As you know, I’m always on the lookout for new authors so I was delighted to discover the ever entertaining Melissa Tagg had snagged a contract with Bethany House for a couple of contemporary romance novels. I’d been following Melissa’s blog for some time and it was fun to celebrate her joy.
Roll forward 12 months and I actually had the opportunity to interview Melissa, IN PERSON, at ACFW this month ~ go figure! I can assure you, if someone had told me a year ago I’d be heading to the USA to meet some of the wonderful writers I’ve enjoyed over the years, I would have scoffed…loudly ;-D
So, it was a no brainer for me to say yes to the gorgeous Casey Herringshaw’s request to join forces to celebrate the release of Melissa’s debut novel……
MADE TO LAST
Miranda Woodruff has it all. At least, that’s how it looks when she’s starring in her homebuilding television show, From the Ground Up. So when her network begins to talk about making cuts, she’ll do anything to boost ratings and save her show–even if it means pretending to be married to a man who’s definitely not the fiance who ran out on her three years ago.
When a handsome reporter starts shadowing Miranda’s every move, all his digging into her personal life brings him a little too close to the truth–and to her. Can the girl whose entire identity is wrapped up in her on-screen persona finally find the nerve to set the record straight? And if she does, will the life she’s built come crashing down just as she’s found a love to last?
So, what do we have for you, my beloved readers?
It’s a birthday bash giveaway, not only celebrating the release of Made to Last but also Melissa’s birthday!
Happy Birthday, Melissa xo
You can enter the giveaway by commenting here on my blog and at Casey’s blog Writing for Christ from September 28th to September 30th
Here are the fantastic prizes
Four copies of Made to Last
Four $10 Amazon Gift Cards
(Buy Melissa’s book!)
Two unique creations from the talented Casey
Bugs Beads bracelets
(Winner’s Choice)
DON”T FORGET, the party only lasts through the weekend!
Read below, and check out Casey’s blog, for more sneak peeks into Made to Last, another deleted scene and extra fun bet-you-didn’t-know facts about Melissa’s journey to writing and publishing this book.
MELISSA’S FUN FACTS
- Made to Last was originally titled From the Ground Up. But once it was contracted by the publisher, they asked about the possibility of coming up with a new title—something a little more romancey. My editor came up with the idea of Made to Last and I loved it as soon as I heard it.
- I’ve had a lot of people comment about Miranda Woodruff’s last name. Wood. Ruff. Rough. Haha! But I am seriously not lying when I say that I didn’t even think about the fact that her last name had the word “wood” in it when I first gave it to her.In fact, I remember, it was at the 2011 MBT Deep Thinkers Retreat in Florida when Lisa Jordan first remarked about the “clever last name”…at first I tried to cover up my gasp and nod. “OH yeah, clever, uh-huh.” But eventually, because my acting skills could use a little work, I admitted it was a total coincidence.
- In this story, both characters have a sort of noble motivation behind their actions. Miranda would like to win an award she’s up for so she can use the prize money to help her best friend’s charity—a nonprofit organization for orphaned children with special needs. Matthew has dipped into celebrity reporting to make money to help pay for his niece’s cochlear implant surgery—she’s deaf due to meningitis.Both of those things ended up becoming more personal to me as I wrote. Oddly, I’d already written in the cochlear implant storyline when one of my young cousins lost most of the hearing in one ear, likely due to meningitis.And my nephew Ollie was just a year old when I was writing the earliest version of this story—he was born with multiple heart defects and Down syndrome. I remember thinking so many times to myself, what happens to kids who are born with these medical needs whose parents aren’t as loving or as persevering as my sister and brother-in-law? That really impacted and enhanced that piece of the storyline for me.
MELISSA’S DELETED SCENE
Under the cover of a star-studded dusk, Miranda guided her Jeep through a tunnel of fir, red cedar and pine. The moonlight-tipped trees and shadowed ridges pulled her into their embrace, whispered home.
Surrounded by all this beauty, and all she could do was fret.
“Remember, Blaze, no one-on-ones with Knox. And when we’re with him, let me do the talking.”
From the passenger seat, Blaze exaggerated a sigh. “Whatever my uncle told you about me, he must’ve forgotten to mention my memory is rock solid. Ask me about my first day of kindergarten, the flavor of Jello the hospital served the day I got my tonsils out, the hair color of my childhood imaginary friend. I can remember it all.”
