"Book Tour" Stop One

A friend of mine at church likes to tease me about my book tour. But I guess now I can say it officially exists!

This past Sunday I was invited to speak at the church where my Dad preaches: Hazel Dell Friends. It is the most darling little white church building out in the middle of some cornfields. Actually it reminded me very much of the church building in Runaway Bride. But, as I noted in an email yesterday, I didn't have a FedEx truck waiting outside to cart me away.


The congregation is small, but they were so warm and welcoming. I really appreciated their non-bored looks as I spoke and the questions they asked when I got through my pages of notes. Oh yes. There were pages of notes. I had asked Dad ahead of time what he wanted me to speak about, and he gave me some suggestions!

Some of the things they asked me after I completed my part were: Would I ever consider writing for children? Would I prefer to write full time if I had the opportunity? When did I start writing? What was my first piece ever published? Kind of interesting to be on the spot like that!

My favorite part of the whole day was this beautiful surprise they organized for me! This is my dear friend Lindsey. She was a student worker in our office right after I graduated from college (a.k.a. we're basically the same age). She and I became good friends during her time there, as often tends to happen with the student workers and me. I served cake at her wedding reception a few years ago...and now she is the mom of a beautiful little boy!

Anyway, Mom and Dad found out someone in their church works with Lindsey, so they invited her, her husband, and her son to visit the church to hear me. When I walked in (late...had another church service I had to attend earlier that day) and sat down with Mom, she pointed across the aisle and said, "Look who's here." I had NO idea who to expect, but I sure didn't anticipate seeing my Linz! Dad even stopped church so we could have a big ole hug right there in the aisle!

It was wonderful to see her - and her little boy even gave me a huge hug and kiss! Guess he's not too shy. :)

So that was book tour - stop one. Thanks, Hazel Dell, for a great morning!

Stuff and Things

* I am pretty excited that I sold out of my first shipment of books! So last week I called up the publisher and ordered a second shipment....and the price had gone up just a bit. So...effective immediately, the price of the book is $10 a copy. I'm sad about it, because I liked the $8 price, but I also know I have to be fair to my own purchase costs. It's still under the retail price, so I console myself with that.

* My new shipment did arrive yesterday, so I'm all set for the holiday season! It was startling to arrive home to stacks and stacks of boxes on my front porch. The neighbors were probably getting curious. Email me (address on side bar) if you'd like to purchase any for yourself or gifts for this Christmas!

* Some people from my church, who purchased books at the signing, have started to read already and they've either pulled me aside at church or called me to tell me their thoughts. Here is just a bit of what I've heard:

* One lady told me she'd only read the first day, but she loved seeing Mary in a new light, and she couldn't wait to read the rest of the book. (Trying to pace herself, she said.)

* A sweet older lady told me she already read the whole thing and she will read it again at Christmas. (I consider it a compliment that someone would read it twice in one year.)

* Our worship leader, who has energy beyond anything I could ever hope to possess, left me an enthusiastic voicemail yesterday, in which she said she'd started to read and wanted me to know "It's like a real book! By a real author! Like you would find in a real bookstore!" I just laughed and laughed at that. I feel a bit like Pinocchio!

* Last night, another sweetie pulled me aside and said she'd started to read it and her favorite line, which she said drew her in for the whole book, was from day one, where I wrote, "did He grow within her heart even as He grew beneath it?" I loved hearing the exact words she loved the most.

So that's what I'm hearing in the land of book reviews. Email me your thoughts if you've read...or when you do. I definitely want to know!