Rafflecopter Giveaway for 5 Paperback Copies of The Hesitant Heiress!

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Paperbacks of The Everstone Chronicles Available for Pre-Order!

Well! This is what I found on my Amazon author page the other day when I went there to update something!--paperback copies of all three of The Everstone Chronicles available for pre-order! Whoohoo! I can't wait to get my boxes of author copies in the mail! 

I've already registered to have a table at my local library's Author Fair in November! If you'd like to know more about that, visit my Facebook author page here. I'll also have a book signing at my local Barnes & Noble once all three books are release at the beginning of November, but I won't know about the exact date until later this week! 

I have some pretty awesome giveaways in the works for each of the releases in September, October and November. A few paperback copies will be up for grabs on GoodReads, and then I'll also have a few big prize package giveaway based off of this blog--but it's a surprise as to what all will be included in the giveaways!


IN OTHER {AWESOME} NEWS...

I've entered the new release "clashes" on the Clash of the Titles website with both The Hesitant Heiress and The Captive Imposter {and I won that one!} in the last year, but I actually forgot to enter The Bound Heart into the November clash!! I think because I was completely fried by that point--releasing two books in three months! Well, I didn't forget to enter The Bound Heart in the 2015 Laurel Awards that they hold every year, and it's made it to the final three! Yay! 

I'd entered both THH and TBH, and I'm super excited that my sophomore novel made it as a finalist in a contest! It's already awesome enough to have The Hesitant Heiress get as far as it has with the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the ACFW Carol Awards! :) 

Speaking of the Carol Awards! The ACFW conference is in a month! I can't believe it! I cannot wait to see piles of The Hesitant Heiress on the "Carol Finalist" table in the conference bookstore!

Fun times! Thanks for stopping by to keep up on all that's going on in this crazy author-life of mine! 

Happy Birthday to The Hesitant Heiress!!!

It’s my award-winning debut novel’s first birthday, so I’m having my very first giveaway of a paperback copy! The paperbacks will be out September 8th 2015—wherever books are sold! There’s already a book signing at my local Barnes & Noble in the works for early November! Ahhh!

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Some Really Great and Amazing News for The Hesitant Heiress!

Well, as for the main reason for this post, I just need to say it and get it over with—The Hesitant Heiress has FINALED IN THE 2015 ACFW CAROL AWARDS!

That’s in all-caps because I’m still shouting, trying to make myself believe it’s really true! 

The Carol Awards are ACFW’s recognition for the best Christian fiction published 

by traditional publishing houses in the previous calendar year.

And then there is this. It kind of gives me chills. 

<-- Pictured here is the ACFW Awards Ceremony Gala program from ACFW2011, my first ever writer’s conference. The Hesitant Heiress (which I simply referred to as Amaryllis back then) was almost finished, and I felt so in over my head! But I’d also had amazing feedback from my paid critique from author Andrea Boeshaar and two partial proposal requests from two ACFW-endorsed agents! (Both of which who offered me a contract of representation within a week of my sending the partial proposal!)  

Writing was what I loved to do best, and going to conference had been—at least after my meeting with Andrea—like going to a different planet where I felt I totally belonged (which isn't usually how I feel). At the gala, I circled the debut category of the Carol Awards, and I mentally told myself that my name would be listed there someday. I didn’t tell anyone else (I don’t even think I told my husband), because seriously, that’s crazy talk. 

But you know what? Sometimes crazy talk to God can make your dreams come true. I know this, because that’s exactly where my name is now, listed in the debut category of the 2015 ACFW Carol Awards.

And I still can’t believe it. :) 

So, if you’re looking for a few good books to read, these thirty-three novels are the best of the best of 2014... the top 2% of the close to two thousand books published in the Christian market last year! And as of September 1, 2015, you’ll be able to read The Hesitant Heiress in paperback instead of as only an eBook!

 

 

This summer just keeps getting better and better—which is kind of a relief after the whole last year! Last summer I had a newborn, was going through edits for The Hesitant Heiress and developing a street team for my Everstone Series, all coming out within the year! My friend, author Sarah Ladd deserves tons of the credit for the street team though! She basically presented my books before her Facebook author page audience, and I think I ended up with the BEST street team of readers out there! 

 

Here are the finalists for the 2015 Carol Awards. The winners will be announced September 19 during the gala awards dinner in Dallas at ACFW’s annual conference.

Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Becky Monds, L.B. Norton
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Jan Stob
Historical:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Beth Adams
Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Stephanie Broene
What Follows After by Dan Walsh, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Historical Romance:
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering, Jessica English
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Poison Town by Creston Mapes, David C. Cook, editor L.B. Norton
A Way of Escape by Serena B. Miller, independently published, editor Connie Troyer
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Natalie Hanemann
Novella:
An October Bride by Katie Ganshert, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Philpott
I’ll be Home for Christmas from Where Treetops Glisten by Sarah Sundin, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Romance:
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell, L.B. Norton
Love Redeemed by Kelly Irvin, Harvest House Publishers, editor Kathleen Kerr
Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Jessica Wong      
Romantic Suspense:
Under a Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
No One to Trust by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Deceived by Irene Hannon, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Jennifer Leep
Short Novel:
Second Chance Summer by Irene Hannon, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart by Mindy Obenhaus, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Speculative:
Orphan’s Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, Enclave Publishing, editor Steve Laube
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, Enclave Publishing, editors Jeff Gerke, Karen Ball
Jupiter Winds by C.J. Darlington, independently published, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
Young Adult:
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof, independently published, editors Amanda Dykes, Denise Harmer
Samantha Sanderson at the Movies by Robin Caroll, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Kim Childress, Mary Hassinger
Storm Siren by Mary Weber, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Debut Novel:
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Amanda Bostic
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall, Whitaker House, editor Courtney Hartzel
- See more at: http://www.acfw.com/carol/2015_carol_award_finalists#sthash.ESORDOmA.d

Here are the finalists for the 2015 Carol Awards. The winners will be announced September 19 during the gala awards dinner in Dallas at ACFW’s annual conference.

Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Becky Monds, L.B. Norton
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Jan Stob
Historical:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Beth Adams
Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Stephanie Broene
What Follows After by Dan Walsh, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Historical Romance:
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering, Jessica English
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Poison Town by Creston Mapes, David C. Cook, editor L.B. Norton
A Way of Escape by Serena B. Miller, independently published, editor Connie Troyer
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Natalie Hanemann
Novella:
An October Bride by Katie Ganshert, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Philpott
I’ll be Home for Christmas from Where Treetops Glisten by Sarah Sundin, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Romance:
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell, L.B. Norton
Love Redeemed by Kelly Irvin, Harvest House Publishers, editor Kathleen Kerr
Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Jessica Wong      
Romantic Suspense:
Under a Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
No One to Trust by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Deceived by Irene Hannon, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Jennifer Leep
Short Novel:
Second Chance Summer by Irene Hannon, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart by Mindy Obenhaus, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Speculative:
Orphan’s Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, Enclave Publishing, editor Steve Laube
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, Enclave Publishing, editors Jeff Gerke, Karen Ball
Jupiter Winds by C.J. Darlington, independently published, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
Young Adult:
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof, independently published, editors Amanda Dykes, Denise Harmer
Samantha Sanderson at the Movies by Robin Caroll, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Kim Childress, Mary Hassinger
Storm Siren by Mary Weber, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Debut Novel:
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Amanda Bostic
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall, Whitaker House, editor Courtney Hartzel
- See more at: http://www.acfw.com/carol/2015_carol_award_finalists#sthash.ESORDOmA.dpuf

Here are the finalists for the 2015 Carol Awards. The winners will be announced September 19 during the gala awards dinner in Dallas at ACFW’s annual conference.

Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Becky Monds, L.B. Norton
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Jan Stob
Historical:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Beth Adams
Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Stephanie Broene
What Follows After by Dan Walsh, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Historical Romance:
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering, Jessica English
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Poison Town by Creston Mapes, David C. Cook, editor L.B. Norton
A Way of Escape by Serena B. Miller, independently published, editor Connie Troyer
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Natalie Hanemann
Novella:
An October Bride by Katie Ganshert, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Philpott
I’ll be Home for Christmas from Where Treetops Glisten by Sarah Sundin, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Romance:
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell, L.B. Norton
Love Redeemed by Kelly Irvin, Harvest House Publishers, editor Kathleen Kerr
Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Jessica Wong      
Romantic Suspense:
Under a Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
No One to Trust by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Deceived by Irene Hannon, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Jennifer Leep
Short Novel:
Second Chance Summer by Irene Hannon, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart by Mindy Obenhaus, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Speculative:
Orphan’s Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, Enclave Publishing, editor Steve Laube
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, Enclave Publishing, editors Jeff Gerke, Karen Ball
Jupiter Winds by C.J. Darlington, independently published, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
Young Adult:
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof, independently published, editors Amanda Dykes, Denise Harmer
Samantha Sanderson at the Movies by Robin Caroll, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Kim Childress, Mary Hassinger
Storm Siren by Mary Weber, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Debut Novel:
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Amanda Bostic
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall, Whitaker House, editor Courtney Hartzel
- See more at: http://www.acfw.com/carol/2015_carol_award_finalists#sthash.ESORDOmA.dpuf

Here are the finalists for the 2015 Carol Awards. The winners will be announced September 19 during the gala awards dinner in Dallas at ACFW’s annual conference.