“Who knows the hair color of their imaginary friend?”
Blaze propped both feet on the dash. “The point is, you’ve told me three times in a one-hour drive not to play best buds with the reporter. Your instructions are burned into my brain.” He tilted his seat back and closed his eyes. “And she was a brunette, by the way.”
The man had even-keeled down to a tee. She cast him a sidelong glance. He’d pulled his shaggy hair into a ponytail and wore a faded t-shirt over cut-off jean shorts and flip-flops, apparently clinging to summer even though temps barely reached into the 60s today. My husband…
Melissa & Me
Hard to believe Lincoln trusted Blaze enough to pull off this caper. Blaze was all free spirit. And yet…
That little niggle of adventure still pushed against her misgivings. What if they really pulled this off? What if she won the VOHA, charted a whole new course as an A-lister? More than fame would be the opportunity to truly make a difference. Sure, the VOHA came with a $75,000 boost for the charity of her choice – better than gaudy gold trophy, to be sure.
But money only lasted so long. If Miranda’s career bumped up a level, think of the publicity she could give Open Arms, the things she could do for the women so in need of grace, love, affirmation. Surely the board of directors would accept her public endorsement then.
All she had to do was play house with the fly-by-night daredevil to her right. Wouldn’t be hard to spoon-feed the vast majority of the entertainment media. Brad had that down to a science.
But then there was Matthew Knox. Miranda turned her eyes to the rearview mirror. Yup, the reporter from Today still followed from a distance in his newly-tuned Volvo.
She squinted against the glare of headlights from an oncoming vehicle. “Hey, Blaze.” He murmured a “hmm?” “Do you think we need to go over our story once more?”
Didn’t even open his eyes. “Lady, my piano teacher didn’t harp on me this much. Who, by the way, always wore rings on every finger except her thumbs. More evidence of my stunning memory. Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be a-okay.”
“You play piano?” See, this is the kind of stuff she didn’t know about him that a good wife definitely should. If only they’d had a few days to get to know one another, quiz each other on birthdays and favorite foods and music tastes.
Country twang all the way for Miranda. She’d bet he like something mellow – Jack Johnson or one of those other guys who wore fedoras and beach shorts.
Blaze turned his head against the headrest to give her a quirky smile, eyes lazing open. “Nope, didn’t stick with the lessons long enough. Definitely too ADD.”
Peachy. Way to set her mind at ease.
“So that reporter,” Blaze said. “He’s writing about you on the Internet. Everyday?”
Miranda nodded, sliding her hands down the steering wheel. “He’s calling it Two Weeks with Woodruff. If I win the VOHA, they’ll run a cover story in the print magazine.”
If someone had told her this morning she’d be bringing home a pretend husband and a nosy reporter tonight, she’d have asked if they’d inhaled too much varnish. Perhaps it hadn’t been the smartest move she’d ever made to let Knox stay with her.
But when Matthew had asked where he might find a good hotel, then tacked on a sheepish “with reasonable rates,” and later when he’d blanched as the car repairman quoted the cost for getting his Volvo running again, well, she’d had a maternal flash. A moment of grace.
Besides, there was the cabin. She’d avoided it for years, but if it could do some good now…
At least this way she could keep an eye on the reporter, run interference with him and Blaze. Already Matthew’s questions, asked over an introductory lunch, chipped at the carefully constructed wall she’d erected around her memories.
She turned her steering wheel as they reached a sharp curve around a hill, urging her Jeep through the zig-zag of roadway carved into the rise, past a sign for the Appalachian Trail.
Was it love at first sight?
“Randi, there’s one thing we haven’t talked about yet.”
Blaze’s voice, the sound of his seat clicking into upright position, pulled her back to the present. She opened her window, and fresh mountain air whipped through her curls, relaxing taut muscles. Almost home.
One by one she clicked the items off in her head. “We’ve talked about how we met in Brazil. Our whim of a wedding and unconventional marriage. How you’re out of the country much of the year. Our, quote, shared desire to keep our personal lives private. And tomorrow, I’ll keep Knox with me so you can run into Asheville and grab some clothes, whatever you need. Granted, I don’t know your middle name, but…” Like they could really fit 32 years of existence into one car ride. And wait, how old was Blaze anyway? She reached for her water bottle in the cup holder and took a swig.
