Overall Rating and Opinion of For the Love of Suzanne

Discuss the January 2016 book of the month For the Love of Suzanne by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill.
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Re: Overall Rating and Opinion of For the Love of Suzanne

Post by Froggy_2002 »

I have to admit this book looks like your typical romance novel. I was wondering if there was anyone who doesn't like romance but loved this book?
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Post by zoelaurynn »

This book kept me turning the pages. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good sci-fi/western novel :wink2: or even if you don't, give this book a try!
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Post by Levi »

I reiterate what I said before, it was tough to see their weaknesses and insecurities, and for some it was tough to see the violence (which actually happened back then and continues to happen in the world) but that is what the book entailed. It is only right to speak on the book concerning it's merits, not personal preference in life, unless you didn't know going in what it may entail (i.e. a western showing some violence). If you did not happen to read the book you should not comment on it, and if you read a book for book of the month purposes, please only tell us what you liked about it, unless you really tell us something critically thought out. It is not appropriate to read a book that you would not normally like, and then talk bad about it, unless you only talk about the merits of the book, not the genre that you came in knowing that you don't like. This is not an attack, just an opinion. I really try to engage each book according to it's own strengths and bring positivity. Negative is only ok if it presents a solution, (i.e. this dialogue was weak, this character not as fleshed out as could have been) not just, "I don't like this style, kind of book, etc.
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Post by bookowlie »

Levi wrote:I reiterate what I said before, it was tough to see their weaknesses and insecurities, and for some it was tough to see the violence (which actually happened back then and continues to happen in the world) but that is what the book entailed. It is only right to speak on the book concerning it's merits, not personal preference in life, unless you didn't know going in what it may entail (i.e. a western showing some violence). If you did not happen to read the book you should not comment on it, and if you read a book for book of the month purposes, please only tell us what you liked about it, unless you really tell us something critically thought out. It is not appropriate to read a book that you would not normally like, and then talk bad about it, unless you only talk about the merits of the book, not the genre that you came in knowing that you don't like. This is not an attack, just an opinion. I really try to engage each book according to it's own strengths and bring positivity. Negative is only ok if it presents a solution, (i.e. this dialogue was weak, this character not as fleshed out as could have been) not just, "I don't like this style, kind of book, etc.
Well said. I agree that people should not comment on the book if they didn't read it - the whole purpose of the BOTM is to discuss the book. As for reading a book that you would not normally like, I think that's ok. It's a nice change of pace sometimes to read books outside your comfort zone. I have found a lot of gems that way. :) Anyway, I understood why you mentioned this issue.
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Post by zoelaurynn »

I have never even considered reading a western novel, but decided to give this book a shot. Surprisingly, it kept me interested!
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Post by khudecek »

Thank you, zoelaurynn :)
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Post by Rachaelamb1 »

I've been reading through these comments to see if this would be a book I'd like. I like time-travel, historical books. I either love or hate romance, depending on the book. I like good clean romance, but that's hard to come by nowdays. Can anyone tell me if the book is sexual in nature?
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Post by gali »

Rachaelamb1 wrote:I've been reading through these comments to see if this would be a book I'd like. I like time-travel, historical books. I either love or hate romance, depending on the book. I like good clean romance, but that's hard to come by nowdays. Can anyone tell me if the book is sexual in nature?
It isn't sexual in nature.
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Post by khudecek »

I want to throw something in here about clean romances.

I read a lot of romances and rachelamb1 is right. Clean ones are hard to come by these days. The love is lost between the characters and it's basically how many different ways two people can do the wild thing and see how vulgar they can be. I know that's what sells but it is annoying.

In my opinion, The Fifty Shades of Grey series is partially responsible for this. It's like it lowered the bar for good romances. Now everybody is trying to outdo Christian Grey. I don't know how many times I've seen ads on social media that say something like, "Do you miss Christian Grey?" or "Here's your next Christian Grey". No, I don't miss Christian Grey. He's in this book series over here and you need to create your own character for your own story. That's what authors are supposed to do. If I want another dose Christian Grey, I'll read the books again.

It seems with that the attitudes of people have changed and not necessarily for the better. The market is flooded with these books that are basically pornography and it makes it hard for a book like mine to get noticed.

There are love scenes in Suzanne. But when I wrote them, (they were the hardest part to write), I didn't use any obscenities or derogatory language and they aren't on every page. I was aiming to have the reader see that Cody and Suzanne were very in love and each was in it for the other.

Sorry to spout off there, people. This is a touchy subject for me. It's disappointing and sad to see where the romance genre has gone and I wanted to be above that with this novel.

Rant concluded. Thank you.
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Post by Rachaelamb1 »

khudecek wrote:I want to throw something in here about clean romances.

I read a lot of romances and rachelamb1 is right. Clean ones are hard to come by these days. The love is lost between the characters and it's basically how many different ways two people can do the wild thing and see how vulgar they can be. I know that's what sells but it is annoying.

In my opinion, The Fifty Shades of Grey series is partially responsible for this. It's like it lowered the bar for good romances. Now everybody is trying to outdo Christian Grey. I don't know how many times I've seen ads on social media that say something like, "Do you miss Christian Grey?" or "Here's your next Christian Grey". No, I don't miss Christian Grey. He's in this book series over here and you need to create your own character for your own story. That's what authors are supposed to do. If I want another dose Christian Grey, I'll read the books again.

It seems with that the attitudes of people have changed and not necessarily for the better. The market is flooded with these books that are basically pornography and it makes it hard for a book like mine to get noticed.

There are love scenes in Suzanne. But when I wrote them, (they were the hardest part to write), I didn't use any obscenities or derogatory language and they aren't on every page. I was aiming to have the reader see that Cody and Suzanne were very in love and each was in it for the other.

Sorry to spout off there, people. This is a touchy subject for me. It's disappointing and sad to see where the romance genre has gone and I wanted to be above that with this novel.

Rant concluded. Thank you.
Thank you for the response! I think the romance genre is too broad now also with books like Fifty Shades of Grey. It's hard to know what you are getting when you open up a romance book so I generally steer clear of that genre altogether.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

I agree! I like romances that actually show love and affection. That's one of the aspects that I liked about the relationship between Suzanne and Cody. The love scenes included were more of what real love scenes should look like. Thank you for keeping the love between your characters nice and pure.
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Post by gali »

I like romances that show love and affection too, and that was why I loved this book. I would choose light/implied love scenes over porn any day. By the way, I don't miss Christian Grey either. 8)
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Post by khudecek »

Thank you, everybody.

I didn't want to get too graphic with the love scenes in Suzanne. I don't think it's necessary and it steals from the story. It takes away from the emotion that is involved with two people who are truly in love and want to be together, even if the odds are against them. It was more than just sex with them and I hope I was able to adequately show that.
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And that has made all the difference
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

You absolutely did show it was more than just sex for them!

:)
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Post by gali »

khudecek wrote:Thank you, everybody.

I didn't want to get too graphic with the love scenes in Suzanne. I don't think it's necessary and it steals from the story. It takes away from the emotion that is involved with two people who are truly in love and want to be together, even if the odds are against them. It was more than just sex with them and I hope I was able to adequately show that.
You sure did! :tiphat:
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