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 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!!