"Life is like underwear. . . ."

A little note for anyone who visits, for all lovely readers and followers ... in order to simplify, to consolidate and hopefully to avoid duplication, I'm suspending blog entries for now. I will, however, be posting regularly on my FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE  and I would love it if you followed me there. In addition to what I hope will be interesting and fun posts, I'll also post news about my books and upcoming events as well as news of the next novel tentatively scheduled to debut in September of this year, 2016. ❤

Book club love

I was supposed to be there, and I was so sorry a looming deadline caused me to miss out when a group of lovely readers, members of the Happy Bookers book club, recently met one evening to discuss CROOKED LITTLE LIES.

I can honestly say I write for book clubs or more accurately for the member discussions they give rise to. Readers form clubs for that very reason, so they can talk about what they’ve read. A book is a great way to discuss the good stuff, the sometimes-hard life stuff. You can review a fictional situation and the resultant actions of a character with far less emotional investment than if those same circumstances were personal. Unlike real life, reading about a difficult journey gives us distance, a perspective, and time to sort through our feelings. It’s easier to talk in the abstract and still, it can be its own form of therapy. That’s always my hope, anyway, that along with sheer enjoyment, a story I write will be inspiring of openhearted, in-depth and spirited conversation.

The members of the Happy Bookers called me before they began what I heard was a lively discussion of CROOKED LITTLE LIES. They passed the phone around to say how much they enjoyed the story and a bit about what it meant to them. I was thrilled.

Thank you Happy Bookers! Your phone call that evening was a delight.

Pictured are: Jink Willis, Teresa Brown, Beth Fletcher, Sandy Singletary, Betty Channing, and Julie Jakubson

Members not shown: Carol McVey, Shirley Morrell, Jane Presley, Windy Bordo, Mary Van Compernolle and Rebecca Gilman

12 Books More Scandalous Than Scandal

Via twitter 2 days ago

What a thrill to find CROOKED LITTLE LIES included on this list of great reads. 

Check it out!

A shout out to Amazon & Lake Union & to readers everywhere!

When my wonderful agent, Barbara Poelle, and my lovely editor, Tara Parsons, let me know that CROOKED LITTLE LIES was slated to be a July pick for Kindle First, a program offered by Amazon to their Prime members where they can choose one of what was that month 4 books and download it free, I was excited. Being a Prime member myself, I was familiar with the program and knew it would mean the novel would get a lot of exposure. Kindle First is a great way to find new authors. But I never imagined, and still have trouble wrapping my head around the actual end result. Unwrapping this plaque that was sent to me by the wonderful team at Amazon/Lake Union and seeing the actual number of downloads there were in the month of July quite literally gave me goosebumps. It's incredible to think that more than 175,000 readers chose to download and read my book on their device!

Thank you can hardly begin to express my appreciation. This could never have happened without the support of so many people, Barbara, Tara, and the whole Amazon and Lake Union publishing teams. A huge shoutout to them and to all the Kindle First readers who participate in this fantastic program every month and to readers everywhere. As long as you keep reading, I, and other authors, can keep writing!

I love hearing from readers. If you read Crooked Little Lies, let me know. Let's keep in touch!

CROOKED GOOD TREASURE HUNT: Win an AMAZON GIFT CARD!

Amazing TREASURE HUNT starts TOMORROW, September 1.

Don't forget that BEGINNING tomorrow you can look for CROOKED LITTLE LIES on shelves at 1700 WALMART stores across the U.S. (It may appear later in some locations.)

And if you FIND it and PHOTOGRAPH it there in the store, then SHARE the photo on social media Facebook and/or Twitter, naming your location and TAGGING me (on Twitter, @barbarasissel, on Facebook, Barbara Taylor Sissel, Author) you will be entered to win one of five $20.00 AMAZON gift cards!

The hunt will last all month, giving you plenty of chances to find, photograph and share CROOKED LITTLE LIES and be entered to win a CROOKED GOOD treasure! A drawing for each of 5 WINNERS will be held on October 1.

Can't wait to see all your PHOTOS. One of the most exciting things for me about a book debut is HEARING from readers and seeing WHERE a book I've written has TRAVELED to and been read!

Exciting News! Crooked Little Lies on sale September 1 at 1700 Walmart Stores!

TREASURE HUNT TO WIN AMAZON GIFT CARD!

I'm thrilled to announce that as of September 1, 2015, CROOKED LITTLE LIES will be on sale at 1700 Walmart stores in various locations across the U.S.! And to commemorate the event and add to the celebration, I'm organizing an old-time TREASURE HUNT! Remember those, where folks were divided into teams and given a list of items to find, and the team that got all the items on the list
first won the grand prize?  Well, I'm making this treasure hunt way simpler. You only have to find one item: a copy of CROOKED LITTLE LIES, in one location: on the shelf at your local WALMART store, then follow these easy steps to be entered to win 1 of 5 $20 Amazon gift cards:




First: Beginning on September 1(please be mindful that your local store may get the book on the shelves a little later than September 1 - the date can vary by store) look for copies of Crooked Little Lies in your local Walmart store.

Second: Take a photograph of the book and yourself INSIDE THE STORE, post it on social media and tag me:
   
FACEBOOK: @ Barbara Taylor Sissel, author

TWITTER FEED: @barbarasissel

Please include the location of the store where you found copies.

That's all you have to do to be entered to win ONE of FIVE $20 AMAZON gift cards. The drawing for 5 winners will be held on September 30 and I'll announce the winners on October 1.

Where do authors and readers meet? Fairmount Community Library Event!

Even Elijah was held rapt. He was so good!

Sara Karashin, Director, with son Elija

 I had a fantastic time, sharing CROOKED LITTLE LIES on Thursday, August 13, at the launch party and fundraiser at the Fairmount Community Library. I want to thank Sara Karashin and the other library board members and volunteers who helped organize the event. Thanks so much, too, to my niece, Heather Wilson for putting together the gift baskets that were given away in the drawing. Donations for the baskets were much appreciated and included everything from wine to books to spa services, good food and gift cards. Thank you to Mary Elizabeth Sheehan of Yoga Potential and John Marsh of Sera Dining and Wine, both located in Fort Worth, for their donations. And congratulations to winners, Rhonda Sanders, Valerie Bigler and Kris Savage. Huge thanks to all who attended. It was a lovely evening!

We had a lively discussion after the reading