How to Write a Book Review by Rebecca Graf

Author: Rebecca Graf

Publisher: Silver Tongue Press

Publication Date: February 2013

Genre: How-To/NonFiction

Synopsis:

How to Write a Book Review by Rebecca Graf

Have you wondered what makes a good book review? Have you wondered what you might be missing in writing a book review? You can find out how to write a quality book review in these pages.

About the Author:

              Rebecca Graf was born in Russellville, Kentucky but grew up in Dothan, Alabama. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with an accounting degree. Given the chance to try her hand at writing, she began writing online articles leading to her first published book, A Gift for a Mouse. From there she ventured into romance, mystery, comedy and drama. The passion of writing was discovered. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband and three children.

You can connect with Rebecca here:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Blog

Excerpt:

A book review is a recommendation from you. Your review is telling your readers whether or not you recommend the book or suggest that they run very fast from it. Look at it like this. You are having coffee with a friend. Your conversation steers in a direction similar to this: “Hey, I just a read a book that you have got to read. I couldn’t put it down. Though the language could be a little foul, the plot was outstanding.”         

Or the conversation could have gone this route: “I don’t understand the fascination with that book all over the news. I tried reading it and I couldn’t get past the first few chapters. It was horrible. There was no plot and everything was so confusing.” Both conversations are the beginnings of a book review and are a recommendation from you.

Yes, a book review is a critique, but in the end your review has to also give a recommendation regarding the book. You are suggesting your readers read it or not waste their money. If you are one that is honest with your reviews, people will listen. That is why you have to be very careful about what you say in a review. Don’t be personal. Don’t be biased. Let your friends know where you stand with the book, but give them good reasons. That is where the critique comes from. You can say you like the book or don’t like it, but tell your friends why. Your reasons might not be what turn your friends off of the book. I read one book that I just didn’t like. In critiquing it, the book wasn’t that bad. My readers could see that, but when I got to my recommendation I had to say the truth: “I really did not like the book. It was well written. The characters were entertaining, but the plot was not for me. For others, this might be an excellent book. If you like this genre, I highly recommend you give it a try and give your own review. For me, I’ll pass on the next one in the series.”

When you give a review, don’t forget to tell your recommendation to your readers. They want to know. You can critique it, but do you recommend it?

Purchase Links:

Amazon – Print and Kindle

My Interview With Rebecca:

What are you currently working on and when do you plan to release your next book?

I’m working on a first draft of a fantasy novel that I’m co-writing with a friend as well as going on to the second draft of the last of the Deep Connections trilogy. My next book will be out by the end of the year: The Nightingale in the Garden which is a children’s religious book about the Garden of Gethsemane.

Do you have a favorite genre for your writing or do you write whatever moves you?

I’ve been told I have to stick with one genre. I might migrate to one, but for now I write whatever moves me. Sometimes my story morphs into one I didn’t expect and crosses entire genre lines. LOL That is a load of fun.

What is the best piece of advice you were given about writing?

Just do it. I heard that from several people, and I did it. I found myself loving it more than I realized I would. For years I shied away from it because I felt that you had to have this spectacular gift that your teachers noted in school. No one commented on my writing. When it came to creative writing, they patted me on the head and moved on. I figured I didn’t have it in me.

Do you have a special spot where you like to write or are you a “have lap top will travel” writer?

I’ll write anywhere, but I have to have quiet. I can’t write with noise around me unless I’m in a coffee shop or something where I know none of the conversation is for me. Then it is easy, but around home I have to have complete quiet which doesn’t happen often.

What is your favorite book and favorite author?

I don’t know if I have one favorite book. My latest favorite is The Adventures of Tilda Pinkerton that I read for a book review. Authors? Oh, my. There is not one favorite. I love Amanda Quick, Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, Aiden James, Angela Shelton, and many more. They are different genres and sometimes it depends on mood who my favorite is. Oh, Edgar Allen Poe has to be mentioned.

When did you discover your passion for writing?

For years I felt the urge to write. I would tell myself that I had stories to tell, but then I would remind myself that my talent didn’t lie there. Those thoughts wouldn’t leave me though. It was when I became a virtual assistant to an author that I found myself writing. The first stuff was garbage, but from there it advanced. I started getting paid for my writing. That was so cool.

