This is a big day for us because one of our own has her first book out and we are going to spend two days celebrating. When I first started this blog I would write stupid shit and would post it and wait to see if anyone would comment but no one ever did. Then I started to get a few comments and one of them was Gina Leigh Maxwell. She started commenting everyday and always had something funny to say. She was one of the original BBL’s and still is.
She quickly became my friend and asked if I wanted to read a book she wrote. I said yes and she sent it. I read it with my wife and we were stunned by how good it was and I knew right then that eventually she was going to make it. Shortly after that she was offered a book deal and now she is officially a published author and that is a big deal. When she first got the contract I wrote about it on the blog and all of us were so happy for her and could not wait for her first book to come out. I thought it would be the book I had read but it wasn’t because she was asked to write another book first and she did. It is titled Seducing Cinderella and this is my honest review.
Reid is a professional fighter in Mixed Martial Arts. When he is injured his coach insists he goes for physical therapy. Begrudgingly he goes and his therapist turns out to be his best friend’s little sister Lucie who he hasn’t seen in years. He enters the office with her in tears and through his first examination finds out Lucie is interested in the doctor in her hospital who has taken no notice of her.
Reid’s mind starts whirling as he has two months to heal if he wants to maintain his belt for the title fight. Reid sees that Lucie needs help in the clothing and make up department. Being a playboy himself, he knows what turns men on and devises a plan that would help them both.
Reid agrees to give Lucie advice and training on how to get the Dr. to notice her if she agrees to help him get ready for the title fight of his life. For him to get the intense therapy that is needed, they agree to live together as she gives him around the clock therapy and he in turn will transform her from the mousy therapist to the beautiful and sexy Cinderella.
The story is fun and captivating, the characters are heart warming and realistic. The sex scenes are great. I will look at hard candy differently from now on. If you want a story that is light and fun, this one is for you.
Grade: B+
I would have given this book an A but I have two problems with it. First, the hero has a secret desire to be a fucking sculptor and if you remember my review of Ruthie’s book you know how I feel about that. What is it with women and artists? Second, she named a fucking diabetic ferret after me. No shit a fucking ferret.
In all seriousness this book is very good and we are all very happy and proud of you Gina. Nothing makes me happier than to see a friend succeed when they deserve it and you deserve it. To celebrate we are giving away ten books to people who comment, five today and five tomorrow.
Thank you, Remy, for the heartfelt review. Despite the fact that I don’t feel a dislike for artists or poor, diabetic ferrets is a valid reason for docking my rating, I still love you. You fricking rock, buddy!
Thanks Gina and congrats!
Can’t wait to read this one. ..not a huge fan of MMA. ..but something about a tough guys with an artistic side is just hot. ..and what’s not to love about ferrets
Thank you, Stephanie!
Just got my copy, Gina. You go girl! I loved RM’s review. And I REALLY love the fact you named a diabetic ferret after him…I mean, he IS, after all, a sweetheart under the bluster. I think he only gave you a B+ to hold on to his manly image. I mean, that’s important, right?
Of course, I’m STILL waiting on his review of Wolf Tales, but I think he’s afraid of Anton. (teasing, RM. REALLY…sort of.)
Gina, I’m really thrilled with your success–I hope you’re enjoying ever second of the process. I know that getting my first book published was a huge life-changer, and I don’t ever want to go back to the “non-pubbed” person. I love the life, and really love the chance to write my stories. They used to just rattle around inside my head. Now I get them out so that they can rattle around inside other people’s heads. Works for me!
Enjoy, celebrate, and get your butt back at the computer and write the next one! You go girl!!!
Thank you so much, Kate. I aspire to be as successful as you someday. And you’re right, Remy definitely wanted to uphold his image.
*squishes*
I am going to review wold tales. As a matter of fact I will be talking about WT tomorrow on UTC
Congratulations, Gina. I am going now to get my copy. Kate, he should be afraid of Anton. Anton is waaaay to sexy for RM. RM couldn’t handle Anton. (see, that’s how you challenge these southern boys). Love you guys!
Great review, RM! I’m reading it at the moment and am thoroughly enjoying it. Reid is hot! lol
Congratulations again Gina, it cool to see SC soring up the amazon best seller ranks! You must be absolutely buzzing
Thanks, Sheri! I am TOTALLY buzzing!
Congratulations, Gina!! I had no idea you were an original to the site. How very cool. I’m 30% through Seducing Cinderella now.
It’s really great.
Thanks, Sallie!
Happy Release Day Gina!! So excited for you.
RM loved the review and can’t wait to meet your alter ego
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Gina I just downloaded Seducing Cinderella, and see you are up on Goodreads
Thanks, MJ! Yes, I’m on Goodreads, but please be patient with me on that site. I don’t fully understand it yet and still need to change my regular profile to an author profile. I’m a rookie, after all!
Looks like a great story and I’m going for it. Thanks for the fine review, RM.
YAY!
It’s definitely a WIN-WIN deal: you write and I read…..and thank you for writing!!
Great review RM!
Gina – I am starting your book now and I am so excited! I am so happy for you – Congratulations!!
