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It was a late afternoon on a Tuesday. Storm clouds were rolling in like taxis during rush hour. Nobody was going out in this weather. My tea was getting cold, so I hit the internet to check the chatter.
A post caught my attention. The dame was smart, a writer. She had the sort of imagination that left readers in the thick of a romance they'd kill to make reality. But it wasn't the romance that was dying.
"It's the reviewers," she lamented. Even online I could sense tears forming in those baby blues. "They've disappeared. There were great comments on the first book, but the sequel..." If she'd been in my office, I would have handed her a tissue. Never could stand to see a broad cry. "I've given away a crate of books and I've only received two reviews.
What's going on, Slim?"
"Ya got me, sister. It's a mystery."
Hokey Noir prose aside, this really is a mystery. For those of you who aren't aware, the publishing industry is a machine. The machine churns out books based on specific criteria: the book follows a trend, the book is by an established author, or the book is an anomaly with guaranteed success. Harry Potter was rejected by over a hundred publishers and it became a world-wide multi-generational phenomenon. Rejection by a publishing company doesn't mean the book's bad. It means that book doesn't check the boxes editors need checked to keep their job at the publishing house.
It's no wonder many authors avoid major publishing houses all together, choosing instead to pour their own funds into editing services and cover art so they can get their work in front of people they really care about, the readers. Once that book is in the hands of readers the waiting begins. And it can kill an author. Take it from the person that spent an entire week at a conference where readers only wanted to reread books by famous authors rather than pick up a title by an indie.
Reviews can be the lifeblood of the indie trade. They are what boost a book up the Amazon sales list so other readers can find it. They are what lets potential readers know that a book is worth the effort. More than ads or giveaways, reviews are what can make or break a book. But there is still a reluctance for readers to leave reviews.
I'm asking you as a reader, why is that?
Works by famous authors will have hundreds of reviews almost the instant they go live on selling platforms. Indie writers can have a book up for months without a review. So why is it that readers aren't willing to spend a few seconds to review?
You can even see this trend on Love Romance Reads. This is a site dedicated to Romance Readers. It's where authors and readers are supposed to connect. However, a scroll through the author pages yields few reader comments. What would encourage you to leave a review? Is it knowing that just the words "I liked it," hold ten times the weight of a star review, which itself is more valuable than gold to indies? What prevents you from leaving one? Is it the worry that you aren't anonymous?
Help a writer out and let's solve this mystery together.
Arts of Love
You know what they say about those creative types...
Playful, rebellious, sensitive and passionate, nobody loves like an artist. These sixteen stories set the stage for racy encounters with bad boy rock stars, sensual actors, and artists seeking their muse. Inside this collection you'll find:
* A drummer aching to satisfy the one woman who doesn't recognize that he's a rock star
* A writer unaware that his fans and former assistant find him undeniably attractive
* An eccentric college professor enticing her protégé with informal lessons on dance, drawing, and desire
* A stage manager struggling to remain professional with the show's sexy director
Whether you're looking for a playwright provoking her friend's uptight cop neighbor to help with blocking, two choir men battling for the affection of the girl-next-door, or a struggling writer finding an unusual muse in the Japanese countryside, this collection will have you ready for romance.
About Harley
Harley Easton is a Renaissance woman dabbling in everything life offers. She's worked at a theme park, found expert witnesses, guest lectured at a national museum, and worked with medical students. Putting experience and insanity to good use, She's found her favorite job, writing. Now she specializes in erotic, romantic, and speculative fiction. Who knows what kind of trouble she'll get into next.
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LoveRomanceReads >
5/21/2019 06:58:03 am
I hear you. I once saw a Facebook post by an author who lamented that she had few reviews, but also said she never reviews a book. Many chimed in that they don't leave reviews, either. If authors won't leave reviews, then why should we expect non-authors to do it. By the way, I always leave a review although my Amazon name is different. My Goodreads name is my own.
5/22/2019 11:00:03 am
Pamela. Thanks for the response and for leaving reviews when you read! I don't understand why an author won't review books. :-(
Mohammad FJ
5/25/2019 03:13:13 pm
I see this review is important for some. Remind me everytime i installed apps it always asked for reviews afterwards.
