Catching Up and a Preview of Coming Attractions

Wow, I haven't posted in quite awhile. I have a good reason. Actually, a lot of good reasons.

Except for the fact that I follow a "loaves and fishes" God who can multiply anything and make it enough--including my time and energy--I don't know how I would have managed everything I did over the past few weeks.

The photo at the top is Pete. He's one of the reasons I've had very little time. Or money, come to think of it. Pete is a stray pit bull puppy. He showed up the week of August 19. I remember the date well, because that's when everything else started happening, too!

I'm a college librarian, and that was the first week of fall term--the busiest, most stressful time of the year on my job. And then I had a conference to attend that week. And then Pete showed up.

You wouldn't believe all the twists and turns the story with this dog has taken. A work colleague told me I had to write it up as a short story--or a novel. I think I'll at least give it to you as a couple of blog posts. So stay tuned for Pete's story.

And then...during all this, while working full time and helping take care of my elderly mother, I started the process for publishing Summer's Winter. I had no idea what all I would need to do for that. And then...two traditional presses requested either a proposal or full manuscript of my next book, Jordan's Shadow. And I decided to apply to teach at some conferences. And I had to set up my website. And, and...

And I haven't been blogging much! But I will. I'm drawing a breath again, and I really have to tell you Pete's story. And about the Kirkus review I got for Summer's Winter. And the book's publication progress.

In the meantime, I'm participating with helping launch several books for incredible Christian authors. First I'm going to introduce you to Linda Rondeau, the writer of a feel-good Christmas romance called A Christmas Prayer. Then I'm going to participate in something new for me--an excerpt tour. On December 6, 8, and 9, the Queen will be part of a tour for three different authors sharing excerpts of their new novels. You could get to read up to 25 percent of these books for free, just by following the tour.

Oh, and by the way, I have a post today over at a devotional blog called Life to the Fullest. It's a Thanksgiving piece called "Thankful for Fleas." Head on over and see what the heck I meant by that.

And I'll be back soon! Thanks for hanging in there with me.