PS – RM for some reason I am not getting the blog notifications emailed to me anymore. Any ideas? Thank you!
I will try and fix that Alix
Thanks for trying! I even checked my spam folder and nothing. Scott is getting his but I am not getting mine. You are the best!!
Okay I am not sure if you did something but the notification email just came at 12:22 pm PST.
I forward to my tech guy
Congrats Gina!!! Already got my copy as you know & I cannot wait to start reading it! Wishing you all the best and looking forward to reading many, many more books from you
Yay! I’m not sure if I should say great review or congrats Gina! So I’ll do both.
RM – Nice wrap up. I think I just want to read it for the ferret along!
Gina – Congrats lady! I really need to go get it! I will I promise and it sounds like a great story. You deserve it, so enjoy it!
I can’t read this review, I’m reading my copy and I don’t want to know anything until I finish the book. Congratulations Gina!!!
Congrats Gina! I bought your book & will read it as soon as I finish the one I’m reading now.
Got it! Am happy it was immediately available in Europe! New releases too often aren’t!
Will love reading the steamy bits, the “oh Lucie, Yes Lucie, Just like that Lucie, a bit deeper Lucie”
Unfortunately i am swamped at the moment but i have two BBL books lined up after I finish the Maya Banks I am reading. I have great admiration for authors – i could never create a great story, write fantastically witty dialogue, fashion out cool plot lines, flash out realistic character with so many intersting facets.
So authors you ROCK!! And i wish you all loads of sales!
Happy Sunday people!
Lucie– every time you comment I smile because your shoe avatar makes me so happy
.
Just got my copy yesterday. I look forward to reading it after this great review….especially about a diabetic ferret
…and the mixed martial arts title holder? Hotty Trotty!!
Yay. This is so exciting. You must be floating on clouds. I can’t wait to read the book. Great review RM. And Ferrets are cute, could have been a turtle.
Great review RM… Gina congrats on your book I can’t wait to read it. I love this group you all rock.
Great review RM
It’s my next book to read!
Well, I finished reading. My husband and kids had to eat cereal for dinner and I didn’t study tonight but I finished and it was great!!!
Gina is very talented. The story left me with a big smile in my face, as well as steamy hot images in my head.
I don’t want to want to spoil it for anyone so I’ll just say that I loved the hero. Reid is kind and balanced, despite being a fighter. And yes, he has issues and makes mistakes, but he has character and the guts to aknowledge what is in his heart.
My only complain is that, for me, the pace of the story is pretty fast. There are some parts of the story that I would have liked to savor more. Again, it could be that I was practicaly devouring the book, so what would I do now? I have to read it again, of course.
Congratulations to Gina, again. You are wonderful!
And Remy, is a famous ferret by now.
Thank you, Grettel! Ignoring one’s life for the sake of the read is probably the biggest compliment an author can have. Please apologize to your husband and kids for me and thank them for “taking one for the team.”
I’m not surprised you thought the pacing was fairly quick. Before this book, I’d never even heard of “category romance,” much less all the hard and fast rules they follow. (When I started writing it was paranormal romances, which is another beast entirely.) The two biggest rules are that they must be heavily based on a trope (i.e. SC has 2 tropes: older brother’s BF & ugly duckling) and the word counts range is around 45K-60K, making it a shorter read for people who just want to escape for a few hours.
That was hard for me because I’m extremely long-winded by nature (*gasp* I know, you’re shocked, but it’s true.) so I find it almost impossible to make things short-n-sweet. Guess how long SC is…65K. I couldn’t even manage to stay in my publisher’s parameters to tell the story I wanted to tell!
So I totally get what you’re saying. I would’ve loved to draw some scenes out more or added additional scenes even, but it’s simply not possible for the specific genre of category.
However, if you like longer, more in-depth stories, my PNRs releasing in paperback next summer are just that. So stick around.
Thanks again, hon. *squishes*
I read one review on Amazon and she had mentioned Category Romance and Troupes and was like….HUH??? She was long winded and lost me with big words.
WTF!
Thanks for explaining that. I need to come out from under my rock. I have never heard of either of those terms.
Toni, don’t feel bad! I’ve been reading romance my entire adult life and writing it for over three years and I had no idea what any of that meant either! My editor was throwing those phrases around and I had to pretend like I knew what the hell she was talking about until I could get off the phone and call my friend in a panic of PLEASE TELL ME WTF SHE WANTS ME TO WRITE! *lol*
My pleasure!
Great review! Am on chapter 3 right now and going back to reading it. Already loving it. Probably won’t reemerge until after the last page.
I am in a full-blown panic– I can’t read fast enough. Family time yesterday got in the way of my reading time
. Today’s goal is to finish the Shelly Laurenston book I am reading so I can read Seducing Cinderella. I am so excited to read it for so many reasons. The top three are that Gina is so fucking funny and cool on here and FB, the hero is named Reid and it is spelled correctly (that’s Girl Babybug’s name so it must be an awesome book), and she named a ferret after you, RM. I don’t need anything else.
Gina– HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on your first published book! I have so much faith that it is going to be awesome that I already plan to write a review on Amazon under Manbug’s name. In case you didn’t know, I have only ever done that for one other author so it’s a really big deal
.
