Enter, Rheumatoid Arthritis...

I had a reader message me lately asking when I would have more books out, and it made me realize how quiet I’ve been about WHY over here on my author page. So I’m going to post here what I posted to her as my reply... because I do feel bad often about how disengaged I’ve become about my books and author life. It’s just become so complicated.

So... this is where I’m at:

I cannot wait for the day I will be writing again! But I do have my hands full—not only with the little ones, but I’ve also felt pretty lousy for the last few years and just found out it’s because I have an autoimmune disease. So now I’m also trying to manage that, and I spend many of my extra hours now cooking and baking from scratch because that’s all I can eat without getting a debilitating fever and just plain feeling pretty lousy. I also have ADD which I didn’t take medication for while writing my five books. My creativity just FLOWS without it! But I take it now because parenting little ones without it is a mess and a half. So really I’m in the middle of a perfect storm, and I’ve had to give my writing to God for the time being, in hope that I will someday have it given back to me.

The post explaining why I’m not here much.

Merry Christmas, everyone! On this day last year I decided that submitting proposals, and basically writing (finishing a book), was something that I needed to give over to God. It was a hard choice to stop, but within the same years my books were published by Whitaker House, I had two little boys. Two little babies I had prayed years for, but they hadn’t come. Until I started to focus on writing my books. But last year I came to a place where I needed to choose—my author life or my mom life. My family was suffering, and I felt like my dream of being a stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom was at odds with my dream of being a published author continually producing more and more books. 

Mostly because I have ADD, and I cannot do both. 

And here is why: I had taken medication for this from the time I was 17 until I got married and wanted to start trying for kids. I’ve always LOOVED writing for school and always wanted to someday write a novel, but when I started taking the medication, it completely cut off all my creativity. I got drastically better grades, and I then graduated from Taylor University, but I didn’t write. I didn’t even think about writing. When I got married a few years later, I’d been taking the medication for ten years. And at that point I stopped taking it, hoping to get pregnant. After years of not getting pregnant, my husband told me to stay home and write the book I’d always wanted to write. So I wrote The Hesitant Heiress, The Bound Heart and some of The Captive Imposter pre-pregnancy/babies... and then they were contracted and the babies came... and the chaos began. 

I didn’t want to take the ADD meds because I still wanted to write... and I did. I wrote The Cautious Maiden while pregnant with son #2 and then Enchanting Nicholette when they were 3 and 1. But being an ADD mom of little boys and not taking the meds... was driving everyone insane. Everyone. And it wasn’t pretty. So I had to make a choice, and it was something God had been trying to get through to me for months by the time I finally gave in. I just had to be okay with not writing books for a while. These little boys needed to have all of their mom, and that meant no deadlines or proposals or finishing of manuscripts. It meant I needed to take the medication that would cut my creativity drastically. It meant that I needed to put my family first, and not my desire to create story. 

Even a year later it’s a hard choice. Because writing story is my thing. My favorite ME thing. But I know these little days, even as crazy as they are even while taking ADD medication, are fleeting. And I want to soak them up, to enjoy every single day—and not be too distracted and tired from trying to focus so hard on my made up people. I have my real little boys, and they are so much more important. 

So... I’m sorry I’m not here very much, and that I won’t have anything new for you to enjoy for years to come. I think about how much I’m not here all the time. But I will write books again, don’t worry. I write sporadically, but at the rate I’m going my current WIP is going to take YEARS to finish. Just please sit tight, and try not to forget about me? When these boys grow up and decide they don’t need so much of me (heartbreak!), I will again have the time to throw myself into creating story. And until then, I suppose I will be perfecting the task of writing while taking these meds I need to live a sane life. If I could just lock myself in a room for days on end on a regular basis (to write, of course!), that would be great and I wouldn’t need them... but I do have to deal with people and manage a successful household... so I’m just going to have to learn what the best way to do this is when the time comes. I appreciate your prayers! Because I’ll need them so much!

An Author’s review of A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews

The first book I read by up-and-coming author Mimi Matthews was The Matrimonial Agreement... which I bought upon a recommendation and then absolutely loved... but never did review here. Because I have a five year old and a three year old who basically run circles around me. It’s not that I’m not reading (and writing), but there just isn’t much time to do much else concerning books. Ever. 

Did I mention I’m now just getting into homeschooling too? Yeah, my brain is pretty much on another planet right now. 

So... I loooved TMA and immediately hopped on Netgalley and requested the soon to release next in the series, A Modest Independence to review. 

