• Hardcover: 150 pages
• Publisher: THC Investments (January 19, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982023510
• ISBN-13: 978-0982023518
• Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
• Rating: 4/5
  

The Blurb:

Endorsed by the National Association of Mothers' Centers, this book is dedicated to your realization and mastery of the power of unconditional love. The book offers a wealth of wisdom, knowledge of practical living skills and effective communication techniques. From My Mama's Kitchen reveals the power of relationships, the nature of love and the meaning of life. Johnny's 9 moms equipped him with these insights in a kitchen setting. From the virtue of spiritual awareness to self-actualization, Johnny's 9 moms nourished him with recipes for living to become a person defined by his thoughts and actions.
 
This book is a tribute to mothers everywhere. It has received five awards: in 2010, Mom's Choice Awards, Mr. Dad Seal of Recognition and Publisher's Choice Awards by Family Magazine Group, in 2011, International Book Awards and National Indie Excellence Book Awards. 

The print version of this book is designed as a keepsake for all occasions, meant to last and inspire forever. It includes a blank dedication page for readers to inscribe their own loved one's name, and a space where readers can record their recipes for living. At the very end of the book, Johnny incorporates nine of his favorite food recipes.

The Review:

This is a quick read. If you're expecting a long one, you obviously didn't look at the page count when you got it. It is a book that touches with the concept of motherly love and centrals around recipes for life. It's nice how Johnny includes some recipes in the back of the book and leaves a few pages to include your own input.

I think that Johnny touches an important element in this book- the love that mothers have for their children. I know that it doesn't apply to every single mother out there, nothing is an absolute in life- but it is a nice book that is heart felt and warming.

I like how he's honoring his mom. It's a touching quick read.

I'd recommend for those that enjoy feel good, biographical, and lesson learning pieces. Oh, and those that like recipes too. :)

About the Author:

Johnny Tan is the founder of From My Mama's Kitchen®. He hosts a weekly internet radio program, FMMK Talk Radio, since 2009. As a leadership and motivational speaker, Johnny's message is "personal success begins at home." He teaches individuals practical strategies on how to use the power of unconditional love as potent leadership. When love is given without regard to conditions to anyone at any age, and in any setting, it will serve as a catalyst to catapult that individual to a higher state of self-actualization. Johnny motivates people to create opportunities for themselves to leave a legacy of love.

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1475293984
• ISBN-13: 978-1475293982
• Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
• Rating: 4/5
  

The Blurb:

One morning young teen sisters decide to go for a walk, not realizing that this outing will change them forever. They become trapped in a strange land where the outrageous and bizarre seem normal. They only wish to find their way home; but this journey, which is not of their choosing, has a different purpose or so it seems as they are forced on their way. The people and animals they meet are outlandish or eccentric or sometimes normal. Each has a lesson to teach or perhaps not. They are bombarded with sense and with nonsense that may or may not be nonsense. In their minds, they fight to remain children, but they are neither child nor adult. Deep inside the sisters progressively understand that there is a purpose to their journey and that it has to do with good and evil. But they are neither free from torment nor from the absurd. They must overcome the temptation of evil if, in fact, they can recognize it. Interwoven with the sisters' story are other tales of good and of the arrogance and depravity of evil (as in the Holocaust). Allegorically, this is everyone's journey and everyone's story. A non-traditional novel for Adults and Young Adults

The Review:

The first thing that you'll notice when you read this book is the style it's written it. For some, this might be the thing that pushes you away- for others, it will draw you in. I'm a fence sitter.

This book takes an Alice in Wonderland kind of feel and throws it on its head. However, there are layers in the book- different stories happening at once. Robert does this well. Something that isn't always achieved.

I love the contrasts that are used throughout the book. I also love the characters. Robert has done a great job at making memorable characters. Just as he has mixed the absurd and real-life together in a way that brings the reader to a place of balance.

This book is done well and I would recommend it to those that enjoy Alice- like stories, but also those that like real life stories- as both as here. If you like a little crazy mixed in, then it's your cup of tea too.

