Right on the hills of the audio release of Orchard of Hope, here comes Summer of Joy. Some of you were kind enough to give Orchard of Hope a listen. I’m not sure how many of you have made it through the audio book yet as some of you also agreed to listen to Scent of Lilacs. I do think there have been a few reviews posted for both audio books. So far, nothing too cringe worthy about that new narrator, Ann H. Gabhart. 🙂 I did ask for mercy and I think those of you who have listened to Orchard of Hope have been kind.
I think I might have improved on my reading in Summer of Joy. At least I hope so, the same as I always hope whatever book I’m writing will be a bit better than the last in how I put the words together. Some readers are bound to like some stories more than others, but my writing ability can improve no matter the story I’m writing. I’m sure if I went back and reviewed that very first novel I wrote way many years ago, I’d see a lot of things I can now do better.
So with each book I try to narrate, I hope I’ll get better at reading. Next up this summer, I hope to narrate Love Comes Home. It is the only Rosey Corner book that didn’t get an audio contract through the publishers. I’ll have to come up with a whole new bunch of voices for those characters. Kate, Jay, Fern, Aunt Hattie, Graham, and many more. Probably more different characters in that story than in my Hollyhill books. So, if you would like to give Summer of Joy a listen, I do have some more free downloads. First come, first serve. Here’s a blurb to maybe get you interested in hearing the story.
The Brooke family isn’t sorry to see a stormy 1964 draw to a close in Hollyhill, Kentucky, but then the past comes calling, bringing new troubles their way. With true-to-life family drama, refreshing humor and loveable characters, Summer of Joy ends the Heart of Hollyhill series with a bang.
Can You Help?
I also need a few readers willing to help me get out the word about my upcoming release, Along a Storied Trail. If you would be willing to give the story a quick reading around the end of May or first of June and then share about the story with your reading friends, on social media or post a review, I can sign you up for a gift copy. The book is a gift. You aren’t required to do any of the above, but all of the above would be appreciated if you read the book and enjoy the story. And I do hope you will enjoy the story when you get a chance to read it. Again first come, first serve. I don’t have as many spots for this as I do the free downloads for Summer of Joy. But I thought I would offer the gift books to you here before I put out the request on my social media sites. (I’ve filled some of my spots, but if you are reading this and think you might like to help get the word out about my new book, please e-mail me at ann@annhgabhart.com.)
Winners
I picked the winners for my blog giveaway here and for my February newsletter giveaway today. Always fun to let somebody know they won something. Kathy S of Indiana won a book here on my blog giveaway this week. She chose An Appalachian Summer.
My newsletter winners were Karen W from Indiana. She won the box of candy and her choice of one of my books. She picked River to Redemption. Joan A from Missouri won a book and picked These Healing Hills because she enjoyed reading An Appalachian Summer. Michelle S of Canada has read some of my Hidden Springs mysteries, so she picked Murder is No Accident. I have one more winner, Lori S. but so far she hasn’t gotten in touch with her choice of a book.
Thanks to all of you who took part in my giveaway fun. More giveaways will be on the way soon. Plus a few guests might show up here on One Writer’s Journal in the next few weeks to give you a break from nothing but my words.
Some Last Words
For this week anyway. It’s been raining cats and dogs today. Well, really only raindrops, but plenty of them. The fields are muddy. The dog paws are muddy. The floors aren’t looking too good either. But the forecast has sunshine on the way and people are beginning to post pictures of crocus. That means spring will be springing soon. I hope the weather your way isn’t too bad and that a great spring awaits us all. Meanwhile the dogs and I went walking in the mud and the rain this afternoon. I had an aunt who loved to go shopping in the rain. She enjoyed walking under her umbrella from store to store. Me, I’d rather go walking in the rain than shopping.
Do you like walking in the rain? Or snow? Or sunshine? 🙂
As always thanks for reading. Let me know if you’re interested in the Summer of Joy downloads or if you’d like to be part of my book launch team or first readers for Along a Storied Trail.
P.S. Do you like the cover I came up with for the audio of Summer of Joy?