One of the most powerful tools an author has is her/his reviews. Good and bad alike, but especially the bad. Somebody, somewhere, won’t like your novel and they'll respond with a bad review they believe is completely fair and accurate ... most of the time, anyway.

First of all let me say I love the blogger/reviewer world. I also love almost all of them who live in this realm. But, every once in a while you get one who claims to be fair minded and intelligent. Then you read some of their reviews and you think, "that was just wrong."

Book blog reviewers are golden. They are, in no uncertain terms, an author's best friend. I believe we owe them kindness and respect. Some of you are thinking, she must not have gotten any negative reviews yet. That couldn't be farther from the truth. I have definitely had my share of negative reviews. Some that have even made me angry and hurt when I read them.

At first I wanted to lash out and ask them why in the hell would they be so mean? Then the most awesome thing happened. My sales tripled for the first few days after their review posted. Regardless of the fact they were being tactless, petty, or downright mean, my sales increased tri-fold.

My frown quickly turned upside down. (yeah, korny, I know). But, each time a negative review posted, a day or two later my sales jumped--big time!! You see, readers are drawn to books when they read a negative review. They feel the need to read it for themselves to form their own opinion. Nine times out of ten the reader loves the story, and sometimes they'll even send you an email telling you just how much they loved it and that the reviewer couldn't be more wrong.

So, my fellow authors, when you get a negative review (and believe me, the more negative the review, the more you'll here ca-ching as your sales increase rapidly) pass along a little thank-you note. Because in the end, your smile will be larger, and your bank account fatter!