tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post8694756523606416591..comments2024-02-04T04:40:23.122-08:00Comments on Harlequin Heartwarming: Love a Book. . .Review a BookPamela Tracyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-24606085850037146892015-08-22T12:37:48.596-07:002015-08-22T12:37:48.596-07:00Wow, I don't think I could do that and write t...Wow, I don't think I could do that and write too. 150 books in 12 1/2 books a month. I'm lucky if I get 5 read in a month. Before I started to write, I read 20 books a months, mostly Harlequin Presents and Special Editions. They were short enough to read in one sitting. Today, I read longer books. I love more intricate plots and I love to be surprised by an author.<br /><br />As a Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-29651578908960024282015-08-22T12:31:06.219-07:002015-08-22T12:31:06.219-07:00Laurie,
Thank you. I can't tell you how impo...Laurie,<br /><br />Thank you. I can't tell you how important that is. Hey, didn't I already say that? Well it's the truth. As a hybrid author, I am continually trying to find my audience, so I think if I give, I will receive.Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-21113466676261293402015-08-22T12:27:30.718-07:002015-08-22T12:27:30.718-07:00I don't go to Goodreads. When they first came...I don't go to Goodreads. When they first came into being, I was warned against them by people saying they didn't want authors there, so I wisely stayed away. But when I post reviews, I post them there. Maybe it's hit and run, because I don't go back after posting. And I've never received an e-mail from anything about the reviews.<br />Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-63336518991938444092015-08-22T12:24:23.213-07:002015-08-22T12:24:23.213-07:00Catherine,
Here's a big hug for you. I have ...Catherine,<br /><br />Here's a big hug for you. I have friends somewhat like yours. Mine buy my books, but they don't read them. Their taste doesn't run toward romance, and I can respect that. None of them have ever said anything as nasty or tasteless as your friend.<br /><br />I have been to bookstores (when there were bookstores) that didn't know I was coming. The person Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-68568724207333352982015-08-22T12:15:49.892-07:002015-08-22T12:15:49.892-07:00When I post a review, I post it everywhere. I wil...When I post a review, I post it everywhere. I will go so far as to google the book title and see if there are places I can post a review that I don't know about. If it helps the authors find readers, then I'm doing my job.Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-89531137201341367932015-08-22T12:14:34.118-07:002015-08-22T12:14:34.118-07:00Me too. I don't write reviews for books I don...Me too. I don't write reviews for books I don't like, but since I see reviews where people say things that someone else could find positive. Once I read a review and the person said the book had too much sex in it. Well erotica and come romance readers would find that was appealing.Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-60116588060750454922015-08-22T12:12:53.721-07:002015-08-22T12:12:53.721-07:00I read a lot of books, the majority of them I like...I read a lot of books, the majority of them I like. I used to read from page one to the end of every book I opened, but there are so many books to read and I no longer spend time on those that don't draw me in within the first 50 pages. I don't write a review for every book, but I do for a lot of them and always a good review.<br />Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-60538878014209724592015-08-22T03:03:16.391-07:002015-08-22T03:03:16.391-07:00Ha ha! Yes, I did, Pam. I received a contract on M...Ha ha! Yes, I did, Pam. I received a contract on Monday, through Harlequin's Blurb2Book contest. I suppose I'm still in shock. :)Jill Weatherholthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12935341991222337363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-73996021738113200502015-08-21T16:45:23.252-07:002015-08-21T16:45:23.252-07:00I'm doing the Goodreads reading challenge, woe...I'm doing the Goodreads reading challenge, woefully behind. I pledged to read 150 books this year. (Yes, the noise you just heard was me falling off my chair). I have to rate the book in order to get credit. This is not easy. I love, love, love giving four and fives can live with myself if I give a three, but really have a hard time with those books that deserve a 1 or 2. (There's Pamela Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-10615100450114816862015-08-21T16:42:28.362-07:002015-08-21T16:42:28.362-07:00Jill, didn't you just sell a book? Why aren&#...Jill, didn't you just sell a book? Why aren't you announcing that here and letting us do the happy dance with you :)Pamela Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05834270662017246137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-1977195753434041562015-08-21T15:22:28.796-07:002015-08-21T15:22:28.796-07:00Leigh, my dear! I think that statement is horrid. ...Leigh, my dear! I think that statement is horrid. While looking at you? Ugh! Are these people off their meds? My husband says it has to do with jealousy. I think there is some of that involved. Plus just flat tacky if not a mean streak. Glad you wrote her off! These are not friends!!!!Catherine Laniganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457540593573242387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-75461156115376627882015-08-21T15:19:12.948-07:002015-08-21T15:19:12.948-07:00Roz, you are the softest heart in the world. I thi...Roz, you are the softest heart in the world. I think she doesn't like me at all. But your sage wish that she gave the books to others I will give that thought to the universe and hope its true. Catherine Laniganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457540593573242387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-89374689612405445952015-08-21T15:16:22.352-07:002015-08-21T15:16:22.352-07:00Muriel, this is why I love you! Normally, I fight ...Muriel, this is why I love you! Normally, I fight back-- though usually for others, but you are right she is the least romantic , compassionate person I know. Frankly I'm surprisedchow much it stung! I will turn it into my writing. And yes, is anyone wants to know, most of my