HIS REVENGE, HER REDEMPTION

This excerpt is unedited. Coming Soon

EMBER’s POV…
Ember padded across the hard floor on her socked feet as softly as possible. When she got to the refrigerator, she pulled open the door but was suddenly grabbed by her wrist and spun around. Before she could react, her assaulter took hold of her other wrist then pinned her arms to the wall-shelf high above her head. Because of the slight pain of her arms being stretched, Ember couldn’t help but gasp.
“Why do you invade my dreams?” Miles asked.
He’s been drinking, Ember thought. A whiff of his alcohol tainted breath was proof. Not understanding what he meant and at a loss of what to do due to her shock of what was happening, she remained still and said nothing.
The light of the opened refrigerator gave Miles a mystical glow though most of his features were hidden in shadow. His brows were pinched with confusion as he swept his gaze over her face then lower. It was when his gaze dipped that Ember began to squirm. She’d felt the low neckline of her half-shirt rise above her breast when he first pinned her. But if he continued to look lower, he would see the lower half of both mounds and a nipple that the chilled air from the refrigerator told her was completely uncovered.
Miles looked back up and stared her dead in the eyes as Ember continued to struggle to get free. His blue eyes looked ablaze with what seemed to be anger. He somehow managed to transfer her wrist, holding both in one vice grip as he lowered his other hand and placed it on the side of her breast.
Ember sucked in a gasp and instantly froze when his warm hand came in contact with her skin. She closed her eyes when he moved his thumb and grazed her exposed nipple. A powerful shiver ran through her entire body as a loud breathy sigh left her mouth.
“God,” Miles said as he flattened his body over hers and buried his face in her neck. “You tempt me in every way. Are you my punishment, Ember?”

Giveaway &Cover Reveal

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The Binding of the Halo book 1
By Shea Swain

ೋღ🖤 Link
Universal Link: http://books2read.com/TheBindingoftheHalo1
Genre: Paranormal NA Romance

ೋღ🖤Blurb:
By keeping to herself and alienating her peers, Cianne Baxter manages to keep her visions and the horrifying physical changes they force upon her a secret for years. All she has to do is survive her last year of high school and resist HIM, then she can disappear into a life of self-imposed solitude.

Tristan Bertram knows this is his last opportunity to convince Cianne to give him a chance. Over the past few years, he’s come to realize that not only is she beautiful and intelligent, Cianne seems to calm his inner demons. He will have her because his determination is far stronger than her resolve.

When Tristan discovers that Cianne is much more than the star of his dreams, he is prepared to be her everything. But a hidden past, jealousy, and hate threaten to end them before they even get started. Tristan must decide if having Cianne’s heart is worth his life; while Cianne has to rely on the very abilities she is fighting so hard to hide to save herself.

ೋღ🖤 Giveaway Link 🖤ღೋ
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/15a7a2a32/?

ೋღ🖤Cover: Sanja Balan of Sanja Covers
https://www.facebook.com/sanjabcovers/

ೋღ🖤BIO
The Pulse of Provocative Romance
About the Author

Shea is a woman in love with the idea of love so it’s no wonder she writes romance novels. The East Coast native is a romantic to her core and reads and watches anything with a love story. She also enjoys binge watching ID Discovery Channel and anime.

Shea enjoys meeting people and chatting, collecting Barbie dolls, toys, and is addicted to The Sims games. She also loves music and has mentioned that she writes better when she has movie scores playing as white noise in the background. Shea writes multi-ethnic, multi-genre adult romance.

Connect with Shea Swain
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☛Website: http://www.Sheaswainwrites.com
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☛Email: Sheaswainwrites@gmail.com
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☛GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8581864.Shea_Swain

#CoverReveal #Paranormal #Romance #Kindle #BWWM #iBooks #Nook #Drama #ChainedToTheDevilsSon #Epic #Suspense #SheaSwain #Giveaway #bibliophile

My Review of Game Over Man

…a Netflix film.

