New release!

So tomorrow is the big day! My Christmas novella compilation releases October 1st. But you know what? It's probably already sitting on a Wal-Mart shelf near you today! They typically stock early, my Wal-Mart had several copies two days ago. Woohoo! Exciting times.

I'm having a booksigning at Barnes & Noble in my city this weekend, Saturday the 2nd at 6:00 p.m. for anyone local wanting to come get a signed copy and say hi! I'll be hosting a Christmas ornament giveaway (a gingerbread house in honor of my story!) and I can't wait to spread some Christmas cheer. I know it's only barely October, but it's time to get in the spirit! No reason why we can't mix candy pumpkins with a few Christmas carols, is there? ;)

In the meantime, you can pre-order this novel on Amazon or CBD...or wait until October 1st and pick it up in a Barnes & Noble, Borders, Wal-Mart, or better yet - all 3! haha. I also appreciate any loyal fans requesting their libraries to order copies. Don't forget to ask your church library too!

Merry Christmas! :)

Blog Hoppin'

Visit me at SCRIBBLE CHICKS and CRAFTIE LADIES OF ROMANCE today! =)

It's official...

It's official. Little Miss is a card carrying, certified member of the LIBRARY system! That's right, this past Saturday I took her to get her very first library card. She was ecstatic. She's always treated books really well, knows to be gentle, etc. She loves books, loves me reading to her, and at 2 years and 2 months old, is already trying to read by holding up the book and jabbering or describing the pictures with real sentences and phrases or making up her own version of what's happening. She even sometimes uses different voices like she's heard me do! =)

It was good timing for the card, because she's seen several library episodes on her cartoon shows lately about libraries. (Dora the Explorer, Blue's Clues and Team Umizoomi, etc.) So she knew exactly what we were doing and couldn't wait. The whole drive there she kept pumping her fist in the air and shouting "TO THE LIBEEEERRRRY!!!!"

Here's some pics of the big moment. PS - we came home with THIRTEEN books. haha.

Sneak Peek

Want a sneak peek at my October 1st release, THE GINGERBREAD SEASON, part of a two-in-one compilation novel from Steeple Hill Love Inspired with fellow author Marta Perry?

Read Laura's review here! =)

And don't forget you can preorder your copy at Amazon or CBD!

White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner

I finished this book last night, and WOW. I'm a big fan of Susan's and this book didn't fail to deliver ! I highly recommend.

Here's the blurb:

When her black sheep brother disappears, Amanda Janvier eagerly takes in her sixteen year-old niece. Tally is practically an orphan: motherless, and living with a father who raises Tally wherever he lands– in a Buick, a pizza joint, a horse farm–and regularly takes off on wild schemes. Amanda envisions that she and her family can offer the girl stability and a shot at a “normal” life, even though their own storybook lives are about to crumble.

Here's what others are saying about White Picket Fences...

"White Picket Fences is a beautiful, yet haunting portrayal of what lies beneath a seemingly perfect suburban family. Susan Meissner’s powerful storytelling woos the reader into the lives of flawed, needy characters, making us ache with them, rejoice with them. Meissner deftly weaves old and new, producing a seamless, satisfying and enduring story.” ~ Mary DeMuth, author of Daisy Chain and A Slow Burn

“Writing as incandescent as pure flame. Susan Meissner delivers again with a family story that wraps you up and stays with you long after the last page.” ~ James Scott Bell, bestselling author of Deceived and Try Fear

Buy your copy at AMAZON, CBD or B&N! =) And don't wait!!

Fun quiz...

Here's a quiz to liven up your Thursday...seems appropriate for us writerly types, especially since it's important to know which parts of America uses which types of slang, etc. Gotta be geographically correct, ya'll!

What Kind of American English Do You Speak

CLICK HERE

My results:

You Speak General American English!

60% General American English 35% Dixie 5% Upper Midwestern 0% Midwestern 0% Yankee

So, what's your language? =)

Scribble Chicks

Visit me at Scribblechicks today!

Spill it...

Okay, all you lucky ACFW conference go-ers! Chime in. You've had a few hours to get home and settled, now, so...

Spill it! How was the conference? What did you learn to do? Not to do? What was your favorite workshop? Make any new friends? Were the hotel pillows comfy? Any embarassing moments? ;)

I need details!! We have to live vicariously, you know.

Beach Shenanigans

As you know, I was on vacay for part of last week, hence the sporadic blogging. My husband had to work at his temporary job, unfortunately, but my Little Miss and I traveled to Gulf Shores, AL with my parents and shared a condo, some sunshine and a ton of seafood! It was a super cheap trip, which was why I could do that and not the ACFW conference, unfortunately.

I'm happy to report no one got sunburned. I kept Little Miss slathered up and she thankfully wanted to wear her sunglasses and beach hat 24/7 outside. Whew! It was a great trip. Lots of family time and laughs, lots of good food and shopping, and plenty of fun. I wouldn't say it was relaxing - I came home and told my husband I felt like I had more of a change of a scenery than a vacation - its just not possible with a 2 yr old! But Little Miss was SO well behaved and was a champ on the 9 hour drive there and the 10 hour drive back. (how did that happen? Still confused.) I was very proud of her.

She liked the sand, as you can see from the pics, but not so much the ocean. Too scary. I don't blame her, and was a little grateful since there were a ton of crabs and jellyfish in the breakers.

Little Miss and I had some super sweet moments, as we shared a room together. I'm one of those moms who has had a strict rule from the beginning of her life about no co-sleeping. Its dangerous - my husband as a fireman and EMT has been on the other side of a parent waking up having smothered their baby - and I also didn't want to start any bad habits. Little Miss has always loved her bed and I hope to keep it that way. But vacations are meant to break the rules, and it was a two bedroom so we didn't have a choice. Thankfully, she adjusted to the change great, and came home and happily slept in her own crib again with no protests. Whew. It was so sweet though, sleeping next to her and hearing "mama, I need a little kiss" in the middle of the night or her blindly tapping my face in the dark to make sure I was still beside her. She's my snuggle bear! =)

Favorite moments:

Helping my dad catch a crab in a bucket and Little Miss's excited reaction...

My mom running away in a panic from the seagulls my dad threw a cheezit at for that very purpose...

Eating at Lulu's - amazing food, live band, outdoor patio with a breeze from the water...

Eskimo kisses in the middle of the night with my baby girl.

Here's some pics (only a few. I took about 8568590940584 as you can imagine. Hard not to, with the 2 yr old cute factor!)

Conference time...

It's that time of year again!! Who all is gearing up to leave today for the ACFW conference? Who's staying behind? Who leaves tomorrow?

Just FYI - the ACFW email loop is having a "stay at home" discussion for those left behind who still want to connect, learn, encourage, and chat. Don't miss it! =) I plan to be there since I can't be in Indy this year.

Sorry for the lack of posting! I'm on vacay =)

Pics to come later in the week. Hope everyone is well!

Friday fun...

Some days, you just need a blast from the past. How much do you know about 80's music??

Take the quiz HERE!

My results:
(somewhat shameful, BUT I was born in the 80's, so I do have the whole "I was a baby" excuse...hehe.)

You Scored 71% Correct
You are a solid child of the 80s.You'd never confuse Tiffany from Debbie Gibson!And while you may not know Prince's first #1 hit...You know every word to Little Red Corvette.

Hear hear!

Remember...

Visit me today!

Visit me today at ScribbleChicks!

My sweet little four eyes...

I always thought the term four-eyes for someone with glasses was super offensive, even though I didn't wear any myself. And it probably is to a lot of people still. But now that Little Miss has them, it actually seems cute. I joined a facebook community for mothers of babies/toddlers/kids with glasses, its like a support group of sorts, and the creator named the group Little Four Eyes!! :)

My Little Miss has handled this transition shockingly well. I'm so grateful to God for the easy transition and so proud of her. I guess I've told her that too much because the other day she climbed in my lap and said "Mama, I so proud of you!" hehehe.

The first few days (she got them Thursday at noon) she was wearing them most of the day but needed "breaks" as we called them and would rub her eyes a lot. But she's been wearing them since Saturday now with zero or MAYBE one break a day, and they are no longer leaving little indentions on her nose from the nose piece. Yay.

Sunday was when I knew we were "golden". I wasn't going to make her wear her glasses until time to get dressed for church. We were sitting in the chair eating breakfast and watching a cartoon together and she suddenly said "Mama, I NEED my glasses." I said "aww, baby, ok I'll get them." She said "yeah, so I see better." Broke my heart! So precious! I put them on her and she smiled sweetly and said "thanks, mama."

Thanks for the prayers and concern for me and Little Miss. She's doing great and I can't wait to take beach pics with her next week. My little four eyes in the sand =) hehe.

(yes that is candy corn on the piano. I've taught her well)

Happy Labor Day!!

May your day be filled with hot dogs, family, friends, laughter, home made ice cream...and a good long nap :)

Couldn't resist...

A new chapter...

We all survived the eye appointment yesterday and the verdict is in...

Glasses for 3 months, possibly longer. We will go back in December and see if the glasses have corrected or helped her eye issue, then talk options from that point if not - including surgery. Little Miss has a crossing in her left eye that has made her farsighted.

I'm emotional about it, of course, because we all want our kids to be as perfect on the outside as we feel they are inside. But I know it's not really THAT big of a deal. I just hope she adjusts quickly and its not an ongoing battle for her to wear them!

She is getting her new pink frames today :) Prayers for a quick adjustment are so gratefully appreciated, as well as for the future that when we go in December, it will be corrected and that's the end of it. The doctor and the lady at the glasses store said typically with kids Little Miss' age, they adjust quickly to the change because they realize how much better they can see their toys and cartoons, etc. and its not that big of a battle after the intial shock. Hopefully that will be true.

My dad told me I'm a good mom for noticing the issue, and taking care of it despite the uncertainty and inconvenience of it all and not ignoring it. That's a nice thought - the only thing that kept me from crying all day long, really! It was an exhausting day in the waiting room and beyond, but we hung in there, and Little Miss was a champ until the last 45 minutes or so after that second dilation. Then she got grumpy and there was NOOOO distracting her. She actually had the entire waiting room laughing because of her grumpy antics. (crossed arms, sulky posture, whining, etc.) She's a drama queen to be sure. I guess we are good for entertainment if nothing else... =)

Cloning myself...

That's right, I'm at two places!! Visit me today at SCRIBBLE CHICKS and CRAFTIE LADIES OF ROMANCE!