Archives for June 2015

Too Hip For Love by Sindra Van Yssel

June 24, 2015 By Leave a Comment

HIP
Too Hip For Love by Sindra Van Yssel
Publisher: Loose Id
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (102 pages)
Other: BDSM, M/F, M/F/M, F/F, Multiple Partners, Anal Play, Toys, Spanking, Voyeurism
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Lisianthus

For years Karen has gone to Parker’s home every Saturday afternoon to be tied up, spanked, and aroused by the masterful Dom. She loves being his toy, but it’s all just play. While Parker loves to play with her body and her mind, he’s too good a man to play with her heart. And getting too wrapped up in one person would make it harder to have fun kinky times with others. But now Karen wants something more than a reliable top. She wants love, like her friends Craig and Alicia have, and a future with someone, even if she has to give up kink to get it.

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Karen and Parker have a once weekly arrangement where they get together and she submits to him, but nothing exclusive or permanent. Only Karen seems ready to settle down, and finds herself jealous of Parker with other women, and Parker doesn’t really want to see her dating anyone else.

This is an interesting dynamic for a romance, they are already sexually intimate, and in some ways emotionally intimate, but they aren’t exclusive and neither is ready to admit that they have already found the perfect relationship in each other.

It was refreshing to see these two work for their relationship, they didn’t just meet and fall in love, they had to work on building a real relationship, and I rooted for them. I do admit the injury to get her into his house seemed a bit contrived, but it still worked to force them to face their relationship fears.

I loved all the sexual scenes, they were well plotted and very steamy. I definitely enjoyed the inventive scenes and Ms. Yssel seems to have done a lot of research into the BDSM lifestyle. There is one scene early on where Karen is tied up and multiple people, both female and male help with the scene and Karen purposely asks to not know who was involved.

I highly recommend this story and it was a great way to pass an afternoon.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

AUTHOR PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

June 23, 2015 By 2 Comments

anniversary header 2015 copy

Long and Short Reviews is having a huge 8th Anniversary Bash!!

This celebration is for all fiction genres we feature and review (romance, erotic romance, YA/Middle Grade, Mystery/Suspense, SFF and mainstream fiction) and will run August 17 – 28, 2015. We expect a huge turnout, with thousands of visitors, just like we’ve had every year on our anniversary! It’s a chance for some significant exposure. We’ll also be heavily promoting on all our social media accounts.

In addition to several other prizes (including books and author swag), we plan on giving away at least two $100 Amazon/BN GCs, and several smaller Amazon/BN GCs, all of which are sure to be a draw. If we get enough author participation, we’ll have even more GC prizes!

Author participation will cost $10 per book, but you will receive a $5 credit toward any ad or service offered by Long and Short Reviews or by our sister site, Goddess Fish Promotions. So, it’s practically free!

This year, we’ll be doing a scavenger hunt. We’ll create a blog post with your book information, cover, links and your author bio. The readers will need to read your blurb (and so get to learn about your book) and answer a question about it in order to enter via rafflecopter which will also have your cover and a link to your post. Here is an example of what the rafflecopter entry will look like:

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If you have any questions, please email us at lasreviews@gmail.com

Thank you,

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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With:

PUBLISHER PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

anniversary header 2015 copy

Long and Short Reviews is having a huge 8th Anniversary Bash!!

This celebration is for all fiction genres we feature and review (romance, erotic romance, YA/Middle Grade, Mystery/Suspense, SFF and mainstream fiction) and will run August 17 – 28, 2015. We expect a huge turnout, with thousands of visitors, just like we’ve had every year on our anniversary! It’s a chance for some significant exposure. We’ll also be heavily promoting on all our social media accounts.

In addition to several other prizes (including books and author swag), we plan on giving away at least two $100 Amazon/BN GCs, and several smaller Amazon/BN GCs, all of which are sure to be a draw. If we get enough participation, we’ll have even more GC prizes!

