I am so excited to have Feather Stone writing a post for us all today and it is a topic that both bloggers and readers will enjoy. Read on to learn just what this topic is!

Hello Lisa. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to introduce Forbidden to your followers. For this post I’ve chosen a topic that might be a favorite of yours.

 

I’m betting your readers have no idea about the power they possess. Yep, every reader has the force that can send an author into the world of ‘best seller’ or plunge her/his books into oblivion. I’m not sure if I should share this secret or not. The risk is great. But the benefits are enormous.

 

Any guesses on the identity of a reader’s power?

 

Reviews? Yes!!

 

I can spend hundreds of dollars on ads, have a great book cover, an engaging synopsis, but if readers write negative reviews on my novel, the sales reports will be abysmal. Now, if the book truly deserves the one–star rating on Amazon, the author might consider registering for a writer’s course, or take up knitting. The point is that readers value the opinion of other readers.

 

Compose a review, even a brief report, giving information about what you loved, and/or what was lacking in the novel. It’s understood that a reviewer’s report is subjective. What one reader didn’t like, another reader might be swept away in a fantasy heaven. However, each review has the power to sway a reader to buy the book, or chose another book.

 

There’s no need to be cruel or nasty – some reviewers are unbelievably nasty. If you didn’t enjoy the read, simply say so. Point out the reason. Maybe you couldn’t connect with the characters, the plot dragged on, or the ending was predictable. Perhaps the book was poorly edited.

 

I read every review Forbidden receives. So far, knock on wood, I’ve received only one crushing review. The rest have been wonderful. Occasionally, there’s a comment for me to consider while writing my next novel. It’s all a learning experience. If I can improve my writing technique through a reader/reviewer’s suggestions, that’s perfect.

 

Now for the rules. Amazon is very clear on their standards for reviewers. If a reviewer breaks these rules, Amazon will delete the review. Here is quick list of what you need to know when writing a review on Amazon.

 

Eligibility

 

To post Customer Reviews or Customer Answers, post on Customer Discussion Forums, or submit content to followers, you must have spent at least $50 on Amazon.com using a valid credit or debit card. Prime subscriptions and promotional discounts don’t qualify towards the $50 minimum. You do not need to meet this requirement to post Customer Questions, create or modify Profile pages, Lists, or Registries, or to read content posted by other customers.

 

Be Helpful and Relevant

 

The Community is intended to provide helpful, relevant content to customers. Content you submit should be relevant and based on your own honest opinions and experience.

 

• For Community features focused on a specific topic, you should only submit content related to that topic.
• Customer Reviews and Questions and Answers should be about the product. Feedback about the seller, your shipment experience, or packaging can be shared at amazon.com/feedbackor www.amazon.com/packaging. Comments about pricing, product availability or alternate ordering options are also not about the product and should not be shared in Customer Reviews or Questions and Answers.

 

 

Respect Others

 

Amazon values diverse opinions, so you may disagree with some content that you come across. Please keep in mind that something that may be disagreeable to you may not violate our Guidelines. In order to maintain a welcoming environment for all users, your participation in the Community must always be respectful of others. In particular:

 

• Don’t post content that is libelous, defamatory, harassing, threatening, or inflammatory. For example, don’t use obscenities or profanity, and don’t express hatred or intolerance for people on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability, including by promoting organizations with such views.
• Don’t post content that is obscene, pornographic, or lewd, or that contains nudity or sexually explicit images.
• Don’t post content that invades others’ privacy. For example, don’t post other people’s phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, or other personal information, and don’t post links to phishing or other malware sites.
• Don’t impersonate other people or organizations or pretend to be someone or something you’re not.
• Don’t repeatedly send messages or requests to other people.
• Don’t attempt to drown out other people’s opinions, including by posting from multiple accounts or coordinating with others.
• Don’t engage in name-calling or attack people based on whether you agree with them.
• You may question the beliefs and expertise of others as long as it is relevant and done in a respectful and non-threatening manner.

 

The first review you write may be a challenge. Keep it short and to the point. The next will be much easier. Some book reviewers become professional and are in high demand. You will get free books in exchange for an honest review.

 

God bless all book reviewers. You’re worth a ton of gold.

F. Stone / Feather Stone

You can find Feather using the links below. 

Romance Under Fire Blog

Forbidden, Romance Suspense/Thriller

Forbidden Book Trailer

Facebook

Twitter

Synopsis:

Better Wear Your Flak Jacket

Gunfire echoes within the walls of a Middle East police compound. Screams of terror are brutally silenced. Police captain Hashim Sharif captures one survivor. Soon Eliza MacKay will wish she had died with her companions.

The vile act of terrorism is covered-up. Sharif becomes the reluctant keeper of his city’s bloody secret – and the witness, MacKay. His corrupt superiors have a gun rammed against his skull. Disloyalty to the mayor will be rewarded with being buried alive.

Whatever the cost, his government’s honor must be restored. Secretly, Sharif hunts forensic evidence. Who is responsible for the murder of fifteen American volunteers? And, why did MacKay lie about her identity? He can’t trust her. Her mental illness is going to get both of them killed.

When he receives orders to dispose of MacKay, his Muslim faith is tested. Murder an innocent in cold blood? He will suffer Allah’s eternal wrath.

CIA Agent Hutchinson has the lying Sharif in his cross hairs. Sharif dodges the agent’s traps almost as easily as the hitman on his tail. When Sharif discovers the shocking truth, he loses all hope of survival.

What is worth dying for? Perhaps it’s not bringing a madman to justice. Could it be saving the life of a woman who kick-started his numb heart? On the knife edge of risk, Sharif plots an act most forbidden and fatal.

WARNING: Forbidden is for adults who are comfortable with reading a novel that deals with violence and characters who live by the sword. The author has refrained from overly graphic details and excessive vulgar language.

TRAILER FOR FORBIDDEN

TRAILER FOR THE GUARDIAN’S WILDCHILD