Coming this Fall...

Cotton Candy Wishes is Available Now!

Is achieving the social status of your dreams really all that sweet?

Taylor wishes she were popular. It's not like she doesn't have any friends, but when she tries to throw a giant cotton candy–themed birthday bash, it ends up a huge flop—no one shows up.

So when her dad gets a new job and they have to move, Taylor sees it as an opportunity to reinvent herself. As luck would have it, in the first week of her new school, she's partnered on a project with the queen bee of seventh grade herself, Elle. Soon, she's one of the popular crowd. She's even on her way to a date with the cutest boy in school! All her dreams are coming true!


But Taylor starts to learn that being with the in-crowd involves a lot of gossip and backstabbing—and she realizes that her favorite part of the day is actually hanging out with Colin, her nerdy math partner. However, Elle is not a fan of Colin—and ultimately, Taylor has to choose between them. Will she risk alienating Colin and his friends to maintain the social status she always wished for?

Find it now at Amazon, B&N, or IndieBound.

Cici Reno AND Cotton Candy Wishes up for PRE-ORDER!

Both the Cici Reno paperback and Cotton Candy Wishes are now available for pre-order! Click on the covers to go to the buy page.

Book News! Plus Cover Reveal!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have some exciting news to share! I have a new middle grade novel coming out in the beginning of 2019! It's called Cotton Candy Wishes and it's part of the super cute Swirl Novel line!

Swirl is Sky Pony's new line of tween-girl-centered novels, and also includes Pumpkin Spice Secrets, Peppermint Cocoa Crushes, Cinnamon Bun Besties, and Salted Caramel Dreams. Curl up and take a sip!

Here's the adorable cover for Cotton Candy Wishes:

2017 Writing Highlights

It's New Years Eve again, which seems to be the only time I remember to blog. Was the last post really from 2016's NYE? Ugh, I guess so. I guess me and blogging haven't meshed in awhile. It's not to say I haven't been writing. I've done a lot of writing in 2017- I put out four books in a series under my secret pen name in 2017, plus participated in a box set with 20 other authors. I've super enjoyed writing under a pen name. It's given me a lot of freedom to explore a new genre and interact with loads of new readers. And it's taken off pretty well so yay, sales! :-) That's not to say I'm not still active with my middle grade and young adult writing. I've done a number of signings and festivals throughout the year as well as school visits. And I'm working on a middle grade novel right now that should be out in early 2019-- stay tuned for official news on that. Cici Reno is due out in paperback in April as well. Here's hoping 2018 is a happy, healthy, and productive year for us all!

2016 Writing Life Highlights

It's December 31st again and for the last 8 years I pop over to my blog and sum up my writing life for the past year, month by month. I'm feeling a bit lazy today so I'm going to sum it up in pictures. :-) It's been a great year. My middle grade novel, Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker came out and received rave reviews across the board. I attended conferences, signings, and school visits. And I wrote so, so much this year. My resolution last year was to write more and I sure did. I didn't add up the words but I completed three full books and wrote three partial books. That's pretty awesome for me! I hope you've had a wonderfully productive year as well! Happy New Year!

Until next year...

Online Chat Tomorrow Night! 7pm Central. Join me!

I'll be answering questions and chatting online tomorrow night at Night Owl Reviews.

Location: Online at: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Chats

Time: 5pm Pacific / 6pm Mountain / 7pm Central / 8pm Eastern

Duration: About 1 Hour

You can RSVP now at the below link:
https://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Chats#EntryForm

RSVP Benefits:

* The RSVP gives readers entry into the evenings prizes (must be an active chatter at the event)
* A reminder email around 30 minutes before the event starts.

Those who don't RSVP can participate and still sign-up to get prizes. They just won't get the reminder email.

Hope to see you there!

6 Signings This Weekend in Illinois! Come see me!

This weekend, June 10th-June 12th is the first ever B-Fest at Barnes & Nobles across the country! So cool! I'll be chatting and signing (and participating in a panel) at 6 different times/locations. If you're nearby one, please come see me!

