The “100 THINGS WE ALL WONDER ABOUT NONNIE JULES” Blog Tour Day #4

 

I am very pleased to welcome Nonnie Jules President of Rave Reviews Book Club as part of her The 100 Things We All Wonder About Blog Tour. Nonnie has some special prizes for you.

GIVEAWAYS:
(2) $10 Amazon Gift Cards
(1) $5 Amazon Gift Card
(2) e-book copies of “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE…

ULTIMATE PRIZE GIVEAWAY #1:
Anyone who purchases a copy of “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE…” “DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND” or “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC” and send to me a copy of the purchase receipt to nonniejules@gmail.com, and also leave a comment along the tour, will get their name entered into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card! One entry for each book that is purchased, whether in e-book or paperback format. Purchases must take place between 2/14/16 – 2/29/16. If you’ve already purchased all of my books, then feel free to gift a friend, just for the chance to win!!! Spend a little, and you could win a lot!!!

ULTIMATE PRIZE GIVEAWAY #2:
Anyone who reads and posts a review of “THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE…“DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND” or “IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC” and sends the link to their review to nonniejules@gmail.com, will get their name entered into a drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card! One entry for each book read and reviewed. Reviews must be posted between 2/16/16 – 3/15/16 to be placed into the drawing.

Nonnie has agreed to answer some questions about herself and the club so let’s get started.
Q: You are the well-respected President and Founder of the very successful RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB. Tell us why you founded the club and the vision you have for the club going forward?
A: John, that’s a great question and thank you so much for that compliment. Anytime you are referred to as being “well-respected,” I mean, that’s a tough act to follow, but I try my best. I initially founded RAVE REVIEWS BY NONNIE JULES as a way to offer readers an insight into “truthful” reviews. I had been reading so many reviews that were 4 and 5 star raves, that were pure trash (sorry, Bette Stevens) and I couldn’t believe it. I know that some say that “Just because I didn’t like it, doesn’t mean that it’s trash.” There is a word that I would insert here for those that say that and ARE reading pure trash but won’t say so, but I’m not going to use that word, as kids might be reading this interview. What I will say is this…there are some who are true connoisseurs of the written word, and they know when writing is good or bad, and then, there are the others. YES, I SAID THAT! And I didn’t stutter when I did, for those gasping because I had the nerve to say that. So, back to answering the question, I wanted to give those who were truly interested in honest reviews, a place to find those books, listed on my site.
Then, one day in December, I had a thought that I could take this concept a step further by offering a place where others could also feel safe in sharing “very truthful,” honest reviews. That’s when I went after those awesome supporters that I had connected with online (my initial board members: Bruce A. Borders, Shirley Harris-Slaughter, Lynette Creswellyn, Kathryn C. Treat, Beem Weeks, etc.), who I knew would be just as interested in helping authors get more honest reviews, as well as pushing support for others, as that was unimaginable at that time. Hence, we now have the wonderful RRBC!
The vision that I have for RRBC going forward, is to grow the base of supporters that we have now, the truly uber-supporters that we have, into a pool of support so large, that to be a “real” author, you will HAVE TO BE A MEMBER of RRBC. The other ideas that I have for the club, well, John, this question has already turned into a full-page book. I’d advise you all to stay tuned for more of the awesome things my mind cooks up late at night (when I should be sleeping), for RRBC!

Q: If you had to do it all over again what changes would you make in founding RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB?
A: If I had to do this all over again (and thank goodness I don’t!), I would have the wisdom to select a panel of board members from the beginning who were truly worthy of being called to serve the membership of this great club, and I would still have those same board members today, and some I do have. BUT, if I hadn’t kissed a few frogs along the way, as they say, then I wouldn’t have gotten the great group I’m blessed to work with today, like you, John!

