As a reader I have learnt some things recently.
During a free book promo of cozy mysteries early this year I downloaded several books. I chose them because I knew the name of the author and that they wrote Christian Fiction. It was the cover that sold me on a few and I did leave some not knowing if they were Christian or clean.
Just before the Olympics I started one due to the cover. It had animals on it, and it looked fun. I soon worked out it was clean rather than Christian Fiction. It was still a clean read but no faith element at all. I did however enjoy this book and the characters.
I went to check out the next books in the series but for the remaining 5 the cheapest was to buy the box set for over $25 which I couldn’t justify. As the Olympics were on, I knew I would read more as I tend to read while watching sports.
This is when I decided to check out Kindle Unlimited was able to sign up for 2-month free trial.
I instantly downloaded the next book in the series and by the end of the week had read all 6 in the series. Next, I started with another book I had from the same promo and have now read all 7 books again saving over $25. These books have a very faint world view but still no real Christian element.
I am loving the trial because I could read these books. In saying this I am glad I didn’t have to pay because there have been issues with some of the books. If I have been buying them individually, I would have stopped. Why because there have been some inconsistencies in the books.
For example, in one book the mother has one name then the rest of the series a different name. In one series there is a kitten and there is a tornado the dogs are fine but where is the kitten. It was in the house when it hit but it is never mentioned again. One of the characters was older in book one but is now in mid 50’s with a granddaughter mid 20’s. One of the bigger issues is a name think a name like Sara/Sarah (it wasn’t Sarah) where its spelt different ways and the spelling keeps changing. The worst is in one book characters are engaged the next they are not and get engaged again.
Reading the final book did explain the two engagement scenes but it should have happened before this. The final book was the best in the series also didn’t have errors that I noticed. It was also the strongest story. It was clear more time was spend to get this book right and the best it could be. I mention this in the coming paragraphs.
I still enjoyed the series, and the errors didn’t stop me reading but they did annoy me but as the author is such a good storyteller I could forgive it. If I had paid, then I wouldn’t been so forgiving. It is where KU comes into it’s element like a library, I can borrow a book and if there are issues, I haven’t had to pay for it. Even if I paid for a subscription, I would still read enough books to cover the not so well edited books but may be choosier.
But while chatting with a friend about the issues I was thinking don’t authors writing a series have some sort of chart to know who the people are? There shouldn’t be an issue where a name changes for no reason. Or the house numbers change, or an animal disappears or in one case going from female to male.
I can see the downside of writing fast and fast releasing. Did the author have a beta reader for the whole series as these issues should have been picked up. Was there time for ARC readers? I have seen this trend of fast releasing and writing a book a month sometimes faster. This works if you have someone double checking. I have stopped a couple of series because the sample of the next book shows the issues.
I am not a writer and have no ambition to be one and can understand how hard it is. Sometimes taking a little longer to release and making sure the book is the best it can be worth more than releasing fast in the hopes of making more money. I read some of the reviews after reading the books and totally agreed. The inconsistencies were mentioned. Checking the next books the same readers have not left a review which leads me to thinking they stopped reading.
For these books KU or a library is a great option. For KU authors still get a payment and I got to enjoy a series even with some issues. But the downside is I probably wouldn’t buy a series by the author in the genre knowing two series had the same issue. Also knowing that they follow the same formula and while different setting the books were very much the same.
It has also reconfirmed my determination not to even bother looking at promo’s where they are a combination of Christian fiction and clean. That is unless the books are clearly identified as clean or Christian. I prefer to read Christian fiction which is my personal choice, and I get frustrated trying to work out which is which. Especially when so many authors are writing both Christian fiction and clean fiction.
I asked for recommendations for Cozy Mysteries and this time I have one and the faith element is there from the start. The book also has a different feel because of this.
If you have made it this far.
How do you feel about promo’s where you are not sure if the books are Christian Fiction or General Market? Have you tried Kindle Unlimited? Does it frustrate you when books in a series have inconsistencies? Does a bad series or books with clear editing issues put you off reading more from that author?
