Thank you for this Sheila. Tera has a pretty strict policy about authors promoting their books in this group and I hope that we can get this straightened out Dianne. Its not a bad thing to want to promote your book... we just don't want you to join with that being your sole purpose. If you have any questions please feel free to message either Tera or I.

Thanks for your understanding and thank YOU Sheila..... I did not at all put it all together.

Welcome Dianne. It is nice to have authors join the group, but can I be honest and ask you some questions, and ask you to please give honest answers regarding your book Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace?

Five days ago you wrote on the 'What are you reading' thread the following comment: "I just started reading Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace by Dianne Sweeney...and I can't put it down. It is hysterical." Apparently you were just promoting your own book in that post? Since now you are saying you are the author?

It's okay to promote your own book. I just appreciate doing it honestly, not sneakily by saying you just started it and it is hysterical.

And also, I just noticed your book was nominated for our February group read by someone named Jenna. This made me want to take a closer look at the book. But when checking out Jenna's listing, Jenna just joined Goodreads and has only read 1 book, and the only book she has read is YOUR book. Hmm, curious. And Jenna only has one "friend" here on Goodreads, someone named Chris, and Chris also just joined and has only read one book which is also YOUR book.

And then I noticed there are 5 other reviewers for your book on the books page, and three of those (Jen, Jackie, and Calla) also only have one book listed, again your book. And of the other two, Cindy has 3 other books listed, and Teena has one other book listed. And all 7 reviews listed are super positive 5-star reviews.

Now I'm not saying your book isn't good, because I have never read it, but I am getting a real strong feeling that all these reviews could have been actually written by you. Because most reviewers have read many other books. And they have profile photos, which none of your reviewers have. And most reviewers have many other friends, not just friends who have also only read your book.

So I don't mean to be snarky, but I really do appreciate honesty. If you'd like to promote your book, please do it openly. I do see you are hosting a goodreads giveaway for 3 copies of your book, which I think is great. In fact I have entered the giveaway myself.

And if you would like to nominate your book for the February read, and would be willing to participate in the discussion, would you just do so as yourself, not as some other named person who has read your book, and no other book?

Hoping you will respond. Not wanting to be mean here on Christmas eve, just hoping for some honesty. If I am totally wrong on all of this, please say so.

Hi Everybody. I love to read and I teach English. I love Chick Lit. I am excited to teach literature and hope that my students enjoy reading the books we read. I look forward to being a part of this group. I just finished Jen Lancaster's book. Have a great holiday. Dianne Sweeney/Kissing Frogs in Cyberspace

Hi! I am Ulrike...and I'm from Canada, Alberta. Am very excited to have discovered Goodreads, and am anxious to learn how all this works. I am a writer and I love to write children's books, as well as poetry and some adult fiction. I love to read, it is a relaxation for me as well as a form of healthy (I hope) escape. I love just about any kind of well written story (except what I percieve to be porn, no matter how soft, and I detest sit-com stories, stories that have no substance to them.) I enjoy when an author has taken the time to enjoy their own story, then it pulls me in and I am off to another world. Favorite authors, so many...I love the classics, but I also like fantasy, Tolkein as well as Robin Hobb, and I love biographies without an agenda. Angela Hunt, and a variety of historical fiction. I read a goodly amount of children's (mainly middlegrade) books as well.
Right now I am reading, Sarah Palin's book, Going Rogue as well as A.A.Milne's Biography and Robin Hobb's Golden Fool as well as Tolkien's Silmarilion. Reading is what I do. :)
Am looking forward to being introduced to new authors and books...as well as getting to know all my fellow chick readers out there...Merry Christmas!

Hi Terri! Welcome to CoL! Your list of books to read will grow and grow!

Welcome to the group Terri! You'll love it here.

Hi all, my name is Terri from TN :-) I read as much as possible! I think it is a way for me to escape, LOL I am an elementary school teacher and single mother of a teenage daughter. I need to escape a lot!

I have just recently started checking out ebooks from my local library and saw your discussion on "what did you just finish" -- that is what enticed me to join the group.

Can't wait to learn all about you and what kind of readers you are... oh almost forgot I have 2 very favorite authors: Jodi Picoult (easy reads but intense subjects) and Karen Rose (characters who are so real you would love to know them).
Terri

Lisa and Jan,
Thanks for the super suggestions for our Caribbean theme book. A few other people have recommended the Crichton book. It's great having you as Chicks.
Gayle

Hi, Yolanda and Diane!