This year, we’ll be doing a scavenger hunt. For publishers, we’ll create a blog post with your publishing house information, logo graphic and links. The readers will need to read about you (and so get to learn about what you offer) and answer a question about it in order to enter via rafflecopter which will also have your logo and a link to your post. Here is an example of what the rafflecopter entry will look like:

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To participate, please fill out this form: http://form.jotformpro.com/form/41817593152962

Deadline to apply is August 1, 2015

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Thank you,

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Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With:

People of the Songtrail by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear

June 23, 2015 By 1 Comment

PEOPLE
People of the Songtrail by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear
Publisher: Tor Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Historical, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (342 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Myrtle

On the shores of the sparsely populated American wilderness, a small group of intrepid settlers have landed, seeking freedom to worship and prosper far from the religious strife and political upheaval that plague a war-ridden Europe . . .

500 years before Columbus set sail.

While it has long been known that Viking ships explored the American coast, recent archaeological evidence suggests a far more vast and permanent settlement. It is from this evidence that archaeologists and early American history experts Kathy and Michael Gear weave their extraordinary tale.

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Five Hundred years before Columbus, the Vikings set sail. When they landed and met Native Americans, both worlds changed forever, but none more so than young Thyra, an accomplished practitioner of Odin magic.

The year is A.D. 1002, and warfare has broken out in Europe after King Aethelred’s slaughter of the Danish part of England, the Danelaw. In the midst of the turmoil, a great Viking seeress is kidnapped and her young daughter, Thyra, enslaved.

Thirteen years later, Thyra finds herself aboard a Viking ship filled with colonists headed to Vinland. Though she is a thrall to the wicked Thorlak the Lawspeaker, Thyra has been learning the skills of the Darkness-Riders, powerful practitioners of Odin magic. Her goal is to find her mother. As the mystery of who abducted her mother and what happened to her unfolds, it becomes clear Thyra is not the only person trying to find the legendary Vethild. In England, King Aethelred’s son, Edmund, is massing forces to seize his father’s throne, and the Danish king is just waiting for the clash so he can attack and take England as his own. All sides want Vethild. Some want her alive. Some want her dead.

The story includes majestic descriptions of crossing the ocean during the Medieval Warm Period, a dramatic period of global warming, and murderous confrontations between North America’s native peoples and Vikings. The violence is softened by touches of mysticism and magic that enhance the plot.

The thread that binds the story together is the growing romance between the young Anchorite slave, Kiran, and Thyra. But two of the most complex and interesting characters are the rough-hewn former criminal, Godi Gunnar, and a tenderhearted Native American shaman, old Asson. Asson’s people, the People of the Songtrail, know they must defeat the Viking invaders or they will never be safe.

This marvelous story also features a Glossary of Terms, which is helpful with the Norse terminology used throughout the book.

If you enjoy historical fiction featuring ancient cultures in the American wilderness or sailing the sea with Norsemen, then this story of first contact between Native Americans and Vikings is an absolute must-read!

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

All’s Fair in Love and Scandal by Caroline Linden

June 23, 2015 By Leave a Comment

LOVE
All’s Fair in Love and Scandal by Caroline Linden
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (176 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Bluet

Nothing wagered…

Listen to what your people really need and give it to them cheap cialis for sale – or explain why you can’t provide it at this time. Placing the order online requires very few efforts and extremely short time. generic cialis tonysplate.com Second, it does not increase buy viagra from canada the sexual desire of the user. So, never left untreated sex related problems. lowest prices cialis Douglas Bennet can’t resist a good wager, especially not one that involves a beautiful woman. When a friend proposes an audacious plan to expose the most notorious woman in England, Douglas agrees at once. After all, it would be quite a coup to discover the true identity of Lady Constance, author of the infamous erotic serial scandalizing the ton, 50 Ways to Sin.

