Where we post: Once our review has been posted here, we also post to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookbub, Goodreads, Google Books, and if we really like it, we’ll post to our personal websites. Thus a post here means multiple sites.
Vicky has thirty years of experience in the book business—from acquiring to selling, to editing and writing. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in library science and spent several years as a reviewer for VOYA magazine as well as multiple online review sites. She has twenty years of experience as an editor for various publishers and private clients doing non-fiction as well as fiction books and five years as an assistant manager of an independent bookstore. One thing she knows is books—and loves to talk books any time you ask.
Teresa Peschel aka Odessa Moon: Teresa Peschel lives with her family, her dog Muffy, and a mostly useless cats in the Sweetest Place on Earth. She has long been interested in sustainability, resource depletion, and finding a balanced life, not too much and not too little. Why take more than you need when other people and animals need lives and space too? Odessa Moon has painted, sewed, served in the Navy, worked as a sales clerk and cashier, taken care of her family, and gardened with enthusiasm. She reads extensively, especially on medieval history, the class struggle, colonization, and resource depletion. Growing up, she read piles of science-fiction and fantasy and often wondered what the authors hand-waved away about how difficult it really would be to terraform another planet. Her “The Steppes of Mars” series combines all her interests. When Ms. Moon is not writing, she is working on improving the soil in her own garden and planting trees in her municipality.
Other reviewers: At times, we have guest reviewers. All their posts are vetted by us before being published.
WHAT OUR SPARKLERS MEAN:
1 Sparkler – We currently do not review any story with a 1 star rating. If we can’t finish it, we won’t review it.
2 Sparklers — Not wonderful, but tolerable. There may be some minor editing glitches but not enough to stop me reading. Not trash, but nothing I’d re-read. If I recommended it, I’d send them to the library, not the “buy me” button.
3 Sparklers — Okay. Mostly enjoyable. I made it through and didn’t consider it a waste of time or money. The story was strong enough or the conflict tight enough, so even when the book faltered, it was able to draw me back in . There’s a chance I’ll recommend it to a friend, but it wouldn’t go on my keeper shelf.
4 Sparklers — Very Good. I’m glad I was the one who got to review the book. I would probably buy it and would definitely recommend it to my friends. I liked the characters and the plot. The writing style was good and the editing clean.
5 Sparklers — Wow! I would definitely buy this book. I would definitely recommend it to my friends. I really loved the characters and the plot and would look for other books by this author. Definitely a keeper.
WHAT OUR HEAT LEVELS MEAN:
SWEET: no visual love scenes and no descriptive kissing. Basically a “G” rating
SENSUAL: Contains a high degree of sexual tension, steamy kisses and passionate clinches, but all fully consummated love scenes will be implied, not described, and with the bedroom door firmly closed.
SPICY: Contains actual love scenes and may include detailed descriptions of foreplay and consummation.
HOT: Contains sizzling and very detailed love scenes throughout and graphic, explicit content which may be offensive to some.
Sparkling Book Reviews 