Kara Marks
5/25/2019 09:18:11 pm
I don't know why people don't review every book they read!
Mohammad FJ
5/25/2019 10:06:00 pm
Maybe u must remind them to review your books they read?
5/27/2019 08:40:36 pm
If I read a book, I always leave a review. If someone takes the time to write the book, I can take the time to express my thanks for it!
5/29/2019 09:18:40 am
Thanks for this post - I honestly think many readers just don't realise how important a positive review is. I say 'positive' because I've read (and received) the odd 'stinker' and while everyone has a right not to like a book or to say they feel it was badly written if that was the case, there are ways of doing so without giving away the whole plot and destroying the author's confidence. (I go by the motto if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all, so all the reviews I give tend to be four and five stars, and I rarely read a book I'm not pretty sure I will enjoy to start with.) I do try to give reviews whenever I can, and like Pamela, my reviewer name on Amazon is different to my pen-name.
Natalie Holcomb
6/18/2019 05:09:40 pm
I honestly used to love to leave a review, but after The Zon claimed I was biased for mentioning that I couldn't wait for book 2, I was not only banned from leaving reviews, but they also yanked nearly one hundred reviews I had left from years back.(these reviews were on books I purchased, since I did not participate in Kindle Unlimited back then) The review they said was biased was on a KU book, which some authors claim they hold less weight than actual verified purchases. Still I do leave reviews on Goodreads and Bookbub, although again some authors say those are not as important as reviews on the Zon. I feel sad now knowing I can no longer leave a true review on books I purchased and/or check out on KU from the Zon, but I have accepted my lot even though I often see reviews saying exactly the same thing about how they are looking forward to book 2. Apparently, only some of us reviewer's show bias and are promoting books by saying they cannot wait for book 2.
6/19/2019 06:47:41 pm
I'm so sorry this happened to you! Horror stories like this are EXACTLY why I have review space on this website. I moderate the reviews (just want to make sure there's no inappropriate comments/language) then put them up. Once they're up, they're not coming down.
6/20/2019 02:34:31 am
As a struggling new indie author, this post meant a lot to me. I admit I've been leaving reviews on Goodreads and Bookbub, but not so much Amazon. Starting today I'll include Amazon in my reviewing practice. Thanks for the post, Harley!
Leave a Reply.
September 2020


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Judge Amends Order on Retiree Benefits
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – A federal judge amended her ruling that Sonoma County did not promise lifetime health care to retirees who were hired before 1990.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken on Wednesday agreed to reconsider the Sonoma County Association of Retired Employees' claim.
Wilken said her opinion was changed by SCARE's presentation of more than 500,000 pages of discovery documents that demonstrate the county's intent to provide pre-1990 hires with retirement medical benefits "at least as favorable" as those for post-1990 hires.
Darin Ranahan, who represents SCARE, said in an interview that the documents included decades of county records, including memoranda of understanding on public sector collective bargaining agreements, and notes and minutes of the negotiations.
Judge Wilken found that 15 witnesses testified that the MOUs were not intended to preclude pre-1990 hires from retiree medical benefits, and that a deposition by Ray Myers, the former employee relations manager for the county, supported that conclusion.
"While none of the MOUs include explicit mandatory language committing the County to provide healthcare benefits for retirees hired before 1990, the decision to include the practice in MOUs ratified by resolution and to link the benefits of retirees hired post-1990 to those of retirees hired before 1990 supports that SCARE sufficiently alleges that the County intended to promise healthcare benefits for retirees hired before 1990," Wilken wrote.
Also Thursday, Wilken issued an amended order granting in part the county's motion to dismiss SCARE's claims. She will allow SCARE to proceed on claims implied in certain MOUs but not in others, nor on claims based on promises in an alleged 1985 "tie agreement."
Raymond Lynch, who represents the county, said that Wilken's changes affect the case on only a minor level.
"I don't think that the order really materially changes the case at all from what it was before," he said.
Officers with Sonoma County could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Ranahan is with Lewis Feinberg in Oakland, Lynch with Hanson Bridgett in San Francisco.