This is a film about three friends. Three dysfunctional friends. Alexxx, the selfish one, Joel, the techie, and Darren, the idea man. When the hotel they work at is overrun by kidnappers for ransom, this buddy film is turned into Die Hard infused with Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse minus the zombies.

I can tell you that one or two things were obvious but so much in this film was a huge surprise. I was shocked into laughter so many times while watching this movie. This film is funny, gross, rude, but oh so entertaining. I laughed so hard at one point I almost choked.

I don’t want to give much away so I’m stopping here. If you like crude humor, violence, and friendship…this movie is for you.

Look of the film: 4
Plot: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall Movie: 4

Did you see Game Over Man?
What did you think?

The Descent of the Halo Serial

Book III Featurning CALEB from #ChainedToTheDevilsSon
Scene: I Am Yours, Sir
Marda, a slave in 1800s is given to Caleb
Caleb’s POV

Caleb stirred with awareness but made no move to sit up.
“It is late in the day, Caleb,” Fredrick kicked the end of the bed. “Rise up.”
Caleb brought his hand up over his face. He lifted his heavy head up enough to look at Fredrick who was seated in a chair at the foot of the bed. Caleb moaned, “Please brother, spare me.”
Fredrick kicked the bed again, this time with more force. “You’ve slept for two days passed. Get up,” he said louder.
Caleb grimaced as he pushed up on his elbows. It took him longer to sit up on the side of the bed. When he was stable, he looked over at his older brother then submerged his face in the basin of water on a table beside his bed. He toweled his face and bare chest dry then picked up a few pieces of meat from a plate next to the basin.
“What is so dire?” Caleb asked as he chewed.
“I’m taking mother home,” Fredrick said. “We depart in a few hours.”
Caleb gave no indication that the news of his mother’s impending departure affected him. He continued to eat from the plate.
“What’s happened to you, brother? You drink and keep company with the lowest assortment of loose women and scoundrels. The few times you’ve graced us with your company, you are drunken and bloodied from the fighting you do. I am told you boxed several men at a time, and for what? Pennies.” Fredrick sighed. “Uncle has told mother of your partying. That you reside and associate with Watkins and his sort. Scoundrels you should not acquaint yourself with.”
“Have you considered that I am the sort of man they should not acquaint themselves with, dear brother?” Caleb lifted a glass to his mouth.
“Clearly you’ve no care of our mother’s well-being.” Fredrick stood. He walked over to the cottage door and opened it. He gently ushered Marda inside, who walked in with her head down. Fredrick closed the door and followed her. He pointed over to the bed for her to sit. Marda sat down on the very edge, on the other side of Caleb.
Caleb’s entire body tensed when he smelled her sweet floral scent. He fisted his hands until his knuckles turned white but he didn’t turn to look at her.
“Jai and her child will accompany us to France. Marda will remain.” Fredrick pulled some papers from his breast pocket and flung them on the bed behind Caleb.
Caleb ground his teeth together as he felt for the papers. He refused to turn around to look at Marda or his brother, who for the first time in his dull predictable life had done something shocking. He peered at the documents.
It was papers concerning Marda. Marda, the girl of his dreams, now the woman of his nightmares. The woman he tried to drink from his mind was now his property. He read the papers over and over again.
“What game do you play?”
“She is yours now, Caleb. Do with her what you will.” Fredrick made his way to the cottage door.
“What do you mean, she is mine?” Caleb stood, and in the blink of an eye crossed the length of the cottage and grabbed his brother’s arm. He whipped Fredrick around to face him.
“I have a theory, you see. I think that your behavior is the direct result of what you desire and can’t have. I know you care for her, Caleb. I’ve always known. We all do. Why do you think father refused to sell her to Mr. Potts, Lord Havers, and all the others who offered much more than what’s fair? You know that Mr. Potts was planning to breed her with Zeus, his biggest and hardest working slave, as a gift to bear offspring. Lord Havers…well, his intentions were much more unsavory. Father flat-out refused their generous offers, often because of you and mother. So, brother…she is yours.” Fredrick grunted out. “Now let go of my arm.”
Caleb knew exactly why Lord Havers wanted Marda. He was the proprietor of a brothel and Marda would have made him richer. He heard the man say those exact words to his father at one of his mother’s dinner parties one evening. It took all he was not to clobber the hell out of the old bastard.
