M.L.’s Comments (group member since Dec 27, 2010)

M.L.’s comments from the Q&A with M.L. Hamilton group.

Cyndee wrote: "oh, did you read/or read Janet Evanovich..Stephanie Plum series? The new one 18,I think, will be out soon."

I haven't read her, but I've been recommended her before. I'm looking for a new author to follow, so I'll give her a try.

I love to find an author that hooks me because then I know I'll get a level of quality for the book. I'm afraid I'm something of a snob with my limited reading time. I want characters I care about and little grammatical issues. If you hit those two buttons for me, I'm hooked and I'll cough up a lot of money to keep that quality.

Jackie wrote: "I read everything they've written... until I get bored. And, I'm afraid, if this happens I'm just so disappointed that I tend not to go back to them. Writing this down has made me realise that's a ..."

; ) I understand though. I've done that myself.

Adam wrote: "I typically look at just the cover. If the cover art and the title look/sound interesting to me, I buy/borrow it. On some occasions I read the summary, and rare instances I read reviews. I almost a..."

I am smiling at that. : )

Seems to be a consensus here. ; )

Sheila wrote: "M.L. wrote: "Ah, now you come to the reason why I couldn't finish the Twilight series. I got the impression Bella was whiny and I couldn't get past it. However, I give Stephenie Meyer credit for ge..."

Makes sense. I guess I approve of anything that gets people reading.

To celebrate the release of my third novel in the World of Samar series, The Star of Eldon, I thought I'd commemorate the moment with this question: if you find an author you really like, do you read everything he or she has or do you find yourself getting bored and wanting to try something different?

Personally, if I find an author I like, I tend to go on a binge and read everything he or she has.

Isabel wrote: "Buchanan Series(8 books)
by Julie Garwood

Heartbreaker, Mercy, Killjoy, Murder List, Slow Burn, Shadow Dance, Fire and Ice

Loved them all!! I totally recommend this series!!"

I used to read Julie Garwood all of the time.

Laura wrote: "I don't read a lot of murder mystery books anymore. The closest I've read(but one of my top 5 all time series) would have to be [bookcover:The Kingd..."

Okay, you got me. I'm gonna give this one a try.

I think that's why I wrote Ravensong. So many musicians in my family. They are a different breed of animal to be sure. I also grew up in the 80s with the big hair bands, so they definitely influenced my youth. Not to mention my brother's rock bands who filled the house with heavy metal and the requisite visits from the cops. ; )

I think ebooks have really changed the way we read. I used to buy books based on covers. Now the covers really don't matter that much to me.

Michelle, I also tend to grab books that people react strongly toward. How funny that we'd both do that.

I agree. I think a sequel should probably be a stand alone with maybe an epilogue to hook you into the next books, so the reader can decide whether to read on or not.

Okay, I have to admit, I'd never thought of a Medieval murder mystery, but I think it's definitely something I would like. Cool premise.

To celebrate the release of volume one in my murder mysteries series, Potrero Hill, I wanted to get some feedback from fellow readers about their all-time favorite murder mystery series and why it topped your chart.

I think it's hard to make sequels meaningful. Too often they are done poorly and don't live up to the original.

Great response. Love your answer to Bad #2. I completely agree with the good points. I either want new characters that are related in some way to the previous book or characters that have a new depth.

ML

To celebrate the launch of my next novel, The Heirs of Eldon, I thought I'd see what readers look for in a sequel.

Kara wrote: "Natasha wrote: "One thing that annoys me to the point of not finishing a book is whiny characters, especially female ones. ..."

Oh, I'm having some trouble there currently. On the last book of [a..."

Ha! Isn't it funny how fictional characters can feel alive though, even when they're mopey?

That is hysterical. As an English teacher myself, I would be tempted to do that as well.

I love to have someone read to me as long as he or she does it well, but I still like to reread on my own, especially if I'm going to be tested, which hasn't happened in a lot of years. As a teacher, I might start my students off by reading to them, but I feel they need to do most of the reading on their own.

I think it depends on what type of learner you are. Natasha, you probably aren't an auditory learner, so it's difficult for you to retain it without being allowed to interact with the text yourself visually and probably kinetically.

Candice, I agree with you. If I find my attention wandering to how much laundry I have to do (for instance), I've probably got the wrong book. ; ) And like you, I tend for force myself to keep reading, hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised and proven wrong. Sometimes I am.

Ah, now you come to the reason why I couldn't finish the Twilight series. I got the impression Bella was whiny and I couldn't get past it. However, I give Stephenie Meyer credit for getting teenage girls to read. Bravo to that.