Tag: Discussion

Stupid Algorithm

Posted March 18, 2023 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I’ll probably regret this post at some point.  But right now, I need to get this out of my head.  Maybe if I see it spelled out, this will make more sense to me.

For the first time in almost 12 years of writing book reviews and posting them on Amazon (among other places), I’ve received that “first warning” email about content guidelines from an auto-created faceless, no-name entity.  Not even a real person or department to contact.  You just violated our guidelines…

It’s a Book Review!  It’s an opinion about a story!

I don’t understand Amazon’s algorithms.  I will go back and strip down a review to the very bare basics and repost it… comes back with a “thank you” email.  But I’ve no idea what “guidelines” I’ve crossed, for they are very vague, very broad.  Some are no-brainers, and I’d never cross those lines.  Yet, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong on these posted reviews to ensure that I don’t do so again.  It’s a catch-22, an endless loop that I’ve no clue how to navigate through.

If I’m banned from Amazon if I cannot give reviews for books there, then… I might as well close down my three websites and keep my opinions to myself.  Why?  Because so many places that I receive ARCs from have an Amazon review as a requirement.  Authors expect to see Amazon reviews when gifting ARCs to me.  And they have that right, for Amazon is the golden grail in its reach to potential buyers.  I get it.

No, that would be giving up and letting a company destroy something that I love doing, and I won’t do that.  But it would restrict where I can post reviews like Goodreads, BookBub, or maybe B & N beyond my own site.  I’ll cross that bridge when and if I come to it.

The only thing that I can think of to do is to have a separate review to post on Amazon.  Basic, informational, bland but honest.  Beyond that, I’ve no clue what else I can do.  Simply rating a book there doesn’t give that impact that authors and publishing houses want.

I’m very depressed and worried right now because hours after receiving that “first warning” email, I got another rejected post email about, you guessed it, guidelines again.  Plus, some of these emails are days, if not weeks, after I posted the review.  What you see on my websites is what I’m posting on Amazon… I see not one damned thing wrong with any of them.

If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or things that you’ve done in similar circumstances to appease the great Amazon… please share.  I’m about at the end of my rope.

 

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Diving Into the TBR Leaning Tower of Unread Books!

Posted February 23, 2023 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I have a very bad habit, perhaps one we share.  I buy books, lots and lots of books — and like any reasonable adult at a dessert buffet, grab far more than I can handle quickly.  (I know I’m not alone in this)  I have good intentions; really, I do.  But time is an enemy that overtakes me far too often.

So.  It’s time to dive into the TBR for at least a weekly feature (that I stick to) or, hopefully, a daily trip down memory lane.  I’ll often do the mechanical parts of a post, the Cover Description, the Cover Picture, who wrote it, etc., as I finish it when I’m on one of those “must read the entire series (world) right now with no break” moods.  I’ll even put down notes, so I don’t forget any important details.  Yet I don’t take the time to write the review because I want to get back to that “world” and see what happens next.  But then a new shiny romance is released, or an ARC is due soon, so I set aside my good intentions and, well, forget those good intentions.  *sigh*

Guilt.  It’s a real thing when it comes to reading an amazing story and not reviewing it, talking about it, or sharing it.  It’s perhaps a personal quirk, but I do feel guilty about missed reviews – which is why you’ll often see reviews of older releases.  It’s time to do something about that guilt, as in getting rid of it!  🙂

Along with those already read but not reviewed yet books, I’m also going to dive into the plethora of books on my Kindle that deserve to be devoured… and not someday but today.  This post is simply to give me a reminder of accountability – if I say I’ll do something, then I need to show proof of it to myself if no one else.  Yet, I’ve read some amazing romances, and I do want to share those reading experiences, so now is as good a time as any.

Please, please tell me I’m not alone in this TBR madness – I’d love some company! 🙂

 

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Catching Up on Series!

Posted February 1, 2023 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I discovered that as I was just about to start a review for my current finished book that although I’d read the two earlier stories… *sigh* …I hadn’t reviewed them (or at least I cannot find those reviews anywhere, and believe me, I’ve searched).