And then I didn’t review it. Because I didn’t know what to say. 

Somehow, between two directly correlated books, I found myself loving one... and being kinda disappointed in the other. 

I can say the writing is well-done, I just didn’t especially like the heroine or the hero. And the setting was everywhere between England and India.... traveling. Same people, same sort of scenes, similar conversations throughout. I never had the “I can’t wait to get into the book again!” feeling like I did reading The Matrimonial Advertisement... but then the ending. 

The ending actually made up for everything. Although it was somewhat predictable, it had tears streaming down my face at the sweetness of it all. So I can’t say it was a bad book, though I was never very excited about it—because the ending was so good! And I was so conflicted about how to “score” this strange experience... and so I gave myself some time away. 

And now that my review is here, I can honestly still recommend A Modest Independence because it wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t my style. The hero wasn’t bad, just definitely not my style of swoon-worthy-ness. I'm still going to read all of the other books Mimi Matthews writes. Her writing is absolutely excellent. 

A Blog Tour & Giveaway for Enchanting Nicholette

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Enchanting Nicholette
Series: The Everstone Chronicles #5
Author: Dawn Crandall
Publisher: Whitaker House
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical Romance

In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again–this time for love…and to someone safe.

As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of “what if” at bay?

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | BAM! | Christian Book

BOOKS IN THE EVERSTONE CHRONICLES

        

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) Winner will win:

• A print copy of Enchanting Nicholette
• A library card zipper bag
• Two pairs of Jane Austen socks
• Two hand poured candles
• A historically accurate soap from Austen’s time
• A Jane Austen set of playing cards
• A set of Jane Austen notecards
• 6 magnets with Jane Austen quotes

(US Mailing Addresses Only)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 29, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm November 12, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

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Launch Page at JustRead

October 29

Christian Bookshelf Reviews
Kathleen Denly
V. Joy Palmer

October 30

Book by Book
For the Love of Christian Fiction
Reading Is My SuperPower

October 31

Pause for Tales
Sprinkles and Pink

November 1

Heidi Reads…
Remembrancy
The Shelf Life

November 2

A Baker’s Perspective
Kat’s Corner Books
Savings in Seconds

November 4

Bibliophile Reviews
Happily Managing a Household of Boys
The Power of Words

November 5

Backing Books
Bringing Up Books
Inklings and Notions

November 6

Joy of Reading
Living Outside the Lines
Singing Librarian Books

November 7

Proverbial Reads
Stories By Gina

November 8

Angela Walker’s Reviews
Faithfully Bookish
Seasons of Humility

November 9

Britt Reads Fiction
Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic
Redeemed Hope Dweller

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: 

Facebook |  Twitter  |  Instagram

The Narrow Path: An Author Spotlight on Dawn Crandall

I’m the featured author on the Fiction Finder ACFW website right now! Whether you’re already a fan of The Everstone Chronicles, or you haven’t read them yet, I think you’ll really enjoy this very well written article about my writing journey! ❤️

https://www.fictionfinder.com/…/interview_with_dawn_crandall

It's so completely appropriate that this article went live on the 24th anniversary of the day I decided to give my life to GOD. 

Enchanting Nicholette is Available Now!

(1) Winner will win:

• A print copy of Enchanting Nicholette (176 pages)
• A library card zipper bag
• Two pairs of Jane Austen socks
• Two hand poured candles
• A historically accurate soap from Austen’s time
• A Jane Austen set of playing cards
• A set of Jane Austen notecards
• 6 magnets with Jane Austen quotes

Come on by at http://bit.ly/EnchantingNicholette to enter!
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📖 Blurb:
In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again--this time for love...and to someone safe.

As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can't help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of "what if" at bay? 
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Can't wait, buy it now at: https://amzn.to/2PyX0JE
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ENCHANTING NICHOLETTE is the last and final installment of my debut series, The Everstone Chronicles. 😍

Get the entire set for only $53 at www.CBD.com!

Giveaway on Facebook

GIVEAWAY! 

❤️📕📙📔📗📘📓❤️

The other day was the 4 year anniversary mark for the release of my debut novel, The Hesitant Heiress! So I’m having a giveaway! Comment on my Facebook Post telling me the book you’re reading right now and then also tag a friend—AND IF YOU WIN, both you and your friend will win these items!

