Why write a book review?

Suzanne

Good or bad, all authors crave reviews of their work.

Of course, we’d all love it if everyone adored our work, but just as every single reader comes to a book with their own personal feelings, beliefs and experiences, every single one will have their own opinion.

Negative reviews are sort of like labor pains, they come with every new ‘birth.’ As an author, you learn to breath through them, and the wise author will distill them to find a takeaway, a lesson they can bring with them to the next project.

Being my 2nd time around in the author seat, I know to expect there’ll be people who won’t like my books. Still, I look forward to hearing what you have to say about my stories. I like to know what readers connect with or do not connect with.

The bottom line is, reviews help authors find their audience.

I truly hope you LOVE my books, but however you feel, I encourage you, feed an author, leave a review.

SaveSave

ARC Winners Picked!

Suzanne

 

Readers selected to receive a FREE advance reader copy of Keeping Claudia:

1.    Andrea Massetti 

2.    Michele Blydenburgh

3.    Denise Wallstedt

4.    Barbara Haining

5.    Cassie (msdafnee)

6.     Michelle Carmony

7.     Regina (regina.brownell11)

8.     Melissa Payne

9.     Maureen Norris

10.   Marilyn (6gugs)

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered.*

NOT A WINNER?

Well, I’m sure you really are a winner, but maybe not in the context of this giveaway. And if that’s so, don’t despair! There’ll be other contests and opportunities to win free books and other awesome goodies in the near future. Stay tuned!

MY NAME WAS PICKED, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  • On or about May 25,  you will receive an email with further instructions.
  • Download a copy of the free book via link sent.
  • Read and enjoy.
  • Share your thoughts about the book.

*Winners were selected using the random list generator at www.Random.org

 

Keeping Claudia Cover Reveal

Suzanne

Love Amid the Pride and Prejudices of Growing Up on Different Sides of a Small Town.

 

How do you love someone whose past goes against everything you’ve ever known or trust in a future you’ve yet to believe in?

Back home in a town she once fled, headstrong Claudia Chiametti returns to the arms of the only guy ever to awaken her heart. Everything about Toby Faye contradicts her family’s traditions and values, but she’s ready to take a chance on love.

Toby finally has the girl he’s long dreamed of within his reach. But it’s only a matter of time before light will be cast on the dark corners of a secreted past.

Can Claudia love him unconditionally … or will the truth cost Toby what he wants most?

Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard.

Keeping Claudia is the emotional finale to the love story that began in Saving Toby, an unforgettable journey of a couple who discover the only way to love someone is with an open heart.

Preorder Keeping Claudia on Amazon

Available June 1st!

 

Keeping Claudia Cover Reveal

Suzanne

Exciting news! The long awaited sequel to Saving Toby—Keeping Claudia is on its way! Join me for a  April 29 with Xpresso Book Tours.

Xpressobooktours.com

Book bloggers interested in sharing the reveal on their blog are welcome to sign up for the reveal. Use the link above to join in. The more the merrier!

I look forward to sharing this beautiful cover — as well as the emotional finale to the love story that began in Saving Toby, an unforgettable journey of a couple who discover the only way to love someone is with an open heart.

Because … Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard.

Keeping Claudia update

Suzanne

THE LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL IS ALMOST HERE!

Get ready for Keeping Claudia! The gripping, emotional sequel to Saving Toby, has entered the final editing stages!

I originally hoped to have the book out in March, but I want it to be perfect, so looks like it’ll be April.

FREE COPIES AND PRIZES

Prior to the actual release, I will be giving out a few Advance Reader Copies (ARC) and prizes to a few readers. Have you joined my email list? You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

Your Song sung by Lee Mead (originally by Elton John) was a strong inspiration during the writing.

Stayed tuned for the upcoming Cover Reveal!

A challenge

Suzanne
photo courtesy of Morguefile.com

In our busy, fast-paced world, I’d like to offer you this challenge: Make a conscious effort to make the people you come across during your day smile.

My husband is a natural smile-maker, and a champion of making people feel good about themselves. He has a smile, a greeting, and kind words for everyone he meets during his day — the clerk at the deli, the men and women he sees briefly, who sign work orders — and he’s liable to break into song and dance at any given time, around perfect strangers. Because of this, many, many people enjoy his company.

I find the more I smile, the more uplifted and positive I feel at the end of the day.

It’s such a good feeling, I wish everyone could experience it. The truth is, a smile is such a simple, easy thing to share.

In case you need a few suggestions, try these:

  • Smile and say good morning, hello, or have a great day!
  • Not only hold the door for someone, but step back and let them go first.
  • Say something nice about someone’s clothes or hair style
  • Tell them a funny story or a joke
  • Make eye contact and smile!

You don’t need to be a clown, or break into song like my husband, but have some fun with it, or just smile. I bet you’ll be surprised with the overall positive responses you get. And notice, too, how making someone smile has the bonus effect of making you feel pretty darn good!