Requesting a Review for Your Romance Novel: A List of Where to Find Reviewers

I think it's time for another "list of where to find them," don't you?  The post, pre-made ebook romance covers: a list of where to find them, continues to be very popular and I love it that additions to that list continue to be suggested.  I also appreciated a comment that said,  "Nice list! It's great to see everyone helping each other out."  Yes it is, don't you think?

So, in that same spirit, this list is for finding reviewers for your romance story.  Of course, it could also be for finding reviews of your next romance to read.  Writers are also readers, so it just depends on which hat we're wearing.  However, with the idea for reviews in mind, I'm linking to the page that gives instructions on how to submit your story and request a review.   Some you may have heard of, others maybe not.  I also wouldn't be surprised if I missed the obvious ones, so please, please feel free to suggest your favorite romance review sites...that review for free and accept self-published/independent work.

The reviewers are the ones who read and (hopefully!) love your story and get the word out.  But a few words of caution...they might not love your story.  They also might not review your story at all.  The reasons why not, however, might not be personal.  It could be that they have a huge backlog or, possibly (if, for instance you are a self-published author) they still have restrictions on who can submit.  So, at the risk of stating the obvious, read the instructions. 

And, on your side of the decision making process, you might be -- and probably should be -- choosy about which reviewers you pick.  Read the reviews!  Are they notoriously tough?  You might want to reconsider.  By the way, I admit to being quite chicken myself and I have submitted to very few reviewers! 

But, nevertheless, here's a list even a chicken might explore.  If you're just looking for a good read (hmm, how did Goodreads come up with their name?) and need some recommendations, then the list will work for that too! 

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First, a place for articles that provide some additional information and lists on the topic of getting reviews:

How to Get Your Book Reviewed Online - from Wow! Women on Writing

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Romance Review sites (Note: numbered, but in no particular order, and these are review sites that review for FREE):

1. FICA Fare - A fan-fusion of reviews, recommendations and graphics
2. The Romance Reviews (TRR)
3. Romantic Book Affairs
4. Risque Reviews
5. Dear Author
6. Talk Supe
7. Sizzling Hot Books
8. Coffee Time Romance
9. Love Romance Passion
10. Once Upon A Romance
11. Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
12. Romancing the Book
13. All About Romance Novels
14. Romance Junkies
15. Reading Romances
16. Smexy Books
17. InD'Tale - News and Reviews for the Self-published with a romantic flair.
18. Cocktails and Books

What I've been reading...two wonderful regency stories

Last post I went on a bit in general on reading a "bad" book, and now I want to turn things around to mention, by name, a couple of really good books I've enjoyed.  This isn't really a formal review, just some thoughts on what I liked about these two books.  Number one good thing to say is I could not put either down until I finished!  Both are set in the Regency time period but have very different styles.  These two books are 1) Eloisa James' When Beauty Tamed the Beast and 2) Julie Klassen's The Silent Governess.

I would also add both of these to my "Books I'd Read Again" list, which I admit includes (mostly) older titles.  I'm woefully behind on reading current fiction, so I'm thrilled to find some "new" favorites, published 2011 and 2009 respectively.  Also, each has a quality that made it unique (from what I usually read within the romance genre, that is).

Call it Research: A Movie with Character

So, yesterday I had one of my "crawling out from under the rock I've been living under" days.  For me, that usually means it's the end of a semester and I'm feeling like I'm down to my last few brain cells.  I just want to be entertained!  I could read, but usually I want a movie.  I got lucky and found "The Next Three Days," with Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks.

What a surprise -- in a great way!  I don't think I've watched a movie that had such a complete arc for the hero's journey for some time.  One other example I thought fit this characteristic was "The Firm."  That movie also inspired a blog on Action Scenes where I explored proactive and reactive types of action.

The movie "The Next Three Days"is another hero's journey wrapped up (or rather unwrapped) in an action thriller.

What I'm Reading...Virgin Mistress, Scandulous Love-Child by Jennie Lucas

My reviews are all recommendations. They are of books I've loved, so "review" is to be used a bit loosely. They are simply books I've enjoyed and believe others will as well, and I have no intention to ever write a review of a story I didn't like. Criticism (constructive of course!) is for critiques, and reviews (from me anyway) is for ecstatic gushing.

While my fist choice for both reading and writing is historical romance and paranormal time travels, I find I have a frequent craving for the Harlequin Presents line. Other than the obvious draw of a shorter length for limited reading time, recently I had a "light bulb" moment that my draw to Presents is for the same alpha hero I usually like to find in a historical. So, I find myself grabbing a group of three Presents from the bookstore shelf knowing that, typically, one out of the three is bound to be absolutely wonderful; a fast, sexy, engrossing read. My favorite this time around was Jennie Lucas' VIRGIN MISTRESS, SCANDULOUS LOVE-CHILD.

I will add to this "review" but currently, with movers coming tomorrow!, I'm a little short on time. :) Until then, I'll simply provide the link and let you do a little investigating on your own. :)

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