My second novel, Enchantress of Paris, hit bookstore shelves yesterday. The launch event at Barnes & Noble and all the wonderful feedback from readers and reviewers have touched my heart. Have I mentioned how much I love and appreciate you, dear readers? Thank you for making my work possible!

USA Today just allowed me to write as their guest and published my article about the unsung heroines of history here.

Also today, Harper Collins is revealing the cover for our WWI anthology A Fall of Poppies. I’m pleased and humbled to be included in this anthology centered around Armistice Day with such incredible, bestselling authors as Heather Webb, Hazel Gaynor, Beatriz Williams, Jennifer Robson, Jessica Brockmole, Kate Kerrigan, Evangeline Holland, and Lauren Willig. The line about a Belgian rebel in the following blurb…that’s my story!

~ “Top voices in historical fiction deliver an intensely moving collection of short stories about loss, longing, and hope in the aftermath of World War I…

A squadron commander searches for meaning in the tattered photo of a girl he’s never met…

A Belgian rebel hides from the world, only to find herself nursing the enemy…

A young airman marries a stranger to save her honor—and prays to survive long enough to love her…

The peace treaty signed on November 11, 1918, may herald the end of the Great War but for its survivors, the smoke is only beginning to clear. Picking up the pieces of shattered lives will take courage, resilience, and trust. Within crumbled city walls and scarred souls, war’s echoes linger. But when the fighting ceases, renewal begins…and hope takes root in a fall of poppies.” ~

Without further ado, I give you…the cover & links…. [isn't it beautiful?!!]

Fall of Poppies Cover Reveal

Barnes & Noble / Amazon / IndieBound / Books-a-Million

William Morrow Trade Paperback; March 1, 2016; $14.99; ISBN: 9780062418548

Time to start celebrating the release of Enchantress of Paris! You can find me at the following blogs. I’ll also be at the Jefferson Pointe Barnes and Noble in Fort Wayne, Indiana on release day, August 4th, at 7:00 signing copies! But you can also stop by Historical Fiction Book Tours Facebook page the next four Tuesdays for trivia and giveaways!

JULY 28     LITERARY, ETC, review + giveaway

JULY 29     PASSAGES TO THE PAST, interview + giveaway

JULY 30     READING THE PAST, interview 

AUGUST 3 LESA’S BOOK CRITIQUES, interview + giveaway

AUGUST 4 LESA’S BOOK CRITIQUES, review

AUGUST 4 THE LIT BITCH, review + giveaway

AUGUST 5 LET THEM READ BOOKS, review 

AUGUST 6 LET THEM READ BOOKS, interview + giveaway

AUGUST 10 FLASHLIGHT COMMENTARY, review + giveaway

AUGUST 10 HARLEQUIN JUNKIE, fun facts + excerpt + giveaway

AUGUST 11 WINDOW SEAT ON A RAINY DAY, spotlight + giveaway

AUGUST 11 WRITING THE RENAISSANCE, review + giveaway

AUGUST 12 WRITING THE RENAISSANCE, interview

AUGUST 13 THE MAIDEN’S COURT, review + giveaway

AUGUST 17 ME READ A LOT, interview

AUGUST  18 ME READ A LOT, review + giveaway

AUGUST 20 LAYERED PAGES, review + interview + giveaway

I still can’t believe it’s been a year since GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN hit bookstore shelves. After seven years of research, writing, editing, querying, waiting, and praying through submissions, the hardback release went by fast. That may have something to do with the fact I was writing like a mad-woman to get Book 2 completed by deadline. But since Book 2 was dutifully turned in, I’ve been reflecting on this wild and wonderful year, and suddenly it’s time to talk about GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN again. To celebrate, here are 10 interesting moments from my first year as a published author:

1)   I’m fortunate to have a circle of wise authorly friends, and during a moment of freaking out before release, one of them said, “Try to enjoy it, it’s like getting your author cherry popped.” It made me laugh, made me relax, and I really did enjoy it!

2)   Social media on release day was chock-full of memorable moments as friends, family, fellow authors, and friends of friends shouted out to the word about GIRL’s release. Each and every post and comment touched my heart.

