Book Signings and Other Fun News!

I'll be signing books on Saturday, April 28, from 1-3 p.m., at the LifeWay Christian Store in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It should be a great day and they've even put A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina on sale for the event!

Please stop by if you live in the Jonesboro area. The LifeWay Store is across from the Mall at Turtle Creek.

In other news, Rainbow's End is starting to ship from Amazon. Four stories, four authors--all centering around the Rainbow's End Geocaching Treasure Hunt. It's such a fun book and my novella, Beneath the Surface, was a blast to write!

As you know...I think a book release is a lot like a first date--I developed that theory when my third book came out. Rainbow's End is my eighth release and I still stand by that idea!

More about Rainbow's End later--it deserves it's own post where I'll confess how my own life served as part of the inspiration for my story.

The Gift of Time...and a Leap Year Giveaway

If you could give me ONE THING that would be the most helpful to me, it would be the gift of time. I think that's probably why I think Leap Year is so neat. An extra day in February and thus an extra day of 2012 is exactly what this writer-on-a-deadline needs to stay sane. (I could really use an extra week, but I'll take what I can get.)

I was born in a Leap Year--so maybe that's why I like them so much. :)

I look back on 2012 and it is already zooming past. Between a full time day job, three book deadlines, and a home renovation, I feel as if I've barely slept.

Time is certainly marching on.

So I'm totally reveling in February 29th. An extra day. The gift of time. Granted, I'll be working. But if I could, I'd spend the day drinking coffee and reading a good book. Maybe on a balcony somewhere that overlooks the ocean. I can practically hear the water lapping against the shore now. Then I'd meet up with some friends and linger over a delicious dinner at a nice restaurant where we'd laugh and talk and forget about schedules and deadlines and how busy we all are. Then I'd turn in early and be lulled to sleep by the waves. Perfect. Day.

If only.

How about you? If you could do anything at all with your "extra day" this year, what would it be? No limits. One day to spend how you'd like.

Put your answer in the comments (along with your email address) before midnight on Sunday, March 5 to enter to win a copy of my new book, A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina.

Twas the Night Before A Book Release...

This is kind of a big week for me.

Tomorrow kicks off a year full of book releases. A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina officially hits the shelves tomorrow.

While it is totally a dream come true, each book release also brings a certain amount of angst. You may remember that I liken a book release to a first date. I still stand by that theory. (although I have been writing so much lately, I haven't had much time for many first dates--ha!)

Even though this is my sixth release, I'm still as nervous and as excited as I was for the very first one. Nervous because I want readers to like it--love it, even! And I know from past experience that some will...and some will not. Excited because this story finally gets to be read. Hopefully by many.

In a lot of ways, A Wedding to Remember in Charleston is VERY different from any of my other books. It's about a marriage that's in the process of falling apart. Whoa.

My other books have been about people finding love for the first time. Boy meets girl. Sparks fly. Conflict happens. They make up and live happily ever after.

This one is a little different. 

Summer and Luke are in a very dark place. Strangers sharing a last name. And a home. And a dog. But not much of anything else.

So writing their story was sometimes quite hard for me. It made me sad. It made me stop and think about all of the things that tear apart people who've vowed to love one another forever.

In fact, there were times I would call my friends and whine. I'd say things like "Why did I think writing a romance about an estranged married couple was a good idea? Why didn't you tell me I was crazy?"  

And my friends would talk me down from the ledge. They'd tell me to go back to work and not call/text/Facebook them until I'd written more.

I'd pray about it and come away realizing that it was a story that needed to be told. That there was a way to add in some light moments to a dark subject. That even in the hard times, there were still moments of humor. Because that's the way life is.

So I created some secondary characters, Ashley and Justin, who helped add some fun. Then I brought back two of my favorite characters from Love is Grand--Mary and Mavis, the elderly sisters from Alabama.

And when it was all said and done, I wound up with a book that I love and one I hope readers can relate to. There's only been one review so far--4 Stars from Romantic Times:

"This book is about a marriage that's on the rocks, not from any major event, but from erosion of commitment and lack of communication over time. It's a story that readers can relate to, and a reminder that marriage takes work and dedication. The author does a wonderful job of weaving the story together along with infusing a little romance."

I am thrilled with their take on the book and am anxiously awaiting seeing it on the shelf for the first time--something that never gets old!

So tomorrow if you see a bleary-eyed girl doing a happy dance on the book aisle at Walmart...it might be me. :) 

Peace is the Word...

There's been a lot of talk lately in several groups I belong to about finding your "one" word for the new year. I knew my word would become clear to me if I really thought/prayed about it.

And it did. It was right there on my Christmas tree.

Peace.

This year I am seeking peace. Because honestly if 2011 had a word, it may as well have been Chaos or Turmoil. So Peace is sounding pretty perfect to me. :)

2011 saw me return full time to my day job and write 4 books and 1 novella. Which basically means I worked in one way or the other pretty much non-stop. I turned in the last of those books 2 weeks ago and am taking a few days off to renew my creativity. MUCH NEEDED time off!

2011 also saw a major milestone for me: I bought my first home and moved back to my hometown. Which was a whole other set of adjustments, which I'm still getting used to. My house is presently under renovation--and I'm trying to do as much of it myself as possible.

