Hello, my lovely blogging friends!
It is very hard for me to step out of the blogosphere, but I have been on a self-imposed two-week blog hiatus, because I simply must take care of my work-from-home business and a few other important things. I’ll be taking time this weekend to park myself at your blogs to see what I’ve missed … but I do know that Zen is giving up chocolate. 
However, I had to drop everything and pop in today, because I’m squealing, and excited, and if I don’t share this with someone other than my dog, I will burst!
Amazon was fantastic to work with when I asked to have the price of Sunshine Hunter set to free. I wrote directly to KDP and pleaded my case. We had a short series of emails back and forth, and the price was lowered to permanently free this past Monday night – only four days after my initial inquiry.
Sometimes it takes me a little while to figure things out. I looked at my Amazon sales figures yesterday and a few sales for Sunshine Hunter trickled in. I checked this morning, and the numbers were the same. I wondered if I would see any bump due to free downloads. Well, silly me! About an hour ago, I finally realized if I scrolled to the right while looking at my sales report, I would see the free downloads in the very last column. LOL! They are already in the thousands!
The next thought bubble above my head was, “I wonder if this affects my ranking?”
Oh my gosh!! It does! 
But I had to look at it a couple of times. Was that my book? #1 under Women Sleuths? Susan isn’t a very good sleuth, but until chick-lit/mystery is a first choice, she ends up where the book sites want her. And #45 under romance!
Here, I’ll click the link and show you what you’ll see (at least as of noon today):
Squee!! Next to J.D. Robb!! LOL!!
Thanks for letting me gush. I have no idea what will ever happen with these crazy Susan Hunter books, but today is a day that makes me want to run outside and yell as loud as I can to anyone who will listen, “I’m number one on Amazon!”
Wow, that’s awesome, Maddie! Congratulations!
Thank you, Lashell! I certainly can’t get any work done today. It’s a funny feeling to see it – even if they are free downloads. I saw your most recent post and will be by this weekend to comment. You would not believe how many mistakes I’ve made, and how many times I’ve republished – especially this book! You are light years ahead of me.
OKkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk, I just helped keep you at Number One! Thanks for the free copy!
LOl!! You are the man, Steve! Thank you so much!
So excited for you!!!!! I’m thrilled and proud to call you my friend! Susan is like M&M’s my pal, one book is not enough. You should have people downloading your subsequent books in no time because they will fall in love with Susan, Darby and the rest of your characters. I’m almost done with number two, and I’m loving it. Congratulations and keep up the good work!!!! YAY!!
Thank you, Julie!! I have seen an uptick in sales on the other books, and I’m so excited! Squee!!! Thank you, thank you. I’m so happy you’re enjoying the books.
Congrats, that is simply awesome!
a great moment!
Thank you, Luchessa! I appreciate your stopping by and commenting.
Way to go, Maddie! I’m so happy for you! And getting your book in a high ranking like that only keeps it there longer, because more people see it and download it, and a nice cycle develops. Well done! Enjoy the moment as you should.
I’m stunned it went to number one. It’s very surreal to see it, and I’m doubly excited to have this happen with the new cover. Yeah, I’m eating a few M&M’s right now.
See? M&M’s are good for great stats AND bad reviews.
LOL! I suspect they work for any situation.
Hey Maddie!!!!! Wow, girl you go! Yeahhhhh!!! I’m almost as excited as you. Cus I mean no one can be more excited then you.
I am so proud of my stalkee! I’ve been busy too, but I did wonder what happened to ya, then figured you were writing and gave you a high five, even if you didn’t see it. Congrats girl!!!
LOL! I appreciate your enthusiasm, Jackie!! You are the best stalker a person could have.
It’s a fun day for sure! I’ve been trying to write, but other things have to be done first, and I have some fun marketing things coming up, so I’m working on those. I’ll probably chat with you more this weekend.
Great! I’ll look for you this weekend, actually I will probably be doing some stalking business, so you’ll see me around
I don’t understand why you are surprised but I do understand you being excited. You go girl.
