📚 Ratings, Repetition, and the "Cussler" Threshold
I’ve been getting some great reviews on Amazon.com for An Irish Mystery lately, which has really made me want to explore the American market a bit more. I now have an average rating of 4.4 with 23 reviews/ratings to date.
Even my most "negative" review recently was a 3-star, and honestly, it was still a good review. The reader said: “Good storyline with just a bit too much repetition in the descriptions.” And the thing is... I probably agree with them!
🔍 Finding My Voice
Sometimes I wonder if I describe things in too much detail? I think because it was my first book, I was so focused on making sure the reader could see exactly what was in my head. I’ll admit that in my early writing, I probably used certain phrases and words too often. I hope that as I’ve moved on to the future books, my writing has developed and smoothed out those edges.
But then, you get the 4 and 5-star reviews from people who say they loved it and cannot wait for more. We all have different tastes and different thresholds for how much description we need. We all have a favourite author and a style we prefer.
Not everybody is going to like my style of writing, and that’s just life!
One of the best recent reviews I received was a 4-star, and the first line was everything an author hopes to hear: “Was completely enveloped in the story from cover to cover.” That made my day. It’s genuinely heartwarming when people connect with your story like that.
⭐ How Do You Rate a Book?
A 4-star review doesn’t bother me at all. If you compare a book to your all-time favourites and those are your "5s," then a 4 for a book you loved but didn't quite reach those heights is a great mark.
Personally, I think An American Treasure is my best storytelling yet. If I were to compare Book 1 with Book 2, and Book 2 was a 5-star, then An Irish Mystery would probably be a 4. I see the first book as just one part of a larger story; we are only just entering the second part of the series, with plenty more to come.
I’ve mentioned before that Clive Cussler is a favourite of mine. The Fargo Adventures (controversially!) is my favourite series. I wouldn't give every single book in that series a 5-star, but I would give the series as a collective a 5.
🛠️ The Long Grind
I try my best to write the best story I can every time, and I’m sure every author does. But it’s hard. Sometimes it comes together easily, and other times it’s a total grind. Most of my books have taken years to get to the point of publishing.
Sometimes I have to leave a manuscript altogether for months, or even longer. I haven’t touched Book 4 for over a year! I’m 45,000 words in and I’ll need to re-read everything I’ve written just to finish it off. I know there are a lot of changes to be made, but with Book 2 coming out and Book 3 due later this year, I’m in no rush to finish Book 4 just yet.
✍️ The "An" Dilemma: Why Keep It Simple?
I’ve mentioned Book 3 a few times now, and I’ve even got Book 4 in the works, even though An American Treasure isn’t quite out yet. I actually had a conversation with my book designer the other day about getting a cover concept started for Book 3, but there was one thing I wasn’t sure about: the title.
I’ve decided that I want to keep all the titles in this series under the same theme—they all have to start with the word "An."
Now, linguistically, "An" is a tricky starting point. It’s used before singular, countable nouns that start with a vowel sound (like "an apple" or "an hour"), which makes it a non-specific indicator. Compare that to "The," which is a functional word used to indicate a specific, known person, place, or thing. "The" is undoubtedly easier to use in a title!
But I don’t like to make things simple for myself. After changing the title of my first book to An Irish Mystery (it was originally The Irish Mystery), I realised I needed to commit to the branding. I want the whole series to look continuous on your bookshelf.
Do I really need to stick to "An"? Probably not. But I want to. I have a title ready for Book 3, and I think it’s a good one, but until I’m absolutely certain and until An American Treasure is officially released on the 1st of May, I’m going to be keeping that one close to my chest. You'll just have to wait a little longer!
📚 What Am I Reading
(Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you fancy a new thriller, clicking the links below helps support the blog at no extra cost to you!)
I haven't had lots of time to read this week. But I have managed to get a few pages in on Rogue Target by Jack Mars.
Compared to the first two books in the series, this one has started a bit slower. It follows on from the events of Book 2 where—without giving away any spoilers—the characters really needed a bit of R&R. Interestingly, a villain from Book 1 is back in the fold again, which adds a nice layer of intrigue.
I am currently 146 pages in, which is about 40% of the way through. While the start has been a steady build, I have a feeling that once this book gets going, it will be full-throttle ahead. Jack Mars is an author I have recently come to love, and he is quickly becoming a firm favourite of mine.
Enjoyed the ride? 📖
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📚 The Newman Adventures
An Irish Mystery A fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession. The story that started it all.
An American Treasure The journey continues! Cedric Newman returns in a high-stakes hunt for the lost riches of Mosby's Rangers. Action, mystery, and a new enemy await.
Available in Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & Hardcover
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