Becoming a published author was a dream of mine since I was a kid. The motivation behind publication might have changed as God shaped my heart, but that desire did not. For years, I attended writer’s conferences and critique groups to hone the craft and make those oh-so-necessary connections. I acquired an agent with a well-respected literary agency and continued to write while awaiting the coveted contract.
God had other ideas. He took me from writing for a time to support Chris in his practice. At first, I was devastated. To be pulled away when things were finally starting to pay off? But the time working with Chris was such a blessing. In the two-plus years serving in the practice, I grew tremendously and fell in love with his patients, while my marriage became even stronger. It was an incredible, unexpected gift.
Why am I always amazed when I see how God works so much more in the unexpected than the expected? While we’re looking one way for the answer, He’s working in the other. I love that. And so it was with my writing career—or ministry, as I prefer to call it.
When Chris retired, so did my agent. The agency assigned me another one, but I kept hearing the Lord clearly say, “Let me be your agent.” I didn’t know what that meant. Was I supposed to self-publish? I didn’t want to, but if that’s what the Lord wanted, I wasn’t going to argue.
And then came along Sandy Barela of Celebrate Lit Publishing. This is a small publishing house with a huge heart for the Lord. I used to think the epitome of my career would be acquiring a contract with well-known publishers like Random House, Bethany House, or Thomas Nelson. Not anymore. I am exactly where God wants me to be, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Sandy and her team (not the least of which is her amazing daughter, Denise) have taught me so much about the publishing industry. Marketing can be a nightmare, but they make it as painless as possible. Every conversation I have with Sandy about marketing ideas leaves me exhausted as I feverishly try to jot everything down. She is brilliant. And I’m honored to call her my friend.
As you probably know, I have two novels published with Celebrate Lit—Surrendered and Illusions—with a third coming out in April. These three novels comprise the Apple Hill Series. However, you may not know that my very first Christmas novella (All That Glitters) will be released on November 10th. It is also part of the Apple Hill Series. This novella allowed me to revisit the cast of Surrendered, although the main characters are Julia and Marty rather than Tess and Jake.
Life has been a little hectic lately. With Chris’s mom’s passing last month, September kind of fell off the radar, and I haven’t quite caught up. Then Sandy sent me an email last week asking what I planned for my pre-order gift for All That Glitters. Pre-order? I hadn’t even given it a thought. I let her know my predicament, and she had a brilliant idea (of course.)
With a call-out to Celebrate Lit authors and bloggers, Sandy and her team will present Celebrate Lit Christmas Cookie Cookbook, which anyone who pre-orders All That Glitters will receive. Not only will you get original cookie recipes, but you will also have a link to all the authors and bloggers associated with Celebrate Lit.
As a teaser, here is the back cover copy for All That Glitters.
Like Christmas ornaments, good-looking men are all glitter and no substance. Right?
Julia Metcalf tries to be content with her life in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, despite secretly yearning for more. Raising her son as a single mom might be tough sometimes, but with friends, family, and a job she enjoys, Julia has a rich life. Risking her heart again—not a good idea. Especially with a guy like Marty.
The guy is too handsome and funny for his—or her—own good.
But when Julia’s ex-husband disappears and puts her and her son in danger, Marty steps in to help.
Sometimes what glitters truly is gold.
Click here to pre-order your copy.
Comments 1
I know how you feel about September. It disappeared for me too. Between getting my house ready to sell and finding a new one. I was having so much trouble finding a house. I looked at 41 houses and put in 5 offers. There were some that went sale pending as soon as I asked. I told God that He knows where he wanted me, find my house please. He did. I now live in west Tulsa. I have never been over here in the 43 years I have lived in the Tulsa area. I felt isolated at first. But I am learning where and how to get to different places. I am happy here. While I still think of my late husband, I don’t get so down. So now I am wondering what God has in store for me next.
I am waiting anxiously for your next book. Love you lot Sis.