why reviews are important, having nothing to do with sales....

[lagilman]

When I wrote the proposal for PACK OF LIES (1/18/11), I went back and forth with myself over the basic plot element, which is the accusation of sexual assault, and a he said/she said tangle. Was I really willing to take on this topic? How far did I want to go with it? And, considering what happens, did I really want to deal with the inevitable, eventual response I was going to get from some readers?

In the end, although I changed some aspects that didn't work for the final story, I stuck pretty true to my original idea, and tried not to flinch away from my depiction of all the players, and their motivations. And then I tried not to think about it, once the book went into production.

So far, the reader responses have been positive, but I didn't realize how much I was holding my breath until I got word of a good review in RT, which included the line "Gilman handles an extremely sensitive subject with grace and compassion."

*exhales*

Buy PACK OF LIES at Your Local Indie / BN.com / Amazon


The full review:

RT Rating 4/12 stars, TOP PICK
Gilman's second Paranormal Scene Investigations is a fast, compelling read. Following Bonnie's POV is fantastic, and the secondary characters are equally well drawn, especially Pietr and Sharon. Bonnie's intelligence and perceptiveness really make this book go and readers will root for her and the team to solve their investigation. Gilman handles an extremely sensitive subject with grace and compassion.

Bonnie Torres and the rest of the PUPI team have been called out to the scene of a horrific crime - a ki-rin's human companion was attacked, and the attackers ended up dead or gravely injured by the ki-rin (a unicorn-like creature, with the attendant purity requirement). Things are always more complicated than they appear on the surface, especially with tensions between the human and fatae heating up. Also heating up is the relationship between Bonnie and her boss, Benjamin Venec - and since he's her boss, that may not be exactly the brightest idea either of them has ever had.

Comments

[barbhendee.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is a great review, and I like how RT always gives an "opinion" on the book first, followed up by a well written synopsis. I think their reviews are helpful to readers.

[lagilman]

They really have (mostly) managed the art of commenting on a book without giving the plot away. It's not as easy as you might think... (once you get past "I liked it" or "I didn't like it.")

[romsfuulynn.livejournal.com]

I know that this is not under your control, so this is just informational.

As a consumer it is frustrating that I can't preorder Luna ebooks for Nook (or for Kindle) even though Luna consistently makes ebooks available. With a release date of the 18th, I wish I could get it ordered so it would just appear.

[lagilman]

Unfortunately posting here doesn't do anything since a) I already know that the books aren't available for download until day-of-publication and b) I - as you note - have no control over the situation.

Sending an email directly to Harlequin saying that you would like to be able to pre-order the e-book format is the only way your complaint will get heard by someone who can make a difference.

[skidspoppe.livejournal.com]

Great review!