golly!

It's been a week since Old Habits Die Hard came out, launching the Nun the Wiser Mysteries, and I'm beside myself with joy because people's reviews have EXCEEDED my expectations. Writing is subjective and I know many exceptionally talented people who can write circles around my best efforts, so when complete strangers assign 5 stars to Old Habits Die Hard I feel incredibly validated. I mean, I think it's a swell book, but my bias is implicit here. (By the way, if you read it, please leave a review wherever you can! Every review counts--and you can copy/post your review at StoryGraph and Goodreads and Bookbub and Amazon and Barnes & Noble)

The activity makes me dizzy--my family and friends came out to celebrate last weekend and I wish I'd had more time to talk to everyone. It was just a whirlwind of fun. Behind-the-scenes tidbits about the book were published in various places (listed below, if you want to check them out). I've shipped books hither, thither, and yon. In the midst of this glamorous, thrilling life, I've still cleaned bathrooms, folded laundry, and caulked a sink. I completed the final edits on Dropped Like a Bad Habit and there's stuff for A Regular Habit to turn in.

Credit to my friends, who took pictures and pitched in to make the launch a success while I was busy "working the room"

The excitement for this book feels surreal, like a dream. And then to top it all off, I got an email from my publisher telling me Barnes & Noble included Old Habits Die Hard in their Top Indie Favorite eBooks collection for April and May! For real! You can click the link and see my book RIGHT THERE! Good golly! How am I supposed to make dinner tonight or sweep out the garage or empty Woody and Rose's litter boxes when I'm such hot stuff?

Look at these comments people have written in their reviews!

"The mystery was good and took a turn I didn't see coming when I first started reading."

"I couldn't help but fall in love with Sister Bernie. She is someone I would want to know and hang out with."

"A cute series starter!"

"The mystery itself is both cozy and compelling. It is not easily solved and the investigation takes several surprising turns. The book is a great read and I look forward to following Sister Bernie into another adventure."

"There were lots of interesting twists that start with just who is the victim and get bigger and twistier. There is a good deal of lighthearted humor and a sense of camaraderie among The Abbey’s residents. All in all a very good start to a series!"

"The descriptions Melissa provided the reader were great. It was easy to envision the setting, the characters and the interactions. I am looking forward to reading the next book. This is a five star book."

"I loved it! It's a great cozy mystery, with delightful characters!"

"Lots of fabulous characters in this story and it was great getting to know them. I would recommend this one to anyone who loves a good mystery."

I'm tripping around in a dreamlike haze these days, all flabbergasted and gobsmacked and staggered by these good things. It's ridiculous and incredible and I feel grateful for everyone's support. Life has been SO sweet because of people's response to this project and I thank you.

For a deeper dive:

Auntie M Writes: Sister B: An Un Conventional Heroine

Dru's Book Musings: A Day In My Life--Sister Bernadette Ohlson

Killer Crafts and Crafty Killers: An Interview with Sister Bernadette Ohlson

Nan Reinhardt: Real Places Behind The Abbey: Senior Living

Cozy Mystery Cafe: The Challenge of Amateur Sleuths: What Makes Plotting Nun the Wiser Mysteries So Darn Tricky

Spill it, reader--is anything stunning you speechless this week? I want to hear all about it!