About the Author:

Some say the author's mind works differently, which may be noticeable in this novel. People in relation to culture, belief, and the inner workings of the mind have captured the author's imagination since his arrival in Germany as a private at the end of WWII and throughout the Cold War and beyond when he served as an Intelligence Officer. How curious the mind when innocence, evil, good, illogic, and the ludicrous are stirred into the mix. Bob and his wife live in South Carolina. They have two grown daughters and at any given time one or more pets, usually ones that show up at the door and decide to move in

I hope everyone has a great day, even if Easter isn't your thing. Grab a chocolate bunny- because you can- and enjoy the various festivities that are going on around your area.

Go meet and greet with the Easter Bunny. It's true there are some truly creepy ones out there, but find one that isn't too bad and give him a high five. Or you could bring him a carrot. I bet he'd enjoy that.

If you'd like to see an awesome take on the Easter Bunny, check out Rise of the Guardians- now that is one bad ass bunny.

Another enjoyable activity you could do- get your face painted and eat some candy. This is, of course, something one does when they are supposed to be hunting eggs- see my daughter is guilty of these pleasures.

If those options aren't good enough, then find a bounce house and bounce the heck out it! My son wanted to that more than anything- bugger the candy, bunny be damned, give him the freaking bounce house!

Whatever your poison is on Easter or any day for that matter- get it on today! Enjoy a moment of relaxation, a moment of crazy, of candy, and love, of life. Remember, live today because you never know what tomorrow will bring- be it bunnies, bounce houses, candies, or just the norm.

Thanks for stopping by!

The Blurb:

Elder Gods knocking at the gates of reality. Cthulhulian monsters devouring innocent women in the river. Suicides, murders, and mayhem rampant in the streets.

Welcome to Hastings Mills, where an agent of Evil is driving a town to madness and only one man knows how to stop it. But can he defeat his ageless enemy before Hastings Mills is nothing but a smoking ruin and the townspeople become unwilling blood sacrifices to the Old Ones? With only the help of a young woman and her teenage son, he will have to use all of his arcane knowledge to thwart his adversary and prevent the final apocalypse.

The Review:
I've not read a huge amount from this specific genre. But after reading this, I want to read more. This book is fun and exciting. JG does a great job of keeping you wondering what's going to happen. You want to know what will, but you don't. It's a great read.

I love the characters. JG does a great job of creating an awesome character arc and storyline that surround them. You get really invested in them and what to see what JG is going to throw at them next.

The mixing of the myths in, add another flavor to it.

This is a great book, I recommend it those that enjoy Lovecraft and this genre.

About the Author:

A lifelong resident of New York's highly haunted Hudson Valley region, JG Faherty grew up amid Revolutionary War graveyards, haunted roads, and woods filled with ghostly apparitions. His varied professional career includes working as a resume writer, laboratory manager, accident scene photographer, zoo keeper, scientist, and salesman. He began writing fiction in 2001, and his short stories, poetry, and articles- have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies.

For more information about this book, or to arrange signings or readings, visit www.jgfaherty.com or email [email protected]

Welcome to my stop on the Shadow Moon blog tour. Check out this awesome series and enter the giveaway.

About the Author:
A former teacher, coach and school counselor, Marilee lives in Washington State and writes full time.
Her books include Castle Ladyslipper, a medieval romance, The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam,
winner of the 2010 Booksellers Best award for romantic suspense, Moonstone, Moon Rise, Moon
Spun, Shadow Moon, and Midnight Moon. Marilee is a member of the Romance Writers of America,
Pacific Northwest Writers Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

ONLINE LINKS:

Website www.marileebrothers.com,
Blog http://bookblatherblog.blogspot.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/marilee.author
Twitter @marileeb
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/MarileeB

The Blurb:

The Blurb:
Ever had secret thoughts about a counsellor? Fitness trainer? Ever put two and two together? Therapy Rapture does just that, skillfully blurring the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

The accompanying poems deal with aspects of romantic sensuality, with some emphasis on the aesthetics of disrobing and the relation between swimming and sex. They have been featured in several anthologies produced by Forward Press in the UK, and three of them, ''Bathing Girl'', ''Beach Girl'', and ''Lovers Undress'', are on the internet. The story, the poems, the illustrations set out to explore the erotic with delicacy, refinement, and sensitivity.