subset: commoncrawl


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As a contact center professional, your day-to-day revolves around the customer experience. Here at inContact, we are determined to provide you exceptional customer experiences as well. In order to help that cause, the inContact Champion & Visionary Council (iCVC) was born. The iCVC helps reinforce satisfaction as a service in these 3 ways:
- It creates a formal structure for team input. iCVC brings together some of the best and brightest customers to give our leadership insight on solutions we could not get otherwise.
- It provides our customers a comprehensive view of inContact products. The select committee is focused around identifying product needs, product functionality, industry trending, key business requirements and best practices.
- It helps bring engagement and improvements to you, our customers as a whole. Every customer has a say in their experience and inContact has a responsibility to maintain and improve it. By meeting regularly with the committee we can begin to implement new ideas and suggestions so our entire customer base reaps the benefits.
The iCVC internal board is made up of individuals in marketing, customer success as well as our VP of Workforce Optimization Solutions Group, Kristyn Emenecker. Once a nominated customer accepts the invitation to be an iCVC member, they will attend meetings at inContact's headquarters as well as participate in other scheduled collaborations.
Some thoughts about last year's successes were shared with us by our 2013 iCVC President, Richard Riga with Answer X. "Being able to interact with the movers and shakers at inContact through iCVC helped us shape a better understanding of the API and programming interfaces available to us to really leverage the ability to integrate our in-house CRM with the inContact ecosystem," said Richard. "That helped to give perspective on where the focus and emphasis of the evolution of inContact would be placed."
According to Richard, the most rewarding part of iCVC was, "Interacting with other members of the contact center community in the hopes of being able to help shape the inContact products and solutions." One of the goals Richard has planned for this upcoming year is to build a greater sense of community amongst the customers.
Do you have ideas or input for the inContact Champion and Visionary Council? Feel free to email the internal board at email@example.com


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This is baby Victoria, my doll from childhood. Laney has been very busy with Victoria lately. She is going to make a good Mama one day. Such a good little helper. It seems that Baby Hallie is also interested in babies. She likes to poke living creatures eyes too. She must enjoy exploring eyeballs where no one hollars at you or licks you away.
Friday, March 26, 2010
So, what started out as dancing to praise music, progressed to this. Zach asked to hear the "Lightning McQueen song", so we did. Laney is busy with her baby. Charlie is trying to lick Hallie to death and its a busy place. Never mind my "Pretty Woman" style singing, I just can't resist a catchy tune even if I can't sing. Enjoy this window into our morning.
Posted by Michelle at 8:45 AM
2 comments:
Some Friday morning fun...
Posted by Michelle at 8:44 AM
1 comment:
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Zachisms for Easter
Yesterday after BSF (bible study fellowship), I asked the kids what they learned. Laney, as usual, said nothing. But Zach said, "I learned that Jesus died on the cross and had our sins laid on him. He took our sins away." So I said, "wow that is neat. So do you have sins? "( thinking ooo, I can lead him into seeing he has sins and that Jesus took the punishment for him )His response was, "No. Jesus took them." Alrighty then.
After nap today Zach found me listening to some praise music. I said, "you know that after Jesus died on the cross he came back to life. He is the only one who has ever done that." Zach nodded enthusiastically and said, "Yeah, like Frosty!"
huh. lol!!!
After nap today Zach found me listening to some praise music. I said, "you know that after Jesus died on the cross he came back to life. He is the only one who has ever done that." Zach nodded enthusiastically and said, "Yeah, like Frosty!"
huh. lol!!!
