Analyzing a Book Review.

It’s interesting to receive that first review that leaves you scratching your head. At first you wonder were they even reading the book you wrote. Then you sit back and analyze it a few times.

Let’s take a look at it before I continue.

“The book is well-written, the characters are complex and interesting. However, this book, in my opinion, is definitely for mature audiences. There are slang words for male body parts, unsettling adult situations, and material I skipped over in order to not read to my teen-aged granddaughter. I knew it was a pirate’s tale, but until about chapter five there was nothing objectionable. I read to my husband whose vision is not good enough to read to himself. Our granddaughter was visiting with us while I was reading. I had to skip a lot. Thus, I felt embarrassed at some of the material. I put the book aside and did not finish it.“

I run a book review site. One of my policies is to review the book, not your expectations. That being said, I guess I can see where this reader might be surprised at what might occur at sea back during 1705. I researched. I did not waver from the truth of things, even though one particular subject might have been seen as over the top.

Some who have read the review and read the book are quite surprised at the objections raised.

Another part that some don’t understand is how to do the Star Ratings. If I had gone with that first sentence, I would expect one thing but I end up seeing another. That’s fine and all, but curious for someone who does do Book Reviews as an almost professional type thing.

Is it for mature audiences? I’m not certain where the mature comes in regarding her perspective. I think her real concerns was this was not a fanciful pirate adventure. This wasn’t a pirate romance. This was a tale about a man and his crew with a mission to carry out and what they went through along the way.

No, this book is an honest account of what men went through back in the day. There is even one scene broaching a subject rarely, if ever, discussed in a pirate tale. Pirates didn’t fit in with the normal populace. There were reasons for this back in 1705. I didn’t back off from that little scene. It fit, and it is what came out as I typed.

If you want a book that “is well-written, the characters are complex and interesting“, then pick up Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling. You can get it at all your Amazons.

Amazon.com

#ReadersFavorite 5 Star #BookReview: “It’s highly recommended.”

Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite

Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling, The Razor’s Adventures Pirate Tales is an historical adventure novel written by P.S. Bartlett and Ronovan Hester. Captain Gabriel Wallace had no idea that his presence in a tavern filled with Royal Navy men and sailors relaxing with their companions would lead to his court martial and expulsion from the Royal Navy. When his lieutenant and good friend, Miles Jacobs, mentioned that there was a problem in the upper level of the tavern involving Admiral Hawthorne’s wife, Wallace had no choice but to intervene. The outraged Admiral was ready to shoot the miscreant who had been with his wife right then and there, and he was oblivious to any attempts made to reason with him. In the fray, the Admiral was stabbed and later died, and Wallace was charged with interfering with

Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling Readers' Favorite cover.

the Admiral’s attempts to defend himself. While Wallace escaped imprisonment or the noose, his enemies, particularly the corrupt Admiral Chambers were not through with their vendetta. However, Wallace did not sit idle during the month he spent awaiting trial. He had been busy following the trail of evidence against those who had long wished his family harm, and he had made a few plans of his own.

P.S. Bartlett and Ronovan Hester’s historical adventure novel, Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling, The Razor’s Adventures Pirate Tales, is an exciting and fast-paced story set in the early eighteenth century. As I read of Captain Wallace’s trial and expulsion from the Royal Navy and his decision to turn to piracy, I was reminded of Sabatini’s classic pirate adventure tale, Captain Blood. The action scenes in this novel are vivid and filled with sounds and images, and the plot is compelling and complex. The authors’ characters are marvelously portrayed, especially that of Miles Jacobs, whose loyalty and concern for his friend prompts him to put everything at risk. Amber Wake is well-written and the plot is a delight. Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a good pirate movie (and who hasn’t?) or found themselves wrapped up in a classic adventure novel will have a grand time reading this authentic and suspenseful tale. It’s highly recommended.

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Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling@RonovanWrites

NEW! Another 5 Star Book Review of Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling!

Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling Supporter — Melissa-The Aran Artisan Blog-Ireland

“Because I normally gravitate towards nonfiction books, I was surprised how much I loved AMBER WAKE: Gabriel Falling. Historical fiction has never been on my reading radar but the Old English dialogue was a standout pleasure. Much of the story is set upon a large sailing ship on the not always calm seas as they travel across the Atlantic from England to North America, then heading southward down its eastern coastline. They do have a fair amount of adventure also (or should I say problems) whenever they step onto land.

