Ginger Garrett

The kids are back at school and I am getting ready to plunge into a busy fall. I’ll be working with Michelle Phillips of MindBeautySpirit.com on her forthcoming book on inner  beauty and radiant style. I can’t wait. You will all love Michelle–I can’t wait to introduce her book to you.

I also just finished the last historical from the Scribe era, entitled WOLVES AMONG US. The story centers on an isolated wife and mother in medieval Germany. When she is swept into the madness of the witchhunts, she must choose between security, truth, and passion. Unlike the other Scribe series, this book won’t have a lot of supernatural elements or characters. In an era that saw a devil behind every little misfortune, good people lost all perspective–and their lives. I’m excited to see if my readers can read the Inquisitor’s theories and still walk away sure of what they believe–and why.

Meanwhile, I’ll also be stuck on the couch yet AGAIN this fall, having a repeat performance of my ankle surgery from 2009. Can’t say I’m excited. I know that I will have enormous blocks of time for writing, for which I am exceedingly grateful, but I am also blue. I don’t do well in captivity. I need adventure, endorphins, and adrenaline, and all three before lunch if possible.

I’ll be putting together the August newsletter next week, and announcing this month’s winner of a signed book, so if you haven’t registered for the newsletter yet, get it done. I always have tidbits that you’ll want to share and inspiring thoughts to get you through your day with a smile on your face.

Until we meet,

Ginger

Just published in In Touch magazine, here’s the story of how Grendel, my beloved Bearded Collie, taught my kids a lesson about the hope and joy awaiting us:

http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.6003155/k.84A6/One_More_Day.htm

Keep a tissue handy!

Wondering when the next book will release? Here’s a quick peek:

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther    Time to pre-order! http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Diaries-Queen-Esther-Loves/dp/1434768015/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_5 

Chosen releases on March 1, although in my experience, books do ship early. This is the title that has been offered for sale for up to $90 as a used copy. The new editions will have a gorgeous cover and you’ll be able to order as many as you like. (Until we burn through that first printing, and then we’ll be back to waiting.)

In The Eyes of Eternity. The last book in the Chronicles of the Scribe series is finished! I start edits with the publisher’s editor soon. Look for the book to release near Christmas of this year. I’m taking you all back to Germany in the 1500’s for the witch hunts. Get ready!

Dark Hour sequel: Yep, everyone asks me about this. I get emails constantly about the fate of the Serpent Moon trilogy I began with NavPress. As you may know, NavPress wanted to move away from fiction and I did not finish the series. However, I am back to work on it starting next month! The release dates will begin after Christmas of this year. I’ll update this site with a firm date when I have it. Should be fun!

And one more addition to the schedule: if you loved Beauty Secrets of the Bible, plan to pick up a copy of the new devotional I am writing for Harvest House. We’re still fine-tuning the title, but it will be based on the same theme. The devotional will be available for purchase just after Christmas.

January is almost over. I was shocked at how fast 2009 flew by, and I have a feeling 2010 will be just as busy for all of us. Soak in the sun when it shines, rest while it rains, and dance when no one is watching!

Lots of us are thinking through our resolutions for 2010, and it reminds me of something Steve Arterburn once told his Lose It For Life audience: if you could do it on your own, you would have. (I am loosely quoting Steve here, but the gist is the same.)

His point was that if you are struggling to make a life change, you need to enlist the help and support of others. Don’t expect yourself to do in 2010 what you were unable to do–alone–in 2009. 

That’s why I have made the decision to bring in a professional home organizer in 2010. I need help executing what I know needs to be done here in my cluttered home and office. It’s a bit embarassing to admit I need the help. I know what needs to be done. I even know how to do it. But as long as I try to do it alone, I’ll keep making excuses and switching priorities.

That’s my first step to making 2010 a good year for everyone under my roof. Here’s wishing that you, too, have a good New Year!

(And if you decided to tackle your weight issues next year, be sure to read Steve’s bestselling book, Lose It For Life, co-authored with Dr. Linda Mintle. It’s packed with solid, compassionate advice and counsel.)

Merry Christmas! If you’d like to peek inside the homes of some of your favorite authors, you’ve come to the right place. Amy Wallace, who writes crime fiction with a message, has linked to me. If you’ve just come from her site, welcome!

Watch my Christmas open house video below and then please make your merry way to the next author, Lyn Cote.

Here’s my Christmas blessing for you, filmed under my Christmas tree:

 And now, here is Lyn Cote’s blog, which is your next stop! You may need to copy the web address and paste it into your browser.

http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2009/12/author-house-tour-merry-christmas-from.html

Have fun on the tour! Ginger

I’d love to sign a book for you this Christmas.

If you’re planning on giving any of my books as a gift, you have two options to get them personalized by me. If you order them off this site, you can request that I sign them for you. I can add anyone’s name and even a short note. 

If you are not buying them off this site, I can still sign them for you! All you need to do is send me an email with your mailing address and the number of books you’re giving this year. I’ll sign bookplates and mail them to you. (Bookplates are special adhesive “plates” that can be affixed on the inside cover of any book.) There’s no charge–consider this a Christmas gift from me to you. I’ve already been sending out these signed bookplates and I think it makes getting a book more fun for everyone.

One last tidbit of Merry Christmas news: be watching in a week or so for the first-ever holiday book tour with your favorite authors. A big group of authors is banding together to link blogs, and every blog will feature a video of a popular author sending Christmas greetings to everyone.

I have to keep this short because I need to go clean my house…it’s time to record my video!

I’m finished with my speaking engagements for 2009 and looking forward to a relaxing Thanksgiving.

Okay, that’s a bit of a lie.

In truth, I am scrambling to finish writing a young adult novel set here in my own backyard in the North Georgia mountains. As soon as I finish it, I have to go back and edit it, which involves showing it to my critique group and blushing furiously. After they hack it pieces, I’ll edit it again and hopefully have it in my agent’s hands after Christmas. 

I then have to edit the last book in the Scribe series, which needs some serious work before I turn it in, and then begin work–finally!–on the Serpent Moon stories I left behind. The first might be Delilah. We’re still deciding.

That’s a lot of writing and editing! I need to recharge my artistic batteries, but I am hoping they will recharge as I write. A little (or a lot!) of pumpkin pie will help. As will a few mornings of sleeping in. I am thankful in advance for all the blessings Thanksgiving brings!

I am also wishing you many, many reasons to be thankful. May this season stir your imagination, warm your heart, and lift your eyes to the source of all good things.

Join me this Saturday for the Awaken with Joy conference in Canton, Georgia at the Northside Hospital Cherokee Conference Center. The conference features Angie Williams, author of Womenn at War, and music from By Design. Tickets are $15 which includes lunch and an entire day of being nurtured, healed and encouraged.

You can learn more at:

www.awakenwithjoy.com

Today’s the birthday of one of my favorite novelists, Siri Mitchell. On my  blog roll you’ll find a link to her site and see a cover of her newest release, Love’s Pursuit. It’s a great read for those dreary afternoons when it’s raining and cold. It’s Siri’s birthday but give yourself a present and pick up one of her books.

(I tried to load the cover below, but this WordPress application hates me. No, really.)