The Importance of Book Reviews

 

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Click here to visit Eileen O'Finlan's Website

As any authors can tell you, book reviews are extremely important. That's why so many of us include a call to action for a book review at the end of our novels. The more reviews we get, the better our sales.  I can't stress enough how important it is for authors to get reviews,whether it's on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnesandnoble.com or where ever you purchase your books. This is especially true for authors who are not huge household names like Stephen King or James Patterson. They don't have to worry about it, but the rest of us do.

However, I think some folks are intimidated by the thought of writing a review. I get that. But it's not as hard as you might think. You do not have to be a professional reviewer. No one expects that. It's actually very easy. All you have to do is click on the number of stars you want to give the book, then type something like: "I liked this book because..." or "My favorite part of this book was..." (just don't give away any spoilers). It doesn't have to be long. Even a sentence or two is fine. If you want to get more creative, by all means, go right ahead. It may also help to read some of the other reviews and see how they were written. The important thing is that you write something - anything!

The only other thing to know is that most sites will require you to give your review a title. All that needs to be is one line from your review or something as simple as "Great Book!"

I hope that quells any fears about leaving a public book review. Believe me, authors are extremely grateful. In fact, I want to take this moment to give a huge THANK YOU! to everyone who has left a review for either of Kelegeen or Erin's Children. You are the best!

Characters who struggle to break Unhealthy patterns by Jay Lang

 

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http://bookswelove.net/lang-jay/

      In this first chapter, I wanted to show how trusting people who don’t value us can put us in compromising positions, and how hard it can be to break free from these unhealthy patterns.

Chapter One

An angry dark sky invades the bay and forces the rusty orange sunset to disappear into the horizon. Now that night has set in, I don't have much time. I grab anything I can to defend myself, a dull bread knife from the kitchen drawer, the heavy metal poker from the fireplace and a small wooden handled spade from the pantry. Setting everything down but the knife, I hurry through the cabin shutting lights off in every room. When I get to the kitchen, I start to `walk across the floor when I hear a creaking sound coming from the old wooden balcony. Instantly, a wave of terror creeps over me. They're here, I can feel them. I force a shallow breath into my lungs and slowly move toward the balcony. With each step, I try to silence the sound of my feet on the floor. Straining to see through the glass, but the darkness outside has turned the windows into mirrors and all I see is my reflection. My hand shakes as I grasp the wooden handle of the knife. The closer I get to the glass, the more I feel them watching, waiting.

* * *

After days of no sleep, I’m finally drifting off when a hard rap on the door jerks me back to consciousness. I lie motionless in hopes that the pest goes away. No such luck. A sequence of raps repeats followed by the sound of paper being slid under the door. No doubt it’s the landlord gifting me with a final eviction notice. A few seconds later, I hear footsteps walking away. I lie for a few minutes before succumbing to the growing worries in my head, where will I go? How will I feed myself? My job was a shitty one at best, working the night shift at a gas station, but it was a job and considering I have minimal education, I was grateful to have it. About a month ago, Johnny Savage, my brother, or the closest thing I have to one, decided to get hopped up on a cocktail of booze and drugs before stumbling into my work. I left him to watch the front while I quickly ran to the bathroom. Unbeknownst to me, he swiped cash from the till and filled his pockets with cigarettes and anything else 4 he could get his hands on. After viewing the surveillance tape, my boss said nothing, he just pointed at me and then to the front door. My anxiety gains momentum and I concede to the fact that I’ll be adding another evening to my sleep deprivation. Defeated, I get up and walk to the kitchen to make coffee. Just as I’m filling the machine with water, my cell rings. It’s Johnny. I know if I don’t answer, he’ll inundate me with calls and seeing as I’ve been applying for jobs all over Calgary, I can’t afford to turn the phone off. “I’m still pissed at you, Johnny.” “Freedom, I need to see you. It’s urgent.” His breathing is shallow and erratic. “Urgent? Like paying rent or buying food?” “I know, I know. I’m sorry about all that. But I have cash for you. You just have to come and meet me. I’m in big shit, sis and I need you.” Oh great, another rescue mission where I have to drop everything and run to him. Nine times out of ten, by the time I get there, he’s either passed out or he’s forgotten why he called me in the first place. This emergency, I fear, will result with the same outcome and right now, I’m not in the mood. “Johnny, I love you, but I can’t do this anymore. Just go to bed and sleep it off. As for the cash you said you’d give me for rent, I’m tired of waiting.” “Freedom, please. I’m dead serious. I swear I’m on the up and up. Please come,” he pleads with desperation. 

Here, Freedom has come to a fork in the road. She can succumb to Johnny’s plea’s and keep the vortex of co-dependency going, or she can make a stand and break free from his emotional blackmail.

Thoughts About Writing A Novel ~ Theme by Rosemary Morris

To learn more about Rosemary and her work please click on the image above.

Thoughts about Writing a Novel - Theme

 

The theme of a novel is different to the plot. It is the subject. The plot is action, it shows the reader what happens and answers the questions, Who, What, When, Where and How. The theme is often abstract and drives the plot forward. It might focus on the cause of conflict or a main character’s goals. An effective theme should not overpower the plot. It should be used as a background - the characters’ experience, the author’s individual style and word pictures which tie theme and plot together. The beginning of the novel should indicate the theme.

Some themes can be applied to any time and at any place e.g., conflict between family members, others are specific such as an event that could only take place in a country during a particular time, for example, the London Blitz in the 2^nd World War or an issue such as women’s suffrage. Religious intolerance or another form of intolerance also provide strong themes.