I get so annoyed with myself when this happens.  But, life also happens.  *shrugs*  So, all I can do is go back, remind myself of the story (and they usually come back pretty quickly to mind after rereading the Cover Descriptions), and simply do the review now – the authors deserve that at least, even if it is a bit late to the game.  I could beat myself up about it but what good does that do?  Just a reminder to do better. 🙂

Yet… I’m betting that I’m not the only person who has had this happen to them.  We’re human after all.  I love the escape of books, but sometimes we show those human qualities of the characters we love so much… like, forgetfulness. 🙂

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Binge Reading

Posted November 21, 2022 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

There are times when I just want to read.  I don’t want to leave a fictional world, I don’t want to stop to write up my thoughts… I Just Want To Read.

*sigh*

This means, eventually, there are a lot of reviews to get written up.  Over the last 5 or 6 days, I got caught up on a couple of series, but didn’t leave those worlds so you’ll see a lot of back-to-back same-series reviews… it just means I was being lazy and staying content within a world that I was enjoying. 🙂

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It’s Time to Start Some New Series!

Posted October 2, 2022 by Marsha in Discussion, Harlequin / 0 Comments

I am a devoted series reader.  I cannot seem to change that fact, and although I’m still catching up on so many series in spite of reading and reviewing other books, book review deadlines, getting ready for the Dragonflight World of Warcraft expansion, drooling over books, and some random housework — I just bought more series to begin.  I know, right?  *grins*

I never claimed to be sane, only addicted to a good book!

Anyway.  I found several new series are starting within the various Harlequin category lines so, of course, I picked them up.  I’m starting them right away this time so I can at least be up-to-date on some series.  In order to save some room on what might be a long post, I’m only going to list the title with a link to Amazon (because I know these books are there).  In full disclosure, they will have affiliate links in them.  That doesn’t mean you have to click to buy right then but if you do I’d get a small commission.  Okay, official stuff is done, let’s check out some books!

The Lost Hart Triplet by Nicole Helm – Covert Cowboy Soldiers #1 (I’ve finished this one, review to follow soon – hint: it’s amazing!)

Cinderella’s Secret Baby by Dani Collins – Four Weddings and a Baby #1

Crowning His Kidnapped Princess by Michelle Smart & Pregnant Innocent Behind the Veil by Michelle Smart – Scandalous Royal Weddings #1 & #2 (okay, but the second is out now – and that cover is gorgeous -, and catching up before I forget)

The Marriage that Made Her Queen by Kali Anthony – Behind the Palace Doors #1

Their Desert Night of Scandal by Maya Blake – Brothers of the Desert #1

The Amish Matchmaking Dilemna by Patricia Johns – Amish Country Matches #1 (again, yes, not this month but gotta get to it now while it’s still new)

An Amish Proposal for Christmas by Vannetta Chapman – Seven Amish Sisters #1

Journey to Forgiveness by Dancia Favorite – Shephard’s Creek #1

So all of these stories went to the top of my TBR tower of doom pile.  I really need to get started on series earlier than I have been but, man, you’d think being retired I’d have more time but it seems I’ve even less free time than ever before!  Each of these books sounds fascinating in its own way, wish I could show you the amazing covers but I don’t have the space.  Anyways, wish me luck on my October 2022 reading spree plans.  🙂

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Book Love & Other Opinions

Posted September 24, 2022 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

Recently I’ve been getting comments in Twitter DMs, or Goodreads emails or just emails to the blog basically saying that I’m not an objective reviewer because I rarely rate below 3 stars.  I know I don’t have to – but I’d like to address that impression briefly.

Most importantly of all – I do not ever purchase or request ARCs of books that I don’t think I’m going to enjoy.  I mean, really, why would I do that?  I only have so much real-life money to spend on books and so much free time to read… why in the world would I pick up something that I know going in isn’t a book that I’m going to love?

Second in importance… I’m not a professional reviewer.  I’m a reader first and foremost of all.  I happen to love Romance novels in all (or most) of the sub-genres available today.  I started the blog because I like to share my thoughts with other readers, maybe find a new to me author, or introduce someone to an author that I enjoy.  Book talk, simple.

Thirdly, someone famous once said that no two readers ever read the same book.  And this is very true.  We all bring something different to each story we read – our history, our beliefs, our emotions, ourselves so how is it possible for everyone to react to one story the exact same way?  It’s not.  My reviews are my opinions – they are not Aunt Sally’s or the cat lady down the street’s but mine and if I happen to be entertained enough to say I loved a story enough to give it 4.5 stars… then that’s my opinion and my right.  No one has to agree with me, and no one should take me to task for not sharing their opinion of the written word either.

