Reviews

As an up-an-coming author, reviews are important! Sadly, most people who have read my book are lazy to review. Any comment is good (if three to five stars!) and I do try to encourage my fans to write a review or put stars, at least on Goodreads if not Amazon. The next option is to contact book bloggers and ask them to read a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. It's totally free and seems to work well. If you're an author thinking of doing this, I recommend the book blog directory as a good starting point. Read the Review Policies carefully and address each blogger individually- show them you actually read their profile and policy!

Overall, I've been getting very positive reviews. I've received a couple of negative reviews but when I analyse what they criticise, the object of the reviewer's dislike is usually something personal to them and not anything that makes me collapse in tears or start wondering whether I should re-write the whole saga. Non-positive reviews are good if written constructively- it's always nice to get a different perspective and to realise that what you create is not, cannot be, everyone's cup of blood. 

Complaints & Justifications 

I can't resist. I have to answer the negatives! I'd never do so directly to the reviewer- there's no point and it's impolite, but I just want to justify 3 points...

NO! One reviewer once criticised the fact "all" my vampires wear black, which made it difficult to distinguish who was who. I thought about this and realised that he was right in that my vampires often appeared in black, but wrong because each character has a distinct and clear look and way of talking or acting- anyone who has read the Blood Omen books and connected with the characters can see that. A lot of PEOPLE wear black these days, so it seems my vampires are actually in with the times!

NO! A few people found Dea frustrating and selfish. I don't want to offend my young adult readers, but a lot of teens can be selfish, even if it's not deliberate. It's in teen nature to think "I know best" or "I can handle this alone." I was certainly like that when I was 17! And I, like Dea, was an only child. Of course not all only children are selfish, but when you've had no-one but yourself as centre of attention in the family, thinking of others before making choices doesn't always come naturally. But Dea changes throughout the saga. As life throws more challenges her way, she has to overcome them and learn about herself. In doing so she matures. She remains the fun-loving, risk-taking girl we meet in Book 1, but you'll notice that she is more respectful to her Coven and thinks more carefully about the cause and effect of her actions as the story progresses... though Fate has a major part to play in the outcomes of her decisions- something she has no control over. 

NO! Some people mention they found the cliff-hangers frustrating. I make no excuse for this. It's my style to pose questions and keep the suspense and mystery ongoing. I make a promise to always answer the questions- even if you have to wait two or three more books for that answer, all WILL be revealed!


If you've read a book, take time to review it online. It helps other people to decide whether they want to read it or not, and for the author, a review is a gift! 

Here's the latest independent review from book blogger Jo Evans:

"Have you had your fill of vampires yet? Probably not, if you're like me. There is something about the dark edginess which draws me in to the tale time and time again. 

With this series, there is plenty of that, but I should warn you that this is a hugely frustrating book, not least because it is the first in the series, so of course, there is the obligatory cliffhanger. 

But more than that, it is the lack of answers and Dea's behaviour that had me grumbling at my kindle at points.

This is, without doubt, an intriguing start to the series, with a tantalising hint of relationship potential. I look forward to reading book 2.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review."