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Getting Graded

Having my book reviewed reminds me of my school days and getting graded by my teacher. The educator reads your paper, evaluates it and gives it a mark.

Reviewers do the same for books, but most of the reviewers for romance websites don’t get paid. They’re book lovers who give their precious time to read my book and write up an opinion.

I love getting reviews of my books. Reviewers tell me what they liked about the characters and plot and sometimes they tell me what they dislike. I see reviews as validation that I wrote a good book and as a critique. If reviewers are willing to give their time to publish their comments, I need to pay attention. I can learn and I can improve.

Electronic publishing has increased the numbers of publishers, writers and books on the market and the choices for readers are ever expanding. Given this explosion of available books, I feel fortunate to receive a review. I have books that never been reviewed and that disappointments me. I really like the feedback.

I’d like to share a couple of comments that a reviewer wrote about one of my werewolf tales, Mark of the Moon.

“Occasionally the sentences were a bit stilted.”

“Mark of the Moon is a page turner, gripping the reader from the first page and not letting go.”

I love this kind of feedback, and if I could I’d ask that reviewer to point out every sentence she found stilted. That isn’t possible, but I’ve written a few more books since Mark of the Moon and her comment has stayed with me.

This year I was very fortunate. My book, Mirror Mirror: Nightwing was nominated by The Romance Reviews (TRR) for Best Erotic Paranormal Angels and Demons book for 2011. I was stunned. Short books like Nightwing are rarely nominated for awards. The nominees are selected by the TRR reviewers. I didn’t win, but I was thrilled that my book was remembered and nominated.

So whether the reviewers grade with stars, tombstones, lips or hearts I’m want to thank these wonderful people for all the reviews I have received over the years and the ones I hope to receive in 2012.

I’m looking forward to a great new year and getting good grades.