Book Signing!

Stop by the Rainbow Parable Christian store at 70 Southgate Square in Colonial Heights, Virginia on Saturday Feb. 11th from 11 am to 1 pm. I'll be there signing copies of all three novels. Fireflies in December will be on sale for $5, and Cottonwood Whispers and Catching Moondrops will both be available for $9.97. Hope to see you there!

First Novel Finalists

The finalists for the Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest have been announced. They are:

Kimberley Gardner Graham, Memphis TN, The Rocking Horse of Tuscumbia

Jim Hamlett, Travelers Rest SC, Moe

Clarice James, Hudson NH, Party of One

Peter Leavell, Meridian ID, Songs of Captivity

Terrie Todd, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, The Silver Suitcase

The winner will be announced February 16th at the Writing for the Soul conference in Denver Colorado, and will receive a prize of $20,000 and a publishing contract with Worthy Publishing.

Congratulations to all the finalists!

New Facebook Contest!

We're having a cool, rainy spell here in VA, so in the spirit of positivity, I'm holding a contest over at my Facebook page. Just post your favorite thing to do to relax on a cool, dreary day, and you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Catching Moondrops and some hot chocolate!

Stop by to join the conversation!

More free e-books!

Check out the Tyndale House Publishers blog to find out about more free e-books!

Free E-Books!

Tyndale House Publishers is offering six e-books free for a limited time. Check them out here!

Fireflies in December Receives Audie Award

The audio version of Fireflies in December received an Audie Award for inspirational fiction at the 2011 awards ceremony in New York last night! The folks at Recorded Books, along with narrator Kate Forbes, have done such a phenomenal job bringing my books to life on audio, and I'm so excited to see them rewarded for it.

The full list of nominees and winners can be found at the Audies website. Congrats to all of them!

Blog Post for Seriously Write

Today, I have the pleasure of being a guest blogger over at Seriously Write. Stop by and read about what this long, crazy journey into publishing has taught me about perspective. And while you're there, check out the great work these ladies are doing to encourage writers on their blog!

2011 Christy Award Nominations

The nominees for the 2011 Christy Awards were announced today. Congratulations to all!


The Christy Advisory Board is pleased to announce nominees in nine categories for the 2011 Christy Awards honoring Christian fiction.

The 2011 Christy Award nominees are:

Contemporary Romance/

Blood Ransom
by Lisa Harris (Zondervan)

Indivisible
by Kristin Heitzmann (WaterBrook Press)

Sworn to Protect
by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)


Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas/

The Reluctant Prophet
by Nancy Rue (David C. Cook)

The Thorn
by Beverly Lewis (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Waiting
by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Contemporary Standalone/

Almost Heaven
by Chris Fabry (Tyndale House Publishers)

Lady in Waiting
by Susan Meissner (WaterBrook Press)

A Season of Miracles
by Rusty Whitener (Kregel Publications)


First Novel/

Crossing Oceans
by Gina Holmes (Tyndale House Publishers)

Heartless
by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

A Season of Miracles
by Rusty Whitener (Kregel Publications)


Historical/

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther
by Ginger Garrett (David C. Cook)

For Time & Eternity
by Allison Pitman (Tyndale House Publishers)

While We’re Far Apart
by Lynn Austin (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)


Historical Romance/

The Girl in the Gatehouse
by Julie Klassen (Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

She Walks in Beauty
by Siri Mitchell (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Within My Heart
by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)


Suspense/

The Bishop
by Steven James (Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

The Bride Collector
by Ted Dekker (Center Street)

Predator
by Terri Blackstock (Zondervan)


Visionary/

To Darkness Fled
by Jill Williamson (Marcher Lord Press)

Konig’s Fire
by Marc Schooley (Marcher Lord Press)

The Last Christian
by David Gregory (WaterBrook Press)


Young Adult/

The Charlatan’s Boy
by Jonathan Rogers (WaterBrook Press)

The Healer’s Apprentice
by Melanie Dickerson (Zondervan)

Motorcycles, Sushi, and One Strange Book
by Nancy Rue (Zondervan)