When a fan (friend) goes to bat for you

For awhile there, I had been waiting for a review to come from Coffee Time Romance. A couple of weeks ago, I finally got it, from a reviewer named Krista. I had saved the link to share on my pages. Unfortunately, I did not save the content. The reviewer gave me a 3 cup rating. Based on their criteria, I fell right in the middle, not great, or best, and not the worst either. Her remarks made me feel a bit blue. I also began to wonder if she had, in fact, read the book all the way through. She had described my leading lady as being "enamored" with her husband, Danny, in the beginning, as he had swept her off her feet. Sounds romantic, don't it? But in fact, Tara entered into a marriage of convenience because she was pregnant by another man, who was long gone out of the picture. She married Danny to secure her future for her babies and nothing more. Yes, she did kiss him once, to give him confidance that she would follow through her "duties" as his wife, but she admitted to her best friend Ross, that her new husband would "have her body, but never would have her heart."

And thus came the unfolding of a difficult situation for a young, stubborn mother-to-be. She was sent across the ocean to begin a new life. Such strange circumstances and she had to remain bedridden because of risk to her pregnancy. Danny's brother visited Tara often and won her favor. Danny had an uphill battle to win back any feelings from his own wife and the prospects looked very grim.

Krista only described what happens in the middle as the "ups and down" of their marriage, never giving an inkling what any situation might be. She said the ending left her disappointed.

I, too, was sadly disappointed by her review, but I accepted it status quo.

Now, I have a rare fan and friend that I met quite awhile back, when this novel was still under the editing/critique phases. Aimee Linde is an author herself and understands the trials and tribulations we go through. Foremost, she is indeed a great supporter of this novel and of myself. We've always shared whenever we can links/webpages to help us as writers. So I desperately needed her opinion on this. So, I sent a copy of that review and of course, she emailed me back with her own comments.

"Is that reviewer an idiot? Did she really read the book? Doesn't she realize that Tara entered a marriage of convenience and doesn't love Danny one iota in the beginning?" Of course there were more comments and I did agree with her perspective and appreciated her candor. I had been in the mindset that my talent was mediocre and that this review was valid. I couldn't do anything more about it, but to be fair I posted the link to my websites.

However, I wasn't aware that Aimee took steps further. She contacted the website administrator and complained about the review. She gave them her piece of mind. They, of course, said they could not change the outcome. Aimee felt better that she had given them her viewpoints. She thought the matter was settled.

But last night, I got a call from Aimee, who was breathless and excited. She cried out in my ear, "Guess what! Someone else reviewed your book and you got bumped up in score! It's now posted on their website."

First of all, I was shocked to hear from her. Second I was shocked to hear her news. Third, I practically fell over in disbelief of what she did for me. The woman went to bat for me and struck a home run! What adulation and the best compliment in the entire world of her belief in my novel and in my writing. Ok, one adoring fan (and a terrific friend). How does one go about thanking such a remarkable person?

So thanks to her, my review is available on their website and it does, in fact, show that this reviewer "understood my book". What a blessing. She even sent me an email to update me on the link: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/Hostagetoherheart.html

However, this time, I'm going to copy and paste what she said:





HOSTAGE TO HER HEART
CHRISS HILL
ISBN#: 978-1-4343-6044-1
April 30, 2008
Author House
1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200 Bloomington, IN 47403
Paperback
$16.99
599 pages
Fiction/Romance
Rating: 4 cups

Tara Reece never had a family. From orphanage to orphanage the only constant person in her life was a boy named Ross Kelly. But she lost touch with him after she came of age for a few years. Tara became pregnant and the father was rushed off to another city and Tara is once again left lonely but also pregnant. Tara finds Ross, and he eagerly takes her in. Tara cares deeply for Ross like a brother, but he wants more. Tara has a dream of handsome man and it held deep meaning to her.

Daniel(Danny) Cross lives in England and is in the Navy. Danny always wanted a woman to love him and have a happy marriage. Danny never has been good with relationships and women seems he never found someone he felt was right. When he is sent to New York, he meets a very pregnant Tara and falls deeply in love. Danny takes Tara and Ross with him to England, knowing Tara would feel better with Ross with them.

Ross Kelly never had a family like Tara all they ever had was each other. Ross has loved Tara for a long time, but knows she does not feel the same for him. Ross thinks that Daniel is just what Tara needs. Ross never realized what the move would do for him. After living in a one-bedroom apartment and little money, Danny’s family helped Ross get started on his own career.

After Tara and Danny get settled in their own home, the problems began. Danny knew it would take a while for Tara to fall in love with him, but he believed with time love would surely come. But for a few years there is turmoil between them, even though Danny loves the children and still loves Tara. But years go by and Tara learns the hard way about true love, lust and life. With the help of a family, children and others maybe just maybe Tara will find true happiness.

This is a very emotional and heartfelt story. Exceptional characters and some important second characters are the foundation for this awesome tale. Deep set morals and values as well as commitment is prominent with these characters, it was hard to cheer one character on and not another. With plenty of life’s twists and turns, life and death this story is filled with every aspect of true life. An extraordinary read, just right for a rainy day.

Wateena
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books




Ah, now I have it. And I have Aimee to thank for this. You are a true blue fan and best friend and I'm so happy we hooked up back in the early stages of this book.

And by the way, the reviewer did say more, to me personally, by email:

A fabulous story, but I have to ask, are you going to write a story where Tara finds her love of life or are you leaving that to your readers to finish in their minds? Either way, it is a great story.

.... There is a lot I could not put in because of word count, like their career as singers, and such. And no she was not enamoured with Danny at the beginning, in fact when they got together he hoped she would feel like he did, she only did it for the children. But later she realized what she had, which I am really glad.... Anyway, yeah I am glad to see the story continue for her and I hope Ross finds happiness also.

Many thanks to her too. At least she got the story. Isn't that what counts? I think that's the most important things that a reviewer can do for an author. Pinpoint the parts that have meaning and those that didn't make the mark. That's what helps us improve.

This time I'm very happy with the 4-cup status. It atleast tells me that I did put life into an extraordinary story. Many kuddos to my friend Aimee, whose determination pulled out a miracle for me. God bless you.