“Are you that heartless? You are no better than them. What would you have me do? Take her screaming to my bed and in a few months’ time, she bears a child I cannot claim as my own? In a few years, I marry an upstanding white woman who bears me children as well, but they can call me father but Marda’s young cannot!” Caleb yelled. “Is this the life you want to condemn her to?”
Fredrick tried to pry Caleb’s hand off him. “If that is what will calm the storm in your mind and bring my brother back to what’s left of the family who loves him, then yes, it is.”
Caleb dropped his hold on Fredrick’s arm as he stared at Fredrick, wide-eyed and stunned.
What have I done to my family?
Fredrick pulled the door open. “No need for farewells. I had them escorted to the docks this morn. You had important business to attend but you will send correspondence as soon as you can. Your wealth is great, try not to squander it all.” Fredrick sighed. “We hope to see you soon, Caleb.” Fredrick left, leaving Caleb standing by the door.
The children.
He felt a wave of hopelessness overtake him. He leaned on the door jamb with his hand over his eyes, blocking out the sun. Selene, Jai’s daughter, and William, Fredrick’s son, were dear to him. To not be able to say goodbye to them and his mother, or even the judgmental Abigail, his sister by marriage, was a painful blow.
Caleb felt his anger rise as he moved to confront his brother and show him exactly what made him a sure bet during his boxing matches. But he froze when he heard Marda stir behind him. He wanted to tell her to be gone by the time he returned.
He didn’t mean to turn around and look at her, but when he did, Caleb stumbled back into the open door. Marda was standing naked next to the bed. One of her arms was stretched across her small perfect breasts. The nipples were hidden but the pressure of her arm pushed the flesh below them to swell. Her other arm was stretched the length of her torso, her hand covering the hair over her sex. When his burning eyes trailed back up to her face, Caleb’s heart almost stopped because when their eyes met, Marda slowly let her arms fall away and displayed her slender yet shapely body.
Dear God, she is magnificent.
Marda stood bare for him to see. Her hair was uncovered and freely flowed down her back but several strands fell over her shoulder. Caleb took scores of women to his bed but none equaled Marda.
No…you hate her, he reminded himself.
With new determination, Caleb crossed the room and covered Marda with the blanket from his bed before she could blink. He could tell his movements frightened her because he felt her fear like the blast of a cannon to his chest. In all the years as her Protector, he never felt such raw emotion. It was so strong it caused him to stumble forward.
Marda reached out to steady him. “I do not fear you, but seeing you move that fast…” She paused and lowered her head. “Forgive me, I did not mean to speak.” She let go of his arms and moved back.
“Forgive you? Marda, you speak when you choose.” Caleb turned his head to look away as he bent to retrieve the blanket that fell when he stumbled. He continued to look away as he placed it around her again. “…and I do not own you.”
“I am yours, sir.”
His body immediately reacted to her declaration. Caleb looked at Marda’s face. There was nothing in her eyes. No fire, no passion, no desire that would have him believe she wanted him. Marda was clearly acting on orders.
“Use my name please, not sir,” Caleb spat. He wanted her away from him. She could go away with his family. Living without her love was his cruel reality but to have her offer herself because she was ordered to was unbearable. He turned his head toward the door and twisted his body to follow but…he heard the blanket hit the floor again. Damn his super-sensitive hearing.
Caleb stilled when Marda took a step toward him. They were inches apart now. He could feel her body heat against his skin.
“Caleb,” she said softly.
He closed his eyes when he heard her sing the two syllables that made up his name. Speaking was something Marda didn’t do often. Everyone thought her mute. The only one she spoke to was Jai…and him.
The times she spoke to him, she never said his name. Her pronunciation and her soft tone warmed him in a way he didn’t expect.
“You torment me,” Caleb hissed. He balled his fists tightly. “Can you not see? It is immoral, what I want of you, Marda.”
“Have you quenched your desire for me with all the women you have taken to your bed?”
Marda pressed her breasts against his bare back and wrapped her arms around his chiseled chest. Caleb shivered when they touched. Lost in her warmth, he allowed his fingers to trace her arm before he realized what he was doing.
Caleb turned around and grabbed her wrist tightly. “You mock my pain,” he said angrily. He threw her onto the bed.
Marda fell back, and before she could sit up, Caleb was on top of her. He felt the dizzying effect that alerted him of her fright but he ignored it. Doing so caused him a great deal of pain that shot through his head but he locked it down, growling because his need for her was even more painful.