I still have an underlying insecurity about all of this writing and self-publishing, but as good feedback comes in and good things happen, it lessens a bit. Thank you so much for your support, Bo!
I understand. I used to have an inferiority complex or at least I thiught so until someone explained it is not a complex. I really am inferior.
LOL!
Congratulations!
(Yeah, I downloaded a copy too. Looking forward to reading it.)
Thank you, El Guapo! And thanks for downloading and stoking the fire; it is appreciated!!
And to think I’m acquainted with this famous woman.
You are a dear friend, Tim. Thank you for the tweet and the blog mention! You always go above and beyond to help, and I appreciate you.
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AWESOME! I know a celebrity
Congrats, Maddie!
LOL! Not really, but this is fun today. Thank you, La La!!
That is AWESOME! Congrats, Maddie!
Hi Kate! Thank you so much! I’ll be stopping by this weekend. I know I’ve missed a post or two at your place.
*slow clap*
Happy for you ma’am!
I like the slow clap. It’s much cooler than the golf clap.
Thank you, Becca!
You deserve to bask in your glory! I would!
Well, being realistic, this is only happening because people are downloading free books. But the excitement is also in the fact that Susan Hunter is on eReaders now, and if people like her, they will read more of the books. That gets my heart all a-flutter!
People are reading your baby. That is sweeter than money. Money is nice, but knowing you accomplished something people are willing to give their free time to… that’s fantastic.
I agree!
Haha, giving up chocolate wasn’t an easy decision, I’ll give you that! That said, however, your news is so much cooler! I’m so proud of you. =D Congratulations on a most-deserved rank! You should most definitely celebrate today. Eat chocolate on my behalf.
As my husband would do … I put two piles of M&M’s on my desk. One for you and one for me. I’d eat a couple out of my pile and then a couple out of yours. You should have no cravings now.
Thank you, Zen!
That’s wonderful! Congrats!
Thank you, Tessa! I’ll be by to see you this weekend.
Wow that is awesome… Now if you could only achieve #0.
Been there, done that.
On my! This is the BEST NEWS EVER!!!! Congratulations, Maddie
Thank you, Dianne! I’ve gone beyond surprised and excited, and am now laughing. This has just been such a cool day.
Wow, that is absolutely fabulous. Ultra talented and ultra deserved. You never know, from free beginnings come shiny new Porsches (this is in fact true, maybe I will tell you the story sometime). Gush away. I am off to recommend you to my pals!
Piper, thank you so much! Yes, I want to hear your story about Porsches.
And thank you for the recommendations; they are appreciated. Have fun on your vacation!
We will.
(I don’t think your book is free on the UK site? Does Amazon do that?)
Piper, Amazon is supposed to take care of my pricing across the board. I know you don’t have time right now, but when you are able to, if you would go directly to Sunshine Hunter on the UK site, the last line (I think) under product description gives you the option to tell them about a lower price. You can fill that little form out with a link to the US site, and, hopefully, they will set it to free soon. Thanks for letting me know. I am actually going to do some advertising in the UK, and I didn’t know the price hadn’t been changed. If you aren’t able to do this, that’s ok.
Well, that’s quite bizarre. The US site still shows a price, although does state that it is free in the rankings. The UK site doesn’t, so I have sent them a link. Unless they refuse to show me it is now free as I already bought it . . . Or my iPad is weeks behind Internet updates
anyhoo, I am sure the confusion is somehow my fault but I have notified them of the price difference for you.
Amazon might take a while to get everything indexed. Thank you so much, Piper. I appreciate your help.
Pass the champagne – you did fantastic and in such exulted company too!
Thank you so much, Dallas! I’m ready for champagne or something! … Off to the liquor cabinet!
Time to hire that skywriter again. Keep him on retainer. Good for you and Susan!
I forgot all about that skywriter.
You know full well, Robin, I would have been dead in the water a long time ago if I hadn’t attended The School of Robin. Thank you for bringing so many things to my attention. It made world of difference.
You most certainly would NOT have been dead in the water, but I’m delighted you feel the series helped with making your writing stronger. Maybe I should hire that skywriter.
Oh, and I finished your book! Loved it. Watch for a post about it soon.
