Good writing and good characterization (which doesn't necessarily mean that the character is good.)

Plot holes don't bother me as much if I have that though I hate when a character is made to do something stupid so that the plot can advance.

And once I know and like an author, I will pretty much read anything they write.

I loved Moss and feel that the introduction was essential to his character. If that is going to lose a reader, the reader probably isn't going to like much that you write.