Read the Sample
The Descent of the Halo Book III
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MORE EXCERPT FROM SERIES…
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EXCERPT…..

A Look Into Binding of the Halo 1
Setting: Abandoned School

Cianne did her best to resist being pulled out of her cell when Cook grabbed her hand. He barely allowed her the time to grab the mini flashlight she dropped.
“Tristan is coming for me.”
Cook managed to get her halfway out of the doorway, but with one properly timed yank, she managed to pull free and retreat a few feet back into the room only to have him grab her wrist again.
“We need to go. Please,” Cook said, as he desperately pulled her along. “They’ll be here any minute.”
“I can’t leave. Tristan is coming for me!” she screamed, as she continued trying to free herself.
“If I were him I would want you safe.” He looked at her with pleading eyes that shadowed some emotion she couldn’t read. “He would want you and the baby safe.”
The sound of a vehicle screeching to an abrupt stop made both of them jump and turn to the door. Cook quickly pulled her out of the room and down a long litter-filled hallway. They passed a row of broken down lockers and a few boarded-up windows along the way.
It’s a school, Cianne thought as she was pulled into a midsized room that looked like it was probably her captors’ base camp. She shadowed Cook as he ran to a boarded-up window on the far side of the old classroom and peeked through a space between the boards.
“They’re here.” He grabbed Cianne’s hand again and pulled her back into the hallway. “I need to get you to the bottom floor and out of the building. We’re going to have to use the back stairs,” he said, so quietly that she knew he was talking to himself.
Cianne could tell from the way he sounded that he really didn’t want to use the back stairs. She realized that they were in real danger but she wondered what was the issue with the stairs.
As she kept pace with Cook, she couldn’t stop wondering what happened to Tristan.
Cook was fast, and when he pulled her around a corner she stumbled, making her focus on what was happening with her. He slowed enough to allow her to right herself then returned to his quick pace.
His flashlight was bright and spanned wide enough for them to see a good deal in front of them. They whizzed by classroom after classroom, hurdled over debris and avoided anything that would slow them down. Resisting was no longer on Cianne’s mind. Getting out of this so she could get to Tristan drove her now.
When they made their way to the stairwell, Cook allowed her to stop to catch her breath before he pulled open the door that was barely hanging on two hinges. Debris, a strong stench, and filth filled what was visible of the stairs.
Cianne looked down the dark stairwell with only his flashlight as a beacon to guide them and felt a chill run through her. There was no way to tell how many flights there were to the bottom floor but she knew there was freedom beyond the darkness. Cianne pushed her shoulders back then looked at Cook. He looked back at her. The expression on his face scared her more than the thought of what they had to do. He squeezed her hand then let it go as they made their way down.
Cook went first, with her close behind. Cianne slipped a couple of times but Cook was there to steady her with a firm grip when she needed it. When they reached the bottom of the first flight, Cianne felt as if it hadn’t been that hard. That gave her the confidence she needed to get down the next two darkened flights.
Just as she mentally patted herself on the back, a faint noise reached her ears. “Did you hear that?” Cianne questioned, then stopped.
She looked down at Cook who stopped just as she had. Her eyes squinted into the darkness that lay before them, beyond the range of his light. With them stopped, Cianne heard the sound clearer. She had no idea what it was but it sounded like it was getting closer.
“Go back,” Cook whispered.
Cianne turned halfway around and was just about to take a step back over a small metal trashcan when she felt Cook’s hand on her leg. Cianne turned her head and looked down at him. But he was focused on something down the stairs. She followed the direction of his gaze. She had to suck in a gasp of fear when her eyes focused.
“Back up, slowly,” Cook whispered. He gave her leg a slight nudge.
Cianne couldn’t move. She was frozen with fear as she peered at the scraggly dog that looked up at them from a half a flight down. The dog’s eyes, shadowed by dirty matted hair, glowed as they bore into them. Its lips were tight and pulled back, revealing pink and black gums with sharp teeth that could be clearly seen with the flashlight in the dark stairwell.
The hound watched them for a few seconds before its growl echoed through the hollowed space between them. Cook gently pushed at her leg again. Cianne carefully began to take a slow step up when another dog came up behind the first.
“Run!” Cook yelled.

