Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Oh, Those Reviews!

Winners! Winners! Winners!

Caffey, you are the big winner of one of my books and the other prizes. However, hubby pulled four other names out of my hat and said I needed to send them a pack of note cards and a pen, so . . . Brandy, Caroline, RK, and Terrio. Please send me your snail mail addresses to Christie (@) christie-craig.com so I can get those items in the mail.

CC

Well, today is the day. And to celebrate it, I’ve giving away a copy of Divorced, Desperate and Dating, a pack of note cards, and a “silly” Christie Craig pen that will remind you to keep smiling. So make sure you post, and also pop over to Dorchester’s website, at http://www.dorchesterpub.com/ and check out another contest where you might win a $20 gift certificate for Amazon.com.


My baby, my book, Divorced, Desperate and Dating, is off and running. The reviews are finally rolling in. It’s been a trying few weeks. Why? Well, some of you may not know this, but for the most part, writers are insecure little twits. Okay, I can’t speak for all writers, but the ones I know personally, won’t deny it. We wait, hold our breaths and pray our readers, fans, and the reviewers will love our babies as much as we do. Will they giggle in places we intended them to giggle? Will they sigh in those scenes we meant for them to sigh? Will they sniffle and have to blink away a tear in those passages that brought tears to our own eyes? Will they fall in love with our characters?

Yup, basically, we’re insecure little twits.

Anyway, today I thought I’d give you a peek at what some of reviewers are saying and you can also read my first thoughts after reading those reviews.

Fresh Fiction:

I really, really liked this story. It's fast-paced and extremely clever with a really good plot. Christie Craig's characters are very real, emotional people. You have to love Jason with his complicated background and admire him for becoming the man he is. You'll also love Sue's quirky mom and her "Elvis" boyfriend. Plan to put aside enough time to finish this book at one sitting. It's really hard to put aside! I look forward to more of Ms. Craig's fiction.

Christie’s first thought: She likes me and I don’t even know her. At least I don’t think I know her. Mama, did you go get a job at Fresh Fiction? Mama, is that you? Thank you, Fresh Fiction!

Romantic Times:

Four Stars and HOT. This sequel to Craig's Divorced, Desperate and Delicious is another delightfully entertaining novel with an intriguing mystery. Peopled with interesting new characters and familiar old ones, it also has its share of animal friends that add a lot of humor and warmth to the story.

Christie’s first thought: Who do I mail the check to? I’ll mail it as soon as I stop jumping up and down with joy. Love you RT!

Chey, Bookseller, at A Novel Place in Osseo, MN:

I loved Divorced, Desperate and Dating, by Christie Craig. I loved the characters Craig gathered to entertain us with and how she brought back the characters from Divorced, Desperate and Delicious into the new story so we can catch up on how they are doing. The humorous yet dysfunctional family is something we all can relate to.

Christie’s first thought: Dysfunctional? I thought they were pretty normal folks. I mean, I modeled them after my own family. You want to see dysfunctional? I’ll give you dysfunctional in the next book. J Thank you, Chey!!!!

Then there’s the inside reviews from the Craig household:

Bob Craig:

“You’ll stay up way too late reading it. But it’s purrrrfect. Now will you move the dog-gone book, so I can get comfortable?”



Louetta Craig:

“The pacing might be a little fast, but what do I know? I’m a
turtle.”





Mama Socks Craig:

“I loved everything about the book, but the crotch-smelling dog. Can I have my treat now?”




Skitter Craig:

“I laughed so hard I hacked up a hairball.”





Mr. Raton Craig:

“I thought someone said the book was a comedy. That was my uncle who bit the dust in the first chapter! And hey, that line right there is kind of cheesy, isn’t it?”





Oh Henry Craig:

“I hacked up a hairball, too. And it tasted like dead rat. Sorry about that, Mr. Raton, but no one insults my mama’s writing!”



Floppy Skivvies Craig:

“Someone said they were doing something like rabbits. I don’t understand.”



Okay…I hope I’ve given you a chuckle. And here’s what I want from you. Can you think of better captions for these pictures? Or post any comment for a chance to win.

Crime Scene Christie

50 comments:

Lucy said...

Just how many critters do you have? And it would be too hard to try to top the captions you gave them. :)

Glad you're getting good reviews on your book but to be honest, having read the first two in the series, I'm not surprised.

Anonymous said...

Chrisie,
Picked up your new book this past weekend. I'm been so busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, that I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I plan to spend Friday reading instead of "malling" on Black Friday LOL Love all of your "Critters". We adopted two new Kitties from our local humane society last week.

Linda C

Zaharoula (Za) said...

Hi Christie:

Congratulations on your awesome reviews!!! The last time I emailed you I had been reading Weddings Can Be Murder on a cliff in Acadia National Park so I'm not surprised you have another hit with this book. I actually picked it up last week from B&N and I am so glad you have all the zany characters back together again. They definitely cheered me up this weekend.

Also, I loved your bunny caption and I am impressed that you have such a wonderful animal family.
Thanks for another fun story. My only regret is that I have to wait until next year for your next one.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Christie Craig said...

