Hey fellow bloggers!
So today I’ve got great news and bad news; let’s get the former out of the way, shall we?
Bad news: the dog days are rushing to a close and for many that means less lounging time to catch up with the latest summer shows & reads *cough* and to binge watch Netflix all day *cough, cough*. I’m joking…but how are authors and other content creators going to promote now that everyone’s back to the grind instead of searching for good books to laze around on the beach with?
Good news: ATTENTION all authors, film directors, musical artists and artistic entrepreneurs hustling to market their work: there’s a new way to get your books broadcasted and your shows seen by hundreds. Raving Wave Reviews is the new business website that I’ve launched for creators to purchase my promotional reviews for their novels, films, musical albums, comedy shows…you name it!
It’s an ideal situation because I love analyzing and reviewing literature meanwhile creators get their work seen and publicized by the 500 members here on The Writing Wave; everyone wins! Plus, creators can customize their package to have the reviews of their work posted on other promotional websites too! But I thought the perfect way to show exactly what I’m selling was to do a review today. So without further ado, here are 4 books you should (and shouldn’t) read before summer freedom runs out.
- You’ll Never Walk Alone by Chris Hall (should read)
Up until now, Lucy has tamely lived her normal, “good girl” lifestyle with her funny, caring flatmates and friends: Cynthia, Gina, Gary, Bobby, Mark and Tony. However all that changes when she meets this mysteriously enchanting man, Pierre, dancing out one night at the nightclub. She certainly can’t resist him when he gifts her a jaw-dropping ruby necklace but everyone begins to wonder if she should resist Pierre after his ties to strange, underground gangs emerge. A series of unexpected attacks leave Lucy missing, leave her friends worried about their innocent friend and expose ancient, enchanted artifacts for what they are. In the middle of the chaos, Lucy has to escape with Pierre and decide what kind of girl she will be: the innocent, simple girl from her past or a rebel that fights for love and what she believes in.
Hall‘s novel had me caught with mixed emotions for the longest time; most parts were completely enthralling but others seemed rather unrealistic. The characters constantly returning to the flat might have been a good way for them all to embark in plot-progressing conversation. However this writing technique was ineffective for me as the reader grows bored after seeing the same mundane apartment setting for 5 or 6 different chapters. It’s not until a few chapters in that the REAL fighting action scenes start and when they finally do they border on being unrealistic because of their quick pace. However, the author won me over with her action packed scenes and skillful interweaving of sub-plots designed to develop character arcs. She employed excellent foreshadowing techniques and side-stories from the very beginning (which I thought were just for comic relief) resurfaced chapters later to alter the course of the gang’s path. Also Fingers’ mischievous moments were just too funny for anyone to not love this book. So this book is on the “Definitely Should Read” list because it takes patience to get to the action…but it’s gratifying once you finally do. I’ll put the link to her book here but I would encourage you guys to check out her blog because she often hosts freebie promotions for her books!
2. Becoming a Master Student by Dave Ellis (don’t read)
So these books are actually on the “don’t read” list because it’s too good…wait what? Let me explain: I’ve noticed that the eye-opening advice in this book is best applied to actual courses you’re taking. When I tried to read it’s study tips this summer, I had no actual course to reference off of and I won’t until September. So it’s expert advice get’s wasted because they’ll challenge you to consider how you feel about a specific project or professor and no one has any of that currently. If one re-visits experiences with old projects/professors, they spend all their time hypothesizing about what might have happened instead of actually testing these tips. Alternatively, some tips work over the summer because they just ask you to reflect about your life priorities and what’s most important to you in your education, finances and relationships. Those exercises have already benefited me greatly…but the rest of them are unnecessary to read before the summer’s over.
3. Renegades by Marissa Meyer (don’t read)
Is this well written? Yes. Are the characters progressive, clever and full of personality? Yes. But is it interesting? Only if you’re willing to wait chapters and CHAPTERS at a time for the main scene to change. I notice the author tries to change up the pace by exploring from the POV of different characters. It’s a fair approach considering she get’s to show their inner feelings, dark histories and even use many foreshadowing techniques. Problem is if it takes 10 chapters for me to still be getting to those foreshadowed parts…I don’t wanna wait around for the rest of it. Although I have heard that the 2nd & upcoming 3rd book have a better pace, my final verdict says: it’s pointless to start this book before the summer’s over. However, this series is a good choice if you get a break, you’re patient and you like budding friendships amongst heroes.
