Events

Music, Heartfelt Stories, and Special Guest Speakers

Friday, July 2, 2010
7:00 pm

Bakerview Church
2285 Clearbrook Rd.
Abbotsford, BC

Celebrate the release of "At The Gates Of Moscow" (Judson Lake House Publishers)

I feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful event.  We have discovered that our books compliment each other and I invite everyone to add them to your collection of keepsakes. There will be coffee and refreshments, and admission is free.

Book Signing and Free Draw

Saturday, May 29, 2010
1pm - 3pm

Clearbrook Library
32320 George Ferguson Way
Abbotsford, BC V2T 6N4

Parking Entrance Is Off of Tretheway St.

“Shameful Innocence” has been checked out of the library continuously during the past year.  I’ll be on site to chat about books/publishing/writing and general Q&A.  As a token of appreciation to readers I’ll also have a free draw that you can sign up for.  (Gift Value of $150)  I will have copies available for sale and signing.

Come by and say, "Hi!"

Book Clubs

Please send me an email and I will send you options available so that every member gets a chance to read the book and what I offer as a Guest.

 

 

 

Newsletter - May 2010

The question that I am asked most often right now is, “When will the sequel be ready?” So, before I share all the wonderful things that I’ve experienced since my last update I will tell you.

This past winter I worked diligently on every weekend and I estimate that I am about 3/4 done.  I am very pleased and excited with how it’s turning out and believe that you will find my next story to be equally impactful.  (But in a different way).  The sequel is much more of a suspense /adventure where as ‘Shameful Innocence’ is a hard and intense emotional experience.

I had high hopes of finishing the sequel by this spring but there was much more intricate work necessary than I had anticipated.  With summer just around the corner not much more will get done till the fall.  But on rainy summer days you can imagine me tucked away, surrounded in research, and allowing the characters to live.

I have every intention of having the sequel finished in the winter of 2010/2011.  Even then there will be a bit of a wait for you.  Once again I will make a serious effort at finding an agent before making it available to the public myself.  Your patience and continued support mean the world to me!

Since March of 2010 I have been the guest at several book clubs.  It’s difficult to even begin to describe the feeling of driving up to someone’s home, see all the cars parked surrounding the house, and realize that these people came out just to talk to me.  Before even stepping out of my car I took a deep breath allowing myself time to absorb the appreciation and privileged honour that I felt.  And then I took a moment to thank God for all the blessings in my life.

Each group made me feel warmly welcomed and at ease.  Questions and conversation flowed freely and it is an experience that I will cherish always.

Many women shared openly about their own family’s histories and it was great to see the deep bonds that are formed by the people in book clubs.  Quickly I felt intimately connected and wished for even more time to get to know everyone.

For anyone who has just recently moved or is feeling lonely in their life I would suggest finding a book club to join in your area.  You will meet such a wonderful variety of characters and find a place where differences of opinion are welcomed and not judged.  Rather than being ousted everyone makes room to grow and change.

Brigadoon

For the first time Fraser Valley Stage allowed a local artist to show her stuff during the intermission.  In the future folks enjoying the FVS lively productions may just have a chance to browse additional local art during the break.

For me it was an intense 20 minutes where people were quite intrigued by my display and book. 

A big thanks to FVS for trusting me to be the first and supporting other local art. 

Hemingways

My book signing at Hemingways was a huge success!  I had put up posters all around town, sent out messages on facebook, but the great turn out was all because of the article in the TIMES paper.  I must give a huge thanks to reporter Christina Toth for giving it the title that she did.  Most everyone that came in said they’d read the article and just had to come.

An article in the Bugle printed just over a year ago also set in motion a whole bunch of positive things bringing recognition for my book.

Reporters: The things you write have a huge impact and what you do is very worthwhile to our everyday lives.  You enlighten and bring awareness.  I for one am most grateful!

If anyone finds that what I wrote in your book, while at Hemingways, just does not make sense please feel free to contact me.  At times when things got a bit busy I remember trying to have a conversation while writing at the same time.  Probably not the wisest thing to do.  I apologize if some of my writing in your books is a bit scribbled.

One lady that came out on Saturday had already borrowed the book from the library but now wanted her own copy as a keepsake.  When I hear things like that it really hits home for me that I accomplished what I’d originally intended with this book.  That is to draw someone into the era and circumstances emotionally, making them think of the world we live in today, evoking feelings of appreciation and a desire to help change things for the better.   There are so many more individual stories to share and my heart swells with love and compassion.  I look forward to seeing all of you another time!

A tremendous THANKS to Dave from Hemingways and your helpful staff.

Have a GREAT SUMMER one and all!

Book Signing, Refreshments, and Free Draw

Saturday, May 1, 2010
1pm - 4pm

Hemmingway's Books
33765 Essendene Ave.
Abbotsford, BC V2S 2H1
604-855-1894

Allow me to treat you to some authentic “Mennonite” food while we talk books and enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere of Hemmingway’s. Since my fictional novel features authentic Mennonite history I thought it might be nice to give a “taste” of real Mennonite cooking.

