Reading Reviews of Our Novels

| Elle E. Kay, Author

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Our books are written and the release dates are quickly approaching, so we send our books to book bloggers. We post them on GoodReads review groups. We share them in Facebook groups and anywhere else we think we can find reviewers. Next comes the time for reading those first reviews. We need to take a deep breath. Let it out slowly, and relax. Now let’s look at those reviews, shall we?

  • It’s our first five star review. Let’s celebrate. And enjoy it. But, let’s not let it go to our heads. Prov 29:23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. #KJV
  • Here we go. A couple of three star reviews. The reviewers liked our books, but they didn’t love them. They weren’t their favorite genres. They don’t like books written with a strong Christian theme. For whatever reason those particular reviewers didn’t enjoy our books as much as we’d hoped. We take another deep breath. And we resist the urge to ask them why they read science fiction when they only like romance, and we move on. It’s okay. They liked it. A three star review is not a bad thing. It means they enjoyed the book.
  • Uh oh. It’s a two star review. Let’s not panic. We can get through this. Let’s read the whole thing. Oh. That’s weird… they didn’t hate it. They thought it was okay. Well, that wasn’t so bad. It hurts a little that they only thought we were worthy of two stars, but no, that’s not right. They aren’t rating us! They are rating a product. A novel. It doesn’t mean we aren’t worthwhile people. Someone can dislike our books without disliking us. Not everyone will like our books even if they’re the next Gone with the Wind or Left Behind. People are fickle. We all like different things and sometimes the same person can like or hate a book depending on their mood when they read it.
  • A one star review. We can choose not to read it. That is an option. The only purpose in reading it is to find out if the problem was not really with the quality of the book. A shipping problem, for instance, or a technical issue with their e-reader. Then we have the option of letting the retailer know the problem is on their end. They may even remove the review. And sometimes, they aren’t much of an indictment after all. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, one reviewer of my non-fiction, Zebras of Hope, accused me of proselytizing. I’ll take that. If I set out with the purpose of sharing Christ and I accomplished that goal. Then I’ll wear the label.
  • If after getting those first one and two star reviews, we can’t handle them, we can’t sleep, they make us sick to our stomachs, and leave us upset for days, we need to stop reading them. We do not need to read every review. We can have a friend check reviews for us periodically and tell us if there is a particularly good one. The one thing we don’t want to do is stop paying attention to the overall rating, the total star rating on GoodReads or Amazon. The total rating can mean something, as it is a compilation of what many readers thought about our books. That rating might help us to improve in the future or it might help us realize that our book is well liked and we should keep doing what we’re doing.
  • Lastly, if our readers keep mentioning typos or grammar issues, we really should get an editor to look over our books. It will not hurt to have professional eyes on them to make sure it they are the best they can be.

Let’s keep writing for the Lord’s glory and honor. He will get the book into the hands of the readers who need to hear the messages our books convey. We can keep pointing people in His direction.

Candy Cane Christmas

| Elle E. Kay, Author

The assignment spoke to Hannah in a way none had before. She was to write one page describing the meaning of Christmas. She pondered the thought during chapel and throughout the day as she attended classes. Upon arriving home, she made a cup of hot cocoa and stirred in her marshmallows using a peppermint candy cane. Looking out over the snow covered hills she reflected again on the assignment. Taking her cocoa over to the fireplace, Hannah settled down next to the fire. She turned her rocking chair away from the fire and faced the Christmas tree on the other side of the room. The smell of the pine still permeated the air. The decorations were beautiful. Ribbons and ornaments were spaced carefully. White lights sparkled giving the room an ethereal glow. There were wrapped gifts stacked high on one side of the tree.

This felt like Christmas. There was snow, cocoa, candy canes, a tree, and presents. But this wasn’t the meaning of Christmas. She knew that many of her friends would write about family and friends and how time together and giving to each other represented the real meaning of Christmas, but she knew Christmas was much more than that.

If anything symbolized the meaning of Christmas for her, it was the candy cane designed for that purpose. It showed the stripes by which we are healed, the blood of the sacrificial Lamb which was shed for mankind. The white indicated the pureness of the virgin birth and the sinless nature of Christ. The firm texture was a reminder that He is our solid Rock and His promises stand firm. The shepherd staff shape was to be a reminder of the Shepherd who came in the flesh to save his flock. The shape was also a J for Jesus, the name above all names and the only one by which we must be saved.

An idea began to form. She called her father and asked him to bring her a couple of boxes of candy canes. Then she sat down to write. Her opening paragraph spoke of why the candy cane had been made, and how it had been secularized losing its meaning over time. Then she got personal and shared what Christmas meant to her.

The next day Hannah was the last to be called on to read her paper to the class. She passed out the candy canes before taking her place by the black board and reading what she had written.