Do you have a favorite beverage or snack you must have while writing?

I love to drink hot tea because most of the time I am in the cold basement working, but I commonly turn the tea into ice tea.

What inspires you?

A new idea, but most of all it is a feeling of accomplishment. I get into a rut and full uninspired. Then someone out of the blue tells me how much they enjoyed my book. That brightens my day and gets me wanting to write again.

Do you have a favorite vacation destination and do you write while vacationing?

I honestly hardly ever vacation. We’ve always struggled with finances with such a large family. A few weeks ago, I took a mini vacation with my mother-in-law and her sister-in-law to the lake. I spent the whole time writing and reading. They complained that I wasn’t relaxing, but it was relaxing to me. It was the best time.

Do you have any advice for other writers on any subject you choose?

The best advice I can give is to forget what others say and just write, but also don’t get so full of  yourself that you think your first draft is a masterpiece. It is probably garbage. That is why you have fun going back over it and turning it into something that others can enjoy. Also, be open to constructive criticism. It can be really helpful. On the other hand, if someone is mean, avoid them. Their opinion doesn’t matter anyway.

Any last thoughts you would like to add?

Don’t let anything stand in your way of writing. Don’t let the excuses you make derail you. Sit down and let your muse dictate.

 My Review of How to Write a Book Review:

Have you ever wondered how to write a proper book review. do you love the book or do you hate the book? There are proper ways to handle both situations. Rebecca explains in easy to understand language how to write the best reviews. If you feel the need to write a negative review, she explains how to point out the positive while explaining why you may not have liked the book. She will tell you how to do that without sounding like a shrew. What's proper and what isn't? Rebecca tackles those questions and more. Before you write your next review, be sure to grab a copy of her book and read it. I purchased my copy of this book in March long before deciding to write this post. Regardless of when I received it, I would give it a solid 5 stars for content and understandability. Well done, Rebecca.

Enter the giveaway here!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MTk3MjcwYTZhMzc1ZWE1MTJlZWMwZWYyZTZmMzg1OjI2NA==/

Deep Connections Review and Guest Post by Author Rebecca Graf.

Please help me welcome author, Rebecca Graf, to the Willow Tree. This is one of her stops on her Virtual Book Tour. Rebecca was kind enough to write a guest post, but first I would like to review her book, Deep Connections.

Deep Connections is a unique thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. Who is stalking Brenna and why? As the layers of mystery unfold, you will be pulled into the twists and turns Rebecca has so wonderfully written. Wrapped around the mystery is a love triangle between Brenna, the cute sheriff's deputy, and the handsome Native American lawyer. Who will win her heart and save her from the evil stalking her? Rebecca has taken an age old battle and turned it into a modern day paranormal story. She pulls you into scenes with extremely detailed descriptions that make you feel as if you are standing next to the characters. Her characters are also very real. Brenna could easily be anyone’s neighbor and most small towns have a cute, eligible sheriff’s deputy. The handsome Native American lawyer is a wonderful addition to the story. His family is warm and loving. They are the type of friends anyone would love to have. I had a hard time putting this one down. The ending will have you wanting more. I was waiting for the sequel as I am sure it would also be a fantastic read. I wasn’t wrong. Once you read Deep Connections, you’ll be able to read the sequel immediately, and believe me, you’ll want to. I would give the book 5 stars.

Rebecca was kind enough to write the following post for us. Enjoy.

Why Authors Read Things That Scare Them

A writer will find themselves reading about anything when researching for a book. Yes, they will even research the very things that scare and disgust them.  Why? Because their muse demands it.

Authors think they know what they will and will not write about and research. Things get out of control as the muse directs them down scary paths. I mean, you’ll find yourself researching all the things that cause you to hug your teddy bear at night even though you are in you forties. Let me give you a real example.

I am finishing up a horror novella that is going places I never dreamed of. I had an overall idea, but never did I anticipate having to research decomposing bodies. Yuck! I don’t like seeing or hearing about them. They make my stomach turn. Well, the guy died way up on the stairs and it took a couple of days for someone to get to him. I didn’t plan it that way. I wanted the next person to take care of him but no. I discovered that it would have been impossible. Ruined it all. I had to enter the world of decomposing bodies.