Grab it here:

About the Author:


Born in the UK, 1940. David has been writing erotica since the mid-1980s. Published extensively in magazines and anthologies (including anthologies from Forward Press in Peterborough UK.

Book Publications 'Prickling Counterpoints' (Selected Poetry & Prose), Deadline Books 1998, 'Romantic Undress' (Erotic Poetry & Prose) JazzClaw Publications 2000. Current romantica/erotica publications are 'Self's Blossom' (novella), and 'Explorations' (short story), published by Devine Destinies; 'Therapy Rapture' (poetry,prose and artwork) published by Rose Dog Books. Forthcoming are two short stories, 'My Dream of Madonna/An Ecstatic Rendezvous', to be published by XoXo Publishing.

Also recordedsinger-songwriter: vinyl album, 'Bricolage' recorded by Billy
Childish for Hangman Records 1992; CD albums 'Bacteria
Shrapnel' and 'The Burglars of
Britain' (1998)

The Blurb

"I am strong, and my flash is bright, 
And I will defend you and make things all right..." 
 
These are the magic words to call upon Manner-Man - a superhero who can help control bullies and teach children ways to be considerate of others.

Manner-Man arrives, shouting "To the Rescue", helping children learn about sharing and warning about not 'hitting with words.'  He teaches that if someone starts pushing, just shout out "not nice!"

Meet the children who form the Manner-Man team and find out how to join!

Manner-Man incorporates messages and characters found within some of Cannon's earlier books - helping children learn how to cope with bullies and look within themselves for their inner superhero!

This is the fifth rhyming children's book by this award-winning author whose other bestselling books include Gimme-Jimmy, The Magic Word, Peter and the Whimper-Whineys and Santa's Birthday Gift.

The Review:

Sherrill Cannon has done it again. Much like her book Gimme-Jimmy, this book is full of valuable lessons that kids get. It helps break things down in a way that children really understand.

This book in particular, really got my five year working on his manners. That's something any parent can be glad to hear. Sherrill just has a way with words that connects with kids and they want to be like what they heard or read.

I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! I highly recommend this book for all parents!

About the Author:
(taken from Amazon Authors)


I am a mother of four and a grandmother of ten, and I am also an Award-Winning Best-Selling Author! My books have received twelve 2011-12 National awards!! "The Magic Word" winner of six awards, has received a 2011 Reader Views Literary Second Place Award, a 2012 Indie Next Gen Finalist Award and a 2012 IBA Finalist Award, as well as its 2011 Readers Favorite Gold Medal, a 2011 NABE Pinnacle Achievement Award, and a Global eBook Finalist Award. "The Magic Word" is currently ranked #1 in Children's Popularity. My Christmas book, "Santa's Birthday Gift", has received a 2011 Readers Favorite Silver Medal and also a 2011 National Indie Excellence Award - and "Peter and the Whimper-Whineys" has received a 2011 Readers Favorite Bronze Award as well as a USA Best Books Finalist Award! "Gimme-Jimmy" won a 2012 Readers Favorite Silver medal and a 2012 NABE Pinnacle Achievement Award! What an amazing time!!! My newest book, "Manner-Man", has just been released!

I have been writing poetry since before I could write! (My mother wrote down the poetry I wrote as a four-year-old.) I have written five published rhymed children's stories - as well as six published rhymed musical plays for elementary school children, which have been performed internationally in the UK, Germany, Ireland, and others as well as the US. I love to write. My friends and family ask me if I think in rhyme and meter, and I have to admit that sometimes this is true!

Most of my books try to teach something, like good manners and caring for others. "Santa's Birthday Gift" is an attempt to include Santa in the meaning of Christmas. (After I read a story of the nativity to my young granddaughter, she looked at me and asked "But where's Santa?") The story is best for ages 3-9, to be read to children who still believe in Santa!