Lucy,

How many critters? Too many. And that’s not including the raccoons and possums. Plus, I’m dog sitting this week. Jenny, the English Mastiff/horse. I’ll post some pictures of her next week. But hey…she does star in the book. Her picture is even on the cover.

Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Linda C,

Thank you, thank you.

Nothing is like new kitties. Be careful they may run off with your turkey this year.

Thanks for popping in.

CC

Kate Douglas said...

Congrats on your new release, and WHY would you want new captions? Love the ones you've got...which reminds me. Do you like, uhm...live in a zoo?

Great reviews--they're such a nice validation, aren't they?

Christie Craig said...

Zaharoula,

I so remember your email about the mountain hike and ignoring your family, due to reading Weddings, and being threatened to be left behind.

Thanks so much for picking up the book.

I just got another email from a reader telling how she enjoyed my books and I told her that the feeling of having a reader tell a writer that they enjoyed their book can be compared to a doctor being able to save a life. It may not be as important, but it's as if we are getting validation that what we are doing what we are meant to do.

So thank you guys so much. I love making you guys smile, sigh, and maybe even blink a tear back.

Have a great Thanksgiving. And thanks for stopping by.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Kate!

Do I live in a zoo? Pretty much. Doesn't it take four cats in the office to write?

I have four of those suckers in here with me now.

And yes, those reviews are icing on the cake.

Thanks so much for stopping in.

CC

Ruth said...

Hey Christie,
Congrats on the new book. And tell your personal press agent Faye, that I need a trailer thingy to post on my myspace. And as soon as I get through this @@##@#$%^ NANOMO thing, I sit down and read it.
Ruth

Rashda Khan said...

Hi Christie,

Congrats on the great reviews!

I can't wait to get my mitts on the new book. Whenever I need a laugh, I reread Weddings Can Be Murder. This new one sounds just as fun.

Loved your zoo/family!

Rashda

Christie Craig said...

Hi Ruth,

I'll get with Faye about doing her job!!!

Darn that woman is slacking off from her job. (Now I have to go run and hide and because Faye is going to hunt me down and kill me.)

Thanks so much stopping in.

I'll make sure you get the video.

CC

Kim Lenox said...

Man, those reviewers are a tough (but cute!) crowd!! Congratulations on this new release Christie! I'm hoping to get to Borders today and pick it up so I can take the book with me on my holiday!

Kimberly Frost said...

Thanks so much to the animals of the Craig family! It's rare to see so much species diversity in a collection of reviewers. Very impressive. ;)

Looking forward to reading it!

Hugs,
Kimber

Keri Ford said...

I suck at captions, but I love that bunny! Do ya'll have it housetrained, yet? Can you train a rabbit?

Congrats on the reviews and the release! I hope you sell a bunch!

Christie Craig said...

Rhasda

Thanks so much for stopping in.

Keep rereading! I hope Sue's and Jason's story brings lots of giggles and sighs.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Hi Kim,

Thanks so much. Your book is next on my to-be-read pile and I can't wait!!!

And hey, I happen to know you have your own "Feline" reviewers at your house.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Kimberly,

We at the Craig house believe in equal opportunity.

I wish I could have gotten the racoon and possum to pose with the book, but they were not willing to play.

I might have to cut their food rations. (smile)

I can't wait for your book to hit the stands.

CC

Gemma Halliday said...

OMG - love Floppy's comment! Lol!

Congrats on the great reviews!
(from one insecure twit to another)

~Gemma

Christie Craig said...

Keri,

You may not believe this, but the bunny has it's own house, complete with an air conditioner. I swear.

It does come inside a lot and while it's not perfect, most of the time it will use the litter box.

The bunny was a runaway that found it's way to my son work and to save it from becoming stew, he brought it home, so I don't know if it was an indoor pet before it became a Craig or not. But I know a lot of people who keep them indoors.

He actually is well-recieved in the household. The cats and him get a long just fine. They do keep staring at his ears as if wondering what happened to the poor feline. (Smile)

Thanks for posting!

CC

Christie Craig said...

Gemma,

What can I say, that Floopy rabbit is such a character! (smile)

And isn't it so true? We really are insecure twits.

Thanks girl.

CC

Minna said...

Too cute!

Christie Craig said...

Thanks Minna!

Good to see you here!

CC

Anonymous said...

LOL! I love Floppy Skivvies comment (and name)!

Christie Craig said...

Tori,

Thanks for popping in.

And hey, Floppy was named here on the blog.

He's a silly little rabbit!!!

CC

Terri Osburn said...

Congrats on the great reviews and happy release day! Those pictures are so cute, but I think the caption for Bob's should be more like "I loved this book so much I refuse to stop hugging it."

And Louette's should really say, "Ms. Craig has really come out of her shell in this one!" :)

Christie Craig said...

Okay, Terrio,

I like those new captions.

I was also thinking about Louetta saying, "Gotta hurry. Really Gotta hurry and get this book."

And I almost had Ol' Henry say, "Can you say LOVE? As in, I LOVE this book."

Refhater said...

Congrats on the good reviews! Cute critter pics too.

I can't wait to get the new book.

Terry S said...

Congratulations on this long awaited day and the great reviews you are getting so far. More will be coming your way I'm sure especially from us readers.

Your captions are just fine the way they are and no improvements are necessary.

I just found out my own babies (3 cats/3 dogs) went behind my back and invited an elderly yellow labrador retriever friend of theirs to stay over Wednesday through Sunday. How could they say no when they will go stay with him for 3 weeks next month? It's good to have friends.

I'm glad I already have both Divorced, Desperate books and only had reading instead of shopping plans. What a lovely way to spend my weekend...warm and cozy with my animal friends having a reading marathon of a favorite author.

Christie Craig said...

Rehater,

Thanks!

I hope you enjoy the new book.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Terry,

You know those babies are always inviting over company. I have my grandpuppy this week. All 200 pounds of her. She's sweet, but goodness, as my hubby says, 'If our daughter wanted a horse, why didn't she just get one?"

Thanks for posting.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

CC

Brandy said...

Delurking to say that I read your book over the weekend and loved it! When's the next one out? *G* As a matter of fact, I kinda talked two others into buying your book!

Christie Craig said...

Brandy,

I love delurkers, especially those who talk others into buying my book. Thank you soo much!

My next release is Gotcha! And it will be out in June. The third DD&D book will be out in December 09. Thank you so much for asking.

Oh, I checked out your profile...eight cats? Jeepers, I thought I was bad with my four. It must be kitty heaven at your house.

Thanks for posting, too.

CC

Anonymous said...

Slacking off? Moi? Oh, surely you jest! lol.

Sorry about the oversight, Ruth. I sent the link to you a few hours ago. Now, I'm heading back to the dungeon. Deadlines. Deadlines. Aaack!

Faye

Christie Craig said...

Ahh, Faye,

You need to get out of the dungeon a bit. Have fun. Relax. Just as soon as you get all my work done and yours. (smile)

Thanks for getting that to Ruth.

CC

Estella said...

Glad your are getting good reviews.
I love the captions you put on the pictures of your family.

Christie Craig said...

Estella,

Thanks.

Those reviews feel good. I can breath for a while.

CC

Bookmobiler said...

Floppy Skivvies Craig:

“Someone said they were doing something like rabbits. I don’t understand.”

Seeing as how I got to help name Floppy-Skivies I suggest "Doing something like rabbits? Get me a mate and I'll show them how its done!

I just finished D, D and Dating and enjoyed it very much. There are a lot of fun parts (ncluding the tampon thing) but my favorite is when Sue answers the phone thinking its's Josh and it turns out to be Maggie. I'm glad I wasn't eating or drinking anything.

I don't remember If I told you I'd read and loved Wedding too.

I have noticed a counting "things" (you know what they are) theme in both the D, D and D books.

Caroline said...

Very clever and cute! I did get more than several great chuckles!! Darling pets, too. The bunny was my favorite.

On a more serious note, Congratulations on your fantastic reviews! You are off and running…..
~C

Christie Craig said...

Bookmobiler,

LMAO!!! Seeing that you named him, you would want innocent floppy Skivies to man up, wouldn't you? (Smile)

And that counting theme...? So you noticed, huh? I'm working on the third DD&D now and I'm trying to figure out how to work it in again.

Thanks so much and I'm tickled pink that you enjoyed my books!

And I think the telephone scene is one of my favorites, too.

Thanks for posting.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Caroline,

Thanks for stopping in.

I think Floppy Skivies is everyone's favorite.

Thanks for for the congrats. I seriously feel like one of the luckiest poeple alive to do what I love for a living.

Thanks again for posting.

CC

Anonymous said...

Hi Christie,

Congrats on your excellent reviews!

Aw I love all the animal pics! They are all so cute! LOL!

Definately enter me in the contest!

Thanks,

Terri W.

Caffey said...

Congrats on the release!! I got my copy from Dorchester already :) I need to get your first book tho. Once I was recommended these I didn't want to miss the rest! I'd say on the caption 'Kis me already!'

Christie Craig said...

Hi Terri W.

Thanks for stopping in.

I got your name in the hat.

CC

Christie Craig said...

Caffey,

Thanks for coming by. I'm glad you got my book.

Hmm...kis me already, huh?

I like it.

CC

Unknown said...

Hey Cristie, I loved your little captions with you pets. They are so cute. I take it this is your animal family. You have quite a few pets. I guess they all read your books. I am looking forward to reading your new book. I sounds like it is getting some great reviews.

Christie Craig said...

Virginia,

Yup, this is my animal kingdom. Thanks for stopping in.

CC

Maria Geraci said...

Great reviews! Good luck with the book!

Christie Craig said...

Thank you Maria!

CC

TJ Bennett said...

Looking forward to reading the new book, Christie. Loved the last two!

TJB

Christie Craig said...

Thanks TJ!

It's good to see you here!

CC