How to Write a Review

I am not saying this for myself. I have author friends who needs reviews for their books too. Book reviews are important for an author, just a review for any product-- it helps people decide if the product or book is worth paying for. Without them, no one knows how good or bad a product is.
Here is how you review a book:

1) First make sure the book you are going to read is something you read. If you are not a sci fi fan  then don't download or order one because chances are you will not give it a review.  I had bought a few books or downloaded them only to find out that it goes against my beliefs. I felt trapped. I couldn't lie and say "I love this book! I wish I could write like this..." because it would not be honest.

2) Read the book. I understand we don't have enough hours in a day to read. Some of us work and have families, but I think us authors don't expect the book to be read in one day. Just whenever you can, sit down and read.

3. There  are places where you can go to write a review: Goodreads, is a good place, but if you go there, you need to there when you begin to read the book because you will be adding it to your shelf and updating how far you have read (if you like) then  when you are done, you update it by clicking "I'm finished." That takes you to reviewing the book. Other places are where you download or purchase the book. When you go there, type in the name of the book in teh search box and it should take you to a page where you can review.

What is a review?
A review is writing what you thought about the book. At Amazon.com, after the review section, you can add a title of your review: "An enjoyable  read" or  "Unlike any other books", anything that would interest curious readers about your review. Also you can rate it from one star (Poorly written book, it shouldn't have been published) two stars ( Could have been written better) 3 stars (It's okay) 4 stars (I love this book!) 5 stars (This book is fantastic! I can't wait to read the next book!) It's like one of those on the scale from one to ten with ten being the greatest.

It is sad when an author who is looking for  a review promised a free copy in exchange for the review and they never get it.  The least the reader can do is let the author know, that they haven't finished the book, but they will as soon as they can.

I hope that no one thinks less of me by writing this. As I said, it is not just for me!

Black Friday Deals

Starting today until the Fourth of December, you  can save  a bundle of  money by downloading the ebook for .99 cents and the paperback for $9.90  (The ebook was originally 2.99) Here is the link:

Black Friday Deals

What is A Second Chance at Love about?

It is about a woman who because of past hurts in her life, had become unfriendly and cynical in her heart. However after unusual circumstances, she has found new love through the saving grace of Jesus and renewed love of her former lover.

About Marge from a Second Chance at Love.

Just recently a beta reader told me she couldn't finish reading my book. Why? She thought that I was putting women in a bad light! Well, let me tell you about Marge. Marge does not represent women in general. There are women who have been hurt so bad that they just as well not date anymore. Marge has been divorced for 7 years. Her husband had two affairs while she was married to him. At one time, he asked her to dress plainly because he didn't need her to be pretty for him. AS a result it made it easy for him to have another affair. Now I don't know about you, but Marge had it. She gave him no more chances and divorced him. Resolving not to be hurt anymore, she put up a wall called cynicism and dressed plainly in the hopes that no man would come near her. Maybe you would move on. maybe you can heal from hurts, but she had no hope. Her friend Sam is the only man besides her twin brother that she trusted, but he is a Christian and with a good heart. He wants to see Marge happy and trusting the Lord and not men. However she has a closed heart and will not allow anyone to get close to her. I wish readers would see that I am not degrading women because if I am, I would degrade myself. IN a way, Marge is me or maybe was me. Marge is about a woman who was in need of a transformation. Let me tell you something: Sometimes God will use circumstances to bring us to him. Haven't you heard about people who in their most dire circumstances calling out to God? As a result, they have given their hearts to God. Marge had to go through a series of unfavorable circumstances in order to become a better person. If Marge had gotten her way, if those men would have left her alone then she would always be cynical, always dress like she doesn't care and she may never know the Lord. Would she date again? It has been seven years. She was set in her ways. What do you think? So yes. It took some illegal persuasions to bring her to the estate. Yes, they had to resort to kidnapping, but in the end, Marge had a heart of forgiveness because she met the Lord through her circumstances. She not only received a physical transformation, but a spiritual one. Not only that, but she got reunited with her Carliano. One last thing, my beta reader complained that Marge was in her underwear. It could have been worse. She was originally in her birthday suit. But I have decided that as a Christian author, she needed something on. Perhaps the beta reader and people like her would much rather have her dressed in a lingerie. Well, if you can't stomach a woman dressed in her underwear then this book isn't for you. of all the people I know who have downloaded my book, none of them complained to me about Marge's lack of apparell. And they are all Christians. Marge is mainstream romance, but I think I will just make a secular because the beta reader find it hard it to see my book Christian. What is your definition of mainstream?