"Peter and the Whimper-Whineys"is designed to help parents cope with whining and complaining children. Peter is a small rabbit who does nothing but whine. His mother warns him that if he keeps on whining and crying, he'll have to go live with the Whimper-Whineys. His nocturnal adventures convince him his mother was right! If only he can get back home... A review editor for this story wrote: "I cannot imagine any parent or guardian not wanting to read this book to their child!...Parents everywhere applaud you!"

"The Magic Word" has won several awards and is available on amazon and bn.com and other internet book sites. It is a story of a little girl who has to learn to say Please! It stresses the importance of good manners and thinking of others.

"Gimme-Jimmy", is a story about how a bully learns to share, and seems to have become popular quickly! Jimmy's New Polite Rule stresses thinking of others and being polite.

"Manner-Man" is about Superhero who helps children cope with bullies, and look within themselves for their own inner superhero. It incorporates many of the characters in m previous books, as well as their character traits. Consideration for others is a constant theme!

All of my books are also part of two fund-raising efforts: http://sbpra.com/curejm/ is for the CureJM Foundation, to help find a cure for Juvenile Myositis, an incurable children's disease - and also http://sbpra.com/WECF for the Women's Economic Council Foundation, supporting scholarships and programs for girls and women. 50% of the cost of the books is donated to the fundraising cause.

Here's a little bit of my background: A real-live Eloise, I grew up in the Willard Hotel in Washington DC (my Dad was the manager), was married and lived in Northern Virginia for twenty years where my husband and I raised our four children. We later moved to the Philadelphia PA suburbs where we lived for fourteen years before moving to the Binghamton NY area where we are now living. We celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary in June! We are now retired, and we travel in our RV from the east coast to the west coast each year to spend time with our children and grandchildren. I have had a varied career: I was a teacher and coach for ten years in the Washington DC area, and then became a "stay-at-home-Mom" who in my spare-time was a professional newspaper sports photographer and columnist for several years when our boys were playing competitive soccer. When our girls became interested in theater, I became a Dinner Theatre Company Stage Manager (as well as lighting and sound technician) and also was an Assistant Talent Manager for Cathy Parker Talent when our youngest daughter was doing commercials and professional modeling in NYC. When we relocated to the Binghamton NY area, I became the Business Administrator for a software development company handling payroll and contracts. Now I have time to write, when I'm not marketing (which is the other half of writing.) I spent many years collaborating with my daughter on rhymed musical plays for her elementary school, and now six of our plays, "Have You Seen My Little Lamb", "The King's Spell","When You Wish Upon a Star...fish", "The Wonderful World of Weather", "ABC December" and "We Have Character" are available at Lazy Bee Scripts - www.lazybeescripts.co.uk. The plays have already had many performances in both the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as Ireland, Germany, United Arab Emirates and Botswana!

There are also video trailers for my books on You Tube. Please visit my website/blog at http://www.sherrillcannon.com and also my Strategic Book Group Author Fan Page on Facebook, www.tinyurl.com/Author-Sherrill-S-Cannon and become a fan! Please let me hear from you!

Welcome to my stop on the Pitch Green blog tour! The Brothers Washburn have honored me with an interview!

About the Authors:
BERK AND ANDY WASHBURN, aka “The Brothers Washburn,” are
both lawyers by profession, writers at heart. They grew up together roaming the wastelands of the Mojave Desert, where most of the series is set. Both brothers returned from lengthy and successful careers in the wastelands of the law to write YA horror stories based on the wastelands of their youth. They currently live north of Denver, Colorado.

The Dimensions in Death series is merely the beginning of the
ingenious and spine-tingling world of the Brothers Washburn. Be on your guard, people, there is a new Grimm in town.

The Blurb:

"Trona is a small, smoggy, mostly insignificant town in California. Besides a booming chemical plant, the only thing that characterizes this dismal town is dirt, sagebrush, and an enormous abandoned mansion.

The mansion is, admittedly, the only notable addition to Trona, but it's something everyone tries to avoid due to its creepy facade. Everyone except for Camm Smith, who is obsessed with the need to get inside.

