tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post8282053789941166235..comments2024-03-24T13:49:53.099-04:00Comments on Romance Books '4' Us: Guest Blog: Marika Weber: One Reviewer's TakeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-227894904120841342011-12-24T10:46:34.544-05:002011-12-24T10:46:34.544-05:00I'm late, late, Harlie.
Enjoyed your post. I&...I'm late, late, Harlie.<br /><br />Enjoyed your post. I've received the good and the bad in reviews for my book. <br /><br />Who doesn't love a good one? And the bad? If they explain why they didn't take to it, I'm okay with that. I love the feedback, as long as it's honest and not malicious. It is, after all, opinion. And---just as I don't like every book I read---I can't expect everyone to like my book, either.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts.C. Zampahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08907314323318638669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-29826727592800101932011-12-24T08:40:56.198-05:002011-12-24T08:40:56.198-05:00I want to thank everyone who came out and commente...I want to thank everyone who came out and commented yesterday. I'm always nervous that no one will show up and comment. Since I'm not a writer but a reviewer, some people don't like to talk with us because they have gotten burned in the past.<br /><br />The #1 thing to remember...reading, writing and reviewing is all subjective. Don't let it get you down when someone doesn't love your book. For some writers the review that was received will only make them stronger writers.<br /><br />Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and may you get everything you wanted for the holidays.<br /><br />MarikaHarlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-4541952462679635412011-12-24T01:14:36.083-05:002011-12-24T01:14:36.083-05:00Have to say that generally I get pretty good revie...Have to say that generally I get pretty good reviews. I DID however have a reviewer give me a bad one because my heroine served lasagne. She said she just couldn't get past that because she hates lasagne so damn much. Think I'll stick with steak and chicken in the future.Regina Carlyslehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316730032624449669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-500134236562362802011-12-24T01:00:10.065-05:002011-12-24T01:00:10.065-05:00Marika--Thanks for saying what I sometimes think--...Marika--Thanks for saying what I sometimes think--that it's unnecessary to rehash the entire plot summary in a review.<br /><br />I think it's interesting that you try to move outside your comfort zone while reviewing. <br /><br />Best--AdeleAdele Duboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01975297711548126595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-24499283740837162732011-12-23T18:24:32.963-05:002011-12-23T18:24:32.963-05:00Hey Kitty! I've read reviews like that to and...Hey Kitty! I've read reviews like that to and its definitely a head scratcher. If I'm reviewing say book 2 in a series, I will go and buy book 1, read it and then read book 2.<br /><br />Some people are just TSDL. LOL!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by.<br /><br />MarikaHarlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-16375492278856930532011-12-23T18:09:05.483-05:002011-12-23T18:09:05.483-05:00Yeah I've read some reviews recently that real...Yeah I've read some reviews recently that really pissed me off. One started off by saying I'm not really into erotica (then why are you reviewing it?) and I haven't read the first book in the series and then proceeded to complain about world building. That was done in the first book that you were to lazy to read. That really pissed me off. THis author did make refferences to the first book ni the series throughout the second one but you wouldn't know that because you didn't read it. That is probably what pisses me off more than ever and then at the end they said they didn't like the authors style and wouldn't read anymore books by them. WTH really? After one book? Well guess what I don't like your review style because it's pointless and rude so there...<br /><br />Sorry I took after Leagh and went into rant mode. lol :) I try really hard to be subjective when I review but I tend to read stuff I like so all my reviews are good. And if there was something I really didn't like (would give it less than 3 out of 5). Then I email the author directly and let them know. <br /><br />KittyKelly AKA The Smutty Kittykittykelly28https://www.blogger.com/profile/03460317905594192523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-22441218364548873162011-12-23T15:05:59.694-05:002011-12-23T15:05:59.694-05:00Fedora...I kinda figured it out with the family pi...Fedora...I kinda figured it out with the family picture. Which is lovely, btw. <br /><br />Molly...Merry Christmas to you too. :)<br /><br />Katalina...I hope that every author feels that way when they read a review.<br /><br />Eden/Eve...I worship at your feet and you know it. I'm so glad that you stopped by. I agree with what you said. There is no need to attack the author. This isn't a school yard and there is no need for fighting or slinging mud. You know that you can report "bad" reviews to Amazon and B&N and they will take them down? Most people don't know that but they will. Really...they wanted vagina out? That's stupid. :)<br /><br />R.G. I'm excited you stopped by. :) Glad you liked the post, too. Most people don't understand what goes through the mind of a reviewer and when they found out, they are surprised.Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-34770060606982059542011-12-23T13:53:46.661-05:002011-12-23T13:53:46.661-05:00Oh, and um, sorry--Marika--that's me, using my...Oh, and um, sorry--Marika--that's me, using my husband's account...<br /><br />--FedoraFrankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02011732532125664250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-69760891875115247482011-12-23T13:50:44.831-05:002011-12-23T13:50:44.831-05:00Thank you for this blog post, Marika!
