Bullying Within the Author Community...Yes, it happens here too

Thankfully, I have only dealt with this once in my career and I hope to never deal with it again but sadly, bullying in the author community is becoming very real.  I have heard about it over and over again and I truly think it needs to be addressed for many reasons.  I will say that I don't believe that my blog will stop all of these bullies nor do I think that I have the power to do that.  I equally know that I may be getting looks of anger from the people guilty of this very thing and I may even receive retaliation.  I hope someone wouldn't be that childish but the possibility is there.  Still, writing this is worth it because at least I've put it out there. I think before I go any further I should note that I won't be calling out anyone.  I promise.  So, please read until you reach the end.
First, I will explain how this is happening because honestly, there may be someone who is bullying and don't realize that they are doing this.  I'm always an author before reviewer or blogger so I'll begin with how authors are being bullied.
Authors get reviews.  We get them through bloggers and professional reviewers.  We get them from people who picked up our books because they thought it was interesting because of the cover or the synopsis.  Regardless of the work we put into our books or anything else, we realize there is a chance that the person who just picked up our book won't like it.  We can't please everyone because everyone has different tastes.  We also realize they may write a bad review.  I will be honest and tell you that I love my reviews because they tell me what I'm doing right and what needs to improve.  The reviews I don't like are the ones that tear down.  I don't care if they are mine or someone else's reviews, if I read a review that spews absolute hate to the point where I wonder if there was a personal vendetta, it makes me cringe.  It makes it even worse when I can't see anywhere in their statements that they have read the book.  I wish that I could tell you that the bullying ends there.  It did in my case but I've witnessed fellow writers go through much worse. The worst example has come from a reviewer that has threatened the people who support the author they are attacking.  Understand that I believe that it is highly unprofessional.  It should not happen.  Also, know that I will not respect a reviewer who does any of these things or worse.  Yes, I do realize that it can become even worse than what I've mentioned.
Now, I will write about the flip side of the coin.  I read an article about a woman who reviewed a book and was contacted by someone claiming to represent the author asking her to change her mind about her review.  From what I understand this person became very angry when she refused and began to harass her.  As someone who can see both sides of this, I was horrified.  This should not happen.  I would like to put this out there...If I see all five star ratings and reviews and no one star or two star ratings and reviews, I become suspicious of whether they are true.
Also, just a short note on bloggers who are bullied and how to prevent being a bully:  If you don't agree with a blogger, quit reading their blog.  Don't start a campaign to stop it.  It's that simple.  It's the same thing with an author.  If you don't like their books, don't read them.
Now, to everyone who has been bullied, don't give up what you love.  Continue on.  You will find support in those who truly care.  Those are the ones who matter.  As for me, I will continue to support authors, bloggers and reviewers who are true.  I will not quit supporting them due to threats.  I will review the books that I want to review without tearing down the author's works because even if I didn't like it all, there was something in the book that I did like.  I will respect the author by pointing out the good and telling them what needs to be improved.  I support reviewers who are honest.  I'll end this by saying, don't be a bully.  Thank you for reading.

My Soul Searching Review of Dead Girls Don't Blog by Pamela Frost Dennis

I started Dead Girls Don't Blog by Pamela Frost Dennis unsure as to what I would find when I opened the book and began to read.  What I found was a story that surprised me.  Mrs. Dennis wrote her story in a way that twisted my mind and made me question what would be right or wrong.  As I journeyed through this book, I found myself questioning what I would do in a similar situation.  I will admit that I did take my time with this book because of the extreme emotions the story incited.  I had to analyze not only the book but myself.  So, please remember that as I write this review.  

I'll start with the setting.  I loved that the story took place in Santa Lucia, California.  It gave a vibrant backdrop to a very sad story.  The setting showed a nice neighborhood along with a college atmosphere ripe with fraternities and sororities.  I have to give Mrs. Dennis kudos for that.  The setting allowed some light into a dark situation.

Now, I will get to the characters.  I loved Katy.  She made me smile and she seemed like someone that I would be friends with.  Equally, I loved her mother, father, Sam and grandmother, Ruby and of course, Josh the Viking too.  Even her pets, Daisy and Tabitha were wonderful.  Surprisingly, I found that I liked Jake and Phil and that's where my feelings become conflicted.  I can understand these characters.  I can understand what led them to their fates and it shook me.

That leads me to the story itself.  When I pick up a book, I want conflicts and emotion but I also want something that makes me think.  This book did that.  It made me think and see mistakes.  This book made me experience humanity in a very raw form.  So, I am in awe of the talent of Mrs. Pamela Frost Dennis.  

