My Thoughts on Reviews

Lady of the Stars has received a great review from Long and Short Reviews (LASR). The reviewer, Hibiscus, gave it 4 1/2 books. Here it is. Note: it contains a spoiler.

http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.com/2009/01/lady-of-stars-by-linda-banche.html

I want a good review as much as the next author. I'm certain reviews drive sales to some extent. But reviews, like rankings, should probably be taken with a grain of salt. I know I've read many reviews where one reviewer loved the book for xxx and awarded five stars. The next reviewer hated it for the same xxx and gave it one star. All reviews do contain come personal taste. If you don't care for a particular setting or story or whatever, you will rate the book lower, no matter how well written and interesting the story.

I never read a review first. I read the blurb, to see if it's the type of book I like. I'll read an excerpt. If it's a paper book, I'll get the copy from the library. I usually only read the reviews after I've read the book, to compare my impressions with the reviewers. And I may not read the review at all.

Be that as it may, I thank Hibiscus for the great review. I love Lady of the Stars, and I'm happy she does, too.

Now for the Shameless Promotion. Because LASR reviewed Lady of the Stars this week, I'm in their poll.

Please, please, please vote for me!

Here's the link http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm

Voting started yesterday. Today, January 25, is the last day.

And I guest blog Friday at the Romance Roundtable.

Thank you all,

Linda

Rankings

Lady of the Stars has been out for a whole week and a half. How am I doing?

Well, I'm no longer on the The Wild Rose Press's monthly best seller list (sniff), I'm #4 on the Miniature Rose list and #2 on the English Tea Rose (my line)bestseller list.

But what do these rankings mean? I have no idea. As far as actual numbers of books sold, I won't know until I get a statement from the Wild Rose Press.

We all know there are lists and there are lists. If you want to make yourself #1, I'm sure you can find some measure that will put you there. Look at all of those weird baseball statistics.

Someone said to take this information with a grain of salt. She's probably right.

Thank you all,
Linda

"Lady of the Stars" - Post Release

Well, Lady of the Stars' release day finally arrived. And there my book is, up on the Wild Rose Press site.

Today I'm #10 on the Wild Rose Press's sitewide This Month's Bestseller List and #2 on the Short Stories This Month's Bestsellers List.

Now, I'm not sure how many copies I had to sell to get on either list, but it does feel nice to see my book there. I know for sure I sold two copies. Amazing how far two copies can get you. **grins**

I even got a review from WRDF. From the review: "The most important part of a romance- the romance- was marvelous. ... A story that left me smiling."

Also, I'm part of The Wild Rose Press Winter Sony eReader Giveaway Contest. Anyone who buys a copy of Lady of the Stars from The Wild Rose Press website from January 15 though March 15, 2009 has a chance to win a Sony eReader. Check this link for how to enter.

In other news, I'll be guest blogging at Helen's Heroes, Helen Hardt's blog, tomorrow, January 12, and on Friday January 16 at Christina Phillips' blog. For each blog, I'll give a PDF copy to one of the people who leave a comment.

And last, but not least, I joined the group blog Happily Ever After. The blog members write in all genres, the linking factor the celebration of male/female relationships in romance, and what makes them wonderful reads.

Thank you all,
Linda

Release Day - Lady of the Stars, Regency time travel

The day has finally arrived. Here's my book page on The Wild Rose Press site. The page was up last night, with a note that the book would be available on January 7.

Well, January 7 it is, and I even got my first sale. Author Lindsay Townsend bought what must have been the first copy. Thank you, Lindsay.

Today has been more than a year and a half coming. In May, 2007, I saw the notice for The Wild Rose Press's "Through The Garden Gate" contest. I entered with "Lady of the Stars" and lost. All the gory details are here on my August 3 post. But in losing, I won. The story is now published, and I learned an awful lot in the process. Thank you, Wild Rose Press, for your time and effort.

Today is a day of Shameless Promotion. I'm at Brenda Williamson's Romance Party all day, and the Wild Rose Press loop from 9-10AM Eastern.

And take a look at Kaye Manro's blog. Thank you, Kaye.

Thank you all,
Linda

The Time Draws Near

TheWild Rose Press will release Lady of the Stars this Wednesday, January 7, 2009.

Wednesday. Three days from today. I can't wait. I'm scared. What will happen? Will anybody notice? On Wednesday I'll be at The Wild Rose Press yahoo loop from 9-10AM EST, and also all day at Brenda Williamson's Romance Party yahoo loop. I'll have a contest at Brenda's, and I've made a list of discussion topics to encourage participation. If anyone shows, that is. Brenda's loop is sending out reminders every day about my author day. I'll also be blogging at Kaye Manro's blog.

Today I'll send out event invitations on facebook and myspace. Tomorrow I'll promote on the loops I belong to, since most of them have their promos on Monday. Tuesday I'll email people whose addresses I know.

And Wednesday, I'll be here, attached to the computer all day.

All this info is on the blog sidebar. And also on my website, www.lindabanche.com

Thank you all,
Linda