Into the Fire

As many of you know, I don't read reviews until after I read a novel. And then only occasionally – and mostly if I really like the particular novel, I'm somewhat interested in how others felt about it. Or if I really don't like a book, I might examine a few reviews.

The Masterpiece so far has garnered 1214 Amazon reviews, 2% of which are 2-star reviews and another 2% of which are 1-star reviews. 85% of them are 5-star, 8% are 4-star, and 3% are 3-star reviews. I read a few of the 1 and 2-star reviews just to see what the problem was according to those readers. Here are some of their key words: predictable, boring, repetitive, unscriptural. 

Please tell me what romance/love story isn't "predictable"? The only kind I know of that isn't "predictable" are secular, morose stories that end in tragedy. "Boring" – strictly a matter of opinion, and I found nothing boring about the characters or the story. "Repetitive" – some events were recalled and emotionally revealed in conversation instead of narrative. "Unscriptural" – this floored me. The legalism in some Christian reviewers and the misunderstandings of the author's intent actually make me angry. 

Many authors will dwell on the negative reviews and others argue that the 1 and 2-star reviews are the most valuable. What those reviewers often fail to realize is their opinion is just that. The difference between someone who writes a 5-star to the person who writes the 1-star is a matter of personal preference. Many of the 1-star reviewers include snide comments which do nothing for proving a point other than revealing they're rude and want to be recognized for not liking a book.

I've said here before that writing a 1-star review says more about the reviewer's character than it does about the story or the author's writing ability. 

I admit I was shocked at the 1 and 2-star reviews of The Masterpiece. I understand if you prefer Francine's other novels and don't particularly care for this one. That's the hazard of the reading world, but there were only one or two who adequately explained their opinion. 

Anyone who knows me – even just through cyberspace – realizes I'm an emotional, passionate person. I can cry at commercials or anything else that hits that soft spot in my psyche. If I like something, I express it. If I love something, I tend to viscerally describe it. For whatever reason, this is who the Lord made me to be. If I don't care about something, I can be aloof, but if you question me as to why I don't like that something, you'll no doubt get an emotional response. 

That's why I love to read and write novels. Stories include emotions, the more depth there is to any character, the more an attachment can form and elicit that investment we readers of fiction establish with a character. 

The Masterpiece hit me hard. Rarely does a book do this to me. I have now read it twice and will probably read it again. It touched my soul. I can't expect it will do that to you nor can I guarantee you'll enjoy it. The hero and heroine occupy a unique place in my heart that I won't soon surrender. (How does any sane person admit that?) So my incredulity at the low rated reviews was intense, and I actually left comments to counteract their points just because. 

I know when others build up a book to the point I have done, it makes another reader wary. How could anyone like a novel this much – right? Well . . . I do. And I'm not speaking from a technical writing point of view. Nope. I'm speaking from making characters come alive and touch your heart. Apparently, some weren't touched at all. I'll never understand that. 

Father, thank you for Francine's ability to capture the essence of two people who were severely wounded, needing redemption, each other, and most of all You to cement who they were and where they belonged. Please continue to bless her for her insights into the human soul. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.