Another Review for Each of My Children's Books

http://juliesbookreview.blogspot.com/2014/01/review-of-theres-tree-on-my-house-by.html?spref=fb

Donna wrote another wonderful review of my granddaughter's first favorite book with her name in it.  It will be posted on Amazon and Goodreads soon.  The book is available on Amazon, and there is no ebook edition.

There’s A Tree On My House 

By Judith Victoria Douglas

http://www.amazon.com/Theres-House-Judith-Victoria-Douglas/dp/1478361131

 

A small maple seed is blown by the wind and lands on the corner of the roof of a house and the seed is so protected there that it begins to grow.  Sadie, the little girl who lives in the house is playing with her cousins, Ava and Abby in the yard, running around with their balloons when one of the balloons gets loose and floats up toward the seedling.  So that their cousin isn’t sad, the other two girls let their balloons free too.  They believe the seedling tried to catch the first balloon, and run in to tell their mother that there is a tree on their house.  Their mother and father help to save the tree from growing on their house.  Thus, the story of the tree on the house has started.

 

I really enjoyed this book and I believe children will enjoy it too.  There are lots of extras included with the book a tree that a child can color and decorate with included clip art, and extra pages to illustrate a child’s own tree story.  5 out of 5 stars.

~~~~~~~

http://nerdgirlofficial.com/the-carousel-pony-by-judith-victoria-douglas-reviewed-by-shelby/

And Shelby gave a 4-star review for The Carousel Pony last November that is just appearing on the reviewer blog.  It's my granddaughter's second favorite book with her name in it.  It's posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

A special carousel with special ponies. When one winks at Sadie she is sure her wish for a pony will come true.

Released 11/12/13; available on Amazon. There is no e-book edition.  http://www.amazon.com/Carousel-Pony-Make---Wish-Story/dp/1482336766

A children’s book to be read to children up to the third grade when they may be able to read it themselves.

The Carousel Pony by Judith-Victoria Douglas is a delightful story about the simple magic of childhood.

Sadie is a sweet young girl who wishes for a pony of her very own. Unfortunately, like a lot of us, she must settle for riding the carousel ponies at the local fairgrounds. Sadie’s father is a photographer and is hired to take pictures of the new carousel ponies in order to make brochures. He takes Sadie with him on what turns out to be a fantastic day full of fun, imagination, and magic for her.

Kids and parents alike will quickly fall in love with this enchanting story. The illustrations are beautifully hand drawn and idyllic. The ponies are described in excellent detail allowing the readers to place themselves into the story with ease. There are lessons on the history of carousel ponies and a cast of wonderfully written characters. My favorite, besides little Sadie and her favorite pony Whisper, was Mr. MacTavish. He was so very kind and patient and his gift to Sadie was very sweet.

This is not my first book by Judith-Victoria Douglas and I’m sure it will not be my last. My little one and I thoroughly enjoy the amazing adventures her books take us on and we very much look forward to our next.

Reviews for One Unicorn Wish

http://booksbyjvd.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/first-two-reviews-one-unicorn-wish/

Got a 4 star on Goodreads and a 5 star on Amazon.  Still looking for reviews from those 250+ free downloads.  Corrections were already made and you can tell if its current by the missing last line of the blurb on the back cover ~ "All I wish for is…."

It's Christmas…!

http://booksbyjudithvictoriadouglas.wordpress.com/2013/12/25/wishing-everyone-the-merriest-holiday/

Review On Novella #1 and Free Kindles

http://booksbyjvd.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/first-time-review-for-story-1-of-painted-tree-two-novellas/ 

This is the review posted on November 30 of Matthew Keith's review of In Blood There is no Honor, book 1 of Painted Tree: Two Novellas.  Book 2 is If I Could Only Sparkle, and doesn't yet have a separate review.  There are a couple of reviews for Painted Tree as a whole.

This weekend both individual Kindle editions of these two novellas are being offered for free on Amazon.  Be sure and take the opportunity to read the reviews and download one or both.

I am looking for reviews or even a comment on Amazon, maybe Goodreads also, so I will know how my readers like the stories.  Since they're free, please don't let me down.

My novel, Ariel's Cottage, in it's Kindle edition, The Price for Love, downloaded over 245 free copies and I have yet to receive even one short comment as a result.  I only got one promise.

My latest novel, One Unicorn Wish, was offered for free last weekend with 230 copies downloaded.  I'm still waiting to see how many of those readers are takers, but don't give back.

While the general population of readers don't have clue how important such comments and reviews are to an author's success or failure, most of those receiving notice of the available downloads are also authors.  Any disregard by fellow authors is both inconsiderate and blatant thievery when nothing is given in return, not even a thank you.  You see, I don't believe in giving my hard work away for free any more than a ship builder, cabinet maker, inventor, scientist or any professional would.  Yes, some self-governing professionals (writers are not among the self-governed) are expected to do some pro bono work, but writer's are at least given a little notoriety when they do something for charity.

I have stooped, yes, stooped to giving away only in hopes fellow authors will make a comment in return.  I understand some may yet be coming because authors are very busy folks.  I, myself, have several downloads I have yet to get time to read.  However, when I do, I post a review, always.  So I'm hoping those who have taken advantage of a free opportunity realize and appreciate the author's graciousness in providing, as a gift, the result of their hard work when accepting the opportunity to read the novels for free, and are not just taking advantage by disregarding the author's professional need for a public response.

I have arranged for other free giveaways for my Kindle works, but unlike an author with a big publisher paying an advance and sending out the free signed copies of books to those they know will give a good review, I do not receive any income and only hope the reviews the giveaway generates will bring about a few sales.

Please become aware of this need if you are not an author.  If you are an author please do not disregard your fellow authors, especially the independents one who are on their own to promote their work to the public.

It should go without saying and become a professional courtesy and each author should feel it an obligation to reciprocate with at least a short comment.  I think some have forgotten this defines a true professional, as in any other profession.  We should not be surprised when a fellow author receives a free copy and provides a review.  Nor should we feel disappointment when it doesn't occur.

It reflects badly on those who are given this gift, take it and don't respond, just as it does with your old Auntie when she sends a birthday or Christmas gift and you don't thank her.  Some of these "old fashioned" values are worth returning to and keeping.  It would make independents more professional in the eyes of those who taken care of by their publishers and have developed a sense of superiority over those who work for themselves.  Think about this sense of professionalism when you join the ranks of the published.

I published a review today for someone who I know from her postings works very hard on creative presentations to keep her publications before the public and in the minds of fellow authors.  I know she's been doing it for a while, obviously working very hard doing things I don't even know how to do.  Yet there were only 6 reviews.  I was shocked.  She must be an amazing individual to keep at it so continuously even after enough disappointment and frustration that would cause a lesser person to quit.  She is a true professional author.  And she writes very good stories I enjoy reading.  I only hope someone somewhere feels the same about me.  It's always nice to be appreciated.

TWO New Reviews on Ariel's Cottage (A Price for Love)

http://booksbyjvd.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/two-new-reviews-on-ariels-cottage-a-price-for-love/

If you didn't know if you'd like Ariel's Cottage (Kindle - A Price for Love) before, then maybe you will realize after reading these two reviews how good this story really is.  One 4 out of 5 and one 5 out of 5+.  There are other reviews also.

The first editor to read it called it a powerful romantic suspense.  See what these two reviewer have to say.  These Good reads postings are also on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ariels-Cottage-Judith-Victoria-Douglas/dp/147764671X/  (5 reviews)

http://www.amazon.com/Price-Love-Ariels-Cottage/dp/1470048884/ref=la_B007KCUA2Y          (2 reviews)