3)   The moment I got my first bad review sucked more than I ever thought suck could suck. I don’t think I’ve ever used the word “suck” on my blog before (another memorable moment!). After internet-stalking the person who wrote it and lamenting all indications the reviewer obviously hadn’t read half the novel and hadn’t understood the other half…I got over it. Not everyone’s going to like my work. It taught me to stop reading reviews unless my publicist send them to me!

4)   When I received word from my publicist that we’d gotten a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly, my heart soared over the moon. It was a great review and I will always be grateful to the reviewer who took the time to phrase it. Thankfully this moment came quickly upon the heels of #3, and is part of the reason #3 was so easy to get over.  I’ve received a number of heartwarming and wonderful reviews and industry nods since, and I deeply appreciate each of them!

5)   Media interview moments can be nerve wracking. My first radio interview was conducted over the phone. I was scheduled to leave home immediately after it for a library event out of town so I was  crunched for time, plus I was extremely nervous about being on the radio! So nervous, in fact, I started to sweat all over, threatening to mess up my library-event-outfit! The only sensible thing to do was to lock myself in my bedroom and strip down until the interview was over. I will never tell which radio interview it was, but yes, I was almost naked while I gave that interview. One good thing from this experience (besides having the awesome interview aired!) was that I learned how to calm down and prevent “interview-sweats” before my television interview. I’m not sure a half naked author would have been taken seriously on television…

6)   Signing books at the bookstore on release day – whoa. First of all, I’m holding this glossy, heavy hardback dotted with blurbs provided by my generous authorly friends, and I’m surrounded by readers, family, friends…people who showed up in a big way…people who wanted to read what I wrote! Truly humbling. Chokes me up just writing about it.

7)   Blog interviews take up more than a moment, but it took no time at all to realize how wonderful bloggers are. I had the good fortune to be interviewed on some excellent blogs by thoughtful people. I cannot even begin to name all the wonderful blogs and how much I enjoyed each blogger! I have a deep appreciation for the blogging community out there who help spread the word about books-thanks to all of you!

8)   At one of my signings, a particular gentleman peppered me with publishing questions (how’d I get my agent? how’d I get a book deal?) without ever buying a book. As he finally wound down, he took a breath, gave me the once over then said, “You don’t look like a historical fiction author.” While my dear sweet husband turned three shades of red, I, in my black leather high heeled boots and long blonde hair, shrugged it off. It was a moment that shouldn’t have occurred, (exactly how should I look?!) but I appreciated my husband’s protective response. It taught me to expect the unexpected at public events.

9)   The following moment happened more times than I care to admit, when someone would approach my signing table at a bookstore and ask, “Where can I find DIVERGENT?” For the record, I was able to direct each of them! Nor was I upset. I’m always thrilled to see shoppers in bookstores!

10)  Bookstore signings are crowding out my list of memorable moments! I thoroughly loved each and every bookstore that hosted me, but my all time doozy moment did happen at a bookstore. A reader told me their mother had hated my book. This reader quoted their mother who had apparently said, “That is a terrible book because it’s set in the olden days. The only way a book like that could get published is if the author knew someone in the business.” My dear husband turned redder than red (again). But I actually laughed out loud at this one (a LOT). Any author will tell you, publishing doesn’t work that way! My amused response made me realize that nothing can taint the joy of having my book published and out in the world!

I hope this sampling of my exciting year was entertaining for you as it was fun for me! If you haven’t read GIRL, I hope you’ll pick her up in paperback here or here! This latest release has even brought the kindle price down!

You know, I think it’s time I shared the details of this wild year – the ups and downs, the laughs and the face-palm moments. Check back soon for more!

GIving GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN away free!

Girl on the Golden Coin Pear-Themed Gift Giveaway

Girl on the Golden Coin has been on shelves for two months now. Two whole months- yet they’ve flown, full of incredible experiences. I’ve visited fabulous bookstores in Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia. Family and friends have thrown parties (yes-plural!). Friends have shown up at events everywhere. I’ve received touching congratulatory gifts. I’ve met the most amazing readers. Readers have written me sweet notes. I’ve spoken to generous hosts on both television and radio. I’ve been welcomed on the coolest book blogs on the web. I cannot thank the world enough for treating Girl on the Golden Coin so well.

It’s been amazing, and I’m feeling deeply grateful.