As an author...Thank you for this blog post, Marika!<br />As an author, I hate it when a reviewer gives an entire synopsis of the book-that's not a review. And I really hate when they give away secrets the reader should discover as part of the journey.<br />I'll take a review with some negative, constructive criticism-I know I'm not perfect and sometimes a reviewer will point out a weakness in a book, so I'm more conscious of what not to do next time-although sometimes it's just a momentary slip, or maybe I was sick while writing a book-it happens.<br />Of course, I LOVE when a reviewer loves a book. I love when someone tells me one of my books made them cry. I'm not a sadist (well, maybe under the right circumstances...*G*), but to know I've touched a reader that deeply is why we do this.<br />I've had several reviews where the reviewer attacked me personally-there's one on Amazon that really galled me. You can hate a book I wrote all you want, but don't tell me I'm stupid, a bad person, or 'wrong' about a subject that's entirely subjective or a paranormal element that doesn't even really exist. <br />I even got a 'how dare you' review once because I failed to reclaim the word 'vagina' in an erotic novel for all the feminists out there. I'm sorry-'vagina' is a clinical term-that's like saying 'he stroked her epidermis'. Just not erotic!<br />Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin :)Eden Bradley-Eve Berlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00705754924725420546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-10813996203913663992011-12-23T12:15:03.600-05:002011-12-23T12:15:03.600-05:00Wonderful post Marika, its good to hear what a rev...Wonderful post Marika, its good to hear what a reviewer is looking for. I learn something from every review I get, and it helps shape the next book.<br />XXOO KatKatalina Leonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04792533045672712045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-34012189605759355452011-12-23T12:02:34.785-05:002011-12-23T12:02:34.785-05:00Merry Christmas Marika:) It does take a special p...Merry Christmas Marika:) It does take a special person to give an honest, unbiased review:) <br /><br />I've only received a few good reviews, so it's nice to have insight for what they look for!<br /><br />And for me personally, the sign of a great book is when I'm sucked in to the story and it takes a natural disaster to pull me away. Or angry children's voices, lol!Molly Danielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01488325587798390008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-42346219375087540862011-12-23T11:48:56.302-05:002011-12-23T11:48:56.302-05:00Hi, Marika!! Thanks for sharing a reviewer's ...Hi, Marika!! Thanks for sharing a reviewer's perspective! As a reader (but very infrequent reviewer), while I sometimes appreciate a "blurb" like intro for the book, I don't need a complete re-telling of the plot--what I really want in a review is why the reviewer liked or didn't like the book. If the reviewer is articulate, that helps me decide whether the book is one I would enjoy, whether or not my tastes completely align with the reviewer's. Reviews that say, "LOVED it!" or "It was the worst book I have ever read!" but don't say WHY are completely unhelpful.<br /><br />And truly, reviewing well is a gift--it's not easy to summarize one's feelings about a book in a way that makes sense for someone else to read. It's why I *don't* review--it's hard! :)Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02011732532125664250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-42802099614817020692011-12-23T10:12:15.377-05:002011-12-23T10:12:15.377-05:00Leagh you are too much. LOL! :)Leagh you are too much. LOL! :)Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-90983008528019984522011-12-23T10:07:30.895-05:002011-12-23T10:07:30.895-05:00I look for the same things in a review, plot, char...I look for the same things in a review, plot, characters, flow, and whether is is believable. I also like to pay attention to the progression of the relationship and how believable that is as well. <br /><br />The difference between me and you I always try to review in genres, authors, publishers that I know that I enjoy. I feel this is important to me because if I know the book doesn't interest me I don't feel like I can give my honest opinion.<br /><br />Oh and it pisses me off beyond belief when a reviewer bashes the author personally. Just because they write a book that you don't like or agree with DOES NOT mean they are a bad person and DOES NOT mean that you should never try anything by them. <br /><br />And absolutely DO NOT review a book if you have not read it, and DO NOT write a review based on anything other then the books contest.<br /><br />Ok ~ end rant, lol <br /><br />Thanks for the post!Leaghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09056966889698431877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-4799877721037847712011-12-23T09:39:33.814-05:002011-12-23T09:39:33.814-05:00Thanks Rachel. Reviewing is subjective and I try ...Thanks Rachel. Reviewing is subjective and I try to find something good in a book, even if I didn't particularly care for it. <br /><br />I also think that authors reviewing is a good thing. :)Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-44450026099314529252011-12-23T09:35:11.599-05:002011-12-23T09:35:11.599-05:00Marika, I review too. And as an author, I'm al...Marika, I review too. And as an author, I'm always told it's a no-no. But, I think it should be an absolutely. Like you, I don't like a synopsis by the reviewer--that's what the blurb is for. I just want to know what worked and what didn't. As an author, each review I receive helps me determine where I succeeded and sometimes, where I failed. Great post!Rachel Firasekhttp://www.rachelfirasek.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-39673092306502403182011-12-23T09:18:53.673-05:002011-12-23T09:18:53.673-05:00Happy Holidays to everyone, too. I'm actually...Happy Holidays to everyone, too. I'm actually stuck at work today. :(Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-51542150161231405412011-12-23T09:18:32.706-05:002011-12-23T09:18:32.706-05:00Thank you Tina and Liz. It is a process but guess...Thank you Tina and Liz. It is a process but guess what its an easy process. It still burns me when a reviewer takes it too far. Ooooo!<br /><br />I learned reviewing from the best...TRS and what Tina taught me, I still use every day.<br /><br />Marika<br /><br />p.s. Liz...you betcha babe!Harlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-19175254732560166292011-12-23T08:44:34.236-05:002011-12-23T08:44:34.236-05:00Hey Marika!
thanks for this...
Personally I'v...Hey Marika! <br />thanks for this...<br />Personally I've been on the receiving end of glowing and lukewarm reviews both. And one (for my choose your romance novel The Tap Room that was somehow both at once...weird). Anyway, as a writer you just learn not to let it get to you. It will at times paralyze you just like rejections do but you get past it.<br />thanks for your honest outline of how you do your job!<br />cheers<br />Liz<br />p.s. gooooooooooooooooooooooal!Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15182147051413946727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-39858346098731182722011-12-23T08:13:41.793-05:002011-12-23T08:13:41.793-05:00Thanks for taking the time to explain the process,...Thanks for taking the time to explain the process, Marika. It helps authors greatly to know what a reviewer/fan is looking for in their work. :)Tina Donahuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160021732404091277noreply@blogger.com