Having enjoyed reading articles on a range of subjects, as well as a few short fiction pieces by Ronovan Hester on his blog RonovanWrites, I was probably a bit closed-minded to doubt I would enjoy reading this also. He has a great style to his writing and storytelling, and though I haven’t met him, I feel his personality shines through his words; caring, thoughtful, and imaginative, with a wonderfully straight forward sense of humour and high moral standards–much like the main character of this novel, Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace, aka Pirate Captain Rasmus Bergman. The ocean setting, pirate plot, and the desire to read a longer piece by Hester meant I couldn’t resist diving into the book, making it a perfect segue into fiction reading for me.

Gabriel Falling is a prequel to a series of other books written by Bartlett, though it most definitely works on its own. Now I’m curious about the rest of the story, particularly as to if and how far Captain Wallace’s polished persona transforms as a result of the personal vendetta which this story revolves around. There are definite indications that the experience has either changed him or perhaps only revealed his true feelings and desires.

There are plenty of other colourful characters along with the protagonist, my favourite being…[click to see who her favourite was in the rest of her review on Amazon.]“

@RonovanWrites

Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling-Review

Another 5 Star Review!!! Click through and support this author’s blog!

Amber Wake – Gabriel Falling by @PSBartlett and @RonovanWrites – a #book review

Another great review for Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling!!! Click through and support her blog and to read the full review!

Review of AMBER WAKE: Gabriel Falling by P.S. Bartlett & Ronovan Hester – 5 Stars

Check out this 5 Star Review and support this aspiring author! She has great imagination and talent. As she continues, we’ll hear a lot more from her in the future!

New2Writing

AMBER WAKE – Gabriel Falling by P.S. Bartlett & Ronovan Hester

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I recently finished reading Amber Wake by PS Bartlett & Ronovan Hester and I must say it is such a catching and intriguing storyline. It is set around the classic storyline of a hero trying to right a wrong done to him but it is so much more than that. When Royal Navy Captain Gabriel Wallace finds himself unknowingly tricked into a situation the ruins his career and risks his family he makes the decision to leave England. With the help of his friends and crewmates, they make an escape and become regarded as Pirates. As a reader, you truly get caught up in the need for Captain Wallace to take down Admiral Chambers and all that he corrupts. With drama leaping off the first page, it gets its hook into you straight…

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H. Schussman Interviews Ronovan Hester

I was honored to be interviewed and reviewed by

H. Schussman

Author of El Tiburon

Now for the beginning of her interview of me.

I’ve been looking forward to this interview, Ronovan. Your constant help to new aspiring authors has earned you a place among the leaders in the literary world. It’s a pleasure to interview such a great guy, but I have to say… You are so normal and approachable. All of us are forever in your debt and are looking forward to getting to know you a little better.

So, let’s get started:

Heidi:
What genre do you write?
Ronovan:
Historical Fiction seems to be my natural leaning. Although, I have been working on a Southern Contemporary Romance for a while now. For the most part history finds its way into my thoughts. I have several manuscripts that deal with something to do with the past.

Heidi:
When did you start writing?
Ronovan:
I guess it’s been at least 20 years now, but the real sit down and do it part has been the last few years. That’s when I began to pay more attention the craft of writing itself, in how to tell a story the right way.

Heidi:
What are you working on now?
Ronovan:
I’m working on the Southern Romance I mentioned. I also have a YA Historical Adventure I go to when my brain needs a rest from the Romance. The YA book is one I wrote in the present but it’s gone back and forth between past and present in the idea stages. The manuscript is complete in the present version but I want to change it.

Heidi:
Who is your favorite character in your stories?
Ronovan:
In the book I just released, Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling, Captain Gabriel Wallace is my favorite for various reasons. I also like a character named Gimby, he’s the helmsman for Wallace’s ship and has a matter of fact way about him people can’t help but like.

Click HERE for the rest of the interview PLUS Author H. Schussman’s 4.5 Review of Amber Wake: Gabriel Falling