A Christmas to Purr About is getting wonderful reviews—mostly 5-stars. All of my Klepto Cat Mysteries have garnered a high percentage of 5-star reviews, such as this one: http://www.mikishope.com/2017/04/book-review-christmas-to-purr-about.html
However, not all readers are so generous with their comments. My first Klepto Cat Mystery, Catnapped, generated one really nasty review. I tried to find it at Amazon to share it with you, but I wasn’t successful. Maybe Amazon deleted it. After reading it a couple of times, I realized it must be from another author who thought it would boost his/her sales if they slammed me or someone with a lot of hate in their soul.
I have to tell you I listen to my readers. I read critical reviews and comments. I mull them over and often I find them useful, helpful, valid and I make some changes accordingly or definitely consider them in a rewrite or in the next book in the series. For example, one reader said she loves my books, but they end too soon. She wants more. So, I extended book 23 (coming out soon). It costs me more to produce, but the reader gets more for his money. Hopefully everyone is happy, except for those, I suppose, who prefer a short, quick read.
I had a reader recently tell me they really like my characters, but in one of the books Savannah, the main character, has become too whiny. The reader wondered where was her backbone.
I was dinged for the near rape scene in one of my books. Some reads are offended by the realities of the plight of the feral cat.
While some fans have told me, “I missed the cat action in such-and-such a book—not enough cat action in this book.” Another said, “I don’t like the cat antics, they distract from the story.”
I was told that I used the word “smirk” too often in one of the books. I have taken that tip to heart. Oh, and some people think my stories are too preachy.
Quite recently, I enjoyed meeting a new fan. She was relishing the books until she came to a comment made by one of the fictional characters about pit bulls. The character said, “When will pit bull owners take these dogs more seriously?” Oh my, this pit bull owner was offended. But she must know that there certainly are wonderful pit bulls like the one she has and maybe she knows many other family pets who are lovely dogs. But statistically, pit bulls throughout the US cause more havoc and damage and death than any other dog breed. And, they are also some of the most well-behaved dogs—it’s true. In fact, as you can see, there’s a sweet pit bull dog on the cover of my latest book A Christmas to Purr About.
How does an author deal with snarky reviews? I don’t know how others do it, but I listen, analyze, make adjustments where it makes sense to do so, and move on to the next story.
I love your books and can’t wait till 23 comes out thank you for writing
How nice of you to say. Number 23 is being proofed as we speak. You should have it in your hands before too long. My first reader LOVED it. He said, “There’s something happening on every page.”