Apr
The Maiden Warrior by Mary Reed McCall
Review By: Lacey Kaye
Book: The Maiden Warrior
Author: Mary Reed McCall
Author�s Website: http://www.maryreedmccall.com
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: June 2002
The Maiden Warrior is MRM’s second published novel, which made it an interesting read for me. I know many authors sell their first book through the long, grueling process we’re all familiar with (MRM has already graciously offered to tell her Call story next week) and the second on partial. But I also know she sold a previously finished manuscript as The Sweetest Sin after combing over it with her new Published Author Eyes. So Mary, if you’re reading, I’d love to know more about how these novels were sold, thought out, resurrected, etc!
But back to the review. The first thing I noticed about MRM’s writing is the clarity. She never leads the reader on in a twisted purple-prose ride. Characters think in concise steps that help make the conflict easily apparent. Understatement, perhaps. Conflict is the central theme in this book — more so than in other romance novels, since conflict is the life blood of any Epic Story, duh. (Forgive me for dancing around here; I found myself constantly examining the construction and craft of the book as I read through it.)
Gwynne is the strongest heroine I’ve ever read. In fact, I often wondered how the story could resolve in a way she and the hero, Aidan, could live HEA. As a leader of men and a warrior in her own right, her loyalties are not the usual maiden-in-distress loyalties. With every decision she makes, she must weigh the effect on her men and her reputation among them. This made a great foil for her internal conflict. It isn’t just her honor at stake, but an entire people’s belief that she can lead them in victory. And yet, sometimes she just wants to be the innocent young woman she was before she was ripped away and cast into the mold of fearless leader.
But I never felt like The Maiden Warrior was Gwynne’s book. It’s very much the hero’s story. Aidan has so much at stake: his honor, his family name, his sister’s well-being — and he’s also the one who keeps the sacred memory of the care-free girl Gwynne used to be. This, I think, makes his POV more poignant. Role-reversal, if you will. Gwynne is too proud to admit her feelings, and for a long time she doesn’t even seem to realize she has them at all. The hero, on the other hand, never wavers in his love. Even when he’s bound to do the right thing and turn Gwynne away, Aidan doesn’t pretend that’s what he wants. You might say his first external conflict in the novel is trying to convince the heroine they share a special past, and the rest is secondary to his problems. And he has a lot of problems.
The primary conflict is where I found myself distracted by MRM’s craft. My WIP is tilted toward the hero, too, and for a similar reason. The hero is certain in his feelings for the heroine, and the heroine is a warrior. Over the weekend I wrote the touching moment that usually occurs just before the thunderous black moment crash. (See, I was too close to my own story when reading TMW!)
So I was particularly aware of the great job MRM did keeping the heroine consistent in her wariness of the hero and confident of herself as a warrior but not as a woman. And I tried to figure out why. The internalizations she gave the heroine, the characterization, the situations/scenes the h/h shared — all tipped me to the hero’s side. There we fretted together, both too afraid to hope she would ever come around. As I said in the beginning of this post, I worried whether Gwynne would ever be able to truly see herself as a wife and mother.
She had me worried over several of the major conflicts, actually. I’ll be looking into this more closely as I work to craft my own black moment(s). How does one make the reader worry over an ending that’s guaranteed? And yet, I raced through the last chapter!
On her website, MRM says The Maiden Warrior is her best-selling book to date and a favorite with readers. It was impossible to find a used copy locally. People must be hording them on their keeper shelves!
No worries, though, because The Maiden Warrior is available on barnesandnoble.com and other online retailers. How cool is it that her book has been in print for five years? Rock!
Thank you, Lacey, for another fabulous review - this time of The Maiden Warrior!
First, to address the more pressing question at the end of your post re: The Maiden Warrior being out of print and/or scheduled for re-release. Well, it’s not out of print (that I’m aware of anyway, LOL) and so isn’t scheduled for re-release at this time. I’m sort of stumped about the May 7th date - except that at one point a Spanish language edition of Beyond Temptation was due to be released (in May 2006) - and while it looks like it’s still available for “pre-order” on Amazon.com, the company producing it apparently pulled back on most of their romance titles and decided not to go forward with them.
The only two books of mine that are currently out of print at Secret Vows and The Crimson Lady. Publishers make decisions like this based upon numbers of copies they have left of a given title, storage costs, etc that made them weigh the value of keeping a book in print vs. liquidating the stock left (remaindering).
