Everyone's a critic

I post this to show that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and no author is exempt from criticism. I take this and add it to the experience bank.

This first-page reviewer doesn't think my intro is strong enough. I post it to be fair, and to encourage all writers to take criticism with appreciation (if not a bit of angst) and use it!

Self-publishing review

Perhaps she has a point. Perhaps the first page isn't the best hook? I don't know. I wish she would've read the entire book, maybe she did, and she still didn't like it. :) Hey, I don't like TWILIGHT, and that was made into a movie, so there you go.

The Mind Is the First to Go

I forgot I had a contest running. Yes, that's right. I completely forgot. Until this weekend. Sigh. There's just a lot going on.

Anyway, the contest was for a $50 discount hotel card, and you could enter by leaving a review for THE LIST on Amazon. When the contest ended, I had 11 Amazon reviews, and the hotel card goes to the very first person that wrote a review.

Jim pulled MELLI's name out of his hat. Woot!

Though Melli won the prize, I have a special place in my heart for each person who wrote a review for me. You know, I can never get enough of them. So, if you still have a review to write, don't hold back. Let me have it!

Another Great Review!

I've got to be honest. When I get the emails from book reviewers telling me that they've posted their thoughts, I get a little nervous. What if they hated it? What if they just feel "eh" about it?

So far, I've had this feeling with all three of the professional reviews I've received. And so far, I've been pleasantly surprised when I read the reviews!

Today's review came from Kay's Bookshelf. Here's an itty bitty bit:

"All in all the book was a fun read that I have quite enjoyed. Recommend it? Chick lit, light reading, funny at times. It reminded most of Kinsella's books, so if you like the genre you might want to try this one too :)"

Sophie Kinsella? She compared me to Sophie Kinsella? Well goooo-lly! That's quite the compliment, seeing as she's a bestseller x10!

I know you're now going to want to hop on over to Kay's site and leave a comment!

Thursday 13 - Good Quotes from My Reviews

You may or may not know, this blog is the home of my new novel, The List (buy it on Amazon!).

I've gotten some wonderful reviews, some from people I haven't heard from in years and years, and others from professional review sites. Reviews are an author's way of feelin' good about their work, so I thought I'd share some of the things people have said about The List.




1. "I can picture it being made into a movie and featured alongside How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and Runaway Bride." - From Love, Romance, Passion site review
2. "The List is a downright funny read!" - Coffee Time Romance site review
3. "Move over Janet Evanovich!" - Amazon.com review
4. "However this triumphant book assists the reader into actually thinking of putting away their list and enjoying the pleasures of dating...if only for a little while." - Coffee Time Romance site review
5. "What a fun and satisfying read." - Amazon.com review
6. "I ended up so into the story that I exercised way past my usual time...now my legs are sore!" - Amazon.com review
7. "Carmen has written a fun book with a good plot and ample humor to brighten a wintry day." - Amazon.com review
8. "I love how it took a common idea that many women have (the list) and turned it into a sweet parody of that idea." - Love, Passion, Romance site review
9. "I laughed out loud, got angry, felt the disappointment, then the elation and excitement along with the main character as her love life evolved." - Amazon.com review
10. "The characters are smart and vibrant, without giving you the feeling that these-people-don't-exist.".
11. "This book was fantastic, witty and puts down on paper what we all think and live in the life of a 20/30s someone." - Amazon.com review
12. "Shirkey's style is sassy and full of spunk!" - Amazon.com review
13. "Very enjoyable. I recommend it for a cold winter day in front of the fireplace or a hot sunny day on the beach."

Home of the new Thursday 13

Woot! The Reviews Keep Coming.

You know, I've always thought The List was a good book. But then, I wrote it. So it's my baby.

That's why I love getting reviews. Especially reviews from people who do this for a living.

The folks over at Coffee Time Romance have blessed The List with a review of 4 cups.

Here's an excerpt:

The List is a downright funny read! Anyone who wants to find Mr. Right, has a list detailing the qualities of Mr. Right, and has actually been disappointed when a guy did not meet the criteria of your list must read this book

Read the full review here.

Thanks Coffee Time!

Great Review!

Did I tell you about the AWESOME review I got from the Love, Romance, Passion Website? It is the first PROFESSIONAL review, meaning I don't know them personally and they have no incentive to lie to their users about their book reviews. :)

Have a read.

Reviews make me feel good! That's why I ask anyone who has read the book to write a review on Amazon. It helps me spread the word about The List, and lets others who want to read a contemporary romance or a romantic comedy can find me when they search!

So, I'll remind you that I am continuing to run a contest, which I'm calling my "New Zoo Review" contest. If you write an Amazon or Facebook review, you're entered to win! See all the details.

It's the New Zoo Review Contest!

EXTENDED, new end date Feb. 26.

Welcome to the easiest contest ever.

Almost 60 of you should now have, or be getting very soon, your one-of-a-kind, signed copy of "The List." If you don't have a copy, you can buy one now!

I have four reviews so far on Amazon, all great (aw, shucks *blushes*), but I want more, more, more!

So here's all you need to do to enter. Read the book you received. Go to my Amazon page and write a review (you may have to log into Amazon.)

How easy is that?

Anyone that writes a review between now and February 9 (that gives you a while to read it) gets entered in the contest. (You'll need to let me know in comments on this blog if you have a username that isn't obvious as to who you are.) If you're one of the lovely folks that's already left a review, you rock, and you're already entered once.

If you copy your review onto the Facebook page in the review section, you get TWO entries. (So those of you who reviewed on Amazon can be entered again if you do this part.)

On Feb. 10, I'll randomly select a name (probably from a hat) and that person will win a $50 hotel discount card, and a really cool new "The List" bookmark.

If I made the contest any easier, I'd just hand someone the prize, and that's no fun!