He leaned over the gap between their seats, dark eyes dancing. “Don’t fall in love with me.”
She spit out her water in a gasp, liquid spraying over the dashboard. “What?!”
His laughter filled the interior of the vehicle. “It happens in all the movies. Guy and girl pretend to be married for whatever reason and by the end, they fall in love.” He palmed her shoulder, faux sympathy dripping from his next words. “But, love, I’m just not the marrying sort.”
With her free hand she swatted his away. “And I’m not the falling in love with my fake husband sort, so I think we’re all good.”
“You say that now but you haven’t seen me pour on the charm – which is exactly what I’ve been instructed to do whenever we’re in front of cameras. Trust me, by the end of this thing, you’ll be wishing for a real ring.”
She whacked him with her water bottle. “Don’t count on it.” Wait a second. She dropped her bottle back into the cupholder and held up her left hand, wiggling her ring finger. “Speaking of a ring, we probably need – ”
“Eyes to the road, darling. Jewelry isn’t my thing.”
“Well, mock marriages aren’t mine and yet, here we are.”
Blaze’s eyes rested on the view in front of them as Miranda slowed into the clearing where her house sat in the spotlight of the moon. “Yes, here we are.”
“Remember, you have to act like you’re completely at home here.”
“Sure thing, but answer me this: Why do we live in a half-built house?”
Matthew’s car pulled in behind them. She shifted into park and killed the ignition.
“Randi?”
She reached for her seatbelt, then shifted as her gaze drifted over her property. An eerie rippling settled over her, cool night air whispering through her open window. Something wasn’t right.
Like the ultimate trifecta of wrong playing out at the moment– mock mate, newshound and ironic half-built home all gathered together?
So, what do you think about this scene? Should it have made the final cut or not?
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway above and here’s one last treat for you ~ my Mad Minute interview with Melissa from ACFW.
My full audio interview with Melissa will be posted soon but for now, I hope you enjoy this fun video. Do excuse the dreadful background – my video placement skills are obviously lacking!
Melissa Tagg’s Mad Minute
Relz Reviewz Extras
Melissa’s Author Alert
Visit Melissa’s website and blog
Buy Made to Last from Amazon or Koorong
September 28, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Yay, Melissa. Congratulations on Made To Last & Happy Birthday. Enjoy your day.
Rel, great Mad Minute. Looking forward to seeing the rest.
September 29, 2013 at 1:59 am
Thanks a bunch, Ian!
September 28, 2013 at 7:13 pm
LOVED this post! I think I had a grin on my face from the time I saw the title of the post in my feedly to this very minute! I absolutely love Melissa, even before I got the chance to read Made to Last she jumped on to my list of authors that I want to meet and as I got to interact with her a bit as part of her Tagg Team she become one of my top five (SO jealous of you, Rel!).
Those fun facts were really cool and I actually wondered about both the book title and Miranda’s last name! And that excerpt was SO good! I definitely think it should have been in the book but it was kind of a nice little after book treat to help tide us over during the excruciatingly long wait for Here to Stay!
The Mad Minute was such fun! I love Rafe too though he’s not my favorite hero. Susan May Warren writes such great heroes! And I also love Jenny B. Jones! So funny! Her books make me laugh out loud so much I drive my sister/roommate crazy! Lastly I guess I really should see What’s Up Doc though I’m not a big Barbra Streisand fan!
September 29, 2013 at 2:00 am
Abbi your comment made me smile so much. You know, I’m probably not the biggest Streisand fan either in general, but What’s Up Doc is just hilarious and awesome. I recommend it SO much. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 8:21 am
Abbi Hart » Love your comments, Abbi! It was such a privilege to meet Melissa and other fabulous authors – something I treasure and don’t take for granted. Hope you get the opportunity one day, too.
Okay, so who is your favourite SMW hero? I love Vicktor, too, among others 😉
September 29, 2013 at 8:26 am
Ahhh! Such a hard question! It has been so long since I read some of the books but the ones that always come to mind when I think of her books are Micah and Will from the Team Hope Series and Roman and David from the Mission: Russia Series. But honestly she hasn’t written one yet that I haven’t loved and I’ve read all but three of her books!
October 2, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Abbi Hart » 😉 I’m with you – she does some pretty amazing leading men. Thanks for sharing – makes me want to go back and read her Team Hope series – loved them! Oh, and also Jeremy from her PJ Sugar series….!