Nothing won…

Madeline Wilde is used to being pursued. For years she’s cultivated a reputation for being unattainable and mysterious, and for good reason: her livelihood depends on discretion. When Douglas turns his legendary charm on her, she dismisses him as just another rake. But he surprises her—instead of merely trying to seduce her, he becomes her friend…her confidant…and her lover. But can it really lead to happily-ever-after…or are they about to become the biggest scandal London has ever seen?

I have a love / hate relationship with novellas. On the whole, I generally find that they don’t tend to have characters who are fleshed out enough, or a plot that is satisfying. I’m happy to say that’s not the case here. Douglas Bennet is your typical young gentleman who enjoys, among other things, women and wagers. When an opportunity presents itself that involves both, he can’t resist. At a ball, a friend wagers that he won’t be able to convince the aloof widow, Madeline Wilde, to dance. Sure of his charms, he takes the bet, only to be turned down.

Rather than become discouraged, he finds himself intrigued by the beautiful lady, who doesn’t dance or socialize. The stakes are upped when his friend tells him that he suspects Madeline of being the mysterious author of a scandalous publication called 50 Ways to Sin. There is a substantial reward offered for being able to prove the author’s true identity, so Douglas is even more intrigued. I found Douglas to be charming, if a bit shallow at the beginning. But the more he pursued Madeline and got to know her, the more he developed as a person. I love that he realized and admitted his feelings for Madeline and became protective. Madeline was a bit of a mystery for most of the story. She was widowed, but not a whole lot of information about her first marriage was given. I got the impression that it was not an unhappy union, though not a great love match. I wondered what it was that made her so aloof. Why would she attend all these functions if she didn’t dance or socialize, or if she weren’t looking for a husband or lover? I enjoyed watching her walls crumble as Douglas wore down her resistance.

All’s Fair in Love and Scandal is a must read if you’re following Caroline Linden’s Scandalous series, and the continuing saga of the mysterious 50 Ways to Sin. You can read this as a standalone, but will appreciate it much more if you’ve read the previous novels. I enjoyed watching the passion and love develop in two very different personalities. As far as Madeline’s mysterious behavior, you’ll have to read and discover the answer for yourself. I recommend that you do, as it’s a lovely and enjoyable journey.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Centerfold by Kris Norris

June 23, 2015 By 1 Comment

CENTER
Centerfold by Kris Norris
Publisher: Totally Bound
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Short Story (123 pages)
Other: MMF, MM, MF, anal play/intercourse, spanking, exhibitionism
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Honeysuckle

Lights. Camera…die.

Detective Scarlet Reid has spent the past three months trying to make her alter ego, Ms. December, a ghost of Christmas past. Forced to become the sexy centerfold in a high-stakes undercover assignment, she’s spent more time pulling copies of her naked butt off the bulletin boards at the precinct than she has collaring criminals—and it’s far from over.

A deadly agenda. A gruesome new case has revealed a disturbing trend—one that has placed Scarlet on a list of possible targets. With limited options, she’s going to have to resurrect Ms. December—and her old partnership—which means facing the one man who stole more than just a kiss.

A love worth fighting for. Federal Agent Roman Kinkaid has some explaining to do. His final assignment with Scarlet changed him, and he’s been running from her ever since. But he’s ready to make things right—only he’s not alone. His partner and lover, Special Agent Aiden Cross, is just as invested and determined as Roman is to claim Scarlet as theirs. And they aren’t taking no for an answer, especially when their souls—and Scarlet’s life—are on the line.
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They have three weeks to catch the stalker before Scarlet’s time runs out and they lose their one chance at a happy ending.

Angel is a centerfold. Okay, so the popular 80’s song by the J Giles Band pretty much became a reoccurring earworm throughout reading this sexy little short story.