- Pride & Prejudice cover journal (I use these a lot when I’m brainstorming and plotting my books!) 
- Print copy of The Hesitant Heiress
- Print copy of Timeless Love, the novella collection that the advance reader copy (ARC) of Enchanting Nicholette is included in! 

I’ll go first—I’m currently reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and am completely loving it.

US only. Facebook is in no way affiliated or sponsors this giveaway.

And I’m sorry if you don’t have a Facebook account, but do keep your eyes peeled for my next giveaway in a few weeks which will be based here on my blog. If you really want to enter this one, you could see if one of your friends who is on Facebook would go to the post and enter adding your name as the friend they want to share the prizes with. :) There are two prizes—one for the winner and another set of books for the friend they tag. 

TIMELESS LOVE GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a prize pack inspired by my short novel, Enchanting Nicholette, in the Timeless Love Collection!

~ an autographed copy of The Hesitant Heiress (#1 of The Everstone Chronicles)

~ an autographed copy of The Bound Heart (#2 of The Everstone Chronicles)

~ a cute mug perfect for sipping tea

~ a 6 pack of (very yummy!) "Republic of Tea" Ginger Peach Tea

~ a Bible verse coloring book

~ a set of color pencils
~ a Pride & Prejudice notebook from Out of Print
~ a Pride & Prejudice fabric pencil bag from Out of Print

***ENTER BY CLICKING HERE***

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Timeless Love will be available as a 99cent ebook novella collection from now until July 2018. This collection includes a pre-release of my 50K word short story, Enchanting Nicholette, which is a stand alone story, and also the last addition to my series, The Everstone Chronicles.

Enchanting Nicholette will then release from Whitaker House as ebook and paperback on October 9, 2018.

Have a blessed day!

ENCHANTING NICHOLETTE: Cover Real Time + GIVEAWAY!

My newest novella, Enchanting Nicholette, is a historical romance written from First Person Point of View, like all of my other books. It is part of The Everstone Chronicles Series, but is also a stand-alone story. And not really that short, compared to most novellas... it's sitting pretty at 50,000 words, so it's more like a shorter novel. :)

It hits bookstores October 9, 2018! 

And not only do I have the cover for you here, but so much more! 

If you simply cannot wait to read my long awaited offering to the published book world, there is a way you can read it EARLY. 

Like, on June 19th. 

(which also happens to be my husband's birthday!) 

And for practically FREE. 

Well, almost free. 

For 99 cents... but for those 99 cents, you also get six other novellas by some author friends of mine! And it sort of feels like we're giving them away, because not a single one of us is actually getting paid, but instead we're donating the proceeds to charity. 

If you want to know more about the different novellas and their authors right now, click here. 

And here, if you want to add it to GoodReads?

If you want to pre-order this fabulous collection of novellas by well-established and award-winning authors, click here. 

If you want a chance to win a $30 Amazon Gift Card AND the full set of The Everstone Chronicles in paperback... keep scrolling down.

And if you want to see the full version of The Everstone Chronicles/Whitaker House cover of Enchanting Nicholette.... 













keep scrolling...













I promise, it's worth it!














And... here it is! (squeal!)

What do you think? 

Personally, I LOVE IT. 

And if you want to PRE-ORDER this lovely, darling book just so you can have this fabulous cover on your bookshelf to grab and re-read anytime you feel like swooning and sighing... or your kindle... because it will look great there too... click here!

I know October is a million years away... oh, how I know. But you can at least add it to your reading list on GoodReads until you're able to have that baby in your hands.   

CLICK THE $30 AMAZON GIFT CARD TO ENTER TO WIN IT...

AND ALSO THE COMPLETE EVERSTONE CHRONICLES SERIES IN PAPERBACK!

The blurb

Young, widowed, and newly out of mourning, Nicholette Everstone is an heiress yearning to know true love. She’d been fortunate her parents had arranged for her to marry her loving late husband, but the marriage ended tragically on her wedding day. Bereft and alone, she returns home to Boston after being away for two years, to find there’s someone new to her set of friends and family she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices this man takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of “what if” at bay?

About the author

Dawn Crandall’s debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, The Hesitant Heiress, was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader's Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader's Choice Award. Her follow-up novel, The Bound Heart, received the 2016 Laurel Award from Clash of the Titles. 

Dawn earned a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University. She’s been balancing books and babies lately as her two sons were both born as the four books of her Everstone Chronicles series were being released from Whitaker House from 2014 to 2016. Dawn lives with her husband and two young sons on a hobby farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana.