Busy Hands Make Happy Hands

Did someone tell me that I would be busier after signing a book contract than before? I think they did, but somehow it didn't sink in.

As the release date for Thyme for Love comes closer (November 14th!), I'm racing to get my blog tour set up, write up interview questions and answers for those who want them, answer interview questions bloggers have sent me, design an invitation for my book launch celebration, develop an email list to send said invitation to, and so forth.

But despite the to-do list longer than my arm, I can say one thing.

I'm loving every moment!

If you're a regular visitor to this site you've  noticed that I've  changed the name of the blog from A Writer's Journey to my author name of Pamela S. Meyers, and added a new background and header, as I morph this site into a full website. My addy for this site will change to www.pamelasmeyers.com, but don't worry if you forget to change your bookmark, because the old addies for both my website and blog will forward to the new address.

In between all this, I'm editing Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin which needs to be turned into the editor by mid-November. 

Then I start plotting my next story and writing it! 

The busier I become, the more I love what I'm doing, and I realize this is what God has called me to do during this season of my life. He is blessing my socks off and in turn, I want to do what gives him pleasure. 

Kind of reminds me of that line from the movie Chariots of Fire, when the lead said that he felt God's pleasure when he ran. I thought to myself at the time how cool it would be to feel that way about something you are doing. 

Now I know what he meant!

My Debut Novel Thyme for Love Coming Soon!!!

My life as a writer is reaching a new normal for me. Published author!

I am excited to finally have a release date for my debut Novel Thyme for Love.

NOVEMBER 14th!!

Over the past several days, I've been pouring over the proofs (galleys) and noting tweaks for the editors. The other day when the PDF file arrived and I saw it in the format of an actual book, beginning with the title page, right on through to the author bio at the end, I totally lost it. 

Seeing those opening words on the first page of Chapter 1, words that I first wrote a number of years ago, now actually in book format ... well, I can't begin to describe all the emotions I felt. Most of all thankfulness for God's blessings on me along with joy.

Things are moving rapidly. I'll  get another set of proofs later this week with the tweaked changes to review for one final time. Then after I send those back, it will be off to the printer.

I'll soon be putting out the call for influencers and reviewers. As soon as I have a picture of my cover I'll post that. In the meantime here's a blurb to whet your appetites!

April Love applies for the job of her dreams as in-house chef in an old lake shore mansion. But when she discovers Marc Thorne, her ex-fiance, working for the same organization, and her new boss is found dead before he tastes her cooking, she questions if she misread God's intent for her life.

It doesn't take long for April and Marc to realize the love they held for each other is stronger than ever, but before they can begin a life together they must close the doors on the past. When the only man she ever loved is falsely accused of murder, she has no choice but to turn sleuth to expose the truth.

Tainted capsules, a collection of lovable and not-so-lovable staff members, a retired show parrot named Pedro, and a seventy-year-old aunt who has more energy than a room full of preschoolers makes this a fast-paced romance with a twist of mystery to keep the pages turning.

Janice Thompson's Hello Hollywood -- A Fun Read

The back cover of Janice Thompson's latest fun read, Hello Hollywood says:

When it comes to love, one thing's for sure--it doesn't follow a script!
Athena Pappas is the head writer on Stars Collide, one of the most popular sitcoms in television history. But when Vegas comedian Stephen Cosse is brought in to beef up the show's suddenly sagging ratings, she starts to worry about her job. Sparks fly as the competition--and attraction--between the two writers heats up. Athena has never had a problem writing the romances of her characters. So why is her own love life so hard to script?

With humor and a Hollywood-insider viewpoint, Hello, Hollywood! delivers lots of laughs as Athena and Stephen discover that not being in control of the plot of their lives might just be the best thing that ever happened to them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which is a fun way to get a peek at how a group of writers for a television show work together. In some ways, much the same way as we authors of fiction write, except they are constantly brainstorming and deadlines come up weekly.

But the fun doesn't stop there. Athena belongs to a My Big Fat Greek Wedding kind of family, and she often spends time at the family deli where a delightful cast of characters and dogs entertain and delight the reader.

For those that remember the old Dick Van Dyke Show from back when sitcoms were in black and white (you can catch reruns of the show even now) you will enjoy how the writing team our heroine belongs to uses that show, about a similar comedy writing team, as role models. It made me want to flip on the television and find some of those reruns.