Posted by Michelle at 3:37 PM
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Labels: zachisms
Apparently I haven't learned my lesson about being lazy and not getting dressed. Thankfully this morning it wasn't a fire but it was fairly embaressing. I am wearing, my off the shoulder comfy oversized t shirt, shorty jog shorts, and hot pink fuzzy socks. No make up, hair in ponytail. Thankfully I had on a bra, when I looked out the window to see what Charlie was barking at. My heart jumped a little when I saw a 20 something guy in an OSU hat walking in my back yard. Another glance and I saw he was the meter reader, the meter reader who had my disgruntled golden retreiver cornering him! Well CRAP! I don't want Charlie to bite him. SO, I open the back door and start yelling at Charlie to come. OF course he doesn't listen, Has he ever obeyed? He just keeps barking and growling at the guy, as he dances around him. I yell, an "I'm so sorry!" to the poor guy as Zach appears at my side saying, what's happening? I said, "Its the meter reader guy and I'm hoping Charlie doesn't bite him." Thinking that my going outside might make Charlie more aggressive and protective, I continue to yell from the house. But finally, I was forced out, as Charlie would not back down. The guy is just standing there, looking at me, like do something! Wonder if they have "how to deal with dogs" training at PSO. He was pretty wise, didn't turn his back on Charlie or try to walk away. So, I striped off the hot pink fuzzy socks and ran out in the rain, calling in my playful voice,"CHARLIE, come here!" At first he growled and made a pass at the guy's crotch with his teeth out, but then he retreated and came in the house with me. As I was running inside, my loose drawstring shorts inched down a few inches to reveal my undies (thankfully I was wearing some) and I'm fairly certain my shirt was falling off my shoulder to exspose atleast part of my bra. So, once again ladies, on those lovely lazy mornings where you don't want to hurry and get dressed, atleast make sure you are fairly presentable because you just never know what might happen!
PS I'm thinking a lock on the gate might be handy!
Posted by Michelle at 8:14 AM
4 comments:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
March Madness
Well its March Madness time. To be honest I don't follow college basketball too much until the Madness hits. A few years ago we started a Clark family tradition of picking brackets. We include Eric's parents and Sean and Erica. Our children pick too. Just now I helped Laney pick her bracket. She picked "Ho homo state" (Oklahoma State) to get to the final game, that aught to make you happy, Sarah! I think her other picks were basically based on what name sounded funniest. She has "Robert" and "Mary" duking it out in the South with Mary coming out on top to take it to the final game against Ho homo state. I just chuckle! To be honest I make my picks on whose name I like the best too, half the time! I mean come on Xavier is a freakin awesome name! Zach has Ohio winning it all! AHHHH the fun!
Posted by Michelle at 7:47 AM
2 comments:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Hallie Time
Posted by Michelle at 1:23 PM
1 comment:
Labels: hallie
Hmmm, A hairdryer...
Hallie had fun playing with Laney's play hairdryer the other day. It blows actual air, which Hal found to be great fun!
Posted by Michelle at 1:21 PM
No comments:
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Hallie's getting close....
My time of "ease" is quickly coming to a close. Baby Hal is sooo close to crawling! Enjoy her yoga moves in this short video. She is going to have a killer core if she keeps this up!
Posted by Michelle at 12:44 PM
1 comment:
I looked out my window Monday and saw this single, brave, brilliant, yellow flower! It may sound dramatic and maybe it is, but after days and days of grey gloom, this sunny flower was a beacon of hope! Spring is on the way, grey gloom won't last forever!! Furthermore, it was like the Lord was telling me, there is hope for me yet too! I will bloom. I will stand out strong in a nasty dead world, as much as I FEEL that is far from true, it is His Word! And His day is coming, when the world will be new, then dead and nasty will pass away forever! AMEN! Bring it on Lord!
Posted by Michelle at 12:43 PM
No comments:
Monday, March 1, 2010
Apology, the Cure!