October 2, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Yeah Team Hope was the first series of hers I read of hers and I think it will always be my favorite! And this is also making me want to go back and reread her books! Jeremy was great!
September 28, 2013 at 9:16 pm
Love Melissa’s Mad Minute & I agree w/ her about Rafe & MacGyver 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 2:00 am
Yay, another Rafe fan. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 8:08 am
Melissa Tagg » Join the queue, Renee ~ I think there’s quite a few of us in the line – LOL!
September 29, 2013 at 8:20 am
Renee @Doorkeeper » 😉 Me, too!
September 28, 2013 at 9:22 pm
I actually loved the deleted scene. And the video interview was an added bonus.
To others who are entering this great contest, Melissa Tagg is sharing how God blessed her on this writing journey this same weekend at http://www.maryvee.com. Yes, it must be one of her clones! But we are having a great chat with Melissa.
So after entering this great contest, come have some virtual coffee and chat with Melissa.
September 29, 2013 at 2:01 am
Thanks, Mary!
September 29, 2013 at 8:16 am
Mary Vee » Thanks Mary – the wonders of the internet do let you be in two places at once, right?!
September 29, 2013 at 8:18 am
So true, Rel. And this also allowed me to join you today as well. What a great party. Thanks for the invite!
September 28, 2013 at 10:13 pm
The book sounds great, and the mad minute clip was lots of fun!!
September 29, 2013 at 2:01 am
Thanks, Tracy!
September 29, 2013 at 8:16 am
Tracy » Thanks Trac – can’t wait to catch up xo xo
September 28, 2013 at 10:18 pm
Happy birthday, Melissa!!! So hope even more readers enjoy your writing like many already have.
Goodness, I didn’t notice the cleverness of the name Woodruff, before… made me smile.
Congrats!
September 29, 2013 at 2:02 am
THanks so much, Ganise, for the kind review you gave MTL! And yep, I completely didn’t realize the Woodruff name was apropos until someone else pointed it out. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 8:15 am
Ganise » Hey, lovely girl – your comments always make me smile!
September 28, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for letting us know about it and the author. Happy Birthday to Melissa!
September 29, 2013 at 7:20 am
Thanks, Sandy!
September 29, 2013 at 8:15 am
Sandy » You are welcome, Sandy – enjoy!
September 28, 2013 at 11:03 pm
Happy Birthday, Melissa. I am definitly wanting to read your book.
September 29, 2013 at 7:20 am
Thanks, Wilani. Hope you get a chance ot read it. 🙂
September 28, 2013 at 11:18 pm
I liked this deleted scene, but the fact that it was cut must mean there are even better ones in the book. Looks like a great read. Thanks for the giveaway!
September 29, 2013 at 7:21 am
Glad you liked the scene. It was funny reading it because SO much has changed since it was written. It was fun to remember all the changes this story has gone through. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 8:14 am
Melissa » Spot on, Melissa!
September 28, 2013 at 11:30 pm
We cannot keep her book on the shelf at Melissa’s hometown library.
September 29, 2013 at 7:21 am
Oh Ketta, that is so exciting to hear! Yay!!
September 29, 2013 at 8:14 am
Ketta » That’s great, Ketta!
September 28, 2013 at 11:38 pm
Well I have to say I liked the scene! And how fun Rel that you got to go to ACFW this year!
September 29, 2013 at 7:21 am
It was super cool to get to meet Rel in person!
September 29, 2013 at 8:03 am
Melissa Tagg » The privilege was all mine, Melissa 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 8:14 am
Julie Graves » You have no idea, Julie, how fabulous it was! I still can’t quite believe I was there – revisiting the photos helps 😉
September 28, 2013 at 11:39 pm
Made to Last was a great book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
September 29, 2013 at 7:21 am
OH thank you so much, Teresa!
September 29, 2013 at 12:01 am
Clever of you to give deleted scenes to get us hooked! Birthday blessings!
September 29, 2013 at 7:22 am
Thanks a bunch, Rachael!
September 29, 2013 at 8:13 am
They certainly peak your interest, don’t they, Rachael?! Thanks for stopping by.
September 29, 2013 at 12:21 am
Thanks for the giveaway ladies! I enjoyed reading the deleted scenes. Hard to say if they should have been cut or not…
September 29, 2013 at 7:22 am
Well, it sort of had to be cut considering some of the changes in the book, but it’s fun to go back and read it. 🙂 Thanks!!
