My new book, In the Shadow of the River, isn’t due for release until May 9th, but review copies are already going out to some places. Soon more readers will have a chance to get an early copy to see what they think about my story. As I’ve mentioned before, this book is a little different for me although if you’ve read many of my books, you know I do take off on a variety of story roads.
In the Shadow of the River is definitely a historical story that still has a Kentucky setting since I have the showboat stopping to put on their shows along the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. I originally hoped to let my fictional showboat be on the Kentucky River, but when I did research, I discovered that the Kentucky River’s rocky shoals and many sandbars and snags hindered riverboat travel, especially for the big showboats that were pushed along by steamboats. Five locks were constructed in the river before the Civil War and then nine more from 1891 to 1917 to make the river more navigable, but that didn’t work for my story. The showboats stayed on the bigger rivers going from east to west and then on the Mississippi south to Louisiana.
So, I take my showboat, the “Kingston Floating Palace,” down the Ohio toward the Mississippi. Each afternoon, the showboat stops at a new landing along the river to put on their show at night. Usually their stops were at rural towns and villages. The appearance of a showboat at their landing was always reason for excitement for the entertainment starved country people.
I had reason for excitement this morning when my publishers sent me a link to the Publishers Weekly review for my story which is the first review I’ve seen of the story. You can read the entire review at the Publishers Weekly link, but here are a few bits of it.
“Gabhart delivers an atmospheric romance set on an 1890s showboat with plenty of secrets below deck. . . . Supported by a cast of winning characters, this well-wrought mystery skillfully builds intrigue and doesn’t let up steam till the satisfying conclusion. Readers will be hooked.” (Publishers Weekly)
As I said, I went off on the river with a different story trail. I have the history of the showboats which I found fascinating, but I also stir in some mystery, suspense, and romance along with the history. It’s always a relief to see those good first words by a reviewer. I know other reviews will follow and they might not all be favorable, but this one was. So, yay for my story! And whew for me! 🙂
Reviews are very important to authors and really help a book get a little momentum. In these days of internet book sites, reviews can pop up everywhere and influence a reader’s book choices. So, it’s no wonder that an author holds her breath and hopes for the best when those reviews start showing up. First off, it’s only natural to want everyone to love your story. Second, you hope the reviews will convince a reader to give your story a chance. And when, like me, a writer goes out on a little different story limb or should I say river, you hope those who have been reading your other books will embrace the new story too.
My readers have been wonderful about that. I put this dedication in my book, Words Spoken True, a few years ago when I decidated my story to my readers.
To my readers who have followed my story trails from Hollyhill to Harmony Hill to Rosey Corner and now … Louisville.
I could add to that now with story trails to Hidden Springs for some mysteries, up into Eastern Kentucky for some Appalachian stories, to Springfield during the cholera epidemic, then to a farm called Meadowland and now out on the Ohio River. How fun is that? Thank you all for being willing to follow some different story trails. Maybe I should have put in a new dedication for this book that would go like this.
To my readers who have followed my story trails from Hollyhill to Harmony Hill to Rosey Corner and Louisville, and on to Hidden Springs, the Appalachian Mountains, Springfield KY, Meadowland and now…the Ohio River.
In the Shadow of the River is available for pre-order on most internet book sites. A great place to grab it if you like print copies is Baker Book House. See the deal below of 40% off the list price and free U.S. shipping plus there will be a limited number of autographed copies. I love this graphic my publishers sent me that has the showboat background. I hope when you read the story you will love it and want to write a review to post.
Do you like to share your thoughts about books you read in reviews? Are your book choices influenced by the reviews you read?
Comments 22
I try to do a review on every book I read. Some may be only a few sentences, but I try to leave the feeling that I really enjoyed their book.
I also read the reviews. I like to know how other people enjoyed a book and if there is any thing bad I need to be aware of in it.
Congrats on your first wonderful review for your new book!
Author
Writers appreciate you then, Connie. It doesn’t have to be a long review to be helpful. I do sometimes look at reviews, but not always. Sometimes I’ll look at the one star ones just to discover what they really didn’t like. A lot of times those reviews are bogus with nothing written. The three star reviews might give you the clearest view of a story, but of course, I like all five star reviews. 🙂
I’ve followed your story trails. Since I just pre-ordered your latest, here I go again. Can’t wait. Keep on writing, hometown girl. Wilma
Author
Thank you so much for going down those story roads with me, Wilma. I hope you will like floating along with my characters in the new story. 🙂
Congratulations, yes I read and review books and I love reading other reviews but I love reading any genre. Have a Blessed Day! Your book sounds amazing
Author
Thank you so much for writing reviews, Sarah. They are so important to authors in this internet age and we appreciate those readers who take the time to share their thoughts about a story. I’m glad you think In the Shadow of the River sounds like it would be a good story. I sent you an email about perhaps reviewing my new book. So check your emails, and thank you for your comment.
