Building a Life is live

When you have lived with a builder for over 30 years, it's a natural step to write a story that involves building a house. Finalizing the revisions for Building a Life was done during the construction phase of the last house my husband built for us and I'm sure he laughed when I would come out of our trailer (parked on site for convenience) and ask an obscure question about building while he was working.

In every book there is a little real life. In this book, the soccer scenes, especially the goals scored by Nick, came from my son's high school championship team. He played center forward, just like Nick, and it was pretty fun to sit in the stands and listen to other soccer moms cheer for Hendo, the nick-name his team gave him. So here's a shout out to Scott for the inspiration behind the soccer scenes!

My next project, Daisies in the Driveway, is ready for revision. But the month of May will be focused on traveling and I won't get back into the swing of writing until the middle of June. My husband and I are going to Japan to see a friend (we call her our Japanese daughter) and her family. Perhaps our trip will give birth to more ideas for stories down the road!

In the meantime, Building a Life, is now available from Amazon and booksyoucantrust.com.

Building a Life

After weeks and months of revisions and finalizing cover art, my new novel Building a Life is in the final stages. Release is set for May 1st or 2nd. Here is a sneak-peak at the cover:

And a little bit about the book:

Sara Castleton resolved to make better choices now that there was a new life growing inside her. When her husband, Peter, plowed through that stop sign and left this world, he left a mess behind. Picking up the pieces of her shattered life and finishing the house Peter started could be the answer to her future, but she needed help.

When Nicholas Bradford was asked to step into Sara’s unfinished house project, he reluctantly agreed. He didn’t always see eye-to-eye with Peter’s friends and business associates, but one look at his pregnant widow and Nick couldn’t say no.

Before they know it, they aren’t just building a house, they’re Building a Life.

I'm so excited to be teaming with Books You Can Trust Publishing on this project. They have been excellent to work with.

Now, back to the keyboard to finish the next one! (Daisies in the Driveway)

The Spirit of Christmas - my new novella

It's the same old story. Too much going on. Too little time to stop and post ideas, thoughts, and events. I've not only neglected my blog, but Facebook, emails, and my telephone. I'm such a disappointment to myself when it comes to communicating...except for my stories. There is that. So, in the context of communication and announcements, I'm happy to say my next book is ready to be published and I'm waiting only on the proof copy for final review. It's a Christmas novella (everyone must write at least one, right?) based on the classic A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. I've twisted it slightly and turned it into a romance. It's called THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS. Here's the book description:

George Stone can’t wait for the Christmas season to be over and his employees, especially his executive assistant, Kathryn Gleason, focused once again on their work. When a missing report requires George to stop in at Kathryn’s parents’ home the day before Christmas Eve, he ends up as an unexpected guest. Between the haunting journals of his late grandfather and the unsettling dream of an unhappy future, George is swept away by the magic of Kathryn’s charm and her family’s love.

Will the Spirit of Christmas show George the happiness he’s missing and will Kathryn’s warmth and beauty melt his cold heart? 

Estimated day to go live is January 12th.