September 29, 2013 at 8:12 am
Patty » You are more than welcome, Patty 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 12:28 am
Happy Birthday!! I think you should keep this scene!! I love it!
September 29, 2013 at 7:23 am
Thanks, Amber!
September 29, 2013 at 12:30 am
Happy Birthday, Melissa! I have so been wanting to read Made to Last. I have heard so much about it. I wish you the absolute best in your career!
Wanda Barefoot
flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com
September 29, 2013 at 7:23 am
I hope you get a chance to read it, Wanda. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 12:40 am
Happy Birthday Melissa.. I enjoyed this scene. If this didn’t make the book I can’t help but wonder what does. I would say leave it in.
September 29, 2013 at 7:24 am
Thanks, Jan. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 12:46 am
The more the better for me! Loved it.
September 29, 2013 at 7:24 am
Thanks, Heidi!
September 29, 2013 at 12:59 am
LOL! Love the mad minute. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
I watched the video and had to laugh. I really said neopolitan for my favorite ice cream?? I think because in my head I couldn’t decide whether vanilla or chocolate was better. BUT the obvious answer was Peanut Butter Panic which is the best ice cream ever!!
September 29, 2013 at 8:02 am
Melissa Tagg » One of the things I missed while in the US was sampling your ice cream! And I had so many good recommendations from everyone’s Mad Minutes! Sigh….!
September 29, 2013 at 8:12 am
Casey » They were so much fun to do, Casey 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 1:19 am
This book sounds soooooo good. Definitely adding it to my to-read list!
September 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
Thanks, Alyssa!
September 29, 2013 at 8:11 am
Alyssa » You will love it, I’m sure!
October 4, 2013 at 10:40 am
I read it over the weekend, and it was AMAZING!!!!!!!! I found it to be funny, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
October 13, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Alyssa » Delighted to hear you loved it 🙂 Love sharing other readers’ book joy!
September 29, 2013 at 1:28 am
Happy Birthday, Melissa. I liked the deleted scene.
September 29, 2013 at 7:25 am
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Susan. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 1:39 am
This was such a uniuque and fun post. You took a good, popular idea and made it interesting and even better! Thanks for sharing about the book and the giveaway!
Hmmmm…it’s hard to answer the question having not read the rest of the book but I really liked the scene. It was great. Good dialogue, character development, you learned a lot about the plot line and characters…it was excellent.
September 29, 2013 at 8:11 am
Katie » Appreciate your feedback, Katie – glad you enjoyed the cut scene. Melissa writes a great story 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 1:55 am
Pick me. Great blog, I will have to follow you now.
September 29, 2013 at 8:10 am
Camille » Thanks Camille – I hope you enjoy the blog 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 1:55 am
Thank you for the lovely post! It was a pure pleasure to read and made me laugh..Thank you for giveaway..Made to Last sounds like a book not to be missed. I am definitely adding it to my TBR list now..;)
Blessings,
Juli
emeraldelena@hotmail.com
September 29, 2013 at 8:09 am
Julianna Rowe » You are welcome, Julianna – glad you enjoyed the post, thanks to Melissa and Casey’s hard work! Made to Last is a great story and I think you will love it 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 1:58 am
Happy Birthday Melissa!
September 29, 2013 at 2:19 am
FUN video. I think it was neat that Melissa did the accidental symbolism with her character’s last name. I agree, Godiva all the way. Especially if its a Godiva, sea salt & caramel bar.
September 29, 2013 at 8:07 am
Julia Reffner » The videos were such fun and the authors did really well – I think you will enjoy them all, Julia!
September 29, 2013 at 2:37 am
So much fun! Happy Birthday, Melissa!
September 29, 2013 at 2:46 am
Oh, I love this scene too! And Happy Birthday Melissa!
September 29, 2013 at 2:47 am
Thanks for the giveaway.
September 29, 2013 at 8:06 am
Deborah » A pleasure!
September 29, 2013 at 2:53 am
I forgot to answer the question. I love the deleted scene and wish it would not have been cut.
September 29, 2013 at 3:09 am
This book sounds great! Thanks for a chance to win!
September 29, 2013 at 8:06 am
Teresa Leacock » You are welcome, Teresa!
September 29, 2013 at 3:46 am
Oh, I think this scene should have stayed. I love it.
