The first is from Literary Nymphs for ‘Marooned’, which gets a Golden Blush Recommended Read.

Sharon Maria Bidwell is a brilliant author who uses humor, suspense and erotic encounters to create a fascinating story. The two primary characters in Marooned are multidimensional and drew me into the tale. Vern’s quick wit keeps the story flowing. Cresszna is passionate and gifted with the patience of a saint.

You can read the review in its entirety by clicking HERE.

Then just the other day, I was forwarded an email from Elisa Rolle, a well-respected reviewer amongst many writers, telling me she had enjoyed ‘An Act of Generosity’:

This is another of those little jewels that the somewhat overlooked Changeling Press catalogue can offer if you dig a bit. Of course I was helped on my discovery thanks to the name of the author, Sharon Maria Bidwell, one of the first gay romance author I read, and one of my favorite too. … Despite this being only a novella, the plot is well developed, the balance between story and sex is perfect, and even the supporting character, Robert’s business partner Phil and his p.a. Anna, have enough development to make them real characters and not only someone in the background.

You can visit Elisa’s review site HERE.

Many, many thanks to the reviewers. Music to an author’s ears.

In the meantime, I am writing, although not just in the romance genre. I’ve neglected the other genres I love too long and have decided I simply have to find a way to balance both. Incidentally, I don’t tend to talk about things I’m working on, or ‘waiting’ on, because I am always convinced I will jinx the process. That leaves me often longing to squeal about some possible good news, but I just cannot get the words past my lips, or from my fingers to the page. No matter how I’m bubbling away inside, dying to tell someone, I just can’t do that. I wouldn’t have called myself superstitious, but I think it’s more a case of just being a writer. I don’t even tell my best friends so please don’t feel I’m discriminating; when I say I tell no one, I mean no one.

Another nice surprise came just this morning in the form of another good review for ‘A Swithin Spin 3: A Princely Passion’ at deviantdivaseroticbookreview. Good news for me as I wasn’t sure I knew what I was doing with this one. Often when I’m ‘nervous’ I do better than expected. You’ll have to flick down the page a bit to find it, but apparently, the book is ‘worthy’.

‘British Bull Dog’ at Rainbow Reviews says: The premise for “An Act of Generosity” is quite unique. (Yayyy — love to hear that!) … Lee’s fantasy daydreams of him and Rob were a lot of fun. As were those of Rob about Lee, though these latter were more mature and less fantastical. This showed really well the difference in the two men’s ages, as well as their life experiences. (Great. I am SO pleased to hear that. Happy happy happy!) … It was a lot of fun to have two men living in the same house, working in the same place, in love with each other, but both believing the other was straight, thus off-limits. This situation continues for a significant proportion of the book. This did get a little frustrating to read about, but it was nevertheless completely believable that neither man had the confidence to make the first move. (Yes!) … When they both came out to each other, the pace of their relationship was kept slow and realistic. The sex was hot and quite plentiful and it soon morphed into lovemaking. (Could I be any happier, hearing this? Woo hoo!).

The reviewer also says when Lee hurt, he felt hurt. You can read the whole review here. Go on, you know you want to! Toddle along to Rainbow Reviews.

“The feelings in this story are very genuine and draw you in very easily. The confusion adds to the genuine feeling, rather than being offsetting. Kilan and Antal have to deal with what they expect of themselves and what others expect of them. They are trying to find their niche in the world, their happiness as the stress grows. The ending to this story is happy and I would read other Swithin novels.”

“The story’s brilliant. Very poetic, very disturbing, leaves you wanting more.”

So I guess I can ‘crow’ just a little.

I’m pleased to hear that so far I’ve never disappointed her as a reader and that she had no problems with my twisting of history on this occasion (always a fun thing to do). It was also nice of her to call Licinius sweet and mention his wit. I’m so glad that wasn’t lost in the story. So if, like Licinius, you enjoy a dream of a knight in shining armour in Elisa’s own words you can “enjoy a perfect medieval breeches rippers romp!”

You can read her review at her Live Journal where she also says “For being only a novella, A Good Knight is for sure well above the average.”

http://rainbow-reviews.com/?p=1524

Need I say more? *g*

Every story requires conflict, and the best stories contain internal and external conflict, something Angela Knight very much proclaims. It was through her work I discovered Loose-Id and decided that although this kind of work was entirely different to what I’d been doing, I wanted to try to write for them. I later thanked Angela for her indirectly leading me to them and being the lovely lady that she is, she was thrilled to hear it and pleased for me.

In some ways, maybe not all my work is typical of the market I’m currently writing for and maybe compared to some it will mean for lower sales. On the other hand, the reader responses I mostly receive privately tell me I must be doing something right. I’m joking when I talk about being British and our ‘stiff upper lip’ and all the connotations that come with it, such as we’re not comfortable with matters concerning sex. I think the truth is far from the stereotype. However, we do want more than a quick tumble for our money. Most authors probably write the kind of books they’d like to read and for that no one can make an apology. I need plenty of story. I need a slow build before the…um…ultimate climax. After all, isn’t that what foreplay is all about? *g*

And from there I noticed that AMP books are on kindle, which means I’m listed at Amazon, which feels so…odd. Strange as that may sound, I’m sat here blinking in amazement at the thought that people can search for me on Amazon. Both my Del Fantasma books are up and um… if anyone’s read them they are welcome to leave me a great review, of course. *whistles quietly*

Aside from that just stopping by to say that I’m away for a few days. If anyone tries to get in touch with me I’ll be gone for approximately a week and maybe a couple of days, though I’ll try to check in. Take care!