That’ll get you known; for sure…!
For a day anyway.
I prefer to get Susan Hunter’s name out there over mine, so this has been a blast today.
Well done to you…!
Errr… Susan…
This is great news, Ms Maddie! Congratulations!
Thank you, Jae!!
WOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!! Congrats!!! That is amazing news and you’re entitled to scream and shout all you want about it!!
Hi Janice! Thank you so much. My emotions have run the gamut today – even to freaking out a little bit.
That is wonderful, Maddie!! And, you will get so many new readers of your other books!! They won’t be able to resist!!
Thanks, Barb! I hope they won’t be able to resist.
Oh, and this is the first time I have been online in a over a week.
It’s good to see you! I have barely been reading blogs in almost two weeks. I hope to catch up with everyone this weekend. How are you feeling now? Has your pain level gone down?
That’s so exciting! Congratulations!
Thank you, Christi! I appreciate your comment!
What!?! . . . no link? . . . I have to search for it?
. . . I don’t know . . .
LOL! I was so excited, I forgot the link.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0081VXDZY
The rankings are in the Product Details – Amazon Best Sellers Rank.
Wow, that was weird. I’ve never had a picture show up in my comments when I post a link!
Congrats Maddie. I read your book Sunshine Hunter. I really enjoyed it. It was a fun read and it made me laugh. I’m sure I will be reading some of the others too for that very reason.
Hi Donna Jean! Thank you so much for reading my book! I really appreciate it, and am glad you enjoyed the humor. Thank you for stopping by. .:-)
That looks like an ad-link. It might be WordPress will get something if someone clicks on it here (like me), and gets it based on this click.
Interesting.
It seems to have disappeared now. At least the book is free!
Thousands? Wow!
Far out brussel sprout! Unreal banana peel! Alright vegemite! Let ‘er rip potato chip!
Up your nose with a rubber hose! Oh wait … that doesn’t work in this instance.
Monk Monkey, my dear, over 6,000 downloads and climbing.
Wowsers! But you deserve it!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! Well done, Maddie! Did I mention I finished it the other day? It was a good fun read.
Thank you, Richard. Yes, you did. Thank you so much for reading! I appreciate it very much.
Congrats!!! What a wonderful accomplishment!
Thank you, Brooke. I keep reminding myself these are free downloads, but it is so cool to see the book in a #1 spot for anything!!
Beyond cool Maddie !!!
Thank you, Annie! I’m still pretty stoked today.
Does this mean I can get it on my apple now?
Charlie, yes! I thought about you yesterday when I checked all of the retailers and had planned to drop you a note. Only Kobo is still running 99 cents; and Diesel still has the old cover. Apple is good to go!
Heartiest congrats and well-deserved. Enjoy every moment! Love from Ireland,jx
Thank you so much, Jean. I’m looking forward to getting by your blog this weekend and reading. I saw a picture of Sophie! Can’t wait to see what she was up to.
Maddie – I have really missed your posts, so it was great to see you back. I look forward to reading your book. It’s really generous of you to make it free!
Thank you, Connie. I’m looking forward to doing nothing but reading blogs this weekend; I’m in withdrawal. I hope you enjoy the book. It’s pretty silly, but that’s part of what (I hope) makes it entertaining.
You deserve that! Yay!
Thank you, UL! My mom and I were doing some “yaying” this afternoon.
Can’t wait to get back to your blog to see what I’ve missed!!
Not much missed over here… writer’s block has set in hard.
Many, MANY congratulations, my friend! This is utterly wonderful news and so well deserved. I just loved reading ‘Sunshine Hunter’, I’m so pleased to have won your little comp! I LOVED the book, it’s just so readable, really really great. I’m not surprised you’re doing so well. Bravo!
Katykins!! Thank you! Thank you! You are so sweet! I’m so glad you liked it. Considering you read the likes of The Mysteries of Udolpho for fun, I was really worried about putting my pink fluff into your hands.
I’m delighted you enjoyed the book. Thank you so much for letting me know!
