Tour Stop / Emma ...to begin again by Debbie Brown

Guest Post by Debbie Brown

Review Attitude

Over the past year I have thrown myself into the world of published authors, bloggers, reviewers and more. I am learning as I go, and I read, attend webinars, share, discuss, question, and then apply what I learn. I’ll let you know what this experience has taught me at the end of my post.

Previously, I have covered reviews, getting your stars and blog tour etiquette. Today I want to talk to you about review attitude. Now, keep in mind that I am very calm and quite pensive as I write this. ;o)

I recently had my book reviewed by someone who actually made me laugh, not because there was anything funny with what she had to say, in fact it could be compared to giving my book to a giant, angry dog and letting him have a go at it. My concern here is that she took my book personally, and I have to admit I was a little at a loss by the reaction.

Let me explain…her reaction to the book would have been fitting if I had said “Here, this book will point out what you’ve missed out on in life, show you where you went wrong and tell you how you should live instead,” …which is not, in any way, what the book is about, but The Four Agreements Toltec Wisdom Collection: 3-Book Boxed Set by don Miquel Ruiz might be a good book for her to consider.

In any case I did laugh at her outburst or rant, (more fitting than review) because I have developed a thick skin over the years to similar reactions. There are a few people in my entourage who have a tendency to act the same way. Sadly, it doesn’t excuse it or make it right.

Whether we realize it or not, everything we’ve gone through in life has served one purpose…to make us who we are today. Our reactions to what goes on around us are filtered and interpreted through our past experiences. So my guess is that if a wholesome family life is an irritant to you, you didn’t have one. So should your comments about it be to berate it and call it ‘not normal’? Then again, it’s a work of fiction…why would it provoke such a strong negative reaction…? And should the review be based on that?

I believe there has to be a balance between the emotional and objective sides in a review, and I hope a good measure of professionalism is always added.

Unfortunately , in this case the reviewer felt attacked by my characters’ vegetarianism, stating that they made her feel guilty for eating meat and even felt that the book was pushing the issue. I would also venture that she has never met any homeschooling families, because her reaction was far from the reality I have had the pleasure of encountering…and well, there could be more, but enough said.

The amazing thing about writing fiction is that you can write and create anything you want. If I am creating a culture where children are raised in test-tubes and sent off to hunt and provide for the adults, (in hopes that he/she survives to adulthood and become safe and provided for), then so be it. After that, if you don’t like it, you don’t like it. But don’t like what…one or all of the characters, the story line, the world created, the way it was written?

If I am writing a character I want you to be angry with or even hate, I hope that I won't be hearing "Loved so-and-so in that story".

Fortunately most comments on my book are very positive, so I am not berating the review or reviewer…just wondering about review standards. It’s like test driving a car…there is not one car today that will please everyone, but there has to be a set of standards to follow when evaluating cars. Why not books?

I was surprised by author Steve Piacente’s remark during a recent webinar, when he said he was very careful about who he sent his books to for review. I couldn't understand why he would say such a thing at the time.

In the past I have learned that someone who “hates” sci-fi should not review my book. I have also learned NOT to take for granted that the person asking to review had actually read the blurb and knows it's sci-fi…and now I have learned to read up on past posts and reviews by the one asking for a review copy, just to see what kind of reviewer I’m dealing with.

Blurb

As an ER nurse, Emma knows life can change in the blink of an eye. When fate comes knocking, she finds herself far away from the city and back on the mountain ranch where she grew up -with the intention to close up and sell the house so she can move on.

But fate isn’t done with her yet, and that’s when she finds him, the one Two-Feathers calls ‘Star Brother’. Wounded and unconscious, Emma assumes he’s a military test pilot, until he opens his amethyst eyes and stares into the very essence of her being.

Excerpt

She turned back and looked into his eyes. Not blue. Could they be purple? She smiled and forced herself to remain calm. “Of course.” She reached for the water again. “Would you like some soup, or vegetable stew?” she offered. She was unable to take her eyes off of his, until he closed them and nodded. She wondered if he knew what soup was.

Silently, she stepped out of the room, grabbed the laundry from the floor and headed toward the kitchen, her mind racing. Purple, his eyes were purple. Who or what was he? Her imagination was coming up with way too many scenarios. Wait, wasn’t there some actress with purple eyes? She headed past the kitchen to the mudroom and dropped the load into the washer. A noise from behind startled her and she spun around, dropping the capful of laundry soap. She clutched at her chest, forcing air into her lungs. “You scared me.”

Two-Feathers stood in the doorway and nodded. “I guess that means you found him.” Bo danced around his legs, demanding attention.

She tilted her head and her mouth opened to say something but then shut it. Flustered, she grabbed a dirty towel to pick up her mess and tossed it into the machine before looking back at the shaman. “You want tea?” she asked as she pushed past him to the kitchen.

He remained in the doorway. “He is not dangerous.” His voice was calm and level. “I came to see if you needed help.”

She put the kettle on the stove and turned to face him. “’Could have used a hand to get him down from the mountain.” Her eyes met his. She let the reassurance he seemed to send out ease her nerves. “You knew.” It wasn’t a question.

Review

I really loved how this book pulled me into the story.  The characters attracted my attention and I grew to just love Emma's personality and her way of living life in the moment.  Two-Feather's as a Shaman had me so curious about his lifestyle and his ways that I had to keep reading to see what he would do next too.  When Emma finds a stranger wounded and cares for him bringing him back to health, the story took me on a journey that is unbelievable.

Knowing that the copy I received is an ARC copy I may be changing my first rating from 4.5 stars to 5 stars as I had a few issues with the use of quotation marks being used where they shouldn't have.  I will hope that soon I will receive an official copy to change that rating in the near future.

The story is so remarkably told that you have to read it to believe it.  There were parts where I was totally floored by the emotions and feelings shown and felt.  There were other times where I just wanted to know more and knew that I must keep reading to find out what was to happen.  There were moments of sadness, while Emma grew to overcome the death of her parents, while there was also happy moments with her stranger, 'Star Brother'.  His eyes are a sight to withhold and a pair anyone can get lost in.

I really loved how the author wrapped up the ending to Emma's story...  My questions were answered and the closing was not as I expected then books are not always written as you would expect.  I was relieved to know that there is another book that goes along with this story later on down the road a few years, based on the description I have read.  I look forward to picking it up and reading it soon too.  

Author Bio
All her life, Debbie has spun stories in her mind, watching characters come to life, seemingly by themselves. After working as a nurse, teacher, martial arts instructor, artist, and CIC officer in the Canadian forces, not to mention her many hobbies, her life reads like a story itself. And yet, her favorite thing is still a cozy fire, a good book, and country living with her husband JP and her youngest of four children. After graduating from the Institute of Children’s Literature’s advanced writing course, she is finally devoting herself to writing these stories down, taking us all on a ride we won’t quickly forget.




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