I’ll admit that I’m a coward with this. So, did I suck it up and do it? Heck no! I had my author friend who loves that kind of stuff to do it for me. She did it with a smile on her face and summed up what I needed to know. Now, I had to write it.

I’ve found myself researching dead bodies, poisons, and even strange mythical creatures. We try to avoid reading about them, but we can’t. The story demands that we do it. There is nothing wrong in getting the job done and not completely researching it yourself. I did that with the body, but I still had to venture down that road and enter the world of rotting corpses.

We read whatever we have to in order to quiet the muse and deliver a good story. It might be spiders, snakes, dead bodies, or how to write a ghost scene, but we will get it done.

Thank you Rebecca. You can find out more about Rebecca and her books at : 

 Rebecca Graf's Amazon Author's Page

Book Review of Whisper by Michael Bray

**Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Whisper for review. This did not, in any way, affect my review of the book or Mr. Bray’s writing.

The book opens with a terrified child running through the woods. It immediately grabs you and pulls you into the story. Although the story does weave through the past and present, each section flows seamlessly into the next. There aren’t any jerky time changes, and each change makes sense pulling you into the next scene. It kept me wanting to continue reading to know how the story was playing out in both the past and present. All of the characters are well developed. Their descriptions are detailed and believable. They could be people you know or see on the street each day. Their dialogue is what you would expect, and reflects their individual character.

The plot was intriguing. A young married couple buying their dream house. That dream began to unwind when the stepped through the door. This may sound familiar, but don’t let that fool you. Mr. Bray has found a new road to terror. He builds his story from several angles, each one frightening on its own. When he combines them, you will find yourself wrapped in a story you will not soon forget. From beginning to end, the plot moves forward. At times it’s fast to pull you quickly into the terror that is building, and at others slowly to allow you to take in all the details around the characters and their situation.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a scary read with many twists and turns. I enjoyed it and give it 5 stars. I like Mr. Bray’s style, and it was well written. Don't miss this one.

Here's the link to Michael Bray's Amazon's Page where you will find his bio and links to his other books as well as Whisper.  Michael Bray on Amazon

Six Sentence Sunday

The following six sentences are from Chapter Six of my upcoming novel, Old Man Malone Returns. It is the sequel to THE LETTER.

“I told you I was trapped. The small door wouldn’t open, and the door opener wouldn’t open the large door. The wrench I threw against the window bounced off. It was him. He’s trying to kill me.” Tears poured down her cheeks as she began to hyperventilate. 

Six Sentence Sunday

The following sentences are from Chapter Five of my soon to be released novel, Old Man Malone Returns. It is the sequel to THE LETTER.

“I’ve been thinking. All this started when Old Man Malone’s body was taken, if it was ever in there. I know the coroner said there was trace elements of a body, but was it his? Then we are plagued with the man in black. We’re all scared it was a ghost, but what if it’s him—alive. Now Kyle is being harassed." 

Six Sentence Sunday

 The following six sentences are from chapter four of my soon to be released novel Old Man Malone Returns. It's the sequel to THE LETTER.

They ran to the south wing to find a sobbing Hope, on her knees in the hall, outside the kitchen. Her hands were over her face, and she was shaking her head back and forth. She was crying so hard she was gasping for air. Austern helped her to her feet, and they slowly walked back to the main house. By the time she was sitting in the library she had regained a bit of her composure.

With her hand on her chest she said, “My heart is racing and my hands are shaking. I’m so frightened.”

Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful week. Blessings, Marianne

Six Sentence Sunday

This is from chapter three of my current WIP, Old Man Malone Returns.

A little after five, Kellie tried to roll over and felt something tug at her wrist. She was alarmed that her wrist felt shackled. She woke Drew. He turned on the light, and what they saw shocked them both. Kellie’s wrist was tied to the bed post by a plastic zip tie. It wasn’t tight enough to cut off her circulation, but snug enough to keep her from pulling her wrist free