Q: Thank you Nonnie. Although you are very busy, what gives you joy when you are not working?
A: I love what I do so much, I love feeling as if I’m being of service to others so much, as that’s not the norm, that question is hard to answer! Now, don’t get me wrong, I love downtime, even more-so now than ever, and I certainly don’t enjoy being overwhelmed, which at this moment I am, but I love my work. I also love my family dearly, because they give me the space to work, but when I’m not working (which is hardly ever), I enjoy writing; I enjoy reading; I enjoy exercising; I enjoy running on my treadmill while I catch up on my episodes of the Young & The Restless, which as of today, I’m on the episode from February 2. I’m not one of those who has to be out. I love my beautiful home. It’s peaceful and serene; most often it’s quiet these days, but honestly, if I didn’t have two of the busiest daughters in the world, I’d stay locked up in my home, writing, reading, and exercising while watching The Real Housewives of anything and Y&R!
Q: What is your personal motto and how did it become so?
A: John, I have so many and you can find most of them on my site at www.BooksByNonnie.wordpress.com (under Quotes by Nonnie). My personal favorite, which is being used all over the world by individuals and sites such as Shiny Quote, Best Quotes Library, Quoting.com, and organizations such as Spotlight Youth Theatre, AnonymousGood.org, and is also noted on a list of famous quotes with The Pope, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ghandi, is “A tiny spark ignites a flame, just as a helping hand can do the same.” I live by that. I truly believe that for us to be successful, we have to push each other, stand on each other’s shoulders and lift each other up as we climb. Not the opposite.
You know, when I first started in this business, it was so hard trying to get others to help me, or even to answer questions for me. I guess they were all of the mindset that we had to be in competition with one another. But, that was OK, because a lot of what I learned, I taught myself. I remember wanting to go on a blog tour, and almost everyone that I asked turned me down. One even tipped into my DM on Twitter and said basically that I was new here, and it wasn’t appropriate for me to go around asking for help the way that I was. She said “I’ve been here a long time, and you have to pay your dues here before anyone will help you.” Basically, in her mind, I was a nobody, and no one knew my name so no one would help me. I thought “Really?” Well, a while ago, she applied for membership to RRBC, and of course, got her name on our roster, did nothing for anyone else, actually, we never heard from her since the day she joined, and then she left. The irony of that story is, I’m sure lots of folks know the name Nonnie Jules now, and for the life of me, even if I tried, I couldn’t recall her name to share it with you. We must all remember, the same faces you step on climbing to the top, are the same faces you’ll see on your way falling down. “There are only two classes of people, the movers and shakers and the sitters and takers” ~ Nonnie Jules original

Q: If you could grant your followers one gift, what would it be?
A: If I could grant my followers a gift, only one, it would be a lifetime of love, happiness and the feeling of joy that overwhelms you when you take the focus off you for a while and put it on someone else. Those would be my gifts, all wrapped up in one! Thanks so much for having me, John!
To follow Nonnie’s tour to get more of your questions answered, please visit her Blog Tour Page on the 4WillsPub site http://wp.me/P43s9i-FEw. Thanks for stopping by today and good luck on winning some of these great prizes!

CONTACT NONNIE VIA:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nonniejules
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BooksByNonnie
Blogs: www.nonniewrites.wordpress.com , www.BooksByNonnie.wordpress.com & www.AskTheGoodMommy.wordpress.com

 

Nonnie’s Books

 

TRAILER:
“THE GOOD MOMMIES’ GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS,” https://youtu.be/zg15rptFN2g

 

 

“DAYDREAM’S DAUGHTER, NIGHTMARE’S FRIEND,”

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/qbUK3XQ5-dA

“SUGARCOATIN’ IS FOR CANDY & PACIFYIN’ IS FOR KIDS,”

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/fQBnt0wix88

“IF ONLY THERE WAS MUSIC,

TRAILER: https://youtu.be/g2gNns8ZVFI

96 comments

  1. I wanted to be the first one here today to thank all of you in advance for your support of my tour, as well as you supporting John’s blog site, by stopping by. Looking forward to your comments, as John loves those, don’t you John??? Have fun, everyone!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do love the comments and as you can imagine sometimes they are quite entertaining. Thanks for the stop Nonnie.

      Like

      1. Thank you for the host, John H.!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. You are so welcome. Anytime.

        Like

  2. I’m afraid I completely disagree that there is any such thing as “good” or “bad” writing. “Enjoyable” or “interesting”, yes; “not engaging” or “difficult to get into”, yes, but I wouldn’t be so presumptuous to declare something that a writer has taken the time to write and publish is “bad”, just because it didn’t grab me.
    There are no rules to writing, in exactly the same way that there are no rules in art, movies, music or photography.
    All creative endeavours are totally subjective, otherwise Lord of the Rings, Queen’s entire back catalogue, anything starring Tom Cruise and every opera ever written would have to be labelled as “rubbish” because I don’t like them.