Scarlet, aka Ms. December, is deep undercover when the book opens. Actually, she’s very exposed and is wishing for some cover. I had to laugh in the beginning because she is so clearly uncomfortable in her role as a play bunny being photographed in her birthday suit. She holds her cover well and thanks to a nasty little man who likes to watch, she gets some serious and sweaty one on one time with her partner, Roman. And then all goes to pot. No pun intended but readers will understand that line when they read the book.

Circumstances bring them back to the scene of a crime but it isn’t just Scarlet and Roman. Roman’s partner in and out of bed, Aiden, has feelings for Scarlet and is determined to keep her safe so he and Roman can show her they’re in it for the long haul.

The story was fun and well developed. The sex, HOT! Great dialogue and a villain who isn’t revealed until the very end. There are clues and red herrings but it was fun to guess along the way. This story had it all. What I liked best were the characters themselves. I wish I knew how Roman and Aiden became a couple. These guys are both heavy on the alpha side and both happy to give an erotic spanking when opportunity presents itself. Let’s just say they’re a tiny bit obsessed with Scarlet’s posterior. But it’s sweet and sexy at the same time. They truly dote on her and I couldn’t help but love watching them engage.

Something else I appreciated about this book is that Ms. Norris didn’t weigh the story down with tragic back stories for the characters. They are all in law enforcement in one form or another and the present is what’s emphasized rather than their pasts. I’m not saying how they came to be in the present isn’t important but where they’ve been isn’t as important as where they’re going. The only caveat to that is that I didn’t get to see how Scarlet came to be interested in Aiden before he enters the picture and she’s admitting to herself that she’s been attracted since the first time they met. That was glossed over but it didn’t kill the book for me. I was cheering for them as soon as Aiden walked into the room and started taking charge. It was intoxicating.

I could happily read more stories with Scarlet, Roman and Aiden at center stage. The chemistry was there and so was the love.

This is a quick read for someone who doesn’t have much time but wants a story that is totally satisfying. I’ll be checking out more Ms. Norris’ books to find other great stories.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stay of Execution by Kellie Larsen Murphy

June 22, 2015 By 2 Comments

STAY
Stay of Execution by Kellie Larsen Murphy
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Mystery/Suspense, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (311 pgs)
Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Little Springs was just a small college town, the kind of town where everyone knew everyone and violent crime was nonexistent—until a series of rapes and murders at the college. After an outbreak of fear and hysteria, only the arrest and conviction of Leo Spradlin, the “Co-Ed Killer,” could end the terror.

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Stay of Execution opens every bit as grim as we expect from the title. It’s a small town and the conviction rang true, way back when, and a little matter of changing evidence isn’t going to change people’s minds. They know who the guilty party is.

Detective Michael Cancini is devastated to see this old case fall through: it was a seriously dark case, involving the years-ago deaths of five young women. New evidence came to light, and it changes everything…and unknown to him, a young reporter, Julia Manning, has also decided to investigate.

Eerily, we can see into the minds of all three: the two ‘on the case’ as well as the killer. Ms. Murphy presents these viewpoints skillfully, and we slowly begin to puzzle out this crime, both from the strictly evidence-collected side, as well as from the motivation side. We also get a strong sense of public opinion; a sense of the fear running through the small town. There were the rapes and murders and now there might be… revenge? The possibility of revenge amps up what is already an eerie mystery to one more fitting in the ‘thriller’ category.

The forensic evidence, faults with DNA testing, and what caused the re-examination of evidence is thoroughly discussed, in an interesting and informative way. Fans of the facts-based contemporary mystery/whodunits will really enjoy the discussions focused on forensics. The case doesn’t dwell long on forensics though; various characters carry the story forward at speed. The local barkeep knows everyone, or he knows someone who knows someone. Regular old gossips supply some information, too. There’s a real sense that everyone’s business is known and discussed, but for some things… it’s not.

