So the first reviews for my new book, Can’t Stand the Heat, are in and their pretty darn good… thankfully!

 

Starred review from Publishers Weekly

“… Sizzling chemistry ignites between the main characters, developing from a slow simmer as anticipation and plot build to a full rolling boil. The book features sparkling dialogue, delicious romance, and a masterfully constructed story with a strong, well-developed cast of characters whose varying viewpoints provide depth and layering.”
Read the full review here!

4-star review from RT Book Reviews

“Ellis starts her new Gibbons Gold Digger Series, about a family of women who seduce men for money, in fine form… Be ready to laugh and cry with these new reality stars of Chesterton, Va.”
Read the full review here! (limited to RT Book Reviews subscribers)

An "A" review from Romance in Color

 "The premise is modern and relatable; and the story is presented in clean, uncomplicated language. Comedic moments certainly added to the overall pleasure of the experience. Please don’t keep me waiting too long for the next installation. Please!"
Read the full review here!

A 5-star review from Romance Novels in Color

"As a debut novel for a series, this author has done a wonderful job. I love the author’s writing style."
Read the full review here! 

Like the reviews? You can buy a copy of Can’t Stand the Heat!

Over three generations, the Gibbons women of Chesterton, Virginia, have built their reputation as a family of shameless—but refined—gold diggers. They even have a strict set of rules by which they operate. But the rebellious, youngest Gibbons is about to break them all…

Lauren Gibbons is committing the ultimate family betrayal: abandoning the tradition of seducing men for money. Nothing is worth the abuse she’s endured from her sugar daddy. Now a sous chef, Lauren is hoping to break from the past for good. And when she meets hot former NFL player Crisanto Weaver, she even lets herself imagine a future. But the small-town rumor mill—and her own sisters—aren’t ready for a new Lauren. Between her conniving relatives, her vengeful ex, a mountain of debt, and a whole lot of haters, can she escape her old life, and create something new?

Cover Reveal for The Player and the Game!

So I got a copy of the cover for the second book in the Gibbons Gold Digger Series, The Player and the Game. I love that the designers went with the red background and dress. Looks caliente if I do say myself… just like the character, Stephanie Gibbons! The second book will be out Aug. 27th, but the first book, Can't Stand the Heat, will be in stores next month. :)

It’s business as usual for the infamous gold digging Gibbons women of Chesterton, Virginia. But this time, middle sister, Stephanie, may be the one getting played…

Stephanie Gibbons has finally hit the jackpot. Her new sugar daddy, Isaac, is loaded and treating her in high style. When he proposes, Stephanie is sure she’s set for life —- until she finds her bank account empty, Isaac gone, and a strange —- but very attractive—man following her.

Sexy P.I. Keith Hendricks has been tracking Isaac all along the eastern seaboard —- where the con man has left behind a trail of heartbroken, swindled women. But when Keith confronts Stephanie, he’s not sure if she’s Isaac’s accomplice —- or his next victim. The only thing that’s certain is his overwhelming attraction to her. And when Stephanie joins him on the hunt for Isaac, neither can ignore the sparks. Soon Stephanie is wondering whether true love is worth its weight in gold…

"Can't Stand the Heat" Book Giveaway!

The "official" release date for the first novel in the Gibbons Gold Diggers series, Can't Stand the Heat, is slated for April 30. But here's a chance to get the book a month before its available for purchase!

Until March 31, I'm holding a giveaway at Goodreads for signed advanced reading copies of the book. There's no entry fee. The contest is open to all members of Goodreads who are U.S. residents. Oh, and I'm not choosing of the winners. To make this as fair as possible, the winners are chosen randomly by a computer algorithm that the good folks at Goodreads created. (Well, aren't they smart! LOL)

Enter to win!

My Novel Can't Stand the Heat is Available for Pre-Order!