Discover each epic moment of…
✰THE BINDING OF THE HALO SERIES✰
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The Binding of the Halo Book 1
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Caleb Interviews a Journalist
Time: Present
Book: The Binding of the Halo Series

Caleb walked through the busy office with his mind set on tying up a few loose ends. He pushed down the door handle and walked into the office located in the back. The man behind the desk looked up and frowned.

Q. “Do you know who I am? And don’t lie, I will know.” Caleb closed the door.

A. “Maybe.” The man settled back in his seat then looked past Caleb and out into the bustling news office.

He was most likely looking for security but they were indisposed.

Q. “I was born in 1806 near the city New Dominion, to a wealthy planter. Your organization has been looking for me since 1826.”

A. The man shifted in his seat. “My newspaper wasn’t even around in 1826.”

Caleb crossed the distance in a flash and grabbed the man by his throat, lifted him out of the chair, and stared him in his wide terrified brown eyes.

Q. “You know of me?”

The man blinked due to his throat being squeezed.

Q. “Then you know that I’m not a patient man.”

The man blinked again.

Q. “So, would you rather die, which I promise to make painful, or will you give me the respect I’m due?

The man blinked.

“Good,” Caleb said, then lowered the man back to his chair.

Coughing, the man rubbed his neck. “Your birth name is Caleb Scott. You are…something other than human but we don’t know what. You aren’t a vampire or any other fabled creature. As far as we know, you are responsible for over two hundred deaths.”

“I love history, Mr. Dobson. I believe that you can learn a great deal from a glimpse into the past. That is why I’ve left you and your…club, alone but you have stumbled upon someone dear to me. So, I will make this offer once and only once. Destroy all you have on Cianne Baxter and forget about her, her kidnapping, and the odd incident with the dogs. Or I will add 75 more bodies to that grossly inaccurate sum you have.”

Caleb looked down, focusing on the man’s crotch where his urine was soaking into his pants. “I’m glad we understand one another.” Caleb looked over at the family photo on Dobson’s desk. Then, in a flash of light, Caleb disappeared. He needed to get to Arizona and Cianne.

Note: This scene isn’t in the books. It happens after Book 1 and before Book 2.

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BLURB…
Can you RESIST the man you love to keep him safe when he persistently pursues you?

If being with the woman you love means hardship, pain, and possible death…do you BRAVE it all for love?