ok, so this morning was one of THOSE mornings. With Laney sick there has been quite a bit more whining than usual! Enough to drive me close the the brink of insanity. Come lunch time I was driven to the brink of total frustration! Hallie would not take her bottle or eat her lunch . She screamed at me to let me know that all she wanted was bananas and boob! She got her banana but Mommy is holding out on the boob. Time that girl learned to take a bottle! Anyhoo, while trying to eat MY yummy healthy lunch of taquitos, salsa, and guacamole I am assalted by these sounds..." I don't liiiiiiiiiike this!" Mommy, can I have some more taquitos!" Mommy can I have some more salsa?" "AAAAAAAAA, that's not a lot, I want alot!" waaaaaaaaaaaaa, I have a snotty nose!" (translation get me a kleenex) I want a banana! I want a cookie! Make Charlie get away from me!! WWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! So having made it through to the end in calm cool mommy mode, I sent Lane to wash her hands. She is too short, even with the stool to reach the faucet and turn the water on, but once it is on she can take care of business. Well, she starts wailing Mommy help me! I came with Hallie on my hip to turn on the water, telling her to get the stool and climb up. She didn't. She just whined at me to HELLLLP! (its so ironic that one second they are whining for help and the next snapping, "I can do it myself". ) Anyway, I turned on the water and she cont to whine and fuss about me helping as the water flowed down the drain. (We will never win awards for being a green family!) Finally, I lost it and yelled at her that if she wouldn't get up on the stool and wash she couldn't wash her hands. I slammed off the water and stomped out of the bathroom as she dissolved into tears on the floor. Immediately, I felt the regret, the guilt, heard Satan whisper," you are a horrible mom". Took a few deep breaths. Put Hallie on the floor to scream. Came back, not quite settled down, but lifted Laney, not so gently, onto the stool, turned on the faucet and washed hands and face for her. Feeling still frustration and defeat. The Lord said, apologize. So I took my laney by the hands and pulled her to me. As we sat on the bottom stairs, I just said, "Laney, Mommy is sorry that she got so angry at you in the bathroom. I'm sorry I was rude and hurt your feelings. Will you forgive me? And she answered yes! and we hugged. And it was like magic, the Lord's upside down Kingdom principles are like magic. I could've been defeated all day bc of that incident. Laney might have carried anger at me or worse walked around thinking I didn't love her or was angry at her all day. But just asking for forgiveness turned it all around! It shut up Satan's lies in my head. It took away his place to stand in both our lives. And it brought back unity and love between my precious daughter and me. God is wise! Surely we all make mommy mistakes, but we have a Savior who loves and forgives us and our children do too, if we only take the time to ask.
Posted by Michelle at 1:25 PM
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Semi-Friend Locked LJ
Hello! Thanks for stopping by my journal!
Since you are here, you are most likely here for magazine scans. ^^
I've been sharing anime magazine scans in LJ for quite a while. Other than anime magazine scans, sometimes I also share scans from anime characters books (all Gintama related so far) and etc.
Since the stuffs I've been sharing so far and will be sharing in the future are considered proprietary stuffs, I think it's good for me to friend-lock all my sharing posts.
Hence, this LJ will become a semi-friend locked LJ. This means that all sharing posts with download links (for videos and etc) will be friend-locked after one week.
As for magazine scans posts, at any point in time, I'll have the latest 3 months of the anime magazine scans posts available to all. The old posts will all be friend-locked.
I do not promise to scan magazines regularly (even though up till now, I've been doing so regularly).
Basically, I scan what I like so please do not request me to scan things I did not scan.
My scans and sharings are only for reference. Downloading is in no way an alternative to buying the original. Please support Japan's anime industry by buying the originals whenever you can.
If you want to be my friend or wish to access all the posts in my LJ, please leave a comment and add me as your friend. I'll only add you back if you leave a comment.
Thanks and have a nice day!~


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Argan Gold Elixir
The Ultimate Neck and Decolette Elixir
This exquisite age-defying elixir was formulated to nourish and revive the skin of your neck and décolleté. A synergistic blend of oils such as Argan, Rosehip, Marula and Sacha Inchi, rich in vitamins A,C,E and fatty acids, protects skin from collagen and elastin degradation and contributes to a velvety skin feel. Neroli essential oil regenerates and tightens, revealing a healthy glowing skin.
How to Use
Apply few drops to face, neck, and décolleté and massage lightly. Use morning and night.
Argania Spinosa (Argan) kernel oil*, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) seed oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil*, Plukenetia Volubilis (Sacha Inchi) seed oil*, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seaberry) fruit oil*, Moringa Oleifera seed oil*, Foeniculum Vulgare (Fennel) fruit oil*, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) seed oil, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) oil*, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) kernel oil*, Tocopherol (Sunflower), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) leaf oil*. Proprietary blend of organic and wild-harvested essential oils. *Certified Organic