Emotion is a thread which can run through a novel and be employed as a theme that creates conflict, for example, any one of the following, fear, greed, hatred, jealousy, loneliness, love, revenge.

Explicit sex is also a theme but, although my novels are sensual, it is not one of my chosen ones.

www.rosemarymorris.

 

Rosemary Morris published by BooksWeLove

 

http://bookswelove.net/authors/morris-rosemary

 

 

Big News in the Sugarwood Mysteries Series by Diane Bator

 

Sugarwood Mysteries has 

a NEW LOOK and a NEW BOOK!!

Audra Clemmings loves Halloween. At least until she sees the display of voodoo dolls in the shop next door that resembles nearly everyone in Sugarwood, Ontario--including her.

Then there's the matter of the dead cowboy on the bench in front of her shop Stitch'n'Time...

A few great reviews:

"After reading the first book in the Sugarwood Mysteries, I became hooked on the characters, genre, and author. Ms. Bator penned a goodie in this murder mystery. Characters Audra Clemmings and Merilee Rutherford (best friends) hang in there together, always having each other’s backs through some terrorizing moments. Between the two of these women, figuring out the ‘who done it’ kept them guessing while wrapping the reader around their conjectures and info gathering. I enjoyed these women, completely enamored in their thought process. I adore cozy mysteries, and Ms. Bator just became one of my favorite authors of this genre." - Susan

"This is not your Wild West Cowboy story. No, this is contemporary and takes place in a small town. Yes, one of the shopkeepers in the charming downtown area is on the trail to find out whodunit. Lots of humor and speculation on who killed the cowboy and why, so I was not sure who the murderer was until the end of the book. Ms. Bator's description of the locations and the quirky fun characters engage readers in this well-written cozy mystery. Yes, I recommend the book to cozy mystery lovers." - Janet Glaser

"All the characters were well-crafted. One of my favorites is Miss Lavinia. She describes them so vividly it's as if you actually know them, great job.
Clemmings definitely has her hands full. However, in the end, she prevails. If you enjoy reading a really good cozy mystery then this is the book for you.
It has surprises, it's captivating, and keeps you wondering until the very end." - Digiecard

BWL Publishing Website:  http://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/

AND THE NEW BOOK...

Christmas blooms in Sugarwood in the form of a brightly lit tree in town square, colourful ornaments, and a snowstorm. It’s just Audra Clemmings’ luck that she literally stumbles over the local butcher in Miss Lavinia’s shop. Then a witch doctor arrives in town. Can Audra solve the mystery before the killer turns their sights on her?

Here's a little snippet!

 As I grabbed my red parka from the closet, I smiled. The colour never failed to give me a lift, so I paired it with my favourite red hat and black gloves. I left Drake home to babysit Rex who, as predicted, fell asleep on the bed and still hadn’t returned to the couch. I was at the deli before I realized I could’ve taken the key and the car and then he’d be stuck there. Darn it! I was such a creature of habit.

At nine o’clock on the dot, I set a large black coffee on Officer Grant’s desk and asked, “Did you find out who owns that token?”

He scratched the stubble on his chin as he reached for the cup.

I moved it out of his reach. “Not so fast. I want answers.”

“And I want coffee,” he said, meeting my gaze. “If you think we’re at an impasse, keep in mind I’m the one with the gun and the handcuffs.”

“Good thing I’m not wearing my pajamas then.” The words sounded better in my head than they did aloud.

A nearby officer smirked.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Jacobs,” Officer Grant snapped. “Last time I arrested her, she was wearing her pajamas out in public.”

Handing him the coffee before he bit anyone, I decided to consider it my good deed for the day. I sat across from him and asked, “So?”

He sipped the coffee. “Needs cream.”

“You’re welcome.” 

Dead Man's Doll Coming October 2022 

from BWL Publishing: http://bookswelove.net/bator-diane/

To request additional review copies or an interview with Diane Bator, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.    

We look forward to the coverage!

Meet our BWL Authors - Eileen O'Finlan and Victoria Chatham

 

Introducing Eileen O'Finlan

Eileen is a BWL Author from Massachusetts

 

I live in Holden, a town located in Central Massachusetts, very close to the city of Worcester.  I have lived here most of my life.  However, both of my parents are from Vermont and many of my relatives live there.  I dearly love Vermont and consider myself an “honorary Vermonter.”  I am 54, single, and the caretaker of my amazing 91 year old mom.  I also have two adorable cats (a Russian Blue named Smokey and a calico Maine Coon named Autumn Amelia.)   Books and cats are pretty much all I need to be happy!

 

I work full-time as an Administrative Assistant in the Tribunal Office for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester.  I also just started teaching online courses in theology for the University of Dayton, Ohio.  I have an undergraduate degree in history and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry.

 

 www.eileenofinlan.com   

 

 

Visit Eileen's Author Page:  https://bookswelove.net/o-finlan-eileen/

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Introducing Victoria Chatham

Victoria is a BWL Author from Alberta 

 

Being born in Bristol, England, Victoria, Chatham grew up in an area rife with the elegance of Regency architecture. This, along with the novels of Georgette Heyer, engendered in her an abiding interest in the period with its style and manners and is one where she feels most at home.

Apart from her writing, Victoria is an avid reader of anything that catches her interest, but especially Regency romance. She also teaches introductory creative writing. Her love of horses gets her away from her computer to volunteer at Spruce Meadows, a world class equestrian centre near Calgary, Alberta, where she currently lives. http://victoriachatham.blogspot.ca   

 

 

Visit Victoria's author page https://bookswelove.net/chatham-victoria/