Hello everyone!

I know I’ve been super quiet on my blog for the past month, but I have a good reason. Actually, I have a quite a few good reasons.

The first reason is that I have been busy launching The Crossfire Trilogy by introducing the world to Caught in the Crossfire, the first book. This has taken me on a bit of a whirlwind tour since it released on June 17th. I’ve had nine book readings in three different states over three weekends and it was AMAZING. Tiring yes, but definitely amazing. The reception for Caught in the Crossfire has exceeded all my expectations or dreams. In fact, I have received quite a few emails from readers who have been touched by Jonathan’s story and want to know what comes next!

The good news is…
I’ve been putting the finishing touches on Searching for Grace, the second book in The Crossfire Trilogy. It is now finished and printed! I just got my box of books in the mail the other day and am busy planning the launch party to be held at Addendum Books on Sept. 27th at 7 p.m. This party is going to be particularly fun because I’m joining with the awesome Rachel Gold, author of Being Emily, as she launches her sequel, Just Girls. We would both LOVE to see you at Addendum!

Also, I’ve been writing the last book in the trilogy like crazy, and Taking the Stand is now with my editors. It is tentatively scheduled to release on April 21st, 2015 so you’re not going to have to wait long at all to find out how Jonathan’s journey concludes. Cover art is coming any day and I can’t wait to share it with you so stay tuned!

Another highlight of the past month was the opportunity to spend a week with the good folks at Bold Strokes Books in Greenwich, New York at a rustic resort called Easton Mountain. This week alone deserves its own blog post, but I’m still processing all the emotions and realizations from that week. For now I’ll just say that I experienced a profound feeling of family – the kind we all dream of having. A family that accepts and supports and gives room for personal expression and encourages growth. It was a fun-filled and transformative week for me and yes, it was very difficult to leave.

And finally, I’ve been spending some time thinking about what comes next for me as a writer. The Crossfire Trilogy was an intensely personal story for me. It pulled from some of the deepest recesses of my being and brought into intersection so many of my identities: mother, daughter, writer. I’ve felt a connection to every word, every image, every bit of dialogue. It is no overstatement to say that I love all the kids in these books: Jonathan, Ian, Mason, Sketch, and yes…even Pete. I have felt a tremendous responsibility to do right by them while allowing them an authentic arc. And now that we have reached the end of their journey, I’ve been…well, a bit devastated. I will miss them the same way we miss family members who move across the world.

But there are more stories that I yearn to tell and one of them floated to the surface during that magical time in New York. The proposal for that book is with my publisher, but I hope to be able to tell you all about it in the near future. For now, send good thoughts out to Ellie , the new character who is tapping on my head with a story to tell.

That’s it for now. Look forward to a long and thoughtful blog post about my time in New York, the cover reveal for Taking the Stand and (hopefully!) an announcement on my fourth novel to be upcoming. In the meantime, thank you all for your ongoing support of my work and for your encouragement.

Peace,