A Painful Post.
If I could, I’d bury the following review, not because the reviewer didn’t like the book,
she did…she gave the book a recommended read…
but because of her choice of one single word and its connotations.
From Dark Diva Reviews:
“My Thoughts:
I have to admit that I decided to read this book simply because the back cover summary got my attention and the cover was hot. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this story was more than just another hot read.
Anytime Darlin’ started as a heartbreaking story about a teen that had been mentally and sexually abused by someone close to her. Usually those types of stories don’t appeal to me and I tend to shy away from them. In this case, I was drawn to Devlin and Jake, the two main characters.
Jake was the super hot EMT. He had all of his female co workers falling all over him including his crazy ex girlfriend that was plotting to trap him into marrying her. Despite all the drama in his life, Jake had a heart of gold and didn’t hesitate to help when help was needed. So, when Devlin came into his life, he couldn’t help but want to be there for her.
Devlin’s story was so sad and I truly felt for her. It was sweet the way the EMTs and hospital staff rallied around her and supported her when she didn’t have anyone to reach out to.
I found the initial relationship between Devlin and Jake to be kind of creepy. It didn’t feel real to me because Devlin was very young and going through a very traumatic ordeal. Naturally, she reached out to the first person that showed her kindness. Jake’s first feelings were that of a protective big brother, but those innocent feelings quickly morphed into something much deeper. That made me very uncomfortable because Devlin was still a minor.
Thankfully, neither pursued the romance until much later. Devlin was given time to heal and mature before having a relationship with Jake. After that, I was glad to see the two together because they both deserved happiness.
My Rating I give Anytime, Darlin’ four and half flowers of love. It was heartbreaking at first, but ended with a great HEA. The book came close to being a fav book, but I’ll settle for a recommended read. However, Jake, the smexy cowboy, has earned a place as a book boyfriend.”
This review, from Dark Diva Reviews, really is outstanding. It’s a great review for Anytime Darlin’, and I appreciate the reviewer’s honesty. The story involves several very uncomfortable issues that evoke strong emotions in readers, sexual abuse, rape and domestic violence - I’ve been the victim of all three. I make it clear in the story that my hero, Jake, is uncomfortable - by his own admission - about his growing feelings for a young woman who is two months shy of her eighteenth birthday when their worlds collide. Jake McKenna isn’t attracted to Devlin Barre because she’s got a smokin’ hot young bod, or because she comes on to him like a Lolita, or because she’s all that - he’s attracted to her because of her intelligence, her courage and her strength of character. He realizes he’s falling in love with her. Does he take advantage of her in her vulnerable state? He could, because believe me, the attraction is mutual. Nope, he leaves her alone for four and a half years. He lives his life. He gets involved with other women, but he never forgets Devlin - she’s the one who has a special hold on his heart.
When I wrote Anytime Darlin’, I knew I risked offending some readers due to the age difference between my two main characters. The age difference is six and a half years. Six and a half years don’t matter a lick when characters are in their twenties and thirties or older, but yes, they do matter when one character is twenty-four and the other is seventeen, which is why Jake remains an honorable man throughout. I wish I could say the use of the word ‘creepy’ in the review doesn’t sting, but it does. The connotations are so, well, creepy, as in the mental image of a fifty year old trolling internet chat rooms trying to hook up with an adolescent girl or boy. When I submitted the work to Siren, their editors had to stop and think about it. They told me they loved the book, but they warned me that readers might hesitate to buy a book about such a dark subject. I considered removing the rape scene altogether and aging Devlin, but after a discussion with my husband, my true companion and best friend, I decided against it. He said, “No, don’t do it. You’ll eviscerate the book. It’s a great story, it has truth, depth and wonderful character growth. If anyone claims twenty-four year old guys don’t notice seventeen and eighteen year old girls, they’re lying. The difference between a good guy and a bad guy is that a good guy notices, but he doesn’t do anything about it.”
