Reviews, Reviews, Reviews! What had originally been the brain child of eCommerce sites as a way to leave feedback on items has, unfortunately, often turned into soapbox platforms, a place for people to air spite and defamatory comments. Take the Lynn Shepherd fiasco that occurred from an article she wrote about J.K. Rowing. I don’t have to elaborate, everyone reading this post can go look it up, if they’re interested in re-visiting it. But that’s the thing I find disappointing most of all, is that people have abused the system, one designed for a different purpose.

At any rate, I admit to reading reviews of books just like anyone else, but it’s becoming more difficult to cull through the mush in trying to find what’s applicable and what’s just pure dripping venom that has nothing to do with the product I’m trying to buy. Also, I really haven’t posted much on reviews because first, I rarely leave reviews on anything, and second: NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR REVIEWS! On Facebook, you won’t see me leave “Whoot, whoots” about “Hey, I just got another 5-star review!” I’m not really sure I’d be posting that, even if I got tons of 5-star reviews, even though it’s a great feeling. Why? Because my Facebook friends couldn’t care less, honestly. And customers are beginning to say that they don’t concentrate on the 5-stars because they think they’re fake, bought, or written by family and friends. Alas, what’s one to believe, anymore?

Truthfully, I’d rather people just buy my books, and if they like them, recommend them to others who turn around and buy them. I’ve seen that happen when one reader recommended my books to her friends. Really nice feeling *big smile*. But some of you who’ve been supportive and purchased my books may be wondering what some people do say about them, so I’ve rustled up a couple of comments here:

From a recent reader:  “. . . I very much enjoyed it! I cried, I was startled, nervous, ecstatic. There was something new waiting on every page and it was very well written. I absolutely fell in love with the characters (and after a while even Joe :P) and was very pleased with the way it ended!”

From An Amazon Customer: “This is a fun book and a fast read. It’s a little thrilling at times, and certainly not for the squeamish. A fascinating jaunt and I can honestly say I didn’t know what the next sexual act would contain. I think Scarlett takes you through everything. The characters were all so different and fun; I enjoyed the twist that came with the main character’s interactions with one of them.

It was really educational too. Knowing how much research the author put into writing this book made it all the more fascinating to read!

I was very pleased at the ending and I will not hesitate to pick up the next Scarlett Darkwood piece.”

From a Private Reviewer:  First of all, after much reflection, good job. From the beginning, your writing is very descriptive, and you write with great imagination. The scenes were detailed oriented, settings easy to imagine, and word choice was said scenes was very good. You are a writer with talent, and purpose. I loved your prose and found many descriptions beautiful. The cave and cottage were especially prominent in detail, and there were lovely to imagine.

As to descriptions, your sexual scenes left little to the imagination. You moved the reader’s mind right along with the action, filling each scene with a large douse of eroticism. The scenes were explicit and exciting, some romantic and others just plain kinky. Given the wide array of sexual scenes, your book will have no problem reaching out to readers’ sexual preferences.

The most powerful aspect of your  book is the character progression you present. When Rose arrives, she is a young and sexually innocent girl. By the time she leaves, she is a sexually mature woman. You take Rose (and the reader) through the various stages of the House’s course of study, showing how she grows from the shy little girl to a take-charge woman. She has only one real adversary in the book: Joe, whom she flees from in the beginning. Joe is representative of the villain, thought not an antagonist himself. He is the form of villain, some obstacle Rose must overcome. First, Rose does not like Joe. Second, she is attacked by him in the forest. Third, however, she overcomes him in the basement and “‘man-handles” Joe, showing him his place in her life. That is a classic writing arc; she has an issue, then she overcomes it. With the training from Thomas, she is given sexual power and energy enough to meet her enemy head on in open battle. The placement of this scene was also brilliant; it is nearly at the end, and works as a great climax (pardon the pun). Rose develops into an awesome character throughout the book. (To be fair: this is an excerpt from a much longer review. He also had some thoughts on the other characters and what he would have liked to have seen different or more of in the story. This person made some valid points, and I couldn’t disagree totally!)

If you’ve purchased any of my books, what do you think about what you’ve read? Did you like it? Was there something you thought was missing? Do you think something should have been better? Do you like The House collection and the stories presented? I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and let’s get a dialogue going. (And once again, to all of you who have purchased my books, thank you so much. It really means a lot!)