Birthday Bash is here! It’s time to celebrate. And there are things to celebrate.
First–Inspy Romance! What an amazing place for authors and readers to unite and share their love of good books. Along the way we’ve learned a lot about each other. And it’s been fun!
We’ve shared good times, hardships, and everything in between. That’s what makes Inspy Romance a great community. And to continue on with the celebratory theme, I have news to share. But, we’re going back a few years first…
A long time ago, in a far away land…Ha! Not that far. Let’s start again. I’ve had a dream for a long time of writing for a certain publisher. I love their books. I love the stories. I love the authors. I’ve been at conferences where I have met editors from this publisher and they have been very nice. I’ve submitted to them and have had rejections. In October of 2021, a writer friend of mine, Missy Tippens, texted me and told me a certain editor was taking 3 sentence FB pitches on her page. Well, I scooted over there and presented my pitch. The editor said she was intrigued by the story and asked me to send a completed manuscript. I sent the ms in April of 2022. Then in October of 2022, it happened.
I got the call!
Talk about surprised! It’s been a whirlwind since then with revisions and artwork for a cover, signing contracts, doing more revisions. (Oh, and a 8 day trip to Puerto Rico, and the holidays, as well as 5 immediate family birthdays, were thrown in as well.) But every. single. minute. was worth it.
Every one! (Way too many exclamation points in this post, but I’ve been saving them. For years!)
So, as you can tell from the image below I’ve sold to Love Inspired-And I have a title!
Here’s the pitch I sent.
Recently widowed Adam Hawk is navigating raising his 7 year old daughter when high-school crush Nicole St. John returns and turns his world upside down with the news he has a 24 year old son. Gavin, now a pilot like Adam, has been in a single engine plane wreck and Nicole will do anything to help her son, even it if means returning to her hometown and risk losing her son to the man who broke her heart. When Adam agrees, Nicole finds herself drawn to her hometown, Adam’s daughter, and a love she swore she’d never risk again. (H/H early 40’s)
It was such an honor to work with everyone at Harlequin. Emily Rodmell is my editor and I’m thrilled that she wanted to see this story.
I’m super excited to share this story with you all in October! Just a few short months away. This is such a great place to celebrate good news–I know this next month of Birthday Bash posts will be a blessing for sure!
Leave a comment about anything–celebrations–good news–a great book you’ve read–and I’ll pick one commenter at random to receive a copy of my book when it comes out! (It will be a while, so for now I’ll send a $5 Amazon card.)
Congrats on the new book. I think I won one of your books because of Missy Tippens (think it was through seekerville). I got to meet Missy almost 10 years ago when I came to America in 2013.
no big celebrations coming up although it is my birthday in just under 2 weeks, And the cats celebrate 4 years with me on tuesday. I have started reading Narelle Atkins new book (releasing next week).
I have 4 tomato plants and I finally found 3 tomatoes I sure hope there will be more. Normally they would be ripe by now. but finding the first one then the next too was exciting.
Congratulations on your new book and writing for LI it looks a great story. I’m intrigued that you sold the story with the short pitch on FB, it just shows you really never know what’s round the corner and when God is waiting to show up!
I’m celebrating everyone in my house being well enough for school/nursery/work for what feels like the first time since Christmas lol. And my middle daughter turns 4 on Friday.
Congratulations on your upcoming book! It sounds like a great story.
Congratulations on your book! My husband and I celebrated Valentine’s Day over the weekend. I realize that most everyone does that, but we generally don’t.
Congratulations on your new book! That is so exciting for you and for us!
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! It sounds like a really interesting story. I can see why she wanted to know more based on your short pitch. My good news is an unexpected work opportunity that presented itself to me recently.
Congratulations! This story sounds beautiful!
I’m glad for you! good news… I invited a friend to my bible study meeting and she accepted Christ a few weeks later… that is, a few days ago.
Congratulations on your book!! Some good news–my brother and his fiancée FINALLY picked a wedding date. :D
Congratulations on your book!! It sounds really interesting and different.
Congratulations!! I enjoy the Love Inspired line! I’ve won some really great books by some of their authors, and then went on to buy more! lol!! Just like my indie authors I love to support!!
welcome today. birthdays are so fun. when our two kiddos were 1 and 3, dad took them shopping for a birthday gift for me. my birthday is Dec 22. Well I opened it up and started to cry. (yup I am a crier). Well our son (3) thought I didnt like my gift so he started to cry. Our daughter (1) saw her brother crying so she started to cry. At this point I am laughing and crying. My poor husband was at a total loss. All he could think of was to hold them both. So I grabbed the new bread maker and asked my husband to bring the kids. He picked them up and we all trooped into the kitchen. I had them help me unpack the bread maker and soon all tears were gone. It was the most delicious loaf of bread. In fact the first of many to come. In fact, I found out that if I left the bread on the table where the dog would get it, it was a goner.
Congratulations on your new book it sounds great I like all love inspired books. We had a white valentine day so my sibblings had no school yesterday and we still have little bit of snow today.
Jenny—Oh, the woes of gardening! My husband does most of the work and we get a few peppers….I hope you get more tomatoes! And cats! I have 3. I love them. Missy is such a good friend, love her much. And yay for reading Narelle’s book.