    This is why I almost always ignore reviews; I have no way of knowing what agenda or bias the reviewer has (and let’s not kid ourselves, everyone has their own bias and prejudices and there is no way to avoid them getting in the way of an “honest” opinion) and I’m not going to risk missing out on something I might absolutely love, on the strength of someone else’s dislike of something.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Certainly, there is good and bad writing – in every genre! Some books are rife with errors in spelling and grammar. Some ‘writers’ can’t structure a paragraph or a chapter effectively. Some have no clue how to develop a plot or a character effectively. This has absolutely nothing to do with taste in books, art, music, etc! But the real point which you seemed to have missed is that there are too many people involved in a type of ‘review swapping’ where they feel they have to give an author a very good review because they got a good review from that same author. And then there are those who are afraid to call a spade a spade. Every Indie writer needs honest, constructive reviews so they can grow and improve.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I still say that all of those “opinions” as to what makes a book (or, yes; music, films, etc) worthy of praise or not are just that, opinions.
        Just because someone once made up some arbitrary rules about what makes something “well written”, does not mean we all have to take their ideas as gospel.

        The entire American version of the English language, such as it is, is full of spelling errors, but I don’t automatically consign every book written in the American idiom to the “badly written” book pile because of it.
        I have no insight into how people review others’ work, nor am I able to say whether they are engaging in reciprocal “good” reviews, or whether they are being honest or just diplomatic.
        Also, how am I to tell if a so called constructive critique of my work by someone is actually accurate? As far as I know, they might have as little (or less) of an idea of what constitutes a “good” book as I do, so why should I take their word for it?
        There are thousands of best-selling books published every year that I wouldn’t read if you paid me, but are enjoyed by millions of readers daily, does that mean the books are “good” and I’m wrong?
        No, it’s all opinion.

        A book can also have absolutely no errors of spelling, grammar or structure in it and yet still not be an entertaining read. Would that be a good or bad book?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Interesting take Dale. You have hit all the points of the good vs bad writing debate. Thanks for your perspective. (I loved the comment about American spelling errors. :-D)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. You know me, I love a “good” or a “bad” debate, it doesn’t matter to me. ;~}

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yes. I know you.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Thank you for the comments John.

        Like

      6. John F., I agree whole-heartedly with every syllable! Just because Amazon has given us all the platform, doesn’t mean everyone should attempt to stand on it. Either you can hold your own, or you cannot. My point, is that writing isn’t for everyone. Yes, everyone can put pen to paper and write something, but everyone can’t write a great story or tale that the world wants to read…and write it well. On this basis, I think it’s safe to say instead, that everyone has “ideas.” And if they’d like to share those ideas, maybe they should enlist the help of those more schooled in the area of writing.

        My issue is that we have so many who put “trash” out onto the market, and it reflects poorly on the rest of us. Are there traditionally published authors who also fall into this category? Yes, most definitely! Some are on the New York Times Best Sellers list! Even I know enough to know that all it takes to become a bestseller on some of these lists, is that tons of people have to run out and buy your book. This is the main reason my Twitter bio says that I’d like to become a bestselling author, not based on the numbers, but based on good writing. That’s when it counts the most.

        Just as I, along with millions of others, can’t waltz into an operating room and perform surgery on someone, everyone can’t write. Let’s stop Sugarcoatin’ it. It’s something I don’t do. Writing isn’t for everyone. I live by this motto: What is meant for me will be mine and what is not, will be for someone else. So there you have it…the main reason I’m not a brain surgeon…it’s for someone else!

        Thanks for your input, John F.!

        Liked by 1 person

      7. I have to join you in this opinion Nonnie. You don’t hear me saying, “Number two suture please.”

        Like

      8. Oh, and John F. kicked off this tour so why don’t you all visit his place for some entertainment, too! http://fiorabooks.com/the-100-things-we-all-wonder-about-nonnie-jules-blog-tour/

        Like

    2. Well, Dale, that’s why we all have opinions. I have mine and you have yours. And although I will stand by mine, I will not try and convince you to change yours. Thanks for stopping by the tour!