Sorry I am so far behind on reading my CoL digests, but I wanted to say I'm in Maryland, too, in Eldersburg. Diane knows where that is, and Yolanda may or may not. Glad to know some local Chicks.

Welcome to the group Sarah! I know you'll love it here.

Hi everyone!
My name is Sarah and I live in a VERY small town in Arkansas (although it is very close to Little Rock, so I'm still culturally satisfied :D). I love the feeling I get when I'm "sucked in" with a good book. I like a little of everything, and if a book is good enough (no matter how many pages it is), I've been known to read it in a day. I hate when movies based on books are terribly done. I'm currently re-reading Wuthering Heights (one of my all time favorites). I'm excited about the opportunity to discuss something I love.

Hi Sally! We are from Illinois, small town USA. We've been in Arizona 7 years now but my heart remains back home in IL! Welcome to the group!

Welcome to the group Sally! Glad to hear your youngest child introduced to GR. Look forward chatting and reading with you.

Hi, I'm Sally, a lifelong reader. If I couldn't read, I'd go nuts. I have a lot of favorites, but adore Elizabeth Berg, she's my current favorite. I like Lorna Landvik, Fannie Flagg, Lee Smith, and some of the other Southern fiction women writers. I have three kids, all grown, and have been married for 30 years. I have lived in Illinois all my life and currently work as as Administrative Assistant. I'm happy to say I passed my love of reading on to my three children. It was my youngest that introduced me to goodreads.com

Dropping in to welcome all the new faces!!! Hope you all enjoy it here!!!

I realised, when I sat down to write a bit of blurb about myself, that a great deal of my time is taken up with my pet rats - cleaning their cage, making exciting things for them to play in, lugging bags of bedding home. I'm typing this with them down my jumper, in fact. I do have the occasional encounter with someone who isn't a rodent.

To pay the vet bills and the rent, I'm also chief editorial consultant at Fine Line Editorial (www.editorial-consultancy.co.uk), an online editorial consultancy for writers who've yet to pen a word to those with a mountain of manuscripts in need of a critical eye. And for those who fancy browsing insights into the methods of working writers, sharp takes on classic female authors, tips and advice, or to enter the caption competition for a chance to win a moleskine. Hope you enjoy it if you take a look.

Hi CookieLuvr...Love your 'name'!!!

CookieLuvr wrote: "Hi :-) I am new to Goodreads and look forward to participating and getting to know everyone. I am getting back into reading after taking a hiatus - I was working full time and doing night school ..."

I have a Sony Reader. I hope you get it for your birthday. You will love it!

Thanks Wendy T and Cindy =) Good to feel welcome

Hi :-) I am new to Goodreads and look forward to participating and getting to know everyone. I am getting back into reading after taking a hiatus - I was working full time and doing night school for 4 years, which significantly decreases the amount of time for "non-school related reading".

I also have a Sony ereader on my birthday wish list - so that will definately inspire me to get back to reading.

Talk soon !!

Hiya ,I'm Natalie ! new to Goodreads . Currently reading Gilead A Novel and really enjoying it . Looking forward to getting to know everyone !

Hi, everyone. My name is Tiara, and I've been an avid reader as long as I can remember. I read a good variety of books and have been using my powers of persuasion to get my husband into reading more. Nice to meet everyone. :)

I like V.C. Andrews also, but I like her writing better than the books after she died. I can really tell a difference.

Hi Ceran! Glad to see you here!

Lindsay; that is a great way to put it...reading gives me a break from stress and reality too!
and
Bobbie, I haven't read any VC Andrews for quite a while but remember enjoying the ones I have read. What is your favorite series by her?

Welcome to all of you...this is a great group!

Hello, I am Bobbie. I enjoy reading in my leisure time. My favorite author is V.C Andrew/her ghost writer's. I have read just about everything she has(there are a couple series just out, I wait till the series is finished before I start reading them) I am not the fastest of readers so some books take me awhile but I plug along none the less. I am currently reading "Perfect Match" by Jodi Picoult.

Kathryn wrote: "Jan wrote: "Hi, I'm Jan - I've been a member of the Book Addicts group for a few months now and thought I would venture into this group which looks very interesting. I'm 64 years old - hope it's n..."


Thanks Kathryn! one of my dearest friend is a devoted quilter. She makes the most amazing stuff. It really is an artform!

