In Loving Memory

Each of us has a definite number of days on this earth. Some wonderful people ended up with far too few. Since it's Memorial Day weekend and Between is set to launch on June 1, I wanted to take a moment to flesh out the dedication of the book.

Ryan Tefft
You were the first to welcome me to the Tefft family. Mischievous, with an infectious laugh and a charisma that drew people in, you were an immediate friend and ally. You always made me feel special, just by being in your presence.

My son bears your name (along with your loving yet stubborn nature) in honor of the boy you were and the man you never got to be. You are still loved and remembered by many.



Lisa Surdyk
The two of us were yin and yang, your quiet and thoughtful demeanor a perfect complement to my outspoken and impulsive personality. Our friendship was deep and intense from the beginning because we knew that time was short. We didn't waste a second, you and I.

Days before the end, I sat beside you on your bed and told you that I'd decided to dedicate the book to you. You cried and said no one had ever done something like that for you before. Now I can say, "We did it, Lisa!" You told me I could and you were right. I should have known.

Jamie Schlecht Knapp
When I look at your photo, I still can't believe you're gone. You were bigger than life: your sparkling green eyes and perfect white teeth, your smile that lit up a room, the laugh that couldn't be contained. You prankster, you unapologetic wild thing, you loving and warm friend, how could you ever really leave me? You didn't. You're always there, tucked in my heart, safe and sound.

Lindsey's song for Aiden was actually written for you. Saying "I miss you" doesn't scratch the surface and I can't wait to see you again. What a party that will be!

A Shout Out to the Peeps!

The big day is drawing near, with the big launch of Between less than 2 weeks away. I wanted to take a minute and send a resounding THANKS! to all the people who have agreed to be a part of the promotion. Bucketfuls of bloggers and other individuals will be posting reviews, interviews and/or guest posts during the month of June (and beyond). Counting all the followers of the participating bloggers, there are over 60,000 people likely to see Between's release in one fashion or another. Woot! Holy cats, Batman! Is that awesome or what??

This EPIC (and I'll say it again... EPIC) launch would not be possible without the help of the people listed below, who have graciously offered their time to read the book and/or participate in the promotion. Thank you so much. I can't tell you what it means to me. You = Awesome.

If you aren't on this list and would like to participate, there's still time. Just sign up and I will contact you!

In Over My Head!

So you know about the big June 1st launch of Between, right? Right. I've lined up over 140 bloggers to review the book and a fair number of those sweet souls are doing interviews with me to boot. I've also agreed to write a number of guest posts. Great, huh? Yep, it is. Only, now I actually have to DO the work! Oy!

One of the blogs has asked me to write my own Q&A, so I thought I'd ask for a little help from my friends. That would be you. *grin*

Shout out some questions you'd like me to answer in an interview. They can be serious, random, funny, whatever. Just throw some out there to get me started, if you would be so kind.

Thanks, all!

Fraidy Cats!

YA author extraordinaire Elana Johnson's debut novel Possession comes six days after mine. I guess that makes us release sisters! Squee!

She had an awesome blog post last week called Tell A Big Fat Lie Tuesday where she talked about how negative reviews are No. Big. Deal. They just roll off her back, right?

Okay, not so much true. But still! I was totally there with her about how we have to plug our ears and move on.

Elana and I have both been working on blog tours and interviews. My plan for the release of Between is to have all the reviews and posts hit at once, starting June 1. Elana's reviews have been coming in pre-release to build buzz that way. Either way, we're both biting our fingernails, waiting for the big day and knowing there will be some negative mixed in with the (hopefully overwhelming flood of) positive.

What do you do when you're nervous about something? Any tips for keeping the stomach acid down? Share!