Forbidden Passions are Amazing!

While forbidden passions really can be amazing, in this case I'm talking specifically about the blog called Forbidden Passions. Catie has been sweet enough to take the time to read and review Reluctance.

Here's some of what Catie had to say: "Reluctance is a short story but I found myself just as involved in this story as I would be with a full scale novel. I liked the characters and I did not feel rushed in any way while reading this short story. Even though it is only 54 pages there is a clear beginning, middle and an end to this story."

If you want to read her whole - and very kind and generous - review, you can here. Thanks to Catie and the Forbidden Passions blog!

Why I Love March

There are many reasons March is becoming my favorite month. Here are some of them:

• March is the beginning of the end of winter, and the beginning of spring, which means soon it will be summer, and who doesn't love summer?
• In March of 1993 one of my four very favorite people in the world was born (for a hint, see this)
• In March(ish) of 2010 I took the online course that introduced me to my current invaluable critique partners
• In March of 2011 I signed my first contract with Cedar Fort for Geek Girl
• Also in March of 2011 I sold more copies of Heart on a Chain than ever before, and felt like a real author for the first time :o)
• This month I have several reasons so far to love the month, and here they are:
• Being placed on Melissa Mosloski's blog "Life's Little Moment's" list for Favorite Books of 2011
• A fantastic review from Jeanette Whitus of "Walking on Bookshelves" for Immortal Mine
• An amazing review from Catie Vargas of "Forbidden Passions" also for Immortal Mine (Have I mentioned how very much I love and appreciate book bloggers? Without you, I would never have sold a single book.)
• So far this month I've received over a dozen emails or messages from readers telling me how much they liked either Immortal Mine, Heart on a Chain, or Geek Girl. (Have I mentioned how much I adore my readers? Withouy you I would be nothing. You are all, seriously, the best ever!) I get the best emails and messages from my readers.
• One of my all-time favorite readers (Courtney) emailed to let me know she'd made me something and to be expecting my late Christmas gift from her (I haven't received it yet, but can hardly wait!)

Is it any wonder that March is quickly moving up my list and will soon be taking the spot of my all-time favorite month? The Irish have nothing on one humble, grateful, lucky YA author!

Melissa Mosloski

Lindsay Ann Says...

On her blog, Lindsay Ann Says, my daughter surprised me by writing this amazing review of Immortal Mine. I have to say, she's a sweetheart! (And I'm no more biased in my opinion than she is in hers :o))

What she had to say:

"...when I first read the back of the book it sounded slightly like Twilight to me, so I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. But it is nothing like Twilight! ... It is a whole different story, and it is very unique and entertaining. ... I loved it. I was getting near the end of the book and everything was all happy when BAM! Suddenly, the book took a very unexpected turn. Immortal Mine was such an unpredictable story and I loved it. Immortal Mine was an amazing paranormal romance book that I would recommend to everyone... In fact, it is my favorite book of Cindy's so far."

Want to win a copy? Enter here.

Had to add to this a cool comment from author John Hansen written on FB about Geek Girl: "You're book has been one of the biggest suprises for me in literature. Like, ever. Seriously. I've hated romance until that book. :D"

Seriously Love Surprise Reviews!

My google alert notice alerted me to this amazing review from The Book Bundle:

"This book is beautiful, heartbreaking, and hopeful. Bennett has created characters who live and breathe on the pages--even some of the minor characters--and she sucks you into a world no one wants to live in yet people somehow survive. The tormenting Kate suffers at school may seem overblown, but having seen it in action during my childhood I can say it's not overdramatized by much. The cruelties of children are equalled by their kindnesses. It's a strange phenomenon. This is also true of the families presented in the book. Henry's family is almost too good to be true: loving, warm, generous, accepting and a perfect foil to the cold, angry home Kate has grown up in. Bennett shows readers both extremes of the spectrum and somehow manages to give the book balance, not letting it get too dark or overly fluffy and light."

This is just an excerpt of the whole, beautiful review that you can read here. She gave it a 10/10. Wow!

Thanks to Sera Phyn for the fantastic surprise, which she ran on both The Book Bundle, and her other blog Incandescent. Stop by and read the whole thing.

Review of Mandi Tucker Slack's "The Alias"

Mandi Tucker Slack was kind enough to do an interview for me a while back. Now that she's on her blog tour promoting her book, The Alias, I decided to re-run her interview along with a review of her highly-recommended book.

"After a long and difficult divorce, Jacey thinks the worst is over. Little does she know she'll soon be forced to go undercover to protect her family, and in the process, she'll risk losing her identity, her future, and her heart. With a lightning pace, a good dose of humor, and a plot that's full of suspense, this thrilling novel is an edge-of-your-seat read."

I have to say that I love a book that is clean. Anyone who knows me or who has read my own work knows that. Even more than that, I love a book that is clean and GOOD! And Slack's The Alias fits that bill very well.

Jacey Grayson is forced to go into hiding to protect herself and her son from her violent ex-husband. She's not happy about the deception required, especially when she sees her son becoming sullen and withdrawn. But she finds a sense of safety at the ranch in rural Utah with Grant and Helen, two very lovable characters. Of course, the story doesn't end there, and her sense of security is shattered when her ex shows up and takes Blaze, her son.

I don't want to give too much of the story away, but I do want to say that this is an edge-of-your-seat story, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I love that I couldn't figure out which way the story was going from the beginning, as happens many times with books. Never fear, there is also plenty of rmance for our sympathetic, very likeable heroine. Slack handles the abuse, romance, sense of family, suspense and action with a masterful hand, never too heavy handed or preachy, and never glossing over the reality of Jacey's situation. I highly recommend this book.

Read Mandi's INTERVIEW

Buy The Alias

Words on the Shelf

Mazz at Words on the Shelf posted this amazing review of Heart on a Chain. Thanks, Mazz!

Love Finding Surprise Reviews!

I ran across this review of Heart on a Chain on a blog called Haze.Fave.Rave. How awesome is that? Thanks, Hazel, for the great review. What an amazing surprise to get on a Wednesday night!