BROKEN WINGS Blog Tour

Broken Wings is getting ready to try her wings!! June 3 is the official release day although there've been sightings already at Barnes and Noble, and Amazon shipped the books early but not the Kindle version.  Some of you have already read it! THANK YOU! There'll be a month-long hoopla with blogs, book signings and sightings, and the last two weeks of June - a HUGE contest right here at the Cafe. I hope you'll stay tuned for we're just getting started!

For today, though, Sarah Reck, the FaithWords web publicist has set up a blog tour at some lovely sites. I've sneaked over and taken a peek at some of them, and you're in for a treat. Some of the sites are offering giveaways (I'm sorry, I don't know which ones), and you'll be introduced to some very fun people out in cyberspace.

The following blogs will post sometime between June 1 and June 3. Stop by and say hello, okay?

Dragonflies and Daydreams   

Books in the Burbs  

Celtic Lady's Reviews

Book Nook Club 

The Review Stew

My Reading Room 

Heaven is a Bookstore 

A Cozy Reader's Corner Reviews 

A Musing Reviews   

Jen's RAC (Recently Asked Questions)

ReadAllOver Reviews

A Peek at My Bookshelf

Next up, I'll tell you about a great way to start your summer - a Twitter party - Broken Wings takes flight on June 3!

Faith-Hope-Love Inspirational Reader's Choice Award Finalists for 2011

FROM THE FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE WEBSITE: 

On behalf of the IRCA Contest coordinator, Nancy J. Farrier,
we are pleased to announce the 2011 IRCA Finalists

Long Contemporary

Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes (Tyndale)
The Six-Liter Club by Harry Kraus (Howard)
Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena Miller (Summerside)

Short Contemporary

Tender Mercies by Mary Manners (White Rose)
White Roses by Shannon Taylor Vannatter (Barbour)
Rodeo Redemption by Teri Wilson (White Rose)

Long Historical

The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund (Bethany House)
Abbie Ann by Sharlene MacLaren (Whitaker House)
A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell)

Short Historical

Walker's Wedding by Lori Copeland (Harvest)
The Substitute Bride by Janet Dean (Steeple Hill)
A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher (Zondervan)

Women's Fiction

The House on Sugar Plum Lane by Judy Duarte (Kensington)

Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart (FaithWords)

Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

Romantic Suspense

Too Close to Home by Lynette Eason (Revell)
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze (Waterbrook)
Nightshade by Ronie Kendig (Barbour)

Novella

The Snowflake by Jamie Carrie (Broadman and Holman)
Once Upon a Christmas Eve by Anita Higman (Summerside)
A Bodine Family Christmas by Marta Perry (Steeple Hill)

Congratulations to the finalists!

I'm thrilled to be among friends on this list. Waving to fellow debut authors Sarah Sundin, Gina Holmes, Serena Miller, Ronie Kendig, and Jody Hedlund. It doesn't seem that long ago that Sarah and I were bemoaning the fact that we might never be published. I'm so proud to be walking this publishing journey with her. All of these authors are top drawer - Need a book to read??? Lots of good picks right here! 

 

Friendship on my Mind

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." 

 

Isn't that beautiful? I want to be that kind of friend - to be there when disappointments and trials come. To wipe the tears from the eyes of my friend as my own cheeks moisten. To celebrate small moments and big with whoops of joy and to listen with an open heart. I want to be dependable and encouraging and honest and grateful. Often, I fail.  Perhaps it's a sign of growing older, but in the past few years, I've become more aware of the priceless treasure that friendship is. I want to savor it more. 

That was part of the reason I wrote Broken Wings. To celebrate friendship, especially the friendships of women. To show that it's a give and take. That sometimes you're the one down and need a hand up. Or sometimes you're the comforter your friend needs. Or the kick in the pants. Friends come in all ages and sizes. For the next few weeks, I'm going to share stories about some of my friends (no worries - I'm honor bound to get your deep dark secrets) and tell you why they're so special.

Yours truly with early childhood friends

In the meantime, I've heard from some of you that your copy of Broken Wings has already winged its way to your mailbox via Amazon. THANK YOU so much for pre-ordering the book! I hope you love it as much as I loved telling the story of Mitzi and Brooke.

I also have a new "author" page on FaceBook. I'd thought about having a party there to launch Broken Wings and give away some cool prizes. Wouldn't you know? The same day I put up my page, the FaceBook guidelines changed and contests can no longer be held on FaceBook itself. But I will be able to direct people here to the Cafe for some fun partying and a grand prize that I think will make you drool. So, stay tuned. And please "like" my author page here.

 

Now, for a fun quote about friends:

A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.   ~ Bernard Meltzer
 
Can you name three friends from your grade school days? Did you have a best friend? Please share!