Christmas isn’t about presents, trees, Santa, snow, caroling, or parties. T’s not even about candy canes, but when you see the candy cane, I hope you will remember what it stands for and consider the great sacrifice that was made for you. Christmas allows us to enjoy time with family and friends, but the greatest gift we can give them is to share the gospel. The Lord Jesus saved our wretched souls, and as this simple piece of candy reminds us, it was a sacrifice that came at a high cost. A free gift for us, but at the cost of His blood. He gave up His heavenly home for a time to be born of a woman and live among men. He knew He would be rejected by His own people, but He came anyway. He knew He would be crucified but He came anyway. He shed His blood that we might have life. The word ‘we’ flows easily, but when I personalize and internalize His sacrifice, I realize that He shed His blood for me. That is much harder to accept. If it had just been for me, would He have still remained on that cross? When I realize what He did for me, it humbles me. I realize how undeserving I am and how great He is, and wonder why He would willingly give up so much for me.

When we keep the knowledge of His great love to ourselves and instead give worldly gifts of trinkets that will perish with time, we are being selfish. There is nothing wrong with giving presents, but we must not exclude Christ from Christmas. We are keeping Christ to ourselves when His love is big enough to encompass us all. He is not willing that any should perish. Christmas is about remembering all that He gave up to give us the gift of salvation, and remembering that we were created to bring Him pleasure. Share the gift of Jesus Christ with your loved ones and bring a smile to God’s face as He sees His love shine through you.

Hannah had tears in her eyes as she made her way back to her seat. The classroom was silent. She could only hope that her words and God’s message had touched the hearts of her classmates the way it had touched her own heart.

Christian Fiction Friday: March 20th–Excerpt from Claudia

| Elle E. Kay, Author

After eating her dinner, Stella pushed her plate away and looked up at Claudia.  “What’s going on with you?  You seem a little distant today and you are barely eating.”

“It’s Sameer.”
“Yeah?  How is he?”
“Oh, he’s just fine.  A little too fine.”
“Spill it.”
“I went by his apartment the other night and let myself in.  I thought he was serious about me when he gave me the key six months ago.  I found out how wrong I was.”
“Why, what happened?”
“Judy was there.”
“Oh, I’m sure it was nothing.  Don’t let her bother you, she probably just forced her way in there by asking him to help her study or something.”
“They weren’t studying Stella.  It looked like studying was the farthest thing from their minds.”
“Oh.  I’m sorry Claudia.  That just makes me ill.  Why would he do that?”
“That’s just it.”  Claudia ran her hands through her hair and picked at her perfectly manicured nails.  “I think that when I made the decision not to have sex again until I was married, it might have cost me my relationship with Sameer.  How can I expect him to understand that I was willing to have sex with previous boyfriends, but not with him?  It’s only natural that if I won’t do it, he’ll find someone who will.”
“No, that is not ‘only natural’.  You know that what you’re doing is right.  You’re following your conscience and your Bible.  You can’t let Sameer’s weakness change your conviction.  You’re too smart to believe what you just said.”
“I don’t know what I believe.  I’m frustrated.  I thought he loved me, but if he loved me he wouldn’t have jumped into bed, well couch, more precisely, with Judy.  Couldn’t he have at least picked someone else?  Did it really have to be her?”
“I’m sorry Claud.  I don’t understand why he would do something like that, but I know you deserve to have a man who will treat you like a princess.  I like Sameer, I really do, but I hope you aren’t going to keep dating him after this.”
“I don’t think I can.  I agreed to lunch at the cafeteria tomorrow to talk, but I can’t see myself continuing a relationship with a guy who would fool around on me, especially with Judy.”
“I wonder what Steven would do.  I hope for Sameer’s sake he doesn’t find out about this.”
“I almost hope he does, but I won’t be the one to tell him.”
“Well, I think it’s an ice cream night, don’t you?  Forbidden chocolate or Heavenly hash?”
“Don’t you have any strawberry?”
“No, but I have strawberry syrup and vanilla ice cream.”
“Sold.”

Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post short (400-word or less) snippets from their current works in progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman.

Christian Fiction Friday–Excerpt from Claudia

| Elle E. Kay, Author

Claudia hurried across  campus.  Two blue birds fluttered past her, a sure sign that spring was almost here, but she barely registered their presence.  The expansive lawns of the campus were still covered with snow.  She pulled the collar on her coat up and walked with her head down to block the wind.
As she approached her car, she saw Sameer.  He had parked next to her and was leaning against his car smoking and talking on his cell phone.  She gave a little wave with a glove clad hand and attempted to walk around his car, but he grabbed her by the arm and spun her back to face him.
“Jesse, I’ll have to get back to you.  Okay?  Something’s come up.” Sameer clicked off his phone and slid it into his back pocket.
Claudia pulled away from him and stepped out of his reach.  “What do you mean something’s come up?  Nothings come up.  I’m leaving.”
“I thought you Christians were forgiving.  Why are you being such a shrew?”  He stepped toward her.
Claudia sighed and glanced at her watch.  “A shrew?  Seriously? Look, I’m leaving. You’re forgiven.  Is that all you want?”
“No.  I want you to really forgive me.  Let me take you out tonight?” He raised his eyebrows.
“Not a chance.  I’m not looking for a repeat performance.”
“Aw, come on, it’s not like that.  It was a one time thing.  A mistake.  I was drunk.”
“You think getting drunk is an acceptable excuse?  Look, I don’t have time for this right now..  I’ve got somewhere to be.  Maybe we can talk about this later.”
“Tomorrow?  Lunch?”  He flashed that crooked little smile she was crazy about.
“Sure.  I have break at 1:20 p.m., meet me in the cafeteria.”
“Can’t we go off campus?”
“No Sameer.  We can’t.  I don’t want to be alone with you right now.”
“I think you’re overreacting, but okay.  I’ll see you tomorrow.”  He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post snippets from their current Works in Progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman. – See more at: http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee/christian-fiction-friday-march-6th/#sthash.vZ2wjVIX.dpuf

