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"

Young Adult Giveaway Hop

In celebration of the release of the new cover of Heart on a Chain, I'm giving away a copy with the new cover. As a bonus, I'm giving the winner a copy of my newest novel Immortal Mine.

US domestic entrants will have their choice of ebooks or paper copies of the two books. International entrants will receive ebook copies of the two.

Why did I decide to change the cover? I can't tell you how many reviews contain somewhere within the words, "I almost didn't buy this book because of the cover" or something similar. I listened, and decided to revamp it. Hopefully, everyone likes the new look!

NEW COVER

OLD COVER

Immortal Mine

If you can't see the entry form, click on "read more"

Reading Between the Lines

Rachel over at Reading Between the Lines rocks! Read her review of Geek Girl here.

Here's a little excerpt of what she wrote: "Amazing book! Really. The author sent me a copy which I absolutely adore her for. Wonderful love story, I couldn't put it down. This wasn't just straight romance, it was about love and learning how to love, to be loved, how to get through heartbreak. Also how to see past labels and see someone for who they really are. Cindy is amazing is capturing emotions."

Stop by Rachel's blog and read the whole thing. Thanks, Rachel!

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.

You Asked for It!

The New

Cover for 

Heart on a Chain is here!

I can't tell you how many reviews of my book Heart on a Chain either begin with or contain the words, "I almost didn't buy/read this book because of the cover..."

And so, a year later (my middle name is procrastination), I've decided to change the cover. I'm officially unveiling it here, now. I've also redesigned the blog to reflect the new cover. You can see that here.

To celebrate the new cover, I'll be giving away a signed copy of it in conjunction with the Young Adult Giveaway Hop from January 27-31. Stop back by here on any of those days for your chance to win.

You know, I think just for fun I'll throw in a signed copy of my newest novel, Immortal Mine, along with the copy of Heart on a Chain to the winner of the blog hop.

Wrath-free Review from Wrathsqueen

Erin at Wrathsqueens Books wrote an amazing  review for Heart on a Chain! You can read it here. Thanks to Erin for her time and especially for her kind words. You rock, Erin!

Here is some of what Erin had to say: "I am trying to be objective in this review but I can't because I just loved it SO much. It's a beautiful, poignant book that captivated me from the very beginning." "This has become one of my favourite books and I know I will re-read it over and over because it has a timeless feel to it for me."

Birthday Girl Brag

Today is the birthday of someone who means the world to me. So I thought I'd write a little post celebrating her.

Lexcie was born on this day seventeen years ago. She was a beautiful baby girl who - while a bit unexpected - was wholly welcomed. She's my baby girl. I always planned for her, she just came a bit earlier than expected.

She was probably my least cuddly baby. She had far too many things to observe in the world and didn't have time to be cuddled close when she could be looking around. And yet, she's more attached to me than any of my other kids. That's just one of the paradoxes that make Lexcie who she is.

She was a bit of a wild child. I maintain that she was born last because God knew that no matter where she came, she would be the last because she was... well, let's say high maintainance. She was everywhere, into everything, I couldn't possibly keep up with her energy. When she was very young she took a black Sharpie and drew a black circle on her pink carpet, in which she would sit to use the crayons to color on her white closet doors. We used to tease that it was her devil circle. It was anything but, since she is my absolute angel. Don't believe me? Ask her: she'll tell you.

My favorite Lexcie story: When she was 3, for Christmas we gave our kids a cruise. We sent them on a scavenger hunt throughout the house looking for clues, ending with a toy cruise boat and a note telling them what it meant. This was shortly after the advent of Titanic - and who knows how my 3-year-old had seen and was aware of the movie! But while her siblings whooped and hollered in excitement, she went and sat on the floor, looking distinctly upset.

Me: What's wrong, Lexcie? Don't you understand? We're going to fly on an airplane, and then get on a really big, beautiful boat for a cruise on the ocean.

