Faster than a shot of Swiffer fluid, Melanie Lynne Hauser entered the blogosphere in May 2005 and stole our hearts. Originally launched to support her first novel Confessions of Super Mom, Melanie's blog Refrigerator Door has become a fixture on blogrolls everywhere.

Melanie is inspirational to those of us who are still struggling through the toddler years - and a welcome read for those of us who have already raised our families. Her warmth and comic timing shine through as she recounts her day-to-day journey through motherhood and her writing career. Although her first blog entry claimed that Refrigerator Door was not really a blog, but rather a place to share household tips and recipes, Melanie soon abandoned that notion, and began treating readers to wonderful entries sparkling with wit and humor.

Her published works have earned great reviews from critics and readers alike. Publishers Weekly says "Like its title character, this debut novel has a secret identity...it's unexpectedly poignant and packs an emotional punch, despite the cheery veneer..." Another essay, "Shapeshifter" appears in It's a Boy : Women Writers on Raising Sons, edited by Andi Buchanan.

On a more personal level, Melanie has touched our hearts with her thoughful comments and witty suggestions on each of our blogs. We are proud to feature her, and thrilled to call her our friend. We invited a few of her fans to tell us why they love Melanie. We were delighted with the enthusiastic response!

Heather Brewer tells us how Melanie's gift for multi-tasking leaves her in awe:

Melanie is so thoughtful and giving--always looking out for everyone. Her wit is irresistable and her dedication as a writer (and a mother) is truly inspiring. Anybody who can write as well as she, run a household, blog, and still manage to promote her work (while dodging teenagers) has earned my respect and admiration. Besides...she has great hair--who can argue with that??

Melanie's joyful stories help Janie Stafford keep it all in perspective:

I found Melanie through blogging, and I'm so glad I did! Her wit, wisdom and sterling sense of humor about parenting put the FUN back into it by allowing us to find something to laugh about no matter what happens.

Melanie isn't Supermom--not to my mind, anyway--but she IS Everymom. She's down to earth and real and I sort of want to put her in my pocket and carry her around with me. I am totally shipping my kids off to her once they hit the teenage years.

Debra Hamel shared how Melanie has become a 'must read' - even if it takes a while to get to it:

The internet has turned me into a skimmer. In real life I can't do it. I've got this anal-retentive need for completion that tells me that if I haven't read every word of Newsweek, say, then I haven't *really* read it. But nowadays, as I'm slinking around on the web, or combing through my RSS reader, if you haven't hooked me in the first sentence or two, your post is history. So I tend to prefer short posts, the kind you can discard quickly. There is satisfaction to be had, after all, in cleaning out one's Bloglines "in box," heartlessly relegating some poor slob's html-laced prose to the virtual dustbin.

Melanie, however, writes longish posts on her blog. And -- you can see this coming -- I read them anyway. And sometimes, when I don't have time, I actually tell Bloglines to save them for me. It took me weeks to get around to reading her two-part account of that Swiffer party she attended in LA, but I finally did. (And I'm better for it! Who knew Robert Sean Leonard cared so deeply about his carpets?) So what's the attraction? Melanie writes very well, and she's amusing, and she's often self-effacing. When she writes about motherhood (both on her blog and in her book) she's funny, but her humor can be laced with the sadness that is a concomitant of parenthood--the realization that the cycle isn't going to stop just because you'd like your kid to stay three or ten or fifteen forever. Melanie is genuine and seems to have a happy family life behind her, and, well, I find her entirely likeable. And I dare say anyone who spends some time on her blog will come away liking her too.

Margalit Topaz highlights Melanie's talent, and shows why readers are cheering for Melanie:

Wow, what an honor. I love Melanie's blog. I've been reading it for quite some time, first lurking because it seemed scary that she had this way cool book being published, but then as I got to 'know' her I realized that what I like best about her is that she's happy with who and where she is, and she's totally psyched about where life is taking her. The posts that just took me over the edge were the Swiffer LA Stories. Those were so hilarious that I was crying reading them. I loved the post she wrote about her small house and how happy she is there because what she loves is already all there for her. Contentment is so attractive to me. Melanie's one of a few of use 'older' bloggers with grown up kids. Her family life no longer includes much poop, thank goodness, and she's not endlessly pondering which stroller is the better one. She's talking about real family issues, and real life issues. Her struggles writing are familiar to me, and her stories about her teens ring so true. I think she's a bright light amongst so many bloggers that are stuck on the toddler stage. I love toddlers, but I'm not there anymore, which is why Melanie's blog is always such a pleasant and fun read for me. Go Melanie!

Shawn Lea enjoys her humor. And her hair:

Melanie always makes me laugh. And she has cute hair. And when I had a hair-brained idea once (or twice or maybe even three times, I can't remember, or at least I try to forget), she helped out as much as she could without saying, "That's a really hair-brained idea" even once (or twice or three times). And she makes me laugh. And she tells great stories - and I'm not even talking about her books. And she has really cute hair - no matter what color it is. Did I mention she makes me laugh? ;)

There is so much about Melanie that's commendable: her writing is clear, thoughtful, and touching but also humorous; she has the ability to make you laugh and cry, sometimes simultaneously; she's a tireless self-promoter; and she's also extremely supportive and encouraging of other writers as well as of others in the publishing industry. I thought it was amazing that while promoting the release of her book Confessions of Super Mom, she also gave props to Independent Booksellers around the country by featuring them on her blog. She simply is a wonderful role model for aspiring writers. And we are extremely lucky that she gives us the gift of her prose almost daily through her well-written blog entries. Can't wait for book #2, Melanie!

Bethany Hiitola sums up Melanie's appeal:

Melanie not only takes her job as a super mom to the heart, she is super honest. From sharing her last embarrassing moment, to reminding us that we are only human, and taking a step back to tie together big life lessons with the everyday nonsense of parenthood, makes her a must read every day.

We received so much praise for Melanie that we couldn't possibly include it all here. Check back later today for our interview with the fantastic Melanie Lynne Hauser - you won't want to miss it!