I like the images, but I think I would like them more with less post-processing.
My own bias is in favor of exaggeration only when I am convinced that it adds to the mood of the image.
But do keep trying. If you like them, you will some day find a techniques that feels just right for you. There are a couple of people who post often on this forum that post images that are far from "straight," and that work very well (even for a stubborn old mule like me).
Eric