The author’s maddeningly casual approach to pronouns makes you guess about who is meant, on occasion. It wouldn’t be so irritating if the story weren’t so riveting! However, it’s a small complaint, in an otherwise well-plotted, well-written mystery. Do put Stay of Execution on your to-read list.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Virtuous Ruby by Piper Huguley

June 22, 2015 By Leave a Comment

RUBY
A Virtuous Ruby by Piper Huguley
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (256 pgs)
Heat level: Sweet
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

An unexpected love in a small, Southern town.

After fifteen months of hiding from the shame of bearing an illegitimate child, two words drive Ruby Bledsoe to face the good citizens of Winslow, Georgia. Never again. She vows to speak out against injustice. For her sisters. For her parents. For her infant son, Solomon.

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Up north, Dr. Adam Morson easily kept his mixed race a secret. Now that he’s in Georgia, summoned by his white father, he can feel restrictions closing in around him.

Something powerful draws him to the beauty whose activist spirit is as fiery as her name. And soon, Adam wants nothing more than to take Ruby and her child far from Georgia’s toxic prejudice. But Ruby must choose between seeking her own happiness and staying to fight for the soul of her hometown.

Ruby Bledsoe is known through out Winslow, Georgia as having a fiery spirit and being an activist for justice, but to some she is no more than a trouble maker. Ruby has been in hiding after the shame of bearing an illegitimate child due to horrific circumstances. When handsome Dr. Adam Morson arrives in town will he becomes the town’s focus?

A Virtuous Ruby is the first installment in a story loaded with promise of an emotional journey and, hopefully romance for this bold heroine, Ruby. This series sets an authentic tone for this young woman’s resiliency, courage and hope for herself and for others. I enjoy reading historical romance novels, but there just seemed to be something missing in this novel. The story didn’t grab me. I finished reading the book, but I wasn’t excited about some of the plot. Trying to keep from stating any spoilers I didn’t like how Reverend Dodge treated Ruby. The characters in the book didn’t come to life. An interesting story was told, but the characters seemed to lack emotion, especially Rudy during her ordeal. I would think she would be mad at David for what he did and for the situation she had to deal with, but it seems Ruby was more interested in fighting for rights for those at the local mill. For the story to be dated back in 1915 I would think Ruby being raped and being left with a child, her having a child and being unmarried wouldn’t have been such a shame to the locals or to the church. If anything I would think during this time the church would have been more compassionate to Ruby and her child.

Despite being a bit predictable, this is an intriguing story that is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed Ruby’s spunk and wiliness to fight for rights against injustice. At her young age she showed a lot of determination and she didn’t let the more powerful beings of the town deter her personal mission. The commitment to God that Ruby displayed even though she was cast out by Reverend Dodge was commendable. Also, the relationship between Ruby and Adam wasn’t pictured as one of lustful attraction where they were rushing into an intimate stage of a relationship, but they seem to make a pleasant couple with the things that they have in common.

Though this wasn’t classified as a book that stands out for me, I still found the story enjoyable because it focused on true to life circumstances and even though Ruby is just 18 her calling in life proved to be to always help others.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

A Secret Until Now by Kim Lawrence

June 22, 2015 By Leave a Comment

SECRET
A Secret Until Now by Kim Lawrence
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Short Story (143 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

One scorching night, one secret never to be told…

Angel Urquart didn’t sign up for this. A photo shoot on an island paradise? Yes. Working alongside Alex Arlov? Definitely not! Six years ago he showed her passion she’d only ever dreamed of, but after his behavior the following morning, she resolved to put him out of her head forever.

The Tar sticks viagra samples to clothing, skin, and the inside of our bodies to be a temple of cleanliness and purity. The male organ deeprootsmag.org levitra pills from canada contains two chambers – the corpora cavernosa – erectile parts of the penis. Q- How is erectile dysfunction treated ?Ans- order generic viagra How erectile dysfunction stops him from gaining erections. The majority of side effects you will experience buy tadalafil cheap when you go through male menopause. Seeing Angel brings all sorts of memories flooding back to Alex—memories that stir up a forgotten hunger. Alex sees no reason why they can’t indulge in one more blazing night together, but Angel has a secret that will turn their lives upside down….

