketing tool used to provide accreditation to the publication. Compensation (in various forms) may likely be involved.  Endorsements are subject to FTC regulations.  See HERE and HERE.   Of most relevance to those reading this post, it’s important to keep in mind that if you’ve been offered any kind of compensation (not simply limited to monetary) or if you are somehow affiliated with the author then transparency regarding such relationships and transactions is necessary.

I hope this post has been helpful!  Happy writing, reading, and reviewing everyone!!!

8 Additional Recommended Reading:

Want a simpler overview of a book review?  Check out How to write English's section on what to include in a book review: HERE

Want a more in depth look at writing a book review with examples? The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill has a excellent section on their website: HERE

Want a few good reasons why simply leaving a star rating doesn't suffice? Check out "Make Your Words Count:" HERE

COVER REVEAL: Dancer by Jamie Schlosser

Cover Design: Star Bound Books

Series: The Good Guys; Book 2

Genre: New Adult | Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 8th, 2016

~SYNOPSIS~

BRIELLE

Technically, I’m not a stripper. As a cage dancer, I don’t take all my clothes off and no one gets to touch me. I’m just the eye-candy.

And I can feel their eyes on me. I know they’re watching, but I don’t do this for them.

This is my time.

My life may not have turned out the way I thought it would, but I’m not complaining. From 9pm to 1am several days a week I get paid to feel sexy, to feel desired, to do what I love.

I always knew I wanted to be a dancer—I just didn’t realize I’d be doing it in a cage.

COLTON

Erectile dysfunction—two words that can cause a collective cringe from men everywhere. The doctors can call it ‘performance anxiety’ all they want, but that’s just a fancy way of saying my dick doesn’t work.

Just when I start to think there’s no hope for me, I see her. She’s gorgeous, sexy, and goofy as f*ck. She also looks really familiar but I can’t put my finger on it.

When I find out who she really is, my world is turned upside-down and everything seems to fall into place.

She’s not gonna make it easy for me, but I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge. She’s convinced I won’t stick around.

I’ll prove her wrong.

I’ll show her I’m one of the good guys.

*Although Dancer is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

GOODREADS

~PRE-ORDER~

KINDLE US | KINDLE UK | KINDLE AU | KINDLE CA

~OTHER BOOKS IN THE GOOD GUYS SERIES~

TRUCKER, BOOK #1 
AMAZON

A TRUCKER CHRISTMAS: A Romantic Short Story
AMAZON

Jamie Schlosser grew up on a farm in Illinois surrounded by cornfields. Although she no longer lives in the country, her dream is to return to rural living someday. As a stay-at-home mom, she spends most of her days running back and forth between her two wonderful kids and her laptop. She loves her family, iced coffee, and happily-everafters. 

FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | AMAZON

BLOG TOUR: Will by Kerry Heavens

Series: Not Your Average British Romance, Book 2

Genre: Contemporary romance

~Synopsis~

Will Middleton has no clue how much I want him.

He looks at me like I’m an angel,

And all I can think about is how he would look tied to my bed.

He’s the perfect gentleman.

Amazing considering he’s related to The Spencer Ryan.

He is everything Spencer is not. Sensitive, considerate, and unassumingly handsome.

I’d like to show him that’s a good thing.

But he broke my heart once,

and I don't know if I can let him do it again.

Mags Goldsmith is a beautiful, confident heiress and she seems to want me.

Although she really shouldn't. I'm not what she needs.

She’s a goddess. And when I say goddess,

I mean erotica writing siren, who knows more than one use for a riding crop

Everything I thought I knew about her has been rewritten,

And now she’s got me tied up in knots.

She's everything I've ever wanted and more,

I just have to prove I’m worthy.

This is not your average British romance.

It's a tale of second chances, strap-ons, and of course sex oranges,

All bound up and tied to a bedroom door.

GOODREADS

~Book Review~

4 Stars

If you’ve read Spencer (and if you haven’t I recommend it for lots of sexy fun) then you’ve met Spencer’s cousin, Will Middleton, and Jazz’s friend, Mags Goldsmith. While this story can be read as a standalone, there are places that will make far more sense and you’ll have a fuller picture of the characters if you’ve read Spencer first.

Told via their dual alternating first person POV, Will is your average guy, running his own business, and struggling with the feelings and attraction he has for his ex, Mags once they become friends again. With a lot of insecurities and a beta personality, Will doesn’t think he’s good enough for Mags, who’s been raised in an upper-class, high society lifestyle. But when Will discovers the type of erotic books that Mags has been authoring, and Mags discovers that there’s more to Will than she dreamed possible, a second chance might just be on the horizon.

“I feel all the power I ever fantasized about having, right at my fingertips.”

So Will and Mags embark on a little sexual exploration. I’ll admit their brand of kink is not my thing, but it does seem to work for Will and Mags, and I liked how they were flexible with their roles.

“The dominant deep inside me pinches me to let me know that this kind of thing wouldn’t wash in a real D/s relationship, but I shut her up. What does she know?...She has never had to handle this shit in real life.”

