Traitor Release Day!!! Welcoming My Second Book into the World

YOU GUYS!!!!! We finally made it! Traitor is here!!! I'm SO grateful for and encouraged by the enthusiasm you've all shown for this book, and it means the world to me that you've been willing to wait THREE YEARS for Traitor after the release of Common. The journey has been long and challenging, but so worth it!

Releasing my second full-length novel into the world has me sifting through such a flurry of emotions. Relief (it's finally here!), shock (wait, it's April 27th already?!?), and satisfaction (I did have more than one book in me after all!) are definitely among them. Also a fair amount of trepidation. When Common released, there was some fear of the unknown, but it was easily overcome by the rush of being a first-time author. 

This time, I know what to fear. I know what it's like to see negative reviews with the sinking feeling that a reader didn't understand or connect with my story. I know what it's like to watch Amazon rankings take a nose-dive and to lose momentum while everyone around me seems to be progressing faster and farther. I know what it's like to wonder whether I truly have the strength and creative energy to produce another quality book. Then there are the worries that the fans of Common might be disappointed by this next installment!

But despite the fears and anxieties, I'm grinning. In fact, I've been grinning for weeks. Because I also know the amazing experiences that await me - that are already in progress - due to this new book release. Reaching new readers who will connect with my characters and eagerly join in their adventures. Having friends and neighbors share that they enjoyed my book or passed it on to a friend or niece or co-worker. Discovering the themes and connections readers find in my words that I didn't even intend. Signing books for family members, friends, and strangers, renewing my awe that this dream really did come true.

How perfect that Princess Penelope's story in Traitor corresponds so well with all these mixed feelings! She's definitely a little sadder and wiser than shy, innocent Leah from Common. But the mistakes in her past set her up for an even deeper, richer path as she moves forward toward hope and redemption, learning that it's never too late to find her own happily-ever-after. I hope you love her story!! Make sure to check out the other stops on the blog tour for lots of behind-the-scenes looks at the characters, setting, and writing process, plus some sneak peeks at what's coming next in the Tales of the Mystics! Not to mention some reviews that have absolutely made my heart melt :) Thank you so much for celebrating with me today, friends!!

Traitor Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, 19th, “Redeeming a ‘Villain’ in Traitor” Laura A. Grace, www.lauraagrace.com

Tuesday, 20th, “Connecting Companion Novels in the Tales of the Mystics” Pam Halter,

www.pamhalter.com/fairiesfantasyfaith

Wednesday, 21st, “Visual Post: Characters of Traitor” Anne Wheeler, www.anne-wheeler.com/blog

Thursday, 22nd, “Integrating a New Language and Culture into Traitor” J.M. Hackamn, www.jmhackman.com

Friday, 23rd, “Author Interview with Laurie Lucking: Traitor Blog Tour” Riella Cristobal,

www.booksandeverydaylife.home.blog

Saturday, 24th, “Interview with Traitor Author Laurie Lucking” Amelia Nichole, www.amelianichole.com

Sunday, 25th, “Review of Traitor” Breny Maurtua, www.brenyandbooks.home.blog

Monday, 26th, “Dive-in Review: Traitor” Cathrine Bonham, www.cobonham.com

Monday, 26th, “Review of Traitor” Laurin Boyle, www.laurinboyle.wordpress.com

Tuesday, 27th, “Welcoming My Second Book into the World” Laurie Lucking, www.laurielucking.com

Wednesday, 28th, “Visual Post: Traitor Storyworld” Jenelle Schmidt, www.jenelleschmidt.com

Thursday, 29th, “Celebrate Laurie Lucking’s New Release Traitor Tonight” Michele Israel Harper,

www.MicheleIsraelHarper.com

Friday, 30th, “What’s Coming Next in the Tales of the Mystics” Peter Adler, www.arsilverberry.com/blog

Traitor is available for pre-order!! Plus some blog tour news :)

My friends! Things are moving ahead quickly for Traitor's release in less than two months! This book has been such a long time coming, and I couldn't be more thrilled that it's almost here! Which brings me to my exciting news - it's time to reserve your copy!! That's right, Traitor pre-orders are now available! Eeeeek! You can find links for a variety of retailers HERE. The publishing industry has experienced a lot of delays during the pandemic, but hopefully the sooner you pre-order the more likely you'll be to receive your book on April 27th!