So as far as I know The Maiden Warrior is still available new - but I’d be glad (paranoid as authors can be sometimes, hee hee) to look at whatever source gave you the impression that it wasn’t. Oh - and as an aside…The Maiden Warrior is indeed my bestselling book to date in actual numbers - because it had the highest print-run of all my books, LOL! In terms of sell-through percentages, however, it’s right there where the rest of my books are, in a respectable range for medievals in the current marketplace.
Ok, on to the next question, re: how this novel was sold and thought out.
Many of you have heard of “Second book syndrome”, wherein it’s tough for an author to get that second sale/write the second book.
The second sale wasn’t as issue for me: my contract for Secret Vows was for two books, so I knew already I had the sale, provided I handed in a synopsis for something my editor would approve. This was the only time in my writing career, however, that I wrote up an entire synopsis and did a bunch of research on the book I *thought* I was going to write next - and ended up having to scrap it (based on my agent’s recommendation) to start over (which ultimately led to my writing The Maiden Warrior).
My first idea for my second book was set in Tudor times and involved a Gypsy legend and half-Gypsy hero. I loved the idea (still do) - but my agent cautioned me against it, not because the story was bad (though she thought I leaned a little too far toward the argument of social justice for the gypsies without maintaining my focus enough on the romance), but because “Gypsy” books were even less marketable, back in 2001, than medievals were. And I was already pushing against a pretty static marketplace as it was.
So I scrapped the Gypsies and turned to something else I’ve always loved reading/thinking about: The Arthurian Legends. I teach them with my 10th grade Honors students, and so I was well-steeped in the actual legends and some of the historical facts behind their advent in medieval lore. I’ve got a full “behind the scenes” commentary on the details of that posted under the book info for The Maiden Warrior at my website - but the short of it is that I asked myself, “What if the Welsh people believed that the legend of King Arthur’s return to lead them to freedom from the English had finally come to fruition? If all the “signs” were right, proclaiming that the new baby that had just been born to this rebellious Welsh Prince was Arthur reborn? And most importantly, what if that baby was a GIRL?” And so The Maiden Warrior was born (called The Dark Legend in my manuscript - but the title was nixed as sounding too paranormal…and it was a good thing, too, since a certain Carpathian book by that name was released about 5 months before The Maiden Warrior came out).
Anyway, The Maiden Warrior was tons of fun to write - but it was a definite balanacing act for me to keep Gwynne from being “too” manly while at the same time making it believable that she could lead men in war and battle (I tend to dislike “pseudo” female warriors, who are that in name but at the first sign of danger tend to get all flustered or can’t hold their own). She was a chance for me to get in touch with my masculine side, heh heh - and to be able to fully embody the “super-hero” element inside most little girls, I think (and me for sure) that has us pretending to be Wonder Woman or Super Girl.
The battle style Gwynne adopted because of her smaller physical size to males is actually based upon a martial arts form that was used in the Orient since ancient times - and it was certainly possible that the ancient Celts/Welsh would have had exposure to it at some point (based upon research of their sometimes unorthodox fighting styles), which is why/how I was able to have Gwynne know it through Marrok.
Anyway, I could go on and on - but I’ll stop here for now, because, even though we got a two-hour delay from school this morning, thanks to the weather, I have to go get the kids up and start getting everyone moving, LOL. I’ll check in again later, though, and I’ll be happy to address any other questions or clarify any points more.
Thanks again, Lacey, for such a wonderful and thorough review! I’m glad you found the craft of the story intriguing and I hope it helps you as you ruminate over handling of your own plot/characters.
–MRM
April 16th, 2007 at 5:25 amBefore I finish reading this, I’m going to go ahead and correct the post. Thanks! And yes, I did find strangely conflicting information on harpercollins.com. FRUSTRATING information, actually, because it says TMW is available in ebook and it totally ISN’T! or if it is, I was unable to locate it. And then I couldn’t get a copy in the store without special ordering it…And I have to admit, I didn’t have time for that this time. Agh!
April 16th, 2007 at 7:58 amAh, excellent answer! I can totally see the effort you put into making Gwynne dichotomous. (As much as I can “see” the effort, given I was hardly up with you late night after late night…)
So now, how did you get them to publish a previous manuscript next, if they didn’t (seem) to want it the first time around? I assume. See what I mean? Also, you may want to save this for tomorrow, when Laura reviews the book in question. I can wait!
