“A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.” ~Samuel Johnson
I had the pleasure and blessing of having a new book release into the world of readers. When the Meadow Blooms has been flying through the mail out to mailboxes and through the air or however that tech magic works to electronic reading devices. Readers are finishing the story by reading it as Mr. Johnson says in his quote. I’ve always thought it takes both a writer and a reader to make a book circle complete.
All week I’ve been showing up on blogs, internet notices, and podcasts to talk about the characters, setting and history in When the Meadow Blooms. The podcasts are fun and quick to listen to. I’ve talked with Alison Treat about the healing power of nature on Historical Fiction:Unpacked and a little bit of everything about the book and writing with Chautona Havig on Because Fiction.
In Reader’s Entertainment Magazine, I shared about how researching for a new book can be like a treasure hunt, Treasure Hunting Facts for Fiction.
For Southern Writers’ Magazine’s Suite T blog, I answer that question I’m asked all the time. “What Sparks a Story?” Or as most people ask it, “Where do you get your ideas?”
Then for Fresh Fiction’s blog, I took the Title Challenge. That was the most different post I’ve done for a long time. I had to come up with a word to match the letter of each word in my title. If you hadn’t noticed When the Meadow Blooms has a lot of letters. That one exercised my brain more than a little, but I came up with something for every letter. “H” might have been the easiest one. Here’s what I put for one of them.
H – Hope. Don’t we all need hope in our lives? The same is true for my characters in WHEN THE MEADOW BLOOMS. Calla hopes for a way to leave the orphanage and take care of Sienna. Sienna hopes for a meadow where she can run among the flowers and make friends with a mouse. Rose hopes to be with her daughters again. But Dirk has lost hope. Will that change after he opens his home to his widowed sister-in-law and nieces?
Last but not least, the reviews are coming in for the story and being posted all over the internet. I very much appreciate those as reviews really make a difference for books and authors in our internet world.
This book is full of characters that you will feel like you personally know and can relate to in many ways. There is also a bit of a mystery throughout the story that if you are like me, will have you turning the pages to find out the answer to. (Hopesview Amazon Review)
This was a wonderful story that has stuck with me for days! (Amazon review from Tim)
Other of my reading friends have left encouraging comments on this or that post on Facebook. Some have given the book that sweet compliment of “It was hard to put down.” Or “I read it in 2 sittings.” Or “I didn’t get anything else done until I finished the story.”
“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” ~J.K. Rowling
I so agree with that quote. I’ve had the magic happen when I read a book, and I’m thankful when others have the magic happen when they read one of my stories.
If you check out at least one of the links in this post and let me know in a comment, I’ll put you in a drawing to win a copy of When the Meadow Blooms or your choice of one of my other books. As always, you have to be at least 18 to enter and I’ll pick one winner by random drawing. This will be quick. Deadline to enter is midnight EST on May 10, 2022. That’s because I plan to start a new mystery picture contest very soon with more chances to win a book.
As always, thanks for reading!
Ann
Comments 20
Author
Linda Diane, I’m glad you got things worked out with Baker Book House. They still have a great discount on the book even after it was released. I hope you will like the story.
Brenda, thank you so much for sharing my post. I really appreciate that. I hope you’ll like going to Meadowland when you get a chance to read my story.
Joan, I’m so glad you enjoy my posts about my dogs and my walks. Frankie and Marley are fun to share about. Marley is snoring behind my chair right now while Frankie is outside ready to see what he can hear out in the backyard.
Vicky, I’m happy you think When the Meadow Blooms sounds like something you will want to read. I hope when you get a chance to follow my characters to Meadowland, you will enjoy the story trip.
Author
Cheryl, I hope my story is just what you need to take you away to a fictional world you can enjoy. You might like going to Meadowland and seeing how my characters find hope and healing.
Connie, I appreciate you posting a review about my story. I’m so glad you liked the story. That Title Challenge was a challenge for sure, but a fun one. I’m glad you picked that one to read.
Kathy, I do hope you’ll enjoy meeting Sienna’s crows when you get the chance to read the story. I was amazed by some of the things I discovered about crows in my research.
Author
Lisa, I’m glad you enjoyed reading on how I find treasures when I’m researching that I hope will add to the stories I write. And I really liked that J.K. Rowling quote.
Brenda, love my hometown readers. That’s so great that you have your own little library of my books and share them with your friends. I love it when people give my books as gifts. Books make such great gifts if you have reading friends.
Susan, the book does have a theme of healing and hope that I HOPE will be uplifting to readers. So fun to have you “walking” along with the dogs and me on Sunday mornings.
Marlene, I do hope you’ll enjoy my story when you get a chance to read it.
Janice, I hope you will like the story. Fun that you have many of my books. My shelf is getting pretty full. I may have to start a new shelf if I keep writing. That would be fun.
Author
Elizabeth, I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about my research and the treasures I found out about crows. As Sienna says, they are very curious birds.
Donna Jean, the reviews have been good coming in for the story. That’s always a great thing for a writer to see.
Hope, I’m thankful for every review. No need to be nervous. Any of your thoughts about my books will be just what is needed. And I’ve been thinking about those mystery pictures.
Ola, I do hope you’ll like my new story. Always good to hear from you here.
When the Meadow Blooms sounds like a great book!
I love your books, your posts and your dogs. Always look forward to your telling about your walks with the dogs in the morning.
I shared this on Facebook. I look forward to reading this book. It sounds great.
I can’t wait to get started reading this book! Still have to order it though, since my bank card was scammed and Baker’s house wasn’t able to process the payment. If I don’t win it on here; then, I will order it from you. PM me on what I need to do (how to order it from you). Thanks!
I read the article about the crows; it was very interesting. I have read about birds, either ravens or crows, that steal shiny things and hoard them. Can’t wait to read this book. I have loved so many of your others.
I read your Fresh Fiction article. Wow, that was quite a challenge to come up with all those words. If anyone could do it though, it was you. You have a great way of coming up with lots of great words to put in all your books to become some very good reading.
I enjoyed reading When A Meadow Blooms very much. I posted a review on Amazon.
I was looking through my old books for a story to take my mind away from the stresses I’m sure many of us may be feeling right now. This sounds perfect, as we all need hope!
Just started reading! Love it. I also love the bookshelf picture. I only like a few of having my shelf complete.
Looking forward to reading it
I always enjoy reading Ann’s post, Sunday morning walks and books. I would love to read her new book and be able to feel the hope. Thank you for another wonderful read.
I always enjoy Ann’s books. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading her latest but look forward to it. I have my own little library of her books. I do occasionally loan them out but always remind the borrowers that it is just a “loan”. Of course I have given many as gifts too!! Nothing like having a hometown author to admire and relax and read their books 💕
“I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.” ~J.K. Rowling
Treasure Hunting Facts For Fiction. It was so interesting about the crows. Excited to read this one.
Can’t wait to read this one! I know it’s going to be good
Can’t wait for the mystery photos, it is so much fun! I loved When the Meadow Blooms and left reviews on several sites. I get nervous doing that because I don’t think my reviews do justice to just how good your books are, but I know others are going to love them too! 🙂
Such good reviews can’t wait to read it. Love your stories.
I loved your article Treasure Hunting Facts for Fiction. I enjoy hearing behind-the-scenes inspiration for stories.