Burning Sky is out NOW!

Congratulations to my dear friend Lori Benton, whose debut novel Burning Sky has released TODAY! Now go forth and read! :)

Lori Benton's debut - pre-order now!

The gorgeous, stunning cover for my dear friend Lori Benton's debut novel, Burning Sky, was just released, and I couldn't resist helping to celebrate by sharing it here. Isn't it beautiful?

The official back cover copy has not yet been released, but here's the story teaser Lori shared on her website:

The 18th century New York frontier bred courage in those who survived its perils.

Willa Obenchain has survived. Returning to her white parents’ abandoned homestead after twelve years of Indian captivity, Willa believes a solitary life is the only way she’ll never lose again what’s twice been torn from her: her family, and her heart.

Even as she begins the backbreaking work of subsistence farming, Willa's land is threatened with confiscation by the new American government, and her determination to isolate herself is threatened from all directions.

There’s botanist Neil MacGregor, wounded and in need of aid....

Joseph Tames-His-Horse, the Mohawk clan brother who cannot let her go....

Two orphans in need of shelter and love....

And the residents of Shiloh, a frontier village still reeling from a bloody revolutionary war, some who welcome her return, others who’ll go to any lengths to see her disappear again.

With each like an arrow poised to pierce her shielded heart, Willa must find a different sort of courage--the courage to lay the past to rest and once more risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow.

You can pre-order Burning Sky here. It releases August 6th (which we all know will be here before we know it!). :)

when blogs collide

Tuesday happened to be my 30th birthday (funny how when I turned 29 I was not okay with turning 30, but now that 30 is here I am completely fine with it...just wanted to share that random observation). :) This birthday was made extra special since I was able to spend time with some very dear friends - author Kaye Dacus, author and publisher Joan Hochstetler, and author Lori Benton. I "met" Lori several months ago (has it been a year already?) through the wonderful book blogosphere, and since then we've also connected on Facebook and I consider her a dear friend. I was THRILLED to have the opportunity to meet Lori since she was in town on her way back home from the latest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. Here are a couple of pics we snapped to commemorate the occasion - very appropriately in a bookstore - after enjoying a delicious lunch at Panera.

Lori, me, and Kaye



Lori, me, Joan, and Kaye

After this visit I have to say I really hope I get to meet more of my blogging friends live and in person someday soon! :)