Seven years earlier, as Camm herded a pack of little trick-or-treaters past the mansion, her young neighbor, Hughie, disappeared, becoming one of the many children who have vanished from Trona over the years without a trace. Now a senior in high school, Camm is still haunted by the old tragedy, and is sure the answer to the mysterious disappearances lies hidden somewhere in the decaying mansion. Joining forces with her best friend, Cal, who also happens to be Hughie's older brother, Camm naively begins a perilous search for the truth.

As things spiral quickly out of control, and others die, Camm and Cal discover it will take all their combined ingenuity to stay alive. An unseen evil lurking deep within the bowels of the mansion is now hunting them. To make matters worse, they become entangled with hostile federal agents, who will do all they can to keep old secrets permanently hidden.

Left with only their wit and seemingly ineffective firearms, Camm and Cal know time is running out. Unless they can make sense of the few pieces of the puzzle they manage to unearth, their lives are in danger, and like so many others before them, they may also disappear without a trace."

The Review:
Creeptastically wonderful! Shouldn't all YA Horror reviews start like that? I think they should. I loved this book. It was creepy, but wasn't so morbidly, twistedly scary that I couldn't sleep. It stuck with me for a bit too. I'd randomly pose questions to my husband about the possibility of such things happening- he might believe me to be even nuttier than I was before.

I really loved the characters! I'll tell you a secret, I was rooting for Hughie. I won't ruin things by saying more. about that.

The Brothers Washburn really have a nack for weaving the necessary elements together to creature a wonderful little horror book and I promise you, by the end I wanted to know more! I want to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? TELL ME! NOW, NOW, NOW! It's one of those books that draw you and you want to know.

The character arcs are great and I really enjoyed how the Brothers developed them. Their attention for detail is definitely something that makes this book!

I highly recommend to anyone looking for a creepy book. I didn't pee my pants or stay up for days afraid to go to sleep. It's a good read.

The Interview:

• Did you always want to be a writer? If not, then what?

Andy:  No, but I always liked telling stories.  I have been a trial attorney for about 25 years, and for a trial lawyer, half the battle is how well you tell your story.
Berk:  Though I have been a business lawyer for about 35 years, for much that time, I have been drafting and saving story outlines for possible novels that I hope to write one day.

• Do your readers contact you? If so, what do they say?

This is our first book, but we hope to soon have contact and feedback from our readers.

• For aspiring writers, what three pieces of good advice would you give them?

1. Keep writing (experimenting) all the time, b. Experience all the good you can find in life, and  c. Get to know lots of different kinds of people.

• Do you have a favorite of your own books?

We are working on a YA horror series as well as a YA sci-fi series.  We have written the first two books in each series.  It is still too early in the process to pick a favorite.

• How do you balance writing with your life?

Andy:  I don’t know.  Is that important?  If I were well balanced, I probably wouldn’t have anything interesting to say.
Berk:  I’m still trying to figure out how to balance my life’s priorities, and writing is a priority.

• How old were you when you wrote your first book and what was it about?

Andy:  53 years young.  It was about a married couple where the husband is dying.
Berk:  58 years old.  It was a sci-fi adventure in an alternate universe.

• Where do your ideas come from?

Andy:  I was going to say something indelicate, but then thought better of it.  I guess my ideas come from life experiences, things I have heard from others, and wasted time daydreaming.
Berk:  I have always been a daydreamer.

• Do you have a writing quirk?

Andy:  I don’t like having other people around me when I write, especially when I am creating new material.  No real reason for that, just sometimes people bug me.
Berk:  I have to organize my surrounding environment.  Once everything around me is in order, then I can detach from the world and write.

• Pantser or Planner?

Andy:  I used to be a planner (habit from writing like an attorney), but I no longer plan ahead, so I guess I’m a Pantser.
Berk:  I’m definitely a planner.  I’m always making lists and outlines.

• Do you pick out dream casts for your books? If so, what's your favorite so far?

Andy:  Casts come to me as I write, and seem to be what is necessary to fill in voids.  I have no favorites, but I can see each one of my children in a different role.
Berk:  No.

• What do you use to motivate yourself to keep writing through the tough spots?

