Lynn, regarding the reviews. As far as I know, there are only four sources that really, truly matter when having your book reviewed. I learned this when The Library Journal reviewed mine. I was so ignorant of the process my publicist had to fill me in on this.

BTW, if any of you want to know more about the entire process and an editor's advice to writers, buy "The Forest for the Trees" by Betsy Lerner. One of the best books on the subject that I've come across.

I believe that reviews may be political more than money being exchanged but I could be wrong. I do know that my publisher never paid anyone to review my book and it still got reviewed.

On another note, I completely understand you not wanting to pull your stepmother back into your life. I wonder what she really wanted?