Friday, 5 May 2023

Review of As Long As I Have You by Brandy Woods Snow

A headstrong Appalachian girl, determined to save her family farm from foreclosure, takes on a lucrative internship at Johnson Farms where she competes for prize money and the heart of Farmer Johnson’s son.

One summer to lose yourself. One summer to find yourself.

Reeling from an unexpected public break-up, recent graduate Bo Johnson finds his life in flux, unsure of his romantic outlook or himself. The one thing he can count on, however, is his dad’s desire for him to get serious about a future on the family’s large commercial farm—the one he stands to inherit. If he actually wants it, that is.

For headstrong Jordan Wright, a life on her family’s small Appalachian farm has never been in question—as long as it doesn’t fall into foreclosure first. With debts mounting and the bank’s grace running out, Jordan inherently knows the one thing her mama and grandparents won’t say aloud: it’s up to her to save them.

When Jordan lands a prestigious internship at Johnson Farms with a lucrative cash prize, she vows to keep her focus, despite partnering with the owner’s ruggedly handsome son who’s also shouldering the weight of family expectations. But as their success and affection for each other grows in tandem, Jordan becomes the target of Brice Johnson, the other intern leader, who harbors a grudge against Bo and a growing resentment toward Jordan.

Just when Bo is discovering his place on the farm and Jordan’s payout is within reach, a jealous Brice undermines the internship in an attempt to reclaim what he believes to be his rightful family stake, leaving Bo and Jordan with the realization that saving their inheritances could mean losing each other.

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I read the first book in this series and fell in love with the characters, so was happy to dive into this one, and wow, was it even better than the first! I adored Jordan and Bo, loved watching them fall for each other and navigate the twists and turns of their story. It was sweet, and heartfelt, and swoon worthy romance. Snow has a way of making the characters leap off the page and make you fall in love with their story. For anyone who loves contemporary romance, this is a must read and a series that I highly recommend!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Tuesday, 2 May 2023

#TeaserTuesday

Tara wants to keep her gift a secret, you never know how people might react...

BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DTSS

[ID: A blurry blue sky with green and yellow leaves in focus background with the title DYING THOUGHTS - SECOND SIGHT at the top and out now in ebook, paperback & audiobook just above the title. The except reads:

“I just thought you could finally solve that for them. You know, get hold of something of hers, bam, case solved,” Kaolin muttered, her lips barely moved.
“Kaolin, as my first and pretty much only friend, I don’t want to have to kill you but if you don’t drop it I will be forced to hurt you.”
Cassie turned her head to look at the both of us. “What the hell are you two whispering about?”
“Nothing,” I told her, smiling sweetly.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, in the bottom left corner is the Readers' Favorite Review Seal, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Monday, 1 May 2023

Handling A Bad Review - The After Process

HANDLING A BAD REVIEW

I remember the first time I ever got a bad review. It was way back at the start of my career, and it devastated me. Part of me wanted to reach out to the reader in question and explain a few things, but one thing I was told repeatedly when I was first starting out was that you never ever engage with reviewers. The reviews aren't there to make you feel good, they're there for other readers. It is not a space to get into as an author, but as a reader.

That said, I understand the urge. I understand the nerves and anxiety and the dropping in the pit of your stomach that someone out there didn't like your work. It was something they didn't enjoy to the point of wanting to warn other readers not to buy it. In my case, it was a stylistic choice that the reader didn't like. They felt that I'd overused some things, but at the same time, editors and the like agreed that it was the way of telling the story.

I know that a lot of the time, authors are warned not to read their reviews, and personally I think it's something that only you as the author, knowing yourself best, can decide. If you're someone who's going to ignore the above advice and engage with the reader, or publicly shame them, or rant about it on Twitter, then yeah I don't think you can read your reviews. It's better, if you actually want to know what readers are saying, to let someone you trust pick and choose the ones for you to read.

Those things I just mentioned about engaging and ranting publicly? Those are warning signs that you can't handle what a reader might say. It's one thing to rant privately to friends, hell I've done it. But posting said review on your social media makes you look very bad if it's followed with a rant about how the reader is wrong. Over my time as an author, I've seen people handle it very badly, and it always, always blows up in their faces.

Reviews are very much for the readers. They're not something that authors have to read, and while I understand wanting to - I always read my reviews - you don't have to. If you want to throw a pity party with close friends, that's completely valid and okay. Just don't throw said party on social media for all the world to see. It leaves a bad taste in people's mouths, and it does get noticed by other readers in that space, and you do not want that.

