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I write novels, eat dark chocolate, raise three children, love my husband, scrub toilets, ignore the laundry, and love a good story, but hardly ever in that order.

OPERATION BONNET

STRETCH MARKS

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ACT TWO

BOTTOM LINE

BALANCING ACT

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

It’s here! It’s here! No, no, no, not another baby. One uterus can only take so much, people. I’m talking about STRETCH MARKS! My fourth novel! The title based completely on second-hand information as I certainly know nothing of the sort! I’m looking to set a blog record for most exclamation points used per entry! How am I doing!

Yesterday, the sweet FedEx man brought my book to the front door and I found it difficult to keep from weeping. The better part of two years was spent on the creation of this puppy, so it was simply lovely to see the finished product face to face. I called Marc, who was enthusiastic and supportive, continuing his run as best-spouse-to-an-unstable-author. And then I called my parents. I realize I’m 33, but God-love-me, I still want to share my joys and sorrows with my mom and dad. Dad asked me to reserve a copy for him, and he’ll probably try to pay me for it. Mom squealed, breathless, and said she’d be right over.

This book, like all that I’ve written, is really an outgrowth of their kindness. Dad bought me my first laptop, taking me seriously as a writer when I had not one word to show for it and not one penny to devote to the craft. Mom forced me on an airplane in 2005, clucking about how brilliant I was and that famous literary people would be THRILLED to meet me at that writers’ conference. So when Mom came over yesterday, we both cried a bit. She knows what it means to finish the book amid three children, a busy house, annoying fits of perfectionism, endless distractions, nagging addictions to chocolate and sleep. She takes care of my kids on short notice, not minding that I have greasy hair and haven’t exactly brushed my teeth that particular morning. She, too, is a reader, a girl who loves a good story, and she, too, likes the feel of a new book in hand. That her daughter wrote the book is just too much. So she cried, we cried, we thanked God for His immeasurable gifts of grace, and then we asked Ana to take this photo:



Admittedly, we look a bit wonky because it took about 16 minutes for Ana to actually press the button and by then, our facial muscles were twitching. Also, the angle of the camera had us convinced Ana was photographing our navels, so we kept scrunching our bodies lower and lower toward the floor. Turns out, there was little to fear. Our heads, eyebrows, the book—all in the photo.

So STRETCH MARKS is on its way to bookstores even as I type. Might I humbly ask that you consider buying it? I think you’ll really like it! Here come more exclamation points! And it’s stinking cheap! Just a smidge over ten dollars today on Amazon! Cheaper than a movie ticket and it can sit pretty on your shelf forever, way past your buttered popcorn and Twizzlers! Buy it, like it, and spread the word to other people who like stories that are sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, always a kick in the pants! Thanks for reading! Thanks, Mom and Dad! It’s here!

p.s. Stay tuned. Lots of book fun, freebies, and embarrassing PR moves in the weeks ahead….

13 comments:

  1. YAYYYYYYY!!!!!!! It was hard for me to hold back tears reading that!! I can't wait to buy my copy this week! You are amazing as is your family!!! :)

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  2. I'm with Kelli...the tears were very close to the surface with that post. So excited for you and CAN'T WAIT to read past the first chapter!!!

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  3. Oh my gosh, I'm almost crying by now!!! Love it! Love you! Heck I even love your mom and I've never met her! Ana took a great pic! :) Sending you many squeals and hugs.

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  4. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Not sure if that beat you on the exclamation marks or not?

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  5. So happy for you!! Cannot wait to buy and read the book! Praying for your success so you can come to Texas for an author tour! :)

    Queenmary

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  6. I've read the summary about this book and I'm so excited to read it!! Shoot, I forgot to count the exclamation points! You deserve to have a lot in your post about your book being delivered!

    What a blessing to have parents that believe in you! That is so awesome.

    Congrats,
    Mimi B @ Woven by Words

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  7. Oh sweetie!! Matthew and I are so excited and proud of you!!! I can't wait, my preordered copy should be arriving soon-- hopefully!!!!! I can't wait to buy more at the signing! Yea!!!!!!!!!!! Yea Randy and Patti!!!

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  8. Huge congratulations to you! Was trying to stifle the out-loud laughter so as not to wake the baby, imagining the "scrunching down" for your daughter's photo shute. You are really inspiring me to do what needs doing in the midst of my 3 kids.
    Love and hugs,
    Christie Phillips

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  9. Um...so I probably broke the law and some Jesus rules, but I have my copy already! If I get hauled away in handcuffs, I will make sure Bertha snaps me reading your book in my cell. Now THAT would be a fan shot! I just discovered you and your amazing books a week ago. I am already addicted. Your write like I think. Love it, love it, love it....LOVE IT! If you want to write a sequel call me in for babysitting. :0)

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  10. Congratulations friend...quite the accomplishment! And especially due to the fact that you have 3 little ones at home...I don't know how you do it but by the grace of God...and a Mom who adores you so much, that is obvious.

    um.... I'd like to get MY book early too, like Makila and Melanie but I will wait. I haven't even read the excerpt you posted for fear I would lose sleep over not getting to finish the book along with it...

    can't wait! The way you write always makes me smile...

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  11. ...oh and now that song is in my head too "Signed sealed delivered I'm yours...." so thanks for that as well

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  12. Go Kim! as soon as I get my first paycheck going from ta to teacher im goin to amazon. and Im not loaning my copy to my teacher friend who adores you. im making her buy it this time! you rock!

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