It's happened again!

[kellymonaghan]

Every couple of years, my Universal guidebook suffers a drive by shooting at Amazon.com. These hit jobs tend to have a number of things in common: 1.) They're nasty; 2.) They're inaccurate; and 3.) They plug a competing book.

Well it's happened again!

Since I know that a lot of people who read these boards have read and used my book and genuinely like it, I'm hoping that some of you will spring to my defense by posting your own honest evaluation of "Universal Orlando, 2007."

Here's a short cut to the Amazon customer review area, with the ID for the book already included:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/write-a-review.html?asin=1887140646

Not only will it help me, but it will help Universal (the competitor the bad "review" plugs is a Disney guide!). Many thanks.

 

[jewell]

Kelly, I will most certainly go and give you a great review, I got your book about a month ago and I'm loving it! When I went to Disney in 2004, I got 'the' Disney book---well sure the Disney book was larger (but Disney is much larger than Universal). I feel as though I got a lot of very useful info from your book, I'm even rereading it now.

Hey, I'm editing this post to say I went and gave your book a review, it's under 'luvmyrott' if you'd like to read it.

 

[kellymonaghan]

Jewell, many thanks!

 

[macraven]

hey kelly.......you have come to the right place for help. you know the UO fans are loyal.


btw, we talked 2 years ago about your book being in the hrh rooms.
well, i stayed in a club suite last time and your book was not there.

contact gm carlton and tell him i want to see your book in my suite for this october........maybe he can put a large order in for your books for each room........that will perk some people up!

 

[Michelina]

I just left a review as well. Your book is great Kelly! It was so helpful for our first trip to Universal and I ran out to buy it again when I started to plan this year's trip.

 

[Cinderella822]

Kelly, I'm going to go post a review also. I bought your book before my first USO trip last year and I keep rereading it. I think it's great and definitely the best book out there for planning a Universal vacation!!

 

[wwessing]

I will also go check out that review, and post one of my own. A few months ago I purchased The Other Orlando as well as Universal Orlando 2007, and plan to purchase another one or two titles off your website closer to our trip. I found them to be helpful and handy to have on hand. I have read each a couple of times; referenced certain sections quite a bit more than that; and will certainly continue using them as tools for some months to come. Hey. . . sounds like I just practiced my review!

 

[keishashadow]

gotcha! Continued best wishes for a job well done. While i am a guidebook groupie (sorta has a ring to it ) & am a big fan of UG, Passporter & the Arondaparks books; i think you have done the best job covering Universal.

-----------------------

This book is an excellent read, comprehensive and well balanced. Not a fluff piece, helped us successfully plan our first trip.

The reviews of the onsite hotels in especially invaluable; along with the information as to reviews/recommendations of the rides.

I collect guidebooks, this is the best dedicated to Universal Orlando.

Even though I have the '05 edition, i'll be ordering the '07 before my trip this summer

 

[AlexandNessa]

Is everyone voting that Danielle's review was "Not helpful?"

I added a comment to her review as well.

 

[dpuck1998]

I gotcha yer back!

 

[lauritagoddess]

Wow, I just picked up the book last week and am in the middle of reading through it now. It's been very helpful to me. I have a bunch of Disney/Orlando books and the sections on Universal are always so puny and not really that helpful. I was so excited when I saw your book last week. I will definitely post a review when I finish reading through it.

 

[Melisa1]

I am posting a great review also. I love your books!

 

[disneyfan67]

To the OP, look at it this way. The negative person that wrote that review caused you to submit your post/new thread. I saw your thread, went to the reviews and then realised I needed your book! I voted Danielle's review not helpful after checking everything out. I decided since I'm going to Universal for my first time July as an add on to my annual Disney vacation, why not? I've learned a lot from these boards ,but it always helpful to a have a guide. I ordered your guide along with the 2007 Unofficial guide to WDW. My book is 5 years old anyway and I need a new one. After I get your book from Amazon and read it, I'll be sure to give it a good review. I look forward to reading and thanks for making me aware it exists.

 

[natenapril]

Can you post a link to your book? I am a newbie to the Orlando area and would love to have a good book on US and IOA

 

[wwessing]

Is everyone voting that Danielle's review was "Not helpful?"

I added a comment to her review as well.

I know I voted "Not Helpful" and posted comments then my own review.

 

[yankeepenny]

Kelly- I just ordered your book.
I am looking forward to it!

 

[goofy!]

added my 5* review. I love your book!

 

[calgarygary]

Kelly I have not read your book so I can not comment on it's value or the accuracy of the reviews. I will however compare the tone of the hatchet job of the 2006 book to the current review. There is no doubt in my mind (or I imagine anyone else's) that the 2006 review was a deliberate hatchet job by a Universal hater/Disney lover. I can picture their trip to US/IOA as one running complaint. However, I do not believe that the 2007 review is of the same vein. The writer brings up what they consider as valid points (whether accurate or not). Please do not lump the 2 reviews together -as an unbiased person, I see them in 2 totally different ways.

 

[bubba's mom]

Is everyone voting that Danielle's review was "Not helpful?"

I added a comment to her review as well.

Yep..... I helped ya out...I your book! It was SO helpful to me!!! (I always "plug" yer book......)

 

[kellymonaghan]

I am so-o-o-o touched by the response.

It's truly overwhelming and a real testament to way the Internet can build community.

I think we all should make an effort to go to Amazon and post a review when we find a book we really like. It means a great deal to the writers, believe me. Most of them aren't making a lot of money. Did you know that 97% of all books published sell fewer than 1,000 copies? Sad, but true.

Your kindness has encouraged me to make a special effort to "pay it forward" for other authors whose work I find fun or helpful.

I'm trying to figure when I'll be able to get back to Orlando to continue work on the next edition. When I carve out a schedule, I'll set up at meet at the Backwater Bar. Drinks on me!

I'm also going to put a photo of me in the next edition!