It’s that time of the month…time for support from fellow writers. Thanks to Alex Cavanaugh for creating this group–join us for the monthly blog hop here.
We all appreciate this month’s co-hosts: Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!
Before diving in to the optional question for this month, I want to share my 5-star review of fellow IWSG author’s supernatural young adult romance, Dark Desires, by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.
My Review of Dark Desires by Ronel Janse van Vuuren:
Magic Brownies
This fun short story (#1 in the Dark Court Sisters series) showcases the gumption and integrity of Tasha, a young fae hiding out at a human high school. Though Tasha’s not a fan of the girls’ shallow popularity scuffles and the boys’ cool postering, she is determined to save them from a dark spell cast on the school bake sale brownies. Turns out there’s somethin’ somethin’ special in these brownies!
I was impressed by the author nailing every painful part of high school (including judgmental cliques, desperate attempts to fit in, and mothers always being right) as seen through fae Tasha’s eyes. And I appreciated the humor, like when Tasha observes everyone chowing down on brownies:
Tasha saw that no one, even those on gluten-free, sugar-free, carb-free, fat-free, fun-free diets could resist the chocolatey goodness.
There’s a bonus sweet romance with a boy who’s also hiding his special powers. Though malevolent supernatural beings threaten Tasha, Daniel, and the humans, Tasha won’t let anyone push her around.
I was quite excited to find an audiobook version of this story! South African author Ronel Janse van vuuren is the narrator, and I think there’s an extra bit of love packed in when an author reads her own creation.
Today’s question: What was the most inspiring feedback you received from readers, including agents, editors, and beta readers?
A thoughtful, favorable review is a delight for any author. Author Darcia Helle’s review of Spiked (Blocked #3) made me beam:
“No matter how compelling the content, stories need great characters to keep us hooked. These characters are real people. I swear to you. They stepped off the pages and went on to live their lives. Each has his/her own complex, unique personality. I can tell which is speaking simply by the rhythm of their speech and their word choices. I feel their emotions and care what happens to them. Perhaps most important, I understand their viewpoints, even when I don’t necessarily agree. Being able to truly relate to a person different from ourselves is a gift Jennifer Lane masterfully gives readers.”
Happy May to all writers!
Jennifer Lane Books 