April 16th, 2007 at 8:05 amLacey! You rock too! That was a excellent, fantabulous review of MRM’s second book.
Good morning, MARY!
I’m on my way out to the day time gig, argh, I should have gotten up even earlier so I’d have time to hang on and comment on what’s been said thus far. Now I’ll have to wait til after then end of day. Waaaah!
April 16th, 2007 at 8:20 amForgive me I’m taking the “it’s only Monday” feeling way too close to heart…
Forgive me for dancing around here; I found myself constantly examining the construction and craft of the book as I read through it.
Sooo true, Lacey, I did the same thing, which got me even more into MRM’s debut Secret Vows. I’m constantly thinking “writing craft”, in everything, including the books I read. This has turning out to be a great way to learn from a published author’s books, thanks again, Mary for letting us do this.
April 16th, 2007 at 8:24 amLacey - I just checked out the HarperCollins website, and I think I see what the mix-up about the May 7th date is. That’s apparently the date the *e-book* becomes available (which also explains why you couldn’t find the e-book yet). *g*
You’ll see that the mass market paperback is available now through HarperCollins - and I know it’s really, really tough to find a copy of it readily available in any bookstores at this point (maybe if I was as well known as La Nora..sigh…*g*), but I’m glad the bookstore was willing to order it. They *should* be able to get any of my in-print books within a week or so, but I know some stores have a slower turn-around time. Thanks for trying, anyway - and for letting me know where you saw the conflicting info!
I’m on a quick break here at work, so I can’t stay long to type more, but I’ll address your other question about The Sweetest Sin’s sale later (though maybe after tomorrow’s review, if other questions come up too, that I’ll be answering later today/tonight). See you then!
–MRM
April 16th, 2007 at 9:05 amOh - and Hi again, Isabel!! Thanks for stopping by before work to post. Those pesky day jobs can really get in the way, can’t they? LOL…
–MRM
April 16th, 2007 at 9:07 amWife, mother, teacher, author…
I can totally “see” Mary in her “Wonder Woman” costume!
Btw ~ Good morning ladies!
April 16th, 2007 at 12:17 pmMorning Irene! So glad you dropped by!
Lacey, I’m so loving this. You have a way with words..of course it’s easy to do when you have a great book to write about.
So far I’m feeling the pressure of doing as well as you and Isabel have done.. whew! Tough act to follow!
April 16th, 2007 at 12:50 pmLacey, great review!
Haven’s right…you have such a way with words.
*waving* Hi Irene!
Mary, I’m going to be getting this one, too! It sounds fantastic! I’m so glad you’re with us these two weeks.
April 16th, 2007 at 5:54 pmIrene! Good afternoon, lol
I agree with Haven and Andrea - Lacey you sure do have a way with words, can’t wait to see you pubbed so I can read more!
April 16th, 2007 at 6:45 pmThis is such an exciting week~! I’ve been without the net all day because of the storm, but I am back now, and I have to catch up on these awesome reviews, and Mary’s comments. I am looking forward to a fabulous evening.
April 16th, 2007 at 6:54 pmThis was the only time in my writing career, however, that I wrote up an entire synopsis and did a bunch of research on the book I *thought* I was going to write next - and ended up having to scrap it (based on my agent’s recommendation) to start over (which ultimately led to my writing The Maiden Warrior).
Mary, you know how the saying goes “everything happens for a reason.” It could definitely apply here, dont you think?
How many times did you revise Maiden Warrior before it was “finished”?
(though she thought I leaned a little too far toward the argument of social justice for the gypsies without maintaining my focus enough on the romance),
This reminds of what Ansen Dibell, author of PLOT ,says is question/step two when “testing” a story idea. *Isabel scribbles notes/idea fast before she forgets*
Fascinating stuff on how the Maiden Warrior came to be, Mary, I’m just in awe and of course I must now find myself a copy.
Those pesky day jobs can really get in the way, can’t they? LOL…
Yup, but I must say it’s not bad at all. Speaking of things that are meant to be, being at this daytime gig has freed me to pursue writing. It did get in the way today, though, I’d rather commented on your post earlier. lol.
April 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pmHi again, everyone!
I’m going to leave Lacey’s question about The Sweetest Sin and its eventual purchase (after it had been rejected earlier) for tomorrow, sometime, when I post the comments for that review.
Before I try to catch some zzzzz’s at last tonight, though, I want to address other comments/questions that have come up since my last post.
