When feedback isn't constructive...

As a reader, I totally fail all the authors I follow and love. The reason I fail them is I don't normally write reviews. I really should. I have read some spectacular books in the recent weeks. Why don't I write a review expressing what I liked about the book? I really don't know. I think it comes from the fact that I feel my opinion doesn't matter. If I really like the book, someone else will too! It could be laziness. It could be that life get so crazy, I just don't think about it, but the fact of the matter is that good reviews and comments do matter.

Over the weekend, on my SCP author's loop, a writer wrote an apology. She wrote about how her "terrible" book brought "shame" upon the whole publishing house. At first, in normal "Marie" fashion, I thought "how dramatic" then I decided to go over and read the review that she was apologizing for. What I read basically felt like a kick in the gut to any writer and I felt is as if it had been dealt to my own writing. When writers puts all of their blood, sweat, tears, time with the family, into writing a book, it's the scariest, most wonderful feeling out there. At first, you hope for a contract and if the universe shines upon you, it comes in your inbox and you are living in the clouds for days. Then the real nervousness starts when you become consumed with the reality of how will people like or dislike the book. No author thinks that everyone is going to like their book, and I know in the back of our minds we even know that some people are going to hate it (It pains me to write this but I know deep inside it's true.). This reviewer not only expressed how much she hated this book but absolutely skewered the book, the author's writing, and the whole publishing house. It wasn't a review but a hatchet job. No wonder this author was apologizing, I probably would be hiding under the bed after I set fire to my laptop.

My question is, what did the writer of the review really mean to get out of such a poisonous, scathing review? So, you didn't like it but come on. Isn't there a way to express your displeasure by telling people the author and everyone at the publishing house "must be  hitting the crack pipe too hard"? How was that constructive? Maybe, I've worked with children too long but my attitude has always been if I'm going to say something negative, it's going to be in a way to help someone become better at something. Am I naive? Maybe but that's how I live my life and wouldn't trade that for anyone or anything.  Have I read the book in question? No. Could the reviewer have some points? Yes. Could the  reviewer wrote her points in a respectful manner? Absolutely!

Authors are readers too! We have our likes and dislikes but most of all we have feelings too.

Peace out,
MRD

Happy Long Weekend

Wishing everyone a happy and safe long weekend! This weekend is a fixing weekend around the Dufour house. It's time to get the hubby's truck fixed and get the man some new glasses. I can't tell you how excited I am. I finally will stop hearing the man complain about the lack of transportation and the fact he can't see. The weight has lifted, the muse is back, and Monday is a holiday! Loving it...

And the winner is...

The winner of a free copy of one of my books is flchen1 ! Congrats on winning and participating in the blog hop. It was fun to let the "villains" take over for a while. I'll be emailing you to see which book you would like. I hope you enjoy whichever you chose!

MRD

Next stop on the Villain-tines Day Blog Hop

Hi all,
The next stop on the Villain-tines Day Blog hop is ME! My "villains" of Fated Mates, Kevin and Amy, are talking to Dawn Prochilo on her blog. Just follow the link, and see why they feel they are totally justified in how they behave.

MRD


http://dawneprochilo.blogspot.com.au/

Happy Villain-tines Day Weekend Blog Hop Special Guest Author Jean C. Joachim and Rex

I'd like all of you to give a warm welcome to my guests today.

Hello! Thank you for stopping by. I am giving away two copies of Now and Forever 3, Blind Love during this Blog Hop. The book is a stand-alone. You don’t need to have read the first two in order to understand and enjoy this one.

In honor of the Villaintine’s Day Blog Hop, Rex, the bad guy from Now and Forever 3, Blind Love has consented to be interviewed. Dave Williams, police chief in Willow Falls, has accompanied Rex here today.

Good morning, Rex. Let’s get started. *Rex leers at me, running his gaze up and down my body*. Been a long time, babe…heh heh. Okay, Rex, focus on the questions:

Why do you hate the hero/heroine? I hate Mac Caldwell because my girl, Deena, had it for him. She wanted to screw him. Broke my heart…bitch.

What do you want that the hero possesses?  His money! *laughs*, although I wouldn’t mind a roll in the hay with his sexy wife, Callie.

Did you have a good childhood? Next question.

What would your mother think of your behavior? None of your beeswax.

Have you ever been arrested? What for? *Laughs*, what do you think these cuffs mean? Think Dave Williams is here for nuthin’? Are you stupid or something?

Are you a white collar criminal? Nay, I prefer blue shirts. White shirts are boring, like stupid businessmen wear.