Great Review for Cici!

Such a lovely review from Librarian's Quest! Click HERE to read the rest!

Tween You & Me Giveaway

Visit Tween You & Me to enter a giveaway of Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker and read our interview!

Cici Reno is Top Pick

Cici Reno ‪#‎MiddleSchoolMatchmaker‬ is a "Top Pick" at Night Owl Reviews!

"Cici is the one with all the answers! When her friends have issues it’s her they go to. So when her friend Aggie comes back from a trip with two new friend’s boys won't leave her alone. So it’s Cici to the rescue. In this short very cute story readers will find that sometimes you fall for the wrong person and well you can't help who you fall for. It’s a very cute story to introduce readers to contemporary writing.

Go Into This One Knowing: This book is cute and contemporary."

Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker Online Launch Party!!

Today’s the day! Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker is out in the world and to celebrate I’m giving away awesome prizes ALL DAY on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! You can enter one or all! Keep reading for pictures of the prizes and instructions. 

On Facebook all day (Prize Pack #1):

Prize Pack #1 includes: Lauren Conrad Yoga-themed Wear & Share Necklaces, Hashtag Post-it Note Pad, Yoobi Gel Pens, Yoga Girl Zipper Pull, Luxe Watercolor Temporary Tattoo Sheets, Funky Fingers Nail Polish, and Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker Bookmark

Rules: Like, comment, or share (or do all three for three entries!) to enter. Entrants will be assigned a number and winner will be randomly chosen at conclusion of contest. Open to US participants only. Contest concludes at 11pm central, 4/19/16. Winner will be contacted via Facebook 4/20/16. Announced on Facebook after winner response.

On Twitter at 8am (Prize Pack #2):

Prize Pack #2 includes: Lauren Conrad Wear & Share Necklaces, Hashtag Post-it Note Pad, Yoobi Gel Pens, Yoga Girl Zipper Pull, Luxe Metallic Jewelry Temporary Tattoo Sheets, Funky Fingers Nail Polish, and Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker Bookmark

On Twitter at noon (Prize Pack #3):

Prize Pack #3 includes: Lauren Conrad Yoga-themed Wear & Share Necklaces, Hashtag Post-it Note Pad, Yoobi Gel Pens, Yoga Girl Zipper Pull, Luxe Watercolor Temporary Tattoo Sheets, Funky Fingers Nail Polish, and Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker Bookmark

On Twitter at 4pm (Prize Pack #4):

Prize pack #4 includes: Lauren Conrad Wear & Share Necklaces, Hashtag Post-it Note Pad, Yoobi Gel Pens, Yoga Girl Zipper Pull, On the Verge Temporary Tattoo Sheets, and Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker Bookmark

Rules: Retweet to enter. Entrants will be assigned a number and winner will be randomly chosen at conclusion of contest (End times for Prize Pack #2: noon, Prize Pack #3: 4pm, and Prize Pack #4: 8pm central, 4/19/16). Open to US participants only. Winners will be contacted via Twitter on 4/19/16. Announced on Twitter after winners’ responses.

On Instagram all day (Prize Pack #5):

Prize pack #5 includes: Lauren Conrad Wear & Share Necklaces, Hashtag Post-it Note Pad, Yoobi Gel Pens, Yoga Girl Zipper Pull, Luxe Metallic Jewelry Temporary Tattoo Sheets, Glitter Nail Polish, and Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker Bookmark

Rules: Like, comment, or share (or do all three for three entries!) to enter. Entrants will be assigned a number and winner will be randomly chosen at conclusion of contest. Open to US participants only. Contest concludes at 11pm central, 4/19/16. Winner will be contacted via direct message on Instagram on 4/20/16. Announced on Instagram after winner response.

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Thanks for helping me celebrate the release of Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker! And don’t forget to check out Cici Reno at any of these outlets:

B&N 

Amazon

Indiebound

Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchMaker Blog Tour!

I'm visiting a lot of book blogger web sites for the next few weeks with fun interviews and guest blog posts. Check them out!