September 29, 2013 at 4:44 am
Oh my goodness! Yes, it should have made the final cut! I love Blaze and this scene had me laughing out loud and loving him more! This book is fantastic and it really should be made into a movie one day. God bless!
September 29, 2013 at 8:05 am
Debbie Mitchell » It would be a super fun movie, wouldn’t it, Debbie?
September 29, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Yes, it would. I can definitely see it on the Hallmark Channel one day. I LOVE these characters! I think Blaze needs his story to be told, too. 🙂
October 2, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Debbie Mitchell » Blaze’s story is coming, Debbie – it should be great fun!
October 2, 2013 at 2:16 pm
Really? Wow, can’t wait to read it!
October 13, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Debbie Mitchell » Yep!!
September 29, 2013 at 5:03 am
What better way to celebrate Melissa’s birthday! And I would keep the deleted scene because we get to see more of Blaze through this interaction. Hopefully we get to hear about him more in the future!
September 29, 2013 at 8:04 am
Maggie Landegent » You will hear Melissa talk a bit more about Blaze in our audio interview, Maggie ~ it will be on the blog soonish!
September 29, 2013 at 5:43 am
Again, Happy Birthday Melissa! And yes I think that was a scene that could have stayed.
September 29, 2013 at 6:05 am
I can’t wait to read Made to Last! It’s going to be a page turner for sure!
September 29, 2013 at 6:06 am
Oh, I like it! Very fun scene. And I love the mad minutes. I can only imagine what mine looks like!
September 29, 2013 at 8:03 am
Cara Putman » Yours is fine, Cara 😉
September 29, 2013 at 6:57 am
I like that scene! And I haven’t read the book yet but I think that scene shouldn’t have been left out!!! At least in my opinion!!! 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 7:12 am
happy birthday! the book sounds very interesting.
September 29, 2013 at 7:26 am
Thanks, Katie. Definitely appreciate your kind words on the scene!
September 29, 2013 at 8:33 am
If this scene didn’t make the cut, I’m assuming you found another way of writing about what we need to know in this scene. It just makes me more curious to read the book!
September 29, 2013 at 8:48 am
What a great scene! I especially like that her name is the same as mine – I don’t think I’ve ever had that happen before! I haven’t yet read the book, so I honestly don’t know if I think this scene should have been kept or not. It definitely makes me even more excited to read the book, though! Thanks for the giveaways!!!
October 2, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Randi L. » It’s fun when your name is in a story – I’m sure you will connect with Randi all the more!
September 29, 2013 at 9:16 am
Thanks Rel for Melissa’s Birthday party. Neat. I loved the deleted scene. I also loved watching her in the video. it was really neat to meet her when I can hear her voice.And, enjoyed both blogs. I really want to be a winner in this contest, tho looks like a lot of competition. Please put my name in. MAXIE
September 29, 2013 at 10:07 am
Happy Birthday, Melissa!!! I loved the excerpt. It had it’s adorable and it’s awkward moments. It’s great. Looking forward to reading your book.
September 29, 2013 at 10:17 am
I loved this scene, especially the last few lines! Happy Birthday, Melissa!!! I can’t believe it’s already been a week since we were at your launch party! I hope you’re doing something extra special for your birthday.
September 29, 2013 at 10:36 am
I really enjoyed this scene, though I don’t think it necessarily needs to be in the book. I can’t wait to read this–it looks so good and the deleted scenes from your website and Casey’s make me even more excited/anxious to read it.
October 2, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Mallori » I doubt you will be disappointed, Mallori – it’s a great premise and Melissa writes really well.
September 29, 2013 at 11:06 am
Can’t imagine how you chose to cut scenes! But the book is fun to read as is so you did a great job!
September 29, 2013 at 12:04 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Melissa!! Hope you have/had a fabulous day. 🙂
September 29, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Love the deleted scene, the video, & Melissa’s writing style! Such a sweet voice you have, Melissa! And – agreed on the peanut butter ice cream, my fav also – love ANYTHING with peanut butter in it! Definitely want to read Made To Last!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
September 29, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Happy Birthday!
September 29, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Deleted scenes are always painful, but makes the story stronger. 🙂 As someone commented above me–I’m sure there are other scenes that made this one unnecessary! 🙂
October 2, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Cheryl » Good point, Cheryl!