The “FREE DRAW” is just that. There is no obligation to purchase and I promise a gift that’s worthwhile. I won’t make you jump through any hoops or make you spend hours talking to telemarketers to win!

Newsletter - December 2009

A year full of experiences that have been completely new to me would be one way to summarize 2009.

For years I kept my creation under wraps. I really did not want to share it with anyone till it was what I would accept as complete. And now, at times, I have virtual strangers calling or emailing to tell me the impact the story ‘Shameful Innocence’ has had on them. Writing something that takes so much research and thought keeps one very much to oneself. At least I have not been able to figure out how to do both that and be surrounded by people.

I’ve had to take myself out of my home comfort zone and put myself into very public events. The generous warmth of the heartfelt responses has been an incredible gift to me! A few weeks ago I participated in my first Christmas Craft Fair with my book. I would encourage everyone to spend an afternoon browsing one of these annual events. Throughout all of our cities are incredibly talented individuals creating by hand the most unique jewellery, pottery, fudge, etc. The warmth of these events is a great way to welcome the Christmas Spirit!

On December 12 I have my last book signing for this year at Coles Book store at Cottonwood Mall in Chilliwack, B.C. Because I’m back by invitation I feel especially honoured to be there! I’ll be hosting a “FREE DRAW” (no obligation to purchase) so please send family and friends from the area to take advantage of this opportunity. Besides a free copy of my book there will be a $$$worthwhile$$$ amount of other goodies in the gift box.

Because of the increased value of our dollar and the fact that I’ve been doing book store location signings I was able to get my current shipment of books at a reduced rate. I’m thrilled to pass the reduced rate on to you. Great Christmas Gift idea for the avid reader on your list! Feel free to contact me directly to arrange your orders.

Two book clubs have taken on ‘Shameful Innocence’ to start off their 2010 year. I’m quite excited to join them for one of their later discussion sessions. Once again this will be a totally new experience for me! Just goes to show that no matter what, life is still always full of surprises! There is just so much to look forward to!

And the last tidbit of news that I have to share is that my publisher took my book to the big Book Expo in Germany a few months ago and two companies have shown an interest in my book. One of them is based in Russia and the other in Italy. It could be months before I hear anymore but you’ll know when I know. Currently I’m debating joining Book Expo America in New York in May of 2010.

Thanks so much to each and every one of you for making this year so special for me! I wish you all the best for the upcoming holiday season and may 2010 be full of spectacular Blessings!

Newsletter - July 2009

Continually being inspired by the people who touch my life is turning out to be the greatest reward of being a writer!

In June I had the pleasure of having a book signing table set up beside author Elizabeth Hudson.  This woman has an incredible story of how she survived life on the streets called ‘Snow Bodies!’  Reading her book I am so grateful for all that I have and I can easily see where one wrong turn in my youth could have lead down the same road.

As one of the artists set up at “Arts At Mill” Lake people have opened up to me about their personal lives.  One woman brought me to tears as she shared her story of escape from Russia.  She was the youngest of a group of siblings whose mother was thrown onto a truck never to be seen again.  Her father was so sick at the time that the soldiers realized that he would soon be dead and left him.  Her sister who at the time was 9 had thrown her mother’s ration of bread into the truck as it drove away.  Can you imagine?!  These young children actually secretly made their way out of the country.  And this was only about 50 years ago! And there I was sitting peacefully in a beautiful park.  I never want to take for granted anything that I have!

Many wonderful things are happening as awareness of my novel grows. The Fraser Valley Regional Library just put 5 copies onto their shelves. Hemingway’s Books has brought in some books.  They are in the process of renovating and once this is done we will set a date for a book signing. Chapters at 20015 Langley Bypass has requested a book signing for Oct.17/09 from 1pm-4pm.  So send all your friends from the area in to see me!

On August 10, 2009 please see Romance Writers on the Journey. Keli Gwynn is a fellow writer who highlights Debut authors and authors who have work in progress.  I find her to be an exceptional person as that she does not view other authors as competition but as friends sharing a similar journey.  She is very encouraging.
Many people have been full of advice on how I need to move things forward and many have made contacts for me!  All of your help means the world to me!

Some people are now purchasing extra copies as gifts.  This is really helpful for a first time author.  They could easily have handed their copy over for friends to read but have chosen to give their friends their own copy.
My goal is to have “Shameful Innocence” available in bookstores across Canada.  One way of doing this is to have people go into bookstores and ask them to order a copy in for themselves.  It is available to all bookstores through their supplier called Ingram.  So if you have friends in other provinces and feel that this is a book they must read then please encourage them to visit their local bookstore.

At this time I’m still waiting for more testimonials before updating them on my Web page.  So if you have not already done so feel free to email me yours through the web page.

I have so much to look forward to!  This is a very exciting time in my life and I am so happy to be sharing it with you! Thanks so much for all of your kind words.  I wash in them daily and feel warmed to my soul.

Let’s continue creating positive change together!