Wow, I’m honored, LB! Can’t wait for you to read it and thank you for being so sweet!
I have injected myself with sodium pentothal and I am hooked up to a polygraph machine so everyone will know that what I am going to say is the complete truth and in no way influenced by that fact that I love Gina and she is one on my favorite people I have never met.
THIS BOOK FUCKING ROCKS!!!!
(Shit, I fried the machine.)
Anyway, this book is so polished, so well written, sweet, sexy, funny. When I was finished the book, I couldn’t believe this was a debut effort. Our Gina is the real deal. And I really like sexy contemporaries, but I love paranormals! And Gina has a para series coming out next year, and I’m hoping in print, so she can autograph it for me, and then I can hold it and sleep with it next to me and it will be my friend.
Don’t you judge me. I love my books!
Seriously, Gina has so much talent and thank God the rest of the world is getting to finally see what we have known on this blog. I respect how hard she has worked to get this book out and I can’t wait for the next one. Gina, you deserve every success!
RM, you left one thing out of your review. The male dialogue in this book was spot on. Close enough to how real men talk not to jar you, but romantic enough to reveal inner feelings and move the plot along. You obviously forgot to mention how good Gina is at male POV. Because of that, I can only give your otherwise great review a B+.
D, you crack me up! Because I feel responsible, I’ll send you a new lie detector. LOL
Seriously, though, thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying such wonderful things about my writing. It’s so surreal to me that after all these years, the world–especially those I care about, such as everyone on this blog–finally gets to read my stories. And the response SC has gotten thus far has truly blown me away and humbled me like nothing else could.
D, my PNR trilogy IS being released in paperback! I’ll be cuddling with my copy as well! LOL. Again, thank you for everything. I totes love you, girl.
P.S. Thank you so much for mentioning your opinion on the male POV. It’s something I really strive for in my writing, as I prefer the male POV in most books and I love each of my heroes and want them to be the best they can be.
I prefer male POV too. Or at least want it in addition to the heroine’s. I know how women think. Tell me about the man!
Mine is better
My male dialogue is better
My rating stands. B+. Deal with it.
Diane– I thought of you Friday when I was reorganizing my TBR pile. Okay– I call it “reorganizing” to make myself feel less weird, but truthfully I was spending quality time with the books. They get sad and lonely when it takes me awhile to get to them. The tears mess up the paper so I try to keep them happy.
If you just touch them every once in a while and promise that you will read them someday, they seem to settle down and be content.
Good Morning!!! I see the late crew was busy last night! Since I stayed up till 1:00am Sat morning to try and catch Seducing Cinderella, I crashed early last night! Great review RM. But, you neglected to mention that the owner of the ” diabetic ferret ” was Mrs. Egan!! That was ME!! Egan is my maiden name, and Gina used it!
So, I own you….. 
Gina, I finished Seducing Cinderella in a matter of hours. I couldn’t put it down, and in my head I kept thinking ” this is OUR Gina”. There are already so many glowing reviews ( well deserved) I don’t know what to say in mine! Have to think on it. I LOVED this book!
Gina, you know I love you, and now we can start pestering you about the next one. Aunt Marlene is a riot, and she is another person I feel like I know, along with your Mom, and sister. They have to be so proud!!!
I hope it comes out in paperback at some point, so we can have your signature on it!!! Enjoy all you accolades….then get back to work!!! LOL. Pat/ Scout/ Mrs. Egan …owner of Remy.
WooHoo, Pat!
RM, Pat owns you! Go make her a sandwich!
I can’t I have diabetes
Hahahahahaha. Now that’s funny!
I noticed that Pat but chose to ignore it
I am in the middle of the book now, and THIS BOOK FUCKING ROCKS! (Diane, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!) This will be one of my favorites, and I have read alot of books that I wouldn’t say that about. I haven’t read RM review above yet, I will come back to it tonight after I finish Seducing Cinderella!!
)
I have one question for Gina. When Reid started referring to Lucie as Cinderella, was that before or after you decided on this rocking title ?!
I will be leaving my opinion of this book everywhere after I finish it (Amazon, BN, . . . anyone who asks
LG, the truth is the truth! Only one way to say it!
Thanks, LG! And that’s a great question!
He actually referred to her as Cinderella BEFORE we brainstormed the title. Liz (my editor) came up with a couple of ideas with Cinderella in the title and I had come up with a couple that had Seducing in the title. It took me a while, but eventually I put the two together, asked her what she thought, and she loved it. The more we thought about it, the more we realized how absolutely perfect it is! So then I went back during edits and played up the Cinderella part a little bit and voila!
This sounds like a great book. RM thanks for the review and I loved reading everyone else’s review. I can’t wait to read the book.
Congratulations Gina.
Thanks Lori
Thanks for the review RM!
I love this book! Yesterday morning I downloaded it from Amazon, and as long as I was there I decided to read the first 2 Chapters. I was immediately hooked and interrupted reading my current book to continue with SC. I couldn’t put it down, and finally finished it about 1 am. The characters are likable and the dialogue realistic. My DH watches MMA all the time so it was actually fun for me to read about a hero involved in this sport. It was different.