Congrats, congrats, congrats! I just got Sunshine Hunter on iBooks. I should be purchasing your other installments next week. I’m so glad to finally get a chance to read your work! I meant to do this much sooner since you’re one of my best blogging buddies & I feel like I practically know you..but hey..better late than never, right?
I’m so happy for you, Maddie. You deserve all the love you receive.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your very kind words. Don’t buy the other books until you see if you like the first one. LOL! It’s a fluffy, pink, slightly madcap story, and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea.
This weekend, I’m grabbing a blanket and adult beverages, and I’m hunkering down to read blogs all weekend. Can’t wait to see what you’ve been writing. I hope my comments remain coherent.
Oh, I know I’m going to love the rest because I’m already halfway through the 1st & I’m in love!
& Any comments from you are ways appreciated. Coherent or not. One of my readers have said our back & forth banter is hysterical.
FAN-bloody-TASTIC, as they say in “strine” I’m one of those thousands that downloaded and am enjoying the adventures of Susan.
Oh, bless you, Pauline!! I’m so tickled you’re enjoying the book.
I’ll be by this weekend to see what you’ve been up to – and to see if Jack is in any trees in his happy pants! 
Looking forward to your visit
Fantastic! Brilliant! You are a total super star! I’m so excited for you. I love your… your gumption! If you don’t mind, I’d like to be just like you if I ever grow up!
Good on you, my blogging buddy! Good on you!
Oh, thank you so much, Michelle!! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your words of support. I’m still kind of reeling from this. And I’m telling you, you have that backwards. You are so grounded and wise … I want to be just like you when I grow up!!
How incredibly exciting!!!! You need to ride this high for as long as you can. It’s so exciting. Just think of all the people who will be reading the words that you wrote!
I think this wave of downloads has peaked, but they certainly went beyond my wildest expectations. All I did was lower the price; I didn’t even do any promotion! As for people reading my words – that kind of freaks me out, but it delights me, too. What a roller coaster this past week has been!
Great work, Maddie!
Use that positive energy to do good things – like write more cool books!
Thanks, Hook! I’m over at your place catching up!
Congratulations, how exciting!!!
Thank you, Rara! It’s been quite a roller coaster, but it certainly has been fun.
That is SO AWESOME!! Congratulations Maddie!! I am enjoying the heck out of your book. I’m a slow read I have been so busy with projects and commissions, yay, that I’ve only been able to read during lunch at work. It’s my getaway time. I love Susan Hunter and I am going to read every one of her adventures!
Hi Pam! Thank you so much. I’m so tickled that you are reading and enjoying the book.
I’m so happy you are busy, too. Commissions are wonderful things to have!
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This is so cool! I’m so proud of you Maddie
And congratulation for being the #1 in Amazon! Wow, you’re so amazing girl 
xoxo
Thank you, Dolly. It took me completely by surprise, and I’m still sort of in shock by it all. But it’s all good.
Congratulations! That’s awesome!
Thank you so much! If I had read your post first, I would have known to try a “boobies” tag on this post to see if I could alert more people to my free book.
(I get such a kick out of your humor!)
Try ‘free boobies book’
LOL! I’ll do that when I do a post about the cover soon. Wonderful idea!
Good news, Ms Maddie! I would like to personally hand you the “BEST MOMENT AWARD” for this post. Congratulations and enjoy the rest of the day! [Jae]
Jae, thank you so much! I meant to stop by sooner! I’ll be right over.
You’re welcome, Ms Maddie! I thought it was the most appropriate award for this post.
You have every right to gush. I’m so happy for you Maddie
Thank you, Maggie. It’s been almost two weeks now, and it’s such a roller coaster ride. With so many free books out there (over 20,000 now), there are bound to be people who read it and hate it. Two 2-star reviews showed up at Amazon this weekend, and three 5-stars reviews followed at Barnes & Noble. Roller.Coaster.Ride. I’m just going to let it all fall where it may and keep on truckin’ as they say. Thanks for stopping by, Maggie.
20,000! Wow! Good for you, Maddie. And well deserved.
Awesome!!
I’m very far behind with comments, but wanted to thank you for stopping by and reading. This was a fun ride for a while.