Share the Love

It has come to my attention that we, as authors, need to "Share the Love." In this cut-throat publishing industry it is too easy to become self-centered and self-serving. Of course, we want our own books to come out on top of the pile, but what in the world would we do up there all alone?

Maybe we all should re-read Dr. Seuss's "Yertle the Turtle" and remember how easy it is to topple the one at the top. Now where am I going with all this?

As authors we are, first and foremost, readers. We love books. Otherwise we never would have gotten into the business/love of writing in the first place. So we devour the books we love, but rarely tell others how much we love those same books. We tend to keep it all to ourselves and then hope that all those wonderful words rearrange themselves and come out in our own writing.

I'm just as guilty as the rest of us when it comes to soaking up all those wonderful words. I can only hope that once in a while I'll write something that others will love and maybe want to emulate? In the meantime, I read because I love to read and write because I love to write.

Now here's the real reason for this particular blog post. I've noted over and over again that those who "hate" one book or another are quick to let the whole world know of their dislikes. While those of us who love a certain book tend to keep it to ourselves and don't "share the love" with others.

Why is this? Why can't we sit down and let others know how much we love one book or another? It's not that hard to do. It only takes a few minutes out of our very busy days. But doesn't it feel good to say something nice about another every now and then?

My mother taught me "That if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." I've tried to adhere to that all my life. There are plenty of things I don't like out there in the world. I try not to pass on all that negativity and strive to look at and share the positive. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all tried to do that?

I'm not saying that I'm more of a "do gooder" than someone else. Believe me, I have plenty of faults, just like the rest of us. But I do try to concentrate on the positives in life. I try to let others know when they've done something good or kind or wonderful or brilliant.

So here's the deal, and the primary reason for this post. When we read a book we love, let's not keep it to ourselves. Let the whole world know we liked it or loved it and why. Remember, it only takes a few minutes to "share the love" with others. Only a few little words to put a smile on the faces, and warmth in the heart, of those who read those very same words.

Before Christmas I was Tweeting that one of the best presents to give to an author is a nice review. Well, Christmas is over, but that doesn't mean we need to stop giving those presents to our favorite authors or those authors we've just discovered and think we can grow to love.

Try it. Write those few words of praise, words of love, and see how you feel. It'll give you a warm tingly feeling knowing that you've "shared the love" with others just like you.

Let Me Review Your Books

Now that I have two of my own ebooks out there, "Outback Love" and "Jetting Away," I am finding that book reviews are hard to come by. I offered free copies of my books to anyone who would write a review. Obviously, that did not go over very well. However, it has come to my attention that I am just one of many writers who are not getting reviews on their books.

So here's the deal. When I'm not writing I'm reading, which means I usually read a couple books per week. I know that's not a lot, but then I do most of my reading at night as I'm a night owl. Well, I've decided to offer a free review to anyone who would like me to read their book. I don't know if anyone will take me up on this offer. But it's worth a try. I don't expect anything in return, it's just something I'm willing to do.

Since I do most of my nighttime reading on my Kindle, I would prefer a Kindle copy of your book. In return, I'll write the review on Amazon.com. I already write reviews on books from time to time on Amazon. Those are on books I've read and particularly liked. If you look at my reviews, most are pretty short. However, I would be willing to write a lengthy, detailed review if you'd like.

I'm not going to write a 5-star review if I don't think your book merits it. On the other hand, if I don't feel that a book should receive 4 or 5-stars, then I don't write a review. So if I read your book and don't feel it should receive a 4 or 5-star rating, I won't post the review unless you want me to. In that case, I can send the review to you first if you'd like.

There are a lot of books out there I'd love to read. Unfortunately, my book budget is limited at this time. So my reading your book and writing a review would be a win/win deal for both of us. I'll get to read a great book and you'll get an honest review.

I've never made this offer before, so I don't know if anyone will take me up on it. I'm not about to accept pay for a review. This just seems like a nice thing to do and something I would enjoy.

At this time I would only be interested in reading Contemporary or Historical Romances or Romantic Suspense, as that's what I usually read. Since I'll only have time to read one or two books per week, it would have to be on a first come, first served basis.

For those who might be interested, my qualifications are: a BA in English Lit, years of tech writing, love of reading, I do a lot of blogging, and the fact that I've pretty much been writing one thing or another forever. My first two ebooks, "Outback Love" and "Jetting Away," are available on Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes&Noble and Apple. Both will also be available on Kobo, Sony, Diesel and Scrollmotion in the near future. I have other books in the works. "Moon Over Madness," a paranormal witch/vampire novella, will be released in early October 2011. "One Family's Secret," a mainstream novella, and "Moon Over Mistletoe," a sequel novella to "Moon Over Madness," will be released before the end of the year. "Murder on Sunday Beach,"  a mystery/romance novel set on the Florida Gulf Coast, should be released in early 2012.

I'm looking forward to hearing from any interested authors.

Looking for Readers/Reviewers for "Outback Love"

One of the things new authors need more than anything else is readers who are willing to review their books. For that reason, I am offering a free copy of my debut novel, "Outback Love," to the first few people who respond to my request. It will be a Kindle Edition and sent to your email address. Since I have to pay for these copies, I will only be able to send a few free copies. In return, I would appreciate it if the reader would follow up with a review on Amazon/Kindle. Of course, I can not force you to write the review, but hope that you will do so in return.

As a new indie author, I don't know if this is the appropriate way to do things. So please understand where I am coming from here. I wrote what I believe is a very entertaining novel, a contemporary romance set in the Australian Outback. This book was a labor of love inspired by an adventurous three week, 5000 mile trip my husband and I took through Australia a few years back. It was a grand adventure and I write about all the locales we visited on our trip.

Priscilla Alexander is a city girl from San Francisco who never travels anywhere. However, her high-stress job, in addition to family problems, drives her to escape as far away as she can get. So Priscilla ends up in Australia with an old conversion van and a plan to drive through the Outback on her own. Only her vehicle gets stuck in the mud at the very start of her trip and things after that don't go quite as planned.

Ian MacAlister, who comes across Priscilla and her van, doesn't have time to help a damsel in distress. On the other hand, he still feels obligated to help her out. Priscilla doesn't want Ian's help. He looks too dangerous to her. Besides, she's an independent female and believes she can do everything on her own.

"Outback Love" is the story of Priscilla and Ian and their trip through the Australian Outback. Priscilla fears she has found her Mr. Right, but at a time and a place that is totally wrong. Will Ian be able to convince Priscilla and himself that they're meant to be together? Please read "Outback Love" to find out.

As I've already said, if you'd like to be both a reader and reviewer, please let me know. I'm anxious to hear from you.