For Fans of Mysteries and Thrillers this is a Great Review Site run by Power Readers for the Benefit of Power Readers
As a self/direct-published author, one of the biggest challenges is establishing the credibility of my book. Obviously, while my mother thinks the book is great, I'm doubtful how much sway she's going to have to convince you to buy the book even if it is only $2.99 for the Kindle version (for the record, that's cheaper than a venti chai latte)
But, I have been, and continue to be, hopeful that the more 3rd party sites review the book, the more credibility the book will have in the marketplace.
Because of that, I have spent some time reaching out to some book review blogs and review sites. As a side note, every one of them, including those who did not have time or an interest in reviewing Hallways in the Night, has been really nice and gracious. Proving that what the great James Lee Burke often says is true: "Book people are the greatest people in the world."
In researching book review sites, I was very fortunate to come across a truly great one Men Reading Books. It's a review site that specializes in mystery and thrillers and is run by four power readers: East Coast Don, West Coast Don, Midwest Dave and Vegas Bill. They are four guys who have teamed up on this site which means readers get a steady stream of book reviews and suggestions.
As part of my process of approaching a blog reviewer to ask if they would be interested in reading and reviewing Hallways in the Night, I always spend some time reading their previous posts and then trying to learn a bit about their background. I find a much better "review" rate if I am able to make an approach that is personalized, targeted and shows I'm not just out there making random requests.
Luckily, in doing my research, I found out that East Coast Don works at the Duke Clinical Research center. Because I'm a Duke law graduate, I mentioned that in my email query to Don. I knew he must be inundated with requests so I wanted to try and find a connection.
Don was kind enough to agree to read Hallways in the Night but he was told me upfront that Men Reading Books makes no promises when reviewing a book and has to, of course, adhere to their mission of "providing an honest appraisal from our standpoint as a member of the target audience of male fiction readers who favor political thrillers, police/legal procedurals, and some occasional historical fiction."
That was all I wanted and was (mostly) confident based upon other feedback and reviews that Hallways in the Night has received. I felt the stakes were a little higher here because of the site's profile and reputation, so I crossed my fingers when Don said he would review.
It was back in February/March (right around Jim Boeheim's first trip to Cameron) that Don and I communicated and I have been checking in on the MenReadingBooks site on a frequent basis. I was excited when I navigated to the site this morning and saw Don's review.
I was excited to see that the review was positive.
In the review, East Coast Don states "the setting and dialogue sings with authenticity" as well as that "the courtroom scenes crackle." He also writes a line I love when he writes "Remo Centrella is starting to decline a bit so he starts looking for a little help using the breakfast of champions.....steroids."
You can click through and read the full review here . Fair warning--just an fyi that this review does include a couple of spoilers with regards to who the "mystery" woman is in the car with Remo.
I feel very fortunate to get Men Reading Books to review Hallways in the Night and secondly to have received a positive review. Hopefully, it's another important step in the process of building credibility, awareness, and momentum for the book.
Check out the review and if you have not already, pick up a copy of Hallways in the Night at Amazon. The book does seem to be resonating with readers in a positive way and hopefully you'll be another reader who finds the book to be a good read that is absorbing and satisfying in a way that only a book can be.
And to my mother, who is the book's biggest champion: Happy Mother's Day!
But, I have been, and continue to be, hopeful that the more 3rd party sites review the book, the more credibility the book will have in the marketplace.
Because of that, I have spent some time reaching out to some book review blogs and review sites. As a side note, every one of them, including those who did not have time or an interest in reviewing Hallways in the Night, has been really nice and gracious. Proving that what the great James Lee Burke often says is true: "Book people are the greatest people in the world."
In researching book review sites, I was very fortunate to come across a truly great one Men Reading Books. It's a review site that specializes in mystery and thrillers and is run by four power readers: East Coast Don, West Coast Don, Midwest Dave and Vegas Bill. They are four guys who have teamed up on this site which means readers get a steady stream of book reviews and suggestions.
As part of my process of approaching a blog reviewer to ask if they would be interested in reading and reviewing Hallways in the Night, I always spend some time reading their previous posts and then trying to learn a bit about their background. I find a much better "review" rate if I am able to make an approach that is personalized, targeted and shows I'm not just out there making random requests.
Luckily, in doing my research, I found out that East Coast Don works at the Duke Clinical Research center. Because I'm a Duke law graduate, I mentioned that in my email query to Don. I knew he must be inundated with requests so I wanted to try and find a connection.
Don was kind enough to agree to read Hallways in the Night but he was told me upfront that Men Reading Books makes no promises when reviewing a book and has to, of course, adhere to their mission of "providing an honest appraisal from our standpoint as a member of the target audience of male fiction readers who favor political thrillers, police/legal procedurals, and some occasional historical fiction."
That was all I wanted and was (mostly) confident based upon other feedback and reviews that Hallways in the Night has received. I felt the stakes were a little higher here because of the site's profile and reputation, so I crossed my fingers when Don said he would review.
It was back in February/March (right around Jim Boeheim's first trip to Cameron) that Don and I communicated and I have been checking in on the MenReadingBooks site on a frequent basis. I was excited when I navigated to the site this morning and saw Don's review.
I was excited to see that the review was positive.
In the review, East Coast Don states "the setting and dialogue sings with authenticity" as well as that "the courtroom scenes crackle." He also writes a line I love when he writes "Remo Centrella is starting to decline a bit so he starts looking for a little help using the breakfast of champions.....steroids."
You can click through and read the full review here . Fair warning--just an fyi that this review does include a couple of spoilers with regards to who the "mystery" woman is in the car with Remo.
I feel very fortunate to get Men Reading Books to review Hallways in the Night and secondly to have received a positive review. Hopefully, it's another important step in the process of building credibility, awareness, and momentum for the book.
Check out the review and if you have not already, pick up a copy of Hallways in the Night at Amazon. The book does seem to be resonating with readers in a positive way and hopefully you'll be another reader who finds the book to be a good read that is absorbing and satisfying in a way that only a book can be.
And to my mother, who is the book's biggest champion: Happy Mother's Day!