The Cowboy Hunter--Denise Hunter

Since I have decided to turn my second book into a series, I  needed to do some research. Therefore I checked out a book called "The Cowboy's Touch." by Denise Hunter.

The book is about an overworked and zealous magazine writer Abigail Jones. The setting of the book is first set in Chicago, but when her concerned mother sees that Abigail needs rest and relaxation, she sends her daughter to Montana to stay with her great aunt (who is a bit eccentric and calls her dolls "her girls") and keep an eye on her. Abigail meets a young girl named Maddy and it is through Maddy that she meets the girl's father Wade Ryan and becomes a nanny.

Both Abigail and Wade is not looking for a relationship, but there is an attraction between the two that none will admit. They are both afraid of hurting each other for different reason.

I enjoyed reading this book and it has increased my desire to  move to Montana and hopefully meet a rancher. In my series, Eric is a rancher. And even though most ranches are inherited, Eric takes over his father's ranch because of his father's health and it eventually becomes his. (Not told in the story, but might be later) I have never experience ranch life nor do I have much knowledge on the subject. I wanted to do my readers justice so I researched on the subject: The Cowboy's Touch. Although fiction, it gives me an idea of how it is written.

I do not want to spoil the book for anyone who hasn't read The Cowboy's Touch, so that is all I will say about the book.

Champions in the Wilderness--Bob Santos

Today I am featuring Bob Santos' devotional called Champions in the Wilderness.

Do you want to know and serve God but feel dry and isolated? Are you struggling with some type of injustice or transition in life? Champions in the Wilderness--a fifty-two reading devotional--is for you! Probably every person who seeks to serve God will endure a spiritual wilderness experience at one point or another. All too often, however, we have a difficult time seeing God's loving hand at work in the midst of our struggles.

The key to positive change is getting God's perspective and adjusting our lives accordingly. Those who honor God through the rigors of a spiritually dry season will eventually emerge as champions of the Christian faith, better prepared for meaningful and effective service to God.

Bob Santos has written Champions in the Wilderness based on his own experience of finding God near during seasons when He felt so distant. Each devotion contains an inspirational quote, a Scriptural passage, the main body, three probing questions, an action step, a closing prayer, and three or four additional Scriptures for further reading. This design makes it an excellent resource for either personal or small group use.

Champions in the Wilderness is also a great gift for a friend or loved one who is seeking after God in the midst of personal difficulty.

Pick up a copy today or download a copy today at:

 Amazon

Web Store

Book Spotlight for God's Peace Pact by Wanda Nelson

GOD'S PEACE PACT

By Wanda Nelson

An inspirational journey through Life, and learning to trust God more. Finding an often overlooked promise from God: His peace pact with His children. Discover more about this promise! Learn more about the heart of God ! Study His Everlasting Covenant with all of His children. Discover His peace pact for your life!

You can purchase or download this book at:

Amazon

To learn more about Wanda Nelson, Visit her Amazon Author Page:
Wanda Nelson

Love Me If You Must

I just got done reading a book by Nicole Young. I normally don't look at reviews because I wanted to find out for myself. The book was free so I downloaded it.

If I have more than one book yet to be finish reading, I go through a process of taking turns. (Most read one whole book before they read another). Of all the books I have read during tat time, hers I couldn't wait to finish. I was unaware of the one star reviews she had received. I pretty much read the book based on the description. I am glad I downloaded it.

Today after I read those horrible reviews, my spirit was lifted. I knew  that authors would received them. How many times have my author friends told me that? Yet, hearing that, did not lift my spirit. It only put me further into the pit.

I worked hard at my manuscripts. maybe I am not as good with words as some authors are, but my stories are great! So is hers! I have only read one and knowing that she is a Christian, I will probably read the other two later.

Someday, hope to thank her. She is my inspiration that no matter what people think of your books, you can't  stop there. She wrote something that is very true and it is almost my thought:  It is important to have something to support yourself.

After my first YA fiction is published, I am taking a hiatus (Unless I get a job before then). People have been kind to offer editing or whatever for free, but I have a feeling it will only be short lived. As  I heard people say to why they won't do it for free: "It is my livelihood." Well, I can't put food on their tables. I am really hoping for a miracle. Who knows maybe sales will pick up for The Past Hunter and I will start getting royalty checks, but until then, I will write but not published. Perhaps when  things begin to change for me, my friends will see that I overcome the odds.