Nothing is better than hearing from readers and getting feedback on your writing – especially positive feedback, let’s be honest. So far my book has been read and praised by three book groups (that I know of).
 
The first book group was in San Rafael, California. On a Thursday evening I sat in a straight-back chair surrounded by eight women who bombarded me with questions about the book and the writing process. It was great. As you might suspect, this group was particularly interested in the problems of bringing up children/teenagers in an affluent suburb. Like most mothers, they understood the desire to give your kids everything, and how hard it is to say “No” when you want to make them happy. I freely admit that I still have trouble saying “No” even though I’ve never embezzled anything. 
 
Next my writer-friend Kemble Scott sent MY LOST AND FOUND LIFE to his mother in Massachusetts. She read it, loved it and recommended it to her book group. They loved it. It was wonderful to hear readers all the way across the country liked my ” California” book. Thank you, Kemble, and Kemble’s mom. (Unfortunately, I didn’t get to travel to New England for this meeting, darn!).
 
The third group to read and discuss my book was the Book Babes Book Club in Auburn, California. I used to live in Auburn and I used to be a member of the Book Babes, so it was fun to go back and hear all my old friends talk about my book. Of course, they’re my friends, so they probably wouldn’t have said anything bad about the novel, especially in front of me. But they all swore that they really really REALLY liked my book. We met in the private room of a Roseville restaurant and I talked and talked and they said truly wonderful things like “You should be on Oprah!” and “I hope you’re writing a sequel.” Thank you Sue, Leslie, Beth, Kay, Joey, Dawnielle, Lorraine, Elizabeth, and all the other book babes. I floated home, buoyed by your compliments.
 
So what’s next? More meetings with book group, I hope. If you know of a book group who might want to read my book, tell them that I’ll try my best to come in person or phone in for the meeting. Just send me an email and we’ll make it happen. And don’t worry, I can take criticism too. If you think the book should have ended differently, let’s talk about it.