Irene said: “Wife, mother, teacher, author…
I can totally “see” Mary in her “Wonder Woman” costume!”
LOL, as always, you give me a good chuckle, Irene! My sisters and I did used to actually dress up as Wonder Woman (my dear mother, who is also a wonderful seamstress, made the three youngest of us matching costumes of Wonder Woman, complete with the “bullet-repelling” bracelets, that we’d wear while running around the yard and calling for our invisible plane as we jumped off the back porch. Hee hee.
Andrea said: “Mary, I’m going to be getting this one, too! It sounds fantastic! I’m so glad you’re with us these two weeks.” Thanks, Andrea! I’m really, really happy to be here for these two weeks, too.
Laura said: “This is such an exciting week~! I’ve been without the net all day because of the storm, but I am back now, and I have to catch up on these awesome reviews, and Mary’s comments. I am looking forward to a fabulous evening.” Poor you, Laura! It looks like the storms have eased up out your way. It’s been mostly rain today here, finally, after the 8 inches of snow yesterday. We had lots of flooding too though. Many roads closed on my way home from work. Looking forward to “chatting” with you this week!
Isabel said: “Mary, you know how the saying goes “everything happens for a reason.” It could definitely apply here, dont you think? How many times did you revise Maiden Warrior before it was “finished”? ” I am glad I got to write TMW, it’s true. But I’m still holding onto my synopsis for GYPSY MOON, just in case, LOL. As for hwo many times I revised TMW before it was finished…I can tell you I probably read and tweaked every page of that manuscript (as I do with each manuscript) at least 15-20 times. I’m a revise-as-I-go kind of gal, so it’s tough for me to keep track of how often I work something over. I also write in a linear way, from beginning to end, and I have a very, very difficult time “jumping ahead” to write a scene before the one preceeding it is finished. That doesn’t mean I won’t still go back and paly around with the “sound” of the sentences and phrases etc, to make sure I get them just right to my inner ear and feeling of “flow” - but I rarely make huge changes (putting in a chunk of stuff, or taking some out) after I’ve written a scene, except in the formal revision time, after I’ve received my revision letter from my editor. And then it depends on the book, what I had to do.
you know what? I’m pulling out my revision letter for TMW right now…hold on….
Ok here it is. The book was called “THE CAPTIVE” at that point (by Avon…until they realized they’d had a Brenda Joyce book already by that title, and then we changed it to TMW). Anyway, the letter is 6 pages long (all of my revision letters have ranged from 6 - 11 pages), and begins very poignantly (now that I look at the date at the top) with a note by my editor, asking me to forgive her if her comments seem brief or confusing this time around, considering all that had been happening. The letter is dated September 13, 2001. I still get chills every time I read it.
It’s a great revision letter as they all are, diffiult as it is sometimes, when you first see some of the suggestions and realize that, yes, this will make the book better, - but it’s going to be A LOT OF WORK!
I feel so, so fortunate to have worked with such a wonderful editor through all of my seven books with Avon (it’s Lyssa Keusch, BTW. She was a Senior Editor when I started at Avon, and she’s an Executive Editor now - a wonderful person and consummate professional).
Anyway, there’s no way to tell you everything in the revision letter, but I can tell you it begins with Lyssa letting me know what she really liked about the story, followed by some of the more general concerns about conflict, characterization, intimacy issues, some secondary plot issues, and manuscript-length issues. IRRC, this was my longest manuscript ever. I think it came in at just over 140,000 words, and Lyssa was suggesting I try to tighten it up a little, LOL. Then the letter moves on to what are called “line edits” - comments based upon specific events on specific pages. These are both good and “maybe you should consider changing this” kinds of comments - about what worked well and what stuck out to her as needing to be looked at/thought about at various points throughout the story. They are listed chronologically, from the beginning of the book to the end, and take up the bulk of the revision letter. Then some final instruction about how to insert the changes and put the entire on a disk, with mailing instructions and deadline for revisions date, and an offer to call and talk over any of the suggestions more in depth.
That’s it. And then, after thinking over her suggestions for a day or two, and calling her for clarification, if I need to, I get to work.
It’s a great process and really helps me to pull my books into the best possible shape before they go into production. I actually love the revision stage, because it’s just a matter of working with material that’s already there, which to me is a lot easier than creating the material the first time!
Hmmmm…maybe I should do one of my blogs next week on revision letters or something related? What do you guys think? Is there anything else about it you’d like me to go into, or does this cover it all, LOL?