Hi Jenny,
I agree if a promo includes both Christian and non, that each book should be labelled clearly which category it falls into. I can imagine finding that very frustrating, but glad you found a way to read them without having to pay out and be disappointed.
For me personally, I read very widely and more often non-Christian rather than Christiain books. One reason is because I don’t read romance and so many Christian books are romance. However, I’ve been checking out some good Christian cosy mystery writers lately.
I haven’t tried KU because my ancient Kindle doesn’t support it. I might when I buy a new one which won’t happen until the old one dies.
If a book is written badly I don’t finish it and I don’t read anything else by that author. Beta readers are so important. I think authors who produce books quickly without using good beta readers and fixing inconsistencies are doing themselves a disservice.
Hi Suzie. first I read on the computer, so KU works well for me. I am now reading some guidepost Cozies which are so much better. There is no real romance in this one. Also Susan Page Davis has some PI mysteries and Cozies that have very slow-moving romance like over several books but the romance is very much in the background.
Normally I would have quit the books earlier but I was loving the mystery. In the second series which was written first one book I was very frustrated but the last book made it worth it. It dealt with human trafficking showing how easy it can be for teens groomed and then taken into the sex trade.
But if not for KU I would not have read more than the first books. I have seen it before the first book starts so well then these mass produced quickly books start to go down in quality. I now tend to read the sample unless its a trusted author. I started an Australian series a couple years back and book three is where I stopped cos the first couple pages of the sample were below par and I haven’t read anything by the author since.
So many Promos now are Christian and Clean or Clean and Wholesome but I want to know which is which. I don’t like having to go to Amazon etc to try and work the category when often its not mentioned. I know I am missing out on good books but I have now made the error 3 times with Chrisitan authors who have changed to general market.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ve looked up Guidepost mysteries and Susan Page Davis.
:o)
Hi Jenny, It’s frustrating when a book has errors that aren’t picked up and corrected in the months after a book releases. I will update my book files when readers (usually ARC readers) let me know they’ve found mistakes and typos. Sometimes not straight away, and sometimes I’ll do my own research if I’m unsure and contact my editor for clarification. I will accidentally switch between US and Aussie English spelling/grammar without realising and I extend grace when I see spelling and grammar differences in the books I read. If the author has done their job and hooked me into the story, I usually won’t notice any typos.
I agree, readers who use KU and other library services have nothing to lose if they return a book that doesn’t hold their interest. The more expensive a book, the higher the reader’s expectations will be that they’ve received good value for money.
Reviews and ratings might be influenced by the price and/or reading method. It would make sense to rate all books read in KU (the rating can be set up to automatically update at Goodreads as well as Amazon) to keep track of the books read. I use my Kindle account to track the ebooks I’ve bought vs. unread. The App shows the percentage read if I DNF an ebook.
The clean vs. Christian distinction is a complex issue. Readers want to know the level (or lack of) faith content but sometimes that’s perceived as a criticism of the book. I don’t get why there’s so much angst around this issue and why authors/publishers aren’t spelling out where the book sits. I always include a mention of the faith content in my recommendations for Christian fiction books. In my weekly Preorder Roundup blog posts at my author blog I clarify if it’s Christian book or a clean and wholesome book.
Ironically on the kindle I can rate a book but I read on the app on the computer and I don’t get the option to rate a book. I did review the books as I still liked them but I did make mention of the inconsistencies which other reviewers had mentioned. These were from 2019 – 2021 so plenty of time to correct them. If I have paid the almost $14 a month for KU then I wouldn’t be happy if these where the only books I read in the month.
I personally don’t get the oh its not Christian enough or its to preachy. I want to know more is it written for general market or Christian market. I would prefer not to read books where they are drinking at every meal and other times. or some questionable language etc. It is harder when authors who use to write CF like Courtney Walsh are now writing more General market. I use to read an author who wrote Love Inspired but now writes the sweet clean. While the book was fun (hero scared of cats) I soon found it wasn’t CF. I am not saying the books are not good its not what I am looking for.
I think it is also why sometimes books get reviewed and marked down because someone ended up with a book they don’t normally read and are not expecting what they end up reading.