Since the Pleasures of Sin was available for free download for a few days last week the sales have taken off. It also received several new reviews, some flattering, some not so much. I love the controversy and the stark difference of opinion. Enjoy!
THE HERO:
James of Montgomery received the prestigious K.I.S.S. (Knights In Shining Silver) Award from Romantic Times.
And he also received this award:
“this so-called hero was possibly the worst guy I have ever read about in all of the thousands of historical romance books I’ve read.”
THE HEROINE:
“Brenna was caring and loyal towards those she loved and gave them chance after chance to redeem themselves. It made you love her and accept her flaws, and she did have a few. I loved how she wasn’t perfect physically, which made her a more believable character.”
“The heroine is semi-TSTL” (too stupid to live)
THE RELATIONSHIP:
“The heat between James and Brenna was scorching. She just couldn’t help herself when she was around him and he was having trouble controlling himself, too! The intimacy was tastefully done and not at all mundane! Plenty of options for this couple!”
“In no way was this a “romance” but more of a person suffering from some sadistic form of Stockholm’s syndrome.”
THE WRITING:
“The book was truly a pleasure to read from beginning to end. I look forward to reading her work again in the future.”
“I had just finished reading “Defiant”, which was excruciatingly horrible to read… but what a shock to read that this book was even worse!”
THE PLOT:
“Couldn’t put it down! Love it, non-conventional in all respects of formula.”
“The plot logic is flawed and has holes you can drive a truck through.”
THE PACING:
“From the first page I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. The action was nonstop as the characters went from one challenge to another. Desperately needing sleep is the only thing that stopped me from finishing it in one sitting.”
“The story drags and seems to be only about sex.”
THE INTIMACY:
“There were a few sex scenes, but nothing all that explicit.”
“The story drags and seems to be only about sex.”
OVERALL VIEW:
“This highly sensual battle-of-wills/captive-captor romance is highly reminiscent of early Johanna Lindsey with its biting repartee, heated love scenes and even a tied-up heroine. If you’re looking for a new twist on a classic, this is it.”
“Ms. Trapp tries very hard to write heart-pounding conflict, gut-wrenching emotion, profound character development, and Medieval accuracy… she failed.”
Okie, dokie. You’ve been warned.
There is an excerpt on the main site if you want to decide for yourself.
The Pleasures of Sin by Jessica Trapp
Zebra Books
ISBN: 978-1420100945
Very funny, yes. Imagine the agony of that poor soul forced to read The Pleasurse of Sin after her excruciating experience with Defiant!
The passage one reviewer sited from Hester as a perfect example of my horrible writing was the favorite passage of a former president of the Nathaniel Hawthorne society. Go figure.
Go figure is right. I think you need to read the ones like “The book was truly a pleasure to read from beginning to end. I look forward to reading her work again in the future.” more often and the others, not at all.
My kid’s favorite phrase at the moment:
De gustibus non disputandum est which means “Of taste there is no dispute.” He mutters it whenever I whine about his music.
Hilarious! And proof that you can’t please everyone. These comments are all over the board! Thanks for sharing.
Jackie
more info
I’m often to running a blog and i actually recognize your content. The article has really peaks my interest in more info. I am going to bookmark your site and maintain checking for new information.
That is CLASSIC! And just proves the point that you can’t take any review (wonderful or otherwise) too much to heart! My daddy used to say opinions are like ***holes… everyone has one.
Thanks for sharing, Jes!
Well, I’m so confused I’ll just have to read them both and decide for myself which critique was crap…hey, may be another good form of advertising…
K+
I was once told by a well-published author that when a writer receives polar opposite reviews like that, it means she has a strong voice–which is a good thing. That means she will have fans who will follow her devoutly–and those who want to burn her books up and her house down–but she will never have the dreaded “meh” response, which is a career killer. No one wants a “meh.”
Good for you, Jess!
TJB
oh this is hilarious!
Hey Jess,
Congrats on your success. As for the difference of opinions, I like what TJB said.
I loved this! A great way to keep it in perspective (which I haven’t come even close to mastering!)
Jessica, with your permission, I’d love to use your blog as an example of the whims of the publishing world for my novel-writing class at the Writer’s Center in Washington, DC. I think it is an excellent and practical introduction to the “real world” of our business. Let me know if you object. I expect you’ll pick up at least a few sales from this group of budding and curious authors! Best, Kathryn
Feel free to share! Thank you.
You’ve got to laugh or you cry. I guess the world would be a dull place if we all liked the same things.
I love this. Couldn’t help but smile in reading the comparisons. What a great way of looking at reviews. Of course, I had to tweet it to my peeps.
Different strokes for different folks. Just keep on writing!
Well played, Jessica! Congratulations on the success ‘The Pleasures of Sin’ is enjoying. I hope you cry all the way to the bank.
thanks for share!