–MRM
April 16th, 2007 at 8:54 pmMary, you are the best!
April 16th, 2007 at 10:06 pmI can totally “see” Mary in her “Wonder Woman” costume!”
LOL, as always, you give me a good chuckle, Irene! My sisters and I did used to actually dress up as Wonder Woman (my dear mother, who is also a wonderful seamstress, made the three youngest of us matching costumes of Wonder Woman, complete with the “bullet-repelling” bracelets, that we’d wear while running around the yard and calling for our invisible plane as we jumped off the back porch. Hee hee.
Oh Mary, I would love to see a picture of that! LOL!
Maybe you should market those bullet-repelling bracelets to authors—for when snarky reviewers take pot shots at their books. Just a thought.
I’ve read some of the other lovely comments you’ve made about your mother elsewhere—she sounds like a wonderful lady. You’re very lucky, but I’d bet money, that you’re terrific daughter too.
And if you tell me you also make homemade costumes for your girls—you’ll really have earned the title of *Wonder Woman*! I never made a costume for my son because I can only sew on buttons or make small repairs, but I did LOTS of crafts with him and his friends when they were younger. We did lots of school projects together too. I’m good with a glue gun and sparkles and such, so many times my friends would bring THEIR kids projects over to my house for me to work on—but sssh, don’t tell the teacher.
I can tell you I probably read and tweaked every page of that manuscript (as I do with each manuscript) at least 15-20 times.
Than I geuss yuo dont wanna konw abuot alls the erorrs in gramer and spellin I spoted in mi ARC of the templerz seducksion, huh Mary???
April 16th, 2007 at 11:52 pmAh, Irene, I can completely picture you crafting it up with your son (though I can’t “picture YOU” per-say, since we’ve never actually met!). But personality-wise, yes, definitely…and having all the other kids over to help them too. Totally you!
I have indeed made my children costumes (Halloween, mostly). But I don’t use a sewing machine. I’ve never had the affinity for it. I do hand sew, however (which is why there are so few costume, LOL). I distinctly remember a blue M & M costume I made for my older daughter when she was about two…had a cute little hat with it as well.
Irene said: “Than I geuss yuo dont wanna konw abuot alls the erorrs in gramer and spellin I spoted in mi ARC of the templerz seducksion, huh Mary??? ”
Well, see, Irene…that’s why it’s an ARC. It’s an *uncorrected* proof. Uncorrected, I might add, by way of all the *typesetting* errors that were made (like words I’d written left off the end of sentences …p 120). Or mistakes that came up when I revised something in a sentence, and the typesetter misconstrued what I’d hand-written in the margin, LOL.
*None* of those errors in the ARC are mine, don’t you know. Perish the thought!
Really, though - I think every one of my *final form* books has at least one or two typos or other errors still there. Hey, when you’re combing through 100,000+ plus words, something is bound to slip by, no matter how many times you go over it.
You are too funny, Irene (said smiling and shaking my head…)
–MRM
April 17th, 2007 at 3:06 amWell then, I’m going to consider it a true joy that I spelled my stories name correctly on all the pages of my WIP. Granted it’s in the header and I only had to type it once, I still chalk it up as an accomplishment.
Right now I’m really feeling sorry for the four poor souls who are reading my Royal Ascot entry. I just hope they’re gentle! Umm, unlike Irene! haha
Not a sewing machine maven…oh dear. I love sewing. Long time ago when I had ton of time, I’d create my own designs. My mom, being what moms are, ya know complete faith that their kid is genius, would praise my spur-of-the-moment designs and cite that I was destined to become a clothing designer. Oh well, I still love to sew and have intentions of making a few quilts. Go me..right!
April 17th, 2007 at 5:36 amIrene said: “Than I geuss yuo dont wanna konw abuot alls the erorrs in gramer and spellin I spoted in mi ARC of the templerz seducksion, huh Mary??? ”
*Toe tapping* Irene, you realize you had me gasping for air right? Don’t do that, you cannot make me laugh this hard in the morning, how can I possibly drink my coffee without spitting it all over the place?
April 17th, 2007 at 8:49 amOK, this is probably the best set of comments I’ve ever seen! I loved the detail about your revision letter, Mary. Thank you SO much for sharing. I enjoyed reading through the tangential comments, too. I have an ARC of TTS and now I’m really curious to go check out these so-called typesetting errors…
April 17th, 2007 at 9:27 amNo, no, no!