So, now I am to the part where I give something that I disliked about the book.  The problem is that I couldn't find one thing wrong.  I loved it.  I can't wait to read book two.  Thank you for a wonderful story, Pamela Frost Dennis.  

My Rating: 5 

My book cover rating:  3

Why I Also Give Reviews

A question was asked by a reader and I thought that since it applied to me as an author AND as a reader, I should answer it here.  The question was...Why do you give reviews on other author's books?  They posed it as a negative question because not all reviews are perfect fives and I would like to explain in a way that they understand and most authors would respect.

As an author, reviews help me know that people like my book.  Yes, I realize that not all reviews of my work will receive five stars and the amazing truth is that I wouldn't want them to.  I would want them to be honest because they let me know what I can improve on and what I did well.  Second, I wouldn't want someone to look at my reviews and think I paid for them.  I have heard of this happening.  I don't think it's right.  I have also heard that reviewers have been bullied before after giving a review that the bully didn't like.  I don't condone that.  So, I would like to go on record to say that if anyone harasses you over my books or their reviews, please let me know.  It is unprofessional for me to allow that to happen.  Now, that being said, there is another spectrum, Trolls are everywhere and this is no exception.  There have been authors who receive fake bad reviews or maybe they read the book and decided to be nasty.  Trolls don't help anyone.  They tear down and give no way that the book could be improved.  So, as an author HONEST reviews help me.  I do realize that I will get some five star reviews which are wonderful if you truly love the book.  I understand I'll get four stars.  I love four stars.  Four stars are not bad.  I may get three stars.  Just so you know...Three stars aren't bad either.  Two stars are fine and even one stars.  However, all I ask is that you leave the reason for your rating whether it be a great, a good or a bad rating and don't be nasty about it.  

Now, I'll explain why I write a blog with reviews and I leave them on amazon, goodreads, Shelfari and Rifflebooks.  I'll explain this as a reader.  Not only do I think it helps the author to hear what I enjoyed about the book or didn't enjoy but I think it gives the author who put their blood, sweat and tears into their work a thank you.  It also shows them that you respect their work.  It helps them get sales.  As a reader, I am suspicious of when I see all glowing reviews and there a lot of them.  I'm not talking about the books that have only a few reviews.  I'm talking about the ones who have a lot.  Statistically, someone is going to give you at least a three star review.  So, that does turn me off of a book sometimes.  I don't get paid for my reviews.  They are honest.  I DO feel bad about bad reviews that I have to give but I do put it in a way that I hope helps the author and I also try to respect them and their work as I write the review.

So, even though I'm an author and I know how it feels to get a bad review...I still write reviews.  As an author, I understand that not everyone is going to like my books.  That's okay.  That's normal but I still like the reviews.  Please give them.  So, there is the answer to that question.  By the way, most authors do give reviews.  We know how much it helps.

Feeling Emotional with Of Mice and Men

This is one classic that I have never read.  So, I was very excited to start this adventure.  Also, I had never heard the synopsis or anything to do with this book other than references to it in movies.  I must say that it did not prepare me for what I read.  

The setting was wonderful and I learned so much from it about the lives of men who worked on ranches.  I love seeing settings that are filled with different types of people and allows me to discover a different time and place.  This setting did that.  

The characters are very vibrant.  Most of the characters were men but each were different in their own way.  They each had their own hardships and worries and that made them each real.  Because of that, I was able to see the world through their eyes and experience their lives.  My heart ached for most of these men and in most cases, I truly liked them.  There were a few characters that I disliked but they were written to be disliked.  So, Mr. Steinbeck did well when he developed these characters.  The story itself was heart-wrenching.  It was a story about dreams and broken dreams and how life intertwines with death.  It really involves all of your emotions which is what a good book does.  The characters and their stories will live with me long after reading this book.  Now, the only thing that I did have a problem with was the language.  I had to remind myself frequently that the book was written in a different time.  After jumping over that hurdle, I was able to enjoy the story.  

Finally, I do recommend this book to anyone who loves a good classic.  It really is a good story that is well-written and is able to make you become emotionally involved.  

My Rating: 4

Book Cover Rating: 4

Taking Some Liberties: My review of Liberty for Paul by Rose Gordon

I have literally just finished Liberty for Paul so it is still very fresh in my mind...Which is a good thing because you'll know that this review is from someone who is still living in the story.  

First, I would like to say that I did read the first book in The Scandalous Sisters Series by the name of Intentions of the Earl.  It was a wonderful story and if you want to read my review on it, you'll find it in the older posts.  That said, I was greatly excited to read this book especially since Liberty and Paul were introduced in the first book and they were very interesting characters.  So, I had great optimism while beginning their story.  

