How many times have we been told: Know your strengths, but also know your weaknesses. I happen to think I write reasonably well... well enough to claim it as a strength, at any rate. But I also know I suck at self-promotion. When it comes to social media, the “social” tends to disappear. What that means, of course, is that I am not now nor will I ever likely be on the New York Times bestseller’s list.
I recently heard a lecture at a SouthWest Writer’s meeting expound on this subject. This was a very respected and successful local author who works almost as hard at promoting his books as he does writing them. His intent was to inspire the rest of us writers and provide some very helpful procedures to allow us to emulate his success. Alas, all he did was convince me that I am constitutionally unable to promote myself. He did, however, make one suggestion that I found interesting. “If you have reviews of your works, post them on your website." Eureka! I have reviews. So I’m not writing this post. Five other people are... individuals who come from the ranks of the finest people in my world—readers!
Below are the last five reviews posted to Amazon on THE ZOZOBRA INCIDENT and THE BISTI BUSINESS. As regular readers know, DSP Publications has picked up this series, and Zozobra is to be reborn sometime in September with Bisti coming about four months later. And then, THE CITY OF ROCKS will see the light of day for the first time about four months after Bisti is released.
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The gay PI, B.J. Vinson, takes us around the desert country of New Mexico to solve the case of a missing young man from California who is traveling with his lover. For anyone who lives in or has visited New Mexico, the desert landscape offers a challenge to anyone caught unprepared for the relentless heat. Don Travis puts you in the action and you feel you are there. "The Bisti Business" will have you convinced of whodunit before you find out you hung your hat on a red herring. And there are plenty of them. This is a book that keeps you wanting more. You won't be able to put it down until everything is known. This is Don Travis' second novel following "The Zozobra Incident." Read that one first so you have a feel for the characters when they are introduced again in the "The Bisti Business."
Don Travis is my new favorite author. I look forward to his next mystery.
Love having gay detective series where I can go on new adventures with good plots and realistic stories. I will be looking for more of this series.
Very suspenseful. Some alluded to sex, but nothing graphic. Compelling read for me, enjoyed the conclusion, though the author could have spent a bit more time closing it all down. To read about the trial, and the others bits of story line would have been a great way to wrap it all nice & tidy.
Don Travis writes a
colorful, tightly constructed mystery. For anyone interested in New Mexico, he
peppers his story with fascinating information about the cultural and
historical foundations of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The Zozobra Incident is a
very good first offering from Travis and will make you anxious for more.
Of the two books I read by
Don Travis, this was the better. The setting is interesting and the
characters appealing.
*****
I hope this was of some interest to you. Keep on reading, guys. Feel free to contact me at dontravis21@gmail.com.
New Posts published at 6:00 a.m. each Thursday.
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