Obviously 2011 was a busy year! Some of the wonderful highlights:

1. The aforementioned book contracts! Writing is a blessing and something I feel called to do. I'm so thankful for the opportunities I've been given and look forward to making some fun announcements soon about upcoming projects.

2. The release of Love Finds You in Lancaster County--and learning it had reached the ECPA Bestseller List.

3. Traveling to Chicago with some of my best friends to see U2 in concert. What an amazing night!

4. Signing the paperwork and officially becoming a homeowner. It has been a long journey and I'm so thankful to have a place to call my own.

5. Traveling to Charleston to do research for an upcoming book. I absolutely fell in love with the city and can't wait to return.

6. Spending time with my friends and family--as I get older, those relationships become so much more meaningful. I'm truly blessed.

But back to my word. PEACE.

How will I instill Peace into my life in 2012?

Here are a few things I hope will help:

1. Read the Bible all the way through. I sheepishly admit I've never attempted this. I read bits and pieces as I'm studying different topics, but I know there are plenty of verses I've never read--particularly in the Old Testament.

2. Pray with a purpose. Once upon a time I kept a prayer journal. I think it's time to go back to that.

3. Exercise. Oh man. This was the first thing to fall by the wayside when my life got all crazy-busy this year, and I think that was a huge mistake. Back when I was running on an almost daily basis, I think my life was much more peaceful. So I'm back to training and am aiming for several 5Ks and the ultimate (for me) goal: a half-marathon. I signed up to do one in 2011, but wasn't ready. 2012 will be the year.

4. Relax. Somewhere along the past few years of working and deadlines and being a grownup, I think I forgot how to relax. In 2012 I'm planning a spa vacation with some of my best friends and WILL make it to a beach where the only thing on my agenda is sleeping and reading.

5. Get my house organized. This includes finishing the kitchen and living room renovations!

6. Plant a garden. There is nothing as therapeutic for me as digging in the ground. Now that I have a couple of acres, I'm going to make use of them! I hope to have a vegetable garden and also plan a flower garden. 

7. Manage my time better. Juggling 2 full time jobs and a home renovation is a challenge. But I don't want my life to revolve around working all the time. My very wise grandmother cautioned me recently that she worried I was writing about life and not living it. 2012 will be the year that changes and I think that change starts with being a better steward of the time I have--and also of choosing my projects (both work and home) wisely.

And there you have it. The 7 things I hope will bring some much-needed PEACE into my life.

How about you? Do you have a word for 2012?

11 Things About Me...

In honor of this fantastic date (11/11/11) I decided to fill you in on 11 things you probably didn't know about me. I'm not promising these will be super-interesting things, but they should be new information for most of you.

1. As you may have gathered from the picture above, I've met Billy Ray Cyrus. That isn't the interesting item though. The interesting item is that I wound up being interviewed for the "One on One With Billy Ray" special that aired on VH-1 circa 1994. Do you want my autograph now?

2. I played the Fairy Godmother in a 5th grade performance of Cinderella.

3. 22 years later, I was Cinderella for a 3 year old's birthday party.

4. My dog, Arnie, once belonged to comedian Henry Cho.

5. I save pennies that are older than 1983. This causes a slow down at the drive-thru because I look at every penny before I hand it over. I have my reasons, which I will save for another blog post down the road.

6. I would like to learn to play the fiddle.

7. I collect vintage aprons. My favorite is a Christmas apron that belonged to my great aunt. I'm still looking for a cool way to display them in my new house.

8. I once passed out at a Red Cross blood drive. But I wasn't there as a blood donor--just a volunteer to give refreshments to those donating. The kind people at the Red Cross told me I might need to find a different kind of volunteer opportunity.

9. I didn't see the ocean until I was 19.

10. I love ghost stories and stories about time travel. Someday I'd like to write one of each--or a combo of both.

11. The first time I got on an airplane, I was headed to Athens, Greece.

And there you have it! 11 things you didn't know about me. How about you? You don't have to list 11, but what is something that might surprise people about you?

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.

LFY in Lancaster is on a Bestseller List!

These past weeks have been a blur of craziness. I moved into my new house and started working from home. Now I'm living among boxes and bags and general chaos.

This week I'm at the American Christian Fiction Writers  (ACFW) Conference in St. Louis and lets just say packing was a challenge. Since most of my stuff is still packed up, just finding things to wear that matched was difficult! (so if you're at ACFW and notice that I look unkempt...I blame the recent move!)

But in the midst of the hectic few weeks, I got some awesome news! Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is #15 on ECPA's Bestseller List for Christian Fiction.

I checked and double checked and sure enough--my name is really there! Check it out!

Thanks for allowing me to celebrate! Now its back to the conference, where I'll be meeting with my editors and my agent and soaking up as much writing instruction as possible. Each year that I've attended this conference, I've left with a renewed fire for writing. I'm already looking forward to getting back home and starting to work on my next project (A Wedding Date in Hot Springs, Arkansas).

Next week I'll upload some pictures of the progress I'm making on the home renovation. I'm finding that it is the slowest process I've ever gone through. :)