After you complete your pre-order, make sure to fill out THIS FORM so I can send you some pre-order goodies!! You will receive:

• Two 5x7 art prints (one of Leah and Rafe from Common, and one of Princess Penelope and her new fiance, Prince Vander, from Traitor);
• Two double-sided bookmarks (one for you and one for a friend!);
• One signed bookplate (paperback orders only); and
• An EXCLUSIVE bonus scene from Common written in Rafe's perspective!

*Art prints, bookmarks, and signed bookplates can be mailed to U.S. addresses only. (Sorry, international shipping is rough!) But the bonus scene from Common will be e-mailed as a PDF and is available internationally!*

I hope you enjoy this small token of my HUGE thanks for your interest in my books!!

In other news, we're planning a blog tour in April to celebrate Traitor's release! The tour will run from Monday, April 19th, through Friday, April 30th, and I'd love for YOU to be a part of it! If you have a blog or know someone who might be interested, check out THIS FORM to sign up. As a big thank you, each blogger in the tour will receive a free e-copy of Traitor!

And speaking of blog tours, the Clean Fiction Blog Tour is running for the entire month of March! It features author interviews, book reviews, and more, all highlighting clean indie books for middle grade and young adult readers! I had the opportunity to do an interview with 5WildeFlowers, which you can find HERE. It was so much fun sharing about my favorite characters and scenes I've written (I had so much trouble deciding!), my inspirations, and some insights into Traitor. And stay tuned for a sneak peek at a scene from Traitor over at Lands Uncharted coming up on March 16th! You can find the entire schedule (plus information on how to enter a GIVEAWAY!) in THIS POST.

Have a fabulous March, everyone! I'll be back with more updates next month :)

Traitor Cover Reveal and Release Date!!!!

My friends! I hope your 2021 is off to a wonderful start! I am through-the-roof excited because it's COVER REVEAL DAY FOR TRAITOR!!!!!!! Eeeeeeek! This book has been...a process, to say the least. While I loved the concept of writing a story following Princess Penelope after the events of Common (a brilliant idea from my editor inspired by the mention of Princess Penelope in Leah's letter epilogue), I had only ever viewed her as a villain (albeit a conflicted one!). So the first draft was slow-going in may places as I sorted through this new leg of Penelope's journey and came to connect with her character on a more personal level. 

In the meantime, challenges outside my writing life often left me with little time and even less creative energy to pour into this new story. Losses that left deep internal scars, but also the joyous birth of our third child, who brings so many smiles and snuggles to our entire family. After a perfectly-timed writing conference, I finally felt inspired to make the final push toward finishing Traitor, resulting in months of feverish writing and editing. It felt like such a MAJOR accomplishment to send the manuscript off to my publisher!

Then 2020 hit. Uncertainty, delays, a whole new way of life. Our family has been so fortunate to maintain good health and relative stability throughout, but the pandemic has shaken so many on both personal and industry-wide levels. While we're not through it yet, it's been such a breath of hope to see certain aspects of life start to resume some semblance of normalcy and many things that were delayed starting to move forward again. Including my book!!!!

So that's a very long-winded way of saying: thank you for bearing with me during the long dry spell between Common and Traitor! I truly believe that everything that's come in between has made Traitor a better, more powerful addition to my Tales of the Mystics series, and I'm so thrilled with how it turned out. But I know it's been a LONG wait, and I couldn't be more grateful for your patience in sticking with me through it all! Which makes me oh so very excited to share that Traitor is set to release on April 27th!!!!! I can't wait!!

And did I mention it has a cover? Would you like to see it?? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes (especially if you've stuck with me this far already, ha!), because Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing has once again blown me away with their stunning work! 😍 It's just so gorgeous!!!!

So without further ado...

Drumroll please...

Here...

it...

is!

