I never search the Internet for reviews of my books. I do read some of them on Amazon, mostly because my mother tells me to.I think I've talked about this before. Anyway, I turned in a book Wednesday so I'm playing hooky until I start the new one on Monday. How do I spend my free time? I'm making a Minecraft cake for my niece (I'll post a picture) and . . . I was checking out Amazon and changing my author bio. Mostly because I didn't have the title right on my next book. AS CLOSE AS SISTERS will be a November 2014 release. While checking the site, I noticed that JUST LIKE OTHER DAUGHTERS had quite a few new reviews, so I read through them.
I've received my first one star, out of 5, review. When I read it, I smiled to myself. I suppose I should be upset-- someone didn't like my book. No, they hated my book. Which translates, for most writers, to mean that someone hates me. Worse yet, hates my baby. My darling. Fortunately, I don't look at reviews that way. I have a story to tell that I tell. Some readers will like the story, some won't. I think the important thing to me is, did it touch the reader in some way? Was there something about the book that made them think about it later? Or mention it to a friend?
As a reader, I like books that touch me emotionally, negatively or positively. I like books that make me think, even if it's to think I don't agree with that character's thoughts or actions or I don't agree with how the author saw that issue.
It also occurred to me that getting a one star review on Amazon once in a while is probably good. Otherwise, wouldn't readers be suspicious? I'm suspicious of a book that EVERYONE adores.
So, I'm not upset about the one star, but I am going to call my mother, who's also a writer, and tell her someone doesn't like me. She has to like me; she's my mother.
I'm amazed that anyone would hate your book. I absolutely adored it! I just finished it and don't want to start another book. I just can't leave this one behind! Will there be a sequel? What happens to Alicia and Mark? What happens to Adam? Does Alicia get to wear her Mother of the bride dress again? I have grown very attached to the characters. I am currently searching for more books you've written, which is what led me to your page. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Linda!! Daughters was my first attempt at writing this kind of books, after 28 years of writing mysteries, suspense and romance. I've written under a lot of names over the years. Email me and I can point you in the right direction. Colleenfaulknernovels@gmail.com
DeleteI don't have plans for a sequel right now, but you never know!
I wanted to get in touch with you, and this seems like the best place and way to do so. I'll start with...I LOVED this book. I read it all in one day and greatly enjoyed it. The last 3 pages caught me off guard. I laid in my bed and cried a good cry for at least 5 minutes when I finished. While this may happen to many of your readers, this is different for me than, probably 99% of your readers. You see....I am a survivor of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (also known as PPCM). I was diagnosed 16 months ago (3/14/13) hours after the birth of my daughter. I spent my first night as a mother without a clue as to what was happening to me, in the cardiac ICU unit with my nurse by my side all night because they weren't sure that I would make it through the night. Thank you for including it...I hope that people will realize that it is real....it does happen....and it can happen that quickly. Although it was just a quick mention, I hope it was enough to make people wonder and do some research. More awareness needs to be out there about it....it can happen to anyone who gets pregnant!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked my book, Kathleen! And thank-you for posting your story. I actually had a reader comment that there was no way what happened could have happened-- you're proof that PPCM does exist. Lots of readers didn't like that the book ended so abruptly-- what I was trying to show was how abruptly our lives can change. I'm so glad your story had a happy ending.
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