What I’ve Been Working On
I’ve been a busy busy girl these days. With spring and now just about jumping into summer, there are the gardens to work on, the grass to mow, biking trails to explore, yummy fresh foods to cook, etc. Tater has been out of school since before Memorial Day, the Perfect Child just got engaged and is moving out of the house to live full-time with her boyfriend and I’ve inherited not only FishyFishy the Betta but Gracie the cat as well, and all of that surrounds the biggest thing to happen to me in a very long time:
I published a book! I mean really, traditionally, through a publisher, published a book!
This has been a long, sometimes painful, slow process. The book itself was written in 2009, but I didn’t have it finished enough to submit until last spring. My publisher, The Wild Rose Press, has been awesome, and while it has been a lot of work, it has also been less work because of their care of me and my story. When I signed my contract last October, I had no idea what a whirlwind I was going to be shoved into.
Fairest of the Faire was released on June 5th, just a little over a week ago. Since that day, I’ve spent nearly all my spare time guest-appearing on different blogs, talking about my book on social media and in person, and arranging with local bookstores to carry it. It has been exciting, meeting new people and making new connections, but it has also been exhausting. I have been sleeping, eating, and breathing book promotion.
But what an exciting time for me! As a writer, becoming an author is kind of the “holy grail” that is not obtained by many. There is still a lot to be done in the next couple of months as far as promotion, and I do need to get to working harder on my second book. But for now, I’m just sort of basking, enjoying this accomplishment. It is a dream come true!
Blurb:
Schoolteacher Connie Meyers is suddenly a young widow, her husband killed in a horrific car accident. Heartbroken to find out he had gambled away everything they had, she moves to her sister-in-law’s Midwest home to rebuild her life. A trip to the local Renaissance Faire with her nieces leads to a summer job as a costumed storyteller.
Avowed bad boy and fair performer Gage Youngblood is infatuated with Connie at first sight. Despite his deliberately commitment-free life, and Connie’s don’t-touch-me attitude, he soon has her in his arms, realizing quickly she is also in his heart.
When she is threatened by her late husband’s bookie, he steps into the role of protector, his fate forever sealed with hers.
Excerpt:
“Who said anything about a relationship?” he said, standing up so he could tower over her again. “I’m just trying to have a little fun. You know, fun?”
If he’d been an animal, she was sure he’d have had hair raised on the back of his neck, he seemed so angry, and it struck her painfully. She hadn’t wanted to anger him or hurt him. She turned away from him and closed her eyes to tamp down the tears she knew would come if she let them. She crossed her arms over her chest, to hold in the pain. Being tired made her much too vulnerable.
“Yes,” she finally said. “I know about fun. Life isn’t always fun, though.”
“Princess.” His voice was soft, tender. “I won’t hurt you. It’s not in my plan.”
Despite herself, she felt the shivers of desire race down from her shoulders, down her arms and legs, and back up to that secret, soft place at her core. She bowed her head and gritted her teeth, hoping for the feeling to go away.
“And what is your plan, Gage?”
“It’s a simple plan. I want you to feel good. I want to feel good, too.”
Available NOW!
Buy at Wild Rose Press (PDF or paperback)
Buy at Amazon (Paperback or Kindle)
Buy at Barnes and Noble (Nook)
