So Driven to Distraction has been out for ten days now. I’ve heard from a few readers who loved it and we received a five star review from a reader on the MBaM website. (Thanks so much, Beverly.) Awesome authors Nicole Austin and Lena Matthews both raved about the book on their respective blog and forum (I love you ladies!). Driven to Distraction is currently number 6 on the My Bookstore and More bestseller list. All of those feel awesome. Writing is such a solitary career–although luckily for me I get to do it with my best friend–so receiving feedback is a huge thing. Plus it had been forever since Ashleigh Raine had a book release, I was afraid no one would remember us.

Still we hadn’t yet received any reviews from review sites. I wasn’t too surprised, the book is a long one so I knew it wasn’t one that a reviewer, especially with a backlog of review copies to read, would be able to race through (huh, unintentional Driven to Distraction related pun there…hehe). Today I began my morning ritual, downloading emails, checking a few internet sites I like to peruse…

And all of a sudden it was there. Right on the front page of Mrs. Giggles site. She’d reviewed Driven to Distraction. I think at that moment my heart stopped. I was afraid to click through to find out how she rated it, but at the same time my fingers couldn’t move fast enough to click the link.

For any of you familiar with Mrs. Giggles, she’s a harsh critic. Now, I’m of the firm belief that everyone has the right to their opinion. I know that not everyone is going to like the books Lisa and I write. That’s a fact of life as a writer. There’s no way on earth to please everyone. Of course, I can know that, and I can preach it to authors who’ve gotten bad reviews, and I can be the most logically minded person on earth about how any review is good publicity…but all that said, it still doesn’t stop me from worrying and hurting just a little bit when we get a not-so-good review. I can’t decide if that makes me crazy or human or both, but that’s just how it goes. Thank God the crazy human side of me didn’t have to come out today…

Mrs. Giggles gave Driven to Distraction a 94!!! For the first minute after clicking through and seeing how she rated it, I just stared goggle-eyed at the screen. I couldn’t even read her review. I started shaking and I heard a buzzing in my ears. (Hmmm, maybe my crazy human side didn’t stay hidden after all, but this time it came out to play for happy reasons.)

I emailed Lisa the link to the review although I’m not sure my email to her made any sort of sense. Then I emailed my editor. Then I called my mom at work and read her the review over the phone. She started crying and giggling and I started crying and giggling and it was a big ol’ happy mush fest.

So thank you, Mrs. Giggles. Thanks for making me giggle and cry and laugh and act like a complete whack job today. Not that that’s much different than normal, but at least today I can tell people that my weirdness has an excuse…Driven to Distraction got a kickass, awesome review.

Oh, and if y’all want to know what Mrs. Giggles had to say about it: “Fast cars, hot sex, and plenty of mad hot chemistry – this one drives me past distraction and straight to WIIIIILLLLLLDDD… Driven to Distraction is like the Barracuda that is taking me for the ride of my life and I’m like that silly young girl laughing in exhilaration. Baby, this is hot stuff.” You can read the rest here.

7 Responses to “Wow oh wow oh wow…”

1. Jorrie Spencer Says:
   August 17th, 2007 at 7:28 am

   Woohoo! That’s a great review

2. Bev Stephans Says:
   August 17th, 2007 at 2:36 pm

   I’m so happy that Mrs. Giggles gave you a 94! You deserve it. I have been touting “Driven” to anyone who will listen. Now, start writing faster! HeeHee

3. AshleighRaine Jen Says:
   August 17th, 2007 at 7:16 pm

   It is a great review, isn’t it, Jorrie. Mrs. Giggles made my Friday.

   Bev, thank you so much for being our cheerleader. LOL! We’re writing, I promise!

4. Bev Stephans Says:
   August 18th, 2007 at 8:42 am

   Hey guys, Mrs. Giggles gave “Acting On Impulse” a 90. I had to put her on my favorites list as she gave great reviews for two of my favorite e-authors: Ashleigh Raine and Ann Wesley Hardin.

5. AshleighRaine Jen Says:
   August 19th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

   Wow times two! Thank you, Mrs. Giggles!

6. Ing Says:
   August 20th, 2007 at 7:13 am

   Congrats on the great review! I just got done with Driven to Distraction and you ladies have yourself another new fan! OMG…that book totally rocked my world. I’m not a big car girl fan by oh my!! Great job on the book and now I’m off to buy Acting on Impluse!

   Ing

7. AshleighRaine Jen Says:
   August 20th, 2007 at 10:55 am

   Sweet! Yay, Ing! I saw your review on MBaM. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hope you enjoy Acting on Impulse, too.

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