Lisa wrote: ""Welcome, Lisa. My book club is looking for a book set in the Caribbean, or with a Caribbean theme or plot. Can you give us any suggestions? We're all going on a cruise in the east/south Caribbean ..."

Hi Gayle, I ready Lisa's answer to your question about books with a carribean theme and I thought I would add Pirate Lattitudes - Michael Crichton's last book. I haven't read it yet but everything I've ever read of his is good if you like that type of thing.

Karla wrote: "Welcome Maggie and Jan!!
Jan, I just got into beading bookmarks love how they are looking! I bet you could give me great ideas as well I'm pretty basic right now.
Maggie, my mom just got laid o..."

Hi Karla, fancy seeing you over here in this group! I'm afraid my beading skills have become a bit rusty. I'm trying to make a couple of things for Christmas presents - yikes!!! my bead stash is such a mess!!! Ae you using peyote stitch for the bookmarks?

Welcome everyone and enjoy finding your way around the group! Please feel free to join in on any discussion new or old... we love fresh opinions and thoughts from the new members.

Just wanted to say welcome to the group to all the new chicks!!! Happy Reading!!!

Welcome to the group Lindsay, look forward to chatting and reading with you.

Hi! My name is Lindsay, I'm twenty years old from a small suberb of Lowell, MA, and reading is a relatively new passion of mine. I've never once found myself without a book on my person in the last year and a half. I'm a waitress/bartender and I'm going to school to become a nurse. Reading gives me a break from the anxiety and stress of reality, so I'm pretty sure thats why fiction/fantasy books are my favorite. And yes, I'm a "twi-hard". I look forward to experiencing what this group has to offer!

Welcome to the group Ceren! Look forward to chatting and reading with you.

Hi, I'm Ceren, 29, live in Istanbul. I love to read, and I write short stories. Thrillers, mysteries, biographies, books on history and travels are my favourites. Looks like a nice community here =)

Checking in to Welcome all of our new Chicks! Make yourselves at home!

Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Jan wrote: "Hi, I'm Jan - I've been a member of the Book Addicts group for a few months now and thought I would venture into this group which looks very interesting. I'm 64 years old - hope it's not too old f..."

Hi Jan, I read your post ~ and I just had to say that I love! Ballroom Dancing also!
Im a Member of a couple of other groups here on goodreads as well...and dont always post often on this group. Sounds like everyone is having a Great Time!
Happy Holidays!
Melissa

Hi Grace! Hope you have great fun with your son on Christmas!

Welcome to all the newest members!!

Just wanted to say welcome to all the new chicks!! I'm sure you are going to love it here!! Be prepared for your TBR list to grow out of control!! Happy Holidays!!!

Welcome to the group Grace! I look forward to chatting with you.

Hello, my name is Grace. I am 29 and live in Orlando, Florida. I am married and have a one year old. I like different genres of books but the classics are my favorite. I used to read a lot more before I had my son, but now I can only read at night after he goes to bed. I look forward to all the discussions on this board.

Hello to all the new ladies! Glad to have you here. Just right in, you're gonna love it!

Yolanda wrote: "Hi all,
I am Yolanda and I live in Maryland. I have 3 children and I have been a member of this group for a while and have never introduced myself. I have always loved to read. Chicklit & romance ..."

Hello Yolanda. I get your reviews, my goodnees you are a passionate reader and now to know you have three children. My gosh you are a busy, busy lady. I am so glad you introduced yourself and keep up adding to your lists, I've gotten lots of recommendations from you!

Jan wrote: "Hi, I'm Jan - I've been a member of the Book Addicts group for a few months now and thought I would venture into this group which looks very interesting. I'm 64 years old - hope it's not too old f..."

Hi Jan and welcome. There are plenty of us here in the over 50 group. I love beading and/or adding sparkle to a project. Quilting is my passion and some of my smaller projects include beading. Enjoy this group as I sure do!

Welcome Lisa, glad to see you here as well.

Hi Sara and Lisa!! Big smile!!

Hi my name is Lisa. I'm 42 and love to read but haven't been able to do a whole lot lately. My situation has changed just today so I'll be able to read a whole lot more. I have been a member of goodreads for a while now and just found this group. Looking forward to getting to know more of you and reading with you all.

Welcome to the group Sara! Looking forward to chatting and reading with you.

Welcome to all the new ladies!!! Hope you love it here!!