Gina, Congratulations on a great debut! I’m already looking forward to your next book. And the ferret was awesome!
Diane, you made me laugh talking about sleeping with your book. My daughter has slept with books since she was little. We call whatever she is sleeping with “bookie”.
Thanks Steph!
Oh Steph, that is so sweet! I’m going to tell my husband since he makes fun of me when I fall asleep with one of my books.
Steph–both of my little bugs sleep with books and the youngest can’t really even read yet. My 8-yr-old said that he loves the way they smell. Awwww….
I might have slept with a book or two in my day
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I never slept with a book unless you count Penthouse. I slept with a hooker once and I think she could read.
You have a lot of nice little hooker stories, don’t you? I am starting to see a theme in your life
.
Past Navy life
Ewwww…. my dad was in the Navy. I would prefer not to think about him and hookers at the same time.
Hate to break it to you but your has some stories to tell I’m sure
Wikipedia: Hooker is one of the positions in a rugby league football team.
Look just because your coed rugby team got lost coming home from a match with your cross country rivals in Alaska in the dead of winter and you had to huddle together for warmth, doesn’t mean you can keep tricking people into believing you slept with a prostitute.
That is correct, hooker is the smallest guy on the team in the middle of the scrum.
I still know almost nothing about rugby even after reading this blog for months. Weird.
LadyBug, another thing I must break you into? Rugby. It’s a big sport up here. I sure hope you love hockey.
I do love hockey. I went to a college (in Alabama no less) that had an incredible hockey team. We imported all of the players
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HOCKEY!!! Now you are talking my language. Wait to October. We will have to celebrate the start of the NHL’s 2012-13 season on the blog. IF we don’t have a lockout! Yikes!
Okay, did someone mention hockey? And rugby? AND football? No, wait that was me.
Diane, I had no choice but to love hockey, with three brothers playing it, one brother made a Farm team. I went to every one of their games (like I had a choice? LOL) I used to love the Zamboni the best, but then appreciated the game. We are a die-hard hockey family, but we all cheer for different teams.
Hockey season will be fun, we always have a blast on FB, especially with Leafs fans (we don’t like the Leafs, just remember that. LOL)
There is nothing like the smell of a brand new book! I don’t get hardbacks that much anymore, so when I do….oh the scent!
Pat– I went to a real brick and mortar bookstore yesterday. Our Borders closed a year ago so this is a big deal. It was absolutely wonderful being in there with all of those books. I actually shushed my kids so I could enjoy the moment. Then we spent 45 minutes in the kids section and I only got to look for 5 minutes. It was still wonderful.
Ah, the smell of it! Obsession.
I know something that smells better
What? Cake?
Bacon
Good call– bacon does smell great. I wasn’t sure where you were going with that comment originally. Nice save
.
Pat, I agree, I love the feel, touch and smell of books. I still have a lot of books I grew up with.
It took me a long time to hop on the e-book wagon, but now I am hooked on my e-reader. But I still do enjoy to hold a paper back or hard cover.
I sometimes threaten to take my son’s evening reading time away as a punishment! He is very particular about his books – he likes to display them right beside his baseballs he has been awarded.
Okay, after reading the post and all the comments I have to get this book now!!! I have a feeling my Sunday is going to be occupied!!! Thank goodness my husband doesn’t mind when I spend my free afternoon reading!
Romance Man, I don’t comment much on your site but I love reading all your posts and pass them on to my cousin. It’s great reading a man’s point of view of romance novels. I keep trying to get my husband to read a couple and just give the “the look” like I’m crazy or something. I’m just going to have to get him to read your blog. Maybe that’ll do the trick. Wish me luck! LOL!
suz2(at)cox(dot)net
Thanks so much Susan!
Sounds like a fun book. I’m looking forward to reading it, especially with the cameo appearances by you all.
Congratulations, Gina!
You can ignore it all you want El Matador, but I OWN you!
PLUS, I get to stick you with needles for your diabetes! Good thing I know what I’m doing!
After yesterday’s fucking turtles, I’m wondering about your fucking ferret…
I am a diabetic Ferret owned by Pat. Not funny.
Okay – awesome review of an awesome book! So excited for you, Gina. And, RM, as usual, your writing is genius!
Elisabeth your review is coming. I am sorry I got it out of order but it’s a long expalantion. I will email you. Pat’s review of your book will be first.
Oh, no worries, RM, but thanks for the heads-up!
Sounds like a good story. I like the Plain Jane to Sexy Siren type of story. I would love to read it.
For the record, I don’t get the whole artists are sexy thing either.
You had me at diabetic ferret.
Oh my gosh RM, fantastic review. At least it was a ferret, it could have been worse.
Gina, congrats on the new book. Sounds good.
Sounds good. I’m looking forward to reading it. As for having a ferret named after you, RM, you should be honored.
Congratulations, Gina! I’ve had to add this to my wishlist (anniversary coming up). I can’t wait to read it.
RM- it may have been a diabetic ferret, but, at least, she mentioned you:)
RM– I think the title of your autobiography definitely needs to have the word “hooker” in it somewhere. Give me a few minutes and I will come up with a catchy title for you…..