      Liked by 2 people

  3. Honest reviews are the only kind worth reading. There is bad writing out there that you can still enjoy (and not ironically) because the story’s compelling, just as there is technically great writing that bores you rigid… The trick to being honest with reviews is to say why you didn’t like it in a constructive way. Reviews are just opinions in the end – read ’em or not, but if you do then the honest ones will help you grow and improve!
    Great stuff again Nonnie and John 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for stopping Jan. Good comments.

      Like

    2. Jan, is there really a trick to being honest in your reviews? Really? LOL! Thanks for stopping by, love!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Excellent answers to significant questions! Thanks for hosting, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My pleasure. Thanks for stopping by John.

      Like

    1. Thank you, Charles.

      Like

    2. Thanks for the re-blog, Charles!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Good stuff! Wishing you joy and happiness today!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the visit Jenny.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. The best wish you could wish for someone, Jenny! Ditto and Thank you!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. thank you for the reblog Gerald.

      Like

    2. Thanks for stopping by, Gerald!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Great interview. Thanks for sharing these insights.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the visit Don.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
    Meet Nonnie Jules on her blog tour and it is day four and she is with John Howell on his blog.

    Like

    1. Thanks for the re-blog, Smorgas!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. My thanks as well Sally.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Annette Rochelle Aben · ·

    what fun! off to check out your books!

    Like

    1. Thanks, Annette! You support a lot at RRBC, but I don’t think you’re a member, are you? You should definitely join us! wp.me/P49Fi9-8X And today would be perfect as it’s our Recruitment Day! Tell them John H. sent you if you decide to!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ha ha ha. Or Nonnie Jules convinced you to join.

        Like

  9. I’m so happy that Nonnie is doing this Blog Tour. I’ve reblogged on my blog at http://www.jastinger.com. I can’t wait to finish reading your books, Nonnie!

    Like

    1. Thank you, Jennifer! You’re such a supportive sweetheart!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Great blog post John! More fascinating questions and answers. It’s great to see all of the support Nonnie has on this tour.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes it is. Thanks Lizzie.

      Like

    2. Yes, Lizzie! These are all my people! My support entourage! Thanks for supporting me, Lizzie! You’re simply awesome! Guys, Lizzie hosted me this week, too. Did you all get to stop by her awesome place? http://wp.me/p4fsnI-fv

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Thank you for featuring Nonnie, John. This was fascinating to read. I believe our intentions have the power to create, as is obvious in how Nonnie’s intentions (of providing selfless support to writers) have resulted in an amazing book club.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Awww, Gwen, you’re just the sweetest! Thanks!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Nonnie, I’m enjoy every step along this tour. Answering questions that everyone wonders about was such a perfect idea! John, thank you so much for hosting. I always enjoy stopping by your blog.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It is always nice to have you stop Rhani. I have to wonder where my white wine goes though.

      Like

      1. Oh… You noticed that, did you? And here I thought I was being so sneaky! 😊

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Oh, dear Rhani, we’re just getting started! The questions (and responses) get better and better at each stop! Have you all stopped by Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko’s stop today? She’s hosting me as well! http://wp.me/P4Bj3b-s4 Thanks for the visit, Rhani!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog and commented:
    John Howell presents Nonnie Jules on “100 THINGS WE ALL WONDER ABOUT NONNIE JULES” BLOG TOUR DAY #4

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Kim for the reblog.

      Like

      1. You’re welcome, John! It’s my pleasure.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks for the re-blog, Kim C.!

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Shirley Harris-Slaughter · ·

    I take the time to read this blog because I am truly enjoying the Q&As. It is an idea whose time has come. Thank you Nonnie for sharing and you John for hosting.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Shirley for the nice words

      Like

    2. An idea whose time has come? I like that, Ms. Shirley! Thanks for dropping by!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Good discussion of a hot topic. Thanks to Nonnie and Dale for sharing strong insights.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Gordon!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you Gordon. I agree with you.

