March 2016 Newsletter
Vol. CLXXII

Gentle Readers:

After many months of waiting, March is FINALLY here! Not only are the Tennessee trees beginning to bud, but I'm also gearing up to launch my newest book, NO ONE KNOWS. As you remember, I've waited five years to share this story with you. I couldn't be more thrilled to get it into your hands and hear what you think about it!

Just like E.T., did you know that you hold immense power in your fingertips? These days you, as a reader, are an author's partner in spreading the word about their new book. With so many new stories hitting the shelves, you are the difference between a new book languishing in a bookstore and being picked up and lovingly passed around. You are the ones who help stories thrive in the world, which is why I couldn't do this without y'all.

And, because you are so vital to the book's success, I'd be so grateful if you'd help spread the word about NO ONE KNOWS. If you choose to help, it's as simple as clicking right here. For those who do, I've got a few goodies to send you as a thank-you. Because y'all are the best. Truly. I am exceedingly grateful for each and every one of you.

Also, because I love to give you things, if you preorder the book, you can send me a screen shot or photo of your receipt to be entered to win an iPad mini! Does that feel like bribery? Good, because it sort of is. But soooo worth it... Click here to send proof of purchase and be entered to win!

Don't forget to add the book to your Goodreads' Want to Read list, too, and show off your great taste to your friends! The book is on Goodreads here.

Madness, lies, and deceit. Really, what's better to read for the Ides of March?

Events

My winter days of being a hermit are OVER! This month, I will be chatting it up in all sorts of places, both in-person and online. Check out the graphic below, or head over to my Events page for more details! Come see me. I bring prezzies!

Get Thee to a Bookstore

It's been a varied reading month for me, from reading a draft of my bestie's new book to listening to a really ambitious crime fiction story to reveling in a YA fantasy world that's so well-written I am wildly jealous. And also, a non-fiction boost, just because. Here's this month's winners:

NO ONE KNOWS ‐ (yours truly)
THE GLASS SWORD ‐ Victoria Aveyard
THE CARTEL ‐ Don Winslow (audio)
ESSENTIALISM: THE DISCIPLINED PURSUIT OF LESS ‐ Greg McKeown
THE ABANDONED HEART ‐ Laura Benedict
FIND HER ‐ Lisa Gardner

If you’re on Goodreads, friend me, and follow along. I’m always interested in what you’re reading, too!

March Contest

The March contest is live now: enter to win a notepad, 2016 calendar, a paperback copy of Adam J. Kurtz's 1 PAGE AT A TIME, and a $10 online book store gift card to Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million OR iBooks (winner's choice).

Enter here to win.

March Recipe — Easiest (EVER!) Peanut Butter Cookies

Four ingredients. Four steps. That's how easy it is to make these delicious little morsels! Tuck these into lunch bags, or sneak a couple for a midnight snack. And if you'd like to add some chocolate in the mix, check out some variations below!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• In a large bowl, stir together ingredients until combined.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
• Place balls 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets, and flatten gently with tines of a fork.
• Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Variations

Add Munchies!

• After dough balls are placed on cookie sheets, evenly press 1 cup of your desired addition, such as chocolate morsels, chocolate-coated toffee bits, or chopped peanuts, onto the top of dough balls.
• Bake as directed.

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies!

• After you've combined all ingredients, divide peanut butter cookie dough in half.
• Stir 2 melted semisweet chocolate baking squares into one half of dough.
• Using equal parts peanut butter dough and chocolate dough, shape into 30 (1-inch) balls.
• Flatten gently with a spoon. Bake as directed.

That's it from me! Enjoy the advent of spring, get NO ONE KNOWS ordered (pretty please with sugar on top?) and enter to win that gorgeous gold iPad mini, come say hi at an event, and I'll talk to you soon! Keep reading!

xoxo,

*If you're interested in printing out the recipes I have in this newsletter, I'm happy to tell you that they are all available in PDF form, on my website!