El Matador: A Man Not Made by Hookers Alone
I’ll keep working on it. The title is really more important than what’s in the book
LOL Is this part of your self-help book series?
This sounds great! Congratulations, Gina! And I HAVE to read this book, just for the diabetic ferret!
Great review RM! It’s so awesome that you and Pat are mentioned in the book. The story sounds awesome. Now I will HAVE to read this book! So happy for you Gina!
Congratulations Gina! This is so cool!
I’ll have to read it once I finish my current book…you’ve gotta love kindles & the immediate access to books.
(I’m sure the diabetic ferret will be my favorite part of the book)
Congrats again Gina on the release of your first book! I see that you are already kicking ass and taking names over on Amazon—yay for you!!! I could not go to sleep last night until I finished reading Seducing Cinderella. I just could not put it down, it was that good. The way you wrote the storyline was so believable and the characters were so real. I loved Lucie (Ha Ha) and Reid….SIGH. He was SO hot and SO sexy and SO sweet. I could go on and on and on about him. And let’s not forget the love scenes—they were smokin! You had me laughing and crying and sighing while reading this book. I absolutely loved it =). I will be telling everyone I know to go out and buy Seducing Cinderella and I will be posting reviews everywhere telling everyone they must read it! Thank you so much for the mention in the acknowledgements! I was so surprised and honored when I read them and just overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness. You are the sweetest =). And just for the record, it’s easy being your cheerleader because you are so awesome
. You are going to be a huge success kiddo! Hugs and squishes 
Congratulations, Gina, and as Kate said above, enjoy and cherish every moment of your publishing journey. You deserve all the accolades and support, reward for the long hours of hard work, and the love you put into your project.
I bought my copy yesterday, haven’t started it yet, but intend to read it this afternoon and will help you spread the word.
I love MMM heroes, so I know I’m going to enjoy this and from RM’s review, it sounds like he’s artistic as well. Great archtype all the way around.
RM, good review, I’d give you a B.
As for your concern that the hero is artistic, well, it’s because you’re not a woman. Women find artistic type men sexy, especially if they use their talent to romance her. Song writers, painters, sculptors, etc.
Could explain why women found Mick Jagger attractive, although, to this day, I’m still confused about that.
Wishes for continued success, Gina!
I just found out Mick Jagger dated Angelena Jolie.
I ask myself the same rhing Selena! WTF did women see in Mick Jagger??? Money blinds apparently.
Hmmmm…. Or else he has a really big dick. Apparently he had an affair with David Bowie too. Non si e’ fatto mancare niente
He has a notoriously small dick according to Keith Richards
He does? Lol. Some of those groupies must really have had their bubble burst. TommyLee has a big dick
. Not that i know from personal experience and all 
. PamelaAnderson’s ex IS TommyLee right? I am sure about the Lee not sure about the Tommy:). Just sure about his dick :p
Gracia, Lucie. LOL
As for Jolie, her and I don’t have the same taste in men. Brad Pitt, does nada for me.
While we’re on the subject of horrid looking rock stars. Steven Tyler? I just don’t get it.
Lucie, LOL LOL! You’re slaying me.
Is there a dick-size-website for rockstars that you two know about? LOL
I have to say one thing about the Aerosmith guys. Back in my more exciting youth, I was backstage at a meet and greet with Aerosmith. I have met other bands but these guys were incredibly decent. They didn’t just come into the room and talk to the hot women, they spoke to everyone. And they took the longest time with two teenage boys who were completely awestruck and probably dreaming about being rock stars one day. That made a huge impression on me. Now Steven is being an idiot but 20 years ago, he was cool!
My radar is slways on fir shoes, dicks snd boobs Selena
. Ugh Steve Tyler, But if they were decent guys as Diane says that’s something at least.
Congratulations Gina! Your book sounds really fun and interesting. I’d love to win a copy, it’s my birthday so it would really make my day!
Ooh, Happy Birthday, Renee! I hope you win a copy, too!
Just ordered the book – I can’t wait to read it! It sounds very intriguing – especially the ferret…Congratulations Gina!
Started reading Seducing Cinderella yesteday afternoon and I just finished it. I really enjoyed it!! Lots of great descriptive parts; I could really picture it all in my mind. Looking forward to your next book! Great job Gina!!!!
Congratulations Gina!
I am so happy for you! I just downloaded it to my Nook to read on the beach next week – sounded like a great beach read! Then I will write you a review for BN and GoodReads. I
Congrats Gina, this sounds like a great read and I love MMA!
I love MMA, too! Well, obviously. LOL
Thanks, Jolene!
Congratulations on a smashing debut, Gina! I’ve started reading it and, you know what? Your voice is just the way it is on this blog. Sweet and snarky at the same time. Just my cup of tea. Can’t wait to finish it.
And yeah, B on RM’s review.
At least I spelled everything right this time.
Ok, how did i miss a post about turtles/tortoises?! Since i am the Turtle/tortoise lady….
GINA< Got your book, just fed the kids and i am taking my designated spot on the couch. It was a day for cleaning, but…it got bumped. Your book way more interesting.
