Release Day!! Come Celebrate With Me!!

It’s OFFICIAL!! The Preacher’s Bride is on shelves! Of course it's shown up in various places during the month of September as it’s become available. But as of today, October 1st, the book is guaranteed to be out!

I’ve been collecting pictures of first-sightings and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see friends with the book. Check out the slide show in the side bar. I’d LOVE to include everyone. So please continue to send me your pictures.

As I’ve anticipated the release of my debut book, I’ve realized that what makes this time so special is sharing the moment with all my friends. I had my debut book party with real life friends last weekend (see this post to read all about it). But I also wanted the chance to celebrate with all of YOU, my online friends. So today’s post is an online party!

First, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone. There are quite a number of online writing friends who’ve walked alongside me since the early days before I had an agent or contract. They’ve been with me through the incredible lows and highs, always encouraging me, believing in me, and cheering me on. Thanks. You all know who you are.

And I also wanted to thank my newer friends. It’s always such a joy to connect with new writers, to find kindred spirits, to share in bearing one another’s burdens. I love when my circle of friendship continues to grow.

Then there are the real life family and friends who read my blog. And I wanted to thank you too. It means SO much to have a few real life people who “get” how important writing is to me, who understand the difficulty of the journey, and who are walking alongside of me. Thank you.

And I can’t forget to thank my READERS! Hopefully this is a growing group of blog followers. Make sure you say hi and join the party today too.

I can’t start naming names, because I’m afraid I’d leave somebody out. But I just have to mention a couple daring feats. Walt Mussell saw my book on the bottom shelf at his local Borders. Being the manly man that he is, he moved my book up to the top shelf and now my book has a friend (see the slide show!). It gave me a good laugh. Thanks, Walt. And then Janna Qualman, being a wonderful gutsy lady, turned the book face-out at her Borders. You rock, Janna!

I’m deeply grateful for all the emails, facebook messages, and tweets you’ve been sending me as you’re reading my book. I’ve cherished each and every one of them. Your kind and encouraging words have warmed my heart. I wanted to list a few of your comments here on my blog, but as I started to type them, it sounded like a litany to myself. And that’s not what I want this post to be about!

In celebration of my book’s release and as a way to say thank you to everyone, I’m doing a final giveaway to commemorate RELEASE DAY! The lucky winner will receive a copy of my debut book, The Preacher’s Bride AND a $25 Amazon gift card. All you need to do to be entered into the drawing is leave your EMAIL address in the comments of today’s party post! (If you tweet this post or put a link on Facebook, let me know and you'll qualify for a second entry!) The deadline for the giveaway is Sunday, Oct. 3 at 9:00 pm Eastern Time. I'll announce the winner on Monday's post.

And since this is a virtual party, let’s get to it! PARTY! I’m bringing what I’ve dubbed “Book Party Punch.” It’s clear (so that it’s fairly safe at any book party!). Apple juice, white grape juice, and ginger ale—half frozen. Very tasty. (Thanks to my author friend, Karen Witemeyer, for the recipe!)

So, what are you bringing to the party!?

P. S. The winner of this week's Trivia Question #4 book giveaway is: Emily Reilly. Congratulations Emily! Thanks to everyone who played along! It was a very fun month counting down with everyone!