BLOG TOUR

My wonderful publisher, Red Adept, has set up an extensive three-week blog tour for PAINTING THE MOON.  It was loads of fun, writing guest posts and answering interview questions!  

I thought I'd keep them all in one place, so I'll be adding them here to this post as they come in.

Thanks to my editor for setting up this tour, and many thanks to the bloggers who have kindly participated.  It's very appreciated!  :-)

10 Things About Me - by Long & Short Reviews 

Kelly Smith Reviews - review and interview

Guest Post at Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews

Guest Post at My Book and My Coffee

Interview at The Indie View
 
Review by Kari at From the TBR Pile

Guest Post at BigAl's Books and Pals - "The Art of Writing" 

Guest Post at Tina Moss's blog


Guest Post at Erica Lucke Dean's blog


Guest Post at Bookworm Lisa's blog


Guest Post at Reader Girls


Spotlight - Like a Bump on a Blog


Review on BigAl's Books and Pals


Guest Post on Manuscripts Burn


Review on Musings of the Bookaholic Fairies

Interview on Romance Junkies 

Review on Crystal's Many Reviewers 

KBoards Interview 

Book 2 - Under Contract!

A couple of weeks ago, I received a call from my publisher.  They've accepted Book 2 in my Chilton Crosse series!  I'm ecstatic.

I'll start edits in the next couple of weeks, and if all goes well, the book could be available as soon as the holidays.

Book 2 focuses on Holly, Frank's assistant at the gallery.  In some ways, this book is lighter than Painting the Moon, more joyful.  Perhaps it's the Jane Austen overtones weaved throughout the plot.  

Here's a little teaser-blurb:

     Life seems nothing more than a quick succession of busy nothings.  ~Jane Austen

This is precisely how Holly Newbury would sum up her life. 

At twenty-eight, she lives in a charming-but-touristy Cotswold village, serving as caretaker to three younger sisters—a rewarding job, but a tedious one.  Soon, though, news of a Jane Austen movie filming nearby creates a snap of change in the air.  The villagers become involved as movie extras, and Holly starts up an Emma book club in honor of the film.  At the same time, Holly's own family drama plays out—her sisters experience heartaches and growing pains, while her widowed father finds new love in an unexpected place. 

The film also brings with it an American screenwriter named Fletcher Hays, who ends up becoming Holly's very own "Mr. Knightley."  But will she realize it too late?

My Very First Book Signing!

So, yesterday, my grandparents, mom, and sister hosted a book party and signing for me.  It met all my expectations.  It was busy, fun, exciting, and productive (lots of books sold!).

More than anything, it was amazing to hug and chat with such supportive people.  My family and close friends.  They're my cheerleaders, my biggest "fans."  Seeing their support together in that room reminded me of how blessed I am--that after years of trying to get published, it finally happened.  


Here are some pictures from the event:

These are my precious grandparents.  They hosted the event at their building.  Love them so much!

Here's the book poster that sat on an easel in the entrance:

Here's the front table -- that's my other grandmother's painting of "Chilton Crosse," the village in Painting the Moon, painted as a surprise for me in 2009.  I thought it deserved a special place at the party! 

And here's the cake!  The decorators were able to scan the book cover and create an edible piece of candy on top.  Isn't it pretty?

The only person missing from the event was my father, who passed away ten months ago with a sudden diagnosis of brain cancer.  He would've been at the party with bells on, happy for me, proud of me, supportive of me.  He read all three books in this series about a year before he got sick.  And before he passed away, he knew I had signed a contract--that I was getting published.  And even though yesterday was incredibly bittersweet because of his absence, and even though I missed him so much, he was still *there,* with us.  

Here's a favorite picture of him: