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Thursday, December 18, 2014

A2R Marketing: The Gift of Words from Readers



If you're like me, the holidays make time pass in a blur. If we're not careful, the moments that make the holidays special will be forgotten in a swirl of tissue paper, twinkly lights and finger foods. As a wife, mother, friend, (etc!), I get busy doing for others and end up at the bottom of my list. Pausing long enough to absorb and savor can feel like a luxury. So, when I received some emails from readers who loved my book, I sat, stunned and humbled, and remembered to take a breath and appreciate their gift of words.

For my readers who have taken the time to email, tweet, post, like, and review, THANK YOU! Below are a few messages I've received recently (with identifiers taken out).

"Absolutely fantastic, Connie! If I am not ready for Christmas, it is your fault.
I love the book. I detect a horse-loving childhood for you.??
Good Luck and many congrats. What an accomplishment."
-New Hampshire

"I have wanted to email you since I finished your wonderful, amazing book – and this is the first chance I have had! ... I just wanted to let you know that I LOVED your book. And I am a bibliophile. I read ALL of the time that I’m not working with horses and Reiki! Which is a lot. You were so sweet offering to skype with us and all. And while I don’t need to take your time with that – I did want you to know how very much I enjoyed your book. And how much I am looking forward to the next one! I’ll try to find you on facebook so I can be notified when it’s out! Can’t wait."
-Canada

"I just wanted you to know that I just finished "The Charity"! I bought it at the Equine Affaire last fall and it had been sitting on my bedside tale staring at me. Working full time and raising three teenagers keeps me very busy so to commit to reading a book is a daunting task for me. I finally started it last week and couldn't put it down until I finished it. ironically I finished the last few chapters at my daughter's horse show. all of the parents kept asking me what was keeping my attention and I told them about the book. I highly recommended it to everyone."
-Rhode Island
"I rarely have time to read but when I do, I like books like "the girl with the dragon tattoo" trilogy, the "hunger games" trilogy, as well as Gillian Flynn books .The Charity was as suspenseful and riveting as those, if not more! Being a horse-lover made me connect with your book even more. I just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your book, and await your next one!
Regards and thanks for such a great read!"
-New York

"A copy of your book came my way from a friend. It was on my stack of books to tackle and once I finally got to it, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. ... My daughter also has a copy and I am encouraging her to pick this up. I notice that the ending left a lot of opportunity for a sequel? Looking forward to that if you are planning on it!
Best of luck to you with your writing. You are very good at it!!"
-Kentucky

"OMG! I loved the Charity... I can't wait to start the next book. Is it at the bookstores yet? I usually read books on the best sellers list, and you are right up there with the best."
-Massachusetts

"I wanted to touch base with you Connie and tell you that I just finished The Charity. It has kept me glued to the chair, tense and turning pages until the end. It is quite the book and full of suspense and a true thriller! I enjoyed every page until the last....I am so glad to see there is a sequel coming out because I was left sitting there going, 'but what happens to them now?' So thank you for writing more of the story....why this has not been picked up for a movie I have no idea! I can imagine certain people in the roles and see the horses and countryside, etc. The story would make a great movie!
... I have been an avid horsewoman for many, many years. So I have enjoyed your book immensely and look forward to The Troubles....I think I'll take a breather for a few weeks and read some Nicholas Sparks to settle down tho'. 
Blessings to you and yours and may 2015 find you all in good health and spirits!"
-Wyoming


More on A2R (Author to Reader) Marketing can be found here.