Will is swimming in his own insecurities and while he might not be a guy I’d fantasize about in real life, it was immensely refreshing to read a scenario where the roles were reversed and it was the man who was the weak one and the woman who held the confidence, helping him find his way. I also give the story major points for focusing on the inner struggles that the characters needed to overcome and avoiding the typical OW/OM romance angst. I always enjoy when a romance plays out as a journey rather than a melodrama fest; I think there’s so much more to take away from the story. The messages of being honest and forthcoming with your feelings and fears as well as building your confidence are important in any relationship, and it was featured here in a positive way.

“There’s a thin line between confidence and arrogance. It’s called humility.”

There are also some fun twists in this story. Though not as laugh out loud as Spencer, Will does boast it’s share of humorous encounters. 

“‘A selfie? You want me to take a picture of my dick?’–Will
‘Yep.’ –Mags
‘I think you’re confusing me with Spencer.’”–Will

Speaking of Spencer, he and Jazz are also an integral part of the story, infusing both drama and laughs, and I adored reading about them once again. While I’m not sure it’s what she intended, the author definitely whetted my appetite for a bonus story on them. Hint, Hint, Kerry Heavens. I’m dying here for a little baking adventure novella for those two. I think you know what oven I’m talking about! ;-)

Amazon US   Amazon UK 

~Excerpt~

She stares at me. I feel like I've bared all and she's still giving me no clue. I'm just about to pull my arm out of her grasp and walk away, when she leans in and presses her lips to mine.

All my resolve, all my hesitation goes out the window and I have her under me in a split second, pushing my tongue between her parted lips. It’s so unlike me, but I’m only human, I can only take so much longing before I break. Taking what I have needed for so long, I try to put my doubts out of my head. I know I’m not who she needs me to be and I can’t ever be, but right now I don’t care. 

I’ve been alone without her. I can’t do it anymore. I need her. 

“Thank God,” she gasps when I let her breathe. “I thought you didn’t want me.” 

“Feel how much I want you now?” I grin, pushing the hard fact of my arousal against her. 

“Uh huh.” She giggles, pulling my face back to hers. 

I let myself relax into her, loving the feel of her body pressing against mine and kiss her, taking my time. I’ve wanted to do this for so long. Her hands find their way under my t-shirt and her nails lightly draw across my back sending a shiver down my spine. 

I pull back from her lips, smiling as she opens her eyes. The light from the TV doesn’t do justice to the searing flecks of gold in her green eyes, but I have that indelibly marked in my memory, I don’t need to see it right now. There are however, things I do want to see. This might be a one shot deal and I’m not walking away from this wishing. Lifting off her enough to find the bottom of the t-shirt she’s wearing, I help her off with it, burying my face in her neck. She smells just like I remember and I want to eat her. 

Holy shit! I didn’t mean eat her, eat her…but fuck, I could, if she’ll let me. 

Hers was the first clit I ever licked and I think even back then I was pretty good at it. It’s worship in it’s purest form and I doubt any man has ever worshiped her like I did…do…and now I could remind her. I try to take my time making my way down, I want to bury my face between her legs like, yesterday. I'm aware that I'm rushing, a couple of kisses here and there as I ease down her body, but I can't slow down. 

Reaching her underwear, I'm already intoxicated by her heady scent. I grasp her knickers in both hands and peel them down, stopping dead in my tracks when I see that she is completely bare and as if this isn’t almost more than I can take right now, she has the word ‘Focus’ tattooed, just…there above her…you know. Like she knows she will have an intoxicating effect on whoever is lucky enough to read the word. I’ll be honest, it’s the one thing I can’t do right now. I think I might have swallowed my tongue. 

I can’t describe what this does to me. I’m sure it has some deep meaning, but fuck…what was I doing? Oh yeah, I was about to worship her like she has never been worshiped before. Show her that anyone else who has tried was simply pretending, because this is from the heart. Except now, I have performance anxiety. I mean, look at her. Stunning, and so boldly confident in her sensuality, that she has an instruction tattooed right by her perfectly waxed and ready…Je-sus! I can’t even think the word.

~Check out Spencer, Book 1 in the Series~

Character Interview!

Amazon US   Amazon UK   iBooks   Nook   Kobo 

Sparkle, kink and all things ink. That's what Kerry Heavens is made of.

Writing smutty, sometimes funny romance, with a touch of kink.

Real characters and best friends you wish you had.

A little ink thrown in here and there.

HEAs guaranteed.

Facebook / Amazon / Goodreads / Website

BLOG TOUR: Arrogant by Jenika Snow

~Synopsis~

Even a bad boy can wear a suit and tie…

Noah
All it took was one look at Harley to know I wanted her.

It wasn’t about the deliberate sexual dry spell I was going through either … the one I voluntarily participated in. No, there was something about her innocence and her vulnerability that had possessiveness running through my veins.

I wanted her as mine, and I’d have her. I’d show her that although I could be cruel to those who went up against me, when it came to her, I’d make the world bow down at her feet.

Harley
The intern position I had been offered was a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it also came with working for a man who had the most notorious reputation in the city.

Noah Wright was anything but Mr. Right, especially not with his arrogant, unforgiving, and tyrannical attitude. He was wealthy and gorgeous, but he struck fear into people with just a look. They knew who held the power when he was in the room. So did I.