This is a cute little story that explores another version of the one night stand with consequences scenario. What makes it enjoyable is the heroine, Angel. My favorite scene early in the book was Alex’s recounting of how he first met her. It was so romantic. What follows is his trying to win Angel over and her confounding him and resisting him, sometimes not so successfully, through the rest of the story. It was fun.

The one thing that stands out about the heroine is her refusal to accept any help from Alex. She’s independent and proud to be supporting her daughter. She’s a mom first and that’s something to respect.

As for how she’s depicted in the novel, Angel is likeable and chatty with a sharp and funny wit. It’s the head-hopping from her to Alex that slowed the pace of the story. The heroine talks to herself a lot and is very conflicted. Inasmuch as I liked hearing from both her and Alex’s point of view, the delivery was enough to throw me or slow my reading pace down dramatically.

Alex was a typical HQ hero – manly, confident, competent, sensual, commanding, and one prone to assumptions, critique and an issuer of orders. Such is the alpha male that everyone kowtows to, except the heroine. She is exactly what he needs, and why he fights so hard against the truth. The truth is – that one night’s connection all those years ago left an indelible mark on his heart but Alex is too stubborn and afraid to acknowledge it or pursue it. It’s his body’s memory of her that propels him like a moth to a flame and it’s easy for him to categorize it as only a physical attraction and deny the rest. Yet, as certain situations arise, a reader sees little by little how Angel, by just being herself, works the rest of her way into his heart and helps him navigate the guilt from the past so he can emotionally move forward in his life. It’s a powerful component of the plot and it works.

One of the scenes described was about Angel’s friend Clara. I have no idea why that gave me the giggles; I think it was how the author wrote the scene. Certainly I snickered quite a bit afterwards. The most profound scene occurred when Angel and Alex finally talk, finally put all the cards on the table, and I could not have asked for a better response from a hero than what Alex told her after the big reveal. That is what romance stories are all about.

A Secret Until Now is a classic styled HQ romance that entertains and engages a reader. There are the requisite personal struggles and conflicts they have to overcome and together, the heroine and hero come out stronger and more whole through the healing power of love. It’s worth reading and I enjoyed it.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

How to Handle Negative Criticism by Kellie Larsen Murphy

June 22, 2015 By 12 Comments

NBTM_TourBanner_StayOfExecution copy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kellie Larsen Murphy will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Please see our review of this book HERE.

How to Handle Negative Criticism

“Such flat-footed writing, dull vocabulary, lack of wit and style. Characters underdeveloped and pretty much interchangeable—just mouthpieces for the plot really.” (1)

Ouch. That’s not a favorable book review no matter how you slice it. Okay, so at least the reviewer implies there is a plot but still… These reviews aren’t much better:

“It’s not a horrible book. But it is not very clever and it is not very engaging.” (2)

“This was a huge disappointment. Plot was lacking, as was any sort of inspiration. I don’t know who wrote this book. Just isn’t good.” (3)

“The worst part was the writing. The dialog was riddled with speech which would not have been appropriate for the time or the class of the people speaking.” (4)

“Terribly written, rambling and thrown together. Absurd plot and entanglements. What a waste of my time.” (5)

Every one of the above reviews is bad and to make matters worse, they are all REAL one-star reviews posted on Amazon. Even more amazing is that each of those reviews is for books that currently sit on the New York Times Best Seller List! Wow! What’s my point? Simply put, it doesn’t matter how well-loved a book is, it will still have bad reviews. In recent weeks, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN has sat at the top or near the top of many bestsellers’ lists. It has earned more than 20,000 reviews on Amazon! Frankly, that number is just mind-blowing to me, but equally mind-blowing is realizing that more than 2,000 of those reviews are one or two-stars! Even so, I don’t think Paula Hawkins is too concerned. She has more reviews than most authors get throughout their entire career. Still, in spite of her success, there are readers who took the time to post negative reviews. So, what does that mean? To me, it means people are reading her book and at the end of the day, that’s what every author wants.

