Books & Java

Center of Gravity 

 

by Laura McNeill 

 

Synopsis:

Her whole life, Ava Carson has been sure of one thing: she doesn’t measure up to her mother’s expectations. So when Mitchell Carson sweeps into her life with his adorable son, the ready-made family seems like a dream come true. In the blink of an eye, she’s married, has a new baby, and life is wonderful. Or is it?

When her picture-perfect marriage begins unraveling at the seams, Ava convinces herself she can fix it. It’s temporary. It’s the stress. It’s Mitchell’s tragic history of loss.

If only Ava could believe her own excuses. Mitchell is no longer the charming, thoughtful man she married. He grows more controlling by the day, revealing a violent jealous streak. His behavior is recklessly erratic, and the unanswered questions about his past now hint at something far more sinister than Ava can stomach. Before she can fit the pieces together, Mitchell files for divorce and demands full custody of their boys.

Fueled by fierce love for her children and aided by Graham Thomas, a new attorney in town, Ava takes matters into her own hands, digging deep into the past. But will finding the truth be enough to beat Mitchell at his own game?

Center of Gravity weaves a chilling tale, revealing the unfailing and dangerous truth that things—and people—are not always what they seem.

About Laura McNeill:

 

Laura McNeill is the author of CENTER OF GRAVITY. When she is not running, reading or drinking coffee- she is hard at work on her next book. Look for SISTER DEAR on 4/19/16

Social Media:

• Website
• Twitter: @LauraMcNeillBks
• Facebook 

Guest Post by Laura McNeill on Negative Reviews:

 

Being an author takes great courage. Writing is a leap of faith, an act of laying open your heart and soul, of sharing your innermost hopes, fears, and dreams with the world.

Whether it’s taken a year—or ten—to perfect your story, it’s likely that your work has become a large part of you. You’ve carefully constructed the perfect setting, polished dialogue, and developed intricate twists and turns to keep your readers turning pages. The characters you’ve created have become like friends—loved ones who’ve broken your heart, made you laugh, cry, or cheer.

And despite the accolades from friends and family who’ve read your first, second, and tenth drafts, it’s still unnerving to hit the publish button and send your book out into the universe.

The reality is this. While it’s lovely to dream about receiving hundreds of glowing five-star reviews, no author can please everyone. Writers are vulnerable to the cruelest of criticism, deserved or not. Even the bestselling authors of much-beloved books aren’t immune.

Here are just a few examples from Amazon: 

"This collection of books is really, really terrible and boring, and I wouldn't wish the task of reading in on my worst enemy." - The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien 

"I was bored out of my mind from start to finish. With every turn of the page, I thought it'd get better, thinking surely something interesting had to happen or else people wouldn't be so obsessed with it." - The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins 

“It was one of the most boring and shallow books that I have ever read.” —The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald 

“If I were you, I’d peruse it briefly at your neighborhood library before putting hard-earned money out.” —A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L’Engle

I can share from experience that the first few scathing reviews I received made me cry. The comments made me question my worthiness as a writer. One review, in particular, actually caused me to doubt my abilities, and gave me reason, albeit temporarily, to think about quitting the author business altogether.

After a glass of wine, commiserating with writer friends, and gaining some perspective, here are a few lessons I’ve learned and applied going forward: 

1.  You can’t please everyone 

Let’s face it, if it was easy to write a book that everyone loved, every author would make the New York Times bestseller list. Sometimes, authors receive negative reviews because readers don't like the subject matter. Perhaps they were expecting something else. Or they think you needed more romance, less violence, or a different ending.

Sometimes, a review has nothing to do with the book. In today’s digital world, anyone with a smartphone gets a say on social media and the online marketplace. A reader may give you a negative review because your publisher priced your e-book too high, because he or she disliked your book cover, or because your novel could have been shorter or longer. The point is, everyone has an opinion, and everyone can share them, right or wrong. 

2. Learn from your mistakes

Reviews can be good learning opportunities. Helpful criticism stands to make us all better writers. If the review posted contains valid information –typos, inaccurate information, inconsistencies in the story’s timeline, etc.—make notes and be much more careful with the next novel.

3.  Readers are smart

If you've already accumulated some positive reviews, one negative review is not going to destroy your book's credibility or have a negative effect on sales.
Smart readers may peruse reviews, but they’ll also download and check out a book’s sample content, talk to other avid readers, and decide on a book’s merit for themselves.

4.  Disregard the haters

Though it might be tempting to defend yourself and your book after a particularly inflammatory review or offensive rant, the best practice is simply not to respond or engage.

At the end of the day, remember that reviews are largely meant to help other readers. While it’s certainly possible to learn from your book’s reviews, remember that reading every review is time that could be spent working on the next book.

Finally, Focus on the positive. Take time to celebrate your stellar reviews. Share them on social media. Post them on your bedroom wall as a reminder and an incentive to keep writing. And, if you know someone who’s bought your book and genuinely liked your work, don’t be shy! Ask that person to post an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, or BN.com.

Books & Java's Review of Center of Gravity: 

 

Somewhat of a cautionary tale about the importance of really knowing the person you wish to marry and share your life and heart with. This story brought me chills. I think most people (not just women, I'm sure) have known someone who turns out to be completely different than who they claim to be. Add the stress of children, managing a household and then suddenly a request for divorce. All of these situations compound and develop very quickly in McNeill's Center of Gravity. A man (Mitchell) with a very dark but hidden past becomes the nightmare husband and father. He is jealous and possessive, so much so that he even envies the love of his children for his wife, Ava. He is paranoid to the point of inventing situations in which his faithful and loving wife is being dishonest and unfaithful to him. He takes his anger out on his wife by depriving her of her children. As a respected and highly educated member of the community, it is easy for him to appear as the victim of an ugly custody and divorce. He sets up situations to make Ava appear to be the aggressor. All, in an effort to avenge her and the self-professed wrongs he claims she has done to him.

The story develops through the viewpoint of the oldest of their two kids, 8 year-old Jack. Graham, Ava's lawyer. Lucy, the court-assigned psychologist. As well as Mitchell and Ava as the main characters. The writing is fast-paced and the situations develop very quickly. There are twists throughout the story and a very relevant tie-in using superhero stories that Jack uses as an 8 year-old who is trying to make sense of his very adult circumstances. McNeill focuses on the strength of a mother's love of her children to go to any lengths to protect them. She also incorporates the relevant topic of gun-ownership by seemingly "responsible" people who appear as such but may turn and now have access to a gun and would be willing to use it against the innocent.

Good, quick read that will make you think about whether you really know the people you trust with your children and sometimes even your life.