I ordered it on the 13th and I'm just waiting for it to arrive so I can devour it! *bounces*

I read the reviews and found them interesting. I think most books get mixed reviews because everyone is different. That is the reason I don't buy books by the reviews they get. I tend to love books that other people don't and hate books that other people love. *g*

Woot! Icon-love! Growly-Will.

Thank you, honey. Have I told you lately that I love you? I wish I had half your optimism and cheer. You really make my day.

It's true that books get mixed reviews, because everything is so subjective. What appeals to one person may squick another, you never know. One of the difficulties in being the author is you know what you meant, even if you don't get it across. And for the most part, they liked the book with caveats, and I guess that's as good as it gets.

It's very interesting to hear that you don't buy books by reviews. I know that there are themes that sell really well, but are not that appealing to reviewers. I suspect that reviewers see far more fiction than a casual reader does.

Thank goodness there are people like you, however contrary. *g*

And, nice icon. Don't know if I mentioned it. LOL

xox

He's a hottie! Feel free to snag him if you'd like. Credit goes to araestel.

I love you too! *squishes*

I do read reviews but don't always go by them. I would have missed some books I really love if I did. *g* I've been reading for so long and have read so much that I know what I like or don't like instinctively. That being said, I have no qualms about trying something new and different. There are so many wonderful books out there and I want to read as many as I possibly can.

I am a contrary girl! Take after my mom! *giggles*

Hee!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Snagged. Hee! Even if I never use it, I will enjoy looking at him.

Thank you! I need the love today.

It's good that you've developed an instinct for that. I know this is probably not a popular current taste, but I could never give up my Anne of Green Gables series. And LM Montgomery wrote so much more. She has a three-book series about Emily, who tries to become a writer. It's very inspiring and true to life, even though it was written 70 years ago. The struggles to get the right way of expressing something, the reviews, people's reactions. Some things never change I guess.

It's so nice to hear that you're open to trying new things too. That way you'll never get stuck in a rut. It's one way of staying forever young. And it's true, there are many wonderful books. And one of the interesting things is even if we write the same themes, no matter how tried and true, we will all write them a different way, because we have different brains, emotions and experiences.

I'm glad you're a contrary girl!

xox

I have many childhood series I could never give up. I love the Anne of Green Gables series! I also have Little House on the Praire, Sweet Valley High, and all the Judy Blumes! My favorite books from my childhood are: Are You There God, It's Me Margaret and Alexander's Horrible, Terrible No Good Very Bad Day. Working in a book store for many years broadened my reading tastes. I read a little of everything so I could keep up with questions from my costumers. The only genre I read very little of is true crime. It's just not my thing.

Being contrary can be good. *g*

xoxoxoxoxo

Gee, and out of all those, I've only read Anne of Green Gables. I will have to look into some of the others. I really am 12. *g*

Explain costumers, or did you mean customers? When I was in high school, I worked at the library and found many books I might otherwise not have read. But writing takes a lot of time, and I don't read a lot any more. I read a lot of Liriel's and Kennedy's when I'm beta-ing though. LOL.

You know, being contrary seems to be a very good thing. You are a shining example of it. I admire you more than I can say.

xoxoxox

I'm 12 also! It's fun! *giggles*

I did mean customers. (my brain gets ahead of my fingers) I imagine it's very hard to find time to read when you're a writer.

*blushes and toes ground* Thank you.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Being 12 rocks. Hee! I hope I never get too hide-bound not to snork over some double meaning.

Ah, customers. I was totally excited to hear about your costuming experiences. Not only is it hard to find time, because I have to earn a living too, but when I'm writing, I try not to read other people's things, so I can stay in my world. It can be distracting.

You're sweet. <3

xoxoxox

I didn't read the reviews...I often don't. I'm going to see my 45th book published next month and I've gotten my share of "mixed" reviews from all over the world (can I even be blamed for foreign translations? LOL). When you write on a truly visceral level you are going to get love-hate reactions to your work. I personally LOVED A Strong Hand. It's a fabulously written story with beautifully done emotion, a well developed plot, interesting secondary characters and truly stellar storytelling skills. Your handling of both the gay romance and BDSM elements were absoulutely perfect, in my opinion. I'm a voracious reader of all subgenres of romance. I've read about 95% of the m/m romance out there and buy new books every week. Your story is truly one of the BEST I've read. I'd love to have you as a guest on my blog sometime.