RM, I have worked with many a ferret, they are super cute and very …in to everything! That's like you right?!
Anyways, congrats Gina. You will do well as an author i'm sure.
Have a good Sunday everyone.
And RM, you need to tell me about turtle posts.
Will do Dutchess
I, for one, would love to have a ferret named after me–they’re so adorable!
Thanks for the review, RM, and congratulations on your first release, Gina! I love makeover stories, especially if the hero *thinks * he knows what he wants.
Hi everyone! I just want to say I’m so humbled and touched by all of your comments and reviews. I wish I had the time to respond to each and every one of you personally, but this release weekend has been so much crazier than I expected and it doesn’t seem to be letting up. I still haven’t had the chance to read my own galley to check for last-minute errors! (Thank God for the digital age where it can be fixed even after published.)
But please know that I’m reading every single comment and they’re making me glow brighter than a first-time pregnant lady in her second trimester (you know, cuz the 1st one is all puky and the 3rd one is all get-this-thing-out-of-me-now).
For those of you who don’t yet have a copy of SC, please hit us with another comment so we know for sure who is in the running for a free copy!
*Squishes*
~G
Keep on enjoying it all, Gina!
Gina, Once again congratulations on your book release! I couldn’t wait to download this book, I think I killed my refresh button waiting for it to show up on Amazon.
I haven’t had a chance to read it because things are a little hectic around here with my son’s surgery, but hopefully today I’ll get some down time.
RM, great review.
Happy Sunday everyone!
Gina,
I can’t tell you how excited I am for you. I loved your book and your sex scenes were great. I agree with Diane, your male dialogue was right on. I am excited to read your para series when it comes out.
You inspire me to keep writing.:)
Lexie
Thanks, Lexie! I at least know I’m better than your husband at male dialogue.
Gina – Heck I didn’t even realize that you were giving them away. I feel like shit. I missed RM’s final comment. Sorry guys – I really did read the review, truly I did.
It was late in my defense. Even went to Amazon and seen Diane’s. I’m leaving now to go sulk and pack for the move.
Aw, Toni, why do you feel like shit? I know in your original comment you said you hadn’t bought it yet. Did you get it after that?
No I have not yet. It was late and I was lazy!! I actually still have my Amazon open, but got preoccupied w/emails and FB.
I made the “shit” comment, cuz it made me feel like I didn’t read the review, but I did dammit. My brain was not functioning last night. Heck it is barely functioning this am.
Moving is a bitch on the brain!
I just realized something!!!
I’m moving to your area! *dances around* I GET TO STALK GINA – NANNA NANNA NANNA!!!
Really? That’s awesome! Where are you moving to? And you’re now in the running for a free book, so don’t buy it just yet. You may get lucky! (and yes, moving is a bitch. i’ve done it over a dozen times in the last 16 years. ugh)
First it was Austin, then SA and now Austin area again (with a few Anchorages in there). Husband can’t make up his mind. I just told the Realtor I like the hill country and give me a shop to stick my husband in.
Thanks Gina. I’m feeling a bit like Kate. You’d think I was surrounded by squirrels!
Toni, I grew up in Austin. Go there every winter for the holidays.
Are you one of THE Steiners??
Congratulations Gina! I typically do not read books, but how can I resist when you are the author! So Very Proud of You! <3
It’s not often that our dreams come true (and maybe that’s why we read romance – to experience vicariously until the brass ring circles its way to us) but you did it, GINA! All the best, God bless, and may you be squished by the ton of all sales! So happy for you! And…you know me…given the topic of our discussions lately, the B plus signifies to me, that in the end, all book reviews are personal. Because puddin head made it all about him and his ferret issues.
Puddin’ Head! Bwahahahhaha! Yes, he did. He’s so self-absorbed, our Remy. LOL Thank you, Trudy!
SHE NAMED ME AFTER A FUCKING FERRET!!!!!!!!!!!
Actually she named the Ferret after you – I assume you came first.
LOL I think he’s getting flustered
A character in M.A.S.H. was referred to as a ferret, wasn’t he? See, he was so popular that I remember the nickname and not the character’s name.
Frank Burns (the doctor they all loved to hate) was called Ferret Face.
SIGH – M.A.S.H. The show is over 30 years old and I can still watch every episode.
Ferrets are cute!
see? RM, be glad it wasn’t a pet rat
Trudy did I send you tour book? I thought I did.
have not rec’d it yet.
sorry will send
RM, got it! thanks, sweets. muah! t
RM has not let me down yet on a book he has loved. I cant wait to read it and congrats!
Thanks Rhonda
Congratulations Gina, everybody loves SC so far and the reviews are awesome. I’m going get it for my wife and daughter and I’ll wait for the para series next year. Great Job!!! Hope the hubby’s proud and he can’t just call it the ‘hobby’ anymore.
Neil!!! Holy shit, it’s so crazy to see you on here! I hope Dawn and Crystal enjoy the book. And, yes, the hubby has now moved on to planning all the “toys” he can buy with my royalty checks. LOL Thanks for stopping by, Nellie! We miss you.
Hi, Gina! I have NOT purchased your book yet, I am trying to get to it between family trips, etc. I am so proud to say “I knew Gina BEFORE she was a big star!”.
