Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Review of TMB



Though it pains me to admit this, I don't think that The Moment Between is selling very well. It breaks my heart a little--not just because I want to sell books and keep writing, but because this is a book that I put my very soul into. And I believe with all my heart that The Moment Between deals with topics that are worthy of earnest discussion. I can't help feeling like I'm having a one-sided conversation. Boo-hoo for me, eh? ;)

Anyway, I never, NEVER do this, but just this once I'm going to wear my hope on my sleeve (or on my blog, as it were). If you've read TMB and liked it, would you consider posting a review? Or buying an extra copy for a friend? Or recommending it to a book club, your library, or strangers you pass on the street? Would you consider joining my Facebook page? And if you haven't read TMB, maybe you could slip it on your Christmas list in between a resort vacation and new undies... I'm just sayin'. Of course, you can always click on over to B&N, Amazon, or CBD and just buy it yourself.

Yargh. I did it. And I can't help feeling just the tiniest bit smarmy. But I love my job and I want to do it until I'm no longer capable of holding a pen. Only you can make that possible for me. In the words of He-Man: "You have the power!" He-he-he...

I'll leave you with a couple of reviews that I tuck close to my heart. They're lovely, and they're just enough encouragement to keep me striving to write better and better.

"All I have to say is "oh my goodness!" When I picked up the book at Borders yesterday, the first thing I noticed is that Francine Rivers gave it a fabulous review. Knowing Francine to be a beautiful authoress whose pen has blessed me with Truth warped in lyrical words, I decided to buy it. I was taken aback on the first page. I have never read a Christian novel so stunningly written! The lyricism of the words, the emotion welling up in me as I read of Abigail’s painful journey, the stark poetry of describing both joy and pain—wow! So many times people have a stereotype of Christian fiction being simple minded, poorly written, and idyllic. This novel, along with a few others, have broken that stereotype for me--forever. I can only hope our sister writes much more in the years to come." (David Alves, posted on CBD)

"Nicole Baart has dug a knife into the chilling fibers of habitual practices in humans. Stringing obsession, intent to kill, self-mutilation, and mental illness in the same line of thread, Baart crafted a story of redemption, discovering grace, and reconciling forgiveness amongst her heartbreaking tale of two broken sisters and a family unraveling with age. Her writing is lyrical, honest, and daring; her literary approach refreshing. She births characters so powerfully and animatedly, it's hard not to believe they are real, genuine people. Hailey Bennett was perhaps the most crafted and thought-provoking character. Baart welded a harrowing battle of spiritual pursuit within Hailey, that answered every "why" question concerning her motives and actions. Though, psychologically crooked and nonsensical, Hailey is marvelous in her faith and aggression. You'll root for her journey and she will ultimately break your heart, but she initiates a journey for her sister, Abigail, who will find an acceptance and peace that makes up for Hailey's sorrow." (Eleym Beigh, posted on B&N)


8 comments:

  1. Oh, Nicole...I can feel your heartbreak thru the screen. As a reader of this book, I can honestly say that this is one of the few books I have read in my life that I have found myself in over and over and over. It touched my heart and even punctured my soul as it forced me to face parts of me that I don't normally deal with. It is a wonderful book...and I have done my best to pass the word. Anyone who passes it up loses out on something great... I actually gave my copy to my best friend...I posted about her a few weeks ago, but her oldest daughter is bipolar while the youngest tries to find balance in her sister's wake.

    I am sorry for any hurt you are feeling today...but know that I am praying for your heart :)
    Bina

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  2. I will gladly post a review for this book! I LOVED it! Anyone who hasn't read it really really should. I won't be able to "eloquently" review it as those you showed-- although I 100% agree with both of those. I promise you that I tell all of my friends to read this book, and now I will stop loaning it out and make them buy their own! ;)

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  3. I've been poking around on your blog for a while, but this is my first comment. I actually found out about The Moment Between while I was searching on Amazon for some new books to read (I guess based on the kinds of books that are on my Wish List, they gave me a few suggestions!). I read the reviews and ordered it. I haven't started reading it yet (full-time job, two kids, and I just started NaNoWriMo), but I have it sitting in my "to be read book basket" next to my favorite comfy chair. I'm intrigued enough that I bumped it ahead of a few other books that have been sitting in that basket for quite some time :-)

    -Tracy

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  4. You all are so sweet! I don't mean to be so whiny. In fact, I'm not nearly as blue as this post suggests. The sun is shining, my windows are clean (I LOVE sparkly-clean windows) and I'm working on a project that I'm really excited about... But I can't help feeling like TMB fell between the cracks somehow. And maybe it did. That wouldn't be the end of the world, either. You win some, you lose some. Anyway, I just thought I'd step out on the proverbial limb and ask (friend to friend) if you'd consider reading and/or recommending my book. You all are awesome. :)

    Thanks for saying "hi," Tracy. Great to hear from you.

    Hugs,
    Nicole

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  5. Just by reading TMB you can tell how soulful it is, and you can definitely see your passion for the characters and their stories between the lines. There's absolutely no doubt you've written a wonderful book. I've recommended it to the same person I don't know how many times, and I recommended it to my cousin who read Leaves and Snow (and really like them might I add), and went out and bought TMB. I was even there with her when she did it! I think a big problem with readers today is they have this preconceived idea of Christian Lit they can't get passed; and it's sad because I've read some really awesome Christian Lit books. But I will continue to recommend onward to my friends because I know what it's like to throw yourself into your writing passionately and not get the gratitude it deserves. Just remember, it's all in God's hands. :) He knows your writing is beautiful, he gave you the talent! Just keep pressing on and don't give up. I know you can sell! ;)

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  6. Don't feel smarmy!! I am so totally going to buy another copy and donate it to my library (I can't donate MY copy, because I like the book too much, and plus so many pages are earmarked with great love). I believe in this book,Nicole! It's one of my most favorites. I'll continue to spread the word, because I believe in you too!

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  7. Nicole,

    I want you to know that I recently went out and purchased a copy of TMB. I didn't do it to help boost your sales, but because I believe that God doesn't fuel a passion without having an intended purpose for it.
    Sure, Nicole Baart being a best seller would be wonderful. But, wouldn't it be even greater knowing that the one or one hundred copies that did sale had such a profound impact on the reader that they threw themselves into the arms of Christ as a result of reading your work?
    I think that is God's purpose for those He equips to tell His stories. He feeds them passion and fills them with a desire to communicate His stories.
    From what I've read so far, it is clear that God has equipped you to serve a purpose. Your works will find their way into the right hands. 1,000, 10,000 or 50,000+ hands...who knows? But, I as well as many others believe in you and your commitment to tell His stories.

    Keep Your Eyes High,

    JDV

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  8. J. David,

    You are so right. Thank you for speaking words that I needed to hear. Before I got my publishing contract, I very happily claimed that I would write forever--even if the only audience who ever enjoyed my books was an audience of one: God. And I can say in all honesty that I truly, deeply felt that way, and I found joy just in knowing that I wrote for him and him alone. It's so easy to get sidetracked, isn't it? Suddenly there are (hopefully) more contracts to sign, marketing plans to approve, reviewers to wow, readers to connect with, and, of course, sales to worry about. I'm ashamed to admit that I do get swept up in it from time to time. I appreciate people who are willing to tell me: get over yourself. Because you are right... God's purpose may not be my own, but it will always be infintely better than anything I could ever imagine with my temporal, human mind.

    Thanks.

    Working on refocusing,
    Nicole

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