So remember when I said that I embraced a new pen name as Shelly Ellis (formerly L.S. Childers) and started a new book series about a scandalous group of four sisters? Well, the release date is finally out (April 30, 2013) and the paperback and ebook are available for preorder!

Over three generations, the Gibbons women of Chesterton, Virginia, have built their reputation as a family of shameless—but refined—gold diggers. They even have a strict set of rules by which they operate. But the rebellious, youngest Gibbons is about to break them all...
Lauren Gibbons is committing the ultimate family betrayal: abandoning the tradition of seducing men for money. Nothing is worth the abuse she’s endured from her sugar daddy. Now a sous chef, Lauren is hoping to break from the past for good. And when she meets hot former NFL player Crisanto Weaver, she even lets herself imagine a future. But the small-town rumor mill—and her own sisters—aren’t ready for a new Lauren. Between her conniving relatives, her vengeful ex, a mountain of debt, and a whole lot of haters, can she escape her old life, and create something new?

You can pre-order the book at Amazon here!

My publisher hasn't posted a preview chapter yet, but you can find it at my new site here, or just go to www.shellyellisbooks.com.

I'll be posting in tandem here and on my new web site updates about stuff I'm doing to promote this book. I should be doing free giveaways soon. Stay tuned!

So long... farewell....

Okay, not really but it is time that I embrace my new identity. I haven't gotten alot of visitors on this blog, but I do appreciate those who have stopped by. I've built a new web site for my new pen name, Shelly Ellis, at shellyellisbooks.com. There I talk about my upcoming book series about the Gibbons Golddiggers with the first release slated for May 2013. I also have a new blog where I talk about my adventures in the industry and BEING PREGNANT WITH MY FIRST BABY!

See you there!
 - L.S. Childers

OMG! I got nominated for an award!

So I found out I got nominated for 2012 African American Literary Award in the romance category for my book "A Love Built to Last." When I was scrolling the lists (after seeing another author's request on Twitter to vote for them) I was shocked and honored to see (OMG! OMG! OMG!) that I -- lil' ol' LaShell -- was on the list. And not only was I on the list, but so were romance heavyweights like Brenda Jackson, Francis Ray, Gwynne Forester, and Adrianne Byrd. So not only do I have a new contract with an awesome publisher but I got nominated for a highly respected award for African American authors! I don't care that I probably won't win. 2012 is turning out to be a great year!

Another thing that crossed my mind seeing my book title and name on the list: I'm so proud of the lead characters of the novel -- Melody Cannon and Clayton Reed. I think any author will tell you that when you write a story, you become so engrossed with the story that the characters start to take on a life of their own. I know the overall plot, but the characters tell me what they would say in what instance and how they would interact. I'm glad that these characters were able to come to life enough that it helped the novel and made it worthy of an award nomination. I enjoyed writing them. Glad they're getting their brief moment in the sun. :)

- L.S. Childers/Shelly Ellis

Don't call me L.S. Childers... call me Shelly Ellis!

So I posted last year that I was trying to find an agent. Well, the update is after more than a year of trying, I still haven't found an agent. (Boooooo!) But I found a publisher. (Yeeaaaaaaah!) I'm happy to announce that I was offered a three-book deal with the wonderful publishing house, Kensington Publishing Inc. I lucked out. This is one of the few big publishing houses that still accepts unagented submissions and I am forever grateful to my new, wonderful editor Mercedes for digging me out of the slush pile. I feel like I just won American Idol (*sniff, sniff). Two of the books are slated (for now) to come out in 2013 - the first will appear in summer 2013 under the penname Shelly Ellis. Yes, its happened very quickly but I'm hella excited! The waiting around period can be brutal so I'm glad it worked out. (*sniff, sniff)

The new project focuses of the lives and loves of a group of scandulous sisters. I've had a blast writing the series and I'm still cracking myself up as a plow through the rewrites even now. I hope you guys enjoy it too.

I'll have more updates about the book later this year as well as my new web site. :)