Waiting for the Reviews to Come In, by Devyn Quinn

As a writer, waiting for the reviews on a book to come in is excruciating. Once the book has gone through the publishing process, there is that tiny window after actual print publication and before the release date when the book is sent out to reviewers. It is at this time that I begin to intensely bite my knuckles, make small sacrifices and generally melt down as I wonder what the very first review of my forthcoming release will say. Will the book get decent reviews, or will it be stomped into the ground by the reader, who will then put their .02 cents into print–thus crushing my confidence (and a piece of my soul) or sending me off into a spasm of joy that can last for days?

Having been through this time and time again, you would think I would learn to roll with the punches, to take the good reviews with a smile and the bad reviews with a grain of salt (along with several malt coolers). The truth is, I worry each any every time a book comes up for release. Why? I think it is because I’m so attached to the characters I have created. Yes, I know. These people do not exist, except in the creator’s mind. Yet for months, sometimes years, a writer labors to commit what is in their head to the more tangible medium of print, thereby giving their characters a “life” that can be shared by readers. It’s a daunting task, making the unreal come to fruition in a way that (to me) is logical and meaningful. After all, if I don’t buy into the circumstances I am setting down on the page, how can the reader? So, yes, I tend to become emotionally attached to that piece of literature. After all, an inspiration that belonged to me alone has granted it an existence in this world, however impermanent. As long as the book is in print and survives, it is a part of what once brewed inside my skull.

My next book is Siren's Call which releases today! The first reviews have begun to come in. Here's a sampling of a few:

“The author fully pulled me into her world that she created in her mind and put down on paper. I wasn’t left confused or needing to backtrack some pages to figure out what she was talking about, everything flowed smoothly. This story quickly drew me in and was overall fun. It is the first book in a new series called Dark Tides. I am definitely interested in reading the next book in this series. 4.5 Stars. ” – Night Owl Romance

“Siren’s Call quickly serves up a main course of interesting characters with a side dish of archeological and historical intrigue. The novel does not delay the inevitable, nor does it retread the oft-trod predictable lines of many paranormal romances. Instead, as the story develops so do intriguing questions about privacy, relationships and what the world may have a right to know.” – Fresh Fiction

”Siren’s Call is a faced paced, thrilling story, that was laced with dark wit and plot twists that made for a great read.” – Closetreader blog

OMG. They're good! I was surprised, considering Siren's Call was the book I began with no plot, no characters and no clue where it would go. All I know is that it came. From where, I do not know to this day. And I am mightily relieved that the first reviews are terrific. I had feared I would get the first zero star review in history and read that the book was so awful the reviewer has to be put in the hospital with bouts of gagging and heaving (yeah, I really thought that). It gives me hope that the next ones coming in will be just as good.

My question to readers today: Do you let negative reviews affect your decision to read a book?

Between desire and love there are some things that can’t stay buried, even in the deep of the ocean.

As a woman with a secret, lighthouse keeper Tessa Lonike savors her solitude on the island of Little Mer, off the coast of Maine. During a violent storm, Tessa spots a man thrashing in the ice cold waters and dives in to save him, using her ability as a mermaid to easily pull him to shore.

When Kenneth Randall awakens on the beach he is alone, left with the haunting memory of his beautiful, flame-haired savior. But a year later, when Kenneth meets her again, he’s determined not to let Tessa slip away. Just as the desire between them begins to burn, Tessa’s archaeologist ex-lover comes back to town with a tantalizing clue to her murky heritage.

The trio travel to the Mediterranean in search of answers, and when Tessa inadvertently opens an underwater portal they find a lost mermaid city. But in the deep, not everything is as it seems, and Tessa must decide if she wants to take her place as the royal heir, or follow the call of her heart…

Remember Everyone! Devyn has very kindly offered a copy of "Siren's Call" to be won by one lucky commenter each day while she is here on the island. So that is potentially 3 chances to win if you visit each day, (yesterday, today and tomorrow) and answer Devyn’s question!

The contest will close Satuday at midnight and the lucky winner will be posted here at DIK Sunday morning.

The winners will be chosen randomly by numbered entry.

Only one entry per day please!

Contest open internationally!

Good Luck to all who enter!

Devyn is back for her final day on the island tomorrow to talk about her favorite DIK books she has brought along! (She picked some interesting ones.. *g*)