This review is biased as all get out, but it's one of my favorites! This is what my editor, Barb Caffrey had to say about the book after she tore it apart and then handed it back to me. She is gentle when she tells you to fix something, but you aren't getting by with anything, believe me. Here's what she had to say.
"Folks, I'm glad to talk about my friend and fellow author Kayelle Allen. I've edited at least six of her books (maybe more; I've lost count), and I'm always happy to work on them because they're well-detailed, well-organized, and a lot of fun. But A Stolen Heart, which is all of the above, is even more than that. It's about optimism, in the face of great loss. It's about the blessings of family, even when you don't think you deserve it. It's about personal growth, and self-sacrifice, and finding your own way in the world…most of all, it's about figuring out how to love yourself, warts and all, even when you've done something so horrible you have nightmares about it many years after the fact." -- editor Barb Caffrey
A review can empower
Yes, even when someone points out something they thought needed improvement, that's a good thing. One reviewer thought I shouldn't have mentioned two characters from a previous series. I can understand the reasoning, especially if a reader doesn't know them. I brought them into the book because these characters crossover into the series in later books, and because they are the single most powerful influences on these characters. Without them, there would be no story now.
The challenge is to consider how to use reviews to create a better story next time. In a review of a different book, one reviewer said the story lacked enough science fiction elements. Since about 70% of the story took place on an alien world where they had nothing to survive with but rudimentary gear in a backpack, there wasn't much sci-fi to include. But in future books, I recalled the advice and made sure I had plenty of that element.
Good and bad reviews are part of writing. Learning to grow a thick skin and be a professional is what separates the wannabe writers from the serious ones. If you've read this story and haven't yet left a review, I'd love it if you would. You can share it on Goodreads, Amazon, or your own social media. I'd love to hear what you think, good or bad. Send me a link!
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Book Hooks is a weekly meme hosted by Marketing for Romance Writers as part of the MFRW Authors Blog. It's a chance each week for you the reader to discover current works in progress or previously published books by possibly new-to-you authors. Thank you for stopping by. Please say hello or leave a note in the comments.
Very wise advice about reviews, Kayelle. We love our babies so much, it’s hard to hear anyone say anything against them… but it is worthwhile for us to listen.
And I hope readers will make an effort to review the next book they read. Even a short review is a huge help to an author.
You don’t have to agree with reviews. Just be respectful of them. The fact that someone took time to tell others about your book is an incredible honor.
I once got a one-star review saying a book was poorly edited (it was not – it won multiple awards and had high reviews). What was funny was that she praised my writing itself, and said if I’d had a better editor it would have been a fabulous book. My editor at the time heard about it and told the publisher. Turned out the reviewer had applied to edit for them, but didn’t demonstrate the right skills. She had since routinely lamblasted the edits of all their books. *_*
It would be so nice if readers left reviews. It is painful if the reader didn’t like the book – for serious reasons – not because of all the silly inane reason they seem to come up with. And on the flip side – it is amazing when the reader does love the book. That’s what we writers live for – someone to acknowledge and appreciate our work.
Tweeted.
I agree. It’s great when someone does that. I write for an audience. It’s my favorite thing to talk about a book, so I wish more readers left reviews — writing is so one sided. We give the story. It’s good when someone gives back their thoughts. Yes, I like to sell books, but getting the feedback is what keeps me writing.
Great book. I thoroughly enjoyed
Yes, I like to sell books, but getting the feedback is what keeps me writing.
You said this in one of your comments here, and it’s so very true, isn’t it? Sales are great, but that stellar feedback is what makes us plunk ourselves down at the keyboard and crank out the next story. :-)
Thank you, Janet! Makes me smile to read that. ^_^
OMG that is so true. It’s the little comments like “I loved this book” or “I want to read more” :) Totally makes it worthwhile.
You and this remarkable book–along with the others related to it–deserve all the kudos you’re receiving! Congratulations!!
thank you, Dee. I appreciate your support. :)