Tears Aren’t Always Bad
Authors put heart and soul into stories. I’m no exception. Some days, Imposter Syndrome kicks in, and I wonder if I am making a difference or if my writing is even good. Thoughtful readers who take the time to leave ratings or reviews help remind me what I do is a ministry. More than selling books, what matters is if I am obedient to God’s calling on my life.
Anyone in ministry will tell you it’s a tough life. We desire for God to receive the glory, not us. We look to point others to Christ, not to put us on a pedestal. Yet hearing from my readers helps feed my often dwindling fire, fanning a newer, brighter flame, which allows me to be more productive with my writing.
When I read a particular Amazon Vine Voice review of Matters of the Heart,* book 3 in my Discerning God’s Best series,* the fire in my heart sparked, and I melted like Frosty into a puddle on my kitchen floor. I needed to hear “good fiction,” “gripping story,” “enduring,” and “insightful,” but the Vine Voice reviewer’s thoughts on my characters warmed my heart more than those thoughtful words.
SK, the Vine Voice reviewer, had also read my other books in the series. She reads LOTS of books every year, so for her to remember specific characteristics of secondary characters in my previous books amazed me and gave me a glimmer of hope that I’ve crafted my characters well enough to be memorable.
Not every reviewer needs to reach the level of reviews that SK Vine Voice Reviewer writes. Whether you leave a short note of “I enjoyed this book” or “Heidi’s story touched my heart,” it counts the same to Amazon.
Algorithms don’t care what you say; they just care that you took the time to say it.
Where your words matter is when the author reads them—and I read every … single … review. Good or bad, I want to know what my readers think so I can continue to improve my writing skills.
Enjoy Amazon Vine Voice SK’s review. And, if you haven’t read Matters of the Heart,* grab your copy today. It is a standalone book in the Discerning God’s Best series,* but you will enjoy the series much more if you read them in order since the characters continue through each story.
Thank you, SK, for this most thoughtful review. This “happy tears” weepy author is extremely thankful you took the time to share your words with me…and all of Amazon.
SK – VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book with Heart
I purchased this book, I’ve read this book, and consider it a blessing to be able to review the book. Good fiction that points people to Christ is refreshing and nurturing, especially so, in a world filled with stress, worry, and lack of peace. Once again, after finishing book three of the Shumard Oak Bend story, I sat back to absorb and reflect. Good fiction really demands introspection. I loved this book.
The word “heart” has been showcased in the title of each of Heidi’s books in the Shumard series, but it really connected with me in book three. The Bible has copious things to say about the heart, “the heart is deceitful…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart.” Reflecting on the characters in the book, whether those that were caring and enduring, those ambivalent, and those hateful and vindictive-all clearly operated out of their closely held internals. The tension because of this made for a gripping story.
The new character Katie, who is Aideen’s niece, was both enduring and frustrating. She saw the hopeless devastation of civil war widows and their fatherless children and was compelled to do something, even as she was warned to stay away from them. At the same time, she was still immature and wanted to help God now, do what she thought God should be doing now. Hum, I can see myself in this character; praise the Lord for His Grace.
My favorite old, but really “new” character was Hans Korhonen. What he experienced in the war was sad, leaving a heavy mark on his psyche, which made him feel alone and abandoned. The book showed a phenomenal transformation as God worked in his life. Another old, but “new” character was Reverend Jenkins. In earlier books, he seemed like a Godly bumbler, but wow, he was a mentor, discipler, and an awesome missionary. I could see glimmers of Eric Liddell in him, especially the Eric of the China internment camp during WWII.
This series continues to be enduring, insightful, as well as goading the characters and the reader. The book focuses on discerning God’s best, and doing God’s best. Grab this book and be nurtured and challenged. Thanks H. G. McGill.
Thank YOU, SK, for this review and for blessing me.
If you struggle like most to write a review, here is a fun and simple way to get your thoughts down.
*Please note this is an affiliate link. As always, it costs you nothing extra, and it all goes to my chocolate fund.