My publisher has sponsored several giveaways already-I can’t even count how many books they’ve given away! Plus, I’ve passed out five hundred bookmarks, hundreds of chocolate-gold-coins, and given away dozens of little prizes here and there. Why? As a way to give back…and because it’s just fun!

Today I’m doing something different. To celebrate the two-month milestone, I’m giving away this Girl on the Golden Coin pearl-themed gift box!

To enter the giveaway, sign up for my newsletter! One winner in the US will be selected May 11th.

What’s in a Girl on the Golden Coin Pearl-Themed Gift box?

An autographed copy of Girl on the Golden Coin
Seventeenth century-style pearl drop and sterling silver earrings
Peace Pearl Candle from Aroma Naturals
Jasmine Pearl Tea from the Republic of Tea
Midnight Pearl solid perfume from Oriflame
Godiva Chocolate Pearls
Chocolate Gold Coins
Custom tasseled bookmark
Custom silver charm bookmark
A Frances Stuart-style gold scarf

Oh, if you’re already on my newsletter list, no need to sign up again! The winner will be selected at random from the entire list! Good luck!

My snowy view.

Like today. Just look at the snowy view outside my office window! This is serious winter-writing-weather! Today was a day for serving hot coco to rosy-cheeked children and warm French Onion Soup eaten by the fireplace. We even made time to whip up some snow-cream (yes, ice cream made of snow!). I have half a dozen emails to answer and a woefully neglected blog. But I sat by this window for most of this day, laptop in hand, approaching the end of a first draft, watching my kids build snow forts and snow men.

Sure, I look forward to spring. But for writers who love to cozy up, this wintery day was perfect.

Want to whip up some snow-cream for yourself? Here’s what I did:

Snow-Cream

One cup half-and-half

One teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup sugar

6 heaping cups of fluffy snow

Combine vanilla and half-and-half. While one child is stirring the snow, have another pour in the half-and-half mixture, and have yet another child sprinkle in the sugar. You’ll know when it’s ready. Enjoy!

I’ve always wanted to go at Christmas, and having the added excuse of wanting to visit my publishing house made this the perfect year to go. We toured all over up and downtown, hit the Top of the Rock, and paid respects at the 9/11 Memorial. I dragged my poor children through the Metropolitan Museum (“Mom this place is so inappropriate, there are naked people everywhere!”), braved the crowds around the tree at Rockefeller Center, and gobbled down cannolis with them in Little Italy. We had a ball.

Of course, a personal highlight was meeting my editor, her assistant, and my publicist for lunch at Almond (delicious) in the Flat Iron district, then getting an inside peek at the St Martin’s Press offices in the historic Flat Iron Building, where I also met my marketing manager and digital marketing manager.

Wow, was I impressed! Everyone was so friendly and happy, and yet able to turn sharply professional during moments when “business” popped into our conversation. I have this terrible habit of forgetting to take pictures when I’m having an especially good time. We hit it off so well, talking about random things like the merits of baking, human sonar, and Candy Crush addictions, that I just never thought to stop for photographic documentation. Gah!

While I don’t have pictures of my fabulous team and new favorites at St Martin’s Press, I did walk away with a sense of utter confidence in and an appreciation for the people backing my novel. Oh, and I did take this quick pre-meeting shot of the little bags of chocolate gold coins with GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN tags that I handed out. I have a feeling my readers may see more chocolate gold coins in the coming months!

Chocolate Gold Coins

Advance Reader Copies of GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN

This means my publisher is now sending review copies out to bloggers and trade reviewers…so on second thought…maybe I’m nervous about it!!! Actually, I’ve been so focused on my new novel, that I just realized my publisher has ALSO set up a giveaway on Goodreads! If you’re interested, hop over and enter to win one of fifty free copies! Good luck!

I get so excited about a new project that I tend to buy lots and lots of research books. The research is so fun! And these last few weeks I’ve been buying a lot of books. I’ve also been checking out scads of out-of-print research books from the library. Sometimes I find a library book that is such a valuable resource I have to find and buy my own copy. That’s what happened with the big black book pictured below. It is simply loaded with information that I must have on hand at all times! But do you see the little red book on top of it? That is a different edition of the same book that arrived in the mail today. At first I was upset with myself for ordering the wrong thing…but it is exactly the same! Astonishing, isn’t it? I guess you can’t judge a book by it’s cover…or size.

different editions of the same book