Victoria Purman: The Best Review I've Ever Had

So there’s an author thing. You may or many not have heard of it.

And no, it’s not about how much coffee we need when we’re writing a book (one cup a day for me).

Or about the amount of chocolate it takes to write a book (not admitting to ANYTHING on that one).

And no, it’s not about how hard it is to stare at pictures of gorgeous men for inspiration (you’re right, the only problem with that is that it’s terribly distracting).

It’s the to-read-or-not-to-read thing.

The to-read-or-not-to-read-our-reviews thing.

I read all my reviews. Every single one. I can take it – the good and the bad. The meh and the marvelous.

And why do I do it? Do I have some kind of sado-masochistic streak or something? Nah, it’s nothing like that.

I spend a lot of time in front of my Mac staring out the window and talking to my dog. Oh shoot, that should have said, I spend a lot of time pounding a keyboard and writing books.

And after I’ve thought and written and rewritten and edited and edited again and the book is finally out there in the world, hell yeah I want to know what people think of it!

I really like knowing that I’ve made people laugh or cry or sigh or that I’ve taken them to places they may one day like to visit. (Australia, anyone?) I like to know if readers liked my characters and my stories, if they found their dilemmas real. I love knowing that I made someone’s lady parts tingle for the first time in a long time (yes, someone actually told me this!)

And – yes – I can cop it on the chin when someone says they didn’t like one of my books. As Forrest Gump said, life is like a box of chocolates (See how I brought this back around to chocolate?) Some people like hard centres. Some like fudge. Some like peppermint creams and some like nuts. Some people don’t even like chocolate, although I find this impossible to comprehend.

And all of that’s okay. Maybe I’m a glass half full kinda gal. I know some authors find it very difficult to read their reviews. Some reviewers and readers can be blunt – or more – and that’s hard.

But, you know what? If I didn’t read my reviews I wouldn’t have seen this one for my first book in the Millionaire Malones series, The Millionaire.

This from Sue on Goodreads:

The Millionaire really did it for me! I loved it! Victoria managed to pull me in and make me feel everything from laughter to heart ache to joy for Ellie and Chris. The Millionaire is a great, catchy story that took me on an emotional journey.

And I wouldn’t have discovered this lovely one from Shelagh about The CEO:

Reading Victoria Purman is like snuggling into a warm and familiar blanket ... so comfortable that you feel right at home from the first page.

If I didn’t read my reviews, I would have missed out on hearing how much enjoyment my books have brought to people.

And that is better than all the coffee and chocolate and gorgeous men in the world combined.

What will reviews be like for the third and final in the Millionaire Malones series, The Rebel?

I honestly can’t wait to find out!

A Year in the Life of an Author - April

If you've been following my posts (January, February and March), you'll know I've been working towards finishing the draft of my next book, traveling more than usual, and trying to keep up with business. April was no exception, 'cept that it whirled by! I did finally get the draft done. After 5 solid months of writing, the draft for the 2nd book in my new Rhymes with Love series is done.

Tentatively titled, And the Miss Ran Away with the Rake, I really like this book. Love the characters and it has been a fun book to write. Not all books are like that, but this one has--thank goodness! However, as it always is with my drafts--it looks like swiss cheese right now. Missing scenes, no love scenes, and a lot of XXXs where I need to insert . . . something!

On top of finishing the draft, I added into the mix, the kids Spring Break. We headed off to Hawaii to stay with my dear and wonderful friend, Jane Porter and spent an idyllic week on the beach. And that is where is I got the draft done. If you think the writer's life sounds perfect, know this: we always have work hanging over our heads and it goes with us everywhere.

No rest for the wicked.

After returning from vacation, I've had to immediately start prepping for the Washington Romance Writers Retreat, where I am the opening speaker and giving a workshop. These things take time to write and prepare, so the life of a writer is also about being able to shift gears from one thing to another and back to the first. So as I write this, I am once again packing, gathering pages to bring with me to work on, and of course a couple of books to read.

Now one thing of note happened in April that I must share: my upcoming book, Along Came a Duke got a starred review in PW. I couldn't be more proud. This is one of those moments where you take a deep breath and look at the email twice and then say, "Shut the Front Door!"

Here's the link, and for those of you who love digital reads, Along Came a Duke is being offered for pre-sale at $4.99 from Kindle and Barnes & Noble and most every online purveyor of ebooks. See you May 29th!

Reviews? - Anna Campbell

by Anna Campbell

As regular readers of my blogs know, I have a book out at the end of this month (the 30th December, not that I'm counting! MUCH!).

After over a year since my last release, TEMPT THE DEVIL hits the shelves this month. I hope that brooding, sexy gaze is staring out at you in a local store soon.

I hope he's tempting you! He sure tempts me!

The month leading up to a book's release can be quite a nervous time because it's when you get hit by a lot of REVIEWS!

So far, and I blush to boast, all the reviews for TEMPT THE DEVIL have been of the kind that my mother would write. Romantic Times even went so far as to call it "unforgettable powerhouse romance."

Isn't that nice? It was also nice to be chosen as a January Top Pick and to see my gorgeous hero the Earl of Erith awarded a K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) Award.

If you'd like to read more reviews, I've put excerpts from a couple up on my website in the Latest News for December.

While you're there, why not check out the contest where you can win one of three signed copies of TEMPT THE DEVIL? Just tell me what tempts you! Oh, and if you want to read the blurb and an excerpt from the book, visit the books page. Perhaps that might tempt you too!

Something else to tempt you is a trivia contest All About Romance After Hours are running. They've got three copies of my second Avon historical romance UNTOUCHED up for grabs. The contest closes at midnight on 11th December so you've got plenty of time to enter!

Something else to tempt you in December is the 12 Bandita Days of Christmas over on the group blog I share with 19 other fantastic writers. We're giving away rooster-themed prizes from December 12-24, culminating in a major prize on the 24th. Why roosters? Aha, become a regular on the Romance Bandits and you'll discover all!

Then on Christmas Day, we're giving away a humungous hamper of Bandita goodies to someone who manages to wrench themselves away from their presents long enough to comment. Seriously, this is a prize worth winning so if you have a chance on 25th December, pop by and wish us the compliments of the Season!

http://romancebandits.blogspot.com

And while I'm talking about goodies, my good friend Annie West has an amazing contest going on her website right now (closes at the end of December). You can win signed copies of EIGHT latest releases from Aussie authors Anna Campbell (um, that would be me!), Annie West, Robyn Grady, Christine Wells, Carol Marinelli (two books), Melissa James and Nicola Marsh.

As this is my last post for the year, I'd like to thank everyone at Tote Bags for the lovely warm reception I always get here. It's such a nice, friendly blog to be a part of and I'm in awe of my sisters in crime (well, romance!) who blog here. I'd like to say a special thanks to Leena who wrangles us all and makes sure the blog is there. I'd also like to say thanks to everyone who comments on my blog each month. I always thoroughly enjoy the conversations!

Happy Holidays to everyone, however you celebrate the Season. See you back here for a rocking New Year in January 2009! Whoo-hoo!

Now, my question for you is - how much attention do you pay to reviews? Can a review convince you to buy a book?