Yes, it stinks for an author when they get a bad review…or two…or dozens. So, how should the author handle it? Easy. LET IT GO. Yes, let it go—even if the review criticizes the writing but is filled with misspellings. Even if the reviewer clearly didn’t finish the book. Even if the review started with “I don’t like romances” and the book is science fiction. LET IT GO! Why? Because authors are supposed to be professional. Every reader (and I do mean every single one of them) is entitled to their opinion. As authors, we don’t have to agree or like it, but responding only makes the author appear thin-skinned and petty. And let’s be honest, that is a recipe for losing sales.

While it’s important to avoid responding to those negative reviews (take ten breaths, walk away, anything that works!), it is equally important to pay attention to them. If the number of one and two star reviews creeps over 25% of total reviews, the author may have a problem. Is there a common theme in those reviews? Is it something fixable? If the writer is an independent author, then they have the opportunity to swallow their pride and release a revised edition. If not, then the author should keep those reviews in the back of their mind when writing the next book. While it’s impossible to please every reader, aiming for the majority should be every author’s goal.
Negative reviews are no fun. They are deflating and discouraging, but trust me, LET IT GO and eventually the sting will fade. Even the classic, Maurice Sendak’s WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE, got this review, “This book suckith!”

Reviews quoted above are for the following bestsellers:
(1) THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins
(2) LUCKIEST GIRL ALIVE by Jessica Knoll
(3) BEACH TOWN by Mary Kay Andrews
(4) AT THE WATER’S EDGE by Sara Gruen
(5) THE BONE TREE (PENN CAGE) by Greg Iles

MediaKit_BookCover_StayOfExecutionLittle Springs was just a small college town, the kind of town where everyone knew everyone and violent crime was nonexistent–until a series of rapes and murders at the college. After an outbreak of fear and hysteria, only the arrest and conviction of Leo Spradlin, the “Co-Ed Killer,” could end the terror.

Years later, Spradlin is suddenly cleared based on unshakable DNA evidence, and no one is more surprised than Detective Mike Cancini. As new questions surround the identity of the true “Co-Ed Killer,” Cancini struggles to accept his role in the conviction of an innocent man. Suspicions mount when Spradlin’s release coincides with a fresh wave of rapes and murders at the college, eerily reminiscent of the original crimes. Cancini is drawn back to Little Springs, caught in a race against time to uncover the identity of the latest “Co-Ed Killer” before the next girl dies…

A tension-filled psychological mystery, STAY OF EXECUTION is also a novel about loyalty, deceit, and the darker side of truth.

Enjoy an excerpt:

The boy looked up at the tall trees, their branches thick and twisted, blocking the warmth from the sun. He pulled the strings of his knapsack tight and walked faster. Feet moving quickly over the slippery ground cover, he tripped, falling forward toward the round trunk of a large oak. “Stupid root. Stupid trees.” Picking himself up, he wiped his hands on his jeans, the brown, wet moss leaving marks on the worn pants. It was only then that he noticed what had caused his fall. Not a root. A leg. He stepped closer to see a bare leg, a woman’s leg, covered in dirt and leaves as though someone had tried to hide her. The boy’s eyes widened, and he screamed. Turning, he ran from the woods toward the first house he could find, still screaming.

About the Author:MediaKit_AuthorPhoto_StayOfExecutionKellie Larsen Murphy is the author of A Guilty Mind and Stay of Execution, the first two books in the Detective Cancini Mystery series. She has written for several mid-Atlantic magazines and resides in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, four children, and two very large, very hairy dogs.

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Buy the book at Amazon, digital or print, or Barnes and Noble, digital or print.

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