4/19- Always in the Middle

4/19-YayOMG

4/20- Tales Between the Pages

4/21- Tween You and Me

4/22- Teach Mentor Texts

4/25- Librarians Quest

4/26- Cassandra M's Place

4/27- Reviews Coming at YA

4/27- The Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors

4/28- Smack Dab in the Middle

4/29- All the Wonders

5/2- Literary Hoots

5/3- Diapers and Daydreams

5/4- Insatiable Readers

5/5- Kid Lit Reviews

5/6- Unleashing Readers

Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker releases today!

“Middle school is a test, but Cici Reno has all the answers. She's the go-to girl for advice. She's cool, she's funny, and she's enlightened (thanks to yoga classes at her mom's studio). So when her pretty BFF, Aggie, is too shy to speak to the boy she's crushing on, Cici goes online and does the talking for her. The only problem is, Cici starts to fall for the guy herself! For the first time in her life. she doesn't have a clue.”

“Interspersed with Twitter feeds and yoga poses, this clever twist on Cyrano de Bergerac will win over the hearts of middle-schoolers, particularly those feeling shy or awkward themselves, as well as reluctant readers.” –Booklist

“A surprisingly successful, suspenseful, and engrossing take on the Cyrano story with a contemporary twist.”—Kirkus

Find Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker at any of these outlets:

B&N

Amazon 

Indiebound

Great Review of Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker

Here's a really nice review from Mom Read It:

"Cici Reno is a fun intro to crush and romantic fiction for tweens, and a sneaky/smart way to introduce the classic tale, Cyrano de Bergerac, to middle schoolers. It’s a classic tale of miscommunication that fits perfectly with today’s kids, who largely interact online. I also love the introduction and description to various yoga poses, and the mental/emotional benefits of each, that Cici Tweets out at the beginning of each chapter. Not only does it gives readers a clue as to what’s going to happen in the upcoming chapter, it offers a little bit of yoga instruction that I appreciate and hope tweens will take the bait and discover on their own.

Cici is a likable character. She’s not a mean girl; she’s not vapid; she’s a realistic tween who does a favor for her shy friend, with the best of intentions, and finds herself stuck in a situation she didn’t expect. Aggie is a surprisingly supportive best friend; I normally find myself irritated with the classic “best friend breakdown” formula that many books fall into, but Cici and Aggie avoided all that by simply talking things out. Thank you for that, Ms. Springer! It’s going to be a talking point when I booktalk this one, because I will be adding this to my shelves for summer reading. I think the use of social media and miscommunication will fit nicely with my tweens, and it gives me a great jumping off point for a discussion on how you can pretend to be someone else online – and, in classic devil’s advocate mode, how someone shy and/or introverted can use social media to interact more comfortably than he or she would feel in person."

Online Launch Party TOMORROW!

Cici Reno ‪#‎MiddleSchoolMatchMaker‬ releases TOMORROW! Check back on 4/19 for the all-day online launch party. Cici Reno-themed prizes given out all day on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Cici Reno & My Kids

One of the exciting parts of my new book coming out for me has been my kids (ages 7, 9, 11, & 13) reaction. This is the first of my books where they are actually interested! They were usually too small to care with previous books or the content was too mature for their age level. They've asked me to read  a couple of chapters of Cici Reno to them every night and they get so into it. It's fun to hear where they giggle and what parts make them gasp. And with this book there's a strong yoga angle-- the main character Cici tweets at the beginning of each chapter with a yoga pose and what it benefits. Each time I read that part to the kids they jump up and try out the pose. We've just finished reading the whole book and it's been so much fun!

Here they are in Warrior Pose.

Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchmaker #bookquotes #twitter

One Week Until Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchMaker Releases!

ONE WEEK until Cici Reno #MiddleSchoolMatchMaker releases! Check back on 4/19 for the all-day online launch party. Cici Reno-themed prizes given out all day on Facebook, Twitter , and Instagram . Or check back HERE on the blog!

2 Weeks Until Release!