McSnarly & Me

CRITICAL CARE HAS BEEN RELEASED!

After telling my readers that Critical Care would release on June 1st, I was surprised (okay, I went into clinical heart flutter) when online sites like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christian Books began shipping a few days ago--3 weeks early! Proof positive, I began to receive e-mails from folks saying they'd been notified to expect an early delivery of this book. I immediately dashed off an e-mail to my Tyndale House marketing person, wringing my hands and telling her, "I feel like I've had a preemie. What do I do?" I mean, I'd been practicing my LaMaze breathing, making lists and packing my fuzzy slippers and camera into my hospital bag . . . only to discover that the online distributors were already spanking my brand new book on its back cover and welcoming him to the world!

The marvelous marketing queen cyber-laughed at my angst, saying, "Relax. We've had consumer PR in place for months . . . be grateful you don't have to carry that baby anymore--you look great, by the way." She made me laugh. And once more, the calm, confident and professional publishing team at Tyndale House put my heart back into a normal rhythm. Which made me take a deep breath, and smile at the lovely truth:

After more than a year of work and anticipation, Critical Care--my debut inspirational fiction novel-- is born!

It may still take a few weeks until the book finds its place on brick and mortar bookshelves, but the official release has happened. And I'm thrilled. But not sitting back knitting booties. No way. Because there is still is much to do, like:

1) The launch party for Critical Care:
Saturday June 20th 1-3 PM
A Servant's Heart Bookstore (patio of St. Helena's church)
410 North Main Street (corner of Main and John's Rd.)
Boerne, TX.

We'll have cake, punch, door prizes, and a signing of course. All with a "medical" theme--if you've got scrubs, wear 'em. I will be!

2) Continuing to accept the gracious offers of interviews, author spotlights, and reviews, like this one by fabulous Australian blogger Rel, at Relz Reviews.

I loved her great line about needing oxygen until the release of the second book in January!

3) Lining up book signings, here in Texas, in Colorado, and California . . . so far.

4) And, of course, writing, writing, writing on the third book!

So--whew--my book has been born. And as a proud new mother, I'm showing it off. Like in the photo above that I conned my dear husband into taking. A snapshot of the author and Kinko's giant size, stand-up poster of the Critical Care cover image. Or, as I fondly dub it:

McSnarly & Me.

Thank heaven books don't require 3 AM feedings. Unless its chocolate . . .
for the author. Medicinal, of course.