        Like

    2. Thank you for visiting Gordon.

      Like

  16. I really love this idea of lifting each other up. It’s so true that kindness and generosity goes a long way. Even honest criticism in a review can be kind in the long run.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great comment. Thank you

      Like

  17. Great post! I agree that reviews are just opinions, but I also believe there is such as thing as bad writing. I can’t get into a book that has repetitive descriptions or is full of unnecessary scenes that do nothing to move the story forward.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for stopping by and the comment.

      Like

  18. Nonnie, I love this quote: “We must all remember, the same faces you step on climbing to the top, are the same faces you’ll see on your way falling down.” You are a great model of lifting others up!
    Thank you, John, for hosting!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Rebecca for the visit.

      Like

  19. I love this interview, John! Nonnie, I love that you live by the motto: “A tiny spark ignites a flame, just as a helping hand can do the same.” You are such a good example of persistence and vision!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Robin for the comment and the visit.

      Like

  20. Great to learn more about you Nonnie! Hope the tooth is getting better too! Hey John, nicely done! And Kim (or anyone)… can you shoot me a message on how to reblog? Just learning about WP.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. At the bottom of the post you want to reblog is a button (to the left) titled reblog. Click on it and then you have an opportunity to add your comments. Hope this helps.

      Like

  21. Such an inspiring lady, you are!! John, thank you so much for sharing your blog with us today and allowing us to learn more about Nonnie.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. My pleasure Mar.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. These Q & A tour stops are quite interesting. We’re all learning a little more about our fearless leader! Thanks for hosting, John!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the visit Beem

      Like

  23. Lots of interesting opinions here.
    Thanks for sharing everyone.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank to you also Wendy.

      Like

  24. John, thanks for hosting Nonnie and for the interesting debate..Nonnie is adamant in her views which I respect as well as her ongoing quest to help writers and others and by her example; teaching them to do the same.

    The review opinions are mostly on Amazon reviews which are actually customer comments. We need these because customers buy our books but one should only take a review seriously from a professional reviewer. I reviewed on Amazon and was approached by NYJB, a professional review site. There are rules and regulations for a real review. Mu problem is that some books are written well, I just don’t like them, thrillers for one. My site teaches that the reviewer can only review books with topics they are closely familiar with. And the reviewer is to review the writing skills of the writer, along with a short summary, in essay form, with no “I'”s allowed, as in, “I just loved this book.”.

    My review site reviews best sellers almost conclusively and the books are shipped to me from the publisher.It’s easy to give a bad honest review to a best seller, but harder to a writer with talent who might one day become a best seller.. On Amazon reviews my biggest worry is that the book is good but not my style–no fault of the author, so I tend to only review books in genre’s I do like..

    Keep in mind there are a lot of best sellers that are as bad or worse than anything on Amazon.So it is a good idea to only review books in categories you like and to ask yourself, is this book good, or am I just not in the mood for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you haven’t reviewed any of my books then. They are thrillers. Thanks for the visit Micki.

      Like

  25. I know, John and I am hoping when the afib is gone, I can try one of yours. You just don’t seem the type to write really gory thrillers. I reviewed a lot of Patterson, whom I like but he suddenly got really terrifying. Can’t have my heart racing one even with erotica romance.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Mine are mild. The last one got one of my Beta readers to say she was exhausted with so many thrills. (no gore) so you better stay away.

      Like

  26. […] John FioravantiMonday, 2/15/16: Harmony Kent Tuesday, 2/16/16: Lizzie Chantree Wednesday, 2/17/16: John Howell  AND Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko Thursday, 2/18/16: Gwen Plano AND Book Review w/Janelle Jalbert Friday, […]

    Liked by 1 person

  27. We’ll see. I’m on a new med which brought the afib into line, albeit a lot of nasty side effects. I haven’t been able to read much of anything lately.That’s the lyme, but for the first time I see a light at the end of the tunnel–no, not leaving for eternity, just giving me hope.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Thank you Nonnie. Your answers are very calming, and the questions very insightful. More grease! Thank you John H for hosing.her.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for the visit, Joy

      Like

  29. […] Fioravanti Monday, 2/15/16: Harmony Kent Tuesday, 2/16/16: Lizzie Chantree Wednesday, 2/17/16: John Howell  AND Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko Thursday, 2/18/16: Gwen Plano AND Book Review w/Janelle Jalbert Friday, […]

    Liked by 1 person