I don't mind when they come from readers - like I promised before, the edited version of The Werewolf Prince and I will come out soon so I can only hope they download it again and have a better reading experience the second time around.
I am, however, extremely shocked and dismayed at how nasty the competition can get. It's been my absolute honor to have The Werewolf Prince and I reach the Top 25 of Erotica and rank #308 (so far) overall. Thank you so much for that!
As for those having second thoughts about the book, I just want to remind you to please evaluate the reviews / comments made about the book carefully.
Is it from someone who made a verified purchase of the book? Since all my books are only available in Amazon and I and my publisher only give out unpaid copies to established book bloggers, I can't see how any person is able to get a hold of my book without a verified purchase (even free downloads come with this tag). Maybe they borrowed it? Yes, so why is it that this reviewer who made me feel really down says it's a good thing she didn't spend MUCH on my book. That implies she paid for it, right?
Check the reviewer's other reviews. So this person says in the review she reads 200 books a year and TWPaI is by far the worst she's read this year. This makes me check her profile and - oh. I'm her only review. I guess the book's that bad - in comparison with the other books out this year. But what about the other books she read in the previous years? How is it my book is the only one she reviewed in all the years she's been devouring 200 books a year? I guess that makes my book THE WORST BOOK EVER IN HER ENTIRE 200-BOOKS-A-YEAR HISTORY? Possible. I'm just not buying it. Anyone who says differently, you're entitled to your opinion. I'm entitled to mine as well.
Check the reviewer's background. I'm not saying all reviews with unverified purchases are bad. Not at all! Some of them are likely because they were from book bloggers who received free copies for reviewing. Case in point: a review made for Drawn. It's a three-star rating. Nothing mind-blowing about that rating. It's even the lowest rating I got for Drawn BUT I LOVED IT. That review was from a book blogger who had a free copy of my book for review. She was honest about what she thought of my book and I'm all for that. I don't care that the review dragged down the overall rating of my book. I loved how honest it was, is all.
So readers, just beware of those unwarranted reviews. I'm just still getting the hang of this publishing war in Amazon so forgive me if I rant now and then. I'm just sad that some would go to this extent. I mean, why? At the end of the day, we are all book lovers essentially. I LOVE BOOKS BY EL JAMES, SYLVIA DAY, RK LILLEY, SARA FAWKES, KATE DAWES, AND I ABSOLUTELY WANT TO READ THE BOOKS BY OLIVIA C.! I want to read so many more books of other authors and really - my bibliophile's heart can only get bigger and bigger as I discover more and more authors to love.
I just wish others would feel the same, too.