In praise of #BlogTours!

The joys of having your book feature on a Book Bloggers Book Tour!

 Since my first novel was launched in 2012, I’ve organised different types of launch events including organising a book tour for each new publication. Till August 2019, I had organised those launch blog tours myself which was wonderful to get some exposure for the brand-new novel. However, what those tours didn’t do was garner any new reviews.  The tour stops that I had organised were on the blogs of authors I know who were delighted to have me guest with them but who either were too busy to read and review the new novel or it wasn’t the genre they were interested in reading.

 

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What I’ve recently done since Aug 2019 was to employ the services of a Blog tour organiser. Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources came highly recommended as someone with a great track record for success – Rachel being someone who has a large list of bloggers who are prepared to give over their blog space. The bloggers who feature the novel aren’t paid, though Rachel’s time in organising the tours is well paid for because her time and organisational skills are excellent!  

The kind of tours I’ve chosen via Rachel Gilbey include some reviews, though it can never be guaranteed that a specific amount of good reviews will result. I’m delighted to say that I feel very honoured that I’ve now had 12 super new reviews for After Whorl: Bran Reborn, Book 2 of the Celtic Fervour Series and 12 reviews for The Beltane Choice, Book 1 (most from the same bloggers but not all).

The wonderfully complimentary comments in the reviews make me a very happy author because the effort of trying to depict a bygone era that’s almost pre-history is very rewarding.

Notification of this last review popped into my Twitter feed today and I’m so glad I didn’t miss yet another happy reader of After Whorl Bran Reborn. 

 This was from Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews: 

“…She does a great job of capturing who Bran and Ineda are, both determined individuals who will do anything to survive. Bran has to learn how to live his life as a new person, and she illustrates his strength to live again. Ineda will also need to rely on her strength if she is to survive.

As with the first book, the author gives readers a map with locations in the book and a list of characters which helps understand the book and the timeline better. I always love the historical context she includes at the end of the book. It really put things in perspective for me. I will anxiously be awaiting the next book to see where Jardine takes us next.”

My thanks once again to Rachel and the bloggers who took the time and effort to feature my novel. 

Slainthe!