Isn't it just lovely?! I love the beautiful dress and architecture, and her downturned face combined with the light streaming in through the arches captures her journey in the book so well. *happy sigh*

Want to know more? Here's the back cover blurb:

Princess Penelope has finally found a way to redeem her past mistakes—if only it didn’t require betraying her new fiancé.

Princess Penelope has been the object of gossip and ridicule ever since she returned home in disgrace following her failed engagement to the Crown Prince of Imperia. When her father offers a new start in a country far across the sea, she has no choice but to accept.

Even if it means another betrothal, this time to a total stranger.

Penelope arrives in Delunia determined to avoid bringing further shame upon her family. But her devoted, caring fiancé makes it harder to guard her heart than she anticipated, and rumors of dark magic haunt her with memories she’d rather keep buried far beneath her pristine exterior.

When a poverty-stricken village outside the palace gates looks to her as their hope for a brighter future, Penelope embraces the opportunity to make amends for her transgressions. But in order to help, she must manipulate her new fiancé, putting her reputation on the line once more. And her heart.

Can Penelope rise above the failures of her past, or will she forever be branded a traitor?

Only a few more months until I get to share this amazing story with you! Be on the lookout for an update on Traitor pre-orders soon! Thank you so much for celebrating with me today!!

A LONG-Overdue Update: Traitor, new artwork, a Facebook party, and signed books for Christmas!

My friends!! I apologize that it's been WAY too long since I've posted an update. I don't need to tell you that 2020 has been an hard, exhausting year in so many ways. I've enjoyed having my kids home more often in recent months, but virtual learning and now homeschooling have definitely drained a lot of my creative energy. And during the turbulence of the election, I found it much better for my mental health to spend minimal time on my computer.

But although I've been quiet here and on social media and haven't been writing as much as usual, some exciting things have been happening behind the scenes! First of all, Traitor is coming!!! I'm so grateful for all your patience as I worked through the challenges of the sequel to Common, but I'm so happy with the results and I hope you find it well worth the wait! I don't have an official release date to share yet, but it's looking like it will be published in spring of 2021 - I can't wait!! In the meantime, be on the lookout for a cover reveal sometime after the holidays. 😁

In other news, as a Christmas present to myself this year, I commissioned artwork of Leah and Prince Raphael from Common! It's been a fun process, and I got to see the finished result last week! EEEEEEP! You guys, it is just SO gorgeous! All you Leah and Rafe fans are going to absolutely swoon - I'm so excited to show it to you! The big reveal will take place during the Virtual Winter BookFest Facebook party coming up this weekend! My time slot will be Friday, December 4th, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm CST. I hope to can stop by! Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/768905057020026. The whole weekend will be filled with amazing authors, games, giveaways, and, of course, tons of books! See you there!

My last piece of news is that I'm offering signed books for Christmas again this year! With some fun additions! Not only can you order a signed copy of Common, Encircled, or Mythical Doorways, but as an alternative, you can purchase one of my books from a retailer of your choice and fill out the form to receive a signed bookplate! And EVERY ORDER, whether of a book or signed bookplate, WILL COME WITH A PRINT OF THE NEW ARTWORK!!!!! If you're ordering a book for a friend or family member but also want an art print for yourself, let me know at the bottom of the form and I'll do what I can to make it happen. 😊 Here's the order form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdo4mYVSTAY1XpjLMECA9vR8dW5lBW60RODNz6rDfQi-PSNHw/viewform?usp=sf_link. I would be absolutely honored to be a part of your Christmas gift-giving this year!

I wish you all a very healthy, happy holiday season!

A New Story and a Blog Tour (with a Giveaway!)!

Happy New Year, friends! Once again, I'm embarrassingly late with this update. Between several rounds of illness in our house and the holidays, it's been a busy stretch! But I have some exciting news!

First of all, I had a new release in December! My short story, "Fairy Lights," (which I like to think of as "Steampunk Cinderella"), was published in the Winter 2019 issue of Deep Magic! Deep Magic is an e-zine dedicated to clean fantasy and science fiction, and I was SO excited and honored they chose to publish my story! I had the opportunity to read the entire issue last month, and the stories are fantastic! You can grab your copy HERE. Isn't the cover gorgeous??

