I get a lot of e-mails from writers’ groups, readers, bookstores, and everyone in between. It’s all part of the author gig. Most of the e-mails are positive, and the response to Spider’s Bite has been wonderful — everything I’d hoped it would be. But one recent e-mail has stood out from the rest, so I thought that I would share part of it here on the blog today.

Hello, Jennifer. I am writing to tell you how much I am enjoying reading your book, Hot Mama. I recently went through a very traumatic experience in my life and I’ve forgotten what it’s like to laugh. Your book has made me laugh. I am so happy that I picked it up to read … I love the character of Fiona. I will never be able to explain to you how much your book has made me laugh and smile — two things I haven’t been able to do in a long time. I wish you nothing but success in the future.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is why I write.

I’ve never claimed to be writing the next Great American Novel, and I don’t want to. My goal is simple — to entertain folks. To take them away to another world and make them smile, laugh, and cheer for the good guys, if only for a few hours. Books are an escape for so many people, a way for them to forget their troubles for a little while.

I’m so glad that I was able to brighten this person’s day. It really does make all the long, lonely hours sitting in front of my computer worthwhile.