Ever have a day where you are p*ssed at every f*cking thing? Welcome to my day! I have some “real life” reasons for it, but my mood has prevailed and colored my view on everything I’ve dealt with today. So, while Jade is feeling majorly b*tchy, let’s deal with some gripes.
You all probably know that Fully Automatic came out last week. Aside from the fact that Amazon published the book in record time (long before I was ready for it to go live), a few things have happened surrounding its release that I can no longer keep my mouth closed about. So…at the risk of getting people p*ssed at me, hang on tight. Here goes nothin’.
The Alternate POV book: When I chose to write Bullet from Brad’s point of view, I did it with the intention of not writing the same book simply told from another vantage point. To me, that feels like a cheat. Yep, there are scenes both books have in common, situations you will recognize, but this is not Bullet all over again—not by a long shot. I found out, though, that many readers are avoiding it like the plague because that’s exactly what they’re afraid Fully Automatic is. It’s disappointing, because I expected this book to do so much better. So, yes, I’m going to b*tch, because there are authors out there who have done that—they haven’t poured their heart and soul into their alternate POV books, and now the rest of us suffer.
Whew. Okay. That was gripe number one.
The Cliffhanger: No, I do not write cliffhangers, but you don’t even know how many readers have avoided my books, thinking I might have written a cliffhanger. I don’t know where they get that idea or why, but again, cliffhangers feel like a huge cheat to me. I’m not going to end a book in the middle of the story just to get you to buy another one. Even when I write a series, I like each book to be a complete story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. So you bet I’m b*tching about this because other authors have felt the need to be all cute and clever, trying to force you to buy their set of books that probably should have just been one big one. So, yeah…thanks.
Wow. I almost feel all the way better now. But one more thing…
Stupid Reviews: For the most part, I figure everyone is entitled to her opinion, and I don’t read negative reviews anymore if I can help it. I know I’ll get them, and that’s okay, because I do not expect every reader on the planet to like my writing. That would be ridiculous, and I would be more delusional than I already am. 😉 Seriously, though, every once in a while I get a review that makes me say out loud, “What. The. F*ck?” I got one of those today…a three-star review for Fully Automatic. Again, I don’t expect all my reviews to be four- and five-star. I’m not that naïve. However, I like for reviews to be well-founded. Okay, so…I got this review today in which the reader said she was “disappointed.” Why? Because, she said, Fully Automatic was “just another re-telling from a different POV.” If I responded to reviews (which I do not), I would like to ask her what f*cking book she read. Did she actually recognize the first five chapters of Fully Automatic from having read them in Bullet? Uh…no, because none of that was in Bullet. I gathered, reading her review, that she skimmed the book and skipped to the end and felt “disappointed” because I didn’t drag out the storyline more than I did, and I didn’t take the timeline out further. No, I didn’t, because I still have plans for Nick and Zane’s books (and those stories will take the timeline out further), and Brad, Val, and Ethan will have huge parts in those books. Fully Automatic was barely shorter than Bullet, and—by most standards—it’s a huge f*cking book. That’s beside the point, though. The point is that in review after review after review, written by trusted bloggers who review books for a living, most people have raved about how Fully Automatic is most certainly NOT just a retelling. I can’t bring myself to do that and sell it to you and then try to sleep at night.
I realize I shouldn’t let this sh*t get to me. It probably wouldn’t, except this review will likely be read by people who really are afraid that I’ve gone and done that dirty, sneaky trick, and now—thanks to her false review—won’t give the book a chance, in spite of the fact that the majority of readers are quite pleased with Brad’s story. It’s a story I’m dying for you to read, because it moved me more than any other book I’ve ever written. It ripped my heart and guts out, and I want to share it with the world!
Well…thanks for listening to me rant, rave, and complain. I keep looking outside, expecting to see a full moon…but it’s snowing like crazy so I can’t see sh*t (and I also know we’re nowhere near that time of the month). 🙂 Thank you to all of you who have given Fully Automatic a chance. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that!
sherry
After reading bullet I am reading the full series fuck her review yes we are entitled to our own but be honest and read the whole Damn book.
Jade
Thanks, Sherry. I could be wrong, but that was the sense I got!
Nancy
First of all, that deserves a rant, so rant all you need too! Secondly, I’m about 1/2 way into Fully Automatic and it’s not a retelling of Bullet at all! (And yes my heart is being shredded for Brad and I want to smack Val!) Thirdly, why review a book that you didn’t f’n read in the 1st place?! That is just classless! And last of all but certainly not least- I F’N LOVE U and your books especially because you hate cliffhangers as much as I do! I think that’s a tasteless way that some (NOT ALL) authors use to sell more books. I know some books are huge and need more than one book but I’ve read quite a few lately that have been drug out way more than they should have been- in my opinion! And while we are ranting….I HATE when an author sets the price of the 1st book really low and then ups the price substantially for the next ones….once again that’s another reason I love you because you don’t do that either! You F’N ROCK JADE!!!!! (And screw anyone that doesn’t think so!).