There aren’t any errors in the book—it was a JOKE!
Irene wrote: “Than I geuss yuo dont wanna konw abuot alls the erorrs in gramer and spellin I spoted in mi ARC of the templars seducksion, huh Mary???”
Mary, that line was intended to make the “English teacher” in you laugh—NOT worry the author! The book is PERFECT.
When I was reading the ARC of THE TEMPLAR’S SEDUCTION, I was soooo caught up in Alex and Beth’s riveting story that if there were any errors in grammar or spelling—well, they slipped right by me. I was much too busy enjoying the captivating and incredibly heartwarming romance you’d written to notice any mistakes.
I thought everyone would be able to tell—by the outrageous and spectacularly incorrect sentence I wrote—that I was so obviously making a joke. I know I have a zany and sometimes eccentric sense of humor but… come on—think about it—how would a person who wrote a sentence like that even recognize an error in grammar or spelling???
Mary, good thing you turned my goofy post into a lesson about ARC’s or “un-corrected proofs. But I can’t find anything wrong on page 120. What does that say about my editorial skills—or lack there of?
And Haven, I am a gentle critic, but I wasn’t criticizing Mary’s impeccable writing skills—YOU—on the other hand, should be very afraid.
Just kidding Haven. Hee, hee. (refer to zany sense of humor comment above)
Lacey, I forgot to say you gave a wonderful review from a writer’s point of view. And isn’t Mary fantastic? Her comments are always so generously comprehensive and thoughtful.
Isabel, my friend, I knew you’d spit out your coffee…you get me. LOL!
April 17th, 2007 at 10:34 am*holding a now empty coffee cup* Absolutely no worries, Irene, *says Isabel who signed up for a grammar class* I love your zany sense of humor.
Mary, once again, thanks for the inside scoop on not only the revision letters, which if you don’t mind could be expanded during next week’s visit, and the ARC stuff.
April 17th, 2007 at 10:52 amLOL, Irene - no worries. I knew you were kidding around.
There ARE errors in the ARC, however. More of them than I’m ever comfortable with (but most of them are indeed typesetting errors, rather than my own. Not all of them, but most, hee hee). It’s the nature of the beast. ARCs are simply bound vesions of the galley pages (which are the first time the manuscript is typeset, as opposed to being in the pages I printed out from my own computer and sent to my editor. The first round of revision comes back with those, as well as the copy-edits (I will indeed go into more detail on the process of revision for books that are to be published next week, and explain mroe fully what all this means). But basically, I get the chance to “clean up” any of the remaining errors I find on the galley pages - but those corrections only make it into the final book, not the ARCs, which are printed up around the same time the galleys are going back to the publisher with their corrections from me.
BTW, Irene, the error on page 120 is that the word “honey” is left out. I don’t have the book itsef in front of me right now, but it reads something about him making her insides feel like “warm honey”… *G*
As it was, it was 4am, and I was up with a headache - so you definitely made me smile, which helped enormously (as did the Motrin I took, LOL).
If I’d have had coffee in my mouth when I read your original note, I would have surely spit it out all over, too.
–MRM
April 17th, 2007 at 11:49 amIsabel said: *Toe tapping* Irene, you realize you had me gasping for air right? Don’t do that, you cannot make me laugh this hard in the morning, how can I possibly drink my coffee without spitting it all over the place?
Irene is very good at that.
lol
April 17th, 2007 at 11:49 amMary, Motrin complements my sense of humor perfectly! Well, either that, or the alcoholic beverage of your choice.
I thought YOU knew I was joking—wasn’t sure about everyone else though.
Hugs to you Andrea—you’re such a sweetie!
And Isabel, I can always depend on you to reassure me. Thanks.
April 17th, 2007 at 12:43 pmI knew it was a joke! I got it! But as you said, Irene, I enjoyed the talk on ARCs so much I’m glad for whatever came out of it. Thanks for the compliment(s) on the review (everyone!). It’s always a challenge to talk about a book without spoiling it for the exact people you want to convince to read it. woo-hoo!
April 18th, 2007 at 9:01 amAnd you did it well, Laura, you rock girl!
April 19th, 2007 at 7:56 amHey thanks you guys!! This is so much fun you guys. Between all of us writing so many good reviews… I’ll have every romance mentioned on this website read before the year is out~!
Lacey, I cannot wait to read this book! Mary, you rock.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:39 am