I just lowered the price of the Kindle version of "Because of Katie," and enrolled it in the Kindle Matchbook program. If you buy a print copy, you will have the opportunity to buy the Kindle version for just $2.99. At some point, I may write an updated version of it, but for now, I want to lower the Kindle price.
I would love it ifeveryone would shop at their locally-owned, independent bookstore! But if you don't have one, or they won't order the print version of the book for you, here are two options:
click onLiberty Bay Books and they will help you, or
you can click HERE and get the Kindle Edition for just $2.99
when you buy the new print edition of this book.
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Let's talk about books! There are two new books that I want to discuss with you. One is just out now, and the other will be out in August. Let's start with the present.
Through Camp Goodtimes West, I met a lovely woman named Anna. She is sassy, strong, fun, intelligent, independent, courageous, kind...I could go on and on. Anna is living the life that many young women dream of leading: she is a senior editor at Cosmopolitan magazine, living and working in NY, and writing books on the side.
This song could be written about women like Anna, who have the courage to follow their dreams to the big city. I tried it (in Boston), and I only lasted a year. Anna is doing fabulously.
Anna Davies (by Paul Dudley Photography)
She has just published her first novel, which is called "Wrecked." I'm in the midst of reading it, and it is good. It's a novel aimed at a young adult audience, yet even at my age (!) I can feel its appeal. In fact, it is related to one of my favorite stories (The Little Mermaid), and is set in an island community, complete with ferries for transportation. So far, it deals with issues of loss, comfort, mystery, life beyond this one, hard choices and consequences...and it includes friendship, family and romance, too. Good stuff!
The big local news is that Anna is coming back to Seattle to have two booksignings, one in Seattle on Friday night, June 8th from 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. at a store called "The Secret Garden" (Ballard), and one right here in POULSBO! The Ballard store is owned by the mother of a Camp Goodtimes staffer, and part of the proceeds of that event will benefit camp. Thank you for doing that, Anna!
The Poulsbo event will be held on Saturday, June 9th at 4:00 P.M. at Liberty Bay Books (owned by our friend, Suzanne Droppert). We are going to attend with local friends and camp friends - everyone is welcome. Here is a little bit more "scoop" on Anna and her new book:
Anna "Jiffy" Davies will be reading and signing her novel, "Wrecked", on Saturday, June 9th at 4:00 pm at Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo. "Wrecked" is an updated version of The Little Mermaid, and is a paranormal romance for ages 12+. Anna is also a senior editor at Cosmopolitan magazine and, before writing "Wrecked," worked on the "Gossip Girl" series and the "Vampire Diaries" books. Come, mingle and ask questions. For more information on Anna, check out www.annakdavies.blogspot.com or @annakdavies on Twitter.
The other book will also be available at Liberty Bay Books - it is due to come out in August. Suzanne loaned an advance copy to me, and asked me to review it. It's by Maria Semple, and is called "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" It's set in Seattle, and the author is a "transplant" here, so she has what I'd call a fresh take on all things Puget Sound Area.
The book is written in an unusual format, using letters, memos, emails and the like to construct the story of the disappearance of a mysterious woman - a wife, mother and former award-winning architect. It is quick, engaging, witty and funny in a way that will especially appeal to people who have lived in the Seattle area. She makes fun of many of our local idiosyncrasies (such as the need for "blackberry abatement") in a way that had me laughing out loud (see pages 90 - 91 for a good example). I recomment this book to anyone who is looking for a fun, fast-paced, light-hearted read.
I hope you'll check out both "Wrecked" and "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" at Liberty Bay Books (or Secret Garden Books, or your own local, independent bookseller).
Lastly, remember this book? If you haven't read it yet, please do (it's also available through Liberty Bay Books), and tell me what you think!
All photos courtesy of Paul Dudley Photography (who else?)
...after I got through my nervousness!
The talk and book-signing event at the Loft at Latitude 47.7 in Poulsbo was lots of fun last night. We started with dinner for those who wanted to arrive early, so Gregg & I met a bunch of our Camp Goodtimes West peeps and ate dinner at a long table. I left a little early to get organized in the private room that the Loft provides for Liberty Bay Books' Author's Night events. Suzanne Droppert, the owner of the bookstore, really knows her stuff. She hosted NY Times Best-Selling author Kristin Hannah at the previous event - pretty impressive, particularly for an Indie-Bound bookstore in a small town!
Liberty Bay Books' owner, Suzanne Droppert with the book's poster and me (thanks to Cami Hattick for holding this for us)
The room was packed - estimated 90+ people - and some had to stand, when the seats filled up. All of the books were sold; I'm sorry to say that a group of people had to go away empty-handed, but more books are on order now.
The Loft provided a comfy easy-chair for me, and the gas fireplace added a cozy feeling to the room. There were flowers and tealight candles in the room, with a no-host wine bar. I spoke (had to read from note cards, which I detest, but it can't be helped), read excerpts from the book, and then opened it up for questions & answers. The audience asked great questions, which brought up topics dear to my heart (Katie's Comforters Guild, the Ben Towne Foundation, Dr. Michael Jensen's work at the Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Center, the need for reform in adult medicine, hospice...). What a thrill, to have an open forum for such important topics! I couldn't have planned it any more perfectly.
A number of Katie's classmates attended, which meant a great deal to me. Paul & Suzanne both videotaped the event, so I may be able to post some of that here, eventually. Of course Paul was also recording all of the fun with his digital camera.
I see that I need a haircut
People are so kind. I was able to personalize and sign books, hug people, hear their stories and thank those who came. And after all was said and done, a few of us die-hards went to have a little after-party (hence the first photo).
I have to say that the Camp Goodtimes crowd performed brilliantly when Paul called out, "NINJA!" and they all replied "WHAAH!" in unison, with "Ninja! hands." It may have been a bit of a shock to the rest of the attendees, but that's how they roll. Their presence boosted my spirits and confidence.
To see so many of our neighbors and friends in the audience made it much easier to speak, though I still get terribly nervous. UGH...but it was worth it. My prayers that God's love would show through the event were answered, from what I could see. I'm deeply thankful to Him, to Katie, to our community and all of our family and friends who have been so supportive of us all throughout this journey. I'm exhausted, but happy!
I dropped off a HUGE (3 feet by 2 feet), beautiful photo (made by Paul Dudley Photography) of the book's cover to our local printing company, and it's being made into a display poster...
Gregg is on his way home to me from nearly two weeks in Spain and Italy...
the Zags are playing tonight...
and
Suzanne Droppert's Liberty Bay Books is hosting a book talk and book-signing event for me on Friday, March 2nd at 6:30 P.M. at
The Loft has a relaxed, fun atmosphere and a nice menu, so you might want to have a bite to eat or a beverage there, before or after the event. The restaurant is upstairs at the marina in downtown Poulsbo, and has a great view of Liberty Bay. We'll be gathering in their private room for the event.
