Whether it’s a product, a movie, or a new restaurant, usually the first thing you want to see is what everyone else thinks. As for my worst book review, it was a critique I paid for. Talk about being a glutton for punishment.

An Ambiguous Relationship with Reviews

Sometimes, we don’t agree with someone else’s review. Someone hates your favorite restaurant, that new workout tape your

friend recommended only made you hurt your back, or they couldn’t finish your favorite book or movie. I try to take all reviews with a grain of salt and consider that everyone has their own opinion.

Most authors have a love/hate relationship with reviews. We want you to love “our book babies”. We’ve poured our heart and soul into them, yet we know everyone won’t love our stories as much as us.

Believe it or not, that’s okay to say. Reviews are helpful for an author for a multitude of reasons. Even it’s only a short sentence saying, “It was okay,” or “I loved it,”or “I liked this, but not that.”

Although there are some people that aren’t really leaving a review. They’re leaving their opinion about the cover, the title or that the name of the heroine reminds them of someone they hate—sometimes even if they haven’t read the book.

A Vicious Critique

I love getting critiques of my writing. It helps me see if I’m on the right track with story flow etc. They’re kind of like a review, but just not shared online—thank goodness! That would be like showing up to work in your underwear because critiques are done as the story is being created.

I’ve had unsavory reviews online, but I’m sharing this critique today because it is burned in my brain, especially because I paid for the most unprofessional, rude and opinionated comments that were nowhere near a real critique.

I sent the beginning of GRANDMA MUST DIE to a person who bragged about providing “blunt critiques” for a small fee. Since I was seeking specifics about the story, and I’d already been developing my thick skin, this seemed like a great way to find out how the story was working. Well, no.

My story, GRANDMA MUST DIE touches on the unique challenges on frustrations of being a caregiver. Since it’s a humorous paranormal it takes these to the extreme by having grandma infected by a deadly, contagious spell that makes her beyond cantankerous.

The cross critiquer hated everything about it and was offended by everything. The title, my writing, the story and told me I must be a terrible person. And that I was certainly a terrible writer. She said anyone who might even think of being mean to a “grandma” was awful—and that I needed to throw the story out and go back and learn to write. (This is paraphrasing pages and pages of opinionated comments about what kind of warped person I was to write this. And no, this person was not a grandma, themselves.)

What I learned

People are jerks—ok, no, lol. I might’ve thought this at first after getting over the initial stunned shock, but then upon reflection I realized what she really should’ve said if it truly was an “honest critique.” That she has no sense of humor, or that she didn’t read fantasy or paranormal. She read the story as if it were a memoir, as if I was proposing taking out grandmas. (Honestly, I love grandmas—except if they’re infected with a deadly, contagious spell…)

Luckily, I sent the story to several other people who did provide honest critiques to help me improve the story. Most of them enjoyed it, and no one else told me (at least to my face) that the title was offensive or that I was a rotten person.  I submitted it to my editor (she thought the title was funny) who then published it.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but sometimes it’s best to keep them to yourself. And no one should have to pay to hear it. #MFRW #review
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P.S. What another reviewer had to say about GRANDMA MUST DIE

“A wonderful story filled with magic, romance, secrets, betrayal and growing up to find out who you truly are meant to be may not be who you thought.” **** reviewer for paranormal romance and authors that rock

It’s a Blog Hop

Check out the other author’s horror stories about reviews to see why authors usually say they’ve had to develop a thick skin.

The post My Worst Review Is a Matter of Opinion appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Are you a woman who has ever looked in the mirror and thought, “How did my mother get in my bathroom?” Have you gone through years of night sweats and seismic mood swings, leaving you with a metabolism that forces you to choose between wine and carbs (so you haven’t had a bagel in eight years)? Did you wake up one morning in someone else’s body? Then you will love this book.

If you ever made a regrettable hairstyle choice, finally conceded that thongs make you look like a Weeble in dental floss, or wished your Hubs would learn that grabbing your boobs every time you walk past him with a load of laundry is not foreplay, then you will love this book.

Who Left the Cork out of My Lunch? is chock-full of funny, informative how-to lists, hilarious advice columns, and sharp personal anecdotes that cover subjects from menopause (are we done yet?), empty nest syndrome (sob!), and grandchildren (yay!), to sex (better after fifty), marriage (he said what?), age-appropriate fashion (what does that mean?), cosmetic intervention (to Botox or not to Botox?), diet fails (#972), beauty tips from Mom (still true), and confidence (fabulous after fifty).

Laugh along with author Vikki Claflin and her amusing advice on how to let go of our youth and start rocking our middle age. Are you ready?

My Review:

Despite being quite a bit younger than the author’s determined age of those who would find this book funny, and I’m far, far, far! from grandchildren (I hope! Ack!)- I still enjoyed the book, and easily related to much of Vikki’s stories.