5. Go F*ck, I Mean, Find Yourself by Glenn Lutz (Should read)
Do not be fooled by the crass title or the blunt writing style: this book is a highly intellectual literary piece. Everyone could benefit from this gem as it challenges every reader to acknowledge any internalized biases, self-preservation mechanisms and faulty mindsets. How it achieves such great measures with just a few words on each page is beyond me…and irrelevant because it’s superior in it’s simplicity. This book comforts and inspires because the cold, heart truths are coming from a survivor of depression, drug addiction, divorce and suicide attempts; it reminds us that if he could get to this heightened state of confidence then so can we. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be giving these inspiring life mottos a read-over once a month from here on out.
Some great recommendations here and I especially love the sound of the last one! To be fair I was sold on the title alone 😂 but I think the life mottos definitely will come in useful! Thanks for sharing 😊 x
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Haha, good! If you ever do read it, I’d be interested to hear which quotes resonated with you…just from a psychology stand point. But for now, I’m glad you’ve found something exciting to look forward to!
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Just stopped by quick, for now–wanted to tell you I LOVE your BIG WAVE header image and your super tagline!!!
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Haha thank you so much! It almost took me forever to come up with them so I appreciate you noticing!
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You’re most welcome 🙂
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Thanks so much for your review of YNWA. I was interested to read your critique and I take on board your comments about the pacing. It’s really helpful to have this kind of feedback.
So pleased you enjoyed it though, and that you recommend my novel to others. It does seem to have been very well-received from the reviews it’s received so far.
Thanks also for the shout out for lunasonline. Freebies will continue.
Have a fabulous day 🙂
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You’re in! Email sent!! I’m looking forward to getting to know you =)
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Coucou mon Amie
Et bien si nous dessinions un rêve
Il faudrait qu’il soit beau bien entendu
Il faudrait qu’il soit doux, cela va de soi
Il faudrait qu’il donne envie, ce serait l’essentiel
Il faudrait que ses couleurs soient merveilleuses, c’est évident
Si, cette réalité, nous la faisions belle et douce

Pleine d’envie et remplie de couleurs merveilleuses
Si nous la copions sur nos rêves
Alors nous ressemblerions à des gens heureux
C’est avec ce petit écris que je viens
Te souhaiter une belle semaine de douceur et que le soleil soit au rendez-vous dans ta demeure
Bisous
Bernard
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Merci et urn belle semaine à toi aussi, Bernard!
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I should read more too!
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Haha, I know it can be hard to fit in novels…especially with back to school coming up with all its textbooks, work emails and homework….but I believe you can make it work and I’ll try too:)
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Followed your link to the opportunity to get my book reviewed (etc) by you. Not sure how it really works if you (honestly) don’t like my book. I mean, who’s going to pay for that (respectfully)? Like your energy – keep on keeping on, my friend.
Robert.
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Thanks so much for checking out the site! You raise a valid point, Robert.
Currently, authors whose content ranks below 2/5 stars can choose to not have the review published publicly and just have it sent to them personally. That way authors still get advice to grow themselves in a private, low judgement manner.
However, there’s also reasonable concern for authors who don’t want to fully pay for a low review. I appreciate this constructive feedback and I’ll have to reflect on your great advice.
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All depends how you sell it. For those who get a low review, the quality of the development oriented constructive feedback is key and should be like gold for them. There’s scope for you to carry on as you are. 🙂
Good luck with your endeavours, Imani.
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Great recommendations, Imani – will definitely check them out! Hope you have a good weekend 🙂
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Bonjour mon Ami , Amie

Ma richesse est mon amitié
C’est à toi que je la donne
Elle est pour moi
Un gage de bonne foi
Accepte ce présent
C’est le cadeau le plus important
Qu’on puisse faire à notre époque
C est avec ces petits mots que je passe te souhaiter
Une bonne journée , une belle semaine et plein de bonnes choses au sein de ta demeure
Gros bisous.
Bernard
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Very nice. Take care and thank you for visiting and following my blog.
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