Susan Mallery

Musing: When Authors Like Our Book Reviews

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I’m going to speak for all of us when I say that we don’t write book reviews for fame or fortune. Nor recognition or accolades. We write reviews because we love to read, and we want to share our love of books with other people. You.

But you know what happened? We’ve found some excellent byproducts of the reading, reviewing, and blogging process!

Naturally, we get to interact with other people who like to read what we read: other bloggers and our blog followers. Book conversations? Ummm yes, please. Definitely.

Sometimes authors interact with us, too, which is pretty cool. Even a simple retweet makes me feel like my efforts made a difference to someone. Some muses have entire conversations (twitter, Facebook) with authors.

Today I found something that just took the cake. I was googling a book I’ve read in the past, and to what did my wondering eyes did appear? An excerpt of a Random Book Muses book review… ON AN AUTHOR’S WEB SITE! Yes, you heard me right: authors are using excerpts of our reviews on their web sites. How cool is that?!

So I googled some more.

Hello! More excerpts on more author web sites! I even found one of Pegasus’ reviews in its entirety.

Here are some of the links, so you can check out these wonderful, friendly authors yourself:

Megan Mulry

Jennie Jones

Vincent Lam

Laura Florand

…and the one that started it all…
Susan Mallery

It all makes me giddy, really.

So thank you, authors. Thank you for the love. We appreciate you noticing our words about your words. ❤️

-Calliope

Review: When We Met by Susan Mallery

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20140419-100232.jpg What a tug of war! Taryn and Angel are both tough cookies… Taryn in the boardroom and Angel in the gym. And they’re each nursing heartbreaks, though of different natures. When they meet, they use each other for a challenge, a thrill, and a distraction from reality.

The novelty of a new romance is so exciting, and Mallery conveyed the roller coaster of emotions just perfectly. From the witty banter to the teasing looks to the mysterious notes, Mallery created a romance that kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the one-liners, the fashion-designer name drops, and the description of the men Taryn works and plays with. (Go read for yourself; I can’t do it justice!)

Yes, this is another Fool’s Gold romance, but WHAT A ROMANCE! The uncertainty, the tension, the climax… Well, you get the idea. 🙂

–Calliope

Buy WHEN WE MET

Review: A Fool’s Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

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20140419-094524.jpg I’m late reviewing a bunch of Christmas-themed romances, and I have to say I’m enjoying myself.

The Christmas spirit manifests in many ways. For Evie and Dante, newcomers to Fool’s Gold, they just want to get through the holiday emotionally unscathed. They lean on each other through Dante’s bad memories and Evie’s Christmas dance recital responsibilities. And then they lean on each other for love.

This is a typical Fool’s Gold romance in that it’s focused on the hero and heroine, there’s a wonderful sense of community, and love seems to thrive at the seasonal festivals.

But Evie and Dante’s story is original and emotional. I keep reading Susan Mallery because she knows how to make each relationship unique and compelling.

As soon as I was done with this novel, I moved on to When We Met, to be released April 29. Thank you, Ms. Mallery for providing such an authentic glimpse of fictional romances. ❤

–Calliope

Buy A FOOL’S GOLD CHRISTMAS

Review: Evening Stars by Susan Mallery

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20140224-200548.jpg I love this Blackberry Island series! Evening Stars is the newest, and will be released February 25.

Blackberry Island has family issues, local doctors’ practices, small businesses, small-town quirkiness, and romance. Lots of romance! In Evening Stars, Nina gets a chance to think about herself for a change. She learns to stop trying I take care of (control) the people around her, and let go of her worries. One route she takes is having a casual fling with Kyle, a younger man. It is fun but not fulfilling. She also spends time with her ex… Dylan is a great guy but they have more of a friendship than anything else. I liked watching Nina figure out which guy – if any – she really should be with.

Susan Mallery writes characters and dialogue that are so natural I don’t even stop to think that they might not be real. The antique-shop goings-on were fun to read, as were the pediatric waiting room incidents. Nina’s irresponsible little sister offered some comic relief. Dylan and Kyle provided eye candy and nice cars… And great dates. And Nina’s parents illustrate how love might be what makes a family go ’round, but part of that love is responsibility, reliability and stability.

Sometimes I felt like the characters were a bit exaggerated or stereotypical in their behavior, but it’s part of what made the book fun to read.

Susan Mallery and the Blackberry Island series are on my BOLO list. I’ll continue to be on the lookout for more to add to my kindle, because once they’re on there, they don’t last long!

–Calliope

Buy/preorder (Feb 25) Evening Stars

Review: Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery

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20130919-205920.jpg You know what happens four days from today? Christmas on 4th Street is released, and all you Susan Mallery fans (and Christmas romance fans) become happy campers!

You know what will make you even happier? Diving in to Noelle and Gabriel’s story. (Nice Christmassy character names, Ms. Mallery.)

Noelle’s three best friends are planning a triple wedding during the Fool’s Gold Christmas festival. One best friend’s fiancé has a cute doctor brother that comes to town for the wedding. I’m sure you can see where this is going… Kissing, dinners, getting caught in a remote cabin during a snowstorm … the usual.

A few things struck me as unique in this romantic tale. First, Noelle was the most optimistic person I’ve ever met in a book. I wasn’t annoyed, I was reflective. If Noelle could traverse tragedy and come out of it smiling, I should be able to do the same in my pretty smooth-going life. Second, Gabriel’s relationship with his dad was explored nicely. Mallery didn’t gloss over it; she showed me how Gabriel’s dad had so much influence over his emotional development that he totally needed his dad to nudge him into going and growing that extra step. And third, the dialogue was fresh and bold. These characters tell it like it is, with tact, but directly. I like that in real-life people, and I appreciate it in book characters.

I got my coffee and shopping fix on 4th Street in Fool’s Gold … and let my tears of joy fall at the big wedding. Mallery wrote just the right balance of Christmas, friends and family, wedding planning, and new love.

Don’t miss it.

–Calliope

Buy it Now Christmas on 4th Street