It’s Up to You, the Reader
Posted: December 22, 2010 Filed under: Book Review, Writing | Tags: Aunt Lou, Book Review, Books, Children's Books, Chosen, Chris Keys, Cynthia Vespia, Demon Hunter, Fiery Dragons, Fishing Trip, Ghost Stories, I'll be There to Write the Story, Laura Resau, Midnight Ride of Blackwell Station, Mishka Zacharin, Mosquito, Naked Edge, New Year's Resolutions, Poetry, Raw Edges, Reprisal!, Review, Ruby Notebook, Secret to Lyinig, Spirit Lens, The Last Lie, The Truth Comes Out, Thomas Merton, Tim Baker, Water Hazard, Writing 2 CommentsNew Years is almost here and what writer doesn’t include in their list of resolutions a resolve to improve their writing? In 2010, I had the privilege of reviewing many truly good reads, by some really awesome authors. With 2011 just around the corner, I thought it might be beneficial to take a look at those reviews to see what worked and what didn’t. The only problem is I don’t really have an unbiased opinion, so I thought that I’d leave it up to you. So, here are links to twenty-two book reviews, both here and on the Southern Colorado Literature Examiner. Please take a look at them, if you haven’t already, and then vote for the ones that you think are the best in the comments section. You can choose more than one, but please include a brief explanation as to why you liked each particular review, or why you didn’t, so that I can identify areas that might need some work. If you read the book, do you agree or disagree with my review? I will approve all comments as long as they are not downright nasty. Next week I will publish a list of the top reviews, according to you, the readers. I couldn’t do it without you.
“The Ruby Notebook” holds the key to many secrets
When “Mosquito” gets hold of you, it sucks you in and doesn’t let go
Anna Strong is a force to be reckoned with in “Chosen”
Storyline in “The Truth Comes Out” keeps readers guessing
You’ll think twice about water after reading “Water Hazard”
“Reprisal! The Eagle Rises” gives readers something to think about
“I’ll Be There to Write the Story” – A true tale that will touch your heart and stir your spirit
“The Last Lie”: a perplexing tale that will keep readers guessing
“Why Did This Happen to Me, Aunt Lou?” Inspires and Delights
“Killing the Cobra” is packed with action
“The Midnight Ride of Blackwell Station” is delightfully entertaining for all ages
“The Secret to Lying” holds the key to more than one secret
“Raw Edges: A Memoir”: a journey of self discovery and revelation
“Star in the Forest”, a glimpse of reality through a young girl’s eyes
Pamela Clare brings another sizzling romance in, “Naked Edge”
“The Spirit Lens”, a spellbinding tale that will captivate readers
“From the Spleen of Fiery Dragons”, by Mishka Zacharin
From the Old Blog to the New – Reviews of “Demon Hunter: The Chosen One” and “Demon Hunter: Seek and Destroy”
“The Fishing Trip: A Ghost Story”, by Chris Keys
“Beneath the Mask of Holiness” depicts the human side of Thomas Merton
“The Secret of Everything” is an absolute must read
Writing to be Read 
Obviously I’m going to choose the reviews on Demon Hunter and Demon Hunter2. They were concise and to the point giving enough detail about the story to provide interest without giving away too much information.
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I think the great appeal of all of them is the mix of synopsis–just enough, enticing without giving too much away–with tone… though I haven’t read any of the titles but my own, the way in which you describe these books makes me think your review itself is almost reflective of what to expect from the work you’re reviewing. I would be hard-pressed to pick out just a few that might stand out above the rest–though “The Truth Comes Out” is different in that it seems more critical of the writing, yet without condemning the underlying story in the least… (Mine has my name’s spelling and title of my book incorrect… but I thought the review itself was very reflective of the anthology and my writing in general…)
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