Top 5 reasons for writing book reviews

I was a reader long before I ever started reviewing books. The first book I can remember reviewing online was Most Eligible Bachelor (Men of Distinction Book 1) by Empi Baryeh  in 2013 and I’ve been rocking on ever since.

Why do I review books, you ask? I’ll tell you (even if you didn’t) all in a handy top five list. Just so you know, my reasons are not in chronological order.

1. It makes me feel like Ms. Oprah Winfrey when I post a review, especially on my blog. Okay so I don’t have as much influence as her (yet), nor do I have a stamp which tells the world that the book belongs in my book club, nor are NYT bestselling authors throwing themselves at me trying to get me to read their books, nor… None-the-less, It makes me feel the teensiest bit powerful, just like Ms. Winfrey.
2. I get to share my opinions about a book with the world. I’ve had two friends voraciously recommended a series to me at two separate times- The Stephanie Plum stories by Janet Evanovich. When I got around to reading the recommended books and inevitably liked them they gloated. Big time. Sharing is caring right?
3. I get to support writers who have labored over a story. It’s as if I’m part of their marketing team when I share a review.
4. It’s fun, especially when the book is extraordinary. The review writes itself because I want to sing its praises to the world. And sometimes people in the world actually listen. When the book is average at best, the fun factor diminishes, but I still enjoy it.
5. Sometimes, when I desire them and ask nicely, I get free books. Always a plus.

     Why do you write book reviews?

Am I an honest book reviewer?

For the most part I’m a direct, honest person. I was one of those types of children who used to blurt out whatever was on her mind. Yes I was an entertaining (aka sometimes embarrassing) child to have around. Now I’m an awesome adult who has discovered what a filter is and actually uses it. Sometimes.

I adore reading books. I’m meticulous in choosing them because I hate wasting time. It doesn’t help that I’m a finisher. By hook or crook if I start something, especially a book, I will get to the end, unless it is poke myself in the eye bad. The optimist in me keeps hoping the story will get better, until I reach the last chapter and  accept that it hasn’t and I call myself all types of fool for putting the book down earlier.

What do I do with these wretched books which I’d rate a one or a two? I commit the author’s name to memory and file him or her in an imaginary box labeled – “If I ever attempt to read this author again I will find a way to throat punch myself. Hard!” And then I chalk the book up to a bad experience and only think about it when discussing horrible books I’ve read.

I don’t review such books. If a story doesn’t rank a three or above, I don’t review it. Does this take me out of the category of an honest reviewer? I’m trying to figure out the answer to that question. Even books that I rate a three are ones that tend to be on the cusp of a “What in the world?” but I liked it enough to finish it without wanting to throw my e-reader at the wall.

When I write a review I’ll state what I liked about the book and what I didn’t. I’m totally about following the old adage of keeping your trap shut if you can’t say anything nice. That’s what I feel about a book I’d rate a one or two. Those reviews would be a rant about why I hated the book and wouldn’t include anything positive to toss. And as we all know one person’s treasure is another one’s… um – I can’t remember, but I hope you get the gist.

Are you an honest book reviewer?

The Book Reviewers Antithesis of Mikey (From Life Cereal) #bookreviews

I went through my Amazon reviews and noticed that my ratings were mostly fours and fives. Hmmm. I had a couple of threes, but no twos and no ones. There's only one reason for me liking so many books.

Please forgive me for any copyright infringements.

I'm the antithesis of Mikey.

You know from the old Life cereal commercial. That boy was finicky. (But the cereal is delicious).

It turns out I'm the same way with food that I am with books. What I like I like, and I tend to enjoy almost everything. My friend made some stew once and she said it needed salt when she tasted it. I had been shoveling it in and told her it taste fine. She shook her head and told me, "You think everything tastes good."

That's not true. I ate at a pastry shop once and couldn't take more than two bites of the food (I hate wasting food). When I told my friend (the same stew maker) she wasn't surprised. She told me that another friend couldn't finish either and had to take antacids after eating there because the food was so bad. 

Anyway, a book has to be really bad for me to rate it low, and usually if it's that bad I won't waste my time finishing it (like that horrible wash my mouth with the whole bottle of Coke pastry).

I realize that people may think I'm trying to appease authors with my reviews. It's not true. It's just that the bad books are like boiled carrots (gagging) and brussel sprouts to me. They don't even make it into my mouth (or head - I'm sure you get the point).

What about you? Do you like most books or are you more of a Mikey?

Reviews: Angelborn and Angelfall by L. Penelope #urbanfantasy

The Blurb

Maia 

It's hard to be normal when you see the dead everywhere. So I gave up. I just focus on staying out of their way. But the guy haunting my roommate is different. He’s impossible to ignore, and now other people can see him too.

He says my roommate is the only one who can save him from an eternity of torment. But one night he follows me into my nightmare and rescues me from my demons. Now he’s all I think about. This must be what it's like to fall... for someone who can never be mine.

Caleb 

A lifetime ago, I found my soulmate in the human world. But being angelborn means I don't have a soul. When I lost my one true love, I lost my future and my freedom. Now, I have a second chance — she's been reborn and I must gain her love again or serve out the rest of my eternal sentence alone.

But this time I am a fugitive with powerful angels hunting me, and I'm running out of time. You only get one soulmate, and mine isn't the broken, scarred girl, who sees what no one else can. She's a distraction I can scarcely afford — but I'm unable to stay away from her.

*** A standalone, new adult paranormal romance. 40,000 words. 

 My review

As soon as I finished this book I bought book two of the series, Angelfall. I couldn’t believe how good it was. I love a great paranormal and I definitely got one. The romance between Maia and Caleb was amazing, subtle until it wasn’t anymore. I enjoyed the growth and complexity of Maia and how she learned to deal with her gift and gave so selfishly of herself. Oh the power of love.

Although Maia has a dark personality because of what she’s gone through in life, she brings quite a bit of humor to the story.

I’m so happy I found a new author to love.

I give this book five out of five portal shaped chocolate bars.

I purchased this book from All Romance eBooks.

You can also get it from Amazon.

The Blurb

Their love could break the world.

Lyrix, the first new angel to emerge in a millennium, brings hope for her endangered race. But the weight of duty is heavy. As the newest and strongest, she is expected to become a Seraph, one of the stoic angel kings and queens. She dreads the prospect of losing all her emotions in the transformation, but avoiding her destiny may lead to extinction for her kind.

Wren is half-human and a second-class citizen among angels. A chance meeting with Lyrix leaves them both yearning for a life lived on their own terms. A relationship between an angel and an angelborn is unprecedented, and powerful forces oppose their union. On a journey to the human world, tragedy strikes, and Wren and Lyrix realize their love may destroy both worlds. 

My Review

I believe it’s the uniqueness of L. Penelope's writing that I enjoyed most about this book. It didn’t fall into a linear pattern, and yet everything came out so clear and entertaining. I liked Wren from book one when he helped Caleb. The story between Lyrix and Wren was involving and heart wrenching at times.  A wonderful angelic tale.

I like that the angels in her books are different from what I’ve ever learned. It gives me a completely different perspective about angels and their politics as created by one author.

I purchased this book from Amazon.

I give this book five out of five rainbow shaped chocolate bars.