Ruthie–Yes, you never know how God is going to show up—and it was an interesting way to grab her attention. And yay for all feeling well. :)
Milla–Thank you!! I had fun writing it.
Thank you! We actually celebrated this year as well-and like you, we normally don’t. I hope you had a great time. We had a pay ahead dinner–no crowds and no wait!
Lori–Thank you! It’s been a great journey.
Jessica–Thank you. And yay for work opportunities!
Lisa–Thank you!!
Lilly—Your good news tops!! Another sister in Christ. How beautiful!! Thank you for sharing.
Elizabeth–Thank you! And wedding bells!! So fun! What a fun upcoming event to look forward to.
Kathleen—Thank you. The older son aspect was intriguing to them. Secret babies are usually, well, babies!
Trudy–Yes–So many great authors traditionally and indie published. :)
Lori–What a great story. How awesome-that you loved the gift so much and the ripple it had through the family. And true that about the dog!!
Awe–a white Valentines day. We actually sat outside last night for our Valentine’s dinner. It was quite nice—high 50’s low 60’s.
Congratulations on your book. I love second chance, small town romances. Yours sounds good. God is going to use you in a big way.
We usually do not celebrate Valentine’s Day, but my hubby sent me a link to the song “You’re Still the One” by Orleans with graphics behind the lyrics. We have been married over 51 years and it was very sweet. I also am celebrating 11 years cancer free from colon cancer. Praise the Lord. He is good.
Congratulations Lindi, that’s wonderful! The premise sounds really good. I can’t wait to see the complete cover.
Congratulations! The book sounds awesome, I’ve added it to my Goodreads WTR list & I’m following you on Book Bub so I’ll see it when it comes out ❤️
Bonnie—Oh!! How sweet!! I love that romance in a guy. :) Congratulations on the 51 years. What a beautiful testament to God’s love in your marriage.
Thank you!! I received a preview and it’s pretty beautiful! I can’t wait to share it with you guys!
Hi—Thank you–Wow—thanks for adding–I so appreciate that. Looks like the end of Sept will be the publishing date. :)
Yay! Congratulations!
We’ll be celebrating 20th wedding anniversary next week :)
Congratulations!!! That’s huge news!! So glad you got the call :)!
I just finished edits on a part of my ongoing project, and I’m hopeful I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. You authors are such an inspiration!
Very exciting for you to get that call.
Congratulations on your New Book I love reading any print books !
Her book is good so far (am tired so I set 2 chapters and read 3 last night). I have 2 rescue days so the 21st is gotcha day for them. Henry is about 6 and a half and Libby around 5 and a half. He is my free spirit, Libby is a home body who is scared of a lot of things. I am sure both were abused. (Henry hit and yelled at but he knows hes safe here) Libby I am sure now it was a lady who kicked her and abused her. (she has a fear of shoes when I put them on and dark clothes at times) she also seems to hide quicker if its a lady at the door than men she will will go hide or is wary but the neighbour she is getting use to. he talks to her and she gives the look of you can talk to me over the fence but come any closer and I am going.
Congratulations on your new book. I just read a wonderful book by Jill Eileen Smith called Daughter of Eden. Thought provoking read.
Your book sounds good! We didn’t celebrate too much for Valentine’s Day–I had to work :( But my husband’s birthday is in about a week and a half, so we’ll celebrate that.
Congratulations! Your book sounds so interesting!
Congratulations!! That is fabulous. I had stopped at a local grocery store to pick up a few sale items. While at that store, I met a very nice gentleman. We have been married for 34 years. I can honestly say, I picked him up at the grocery store. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
exciting news
Congratulations on your book! I had a fun Valentine’s Day this year! My friend and I went to see 80 for Brady and have lunch!!
Congratulations, you could have named the post Love Inspired, it is such a heart warming and inspirational post of following your dreams. So happy that all your hard work has resulted in a wonderful book. You’ll be celebrating the release of it before you know it.
Natalya—Wow! That’s awesome! Have a great time. Thank you for sharing.
Priscila—Thank you. I love seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. :) Congratulations!
Mary—Thank you. :) It was! I called my husband right away.
Sarah—Thank you. And I do love reading print books as well.
Lucy—Thank you, friend! And thank you for the book recommendation.
Lucy—Thank you, friend! And thank you for the book recommendation.
Debra—What a fun story! Loving how God puts us in the paths of those we are meant to be with. :)
Hi–thank you!
Linda–Thank you! Oh–I want to see that movie. I’ve heard such fun things about it. Did you love it?
Dianne—Thank you! I am thrilled to be writing for them. A dream come true. I’m so glad I get to celebrate with all of you.
You are one of my favorite authors. I love all your books, but I never want “Love Atlanta Style” to end.
Sounds great! Congratulations!!
Audrey—Thank You! I do need to write those next books. I so appreciate you and thank you for visiting Inspy!!
Susanne–Thank you!
The new books sounds good! You packed a lot into three sentences. I just found out my son, who’s been struggling in his biology class, is doing better than we expected! Yay!
Melynda–Thank you! And yay for your son. I never did well in the sciences–or the math…
Congratulations, Lindi! How exciting!
Congrats!! That’s so exciting for this dream to come true! 🎉
I finished reading a book today called “Unoffendable”. One of my goals for 2023 is to be less offended. 😆