RWA in NYC

Congratulations to Trixi!

Last week I was in NYC for the 35th Annual Romance Writers of America conference. I had an amazing time, even though I came home sick.  That part was has been no fun.

The week started with a jaunt down to the Seaport area of the city to buy tickets for a
Broadway play which we saw that night.
It was fabulous. The talent was incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed this play. Here's a selfie of me, authors Leah Vale and Melia Alexander, waiting for the play to start.

Based on Roy Horniman’s novel Israel Rank, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder finds Monty Navarro, a British commoner, discovering that he’s ninth in line to inherit the Earldom of Highhurst and electing to murder the members of the odious D’Ysquith family standing in his way. In the process Monty keeps a mistress, Sibella Hallward, and courts the comely young Phoebe D’Ysquith.

While down near the seaport we went to view the memorials at Ground Zero and see the new Freedom Tower. 

And apparently the president was in town and going to pass along the route we were on. There was a huge

police presence. 

I met with my editor and saw several friends and signed books. 

This was the Harlequin signing with Lynette Eason, Lenora Worth and Katy Lee (who was up for a RITA!)

 Danced in the Starlight Lounge  of the Waldorf Astoria for the Harlequin party.

My friend and fellow Love Inspired author Renee Ryan

Me, Renee and Love Inspired Editor Emily Rodmell. 

 A few of the Love Inspired ladies all dressed up for the Harlequin party

My dear friend Shirley Jump

My book cover was displayed on the big screen

All dolled up for the RITA/Golden Heart Award Ceremony 

I spent most of the night on stage handing over the awards to the presenters to give to the winners. My face hurt from smiling so much.

When I arrived home I found the cover to my upcoming November release in my inbox!

Drum roll please....

AGENT UNDERCOVER 

DEA agent Tyler Griffin must stop a drug cartel that's using an Idaho Christmas tree farm to smuggle narcotics across the Canadian border. But to do his job, Tyler needs the cooperation of farm owner and widowed mother Heather Larson-Randall—whose informant brother died on Tyler's watch. Tyler knows a crucial piece of evidence is hidden somewhere on the property. But getting the protective mother to trust him is the hardest part of his mission. As threats against Heather mount, he vows to keep her and her child safe…and clear the farm of danger before Christmas. 

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the US-Canadian border safe..

Celebration Time

Through the month of July I'm celebrating the release of my latest Love Inspired Suspense novel with a present to one commenter here on my blog.   Signup for my newsletter for blog appearances and other giveaways.

LONE AGENT 

Under other circumstances, FBI agent Samantha Bennett might welcome a bit of backup—but not from an overprotective Mountie. She's been on the trail of a serial killer for six months and no one has ever taken the case seriously…until now. When Royal Canadian Mounted Police inspector Drew Kelley saves her life, he decides that the hunt for "Birdman" is his problem, too. Together they begin a cross-continent chase to stop the madman before he strikes again. However, Samantha fears her growing feelings for the lawman may weaken her focus, or worse—put Drew directly in the killer's sights… 

Northern Border Patrol: Keeping the U.S.–Canadian border safe

When I can't find a book from a favorite author then I tend to buy based on the blurb.  If the story sounds interesting then I'll give it a try. I've found new to me authors that way.  Covers also grab my attention, but if the back cover copy isn't interesting then I'll pass. I have read reviews on books that I was waffling on to get a general sense of how the book will be. However, I do also look at other books the reviewer has reviewed, especially if the review is harsh and negative. It helps to see what types of book the reviewer does like, then I can usually determine if the reviewers review is worth considering.

I once had a reviewer who absolutely hated the book of mine she'd read. I think this reviewer would have given me a -10 if she could. Her wording was harsh, negative and became a personal attack, calling me uneducated and ignorant (redundant much?).

So I checked all her reviews to see what types of books she did like and had to laugh when I saw she was very much into Wicca and Witchcraft.  Well, no wonder she didn't like my book its so the opposite of her preferences.

My question to you is how much or how little do reviews of books influence your buying/reading? And why?