Jade
Nancy, WOW! Thank you so much!!! Now, I was just assuming, but I got the feeling she just must not have read it. There is so much in Brad’s book that wasn’t even HINTED at in Bullet! And thank you again. I don’t plan to change my philosophy anytime soon, not on my prices and not on my no cliffhanger promise! I would rather give you a big book that is a complete story…and at a fair price. A lot of my smaller books are 99 cents and always will be, because I feel like that’s fair. 🙂 Thank you again! You brought a smile to my face! <3
Cathryn English
Hi Jade, just read your rant, fully warranted I might add. As you know Jade there are ‘bad’ reviews and ‘critical’ reviews, seems to me that this person gave you a bad review that ain’t worth S#^t. Critical reviews in my opinion can be helpful to an author in many ways. You already know Jade, reader are a fickle lot and you can’t please everyone all the time. This reviewer states that she didn’t read Fully Automatic. Just skimmed it!?!? Sorry but WTF! How can a person review a book they’ve not even read! People like this should be highlighted in red on all the reviews they give so everyone will know to ignore them. We are all for honest reviews good or not but for heavens sake read the bloody book first! See I’m ranting now!
Please try not to let this get you down Jade I know it must be a terrible feeling that this review is out there but I’m sure pretty soon there’ll be more positive reviews posted and that one will be lost in the bowels of cyberspace, Don’t you dare let this blip knock you’re confidence, you are a fantastic writer and me for one can’t wait for Nick and Zane’s books 🙂 x
Jade
Thank you, Cathryn. Dear reader never said she only skimmed the book, but that was all I could figure from her comments. How else could she say it was just a retelling? She couldn’t have actually read it! That’s all I can figure. And no worries–I am used to bad reviews by now, but once in a while, one will still make me shake my head!!!
Nikki Costello
You rant all you like hun like you say everyone is entitled to there own opinion but if people had actually read all of Fully Automatic properly they would realise this is DEFINITELY not a ‘re-write of Bullet. I think Brad really came alive in this book there were certainly times I wanted to give him a shake and tell him to wake up and time I really wanted to slap Val lol but it was an awesome read as usual Jade I’m really looking forward to Nick and Zanes books.
Jade
Thank you, Nikki! 🙂
Shannon R. Hodges
I reviewed all four of your books in the Bullet series and I think they were awesome…couldn’t put them down! You have an amazing grasp on character development! Each book was unique and even though Fully Automatic had some of the same scenes I felt like I was reading a completely different book! I really got a sense of being in each character’s head. Don’t let the naysayers get ya down! The rest of us are anxiously waiting Zane and Nick’s books!
Jade
Thank you, Shannon! I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Writing about it makes me feel better. 🙂
Janeane
Rant away! I just finished FA about half an hour ago and it was definitely NOT a retelling of Bullet. I loved that we got a deeper insight into Brad (who in Bullet really irritated me the way he was sniffing around Val), but totally get him now. i will make it a big point in my blog tour post that it is not a retelling from a different POV!!
Jade
Thanks, Janeane. I really appreciate that! 🙂
kristin
I reviewed Fully Automatic and while there were some scenes that I remembered from Bullet, this book gave more insight into Brad. I thought after reading the other books that Brad needs.his own story and I feel like you gave that to me. I loved knowing how he struggled with his feelings and how he tried to keep it together. I enjoyed it and have recommended it to several friends.
Jade
Thank you, Kristin!
smharshell
FA gave me a new appreciation for Brad, not just as a sexy as hell guitar player but for everything he did for the band, how he truly worked his ass off for them. I agree that in Bullet he irritated me. I couldn’t understand if he and Ethan were so tight why he would make moves on Val, but just like in life when you see the other persons perspective, it makes more sense. I loved Fully Automatic yes I knew how it was going to end, but I loved to ride to get there!
I hope (fingers crossed) there is more…..Zane and Nick? 🙂
Thanks for another great read Jade!!
Jade
Thanks! And, yes…Zane and Nick’s books are on the horizon!
Russell Winn
Jade’s books are great!!! That Sh**y reviewer is delusional and I wouldn’t be surprised if she did just SKIM through it and not READ it. Anyways, keep up the great work.
Jade
Thanks, Russell!
geboyd30
Screw them. I tossed my kindle at the wall reading Bullet and then was terrified to read Rock Bottom. But I did, and it kicked ass. This series is really good and honest, so screw the reviews.
I’ve been so busy I did not realize Fully Automatic was out but I know what I am doing tonight, and that is reading another kick ass book!
Jade
Thanks so much! Have you also read Feverish?
geboyd30
Devoured it! I think it was my second favorite, but I have to admit, I did not want to like Rock Bottom but it is my favorite.
I never thought I would like Ethan but you made me like him! 🙂
Jade
Very cool! 🙂 I know a lot of people were able to understand Ethan after Rock Bottom, even if they couldn’t forgive me.
geboyd30
I may not love the guy, but I get him and THAT is a good book. Screw the haters and keep doing your thing. I personally think we did not see enough of Brad and was excited to see this book come out.
Jade
Thank you again. You are good for my ego. 😉
Becky Leming
You have every right to rant Jade! Anyone who has read your books knows what a talented writer you are! I loved reading some of the scenes that were in Bullet from Brad’s point of view in Fully Automatic, but that by no means made it the same book. I respect the fact that you don’t leave readers hanging with cliffhangers – I hate it when authors do that! There are many stupid people out there and you can’t please everyone, so why try. Keep doing what you are doing….we all love you for it!!! Rock on!
Jade
Thank you, Becky! I appreciate that! 🙂 No worries…I WILL keep writing!