Hugs,
Lucy Monroe
http://lucymonroe.com

Oh wow, I am so sorry I missed your comment till now. You really made my day. Thank you!

All I can say is I went into hibernation a bit, in response to some of the reviews. And I think I'm going to stay away from them as well. I know writers have to have a thick skin but still…

I am glad to hear that you loved it and your reasons for loving it. Sometimes I feel that some of those items I value, like secondary characters, and plot, get overlooked or picked apart beyond what I would have expected. I do realize that for all of us, reactions are subjective, and no matter what I intended, it may not always come across. Your compliments take my breath away, in a good way.

I will be visiting your blog for sure. 45 Books! I'm impressed. And I suspect from your comments that you write on a visceral level and I'm interested to see what you write. Sadly, I don't get to read nearly enough. In fact, I've bought stories that are sitting waiting for me. But RL and deadlines tend to get me.

Thank you so much for leaving such a nice comment. You really made me feel much better about it!

Hugs,
Catt

Catt...You hear all the time that writers need to have a thick skin and I suppose it's true, but honestly? When you are putting your heart out there, of course it will sting when someone really doesn't get your work. I always remind myself that a) readers and reviewers have hot buttons and b) even Nora Roberts isn't for everybody. :) My PA & Promotions coordinator knows to point me toward good reviews and leave the negative ones out there for others to read. LOL I know I'm not writing for everybody, but I'm thrilled to touch as many readers as I do.

You do a darn good job of touching them as well - you must! I noticed the book is a GLBT best seller on All Romance eBooks right now. I hear you about the books you haven't read - I've got a 6 foot tall bookcase filled and double stacked with books to be read as well as a file folder of about 60 eBooks that have not yet been read. I'm sure my editor at Berkley would like those books to stay exactly that way - at least until I get my current WIP turned in. :)

Hugs,
Lucy

I haven't read any of the reviews. Just wanted you to know that I just finished this book and loved it. I loved "learning" with Nick and having Ashley and Derek's story in the background. I have now purchased 4 of your other works. You now have a new fan.
Carol

Thank you SO MUCH for leaving this comment. It's great to hear that you loved it. I wrote it especially for a friend and she loved it too so that's what's important. Still it's very nice to hear that someone else liked it too. You've made me very happy. :-) I'm glad you liked Ashley and Derek as well. Ashley was such a fun guy, you could see he really enjoyed his "work". LOL I hope you'll enjoy the other stories as well. And it's great to meet you! Thank you again. Catt

- with good writing. And I thought you did a fabulous and informed job of figuring out what was sexy in the BDSM dynamic.
Oh, and I ignore reviews - book samples are far more useful.

Thank you very much! I am very happy to get your opinion, and gratified that you think it was well written and that I did my research well. It's good to know about the reviews too—several people have said that. I know that the reviews were pretty good for the most part, but it's so nice to know that people who read it are enjoying it. Thank you for taking the time to comment! It's something that keeps us writers going. :-D

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book...did I mention I love this book. I came across this book a couple of months ago, and I have probably read it at least 4 times now. It reminds me a great deal of another book in the same genre, Sean Michael's excellent contribution to the Hammer series, Bent. I love this sort of book where you can watch the development of the relationships, rather than just seeing all the technical stuff. And the incredible love scenes are beautiful. I would love to see a followup to see where Nick and Damien end up.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's so nice of you to leave such a lovely comment. I can't believe you've read it four times. What a compliment! I haven't read Sean Michael's book but I will certainly put it on my list, based on your recommendation. It's so nice to hear what you liked about the book; I admit I prefer the build up of a relationship to just jumping right in, although they did sort of jump in, and then dragged their feet all the way. I am so happy you enjoyed it enough to leave a comment. I really appreciate it. I will have to see if Nick and Damian have any more to say on the subject. :-) Thanks you again! Catt

I'm reading this right now and I really like it. I'm looking forward to reading more of your books.