It seems to me that my readers either love my books or hate them. And I know this is typical for a great deal of authors out there. You know what I think? I think that's fantastic! I would take a one or two-star honest review, and, of course, 4 and 5-star reviews are a given, rather than a 3-star review any day.

As my author description says, I'm a PASSIONATE writer of fiction. I aim to evoke PASSIONATE emotions. Passion is not synonymous with romance, in my opinion. To me, passion is that driving force behind intense emotions, actions, and mindset. So to see one-star or two-star reviews that tell me how I got it wrong for the reader, I take that to heart...I may throw a few expletives out into the universe and stomp around the house for an hour, brooding about why said reader felt the need to be rude, etc., but then I refocus and realize that unless said reader has attacked my family or me personally (which has happened in reviews, and shouldn't), then I've ultimately done my job...good or bad, I've evoked passionate emotion, both in the reader, and in myself.

When I get 4 or 5-star reviews, of course, I do a little happy dance and think, "YES! You totally get me!" And not only do I revel in the fact that I was able to stimulate a positive outcome for the reader, but I take inventory and process the fact that I am feeling passionate about my work based on the positive feedback.

However, a three-star review leaves me feeling empty, disoriented, and frankly, dissatisfied, as I assume it made the reader feel the same way. To me, a 3-star review is akin to the point some people reach in a relationship where they stop bothering to even argue passionately, much less fuel the fiery flames of their adoration for one another. Instead they settle for mediocrity, jab at each other passive-aggressively, or avoid conflict at all cost, reminding me of the song, "The Dangling Conversation" by Simon and Garfunkel.

I don't want to dangle, and I don't want my readers to, either. I want to laugh heartily, ugly-cry, yell loud enough the neighbors can hear, and I want my readers to feel that passion emanate through me, crawl through my veins, and seep from the ends of my fingertips into their minds.

In closing I will say this: If you have, in the past, hated my writing, I want to thank you for saying so...it has caused me to work on improving my skill, and I invite you to try your hand at my subsequent novels, because you just may have made me a better writer.

If you are a newly acquired, or long-time fan, in love with my style and almost always left feeling satisfied with my work, I invite you to stay tuned; I am constantly striving to up the bar for myself.

I would advise for those who leave 3-star reviews to elaborate on why the book(s) didn't hit the mark for you, as opposed to merely pointing out that the book(s) didn't hit the mark for you. As a writer, I need your feedback, I count on you to propel me forward, and thirst for your guidance.

Whether you love, hate, or are indifferent to my writing, know this: I LOVE the fact that you took a chance on me. YOU are why I write. YOU are who I write for! YOU bring ME passion, and for that I love each of you...

~Author Kiara Delaney