Andy:  If I have a tough spot, it is almost always because of distractions.  If I can get rid of the distractions I can keep writing.
Berk:  I don’t force it.  I stop, leave the house, pick up some fast food, and then I come back refreshed and ready to move the story forward.  Fresh ideas just come when I’m eating.

• Do you create a playlist for your works?

Andy:  Usually no, but sometimes I associate a certain scene with a certain song.
Berk:  No.

• What is your current WIP about? (Possible title, characters, setting, etc.)

Andy:  My brother and I are getting ready to start the third book in our Dimensions in Death series.  You are reviewing Pitch Green, the first of that series.
Berk:  In the first book, we meet two teenagers, Camm and Cal, who are destined by their wit, pluck and luck (not always good) to become the balancing force on this side of a quantum door, disguised as a mansion.  They must stand against the door’s guardian, the visitors who might want to use the door in search of easy prey and the forces of the U.S. Government who are using the door to access unlimited natural resources.  Camm is the brains, Cal is the muscle and together they make a formidable team when they decide to work together.  They are joined by an FBI agent, Special Agent Linda Allen, who is smart, resourceful and not easily intimidated by those protecting the government’s secret.  In Pitch Green, our heroes are introduced to the mansion and its guardian while being hurled from one scene of horror to the next.  They barely have time to catch their breath or scratch the surface of what is happening, and they do not understand the nature of what they face.  Though their intentions are good, by the end of the first book, they leave the quantum door wide open and unguarded.

• Share one sentence from your book, no explanations, just one sentence?

Andy:  “Die, you freaking son of a bitch. Die!”
Berk:  “You taste like vomit.”

• Coke vs. Pepsi?

Andy:  Diet Coke, all the way.
Berk:  Dr. Pepper

• Chocolate vs. Vanilla?

Andy:  I can never get enough chocolate.
Berk:  I go back and forth.

• Cake vs. Ice Cream?

Andy:  Both, in copious amounts.
Berk:  Cheetos

• Night owl or Early bird?

Andy:  I wish I were a night owl, but from force of habit I am an early bird.
Berk:  I am more alert in the morning, but often work past midnight.

• Favorite genre to read?

Andy:  History and biographies.  Some stuff you just can’t make up.
Berk:  SciFi

• What was your favorite book as a child?

Andy:  As a small child, anything by Dr. Seuss, later, A Collection of Short Stories, by O. Henry; and as a teenager, The Illustrated Man, by Bradbury.
Berk:  Anything by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

• Do you think we dream in color or that we wake up and remember it in color?

Andy:  I don’t freakin’ know.
Berk:  I dream in color.

• What's your favorite food?

Andy:  Chocolate
Berk:  Chipotle

• What type of food could you never live without?

Andy:  Chocolate
Berk:  Mexican

• If you meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Both:  Jesus Christ, to say “Thank you” and “I’m sorry”.

• If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you take with you (limit 4 items)?

Both:  One item - a boat.

• Favorite show growing up?

Both:  Either Star Trek or Man From U.N.C.L.E.

• If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?

Andy:  The ability to have chocolate whenever I want it, and to eat as much as I want without getting fat, (fatter).  Because then I could always have and eat chocolate and never get fat.  Duh!
Berk:  The ability to fly, so I could go wherever I want, whenever I want.

• What would your superhero name be?

Andy:  The Man Who Has and Eats Mucho Chocolate!
Berk:  Berk

• What do you think the future will hold?

Both:  Look at history--what goes around, comes around..

Thank you both for the fun interview!

Welcome to my stop of the Moon Spun Blog Tour! Make sure you enter the giveaway!

A big ol' welcome to Sandy Loyd! It's a pleasure to have you back! Make sure you leave a comment for a chance to enter her giveaway!

Thanks, Jesse for having me on your blog again. Today I want to talk about something that I find interesting in writing. Reviews that readers write and authors live by.