Fourthly… well, I think Rhett Butler said it best when he uttered, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”  I want to spread my love of reading, it really is that simple.  I love to escape my reality and head off into my imagination fueled by someone else’s imagination through the pages of a book.  And if I think that book that you’d only give 2 stars to is worth 5 stars to me… well, that’s okay, because we each read a book and reacted differently.  Not one thing wrong with that reality.  /end rant

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Getting Caught Up on Series

Posted April 29, 2022 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I always have several series running through my reading schedule as I wait for the next in line to be released.  Trouble is… I am often overrun with titles that I’ve been waiting for breathlessly but now need to find the time to read.  Not a bad problem I guess… but I sure could use a few more hours tacked onto my day.  You, too?  🙂

Whenever possible I’ll be binge-reading those series back to back in order to get caught up.

How do you deal with series titles that have gotten backlogged, sorta out of control?  I’d love to hear your solutions.  And if they involve stretching time… please tell me your secret!

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Tale of an Unsatisfying Series

Posted February 1, 2022 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I recently binge-read a series that I’ve had parts of on my Kindle for over a year… the final two books came (or one more will come) out in 2022.  To say I was disappointed would be an understatement for I could find not one single thing about the hero or heroine in any of the three books I read to like or to root for their happy ending.

So, why did I continue reading not only one but two additional books?  Because I was waiting for the spark, for that moment that most readers know when it all falls together and you love who these fictional people are… and I never found that moment through three books.  Which breaks my heart.

I’ve made the choice to not review any of them here or on other locations.  I won’t give a negative review to just increase my reading challenges numbers or to put down an author who I’ll read again — but not until their next series launches.  These stories simply didn’t work for me.  I should have DNF’d them once I realized they just weren’t working for me, but I gave them every chance to win me over… and that didn’t happen.  The absolute truth is that just because this series didn’t work for me doesn’t mean that another reader won’t think them the best work of this author ever.  It’s a quote that “No two persons ever read the same story.”  And that is so true.

2022 is the year that I’ve declared that I will be using the power of DNF far more often.  And trying so hard with this particular series just proves how badly I need to use that DNF power of any reader… to not finish a book that isn’t working for me for whatever reason.

Sadly, I know there will be many DNFs to come, for I know my history of giving every book every chance that I can before walking away.  Years pass too quickly, and there are too many unread books to deny myself finishing the good ones just to give the bad ones a “chance”.

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Remembering Miranda Lee

Posted December 5, 2021 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

The Romance world lost a giant in November with the passing of Miranda Lee.

I’ve spent countless hours over the years lost in her emotional, loving stories.  She will be greatly missed.

Here is a link to the official announcement through Mills and Boon, (aka Harlequin) a publishing house she’d spent her writing career with.  Remembering Miranda Lee.

May she rest with the angels.

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An Overload of Books!

Posted December 4, 2021 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I love to get lost in a good book, you as well if you’re reading this.  🙂  Yet the reality is that I bought far too many books in 2021 that have no chance of being read before the ending of this year.  And that not only upsets me but gets me a wee bit mad at myself as well.  I read for pleasure, I review here on Happily Ever After Romance because I love sharing those books and thoughts with other readers – and if another review helps an author, well, I’m all for that.  Still.  Purchased books do help authors and publishing houses, but unread books don’t do a damned thing for anyone, right?

So, I honestly have to come up with another way of getting the books I’ve purchased read in a more timely fashion.  Personally, I don’t care what year a really good book was published, but authors and publishing houses do. *shrugs*  Add to the overload problem is my addiction to series or duets.  *sigh*  Yeah, that adds to the books that need to be read closer to the publication date.  So what’s a book-loving female to do?

I could buy fewer books.  Okay, okay you can stop laughing now.  I know that’s not going to happen.  I could limit the series that I get started on to a more “reasonable” number each year — but where’s the reading fun in that?!

I think I might stop the “big book hauls” in 2022.  It’s knowing that these unread titles are on the Kindle that is driving me batty over all of this.  If I know what’s available or releasing each month (still have my TBR pages only as a list of what to buy not book hauls) then I could simply buy the next book as I finish reading the one before.  But, again… where is the fun in that?  Grabbing those monthly book hauls is a big part of why I even have this blog – to share that anticipation and the fun of having multiple books just waiting for me, ya know?

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