Coming Soon to an eReader Near You!

There were three guarantees in Tricia Patterson’s life:

1.  Her friendship with Sean Peterson was rock solid

2.  She had a career that she absolutely adored

3.  This summer was going to be the death of her

With the proverbial “Always a Bridesmaid and Never a Bride” becoming her new mantra, Tricia didn’t know how she was going to survive this year’s round of weddings.  Six of them this summer alone!  In an attempt to ward off the pity-party, her best friend Sean gives her the perfect solution to help her get through – he’ll pretend to be her boyfriend.  While not certain that was going to be of any help, Tricia’s knows it also won’t hurt.

When circumstances beyond Sean’s control keep him from coming home to Tricia’s aid, he sends his brother Ryan in his place.  Four years older than his brother and his best friend, Ryan isn’t sure why these weddings are such a big deal.  He’s also not sure of what the exact nature is of this relationship between Sean and Tricia.  And that’s becoming a big problem because the more time he spends with Tricia, the more he realizes that she’s the one he wants to plan a wedding with.

*This is a 40,000 word stand-alone novella*

A Heart Full of Thanks...

So I'm sitting here teetering between hyperventilating and crying like a baby.

Either way, it's not pretty.

I self-published my first novel back in 2011.  Jordan's Return.  I received sixteen rejections from agents and publishers on this story but I was bound and determined to see it in print.  I had no idea how to format a book for print or for e-publishing but I researched and had the help of some amazing people - some of whom I have never met face to face!  It is because of them that I was able to sit at my desk and hit that "publish" button.

When I did it, I thought that I was so brave and was so excited at all the possibilities.  But never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be where I am right now - getting ready to get in my car to see a novel of mine out in the world.  On bookstore shelves.  The excitement that I feel right now is almost overwhelming.

Wonderfully so.

I walked a different path than a lot of indie authors and I kind of accidentally found my way.  I know a lot of great authors who study charts and sales patterns, figured out all kinds of algorithms while doing tons of blog tours and that was completely overwhelming to me.  I really just wanted to write stories that readers would enjoy and maybe I would have gone further if I had paid more attention to the algorithms, but I have been blessed with some amazing fans who responded to my stories and helped spread the word about them.  If I could, I would seriously hug each and every one of you - and send you some swag!

I had no idea when I wrote the first Montgomery book that fans were going to fall so hard for this family.  And to be honest with you, neither did I.  I mean, I love all my heroes but the Montgomery men?  They just make me sigh.  Do I have a favorite?  It's kind of a tie right now between Lucas and Mac (books one and three) but the trio that you're about to be introduced to?  They're giving them a serious run for their money!

As today starts an entirely new journey as an author for me, I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you.  For the love.  The support.  The reviews.  But the greatest thing that I want to say thank you for?  Is the friendships I have made.  So many of you take the time to message me and I answer each and every one of those messages myself.  I love hearing your stories, your thoughts and what you hope to read about in the future.

I hope that you love "Return to You" as much as I do and I look forward to meeting so many of you at upcoming events and online and wherever else it is that we can.  You've all made this dream possible and there aren't enough words or thank you's to possibly convey what that means.

Tears of Joy, Smiles of Sadness...

If you're a fan of "The Big Bang Theory", chances are you recognize that phrase.  When Raj said it in an episode a couple of years ago, I thought it was hysterical.  And then I forgot about it until my husband summed up my mood with that phrase.

Today was a BIG day for me.  RT Book Review Magazine's March issue (the digital copy) came out today.  And guess who has the cover story???  ME!!  The only reason I
was aware of this was because I was scrolling through my newsfeed on Facebook and there it was!  My heart started racing and I jumped up from my seat and immediately picked up the phone and called my mom and then my husband and was just giddy!

And then I cried.

I mean I cried a LOT.

At first, they were totally tears of joy.  I made it!  I've hit a milestone in my career that I never thought possible.  And then...I was crying because someone special wasn't there with me.  My grandma.  She was a lifelong reader of romances and she died before I started self-publishing.  There are times when something really exciting happens in my career and I think "Grandma would have loved this!"  I know she's looking down at me and smiling and I like to think that she's proud.  But I miss her.

So when my husband got home from work today, I pulled up the article and showed it to him and shared how I felt earlier when I read it.  He looked at me and smiled and said, "Tears of joy, smiles of sadness".  I know he said it to lighten the mood and it did.  I did smile, but I was still a little bit sad. 

The grandmother in "Return to You" is totally based on my grandma.  I just wish she was here to read it.