RM, lighten up. There are worse animals to be named after. Christ, she could have named you after a sheep. HAHAHA!
Congratulations Gina!
RM, this is a good review. You don’t give too much away.
I am reading this NOW and I am at the part where I know my heart will break…….but then it will be okay!
Have a good day everybody!
Just finished it! Beautiful ending!!
It is isn’t it Tracy!
Pat, yes it is a good book. I am not really into the fighting but I have read 3 books with this as the guy job….. (Kele Moon has a series that is good too!)…..I guess the fighting makes them all Alpha Male!
BTW if I could I would still love to be in the running for one of the books – I would pass it along and help get more readers…
Congratulations Gina! That is great. I wish you much success. Ha Ha love the ferret!
Excellent, can’t wait to read it. Congratulations! Thank you for the giveaway!
Ooooh oooh oooh! Could I be in the running for a book, please? I would share and promise to buy your next one as soon as it came out. Thanks to RM and this blog, I’ve read Amber Lin Giving It Up and Elisabeth Barrett’s Deep Autumn Heat. I loved both books! I’m now reading Selena Robins’ What a Girl Wants with Molly O’Keefe’s Can’t Buy Me Love on deck.
I had a breakthrough this week. Finally, I figured out how to stream Pandora and read in my Kindle App while walking on the treadmill. So now instead of
( the treadmill-it’s I get to read and listen to music! I think the woman next to me was trying to see what I was reading….and at the moment Sebastian and Lexie were….well, you’ll need to read the book!
Firstly, congrats on your first publishing, Gina! It must be just an amazing feeling. I love discovering and supporting new authors.
Secondly, I LOVE the title. It’s sexy and intriguing.
Thirdly, RM, artists use their hands and so they’re well in tune with those hands and how to work them. They pay attention to details. And so to have characters as sculptors?! *Swoon*
We just LOVE imagining those hands running all over our bodies, teasing, taunting, tantalizing, molding us, warming up all of our spots and awakening our desires. YUMMY.
Fourthly, ferrets are freaking awesome, as ours have proven time and time again. You should be proud of your new namesake, LOL.
I love your blog and your reviews and I’m glad I’ve finally taken the time to post on here.
Congrats on releasing your first book. That must be so exciting. I love ugly duckling stories, and heroes who are fighters, so I’m sure I would enjoy this one.
OH MY GAWD
OUTSTANDING, MAGNIFICENT, YOU ARE A FUCKING GENUIS GINA LEIGH MAXWELL.
Seducing Cinderella was so good, so well done, I don’t have a strong enough word for how great it was.
The story flowed, you didn’t beat anything to death (parts of the story that is), I LOVED the dialogue!!!!!And there was alot of dialogue!!
Can’t wait ’til your next one comes out.
Write, write, write!
You are a Storyteller!!
Wow, thank you, LG! That’s one helluva review!!! I will absolutely keep writing. I’m a third of the way done with Jackson’s and Vanessa’s story, and they are SO much fun! I can’t wait for you guys to read about them.
YAY!
OMG, Vanessa is going to be hell on wheels, isn’t she?! (In a totally good way!)
Vanessa?! Never would’ve seen it coming. With all her rules for life
Diane, I thought Vanessa reminded me of you!!! I kept meaning to tell you.
Oh Pat, I wish I was like Vanessa!
Oh, yes, she is! And two more opposite people couldn’t exist. She tells him off and leaves his ass at the airport in the first scene! LOL
And, yes, LG, Vanessa’s rules definitely make it very hard for him to make his moves on her. But he’s a very determined individual.
We really didn’t even meet Jackson yet. I’m looking forward to getting to know him
What does he think of his best friend now 
Well, peeps, my fall from grace has finally happened. I’ve received a 3-star and 2-star rating on Goodreads.
Owie. I wish they would’ve at least explained why they didn’t like it. Oh, well, I guess now I’m officially in the Real Author Club, and as Kindle Gal pointed out to me on Twitter, now I look “legit.”
Gina, no names, but scrolling through the one person’s history, I only found a few 4 star reviews and no 5-star. She seems not to score anyone high. And the other person gave you 3 on your book’s page, but when you click to her page it has 4 stars. Computer glitch?
Wow, I should really learn how to use that damn site. LOL I didn’t even think to look at their reviewing history or whatever. Thanks for your effort, D!
Don’t worry about it, Gina. Maybe those reviewers are anti-diabetic-ferrets. You have lots of people who show it as ‘to be read’ so that’s great! I’m looking forward to reading it soon.
Jamie, yes, I hadn’t thought about the people who are against small sugar-challenged mammals. You make a very valid point. I feel much better now, thank you!
Well Gina, all our 5 STAR reviews will leave them in the dust! Where’s RM? Sulking because he is a diabetic ferret , owned by ME???
Just kidding RM…I won’t mention it anymore, I promise…..
Good night all…..good morning Lucie….
Good morning Pat
.
Luci will you tell Pat I need to be fed. Thank you.
Bwahahahaha!
OMG i saw this late!! You must be starved to death by now!!
