April 1, 2008

Hi, and Happy April Fool's Day!  You received notice of this newsletter because at one time or another, you expressed interest in my books, website, writing in general, etc.  And I have a long memory.  Ha ha.  I haven't sent a fan newsletter in a long time, because there just wasn't much to tell you.  Then, 2008 came.  It's been a BANNER year so far and I look forward to more!  Read on for news in my writing world. 

Preacher Man

Preacher Man is the first book I've written in a subgenre called Inspirational Romance.  An inspirational romance has two main ingredients:  a budding relationship between a man and a woman, and a Christian faith message.  I'm pleased to announce that Preacher Man has been contracted with The Wild Rose Press and will be published under their White Rose line!

Regan Samuels is newly single, doing the best she can to raise her teenaged son, Luke, in the city.  She gives the adult dating world a go, and decides she'd rather trade in her stiletto heels for fuzzy slippers, and her Gold Visa for a Blockbuster rental card.  Will she ever find love again, and if so, after the total disaster of her first marriage, would she know what to do with true love if it ever found her?

Josh Gregory is a pastor who longs for the loving family that his parents never provided.  Because he grew up in a broken home, he's always been ultra-careful about the women he dates.  Besides, in his profession, a carefree dating relationship is a bit of an oxymoron.  When he wins a date with Regan at a Charity Auction, he never expects to fall in love with her.  After all, she's not really preacher's wife material. 

But God has a different idea.

Excerpt

If that blurb piqued your curiosity, be sure to read the opening chapter excerpt, available right here on my website.  And, for full details about Preacher Man, take a look at this page.

Early feedback

Although Preacher Man has not been officially reviewed yet, it has done well in several national writing contests, and my editor at Wild Rose absolutely loves the book, and has given me some excellent feedback:

• Winner of the 2006 Golden Acorn contest, Inspirational division, sponsored by the Charter Oaks chapter of Romance Writers of America (RWA)
• Finalist in the 2005 Get Your Stiletto in the Door contest, sponsored by the Chick Lit Writers chapter of RWA
• Feedback from editor:  "Regan was the ideal heroine you couldn't help but love for her humanness and vulnerability.  Josh -- my goodness -- he is every woman's dream come true!!  I read the entire novel in one sitting -- couldn't put it down!!  5 stars, etc."

I don't have a release date yet, but you can be assured that as soon as more news on that is available, I'll be in touch!

The Chronicles of Casey V, OR Mental Ramblings of the Most Awesome Summer of My Life

Whew, it's a long title (and who knows, they may change it if it's too long to fit on a book cover!) but I just received a contract offer -- also from The Wild Rose Press -- they will be publishing this book under their Climbing Rose line!  It's the first Young Adult manuscript I've written, and I had LOADS of fun with it. 

On the bus, on her way to her first-ever summer job, Casey V is totally excited.  And scared to death.  First-time jobs are intimidating enough, but hers involves spending the whole summer out of state.  Living in a cabin in the woods.  In charge of the safety and well-being of a bunch of homesick little girls.  Yikes.  This could be the most awesome summer of her life, or the biggest mistake in her entire sixteen years.

At camp counselor orientation, she meets Zander, a hottie with a capital H.  Unfortunately, she manages to look like a fool every time he’s near.  Like the night she’s leading her girls through an edible art project, sleep-deprived from a night of dealing with woodland creatures invading her cabin, she lands face-down in a bowl of boiled macaroni. He never fails to be around for her most embarrassing moments!

Combine a summer romance, a mystery, a nearly Broadway-caliber show, a major trauma in the life of her best friend at home, and two broken bones, for which Casey is so totally responsible, and this has got the makings of an awesome summer!

My target audience for this book is 12 to 17-year old girls.

Website

Don't forget:  www.authorlaurielarsen.com is always your place to find out about these two new books, my other books, ongoing contests, essays, a personal journal and photos!  Mark it in your favorites, and check back often.  It's updated frequently so you never know what you could be missing.  :)

Thank you for your support of my books!  As always, if you prefer that I remove you from my mailing list, just hit Reply and send me a "No thanks."

Laurie Larsen
Visit Laurie online at:  www.authorlaurielarsen.com