We’re in the middle of our countdown to launch TEN GOOD REASONS in just a few days. Here are reasons 5, 4, and 3:

Reason 5 – The Bar Scene

There’s a whole bar scene in the middle of the book that I really liked. It wasn’t based on a single bar in Orange County, but kind of a composite of a few places. I meant for it to be a sort of “underworld” that Lia and Evan end up in, and I hope I pulled it off.

Reason 4 – The Disentanglement Scene

I can’t say too much about this one without major spoilers, but this is one of my favorite scenes of the book. After you read it, check out the Ten Good Reasons book page on my website for the video that inspired this scene.

Reason 3 – The First Kiss Scene

I love the “first kiss” scene in almost every romance novel – including my own! The first kiss is usually such a game-changer in the story because it’s when both characters realize something huge is changing between them — when they usually don’t want it to. Lia and Evan didn’t disappoint – their first kiss might be one of my favorites yet! 

So preorder now, and see if you love these three scenes as much as I do!

COMING APRIL 7

Available for preorder at:

Barnes and Noble (Nook or paperback)
Amazon (Kindle or paperback)
iBooks/ iTunes
Powells Books
Book Depository (free shipping outside the U.S.)

Want to read the first chapter, see some fun facts, and watch videos about this book? Check out the Ten Good Reasons book page on my website!

So I guess it never stops. Your mouth goes dry each time. Because my first industry review came in for TEN GOOD REASONS, and just like it did for the first book, my heart started racing.

I suppose this will always happen. Because you send it out there, and you love it, and you HOPE everyone loves it, but until you start hearing from everyone (anyone, really), you just don’t know.

And this book had the added pressure of being the SECOND, which has to be at least as good as the first, but not too similar, but not too different, and have some of the same characters, but not too many, and have the same setting, but not described in exactly the same way, and have some of the same writing-style and voice as the first, but not identical, and … well, you get the idea. Pressure. Lots.

So it was with great trepidation that I read my first review (it was from Kirkus). It’s here: Kirkus Reviews: Ten Good Reasons.

And it was with great relief that I finished reading it. (Breathing commenced!)

Drinking should have probably commenced also, because I had to read this part a couple of times:

Christopher’s second novel is a polished and accomplished success with a terrific mix of romantic chemistry, sexual tension and a touching emotional journey. … A smart, poignant contemporary romance from an author to watch.

An “author to watch”? Me??? I can’t even believe this stuff is written about me. It feels like they’re talking about someone else.

The Kirkus review was introduced in another article by Bobbi Dumas, who writes about romance, and she lumped me with some established romance icons who I admire, and she called the book “sexy and smart.” (Squeeeeeeee!) Her article is here: Beach Reads in Winter | Kirkus.

Dang, once I pick myself up off the floor, I’ll try to figure out if writers ever get used to this — the pressure, the nervousness, the heart-racing, the relief, and the strange oddity of seeing public reviews of your writing.

(I’m guessing not.)

But at least now I can go back to writing the next book! (Breathing properly, and with just an iota more energy.)

Thank you all for listening. …