CATCHING UP

Labor Day threw me off this year. We didn't do anything, but I was getting ready for my newsletter and time went by so quickly. I hope I'm back on track.

I'm also hoping for some cooler weather and rain. My allergies are giving me fits. Our neighbors on both sides mowed their yards yesterday, and I went to the mailbox in the middle of their mowing. That was not a good idea when you're allergic to dust. I'm also allergic to perfumes and last night was not a good night at church. I don't know why so many women, and men, want to put on a bunch of smelly stuff. It really gives me fits. I'm all stuffed up now, but I will be better by Sunday and ready to go again.

Mantle Rock is booming. We're received two contracts and another one is on the way.

 Amy C. Blake signed with us for her Young Adult book, Whitewashed. I loved the book about a college freshman and the events in her life. Really, it is a good book for anyone, but I'm sure late teens and early twenties will enjoy it and can identify with it. It will be published February 15, 2015.

Hope Toler Dougherty signed with her book, Irish Encounter. I've always enjoyed books about older people. We have too many about pretty young  things. This is a book about a mature, fortyish widow. It's still a very young forty and it's a romance. Yes, there is still romance after forty. Hope's book will release May 1, 2015.

I'm so excited to be receiving a contract from Pam Harris. Pam is in my writing group, KenTen Writers, and I've known her for a couple of years or more. She's a teacher and former principal. Her book is Ghosts of Graceland. Yes, it is Elvis' Graceland. I've wanted to publish this book since I read it last year. It's a tween book and the pace will keep you and your child wanting to read more. Ghosts of Graceland will release March 15, 2015.

Editing is the most tiring thing for me to do, but it has to be done. I'm editing a large novel by Dr. Patrick Johnston, Eva's Sacrifice. Eva will be released January 2, 2015. This is a very exciting. It's a suspense and well written. I met Patrick at American Christian Writers Conference and talked to him last year. He's a very energetic doctor with nine children, which he and his wife homeschool. I don't know when he writes, but he is a talented writer.

I'm making cookies today for our college granddaughter. She and her roommate are probably starving. These are the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever made. The recipe is in the back of Heartsong by Nicola Furlong. It's worth the price of the book to get the cookies. We make them with white chocolate and butterscotch chips. Delicious!

Right now we cannot take anymore children's books until 2016 and I'll only be taking one that year. We have three to print in 2015 at this writing. Although children's books are easier to print, they are also harder to sell. I'm really looking for more general fiction, romance and suspense. We have three Biblical historical books with a children's edition for each book contracted for 2015. It's already a busy year.

Sorry I missed writing Tuesday. I'll try to do better next week.