Proving that ‘girls just wanna have fun’ at no matter what the age, the author shares personal stories and hilarious insights about relationships, marriage, aging and much more. Each chapter is written in a blog length post, so it’s easy to sneak in a little at a time when you need a break – and a laugh. Proving laughter is the best medicine- especially if accompanied by a glass of wine.

I enjoyed this book as it unearthed the humor is day to day life- which is the perfect way to age gracefully- and to enjoy every new adventure in life.

About the Author:
Vikki Claflin is an award-winning humor writer and blogger, public speaker, and former newspaper columnist who lives in Hood River, Oregon. Her celebrated humor blog Laugh Lines shares the hilarious ups and down of midlife. She believes that laughter, a good glass of wine, and an econo-sized box of Milk Duds are the path to true Zen. Vikki has been featured on the Michael J. Fox Foundation website, Erma Bombeck’s Writer’s Workshop, The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy, Better After 50, and Funny Times Magazine. She also received a BlogHer14 “Voices of the Year” Humor award. Vikki recently released her book Shake, Rattle & Roll With It: Living and Laughing with Parkinson’s, selected for Amazon.com’s Editor’s Favorite Books of 2014. It chronicles her hilarious and sometimes poignant journey living with Parkinson’s disease.

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The post My Review for Vikki Claflin’s- Who Left The Cork Out Of My Lunch? appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.

Judy Ann and I have a lot in common. We are both from PA, write for The Wild Rose Press and have a release with The Candy Hearts Romance Series. I’ve delved a little deeper into Judy’s thoughts on Valentine’s Day with a quick interview. Let’s check out her answers, her delicious new release and my thoughts on the story!

Hard-working Kate Clark opens a thriving coffee shop that quickly becomes the local hang-out for students and the community. Her one wish is to eventually buy out her sister’s share of the old Florida home they inherited. However, Violet is need desperate of cash and has other plans.

Tappe Vanderberg, Kate’s childhood friend and high school sweetheart, has sold his lucrative internet security business to return to Little Heron Shores and fulfill his dreams of owning a marina. Now the handsome Dutch-born businessman is making waves with single women all over town—including loony, post mistress Eva May Poole who’s in search of husband number three.

But it’s Kate Clark who’s wreaking havoc with Tappe’s heart, not Eva May. Can he find away to shake the dingbat post mistress and convince Kate to give him a second chance and the sweet kiss he remembers from an earlier time?

Let’s ask Judy Ann about her favorite things for Valentine’s Day:

Elegant dining or homemade dinner? Elegant Dining

Dancing or daydreaming? Daydreaming 

Chocolate or Flowers? Flowers

 Sweet or Salty? Sweet 

Your Perfect Valentine’s Day Date: My perfect Valentine’s Day would be going out to dinner with my husband after receiving flowers and ending the evening with a perfect sweet dessert like creme brulee.

Excerpt:

Tappe picked up the grimy jar of candy hearts. “No way! I can’t believe Fay saved your candy hearts.” He twisted off the lid and shook one into his hand.

“Neither can I. Don’t you dare put that into your mouth. Those candies are over a decade old!”

“So? Sugar doesn’t spoil.”

“Okay, go ahead. Eat it. Poison yourself. Why should I care?” Kate said drily. “Just don’t call me in the middle of the night.” With a shake of her head, she turned back to the stove, took out a cold plate from the freezer, and plopped a teaspoon of the liquid from the bubbling pot on it, then ran a finger through the mixture to see if the jam stayed parted and stable, refusing to run together. She removed the pot from the stove, set it on the table, and started filling the pint and half-pint jars.

“You don’t mean that.” He dropped the candy back into the jar, and came up behind her. He started nuzzling her on the side of her neck.

“Do you realize I’m working with hot liquids?” She tried to be stern as she squirmed away still holding the hot pot. She could never quite pull off reprimanding

Tappe, especially when he was on a roll. And he was on a roll.

“Not as hot as you are. Want to make out?”

Kate looked at him askance. “Now? Here? Are you sane?”

“Yes, I’m fairly lucid. But if your answer is a no to making out, then can I lick the pot instead?”

“If you promise to quit licking my neck.”

My Thoughts about Sweet Kiss:

I love small towns and incorporate them into much of my writing, hence why I was drawn to Sweet Kiss. The characters are one you might expect to see in your own home town, at the coffee shop & bakery where Kate works. Her little shop was described in such detail that I could envision it perfectly in my mind, and it had my mouth salivating for the baked goods! Two sweethearts, who still carried the flame of their youthful romance must overcome misunderstandings, gossip and family drama to find love. A heartwarming story to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day.

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About the Author:

Judy Ann Davis began her career in writing as acopy and continuity writer for radio and television in Scranton, PA. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communications and has written for industry and education throughout her career.

Over a dozen of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards.

When Judy Ann is not behind a computer, you canfind her looking for anything humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few.

She is a member of Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America, and lives with her husband in Central PA.

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The post Guest Post & my Review of Sweet Kiss appeared first on Author Maureen L. Bonatch.