So just when I’m in the middle of lamenting because I’m nowhere near the New York Times Best Seller List, and I’m pretty sure the Pulitzer Prize wont be in the mailbox this afternoon, I get a message that kicks my butt. Good book reviews are gold, and bad ones, well, they drive me to drinking (wait…okay, they drive me to more drinking ). Anyway, when I got this unexpected email, it literally brought tears to my eyes because it served as a reminder, and that is, that I write to (hopefully) touch people in some small way (and not in that way, naughty bird). There’s a heck of a lot of writers out there, and let’s face it, time is precious, so when someone takes time to not only read one of my books, but to reach out and let me know she loved it, well, it’s just the coolest thing ever.
I asked permission to share this email, and hope this reader knows how very much her message to me meant (and check out how she pimps my other book– I should PAY this girl!):
From: Kisha Jorgenson-Lazo
Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2013 12:29 PM
To: Tamara Dorris
Subject: Re: Casey’s Quest
OMG. LOVE LOVE LOVE! WHEN IS THE SEQUEL????????????? I am dying!! Thank you so much for sending me the book! I wrote a review on amazon, but instead of you having to track it down I’m just going to copy it here. NOW HURRY UP WITH THAT SEQUEL!!! ;-p
https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/
I have to pre face with the information that the author provided me with a copy of this book for review. That being said, I would not give a good review for a free book, might jump into traffic or something equally crazy but if the book sucks I would be honest.
To begin I found the author Tamara Dorris when I read another book by her, Secrets of a Spiritual Guru, (link below) That book had me rolling on the floor so when I finished it, as is my habit, I searched for other books by the same author.. So thrilled to find her website AND face book page. Emailed her about the book and she provided me with an oversize paperback. I started the book quickly but began read much more slowly, only allowing a couple chapters at a time because I knew it was going to end it is a healthy 30 chapter book… I could have easily read the entire book in one sitting but it was so good and I was enjoying the story line so much I wanted to savor it… like a fine wine! In fact I will probably read it again right before the sequel.
Casey’s Quest begins with her father’s ‘funeral and the days that follow, helping her mother and discovering secrets that her father “the Colonel” and her mother kept her whole life. Casey had no idea that she had been adopted when she was 4 years old, had no memory of a time when these people were not her parents. Her quest to find answers about her previous life lead down some strange and twisting paths, and without revealing the really great plot, Casey’s biological mother, was involved in some weird scary stuff! And the tie-ins to the things happening in her life now are going to be very interesting in the sequel! Also very interested to see where Andrew fits in to all of this, is he being straight with her or is he hiding much more than she thinks? I kept waiting for that shoe to drop!
Casey has also started a new job, her first “grown up” job, working for a bank in their mortgage retention department. The author included lots of interesting details and true empathy on the author’s part of what it is like to have to tell people that their house is being taken and sold at sheriff’s sale every day. Ugh. I would hate that! Casey accidentally stumbles on some information that points to some shady dealings with the bank and one particular client. Without a spoiler, let’s just say good choice on the character and her son. My only disappointment in this part of the story line is that Casey seems a little too naïve, seriously, she doesn’t watch the news or read a newspaper and struggles to find an online newspaper?? Apparently she doesn’t have Google. Not important really, just an observation.
I sincerely loved this book and was very sorry when it ended.. I absolutely cannot wait until the sequel comes out! If you enjoy books with a good mix of mystery, suspense and a touch of love angst, you really want to read this book!!
Thank you Tamara Dorris for the wonderful escape.. I just wish it lasted longer!!
Also READ her other book : it’s a ROTFLMAO, laugh out loud fun read.
http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-
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Should I buy this girl a car, or what?
Make it a great week everyone! XOXOXO
Tamara,
I just finished reading Secrets of a Spiritual Guru. LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT. I think I found it on Bookbub.com. You need to thank those people. . . Or maybe I do. Anyway, chose it on a whim, looking for someone new to read. Can’t even remember if I paid for it or it was an eread freebee . . . What it turned out to be is one of my favorite books and possibly my new favorite author. You are my new Janet Evanovich and Jennifer Cruise (who really needs to write a new book without Bob, by-the-by). I am an avid reader. Every New Years Eve my only resolution is to read 100 books before Dec 31. So far, my best year has been 96. I know!! You’d think I coulda just snuck 4 little 20 page pamphlets in on the 30th and said ‘good enough’ but I would have been over-come with guilt and buried my shame in a 5 lb box of chocolates. (At least I would have made sure they were GOOD chocolates like Seas, or Fanny May, or Betty Jane’s . . .) Anyway I digress . . I found you by accident. I intend to keep you on purpose. I love Melissa. Reading this book was like the talking in my head!! (Hmmm, Do you think we may have been sisters in a previous life?? ) I started reading Guru one night when sleep was avoiding me. (Thank heavens for Kindle and Nook and not needing a light in the middle of the night.) 20 chapters later my alarm is going off and I am weighing not going to work (which I love) against staying home and finishing the book – but then it would be over right? And what if there is no sequel !! (well, thank goodness there IS. However delayed it may be – I like spontaneous gratification.) Anyway – What I really wanted to tell you is, I have never written to an author before, except that one time in High School, when I thought Georgette Heyer was the best author to ever write a Victorian novel (and still kinda think so) only to find out that she died about 6 months before she could read my letter. But her publisher did send me a very nice response back. So I hope you haven’t died about 6 months ago and the photo on your website isn’t from 15 years ago, because I CAN NOT WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL to this book. I love every character in your book. They are real, they are likable and your dialogue is witty and believable. There are a lot of bad authors out there! I know – I’ve read them!! I hate reading a book that I spend more time editing in my head than I spend focused on the story. (No head editing on this one!!) Great character development. A fun story line. Laughs on every page. It was a book I could just fall into and enjoy! As soon as I finish this I intend to pull out my Nook and Kindle and search for your other books. (Please let there be others . . . )
I just want to ‘thank’ you for being brave enough to put words on paper and putting it out there for the world to read. I will be encouraging every Reader I know to read your books.