GET THE FIRST BOOK NOW

Is He Made for This/A look into Ian’s Past

 

Richard didn’t know which was scarier; the ominous-looking building that his driver just parked in front of, or the large-muscled man that resembled a character from Ian’s Street Fighter arcade game. The man was large with cropped hair, tanned skin, and was even dressed in camouflage-a tight-fitting tank and cargo pants. He had to be the guy and this must be the place because it was his uncle Vincent who had just stepped out of the brick two-story building the commando was standing in front of.
“That building looks abandoned, or it should be,” Richard mumbled. He surveyed the dilapidated building with a frown.
“Come on,” Ian said enthusiastically. With more vigor than a kid stepping into the darker side of the District should have, his little brother sprung from the car.
“Hold on, Ian,” Richard called. He told the driver to stay close, then got out of the car and caught up to his brother. As always, Vincent put his hand out for Ian to shake before Ian was able to give him a hug. His brother stopped, then held his hand out to shake their uncle’s.
When they released each other’s hands, Vincent gave Ian a halfhearted smile before turning. “Hello, Richard. It’s nice to see you.” Vincent shook his hand. “Will you be joining Ian in learning self-defense?” They walked toward the man who looked like a very capable bodyguard.
“No, just here to watch,” Richard said.
“Jasper, these are my nephews, Richard and Ian,” Vincent introduced. “This is my very good friend, Jasper.” Jasper shook Richard’s hand but gave a slight bow to Ian. “Jasper is very good at what he does. He’ll have Ian straight in no time.”
They followed Jasper into the building, and to Richard’s surprise, it didn’t look too bad inside. It was some kind of warehouse with high ceilings and visible beams. A nice gym with large mats and lots of equipment was to their left, and to the right was a fairly nice garage with two motorcycles and two tricked-out cars. A third car that was obviously being worked on sat off to the side with its hood raised and doors opened. Richard found himself wondering what the second floor looked like.
He and Vincent took a seat on one of two benches near the floor mats while Jasper began Ian’s first lesson. Richard looked at his little, frail, calm brother and wondered how he would fair with the mammoth of a man called Jasper. But this was their father’s requirements for Ian’s possible placement in a school. Ian had to learn to protect himself if he would be going to school with kids older and bigger than him.
“Let’s see if this kind of training is for you,” Jasper said to Ian.
What does that mean?
Richard rose from the bench in a panic, but Vincent took his arm and held him in place as Jasper’s palm connected with Ian’s face, whipping his brother’s head to one side. The hit was loud enough to echo to the rafters and hard enough for Richard to wonder if his brother’s jaw was broken.
“What the fuck?” Richard yelled as he struggled to get free of his uncle’s strong grasp. “Are you insane?” His focus was on Jasper, who didn’t even acknowledge his comments.
“Relax, Richard,” Vincent instructed. “Jasper needs to know if Ian is right for this kind of training.”
Richard looked over his shoulder at his uncle. “And he does that by beating him to death? Ian is a sensitive kid with medical issues!”
“Our government invested a lot of money in making Jasper into the lethal weapon he is and as a favor to me, he has agreed to teach Ian to defend himself. He’s the best. But he can’t teach Ian if Ian doesn’t have that certain something-”
“What is he looking for in a student?” Richard asked angrily, “The desire to drink his food through a straw?”
In spite of Richard’s anger, his uncle laughed. “Look at your brother, Richard. Look at him.”
Richard turned but didn’t find Ian on the floor bawling where any kid and most grown men would be if they’d been struck like that by a man as big as Jasper. Ian was crying, but there was really no way to tell other than seeing the tears stream down his inflamed cheek. His brother’s breathing was normal, or maybe it was too calm. His gray eyes were fixed on Jasper, his fists were clenched tightly at his sides, and his shoulders were squared off. For a kid that had never been hit in his entire life before today, Ian took it like…a fighter.
“Well?” Vincent shouted.
“I’d say Ian was made for this.” Jasper shrugged. Then the brute smiled at Vincent as if it was a punch line to an inside joke only they shared.

Read Sample Now

 

So You Want That Book?

As an author I am curious to know the process readers go through when choosing their next book to read. What was it that had you deciding to read a particular book? What is your process? Of course I am interested in your process but first allow me to tell you mine.

If you aren’t interested in knowing my process I would say stop here… But if you’ve made it this far you may as well stick it out.

Seriously…stick it out. Obviously you have a minute or two to spare.

