I am so sick of THE DAVINCI CODE.

Not the phenomenally interesting and exciting book itself, which I read and loved.

Not the boring movie, which I hated. HATED. REALLY, REALLY HATED. Ron Howard, if you’re reading this—you owe me a refund.

I’m sick of the hype.

I cannot purchase a book in any bookstore without first wading through the DVC section, which includes the hardcover book, the illustrated hardcover book, the trade-sized book, the paperback book, the book companions, the knock-off books, and the Biblical reference books.

I cannot buy toilet paper in Target without passing the DVC display.

I cannot watch the TODAY SHOW without enduring a segment (or twenty) about the latest DVC reviews and box office statistics.

I cannot watch the HISTORY channel without suffering through a show about the quest for the Holy Grail and/or the Knights Templar and/or the real Mary Magdalene.

I cannot read the NEW YORK TIMES’ Book Review without counting DVC and three other Dan Brown books in the top fifteen. That’s right. As of today, Dan Brown has FOUR books at the top of the paperback chart.

And that’s why I can forgive Brown for unleashing DVC mania on civilized society for the past several years.

He rocks.

Seriously.

Think about it. DVC has been on the NYT list for 164 weeks. I’ll do the math for you: that’s over three years. It’s sold 40 million copies in hardcover. The paperback print run is six million. MILLION. The biggest print run I’ve heard of for a (non-Nora) romance novel is half a million. There’s no telling how many more millions of his other books—yes, he does have other books—have sold.

If commercial success is what you’re after as a writer—and let’s face it, every writer wants a little commercial success, and any writer who says she doesn’t is a big fat liar—then Brown is the gold standard. He took a startling idea, researched it to death, and wrote an exciting, fascinating book about it. For that, I salute him.

Is there anyone in America who hasn’t heard of the book? Is there anyone out there who doesn’t know what the book is about? Anyone who doesn’t recognize the cover of the book? Anyone who doesn’t know someone who’s read the book?

I don’t think so.

How many other writers can say that? (J.K. Rowling, put your hand down. I’m not talking to you.)

I’m going to keep grumbling about DVC hype for the foreseeable future, and the next time Matt Lauer mentions it, I’m going to change the channel. But I just want to go on record and say that the next time I turn my nose up at a DVC display, I’ll be secretly remembering Dan Brown’s 40 million plus books sold and wishing I could be a little like him when I grown up.

“The artist doesn't have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews, the ones who want to write don't have the time to read reviews.”
–William Faulkner

Apparently I have too much time on my hands, because the other day I got the first review of my book, TROUBLE, and, well, … I read it.

And it was … pretty good.

Shawn Monique Grimes, a reviewer for Romance Divas, and a woman who is obviously brilliant, witty, and, no doubt, beautiful and kind to children and small animals, wrote, in part:

“There’s nothing troubling about this novel by Ann Christopher. It has everything, it’s fast paced, emotional and hot as fire! I couldn’t stop reading! I needed to know what happened, not only to the hero and heroine, but also to the supporting characters as well!”

And get this: she gave it FIVE (out of five) kisses!

Yay!

Don’t worry. This has not given me a big head, and I’m keeping it real. For one thing, this review, as wonderful as it was, did not get me out of cooking dinner, chauffeuring my kids around, cleaning my house, or scooping out the cats’ litter box. For another, I am smart enough to know that everyone will not like this book, and there will be other reviewers, other reviews, and fewer kisses, stars, or thumbs up. I get it. I have taken the following quotation to heart:

“Having the critics praise you is like having the hangman say you've got a pretty neck.”
–Eli Wallach

Still, I think I will take a moment—just a tiny moment!—to enjoy this good review from someone who isn’t related to me.

I'm taking a short break from eating my way through my large box of Mother’s Day chocolates in order to wish mothers a happy, stress-free day, and to remind everyone else to call their mother. And when you call her, please remember:

1. to tell her you love her;
2. not to ask for money;
3. not to whine; and
4. not to talk about yourself.

Got it? Great.

While I finish off my chocolates, I want to share my two favorite quotes about mothers with you. No doubt you’ve seen these before, but they’re always worth repeating, especially today.

Here goes:

If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much.
–Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

and

[T]he hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
–William Ross Wallace (1819-1881)

Next week, I promise to get back to the world of romance novels.

I sent the club a wire stating, PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESIGNATION. I DON'T WANT TO BELONG TO ANY CLUB THAT WILL ACCEPT ME AS A MEMBER.
–Groucho Marx

Unlike Groucho Marx, I was pleased this week to join two “clubs” for writers.

NovelTalk.com is a full-service author and reader web community that offers services including web site design and hosting, author spotlights and chats, newsletters, and a merchandise store for readers. It also features a large membership of Harlequin authors, especially Intrigue, Bombshell and SuperRomance authors.

WeWriteRomance.com also offers web site design and hosting, and includes author interviews, workshops and chat rooms.

Both sites offer reviews of the latest romance novels and are great places for readers and writers to get together, talk about books, exchange information and, well, have fun. If you love romance books as much as I do, and want the latest information on what’s exciting and new, you’ll check out these sites.

Here are links:

www.NovelTalk.com

www.WeWriteRomance.com

This ends the shameless self-promotion portion of my blog (for now!) Please continue with the rest of your day.