A couple of weeks ago I started giving away Tropical Spice, the first in my Second Chances Series on Smashwords (see links below post). It’s a fun story that has sold less than 100 copies since its release. I needed a little bit of exposure, so I thought, why not. Within a week, iTunes had picked it up for free and not much later Amazon was price matching.  What happened afterward was very interesting. Suddenly I was getting ratings on iTunes of 4 stars or better. In the last two weeks, the ratings have gone between 4.5 and 4 stars, ending at the time this is written with 116 ratings at 4 stars. But even more interesting are the written reviews on iTunes. I’ve only received two so far and neither is flattering. I’m trying to thicken my skin against such negative feedback, but it’s still hard to accept. My ratings with Goodreads were similar to iTunes. With 17 ratings I have close to a 4 star average. And out of three written reviews, two loved it and one hated it, which leads me to believe the majority of readers enjoyed it. Only a few hated it, but those few wrote in to tell me why.  

“While the book was well worded, the characters were just awful,” one said. And another said, “Pepper had absolutely no will power and Nico was so domineering.”

Okay. I can see how someone might view the characters that way. After all, both had issues and part of their emotional conflict and growth throughout the story were to overcome those issues.  Also, I think the story is a bit different than most contemporary romances, in that I originally wrote it for Harlequin’s Desire line. If you know anything about the line, those stories are more of a fantasy—you know—rich powerful alpha males and the women who love them, which is how I describe the book. Harlequin passed, though “there was much to love.” According to the rejecting editor, my voice was too chatty for their line. Rather than toss what I believe is a really good story, I decided to self-publish, which led to the give-away promotion.

I read an interesting article recently about how bad reviews can skew people’s opinion to the negative, even when they liked something. However, positive reviews can’t convince those who didn’t like it to change their minds. This idea is alarming because so many of those who hate something are quick to bash it, while those who love something aren’t as vocal and even if they were, it still might not have as much impact on perception as the negative. I’ve always tried to be mindful of the damage words can do. I remember one thing my mother told me early on. If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything. Her advice is certainly worth considering in today’s crazy media.

Unfortunately, no author can please everyone. The best advice I ever received about writing came from a romance author, Elizabeth Beverly, who spoke at my local RWA chapter. She told us to get arrogant about our work and that we’re not writing for the readers who hate the way we do it, but for those who love what we do. Her advice has become my new mantra.

What do you think about negative words in our social media society? Is it another form of bullying? Have we lost our civility?

Leave a comment and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win an e-copy of Winter Interlude the first book I published and the first book in the California Series.

Do you remember your mother telling you when you were little that you’d never meet Mr. Right if you were spending all your time and energy with Mr. Wrong? And what about the book out a few years ago that created such a hoopla with the single crowd—He’s Just Not That Into You?

The two main characters in Winter Interlude either didn’t heed their mother’s advice or haven’t read the book. Now, add into the plot that the two in question are enemies who regularly run into each other, given their current relationships. Paul Morrison, a hunky, blond, financial planner, has been putting time and energy into winning the heart of Kate Winter’s best friend for almost as long as Kate, a strong willed antiques dealer, has been dating James Morrison, Paul’s brother.

The sparks start to fly when the two get stuck together for a three-hour drive to the mountains and years of misconceptions about each other are slowly being wiped out. It is in the confines of the BMW that the two begin their journey, taking them from being mortal enemies to lovers. 
Winter Interlude tells the story of their adventure—of how they finally find love. Kate and Paul’s story is the first one in a series of four friends caught in a time warp. They can’t move on because they are stuck on their idea of their perfect dreams. But sometimes life works in mysterious ways and they are all forced by circumstances to change.

Winter Interlude – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008OYT28A.

Links to Tropical Spice – available for a limited time for free. Keep in mind if you do decide to download it for free, it may not be your cup of tea. If so, please don’t drink it—or in this case, read it. And if you like it, a few kind words go a long way.

Smashwords – http://bit.ly/XDgqKR
Amazon US – http://bit.ly/RMgda3
Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/Vvuith
iTunes – http://bit.ly/Yi6WUC
Kobo – http://bit.ly/RMgda3

Sandy Loyd has published eight books: four contemporary romances and four romantic mystery/suspense/thrillers.  She’s an empty-nester who uses her past experiences and extensive travels to come up with stories with fun characters and twists to entertain.

https://twitter.com/SLoydwrites
http://sandyloyd.com/