I suppose I'll review the setting first.  England is always an interesting place especially at a time when balls were thrown and marriages were negotiated in very interesting ways.  Thankfully, Mrs. Gordon does give us a very detailed view into English society.  Also, she doesn't just show us the pretty parts of society but also the ugly parts of society too.  So, her setting was beautifully written and diverse.  

The characters are vibrant and interesting.  I was so glad to see that Liberty evolved from being plain to beautiful.  I loved that Paul even before he loved her could see that beauty.  The rest of the characters are vibrant and they have personalities that you can find yourself becoming engaged with.  I was also happy to find that Rose Gordon showed characters who may be dressed well but had horrible personalities or vice versa.  They could wear rags and be the most wonderful people.  It was very refreshing.  

The story itself was well plotted.  I loved it.  The way they misunderstood each other reminds me of the atmosphere of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  They truly do get to know each other and you get to see them fall in love.  By the way, I loved the arguments they had.  It made me laugh out loud quite a bit.    So, there is quite a bit of humor in this book.  

So, I guess I'm saying that this is one of those books that I will reread over and over again.  I love it.  I can't think of one thing wrong with the story, the setting or the characters.  I am looking forward to reading the third book.  I would like to say thank you to Rose Gordon for entertaining me.  It's such a beautiful story.  I recommend Liberty for Paul for anyone who loves a really good romance.  

 

Book Rating: 5 (I would give it more if I could)

Book Cover Rating: 5

Searching for Werewolves with Lori Handeland in Blue Moon

I love werewolf books especially werewolf romances. So, whenever I can get my hands on a werewolf book I do devour them.  Unfortunately, I am often left disappointed.  I am happy to say that this one did not leave me feeling that way at all.  So, this will be an enjoyable review.  

I'll start with the setting.  Miniwa is the perfect setting for werewolves.  It's a small town.  It's a bit of a tourist attraction but it is surrounded by forests and Native American legends.  In other words, there are plenty of dark, shadowy areas to hide in at night and it's a normal little town during the day (Except for the werewolves).  Miniwa is perfect and becomes a character in the book which is what you always look for in a good setting.  

The characters are beautifully written and absolutely believable.  I was very happy that the main character, Jessie isn't the most beautiful girl in the room.  As a matter of fact, she often describes herself as plain and so do other characters.  William Codote is beautiful inside and out but he has a vulnerability that is endearing.  I absolutely adored Edward Mandenauer's character.  Again, Mrs. Handeland is original in that he is an elderly man who fights werewolves.  Other characters such as Zelda, Clyde, Cherry and the rest of the characters in this book are very much characters that you can fall in love with.  

The story took me a minute to get into.  The very beginning dragged just a little but not enough to really bore me.  Once the action began, it kept going and I was able to be a bit more engaged.  The only part, I wish she had slowed down on is the love story.  They went from meeting to involved so quickly that you had to ask how it happened.  Still, it wasn't enough for me to focus on for too long.  The background of these characters is very interesting.  I love History and Legends and I was glad to see those intertwined in the story.  

So, the rating...I will give this book a 4.8 rating just because of the little bit of drag and then, the rush of the romance but I have high hopes that the next book will be more balanced in those areas.  I love the cover.  It's beautiful.  So, the cover gets a 5.  I do recommend this book to anyone who loves paranormal romance, werewolf romance or a story steeped in History and legend.  I would like to take the time to thank Lori Handeland for writing such a stellar book.  It's beautifully written.  

Book rating: 4.8

Cover rating: 5

Call Me Investigating with Dani Ripper

I started the first of the Dani Ripper Novels, Call Me with a lot of interest.  The Summary was gripping and I sat down and read Call Me and entered the world of Dani Ripper.  

First, the setting and back story.  It takes place partially in Cincinnati and partially in Nashville.  Since, I am from a town two hours away from Nashville and I'm a bit homesick, I was extremely happy to find that at least some of the setting would be there.  The background of Dani Ripper is interesting and I found that I was engaged with her. 

When it comes to the characters, I really did like Dani.  However, the rest of the characters were hard to find believable.  I kind of liked Sophie but not enough to see the relationship between Sophie and Dani.   I kind of liked Ben but not enough to see that relationship either.  So, I tried but the only one I could find believable besides Dani was Detective Aub and he wasn't in the book enough to keep me interested in the characters.  

The plot was interesting and I did find myself interested in the actual story line but I did feel that it should have had more detail in parts but for the most part it did keep me engaged.  So, I enjoyed the story.  

So, I would recommend this story to people who want to read a detective's novel even though the characters left me feeling a bit disappointed.  

My rating: 2.9

Cover Rating: 3