And I was now working for him and getting an up close and personal experience with his cold, hardened, and abrasive personality … and it turned me on.

But there was something else under the frigid demeanor he showed everyone, a slice of warmth he showed only me. I knew if Noah wanted me, he could easily have me, because putting up a fight was not what I planned on doing.

I wanted him, but I wouldn’t be just a conquest. I wouldn’t make this easy for him.

Warning: Love insta-everything in a book? Like over the top sugary goodness? Want your stories dripping with cocky and possessive alpha heroes who only want one woman? Get a fan and a cold glass of water ready, because this story will definitely heat you up.

GOODREADS

~Book Review~

1 Star

Why 1 star?  Because it didn’t feel like a complete story, not even a short story. This is just a collection of scenes strung together by “Two months later… Several months later… A year later…” You get the picture?  That’s not a finished manuscript; it’s a very rough draft (or lazy writing). And it shows. 

There’s no background on either of the characters, the plot is trite and flimsy, and the opening where Noah Wright and Harley Alexander met felt vaguely familiar to Anna and Christian’s first meeting in his office in 50 Shades of Grey/Grey.

All in all, the inner monologues and dialogue read like cheesy porn; there’s very little elements of actual romance; and at times Noah uses terms that don’t sound like something a man would say. He also spends a lot of time in these short pages rambling about his bodily fluids—spunk/jizz. Ugg! There’s an overload of flat dirty talk that just feels stale.

While the blurb warns that it’s insta-lust, that might be fine if you could feel the chemistry between them, but the scenario is so stereotypical that connecting with the characters is a difficult task.  Noah and Harley getting to know each other, yet alone falling in love, is never depicted and the reader is forced to assume it happens in the missing pages (i.e. the months of their lives that isn’t written).

Told via Noah and Harley’s first person POV, there’s just no character development, and that’s a basic element of fiction needed for the reader to care about the characters. Basically the blurb tells you all you’re going to get about these two so my recommendation is just stop there. 

Amazon US  Amazon UK  Amazon CA  Amazon AU

~Excerpt~

I knew this job would be challenging, but I’d had no idea working for this man would have me on the verge of drinking every single night. And it didn’t have anything to do with the fact he was so arrogant.

This had to do with the fact my libido was out of control where Mr. Wright was concerned.

He annoyed me, got under my skin, but the way I caught him watching me, looking at me like I was this sweet little morsel he wanted to get his claws into, had my body feeling like it was on fire.

But then again, he was so hard on me, and right now knowing I’d screwed up the file he’d presented to his team made me feel like shit.

He stood just a few feet from me, staring at my mouth, making me even more aware of his presence. He had me so on edge I felt like flames licked through my veins, and I stood on this ledge, waiting to crash down. I wanted him so badly, but I knew I could never have him.

He was my boss, and I certainly didn’t need an overbearing, career-driven man like him in my personal life, right?

“You can leave now,” he said, and I forced myself to take a step back. Could he tell I wasn’t only nervous but also aroused? I couldn’t help it. Being in his presence had my blood pressure rising to dangerous levels.

And the way he smelled … God, the scent was so masculine and intoxicating.

For a second I stared at him, knowing I needed to get out of there, breathe some fresh air, and get my thoughts in order. But I couldn’t move. Instead I took in the three-piece suit he wore, the dark blue material almost appearing black. His deep blue tie was in perfect place, and the white shirt beneath the vest was stark, crisp.

I’d never seen a man so masculine, the epitome of what I craved and wanted, but with Noah Wright I saw that, felt that, so much. It was like I was going to combust.

“Something else, Harley?” He lifted an eyebrow, his eyes heavy-lidded.

God, the way my name—my first name that was so inappropriate it made me hotter—rolled off his tongue in that sexual timbre made me instantly wet. I prayed the suit jacket I wore covered my shirt and that my nipples were hard. Hell, if it didn’t cover my breasts, I knew he’d see how tight the tips were.

And as if he had read my mind or I’d said the words aloud, he glanced down. The urge to cover my chest, to hide my body’s reaction to his presence, was strong. I didn’t want to, but I found myself doing it on instinct. I grabbed the edge of my jacket, closed it slightly, but all I felt was my breasts pressing together.

I saw the way he swallowed, the way his throat worked, and the way his entire body seemed tense.

God, the sexual chemistry I felt with him was so strong, but for the last two months, I’d kept busy, not about to try and let those emotions and feelings consume me.

I’m doing a shit job.

And I was. God, I was doing a shit job.

“No, Sir,” I finally said, smoothed my sweaty palms down my thighs, turned, and left. I swear I felt his eyes on me, and when I reached his door, grabbed the handle, and was about to open it, I looked over my shoulder. I don’t know why I did, but I caught him checking out my ass. He slowly lifted his gaze to mine, seemingly unashamed or apologetic that he’d just gotten caught.

No, he seemed pleased I’d seen him.

Jenika Snow is a USA Today Bestselling Author that lives in the northwest with her husband and their two daughters. Before she started writing full-time she worked as a nurse.

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