I love reading your reviews. They are hilarious. You’ve got a terrific sense of humor (for a ferret).
I’m adding Gina to my TBR list.
rmwyer at shaw dot ca
Thank you, Becki! I hope you enjoy SC when you get to it.
Congratulations on the release and the great review Gina!! It will be my next book that I order – can’t wait to read it!!
Hooray! Thank you very much!
Wow, late to the party. I’ve been in editing hell and have just now immerged from the dark cloud. Anyway … CONGRATS to Gina. There’s nothing like that debut release. I hope you haven’t come down from the clouds yet.
With all the glowing reviews here and on Amazon (screw Goodreads … crap, did I say that out loud? *shrugs*) I’ve grabbed my copy. Congrats again!
Nina, wow, thank you. I’ve definitely not come out of the clouds yet! In fact, I’m so far up in the clouds, I’m afraid it’ll take months for me to come down.
And can I just say, thank you for your Goodreads comment. Those reviewers can be way harsh, no? It’s crazy to compare my review stats on Amazon and B&N which are all 4s and 5s (okay, I have ONE 3, but it’s anonymous with no reason, so I don’t count it) to the wide spectrum on GR. I still haven’t quite grasped that site yet. LOL
I hope you like SC and gives you a nice break from editing hell!
Let me just add my congrats again, Gina girl:) Seducing Cinderella was a fun read and it totally rocked seeing the BBL mentioned in the Acknowledgments. Remy the ferret had me doing a double snort and I fell in total love/lust with Reid. I LOVE when a hero has an artistic side to him so Remy needs to get over himself. I mean duh, what is he saying? HIS artistic side is “writing.” Hello!!
I happen to love the way RM-Remy reviews a book because it always feels genuine and gives me a good feel on whether or not the book might appeal to me. The other side of the coin is that there are reviewers I won’t even look at because I know ahead of time there will be a 5 star rating. That’s not real and therefore a useless review to me.
There is a reader for just about every author alive but support will only be sustained if the author is able to maintain a fan base through consistent quality of her/his work. Gina, I believe you have one hell of a good start and your potential is wide open. You worked crazy hard for this book and it shows.
I’d personally love to see you write a kick-ass h/h in the romance suspense genre. And, even though I’m personally burned out on most paranormal (a few beloved author exceptions), I will read your next book and enjoy it’s longer format. Fuck sentences when we can do pages;) xoxo
“Fuck sentences when we can do pages.”
Hell, yeah! You have NO idea how hard it was to keep that book to a category length (I actually went over a few K). And what really sucks is when I read reviews that say they wish it was longer or that I included this scene or that. I want to yell, “I know, but I couldn’t! My hands were tied! They wouldn’t let me!” LOL
Thank you for sweet words, Nancy. You’re so supportive, as are all of the BBLs, and why they absolutely belonged in my acknowledgements. I adore all of you!
We love you back!!!! Mwahhhh!
Remy! Oh, that’s too funny!
So happy I wandered over this way. Great blog!
First of all, while I appreciate that reading is totally subjective, how the hell could RM only give this book a B+? I absolutely LOVED Seducing Cinderella, and think it definitely deserves an A+. This was a totally entertaining read, the first book I’ve EVER read on my iPhone, and one that I don’t intend to delete. The scenes between Lucie and Reid are beautifully written, totally hot and they work really well. Writing an intimate scene is like choreographing a sensual dance, and Gina did a fantastic job with every single one. Not easy. (Trust me, I know what I’m talking about!
)
And RM, you asked what it was with women and artists? Think about it, big boy. It’s all in the hands. A sculptor knows every inch of the female form–I can’t imagine a sexier hero. Gina, ya done good, girl!
Kate…I’m speechless. (Okay, no I’m not. I think that might be impossible. But I’m *really* close.)
First, THANK YOU for the “should have been an A+ review” comment. Considering Remy’s complaints are ridonkulous, I tend to agree with you.
Second, I truly appreciate what you said about the love scenes. They are my Achilles’ heel, that’s for sure. I agonize over sex scenes, even leaving them blank in my rough drafts with a well-placed bracketed [insert blow job/sex/etc here] rather than powering through them. So the fact that you (and others) feel I did them exceptionally well means the world to me and makes all the agonizing feel worth it.
So, again, thank you SO much, Kate. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to hear such praise from someone I admire and look up to as much as you. *squishes* ~G
She named a ferret after me Kate. And you don’t have to be a sculptor to know every inch of the female form after all I AM THE MATADOR!!
Kate, I don’t think there could be higher praise, than you complimenting a love scene!!
. RM, he ‘s a sweet ferret!! You need to let it go!!! Instead you want to be a guy that wears a funky hat, and pants tight enough to give you a wedgie?? I know you love the cape thing…but really!
Just finished. Loved Reid! I agree I wish it was longer, as there were some parts of Reid and Luce I would have loved to have you explore more.
I will say this is NOT the book to read on the beach when you should be making sure your children aren’t drowning…
Congrats and I look forward to more from you!
Review done on GoodReads Kame is the name I use there
Great review!
Thank you Pat – I try really hard at it – I figure if you take the time to read it I should care about what I write