Lexcie (looking me accusingly in the eye): Yeah, and we're gonna die!

When my son was writing an essay about his family, in which he needed one paragraph per family member, his paragraph on Lexcie began, "You know that show, Kids Say the Darndest Things? Well, that's my sister Lexcie." He was right. You never know what Lexcie will say when she opens her mouth. She's honest, blunt, and to-the-point. She's one of the funniest people I know. Even with her bluntness, she's one of the kindest, sweetest people I know.

So, to my daughter who I love, and who has made my life complete on so many levels, I say Happy Birthday, baby!

Lexcie - cover model for the original Geek Girl

12 Local Authors Signing Together This Weekend

We have 12 local authors who will be signing their books this weekend at the South Towne Expo Center at the Crazy Daisy Totally Bodacious Boutique in conjunction with the Home Remodeling and Decorating Show... and the Rocky Mountain Gun Show as well. We will be in room 200 outside the main exhibit hall. This is a FREE event. Even better than that, you have the chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card just for stopping by.


The following authors will be there at these times (their books they will be signing are in parenthesis):

Friday all day 11-8:
Keary Taylor (Branded, Forsaken, Vindicated, Afterlife, Eden)

Friday 11-3:30:
Karey White (Gifted)
Cindy C Bennett (Geek Girl, Heart on a Chain, Immortal Mine)
Heather Frost (Seers)

Friday 3:30-8:
Anna del C Dye (The Elf and the Princess, Trouble in the Elf City, Elfs in a Conquered Realm, Curse of the Elfs)
Stephanie Connelley Worlton (Hope's Journey)
Jill Vanderwood (What's It Like, Living Green?, Drugs Make You Un-Smarter - cowritten with her granddaughter Savannah Peterson)

Saturday all day 10-8:
Mandi Slack (The Alias)
Sherri Mills (I Almost Divorced My Husband, but I Went On Strike Instead)
Jewel Adams (The Wishing Hour, Guardian of My Heart, Tears of Heaven, The Journey, Place in This World, Against the Odds, Still His Woman, Mercedes Mountain, Elise's Heart, The Legacy, The Shelter of His Arms)

Saturday 10-4:
Stephanie Connelley Worlton (Hope's Journey)
Tres Hatch (Miracle Pill 10 Truths to Healthy, Thin, & Sexy)

Saturday 1:30-5:30
Anna del C Dye (The Elf and the Princess, Trouble in the Elf City, Elfs in a Conquered Realm, Curse of the Elfs)
Heather Frost (Seers)

Saturday 4-10:
Karey White (Gifted)
Cindy C Bennett (Geek Girl, Heart on a Chain, Immortal Mine)
Shannen Crane Camp (The Breakup Artist)

All of the authors are either currently Utah based, or are originally from Utah. Come out and support them all, as well as other local artisans who will be taking part in the boutique.

Tooting the Horn Yet Again

Yup, I'm tooting again, but I can't help it! It's incredibly, stupendously, wonderfully amazing to find another of my books, Geek Girl, on a top 10 list of 2011. Woot-woot! Thanks to Ro at Zone Out Mode.

A Great Quote

My friend had this quote on her blog, and I thought it was really great. So I decided to share it with you!

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

- Gordon B. Hinkley

Better Late than Never, I Say

Mommy Wants to Read was one of the blogs scheduled for the Geek Girl Blog Tour. Due to some computer glitches, Melissa wasn't able to get it posted. She has graciously posted it now. So, without further ado, I give you a portion of Melissa's review:

Melissa Says: "This was an interesting take on the cliche Pygmalion story." "The progression of the relationship between Jen and Trevor was great and very believable." "I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author and highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good read that does not involve paranormal/fantasy creatures. I give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars."

Lookie Where I Ended Up!

On the Haze.Fave.Rave: 2011 Must Reads List!!! (Thanks, Hazel)

Check it out here!