Why would an author release two books, a little over two weeks apart? Let me explain.
Last week, An Unexpected Christmas Helper came out from Harlequin. Here's the description:
After discovering he has a toddler daughter, engineer Evan Dukas needs all the help he can get—even if it comes from Vanessa Johnson, the woman who once crushed his heart. With financial worries mounting and Christmas just around the corner, the single mom agrees to be little Lily’s temporary nanny, and vows not to let working for Evan derail her recovery from an eating disorder. With her service dog, Snickers, at her side, Vanessa is on the path to healing, and soon old feelings reawaken between her and Evan. But when buried secrets regarding Vanessa’s son are revealed, they must decide if what they have is worth fighting for…
I'm super excited to report that this book was an Amazon #1 new release for Contemporary Christian Fiction.
Next week, I'll be releasing His Autumn Neighbor. Here's what it's about:
A handsome veteran with readjustment problems. His best friend’s little sister. And the child who shows up on the doorstep of the home they reluctantly share.
Will Burton’s been warned to stay away from his best friend's little sister, but no worries. They’re polar opposites, plus he’s sworn off women. So sharing a farmhouse with displaced kindergarten teacher Allie Walker won’t be a problem. Sure, Will used to be a player with women, but his time in the military changed him. Now, all he wants is a peaceful, solitary, rural life. He’ll just avoid the pretty schoolteacher.
Until a traumatized little boy shows up on their doorstep, guarded by a very protective dachshund. Turns out Will is a father… and he has no idea how to take care of a child.
Allie’s busy setting up the new farm-to-school program, but she’s never been able to turn down a child in need. She agrees to help Will learn how to be a daddy. The troubled veteran tugs at her heartstrings, but Allie is committed to the single life. She’s totally satisfied playing aunt to her siblings’ kids and beloved teacher to the kids she works with.
The problem is, playing family draws burly, taciturn Will and outgoing Allie dangerously close.
Can they overcome their aversion to love in time to save a little boy… and themselves—from a lifetime of loneliness?
I can't wait to get this book into readers' hands, since it concludes the Home to Orchard Springs quartet. This 4-book series features a group of former foster kids, fondly known as The Flock, who come back to small-town Pennsylvania as adults to help their foster father save his farm.
Reader Q&A:
Q: Tell us about the dogs in these books!
A: Yes, of course there are dogs! Snickers the Bernadoodle, who's on the cover of An Unexpected Christmas Helper, is a service dog trained to help heroine Vanessa with her eating disorder. That book is part of Love Inspired books' K-9 Companion Series. Gus the Dachshund has appointed himself the unofficial guardian and protector of five-year-old Eli, the child who shows up on the hero's doorstep in His Autumn Neighbor. I love both of these pups. I grew up with a dachshund, and I currently have a doodle, so I had a blast adding mannerisms and traits unique to each breed.
Q: Why two books so close together?
A: It's because they're from two different publishers. Her Autumn Neighbor is independently published, while An Unexpected Christmas Helper is published by Harlequin. Harlequin schedules everything way in advance, and they're juggling a lot of different books. I have no say in when Harlequin decides to release my book. I have all the say in when to bring out Her Autumn Neighbor. However, it's the fourth book in its series and was not finished and ready to go in time to place it before the Christmas book from Harlequin. I could have waited a couple of months… but I was already committed to an autumn theme, and so I wanted to release the book during the fall. Which is coming to a close, so I had to hustle!
Q: Both books are part of longer series. Do I need to read all the previous books first?
A: Not at all! Each book contains a standalone love story. If you do decide to go on and read other books in the series, you'll recognize the locale and some of the secondary characters. So the more of each series you read, the more fun tidbits you'll get to enjoy.
Throughout the chaotic, hectic pace of the last few months, I've been buoyed up by kind words and sweet reviews from readers. I appreciate you so much!
