Maybe it was Memphis



Graceland

I am SO excited to share this news! I think I mentioned several months ago that I was writing a series set in Memphis. It was to release through the Heartsong Presents book club, with the first release--All Shook Up--releasing in January 2012.
Just after I wrote the first book and sent it off to my editor, I got terrible news. They were ending the line. I was so sad to hear the news, particularly because I loved the book and the characters and especially the idea of a book set in Memphis.

Last month when I was at a writing conference, I learned that they plan to continue the book club, at least for a few more months. Which means All Shook Up will release after all! I'm working now on the second book in the series, Can't Help Falling in Love.

I think readers will love these characters. They are funny and quirky and very Southern.

As far as I know, All Shook Up will still release in January. 2012 is a big year for me as far as books go:

All Shook Up in January
A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina in February
Can't Help Falling in Love in April
Rainbow's End in May
A Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas in December

Looking at that release schedule makes me tired. But happy. :)

My next post will be all about home renovation. I'm making progress. Slowly but surely. I'm still not adjusted to life out in the country though. I stepped on a snake the other day. SERIOUSLY. Stepped right on it. It was a garden snake. That didn't keep me from screaming and carrying on. Poor thing was so terrified, he practically ran out of the yard.

Home Sweet Home

My new place

In case you missed my little announcement the other day, I may as well make it official. I bought my first home...but not in Memphis where I currently live. I'm headed back to my rural Arkansas roots--just outside of the city limits of my hometown.

I'm feeling pretty good about the decision...mixed with a little apprehension. I've been a city girl since I left home at 18--so living practically in the middle of a cornfield is going to take some getting used to. I talked about my decision to relocate the other day when I was a guest on Southern Belle View. You can read about it here.

After renting for 13 years, I'm way past ready to have a place to call my own. Which, of course, means a little renovating.

I'm going to try and blog about my home owning/relocating/renovating experience pretty regularly. I have an idea that the next few months are going to be like something straight out of a book...

Last Saturday was the first day to have electricity and water at the new house, and I spent several hours working. Thankfully, I have some amazing people in my life who are willing to help me.

I tore out carpet from 3 rooms. Okay, I did 2 rooms and then had to ask for help with the third. :) Tearing out carpet isn't as simple as I thought it would be. And I'm probably going to say this a lot over the next few months, but it looks SO EASY on HGTV and DIY Network--and in reality it was totally not. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and didn't have much to show for it except for three heaping piles of carpet and a lot of mosquito bites.

But my dad and I have a plan and hopefully at least 1 room will be ready by the time moving day actually rolls around in a few weeks.

Here are some pics of my fun day of flooring. Now if I could only decide what I want to do instead of carpet...

Before: carpet in one of the bedrooms

After: concrete floor that is waiting on me to figure out what to put down!

Later this week, I'm going on a mission to find new faucets and a new toilet. I admit, I've never purchased or even shopped for any of those things before. And then I have to decide what to do about those concrete floors. Stay tuned!