Have you read any good reviews, lately?

I have recently read this article from the NYT.       NYT ARTICLE

I recently read an article about bad reviews. It was well written and I have suffered the angst of someone writing a review, putting three stars out of five and saying they absolutely love it, to someone who has put a one star, describing the plot of someone else’s book, and why it didn’t work. Well, thanks for that, but it might not have worked because it wasn’t my book!?!? (we can’t do that type of punctuation in our books, Editors get testy)

And finally, the LOVELY reviewer who not only read the book but actively pulled out actual events in the story to illustrate their feelings on the book, good or bad, that is an incredible review.  But remember, you can always just say, “I liked the characters” and that’s cool too, honestly. 

Personally, I don’t leave less than a 4-star review if the effort in writing was obvious. Sometimes it isn’t, and I am tactful in my 3 star reviews or I don’t review it.

I know what one bad review can do to a book with only a few reviews to recommend it. Also, Amazon says 3 stars means you are writing a bad review. Amazon, since when do you say average, (3 out of 5 is average), is a bad thing?

So, reviews are like lovers, we all want one but most will skip the experience if he/she is going to leave us with a broken heart.  OKAY, enough said.

 

At the end of the week, we are shooting for this Thursday, June 21, 2018, a new book is coming out. If you loved Lord Thayer’s Choice, and Lord Ashton Decides, then you will want to pick up my Scots/Irish Tale, The Black Laird Requires.

 

Here is an excerpt of this yummy tale of a Sassy Lass with a few secrets and more sass than is good for her and her stern Laird who is excited to rein in his woman, but not too much…

 

 

 

“That is the reason you like me when I am uncertain and weak.” She could feel herself shrivel inside.

“Is that how you see it? Och, that isn’t it at all. I have thought on things and this is the way of it.” He tucked her against him again and smoothed her hair as he spoke. “I know, given my business and my position in life, I need a woman who is self-assured and can keep her own house. I will need that even more now with the Scottish estate. I can’t need to direct her on how to run her part of our holdings. She can’t be intimidated by the people who come to see me whether they be aristocrat or dock rat. That is Cairistine.” He took a moment and Cairistine nodded.

“But it isn’t all of me, milaird.”

“Aye and glad I am of that. If it were only Cairistine I needed, there are many women I could choose from. I would nae have to look hard. But I want more. I need a woman who loves me and is adventuresome in bed. I need a woman who will check to see no one is looking and then rub her wantonness over me like a brazen bird and then grin when she leaves me wanting. I need a woman who will shoot fiery arrows at me and stand her ground when I skelp her arse because she resents my hand but begs for the leather. I need a woman who burns for my touch because she cannot imagine another’s and lets me take her however I wish because it fills her needs as well. That woman is you, Cairis.”

Cairis ran her hand over his and touched her lips to his palm. “But milaird, are you sure?”

“Aye, but I’m nae done, lass. Finally, I need a woman who loves me enough and is comfortable enough in who she is to be vulnerable with only me, in the privacy of our home. A lass who is my wee colleen. The bairn that is always good but often naughty. I need someone who looks to me as her Da in a grown up but little lady way, who allows us to play.” Cairis looked up at him in some confusion.

“My woman needs to be little for me but also for herself. She’ll allow the comfort she needs, the insecurities that surface to be assured away, and the naughtiness, that a grown up lady is never allowed, to be addressed by me. I need my bairn to allow me to bare her bottom for naughty spankings when she is throwing a temper tantrum and she never looks for the type of gratification that Cairis needs.”

“But that would bring ridicule down on us.”

“No, Cari needs naps and protection from the loch monsters and the Fae. She needs sweetmeats and baths because she simply can’t deal with another thing until she has that nurture. And she wants it only from me, in the privacy of us alone.”

Cairis nodded. “This is what Lady Thayer and Lady Ashton have.” It was a statement of fact, not a question.

“Aye. So, my love, you are the only woman who is perfect for me. I am the only man that can meet your needs as completely as you meet mine.”

COMING SOON… The Black Laird Requires