AND, Common was featured in a blog tour! As part of winning the Excellence in Editing Award (which I talked about in this post), I won a tour with Celebrate Lit, and it's been fabulous! Each post has featured a lovely review, and it's been such a blessing and encouragement to hear so many kind words about my book! Thank you SO MUCH to all the readers who took the time to read Common and share your thoughts! Today is the last day of the tour, which includes a giveaway for a themed basket with a signed paperback copy of Common, a beaded velvet bookmark, a handmade book sleeve, and a wooden "Have courage & be kind" sign (each of the posts has a link at the bottom to enter the giveaway). You can find the tour home page HERE, and here's a list of all the stops:

Among the Reads
Books, Life, and Christ
My Devotional Thoughts
For the Love of Literature
Pause for Tales
Debbie's Dusty Deliberations
Through the Fire Blogs
Texas Book-aholic
Library Lady's Kid Lit
Rebecca Tews
Blossoms and Blessings
Emily Yager
Reading Is My Superpower
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy
Janice's Book Reviews
Locks, Hooks and Books
For Him and My Family
Inklings and Notions
A Reader's Brain
Mary Hake

I hope your 2020 is off to a great start! Hopefully next time I'll have some updates on Tales of the Mystics, Book Two - Traitor! Until then, happy reading!

A long-overdue ACFW Conference recap

Hello friends!! It's been a while (again...)! I apologize for my long absence, but I at least have a good excuse - I've been writing! More on that in a bit, first I'll start with the promised recap from the ACFW Conference now that I've had over a month to process :)

The conference was amazing!! San Antonio is apparently still very hot in late September, but most of the event was indoors, anyway, and I did enjoy my excursions out onto the beautiful River Walk. The conference itself had wonderful content, from practical tips on writing and marketing to inspiring sessions about the spiritual aspects of being a Christian writer and staying positive and focused on what's important. It was exciting and humbling to have a "Finalist" ribbon on my name badge (in case you missed it, Common was named as a finalist in the Young Adult category of the ACFW Carol Awards!!! Eeeeeek!), and although Common didn't win, being surrounded by so many amazingly talented authors was a powerful reminder of just what an honor it was to be among such company. And I couldn't be more excited for the winners!! God is doing incredible things in my life and the lives of so many fellow authors, which is awesome to see.

I'd been so torn about going (I had to leave my 4-month-old baby home, after all!), but this conference was so steeped in knowledge, wisdom, and prayer, which was exactly what I needed! After spending a fun day touring San Antonio with my lovely aunt, I came home feeling reinvigorated and ready to write! In the month since I've been back, I've finally hit my stride with Traitor, Book Two in my Tales of the Mystics series, and have already doubled my manuscript's word count! If I can keep up this momentum, I'm hoping to have my first draft completed by the end of the year - yay!! I SO appreciate everyone's patience as this story has slowly come together in the midst of life's many interruptions.

I hope you're all having a great Fall, I'm hoping to post again soon with even more exciting updates!

Christmas in July - a new short story is on its way!

I knew I'd forget something in my last post! I have MORE exciting news, which centers around a little story called "Return to Callidora." I wrote this story, which involves a princess in a dragon-guarded tower, a handsome knight, and a pied piper-type musician, several years ago. It was one of those writing experiences where I just couldn't get enough - I wrote every time I had an opportunity because the characters were so alive in my mind. But as much as I loved it, "Return to Callidora" was a rather unusual combination of Christmas, fantasy, romance, and spirituality, which made it hard to find a home for my beloved story. After many rejections, I sadly decided to set it aside.

A while later, I saw a post about submissions for a Christmas anthology by a new publisher, Mt. Zion Ridge Press. They were looking for stories that don't fall into the typical Christmas story mold - talk about a perfect fit for my knights and dragons! After a new round of edits and polishing, I submitted "Return to Callidora," and it was accepted! Here I am with my contract :)

Now, the anthology, titled Christmas Fiction off the Beaten Path, has a cover! The expected release date is November 15th, and I can't wait! Not only am I excited to share my own story with you, but the anthology also includes everything from historical to contemporary suspense to steampunk, so I expect it will be fabulous! More details to come!