This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
You don’t have to be a writer to know the angst of reading a bad review. I’ve worked in restaurants and own a business which sells oysters around the world. I work tirelessly to produce a food which is the best of the best and confidently send out over 1 million oysters every year, proud of what me and my team have produced. Even so, I still see the odd review calling my oysters rubbish or not fresh. It’s hard to read as I know their review isn’t a true reflection of what I’ve farmed. It can be even harder not to respond to their review.
But that’s the thing, never respond.
As a newly published writer I was buzzing from the thought of seeing my book on bookshelves, but also seeing people having not only read my book but be happy to take the time to review it. I did a Masters in Creative Writing and I know how hard it was to take the time to read friends’ creative pieces, let alone give feedback. So, if someone is willing to take the time out of their day to read something I’ve written, well, that was humbling and amazing.
I forgot that some people would be taking the time out and then wishing they hadn’t.
I read my first bad review around friends because they were able to make light of it and also put it in perspective. They reminded me that I have a lot more great reviews than bad ones and also, no-one will ever avoid a bad review. Sometimes, people will just think what you create isn’t very good.
And that’s okay.
I don’t want to experience a wave of bad reviews, but sometimes the bad ones help with keeping you grounded and reminding you that writing is a skill which takes patience and practice. A bad review helps sharpen the skills.
Well, I tell myself that after I have little sob.
It is the year 2030, and the Roman Empire never fell. Emperor Nero II rules half the world, but half the world is not enough for the unpredictable Emperor.
Britannia is a Roman outpost. London Bridge is lined with crucified bodies. The streets are patrolled by soldiers in high-speed, horseless chariots. Nero views Britannia as a vital but fractious asset for his planned invasion of the Republic of Indigenous America.
Boatman King was born out of rage. A rage that propels him to try and destroy the Empire. He’s not alone: he leads clandestine rebels fighting to drive the Empire from Britannia. These rebels are his weapon, which he hopes will obliterate Nero and the entire Empire.
Rebellion, though, comes at a steep price. Olivia, Boatman’s wife, is caught and crucified on London Bridge by Nero’s son, Maximus, who is intent on flushing Boatman from hiding.
Instead, Maximus draws Maverick ‘The Beast’ Kirabo, Boatman’s fearsome second-in-command, a champion gladiator who now fights for Rome’s dismay, not their entertainment.
Enjoy an Excerpt
“Soldier Gallus and Soldier Marius, I need you to accompany me to my home.” Both soldiers saluted and followed Faust to his chariot. Faust climbed on and sat down at the rear. Gallus remained standing whilst Marius fired the engine. The bulletproof glass roof closed over the soldiers’ heads and sealed the chariot. They sped off away from London Bridge going south to Augustus Park where Faust’s house was situated.
Within fifteen minutes Faust was striding through his front door, gun drawn and Gallus and Marius flanking. The town house had three floors, six bedrooms in total and an airy, open-plan ground floor. Each soldier took a floor and searched. They quickly cleared the rooms, finding no-one present and nothing out of the ordinary to report.
They convened in the kitchen, and Faust holstered his gun.
“Maybe we beat them to it?” said Marius.
Faust grunted and didn’t bother to respond. He knew something wasn’t right in the house but could quite place it. He needed to walk through and check it off. He’d only searched the ground floor but something didn’t make sense.
“I need you both to stand guard outside. Anyone so much as approaches the house suspiciously I want you to shoot them. If anyone is allowed access to the house without my permission, I will crucify you both upside down. Understand?”
Both men nodded and saluted and left the house to take sentry out the front.
About the Author: 
Tom was born in Essex and at 4 months old he and his identical twin were adopted into an oyster farming family. Tom now runs the business as generation eight of Haward oyster farmers. He has a fiancée, baby daughter and a cockapoo.
Tom has an MA in Creative Writing and has loved telling stories since he was a child, whether verbally or through prose.
The Path of Chaos is his debut novel. He is also working on a six episode comedy screenplay and tweets passionately about his family’s industry and the challenges it faces.
Buy the book at Amazon.
Thanks for hosting!
I like the cover art. Looks amazing.
Sounds like a great story.