Monday, August 27, 2012

Book Reviews

This week I'm reviewing Linda Jackson's book, The Lie that Binds. She had a brief mention on one of her posts saying that it was now available as an e-book for .99 cents on Amazon.

She's a middle grade book author with a knack for amazing character portrayals and this book didn't disappoint. Although it's for the younger crowd, it is a good read for adults too. Being raised in a middle class, white suburban neighborhood (boring), I love having my horizons broadened by perspectives on other situations, and this book did just that, showing what living in a poor area might be like and why children make the choices they do.

Link here to check it out.

The second book I just finished was One for the Money. I loved the movie and since this is my genre, I decided to read the book afterwards. Usually that ruins the book, but I loved it anyway. The three things that kept me turning the pages were the likeable MC, the thriller/mystery plot, and the sexual tension with Morelli. Entertaining read!

On the subject of book reviews, for all writers out there, this article is a must read. Link here to read it for yourself. Quick summary- it exposes the "review" business where good reviews can be bought. For the record, I read EVERY LAST WORD of the books I review, and I am never, ever paid. I have a day job as a nurse already.

If I don't like a book, I'm not going to finish it. (I did write a few bad reviews on my Goodreads account, which is a risky business as a writer). Who's to say that they won't look me up and get nasty in revenge?

19 comments:

  1. "...showing what living in a poor area might be like and why children make the choices they do."

    Thank you, Rose! You totally captured the essence of the book! And thanks for reading, reviewing, and giving my book a shout-out. :)

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    1. My pleasure! You're very talented and I have a lot to learn from you.

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful book. (Yay, Linda!) If you liked Evanovich's first book, you're in for a real treat, because there are lots more of them in the series.

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    1. It was a good book, on both counts! I'm looking forward to more of the Stephanie Plum series too.

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  3. One of these days I'm going to have to purchase an e-reader. I'm just not sure I want to read books on a screen...but then I could read Linda's book too. It sounds marvelous!

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    1. It's available as a hard copy too, it's just a little more expensive. I'm caving in and getting an e-reader myself. I've been reading my e-books on my laptop but it's not the most convenient thing to lug around, even though it's small.

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  4. Rose, Rose, Rose! You're so awesome. :)

    Good to know with Linda's book! Woot! Must go support her! And Janet's writing is fun, isn't it? I've only read a couple in the series, but enjoyed them, even though mystery isn't *my* thing. ;)

    And thanks for the links!

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    1. Oh! And I love your profile pic... it's gorgeous!

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    2. Thank you! I wanted a picture that reflected what's important to me a little better, and that's nature- with me in it of course.

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  5. This is why I created the review group Knights of the Round Table on Goodreads. A chance for readers to have a say with no exchange of money. There is even a button for any book that readers rate as an average of 4.5 stars. Only one book has received that honor. We need more readers, though!

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    1. Sounds interesting! I'll check it out because I've just opened an account on Goodreads.

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  6. Rose, I couldn't believe what I was reading when I came across that article where people shelled out thousands for a good review. Seriously?! Doesn't that show a lack of confidence in yourself and your work? If I got a 5-star review, I would want it to be earned, not bought.

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    1. I agree! Even if it meant only one person read my book. That's for stopping by and joining :)

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  7. Thanks for the reviews! Both sound like interesting reads. I need to get Linda's on my to read list.

    I've also been reading a lot lately about bought reviews. I find it unfortunate when people feel they need to buy their reviews, and it's even worse when they buy positive ones. I'm not a book reviewer, but have reviewed a couple book in the past. When I do review a book I'm like you, I read down to the very last word and will do it with pencil in hand for scribbling notes in the margins. Also, LOVE your new profile pic! (:

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    1. Thank you! The review situation is sad but not surprising. When I've done reviews on Amazon or goodreads, I've thought to myself that there is no way to prove you've read the book, and that people with ulterior motives could easily put up fake reviews.

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  8. Rose, I'm with you on not finishing books that I just don't like or aren't grabbing me and holding my interest. Took me a lot of years to get to that point, but have so many books to read and chose from I finally realized when it is time to move on...move on and pick something else to read!

    Off to check out that link you shared on paid reviews...um...yeah...had no clue.

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    1. Yep! That article was an eye-opener. Same here on not finishing books- I used to read every word even if it was painfully boring. That's how I got through Moby Dick :)

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  9. If I found out an author had bought their reviews, I certainly would think twice about reading the book because I couldn't trust what people are saying. Sounds like a risky gamble to me.

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    1. So much for honesty hey! Some will pay (literally) anything to make it to the top.

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