villains I've met face to face, this is my revenge. Putting them in a book!!!Catherine Laniganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457540593573242387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-45379848099667871472015-08-21T14:14:41.987-07:002015-08-21T14:14:41.987-07:00Thanks for the tips about reviewing books. I'm...Thanks for the tips about reviewing books. I'm as much a reader as I am a reviewer. I review all books I read and post them on at least 4-5 book sites, Amazon, and my blog, Cozynookbks.wordpress.com. I've come to recognize how important it is to writers, and I want to do my part. I review older books too because I agree that someone else may discover an author's newer works because Laurie Ihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09393553707193848649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-80653888835602504742015-08-21T10:21:32.706-07:002015-08-21T10:21:32.706-07:00So well put, Shirley. Thanks for this excellent po...So well put, Shirley. Thanks for this excellent post. Hugs to you, Catherine! I have, I mean had, a friend who wasn't quite as outspoken as your former friend but could be hurtful too. The latest? "I don't read women writers anymore. I think men are better," and she was talking to me. I had to finally decide to cut that tie. So true, that it's hard to understand people who Leigh Rikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09614965296068207696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-48563302800994576012015-08-21T09:54:28.987-07:002015-08-21T09:54:28.987-07:00Shirley, thanks for your post. I started posting r...Shirley, thanks for your post. I started posting reviews on Goodreads and then got a note from someone saying they didn't appreciate seeing reviews by authors who are just biased in favor of their friends. And I have never put up a review on Amazon because someone told me you go to all the work and if they know you're a writer staff takes them down. So I'm easily swayed. Do the peoplerozdennyfoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06506701706951201107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-66858154471436523632015-08-21T08:25:23.971-07:002015-08-21T08:25:23.971-07:00Catherine - just reminding you that you know Micha...Catherine - just reminding you that you know Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner because YOU WORKED WITH THEM! Send your uninformed friend that wonderful post by Kristan Higgins about romance and what it all means for the reader. I think people who can't express themselves in a romantic way are suspicious of those of us who can. Forget that phone call and just channel that disappointment Muriel Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065629068634892645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-74809111748649665542015-08-21T08:09:11.792-07:002015-08-21T08:09:11.792-07:00Shirley, you deserve all great and good karma for ...Shirley, you deserve all great and good karma for years to come. This was one of the most informative posts I've ever read. I can't begin to tell you how I struggle trying to get reviews. I've sent hundreds of books to people begging on my knees for a review. Last week I received one of the most hurtful, diminishing, and shocking phone calls of my career. A friend I have known for 13 Catherine Laniganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09457540593573242387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-15488636241548114472015-08-21T08:06:34.981-07:002015-08-21T08:06:34.981-07:00I try to write reviews of books I read and post th...I try to write reviews of books I read and post them on all the sites. Thanks for a reminder that I still have a couple I need to post. And good suggestions on what to post.Patricia Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03382033674042021556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-68467179108021450652015-08-21T07:45:52.383-07:002015-08-21T07:45:52.383-07:00I do tend toward writing reviews of books that I l...I do tend toward writing reviews of books that I like rather than those I didn't. Isn't that odd?Melinda Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008876199054404069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-86935436920092577302015-08-21T07:43:48.817-07:002015-08-21T07:43:48.817-07:00I used to e-mail the author. Id on't know why...I used to e-mail the author. Id on't know why I stopped. What I do now is showcase a book in my newsletter telling my readers what I'm reading. This plugs another author and a book I recommend. As Muriel said above, nothing beats word-of-mouth advertising. And I find that readers respond to that much better than we telling them about my own book.Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-53553558443979935152015-08-21T07:40:52.701-07:002015-08-21T07:40:52.701-07:00I usually read reviews after I read the book. I w...I usually read reviews after I read the book. I want to know who agrees with me. And I'm lucky that so far Amazon does not take my reviews down.<br />Shirley Hailstockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772508400553343469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-38241390957551521242015-08-21T07:32:07.491-07:002015-08-21T07:32:07.491-07:00I do write reviews on Amazon, but I haven't si...I do write reviews on Amazon, but I haven't signed up with Goodreads. I know, I need to get on the stick. :) One thing I always do, is email the author, when I really enjoy their book. If I read the book in paperback, I'll print their response and place it into their book. I've received some wonderful responses.Jill Weatherholthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12935341991222337363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2442063056672240555.post-33664185848431055132015-08-20T23:17:25.404-07:002015-08-20T23:17:25.404-07:00Good advice, Shirley. Nothing beats word-of-mouth...Good advice, Shirley. Nothing beats word-of-mouth - unless it's word-of-fingertips. I sometimes search myself on Kindle to see how I'm doing (It's horrifying to see yourself at 1,235,000 in rank) and when I'm feeling clueless and wordless, I read reviews of my old books. It's exciting to me to find a review posted this year for something I wrote in 1992 - and she liked it!Muriel Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12065629068634892645noreply@blogger.com