Jake is modeled after my husband. He’s been my amazing hero, my gold-standard since I was fourteen years old. We went our separate ways for a while, but when we got back together…well, read Anytime Darlin’ and you can make up your own mind. I haven’t written this post to insult the reviewer or in the hopes that everyone will jump to the defense of this book. But just like the age difference between Jake and Devlin at their first meeting made the reviewer uncomfortable, the use of the word creepy to describe Jake’s feelings for Devlin makes me equally uncomfortable. However, I wrote the book and since interesting reviews come with the territory, I guess I just better suck it up.
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September 13th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
I’m so sorry, Julia
On the whole though, that was a VERY positive review, and she explains what she found difficult about the topic-it doesn’t make me want to avoid the book at all. In fact, it lets me know how well you deal with this potentially uncomfortable situation, which is only a plus. I think that even with that “buzz” word, this review will definitely point readers to this book and your others. And it’s true, sometimes you can’t avoid a little controversy-it may in fact really bring positive light to you!
September 14th, 2010 at 5:47 am
good for you for having the guts to keep the book the way it was meant to be!
September 14th, 2010 at 9:57 am
I read this beautifully written book and the only thing “creepy” about it is the villain’s behavior. Jake is a loving, realistically written man with complex emotions. Devlin is a strong heroine who heals, grows up and gets stronger. A tough subject is handled well and any woman can learn something from this book.
XXOO Kat
September 14th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Fedora - I agree, it is a positive review and I hope it does interest readers.
Cindy - thanks! I did quite a bit of soul searching.
Kat - thank you so much. Jake is just a cool guy!
September 14th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
This is truly an outstanding story written by a truly outstanding woman.
September 14th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Thanks, Sandra.
September 14th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Hi Julia,
I think I’ve lost track of how many authors I’ve upset by my word choice at times, and it’s a tricky thing for us hobby bloggers to navigate. We need to be accurate and entertaining, but words are powerful things, and I’ve learned that it’s really easy to piss off a writer.
Just recently I read a huge blow up on Dear Author with one of Susan Grant’s novels. The reviewer praised the book overall, but she said that one of the characters made her want to puke (or something to that effect).
Well, that really frosted Ms. Grant’s cookies, and she gave a meanish, snarky, sarcastic reply that blew up into something way bigger than that single review should have ever been. There’s something like 70 comments on this one review, and half of them are from readers who say they’ll never try her books now. How sad is that?
I guess what I’m saying is that you should blow it off Julia. Personally I don’t think a 6 year age difference is “creepy” at all, but that’s the word the reviewer wanted to use, so I’m afraid you’re stuck with it. On the bright side, it’s only one person’s opinion, and it doesn’t sound like it’s in the mainstream either.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Thanks for the comment, Rebecca. The review truly is outstanding and I love the fact that the reviewer made Jake her smexy guy - he so is - I simply the need to say something. I don’t bury reviews, negative or positive. I post them all. If someone takes the time to read and review one of my books, I’m grateful. I figure my readers are discerning enough to make up their own minds.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
I WOULD have thought it creepy if Jake had pursued Devlin, BUT since he wanted what was best for her he risked losing her forever to allow her to grow without the complication. If you want creepy when I was 14 I dated a 28 year old - but since he was from church it was okay.
September 14th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Stephanie, pardon my French, but no shit? Didn’t Loretta Lynn get married at 13? One of my grandmothers married at 16, the other at 17. My mother married my father when she was 18 and he was 23. Interesting…
Yes, Jake did take that risk. I love him for it!
September 14th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
I think this was a pretty good review because she showed that she got over her creepiness and enjoyed the book. I think that helps to show people that you are a good writer and dealt with the touchy subject matter in a good way. She even stated that the subject matter was something that she normally would read. I will have to read it after I finish a couple library books.
September 14th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Dana - I think that is a great way to look at the review. Thank you for putting it in perspective.