Reviews are precious to authors. I’m still at that place in my career where I read them all, grin or grimace. And on occasion, when a great one comes along, I do a happy dance in my living room. Those are the reviews that took time and thought to write. Those are the ones where you know that the reader connected with your book, or at least, enjoyed it. Better yet, those reviews are written by bloggers! Thank you, Dylan, for the great review.
The Bone Wall is a great example of the importance of a book’s cover. I’ve been following D Wallace Peach’s blog for a while and while her books sounded intriguing, there was always another books I’d rather read more. Then she decided to have new covers created for her books (you can read the full story here) and The Bone Wall went from intriguing to must read (yes, I really am that shallow).
The Description
Blue light ripples and crackles as the shield walls fracture. The remnants of a doomed civilization stand vigil outside, intent on plunder and slaves, desirous of untainted blood to strengthen their broken lives. With the poisons, came deformities and powers, enhanced senses and the ability to manipulate waves of energy—lightbenders and fire-wielders.
For those who thrived for generations within the walls, the broken world looms, strange and deadly, slowly dying. While the righteous pray…
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Myths of the Mirror 
As I said over on the original review site’s comments, until this review, I had always thought (probably based on the old cover) that The Bone Wall was a contemporary murder mystery / psychological thriller!
I have to say, I’m an open-minded reader and viewer. However, for whatever reasons (OK, maybe I know some of them, but won’t get into it), the one thing I really have trouble with is apocalyptic or future dystopian stories. I’m still recovering from having been tricked into watching The Road. It just affects me too deeply for too long. But, I learned something here, about the scope of your writing!
And I truly do get a smidge of that happy-dance feeling for you, Diana. I’m cheering for you every step of the way, particularly with this exciting transition to self-publishing. Hooray for you!
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Thanks Erik. The Road was pretty intense, wasn’t it? I think fantasy gives dystopian books enough of a one-off feel that they can’t be taken quite as literally. It’s rather improbable that the events in the book could happen. That said, I tried to make the themes and dangers and psychological trauma as real as I could. Thanks for the cheer, my friend 🙂 It is quite an adventure!
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I’m sold and definitely want to buy this book. Do I just buy it from Amazon? Is it still available there? I’m old fashioned and prefer paper…
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That is so sweet of you! Thank you, Pam. It is available on Amazon, ebook or paperback. It’s a bit grim, just fair warning. I hope you enjoy it. 😀 😀
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I’m excited. I have a grim side…who could write apocalyptic and not be a bit grim?;-)
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True! Thank you again 😀 I’m thrilled.
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Cool review … and I agree about the cover too. 🙂
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Thanks. This book is gritty and not all readers have liked it. So when a reader “gets” it, I’m thrilled. I redoing all covers and the artist has done a wonderful job 😀 😀 Happy Writing!
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Congratulations ! Great review and a fantastic cover. Covers are important, I for one, always look at the cover, before reading the back and making the decision to read or not to read…. x
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Thanks Lynne. I do to. It’s the first thing I see and if it grabs my eye, I move on to the black blurb, and finally to the inside. I like this cover too 🙂 Have a great week!
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That’s a compelling review. Reviews like these always leave a whole in my pocket. Ah, the growing pile to read is daunting…*sigh*. But I’m glad I’m not the only reader who judge a book by its cover:)
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Ha ha. I know, the TBR pile grows and grows. And yes, I think most of us are first caught by a cover. I’m glad you like it. Thanks for the visit and have a great week!
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Great review, Diana. I reblogged it on Musings on Life & Experience.
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Oh, Thank you, Suzanne. 🙂 I appreciate the share. Have a great week.
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You’re most welcome. You have a great week also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Aww what a great review. Yes, those reviews can give us the warm and fuzzies, can’t they?! I always try to be the one leaving those types of reviews for other authors, so I hope I’ve made a few authors dance around their living rooms! Your cover is awesome, by the way.
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
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Thanks, Stephie. You probably have initiated some prancing and dancing in a few households. It’s a great feeling. Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad you like the cover!
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I am so happy for you for the great review Diana!
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Thanks, Kathryn. These make all the hard work worthwhile 🙂
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It rocks when everything comes together. Excellent review, Diana!
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Thanks, Mary. Yes, when they come together it’s sweet!!
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That’s a good review!
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Thanks, Mike. Those are pretty special when they show up 🙂
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Congrats, it’s a great one! I wonder what it would be like to have so many reviews you could no longer read them all? That’s both exciting and sad at the same time, isn’t it?
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Now that would be a great problem to have! Too many reviews to read Ha ha ha. That is a long ways away, Carrie. We can dream 🙂
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Yes, we can. 🙂
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I’d do my darndest to find a way. 🙂 I’m sure we all would (will?).
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Ha, me too.
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It’s my pleasure, Diana and nothing more than you (and your book) deserves. 🙂
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😀 😀
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This is the book I need to get. Great review, Diana. ❤️
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Thanks, Van 🙂 You are so sweet! Have a great week.
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Wow! that is well deserved! Congratulations Diana. I love the cover except the skull! 🙂
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If you don’t like the skull, Balroop, you may want to avoid this one. It’s rather grim and not for everyone. Thanks for the visit though! Love to see you here as always 🙂
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Wonderful!
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I know, Lynn. Those reviews are definitely day-brighteners 🙂
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I am sure! I can imagine that would really make you feel awesome!
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Sounds intriguing, Diana. At the moment, I half-way through, The Sorcerer’s Garden and will be writing a review for you when I’m done… Although, I do have a couple other reviews to put up on my site first. However, in the meantime if you would like to ‘rave’ about your latest work on my site, give me a buzz. 😉
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You are the best, Kev. I’m delighted that your reading The Sorcerer’s Garden – my first attempt at contemporary fantasy, sort of, kind of 🙂 That actually is my latest book. I’ve been slogging away at my conversion to indie publishing and that’s going to take me through August. I’m a year away from finishing something new. I’ll be bugging you then, for sure! 😀 Thanks so much for the comment. Have a great week.
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What… That’s your first attempt at fantasy? I’ll say no more at the moment… Kinda glad to hear it’s your latest, though… I’ve felt so far behind on my reading lately. 🙂
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No. Ha ha. Not the first attempt at fantasy, but the first attempt at “contemporary/urban” fantasy. The others are more medieval-ish or post-apocalyptic. 😀
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Well, I’m already a fan and will be looking into your other works later on. 🙂
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I thoroughly enjoyed The Sorcerer’s Garden, as well, Kev. I found it to be refreshingly atypical of the genre.
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Awww. Thanks Erik 🙂
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That’s a good word to describe it, Eric… I wholeheartedly agree and may borrow that for part of my review. 😉
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You two are too kind 😀
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Yay! Much deserved praise 🙂
And yes, the new cover is absolutely stunning…
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Thanks, Nicholas. I love it when these show up unexpectedly. It’s always a great surprise. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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