RT Book Reviews gives PLAY ME 4 stars!!!

Wow. Just wow. What a wonderful, awesome surprise today. PLAY ME received a 4 star review from RT Book Reviews!! This is in the August edition, which will be given out at the RWA National conference in NY next week so I'm super psyched. Happy dancing and finding it difficult to concentrate today :). You can read the full review here if you're an online subscriber!!

BDSM? Fetish? REALLY?

I got a wonderful review the other day from Whipped Cream for PLAY ME. Anemone says...

With white hot chemistry between Lily and Gabe, the sex scenes were explosive.

and

With yet another sinfully hot book, this author has become an instant buy for me. I highly recommend it.

The review was great and I loved the comments, but...the way it was classified made me raise my eyebrows a little. BDSM? Fetish? Voyeurism? Toys? Okay, the toys part was obvious and I can see the voyeurism angle (although it was all fantasy) but I had no idea the book had BSDM or fetish elements or that anyone would perceive it this way. Who knew LOL? Thank you, Anemone for a wonderful review!

You can check out the full review here.

PLAY ME received a reviewers 'TOP PICK"!

I've gotten great reviews at Night Owl Reviews (NOR) before, but PLAY ME received a TOP PICK from them! It's not just because of the 'score' or even the Top Pick designation, I loved what Chris had to say:

"Guilty Pleasure Alert! This pushed a lot of my happy buttons as a romance goes. Damaged hero, innocent yet seductive heroine. Danger, deception and desperation. Yum."

You can see the complete review here.

I get such a kick out of reading comments about my books, gaining an understanding of how a reader interpreted things, what they took away from it, how the characters or the story made them feel. I could get addicted to that feeling. So...how should I celebrate? I vote for finishing the next one!

Comments about PLAY ME

I still feel kinda weird doing this, but it's part of being a writer and I know I need to get with the program in that respect. Right? I haven't received any 'official' reviews yet from review sites (it's still early days) but I've received a lot of great comments directly and from readers online about PLAY ME. Really, these mean a lot more to me than those official ones, although I'll take them too! I know it takes a lot for a reader to reach out to an author or post something on line and I really, really appreciate it. So...I thought I'd share my favs:

Thanks again.... keep writing.... I love your voice.... I love your men!!!! - Rita

SEXY
HOT
SWEET
and my FAVORITE kind of Hero---a little grouchy, a little edgy, and a whole lot of marshmallow when it comes to that RIGHT woman.  - Taryn

This is my third book for Kaily and I can't wait for more! They keep getting better and better! - Jennifer

Interesting people, funny dialog, and hot sex. I thought it was great. - Leslie

There was plenty of well written dialogue as well as perfectly delivered lines throughout to keep the reader entertained. There’s also plenty of hot, steamy sex. - Dreama

Thanks so much, you guys!!! It's very touching and makes me want to write just that much faster :).

Are you serious??

So, one of my books was selected as a local book club read! Wow. Before you get too excited, it probably sounds a lot more impressive than it actually is. It's a very small, informal group, but I still can't help be excited. They've invited me to come meet with them after they've all read the book to 'discuss it'. This part fills me with dread because I figure there can only be a few outcomes here:

• Everyone loves the book, my writing and is in total awe of my skill. OK, maybe not that last part, but the first two :).
• They're all speechless, shocked, embarrassed because you know...I write hot. They've been warned, but you never know. Maybe I'll be the one to die of embarrassment if they want to deconstruct those scenes.
• They're not shocked at all, but wonder who the heck picked this trash for them to read? Actually, this one would be a nice challenge to practice justifying why romance is viable fiction and how erotic romance is NOT porn. Of course, afterwards, if I ever see any of them again in public, I'll have to run and hide.

The date is still being locked down, but it'll be some time in March. Should be fun. Or perhaps not. I'll be sure to let you know!

WOW!

PAY UP is up for book of the week at Long and Short reviews!! How awesome is that? The recognition around something I've created will never get old. It just won't. There are other great books up there as well. Go over and vote!

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm

Reviews & Feedback on Picture This

Quite simply, the reaction so far has been amazing and I've been so surprised and pleased. I'm not really a 'toot my own horn' type of person, but I guess it's a part of being an author and being able to promote your work. I'll just have to suck it up and get used to it LOL. The reviews I've received so far have been great. I don't know if a good review sells books or not, but I figure it can't hurt! I thought I'd share a range of comments I've received to date. Each word of feedback is precious because you hope when you write a story, someone will read it and you'll be able to touch them in some way. I like to think when I write, the stories I create will generate some reaction or emotion in the reader, that they'll feel connected to the characters and invested in their happiness, that they'll be routing for them. I think I may have done just that! So, what are people saying?

Whipped Cream Reviews:
If you want a story that packs an emotional punch, steams the computer screen, and is one you won’t soon forget, then you need to read Picture This. I give it 4.5 cherries. - Tiger Lily

Cata Network Reviews
A quick page turner that charms readers from the first pages. An intriguing plot line only adds to the dynamic chemistry between Sam and Jillian. Picture This is perfect for a bit of escapism during your busy day. - Emily

Reader Reviews
Sexy and unique, this story sucked me in from the first page and didn't let go! A deliciously hot read. - Cari, Ellora's Cave website

Sigh... an absolute must read. A quick, sexy story which was very well written. Highly recommend. - Bobbi, Ellora's Cave Website

Hi, just wanted to let you know that I just finished Picture This.... It was fabulous. Since it was first posted on the Ellora's Cave website, I have been patiently waiting for it. I hoped that I would love the story as much as I loved the blurb. It was better than I had hoped for.... The characters were fantastic!!! The story beyond hot!! Congratulations on your first book!! Can't wait for your next one. - Rita, email


Disclaimer: I don't know any of these people and none of them were bribed in the creation of these comments. I swear LOL!