If you are looking for a fun romantic comedy written by one of the masters of the genre, look no further than Hello Hollywood. For more information about Janice Thompson, check out her website!


Note: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book for purposes of review. All opinions expressed are my own.

ACFW New Releases for October Promise Lots of Good Reading

October Brings More Great Reads from ACFW Authors - Check Out Our New Releases!

With October comes chilly nights, perfect for curling up with a good read. The ACFW New Release list is sure to have something to meet all genre preferences!

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW FictionFinder website.

A Wedding Invitation by Alice Wisler -- General Fiction from Bethany House; When Samantha Bravencourt receives an invitation to a wedding in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she looks forward to reconnecting with her college friend. Instead her life collides with Carson, a fellow teacher and the man who broke her heart.

Attracted by Fire by DiAnn Mills -- A Thriller/Suspense from Tyndale. When a Secret Service Agent is assigned to the Vice President's rebellious daughter, danger lurks in every corner - and her heart.

Deeply Devoted: A Novel; The Blue Willow Brides Series by Maggie Brendan -- A Historical from Revell -- She is staking her future on a man she's never met. Can she learn to love him?

Freezing Point by Beth Goddard -- A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired. Casey Wilkes didn't realize her simple human-interest story would put her life at risk—again.

Lethal Remedy by Richard L. Mabry M.D. -- A Thriller/Suspense from Abingdon; A doctor discovers that the experimental "wonder drug" that offers the only hope of cure for a universally fatal infection can be attacking more than just bacteria.

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist, -- Historical Romance from Bethany House. Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world ... which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.

Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley -- A Historical from Realms (Charisma Media). Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she's adopted and her journey begins.

Recipe for Deceit by S. Dionne Moore -- Mystery from Barbour. The third LaTisha Barnhart mystery finds the sassy diner owner trying to figure out who put the hit on a hitman.

Rodeo Dust by Shannon Vanatter -- Romance from Barbour Heartsong; Can they rely on God to find their common ground or will they draw a line in the rodeo dust that neither will cross?

Southern Fried Sushi: A Novel by Jennifer Rogers Spinola -- General Fiction from Barbour; Ride the roller coaster of Shiloh Jacobs’s life as her dreams derail, sending her on a downward spiral from the heights of an AP job in Tokyo to penniless in rural Virginia.

Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy-- Thriller/Suspense from Barbour; A demon possessed serial killer pits himself against a former ego driven cop, who's found peace as a mission pastor and a tough lady cop with the spiritual gift of discerning spirits.

The Baker's Wife by Erin Healy-- Thriller/Suspense from Thomas Nelson; To save her husband and son, Audrey Bofinger must rescue her enemy.

The Chair by James Rubart-- Thriller/Suspense from B and H Publishing; If you were given an ancient looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe them?

The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight-- Romance from Love Inspired; When a battle weary cop and a Christmas crazy teacher join forces to care for an abandoned, mute boy in a small town, neither is prepared for the shocking revelations waiting...just in time for Christmas.

The Lady's Maid by Susan Page Davis-- Romance from Barbour; As a lady's maid, Elise will follow her mistress anywhere, even into the Wild West.

The Wishing Pearl by Nicole O'Dell-- Young Adult from Barbour; Join conflicted sixteen-year-old Olivia Mansfield on her journey to hope and healing as she leaves her messed-up life behind and moves into home for troubled teens

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones-- Young Adult from Thomas Nelson; Grief brought Finley to Ireland. Love will lead her home.

When Love Gets in the Way by Janelle Mowery-- A Historical from Harvest House; Straight from the heart of the Old West, the Colorado Runaway series is full of adventure, humor, and romance.

When Two Hearts Meet by Janelle Mowery-- A Historical from Harvest House; Rachel Garrett finds that attaining her dream of becoming a nurse is fraught with peril, and a deputy sheriff with a wall around his heart doesn’t help matters.

CFBA Blog Tour - Here's to Friends by Melody Carlson

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Here’s to Friends David C. Cook (September 1, 2011) by Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson fans will not be disappointed with her newest release. I love the premise of four girls all having the same first name choosing to go by their middle names and staying friends for many years.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.

Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B&B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!

You can buy it at Amazon!

If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

Note: I was provided a complimentary copy of Here's to Friends for the purpose of review. I was not asked to give only favorable comments.