CHRISTIAN fiction Friday–excerpt FROM Stella

| Elle E. Kay, Author

CoverforwebMegan sat behind Crystal and Stacy in Sunday school. She wasn’t trying to hear them, but Crystal’s idea of a whisper was anything but quiet. Crystal said “Did you hear that Jason is taking Stella out?”

“I did” Stacy said.

“I can’t imagine why that sexy specimen would waste himself on a tramp.”

“He won’t date her more than a time or two, when he finds out she doesn’t put out, he’ll dump her.” Stacy said.

“If only that were true, unfortunately, she does put out. A fact made clear by her current circumstances.”

“I guess you’re right. I’m thinking of how she was in high school.”

“She was probably a trollop then too, she just hid it better.”

“Jason’s probably toying with her anyway. There is no way that a worldly man like him would take a girl like her seriously. Did you see the outfit she was wearing today?”

Megan sat behind the pair balling her fists as she thought about how she could get even with the two for being so nasty. She remembered Stella’s quietly spoken words about how she didn’t want to engage gossip and she didn’t even want to hear about what people said behind her back. Megan wished she could have that same attitude. She didn’t want to care about the nasty things people said, but the hypocrisy bothered her. How could someone claim to follow Christ, and at the same time be so wretched to others?

As she considered the issue, she was silently reminded of her own sinful nature and how much she needed God’s grace. Her sin may not be as blatantly obvious, but it was still there. She needed to show grace to Stacy and Crystal even though they were not showing grace to Stella. Sometimes it seemed a lot to ask to be forgiving and to love the unlovable. She knew they weren’t truly unlovable, the Lord had found something worth saving in her, how could she not see the good in others? Yet, no matter how deep she dug, she couldn’t seem to reach deep enough to find a wellspring of love for those two. The only way she was going to find it was to continue to pray until God provided her the needed grace. She shifted in the metal folding chair trying to get comfortable and refocused her attention on the preacher who was beginning to pray.

Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post short (400-word or less) snippets from their current works in progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman. – See more at: http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee/christian-fiction-friday-march-6th/#sthash.HdkQefO4.dpuf.

Christian Fiction Friday: February 20th

| Elle E. Kay, Author

 

Christian Fiction Friday:

February 20th


Here is a snippet is from Chapter 9 of Stella, my current work in progress, a Christian romantic suspense novel.

Claudia sat next to Jason on the front steps of the church. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize she was there when I spoke.”
“It’s not your fault,” Jason said, “I was the stupid one.”
“Well, duh,” Claudia said, “She’ll be fine, she just needs to cool down for a while. She’s crazy about you, one stupid stunt won’t scare her away.”
“How do you know?” Jason asked.
“She’s still my sister, isn’t she?”
“I don’t think she has much choice in that matter.”
After a few minutes of silence, Jason spoke again, “Hey Claud, any chance you know the name of the hotel where Stella woke up after the rape?”
“You can’t be serious. You’re not planning on doing any more digging after the way this morning went, are you?”
“What choice do I have? I can’t leave this alone. This guy stole your sister’s innocence, don’t you want to see him pay?”
“Of course I do, but it’s Stella’s call, not mine. I don’t know the name of the hotel anyway. From her description, I’d guess it was one of the big ones, Hilton or Wyndham maybe, but I’m not sure.” Claudia said, “Do yourself a favor and let it go.”
“I’m not sure that I can.” Jason said.
Crystal joined Jason and Claudia in front of the church. She’d been hoping to catch Jason away from Stella. “Hi Jason.”
“Hello Crystal.”
“It’s good to have you back from the war.”
“Thank you.”
“I was wondering if you might like to join a few of us at the diner tonight after the evening service.”
“Well, I’ll have to see if Stella is up to it or not,” Crystal visibly cringed at the mention of Stella, “She is invited, is she not?”
“Absolutely, of course,” Crystal recovered herself and put on a big smile. It would be lovely if you could both come out, “And you too Claudia.”
“Maybe we’ll see you there.” Jason said though he had no intention of going.
After Crystal departed, Claudia said “We should go. All three of us, maybe even bring Mom and Dad. It would ruin their night and be oh so fun for me.”
“You have an evil streak Claud.”
“I know. It’s the preacher’s daughter curse.”
“Why doesn’t Stella have it?”
“I’ve yet to figure that out myself.”

Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post snippets from their current Works in Progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman.

http://www.bridgemanfamily.com/hallee/christian-fiction-friday-february-20th/