Contemporary:
Last Family Standing by Jennifer AlLee, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Becky Monds, L.B. Norton
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Jan Stob
Historical:
Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Beth Adams
Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke, Tyndale House, editors Sarah Mason, Stephanie Broene
What Follows After by Dan Walsh, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Historical Romance:
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Raela Schoenherr
While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editors Andrea Doering, Jessica English
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller:
Poison Town by Creston Mapes, David C. Cook, editor L.B. Norton
A Way of Escape by Serena B. Miller, independently published, editor Connie Troyer
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Amanda Bostic, Natalie Hanemann
Novella:
An October Bride by Katie Ganshert, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Philpott
I’ll be Home for Christmas from Where Treetops Glisten by Sarah Sundin, Waterbrook/Multnomah (Random House), editor Shannon Marchese
A Cowboy Unmatched by Karen Witemeyer, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editor Karen Schurrer
Romance:
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Ami McConnell, L.B. Norton
Love Redeemed by Kelly Irvin, Harvest House Publishers, editor Kathleen Kerr
Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt, Howard (Simon & Schuster), editor Jessica Wong      
Romantic Suspense:
Under a Turquoise Sky by Lisa Carter, Abingdon Press, editor Ramona Richards
No One to Trust by Lynette Eason, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Andrea Doering
Deceived by Irene Hannon, Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group, editor Jennifer Leep
Short Novel:
Second Chance Summer by Irene Hannon, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
Rescuing the Texan’s Heart by Mindy Obenhaus, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Melissa Endlich
The Wyoming Heir by Naomi Rawlings, Love Inspired (Harlequin), editor Elizabeth Mazer
Speculative:
Orphan’s Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, Enclave Publishing, editor Steve Laube
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes, Enclave Publishing, editors Jeff Gerke, Karen Ball
Jupiter Winds by C.J. Darlington, independently published, editor Carol Kurtz Darlington
Young Adult:
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof, independently published, editors Amanda Dykes, Denise Harmer
Samantha Sanderson at the Movies by Robin Caroll, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editors Kim Childress, Mary Hassinger
Storm Siren by Mary Weber, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Becky Monds
Debut Novel:
Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, editor Amanda Bostic
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, Bethany House (Baker) Publishing, editors Raela Schoenherr, Luke Hinrichs
The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall, Whitaker House, editor Courtney Hartzel
- See more at: http://www.acfw.com/carol/2015_carol_award_finalists#sthash.ESORDOmA.dpuf

Paperbacks of The Everstone Chronicles... better late than never.

Wow, so that year—the craziest year of my entire life—is over! Sorry I checked out for a while! It was so amazing to get to the end of April and finally be able to do whatever I wanted in my spare time again! In case you aren’t aware, I had my first baby {the cutest baby boy ever, too!} just months before The Hesitant Heiress released last summer, and then of course, my publisher had me on a very tight release schedule with The Bound Heart coming out only three months later... AND then I didn’t have The Captive Imposter finished until January (which then released April 1st!)!

In the last ten months since my debut novel released, I’ve heard from many readers regarding the fact that the series was only being released as eBooks, asking if they would ever be available in paperback.  Honestly, it’s been difficult for me to see the books be received so well but remain only available as eBooks. Once I began really gearing all of my focus on finishing The Captive Imposter and planning the blog tour this spring, I didn’t let myself think of the paperbacks. I had a copy of The Hesitant Heiress and The Bound Heart from a print run they did to enter the books into a few 2014 book contests, but it broke my heart every time I laid eyes on them. Yes, I loved them! I adored them! But it made me so incredibly sad to know that they weren’t available to all of the readers, friends and family members who also wanted to have the paperback versions. Even a large number of the readers who’ve read the books as eBooks have wanted the paperbacks for themselves and also to buy for gifts for their friends and family. 

Well, it looks like things might finally be working out—and it’s funny, because just the other day I was awake in the middle of the night (for the baby) and thinking about this for the first time in a long time. I’d basically come to the point that thinking about it was just too painful. I’d tried to console myself over the months with the fact that at least I have tons of amazing readers who love the stories I’ve written, but I still felt like God was saying “No” to one of the biggest requests of my heart. 

Well, soon printed books will be available to readers! Here’s the quick-release schedule:

The Hesitant Heiress ~ September 1, 2015
The Bound Heart ~ October 1, 2015
The Captive Imposter ~ November 1, 2015 

Inside The Hesitant Heiress

I’m so thankful to my publisher for the wonderful experience I’ve had going through the editing process with the amazing Courtney Hartzel, and that their graphic design department made three of the most gorgeous covers I’ve ever seen for my books! And I cannot wait for you to see them—and read them!