So how is the best way to handle it? If you're someone who wants to read reviews and is aware that not everyone will love and adore your work, then the best way is to simple take what's been said, and privately reflect on it. That first bad review I mentioned? I talked about it with my best friend, we dissected what had been said, and then I moved on. Do reviews still make me anxious? Occasionally, especially when they're a low star, but I still read them because I personally know I can handle that, and if I can't, I have friends I can go to who will help me work through what's been said.

I know some authors don't think there's any point in reading the criticism, because, after all, not much you can do about that book now. Truth is, for me, it's not about that particular book, because it's published and there will be no changes to it. Instead it's about spotting mistakes that I might have made in the execution of that book, and making sure that they don't end up following me through future works. For me it's about taking those words of critique and learning to grow as a writer with them.

Now yes, I know that some bad reviews aren't going to help with that. Some bad reviews are people either not giving critique but just hating the book, and for those I just remember that you can't please everyone, and they were obviously not the target audience for that book, and that's okay. It's something that does help me in working out how to market and the like.

So when the first bad review comes, be ready to absorb the blow. Feel what you feel, but don't reach out to the reader, don't post about it publicly and rant and rave. Just take it for what it is, and move on with your day. I know it hurts, I know it's hard, but there is nothing you can do about it.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.

Friday, 28 April 2023

Review of Blood Of Beasts by Rebecca Lemke

  

This one was truly powerful. Dangerously perfect.

Humanity has fallen, decimated by biological warfare. Survival is only afforded to the elite. Super soldiers were created to protect the vulnerable remains of the United States.

Titania has been in hiding since she escaped the program. For years, she has kept her origin secret, even from her best friend, James.

When she is forced to manifest her power, she and James must flee from her creator. As forces work to tea.
 

My Review:  5 STARS

I picked this up because the cover and blurb called out to me. I was in the mood for a little dystopian and this one did not disappoint. While it took me a chapter or two to get into the story, once I was in, I was hooked and only had to put it down so that I could attempt some sleep, but the first thing I did in the morning was sink into it and devour the last few chapters. That ending! Oh it left me desperate for more, and I’m gonna be diving into book two ASAP! I adored the characters, the world building and all the twists and turns of the plot. Very much recommended!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

Thursday, 27 April 2023

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

#TeaserTuesday

Tara's gift allows her to watch her mother die again and again...

BUY NOW: http://www.books2read.com/DTFT

[ID: A dirty yellow wall with a crack along it background with the title DYING THOUGHTS - FIRST TOUCH at the top and out now in ebook, paperback & audiobook just above the title. The except reads:

“Tara?” Megan gasped. It was getting harder to breathe now.
“She’s safe, just hold on Meg.”
“Does she know?” Her eyes were getting heavy and she knew she would die soon. She knew she would never see the ambulance that Colin was promising her.
“No, no, Meg, she doesn’t. Hold on.”
“Promise me, never.”
“I promise. Meg, don’t leave me, hold on.”
“I love you always, both of you,” Megan managed before death took her away.

At the bottom is Joey Paul and just below that the website www.joeypaulonline.com, and in the bottom right corner is the logo for Bug Books. END ID]

 

Monday, 24 April 2023

Balancing Writing & Time Off - The Creative Process

BALANCING WRITING & TIME OFF

I have always been someone who very heavily believes that everyone needs time off from time to time. I used to have a goal for having at least one day off completely each month, I still have that goal, but I've upped it to two days. When you're in a creative field, it's especially important that you have that time off because your work, your creativity is going to need to be refilled at some point. It's going to need you to have some time when you're not always writing and creating.

The problem, for a lot of writers, is that they find it hard to keep that balance between taking the needed time off, and still managing to write to a level that they themselves are happy with. I know that comparison plays a part, like if someone else you know and admire is able to manage xyz in a month, then you should be aspiring to do the same. I'll be blunt and honest and say that no, that's not the case and comparison is a game you don't want to get into.

For example, as a disabled indie author with several chronic conditions, the time I can spend working on any given day is limited. For someone who's healthy, who doesn't have those constraints, they may manage more or less than me. The point is that no one shares the same twenty-four hours as you do. You might have kids, they might have a job, you might be a full time author, they might have several assistants. No one in this world has the exact same constraints on their time as you do. It might be similar, but it's not exactly the same.

So how do you find that balance? I mean, as someone who is a full time author (though for full transparency, it doesn't pay me full time) I should have all the time to write, and write some more, but it doesn't work out like that. There does need to be that balance between writing and time off, because no matter who you are, no matter what your twenty-four hours looks like, you will need time off. You are human, no one can be on the go all the time and not pay some kind of price for it.

#1 BE STRICT WITH TIME OFF AND WITH WRITING TIME
I know this might sound like a given. After all, everyone tells you to be strict and have some kind of plan and routine in place so that you can optimise your writing time. While that's true, I also think you need to be strict with your time off as well. If you know that you're wanting to take the next day off writing, don't allow anything to pull you back in. While it might not always be possible to do this, the majority of the time it should be a rule you follow to the letter. No one wants you to burn out, and if you want to keep doing this writing life, then you need to be able to balance the stress of one with the relax of the other.

#2 TRY AND HAVE SOME KIND OF PLAN
I know this is something that I fall back on often, and I also know that it's not always possible. My mind works in a way where knowing when I'm supposed to be doing things calms my anxiety and puts me in the right head space to be able to do the thing. Before I used a paper planner, I would use sticky notes on my computer so that I could know ahead of time when I was doing what. I also use my ipad calender so that I can pull it up and know that I will need to, say, record a video on this day, and do revisions on that day, and go from there. I also know what days I'm planning to take off completely. It means that I'm able to know what needs to be done when and it's just something that soothes me. Now for some people making any kind of plan like that would do the opposite so if that's you, then obviously don't do this, but make sure that you don't just put off the days off until you burnout.

#3 DON'T DO TOO MUCH ON ANY GIVEN DAY
Again, I'm basing this on my own circumstances and that might not apply to every writer. I find that if I try and do two chapters in one day, I need more time to relax afterwards. So I make sure that it's not something I do very often. Usually it's only when starting new projects and then I have months when I don't have to worry about them. If you know that you find it hard when you do 5K in a day, then don't set yourself up to do that every single day. Balance out what needs to be done, work out when you'll have more time to do more, and dish out the things you need to do, whether that's writing or revising or admin stuff, and spread it evenly over the month or week. This allows you to make sure you're never doing too much.

So there we go, those are my three big tips when it comes to balancing this writing life with time off. I know it can seem daunting when you're also juggling other things. I know how easy it can be to beat yourself up for not managing this or that goal, but it's so very important that you look after you as well. Your writing will take as long as it takes, and that's okay. Yes it's something I say a lot, but it's also true. There is only one you, and only you can tell your story. Take care of you.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

Follow Joey here on her blog, or on Facebook or Tumblr to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding Joey and her books.

Friday, 21 April 2023

Review of As Much As I Ever Could by Brandy Woods Snow

Seventeen-year-old CJ Ainsworth doesn’t drive—not because she can’t, but because she won’t.

She’s been living with the guilt of being the sole survivor of the head-on
collision that claimed her mother’s and sister’s lives. It’s the reason she refuses to get behind the wheel. It’s the reason her father has nearly abandoned her. It’s the reason she’s sent to piddle the summer away at her estranged Memaw’s house in Edisto Beach. 

All CJ wants to do is isolate herself and make it to the trial at summer’s end, where she’ll testify against the stranger who couldn’t keep his car in its own lane.
She doesn’t expect to fall for a boy, especially not Jett Ramsey, a hotshot racing champion destined for greatness on the NASCAR circuit. 

CJ’s resolve crumbles when she loses a bet that puts her squarely in Jett’s
driver’s seat. While he patiently reintroduces her to driving, they confide in each other, and CJ learns she’s not the only one silently suffering through a loss.

As their connection deepens, Jett’s focus on the track is called into question. CJ can't be the cause of another car crash, but her heart is broken either way. Can CJ learn to put her heart in drive? Or will she throw it in reverse?

Amazon

My Review: 5 STARS

I picked this up because I loved the sound of the blurb and the cover was interesting to me. I opened the book and on the first page I was lost in CJ’s world, in her trauma, in her angst, and in her slowly falling for and opening up to, Jett. Their love story had so many twists and turns and just drew you into their world where everything seemed to make sense until it didn’t, and then you’re there along with them both right through to the very end. It was a delightfully swoon worthy romance and one that I recommend! I picked up the second book in the series and can’t wait to lose myself in that one too!

Join Joey here on the blog on Fridays for interviews, reviews and guest bloggers. If you'd be interested in doing any of those, you can contact Joey here

 

Thursday, 20 April 2023

Revising While Chronically Ill [CC]


Talk about revision while being chronically ill and/or disabled and my tips for getting through it! #Authortube
 
BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE SECOND PANG: http://www.books2read.com/PANG
BUY CRAMPING CHRONICLES: THE FIRST TWINGE: http://www.books2read.com/TWINGE
#AUTHORCITY BIRMINGHAM JULY 2023 SIGNING TICKETS: https://bit.ly/3fRLjxg