Excuse me if I turn a little bit crazy amounts of giddy! And emotional. And giddy.
Because the book I once thought might neverrrrr get done is out in the world in both paperback and digital form. Yes, you might’ve seen it creep onto some bookstore shelves early and it was out in digital form last week.
But today is the formal, technical, Melissa-eats-cake-official release day for From the Start.
Awww, Kate and Colton! I <3 them.
From the Start is about a jaded writer of romantic Hallmark-esque movies who might be a little more like me than I’d like to admit and a former NFL quarterback who lost his career and the woman he thought he was going to marry…all in the same day.
I’m so grateful to the early readers and reviewers who have nice things to say about the story. Wiith the emotional drama of actually writing it now behind me, I’m remembering why I love this story, why it’s so close to my heart…and why I’m praying so much it lands in the right readers’ hands and hopefully hearts.
There are LOTS of fun From the Start-related things coming up, including multiple giveaways:
Celebrating Launch Day with Kristy Cambron and all-day giveaways
I’m not the only one with a book birthday today! My amazingly talented friend Kristy Cambron is also celebrating the release of her new book, A Sparrow in Terezin. Folks, this is one of my favorite books…ever. I could gush endlessly! We hosted a bunch of giveaways this morning on both our pages. So make sure to stop by my page and Kristy’s page so you don’t miss out.
“Begin Again” Giveaway
Bethany House is hosting a mega giveaway that you seriously MUST enter. You might win an iPad mini or a home theater projector! The giveaway also includes awesome author Victoria Bylin whose new book, Together With You, also releases today. Congrats, Vicki! I cannot wait to read your book!
Check out the details of that giveaway here.
Stay tuned to my website and Facebook page for info about upcoming giveaways. I’m super excited about another one that’s coming up at the end of the month around NFL draft-time. (Look at me, I know when the draft is! See how much I learned writing this book? Haha!) My sister Amy Reece has created a piece of custom jewelry for that giveaway that is SO pretty I had to ask her to make me one, too!
A word of thanks
I wish I had the proper words to say THANKS to the many wonderful and supportive people who helped make this book possible. I thanked a bunch of people in the Acknowledgements section at the end of the book, but I’m well aware I failed to list every single person who prayed for or in some way encouraged me last year as I wrote From the Start. Please know how much you mean to me…and how truly grateful I am.
A request
Would you be willing to help spread the word about From the Start’s release? If so, I’d be soooo thankful. One of the biggest ways readers can support authors—other than praying and buying the book!—is by sharing it with family and friends. Word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram…it’s all effective. Thank you so much for helping out!
I hope you enjoy Kate and Colton’s story!
And oh, if you want a taste of their world before you dive into From the Start, check out the FREE e-novella prequel, Three Little Words.
Comments 15
CONGRATULATIONS on your release!! So happy for you and can’t wait to read From the Start!
Author
Thank you, Pat! And I can’t wait to read your latest, too. You’re churning ’em out!
Congratulations! May God bless your efforts and success with this book–and may the words of your future books flow a whole lot easier. 🙂
Author
Thank you so much, Laurie! I really appreciate your encouragement!
Melissa! I am so super excited that today’s the day! I’m digging back into it when I sign off, hoping to get a few chapters in before tutoring starts up in a couple hours. I should be able to get another couple in this evening before volleyball. And dare I stay up a bit late to read even more? For more of Kate and Colton… um, yes, please! Loving it so much, and if people don’t pick up this book, they seriously don’t know the fun they’re missing out on!
Blessings and hugs to you today, girlfriend.
Andrea
Author
YAY for staying up late to read, Andrea. I’m in search of a book to keep me up late right now. One of my most recent reads, The Wood’s Edge by Lori Benton, was one of those ones…I seriously could not put it down. That and Kristy Cambron’s latest…LOOOOVE!
I need to get a copy of both of those! Have you tried Lisa Wingate’s The Story Keeper? I stayed up for that one too.
Congratulations!!! I’d be super giddy & emotional too. 😉 Can’t wait to read it!!
Author
Thanks so much for understanding the giddiness! 🙂
Congrats Melissa!! I can’t wait to read this book!!
Author
Thanks, Laura. Hope you enjoy it!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Author
Thanks, Chelsea!!
So excited for you, Melissa!
Author
Thanks a bunch, Michelle. Will you be at ACFW this year? It’s been too long since we’ve connected.