Most of the books I find are recommendations that the merchant site attaches to my previous reads. So the first thing I notice is the cover and title. The cover is what draws me in but if the title is a turn off, I will pass the book over. (I will elaborate on this point later). If the title is agreeable, I read the Blurb or book description.

This is the most important factor in securing my purchase. If the blurb is interesting, if it points out the plot without giving everything away, if I am curious as to how the author will present the story, then I am sold. Even if it is an old tale, a retelling, or a popular fad, I will consider buying this book. If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that there are few original ideas in the world today. But there are different, fresh, and interesting ways of conveying/translating these ideas.

Side thought: sometimes I will read a blurb with errors. This has little to do with my decision for the most part.

Note: I am not saying that there are no original ideas.

If I am slightly interested, I go to the reviews. Now my view on reviews is not in any way normal. I have seen too many books with an impressive amount of 5 star ratings that once I read the Sample, I was so damn confused that I was almost angry. Almost. I get that this is the review of the reader and their review is their point of view. And no…I will not agree with everyone. I accept that. What I can’t take is the Mass Friendly Push Reviews.

Hey, we all have friends and family in our corner and they want to help. As an author I have mixed feelings about this. For other authors it’s your choice. But I try not to allow it? Do other authors allow it? Of course. Is it right? I don’t know. If my friends buy my book I accept this as supporting me. I suppose they can review it the way want. Do I ask them to refrain from leaving a review? Yes. Why, because I would like unbiased reviews based on my writing and story, not our relationship. Do they listen? Not all the time.

What irritates me is when I buy books based on these Fam/Friend reviews unknowingly and I read it and the plot is spotty, the characters are under developed, the POV isn’t clear, when it’s one character’s POV but I am in every other character’s head. If it isn’t a series and all minor plots haven’t been resolved. That is when I can pretty much tell that I have been a victim of MFPR support syndrome.

To get around this, I read all the low rated reviews first. Starting with the 1’s, I read what the reviewer didn’t like. If the review was vicious on a personal level, their opinion having nothing to do with structure of the book in whole, I overlook it and move to the next low review. If the reviewer points out annoyances that would totally irritate me, I may pass the book by. Whiny characters are a no go for me and if they provided examples I will pass the book by. In some cases, the worst reviews may have me buying the book. If something in the book was so horrible or the reviewer is determined to bash the book for whatever reason, I may buy the book to see if it caused the same reaction in me. (shrugging…I’m funny that way)

The sample is next. I have gotten to this point a million times and the sample was good but I still decided not to buy the book. It could be that the book seemed good but I didn’t feel drawn to the characters. Or the sample was good but not long enough to determine anything. Maybe it was that I had several samples to read and I want to see if another book/sample pulls me in more. With these books, my ehhhh books, it may take me seeing the book several times before I purchase it or delete the sample from my library. If the sample is intriguing and pulled me in, I buy the book.

The worst, is deciding to buy the book because all these points I’ve made were great but the book was a plot sore and or the characters were wickedly unlikeable. I view these books as the annoying relatives of my amazing reads. You know the ones, the ones you would never befriend if you weren’t related to them. You know, them…and no, I won’t judge you if you suddenly scream their names out for therapeutic necessity. Go ahead…admit it and own it.

This is my process.

Oh…the titles that repels me. DISCLAIMER: I mean no disrespect or to demean any authors that use these titles. I also would like to point out that I have never read any book with any of these titles but I have read tons of stories that use these plot devices. I love these plot devices; I just can’t bring myself to buy a book with these words in the titles.

As Promised…Promises!  

Billionaire! Any book with the word Billionaire in its title I immediately overlook. YES…I may be missing out. I love books that feature rich characters…I just don’t need that in the title. And let’s be honest, it’s been done to death.

Stepbrother! Again, I love this plot device. LOVE IT! But in the title…I just can’t. I can’t.

Now put them together and I cringe.

Bae…No. Just No.

Ghetto….Nope. Don’t need to read about it…nor do I want to experience it…much.

If you care to change my mind about my No Go book titles then make a suggestion.