The Importance of the Review

How do us writers feel about reviews? Silly question, right? We love them when they're good, hate them when they're less than complementary. It's a done deal. Or is it? We know they're subjective and we know what one reviewer/reader doesn't like, the next one may love - so why does our self-esteem, our ability to continue with our current work in progress either shine like a well-polish ping-pong ball (good review) or skid to a stop like a car hitting a brick wall (bad review)? Shouldn't we, as serious writers, ignore these reviews. NO! Impossible! Are you insane? I hear you shout. The simple truth is they matter, potential new fans read them, editors and agents read them and most of all, deep down we want our endeavours validated.
But what I want to know is how much they affect your decision to buy or not buy a book...a little? A lot? They tend to affect whether or not I buy a book very little, most probably because I write and know the author didn't write the book with a good review at the forefront of his or her mind when she felt compelled to tell these characters' stories. But what about you?
Of course, your responses will lead to the decision of whether I submit my next novel for review....joke!!

The Sharp Points of a Triangle - The Cover is Here!

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? I told myself on Friday, if I set up a blog in anticipation of my new release, the cover art will be available when I want to post it. And guess what? It arrived at the weekend! YAY!
What do you think?
I LOVE it! Thank you so much to my lovely (and patient!;)) cover artist, Amanda Kelsey at Eternal Press. She's done a marvellous job of encapsulating the mood of the heroine's eventful, funny and romantic journey to finding true love with her past love. It is due for release in the new year but of course I'll let you know an official date asap.

In the meantime, I am two thirds the way through edits for my next Wild Rose Press release, The Arrival of Lily Curtis. A Victorian romance set in Colerne, a village near the famous City of Bath, England. More details to follow shortly...

While I wait for inspiration to strike for my next post, please help me decide on the sub-genre of my next book by filling in my poll - which type of romance do you prefer to read?

xxx

Reviews for Reluctant Witness

Reluctant Witness - Long and Short Reviews

5 out of 5 Stars - reviewer Larkspur

Reluctant Witness will blow you out of the water. When you add together one hot cop, one sexy club singer, and murder in an idealistic costal town it adds up to sparks flying like fireworks in a night sky. And that’s what you get with this delightful read.

From the first time Ms. Brimble brings together our hero and heroine who are thrown together in a murder investigation there is instant sexual tension which increases until the inevitable explosive love scene. She gives us equally interesting supporting characters and great villains. We readers are gifted with the author’s wonderful descriptive dialogue with a refreshing bit of Queen’s English that puts an international flair to this over seas adventure. We get page after page of action and a great detective story. The romance between our main characters is sweet and sensual and Rachel has a wonderful way of telling it.

This novel will appeal to all lovers of great Contemporary Romantic Suspense, who can’t live without a wonderful “Who Done It”, who aren’t opposed to a bit of nail biting followed by sensual and sexy love scenes and drama that requires a few tissues. In other words this book’s for you!!



Reluctant Witness - Coffee Time Romance

4 out of 5 cups

The minute I started reading Reluctant Witness I was hooked; it was like catching a fish determined not to get off the hook. This story moves at a great pace. There were times I held my breath in anticipation, wondering about the next move. The dialogue grabs and is brilliantly written between Julia and Daniel. The chemistry slowly begins as the two fight their feelings that continue to escalate. I love Julia’s feistiness and determination and Daniel's compassion and warmth. Secondary characters make an excellent addition to the storyline, creating a plot that thickens with each turn of the page. Rachel Brimble has crafted an explosive read that kept me on the edge.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

Reviews for Searching For Sophie

Searching For Sophie - Fallen Angel Reviews

Searching for Sophie is a gut-wrenching story that grabs you by the heart and twists until the reader is completely spellbound. The way Melanie explains giving birth then turning the child over for adoption is told so lovingly that the reader is moved by the events. I found Kieran to be compassionate and caring, with a huge heart. He may appear tough inside and out, but he does have his moments where he can be a cuddly bear. I like the vulnerability that Rachel Brimble extends to Kieran. She creates characters that spring to life. They all show a great deal of emotion and the character of the kidnapper is one that chilled me to the bone. This engaging read takes the reader by storm with all the intense action, great plot, wonderful dialogue, and a cast that takes hold of the reader, this story still makes my head spin.

5 out of 5 Angels

Reviewed by: Linda L. (Fallen Angel Reviews)






Searching For Sophie - The Romance Studio



Rachel Brimble writes like a pro even though this is her first novel. She builds the suspense well, hinting along the way at who the villain may be. But she gives us two choices, either of whom could have done it. Means, motive and opportunity are well constructed for both. Kieran and Melanie seem to blow hot and cold, not sure what they want from one another. Sophie is a brave little girl with a lot of spunk. Ms. Evelyn and Bridget, Melanie's mother, add some flavor to the story as the kind of women we don't want to work with or be related to!

I think Ms. Brimble does a great job letting us get into the mind of a birth mother who has been forced to give her child up and the dreams of the child herself. The author builds her stories well, keeping me interested and loving it from first page to last. I can’t wait to read more from her in the future.

Overall rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Dee Dailey
November 11, 2008

Here we go!

Welcome to my Blog!
I am VERY new to this so please bear with me over the next few days and weeks while I learn how to post, how to promote, how to let you know what I'm doing and what my writer friends at The Wild Rose Press and Eternal Press are doing.

Well, I suppose the best place to start is at the beginning....

I have been writing short stories since I fell pregnant with my first daughter ten years ago, who made her debut in Mother & Baby magazine while she was still in my belly (I sold my birth story, YAY!). Since then I haven't stopped writing and one of the happiest days of my life was when I sold my very first novel to The Wild Rose Press in 2007. That was a sight to see - me dancing around the kitchen in a pair of pyjamas and a glass of wine - the time difference between my American publisher and me in the UK is often cause for 'odd hour' celebration!

Anyway, Reluctant Witness, my second novel was accepted and published in 2009 and both of my books have received 5 star reviews from various review sites. Please feel free to visit my website for a look-see.

So what's coming up?

My next book, a romantic comedy 'The Sharp Points of a Triangle' is due for release from Eternal Press in early 2010. I am expecting the new cover art in the matter of days so as soon as I receive it, it will be posted right here!

Well, that's it for now, folks....