beach reads

June has always conjured up images of the beach for me. More than a few of you are headed there with some great beach reads. Wish I could join you! Guess I'll have to pretend. If I could tag along, this is what I'd stuff in my tote - She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell, Ransome's Crossing by Kaye Dacus, and Heart's Awakening by Delia Parr. All historicals, of course:)

Hearing Courting Morrow Little is on its way to you has been so much fun! Amanda from Rhode Island just got hers today! I'm looking for the FedEx man as I haven't gotten my copy yet. Haven't seen the back cover either so that will be a surprise. Other than that, I pretty much know the book inside and out:)

Some of you have asked me to post reviews of CML. I'll give a small sampling here. One early reader said the novel is "full of romantic intensity and fascinating historical detail." RT Book Reviews said, "While there are familiar characters from Frantz's first book, this novel stands alone. The vivid descriptions will bring the landscape to life and the excellent writing will keep readers turning pages." I especially like Christianbook's review ~ "a gripping tale of survival, secrets, and spirituality...finely tuned development of fascinating characters...a breathtaking love story that doubles as an exciting history and destiny lesson!"

Since reading is such a personal, subjective experience, every review will be unique. Some of you may like TFD more than CML - or the other way around:) Not all books are created equal. It takes courage to put your heart out there as that is what publishing a book amounts to. Then you have to take the bitter with the sweet. Generally, readers are very gracious. Sometimes I'm tempted to follow in the footsteps of Francine Rivers and James Scott Bell as they don't read reviews. I like to remember what author friend Ann Gabhart said - a review is simply one person's opinion, good or bad.

My friend and fellow 18th-century fan, Carrie, is hosting me today. We'll be giving away a copy of CML or TFD if you stop by and leave a comment. If you already have them, feel free to enter to give as a gift. Thanks so much, Carrie!

Have a wonderful weekend! If Morrow arrives at your door I'd love to hear!

Remember the day's blessings; forget the day's troubles. ~Early American Proverb

reviews, both bitter and sweet

The reviews and ads for summer fiction are starting to roll in. This is the time when an author (me) holds their breath:) Reviews are a bittersweet thing. Some of you here have a habit of reviewing books - maybe a downright passion for reviewing them? Some of you posted amazing ones for TFD. I can't thank you enough for those! Each one was copied and put in my scrapbook (which isn't one of those knock-your-socks-off works of art but an old-fashioned one). I'm afraid I'm not very crafty.

Every reviewer has a different take on a story and it spills over into what they have to say when they finish that last page. Some of the finest things an author can hear include: I hated for this book to end...I felt so attached to the characters they seemed like family...I cried...I fell hard for the hero...Your writing has a beautiful, lyrical quality...I couldn't read another book for days as I just wanted to think about this one and savor it a little longer.

One of my first and favorite reviews for TFD was from a male reader. If you don't think men read historical romance novels, think again:) His review just sizzles. At least for this writer. Some of you wrote reviews that made me cry. No kidding! And I'll never forget them.

My editor once told me that it takes three or more positive reviews to undo one negative review. Another thing I've heard is that glowing reviews are not nearly as informative as negative ones. When readers are unhappy with a book, they tend to say very specific things. If they start saying the same things...OUCH. You may have to take a closer look at your work to see if their criticisms hold merit. But there are also readers who can't be pleased, no matter what. As my pastor said, there is only one Perfect Book and even it gets loads of bad press.

Do you enjoy writing book reviews? Do you only do it for those novels dear to your heart? Is it hard to post honestly when you don't care for a book? Or do you try to find something redeemable in every book you read?

Happy reading (and reviewing)!

busy as a bee

I love these bees and all that lovely-smelling lavender! If you're ever inclined to visit here, we have a lavender festival in July and you can wander around in purple fields and just get dizzy from the fragrance. They even make lavender candy though I've never tried any.

Anyway, I'm busy as a bee here with one book about to release and another due. I should have those bookmarks and bookcards for Courting Morrow Little soon but think I'll wait till June to send them out. So if you're wondering where yours are I haven't forgotten you. I've just learned a thing or two since the release of TFD. That's what this writing biz is all about - learning what works and what doesn't and adjusting. I look back at all the uninterrupted time I had before TFD came out. I was so antsy for something to happen. Well, things are happening now and no two days are alike:)

Recently I finished up two endorsements for upcoming historical fiction releases, one an Amish-type novel and another that takes place in the roaring 20's. Both soon to be in your hands:) I also handed in discussion questions for CML and am working on a timeline for The Colonel's Lady. In the meantime I'm contemplating another book project. Prayers appreciated as I seek God's direction for the story of His heart and mine. Lots of ideas spinning around in this head of mine. Lately I don't want to sleep!

Soon the reviews for Courting Morrow Little will start rolling in from those who received advanced reader copies of the book. This is always such a bittersweet time for an author. I can't quite describe what it's like to get a five star review or a not so good one. It really is kind of like someone complimenting your child - or criticizing them:) Books really are your babies! I know authors who never read reveiws of their work and others who read every one.

What is your take on book reviews? How should an author handle them? How would you handle them as an author?

building forts and book reviews

Here's my son, Paul, peeking out of the fort he built this weekend. Looks like he's in the Amazon with all that vivid green. He had a ball sawing wood and hammering nails and driving the lawn tractor to get there. Nothing is square or very sturdy but he doesn't care! I think I need to learn to be like Paul. Just enjoy the journey and try your best (and leave the rest to Him).

I'm busy with book 2 and will be till deadline. Actually I've been busy with book 2 for almost 2 years and am missing book 3. I'm learning to write a bit faster and keep my internal editor on a leash. On breaks this weekend I picked up my copy of The Frontiersman's Daughter and read my favorite chapters. Then today I found Randy reading it! He said as if surprised, "I really like it!" But what else is an author's husband supposed to say?! He's not a reader but so far he's on page 36 out of 412. We'll see how far he gets:)

On the publishing front, I really like this recent review of The Frontiersman's Daughter by Christian Book Distributors. Their fiction editor writes: "I loved the characters in this debut novel! No person was simply one-dimensional; no enemy only evil; no hero only good. Devout and flawed, strong and foolish, principled and stubborn, these settlers and renegades move against the sweeping backdrop of America's beginnings and bring frontier history to life. The fascinating details of everyday living made me appreciate the hardships and dangers better than any textbook account of the events!"

I still have so far to go. A writer never stops learning and improving their craft. I'm still an apprentice after 41 years of writing and reading hard. In heaven I think I'll still be writing, only getting it right the first time!

Don't quit. It's very easy to quit during the first ten years. -Andre Dubus

washington cherries and book reviews

This is the time of year we eat lots of cherries at our house - bings and rainiers. I love summer! We have cherry trees but they're small and we have to fight the birds for the little fruit they produce. Our garden is coming along well - peas, spinach, corn, potatoes, chard, carrots, onions, green beans, cucumbers, and lots of tomatoes. Half of the garden is planted in wildflowers and should be a spectacular sight by July. I'm trying to find time for a little taste of summer amidst working on this second book.

I heard from a magazine reviewer last week regarding The Frontiersman's Daughter. She said that she rarely contacts authors of books she reviews but wanted to say some things to me after finishing my book. I was so pleased and touched - but I won't tell you what she said or it might be considered a spoiler. I think the best part of being published is hearing how your writing encourages or ministers to others. Reading is such a subjective experience. Not everyone will like my novel. I'd like to know how other authors manage negative reviews - or how you readers think a writer should manage them?!

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you got to put up with the rain.
- Dolly Parton