Happy Anniversary to Laiden's Daughter!

One year ago today, I published my first novel, Laiden's Daughter.  So much has happened, so many changes have taken place in my life, since that day. Wonderful, amazing, fantastic things and I owe it all to my beautiful readers!

Because of you, my wonderful readers, Laiden's Daughter, has been on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list since February, 2012.

Because of you, when I released the second book in my Clan MacDougall series on September 2, 2012, it made the same top 100 list in less than a week. ;o)

Because of you, I'm also listed as one of Amazon's top 100 authors in my genres.

In the past year, Laiden's Daughter has sold more than 37,000 copies (Kindle versions) around the world. All because of you.

Findley's Lass has sold more than 6,000 copies since September. ;o) (Kindle versions) around the world. All because of you.

Because of you, I was able to give up my day job. For that, I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you!

In honor of Laiden's release/publication date, I'm giving away two signed paperback copies of Laiden's Daughter!! ;o) Rules are simple: just leave me a note  here at my blog and you're automatically entered to win! I'm going to keep this contest going for the next 7 days. Share with your friends and they will be entered too!

Words cannot express how thankful I am to all of you. Please know that I am grateful for everything you've all done to help make my dreams come true. ;o) I have the most amazing, wonderful, thoughtful readers.

Eternally grateful,

Suzan

Hometown Newspaper...a nice surprise

I was contacted by a journalist from the Monmouth Review Atlas on Friday. She asked if we could do a little Q & A for the Saturday edition. Thinking this would be a little story on their back page, I said sure! ;o)  Imagine my surprise when I started getting texts, Facebook Messages and picture messages yesterday morning telling me that the story was on the front page!

You can view the story by clicking here. 

Hometown Paper

I'm still amazed at the amount of people interested in my stories. Not just those that read them, but others who are interested in the why and how of my writing process. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm a pantster. I don't use outlines, very few notecards, or any thing that would even remotely be considered organized.

I was surprised and honored by the journalist's request. I mean really, I'm not Julie Garwood for crying out loud! But it was fun and it made my mother very happy so there you go! ;o)

I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning, my first full day as a self-employed author. Again, I thank you all for your support and kind word.

Remember, if you can dream it, you can achieve it!

Hugs,
Suzan

Update on Paperback for Findley's Lass

Hello everyone!
I heard from my publisher this afternoon! We are a go for launch! ;o)

Starting today, you can, if you choose to, begin calling your local book stores, anywhere that books are sold, and ask them if and when they will have copies of Findley's Lass on their shelves. I'm told by inside sources, that if they get enough calls, they'll try to get the copies in sooner, but I've no promises on that. I just think that is pretty nifty!

To help make this easier for you, the ISBN is: 978-0-9855443-2-4 

I cannot express to you just how exciting this is! Your support, your kind words, it all means more than you can possibly imagine. Sending everyone virtual hugs and chocolate today!

If you have any questions, please email me here. 

Thank You!!!

What a happy surprise tonight when I looked at Amazon to see how Findley's Lass was doing. A little bit ago Findley's Lass was ranked 100 in Historical Fiction! ;o) So we now have two books on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers List!

I couldn't do it without you, my readers. Thank you all so very much!

This is such an exciting time and I just can't thank you enough.

Hugs,
Suzan

Why The Re-Write?

Sometimes an idea is handed to you, one that is just too good to pass up! That is what has happened with the Prologue to Findley's Lass.

A very dear author friend of mine, Emery Lee -- whose opinion I highly value -- made the suggestion that perhaps I should show how Findley and Maggy met. I didn't need to think twice about it. Don't worry, I've simply moved the original prologue and it is now happily taking the spot of Chapter One. ;o)

Not everyone reads prologues, but I do happen to be one of those that do! I think the prologue -- if it gives insight to the story you're about to read -- helps set the pace for the rest of the book. So it only made sense to re-write the prologue to Findley's Lass. And since it hasn't actually been released, I felt it was still my prerogative to change it. ;o)

You can read the prologue here, under the page titled "Findley's Lass". 

Suzan

The Unveiling....

Hello....I'd like to introduce you to the cover of Findley's Lass....

A very special thank you to my cover artist, Carrie, at Seductive Musings! 

Book Description for Findley's Lass

Hello! We're winding up the final edits of Findley's Lass! We have a September 1 deadline to get him all ready to go to the publisher so that we can make sure he's in stores by November 1...I keep having to remind myself to breathe! ;o) It may be a little confusing but we do have two release dates: October 12 for the digital version --Kindle, Nook, iBooks, and Smashwords. The November 1 date is for the actual paperback version. There will be more information on the paperback version coming to you later. ;o)

Anyway...today I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at the book description. Trust me when I say it was more difficult to write this book description than it was to write the book! Weird, I know, but when your dealing with secrets, mad men, ne'er-do-wells, and romance, its sometimes difficult to hone in on one thing without giving away too much! ;o)

Here you go:

The Highlands of Scotland, Autumn 1344…..

She had won his heart without trying… and he can only pray for the chance to give her his.

When Findley McKenna returns after his battle with the English to offer Maggy Boyle a home amongst his clan, he finds only death and destruction instead of the young widow who has stolen his heart. The only things left of her home is the burned out hut and decaying bodies of the auld people Maggy has taken care of for the past three years. With only a prayer, his Highlander heart, and a bit of bloodied plaid to cling to, Findley will crawl through hell if he must, in order to find Maggy and her sons and avenge the massacre before him. She had won his heart without trying, and he can only pray for the chance to give her his.

How can she place her trust or her heart in the hands of a man she barely knows and maintain her freedom and keep her secrets hidden?

Maggy has secrets, and her own hell to crawl through, before she can give her trust or heart to any man. Fearful that the uncle of her late husband will force her into a marriage with another cold and vindictive man, she goes into hiding to keep her true identity secret and her adopted sons together. After her home is destroyed and her young son kidnapped, those secrets begin to unravel, one agonizing thread at a time. How can she place her trust or her heart in the hands of a man she barely knows and still maintain her freedom and keep her secrets hidden? Findley McKenna is her last vestige of hope at keeping both.   

 I'd love to hear what you think!

Remember, you have until August 29 to stop by and say hi and be entered for a chance to win a FREE copy of Findley's Lass, BEFORE it hits the shelves! ;o) 

Hugs,

Suzan

Book Launching Party!

Hello everyone! Let me start by saying I have the world’s best husband! ;o) Of course, you all knew that because I brag about him all the time….anyway…to the announcement.

On Friday, October 12, 2012, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. we are having a Book Launching Party for Findley’s Lass, Book Two of The Clan MacDougall Series! (Thank you Kevin!!)  It will be held at the private dinning room at the Bass Pro Shop in East Peoria, IL. The room is so amazing! I reminds me of a judge’s chambers, from the 30′s, with all it’s rich, dark, wood walls, beautiful lighting…just very, very nice!

There will be free hors devours and drinks too! ;o) It is open to the public and I will have copies of Findley’s Lass available for purchase…that means you’ll be able to get a copy before its in the book stores! ;o) And yes, I’ll be available to sign them if you so desire. ;o)

If you are able to make it, please leave a message here, or at Facebook.  I’ll post that event link at Facebook shortly. ;o)

If you can’t make it…here’s the fun part: I’m going to Skype LIVE that night for my fans who can’t make it! You can tweet or send a message and I’ll answer it as soon as I can. ;o)

So even if you can’t be there in person, you can peek in and say hi! ;o)

Thank you all so very, very much for your support and kind words! You all mean the world to me and I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for you!

Hugs,

Suzan