I just pre ordered the new book Shadow of the River, can’t wait .
I know it will be as good as the rest of your books, anxious for the different format. Congratulations.
Author
I appreciate you pre ordering my upcoming release, Donna Jean. I hope you will like the history and the mystery. That sounds like it would make a great blog title. “The History and the Mystery.” I’ll have to think of something to fit that. 🙂 I’ll look forward to hearing what you think of In the Shadow of the River.
Congratulations on the new book and the wonderful review! I can’t wait to read this book! You are the first author I have truly followed and ever written a review for. I rarely read reviews but instead decide on the cover and the blip about the book.
Again, Congratulations!! May can’t get here soon enough!
Author
It’s so fun to have you as one of my readers, Pamela. As I told Karen, I read reviews when I’m looking for a book to buy for someone else. I don’t as much when I see a book I think I’ll like. Of course, I do often pick books by the author if I’ve liked other books they’ve written. I’m so glad you are excited about reading my new story. I hope you will like In the Shadow of the River.
Congratulations! I enjoy writing reviews to hopefully help others find what they are looking for and to help authors I enjoy reading. I read some reviews especially if it’s an author I haven’t read before. Congratulations on your new book. Blessings
Author
It’s so good of you to write reviews, Lucy. That means so much to authors these days and it is helpful to read what others think about a book. I sent you an email about my new book if you want to check your email box to see if my offer is one you want to go with.
I enjoy reading reviews but am seldom influenced by them unless they mention the use of profanity, etc. and that will keep me from reading. Once I have read an author and enjoy their work that leads me to read everything they write. I am looking forward to reading your newest book. Thank you for continuing to share your talent with the world!
Author
I’m so glad you are looking forward to reading In the Shadow of the River. I do read reviews and let them influence my buying decisions when I’m buying gifts for my kids and grandkids at Christmas since they don’t always have the same reading tastes I do. I don’t pay much attention to reviews when I’m looking for books to read myself since people do have different tastes in their reading choices. I like reading by author too, but it’s also fun to discover a new author to take you down some new story trails.
I can’t wait to read this new one!
I almost always leave a review of books I read, but I don’t let a negative review stop me from reading it. I tend to “author” read, so if a writer has a book that I loved, I’ll read everything they write. So far, I think I’ve read all of your books except for the couple of YA ones. And I might have missed a Shaker story. All of them have been great, as I’m sure this one will be too. I like the way your stories capture the many different cultures and regions of Kentucky that make our state so fascinating.
I grew up in the shadow of a small Ohio River town and loved seeing the big boats float by. And the title makes me feel nostalgic. I’m sure it will end up being on my favorites list. 🙂
Author
I’m glad you are ready to give my new book a try, Lavon. I often judge a book by the author too unless I get a story they’ve written that puts me off their stories. That’s happened a couple of times to me. Sometimes I’ll give a new story another try, but sometimes not. That’s harsh, isn’t it? I appreciate you reading my stories and enjoy that they are set in Kentucky. I hope my showboat story will live up to expectations. I did have a great time researching about the showboats. So much I didn’t know. Check your email. I might have an offer about this book you’d like.
Congratulations on your new book! I do reviews for a few authors, although my book choices are not usually influenced by book reviews. I read historical fiction and Amish Christian Fiction, so I go by the cover and blurb on the back of the book to see if I get excited about reading it.
Author
I send you a message to see if you might be interested in doing a review for my new book, Susan. So, if you see this, check your messages and let me know. My new book is historical fiction but with a mystery along with it. So, that might not be your cup of tea. I’m like you. I sometimes read reviews about books, but I don’t always let that influence what I want to read since readers have so many different tastes in reading.
Can’t wait to read it. I know it will be great, because all your stories are.
Author
Great, Wanda Jean. I hope you will enjoy riding along on my showboat with Jacci and the others. I so appreciate you reading my stories.
Oh !! I can’t wait for the new book!
I regularly tell my librarians about books I’ve read. I’m often the person who has gone through everything they have for an author and I’m telling them they must order the new before it’s even out. It helps when we get the hint of what’s next in the back pages of the last book . I’ve loved every one of your books I’ve been able to read. Please keep writing always!
Author
I’m so glad you are excited about reading my new story, Cindy Sue. I hope it will be one you want to tell your librarians about. What a great thing to read that you’ve liked all of my books you’ve read since I do have a way of writing different types of stories. I love a reader willing to go down different storyroads. I’m working on a new story and trying to keep coming up with new idea.