Are you simply misunderstood or just plain mean?

Do you think your life justifies your actions? Hell, yeah! The riches go to the smartest guys. And I was the smartest one for a long time. Cops couldn’t catch me for months! heh heh.

Do you own a gun? Not anymore. Used to own a Glock. Gotta watch your back in my business.

Have you ever killed anyone? I plead the fifth. Can she ask me that? *looks at police chief.*

Do you feel entitled to take whatever you want? Hell yeah. If you’re stupid enough to give me your money, why shouldn’t I take it? If you don’t want me on your neck, live a clean life. *guffaws* like people actually do that!

Do you care that readers may despise you? I get lots of fan mail in jail and a few offers for…uh, conjugal visits, if you get my meaning.

Did the author give you enough space in the book to tell your story? Maybe too much. A little less space and I’d still be a free man.

Do you want revenge on the author, too? Naw. That Caldwell guy gets his in the next book. You’ll see. Okay, okay, Jean, I’ll shut up.

Did someone break your heart, making you this way? Hell, everyone broke my heart. You don’t think I got this way from random acts of kindness, do you? *Scowls at reviewer.*

Okay, Rex. Thanks for your time. You can take him back, Chief Williams.

A little bit about the book

Can a handsome, charming, womanizing professor win the heart of a temporarily blind ballerina? Love and desire, blackmail and secrets come to Kensington State University. This full length novel is three parts love and passion mixed with one part intrigue, stirred up with a twist of mystery and heated up to three flames.

Buy Links

SECRET CRAVINGS PUBLISHING

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

All Romance eBooks

BOOKSTRAND

Guest Blogging

Hi all,

I'm guest blogging with Tina Donahue about how eroticism doesn't always have to mean sex. Come over and leave a comment. (So it looks like I have some followers. LOL!)

http://www.tinadonahue.com/blog/

Peace out,
MRD

Congrats to Miranda Stowe!

Congrats to Miranda for a great review in the JERR newsletter!!!

Title: Framed as a Killer 

Author: Miranda Stowe

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Reviewer: Kendra Edens Rating: 4 Stars

Heat Level: H

Paige Bromin has been in love with the town outcast for years, coveting him from afar. Her self image is less than positive so she has no reason to believe her object of affection would want anything to do with her. But a “witch” told her fortune years ago, she would save her true love. So when Court Lawson is suspected as the town serial killer, Paige makes her move, risking everyone and everything she holds dear to champion Court. But things aren’t as they seem and Court has secrets he vows never to reveal. The difficulty begins when the elusive Snatcher remains uncaught and Court becomes determined to help with the capture.

As the third book in the Snatcher series, it was an unexpected surprise for me. I enjoyed the first book, but faltered in my enjoyment just a bit with book two, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with Framed As A Killer. I am pleased that I continued to read this series. Ms. Stowe changed things up a bit by combining a slight touch of the paranormal with a love that had been growing for years. Paige’s conviction that Court is innocent, paired with Court’s natural distrust of anyone, adds conflict and chemistry to this story. The intimacy was toned down comparatively speaking, but remained at a level that still added spice to the scenes. Additionally, Ms. Stowe answers a lot of questions presented within the first two books concerning Court, that were left open, leaving suspicion in the mind of the reader. All of the pieces fall into place with satisfying results. Sort of. The issue of the Snatcher remains somewhat unresolved, though I won’t explain how. Overall, Framed As A Killer is a terrific addition to the series continuing the Snatcher saga while wrapping the reader up in Paige and Court’s love story. As a reader, I spun 180 degrees from condemning Court in the previous book to championing this misunderstood underdog in desperate need of acceptance. Well played, Ms. Stowe.

Villain-tines Day Weekend Blog Hop postponed

Boy, did I have to scramble this morning. Late last night, I received an email that the Villain-tines Day Weekend blog hop is postponed until the weekend of May 19th. It was a good thing the cat woke me up a few minutes early today. I still don't like the new blogger, so I had to rush and figure out how to reschedule the blog that I scheduled to go live at 4 am. Obviously, with much fumbling around I figured it out.

I want to wish everyone a good weekend.

Villain-tine's Day Blog Hop

This weekend, some of the authors from my publisher will be participating in a Villain-tines Day Blog Hop. We will all be guests on each other's blog and there's a twist. Our heroes and heroines are not in the spotlight this weekend. The villains have control! So come back on Friday when I host the villain from Jean C. Joachim's book. She is giving away two free books.

See you then! Make sure you come back for the fun!

MRD