Thursday, October 09, 2008

Three weeks before we raise 'Anchor'!

The 'launch' date is almost here. The sixth--and final???--book in my Calamity Jayne series, ANCHORS AWEIGH, is scheduled to set sail October 28th. I always get a little insecure at this time. You start telling yourself that your book is horrible and nobody will want to read anything you write ever again after reading it. That's why an author tends to look at those early reviews with her hands over her eyes, peering at the printed words through the gaps between her fingers.

Being an author sure the heck ain't for wimps.

I received my first review for ANCHORS AWEIGH, last week. It came from Romantic Times Book Review. My last book, FIANCE AT HER FINGERTIPS, received Four and 1/2 Stars from RT, but they've been somewhat stingy with their stars when it comes to my 'Calamity Jayne' series. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, when I received the review last week to see ANCHORS AWEIGH had received a very nice review, as well as Four Stars! Here's what the RT reviewer had to say about AA:

ANCHORS AWEIGH - 4 Stars

Bacus provides a perfect escape into Tressa's world, where her very own Jack Sparrow and Will Turner are after her. There may be a possible murder plot, and the staff is trying to kill their passengers in the way of healthy eating, but Tressa is still her hilarious, down-to-earth self. A fun, fast read!

Summary: Tressa Jayne Turner is always attracting trouble, and once it finds her, she can't let it go. Her next bout occurs on a cruise ship where she's celebrating her grandmother's recent wedding. Once she's there, Tressa realizes her beef-loving self is stuck on a healthy lifestyles ship for a week, that someone is planning a murder, and she has two very good-looking men vying for her heart. (Lauren Becker)

Not bad for an inaugural review, ay mi hearties?

Of course, that doesn't mean Bullet Hole here won't be using her own pirate's kerchief to cover her eyes and peek over as she views additional reviews once they start sailing in. Arrgh!

And more good news from last week! I learned the German rights to my last release, FIANCE AT HER FINGERTIPS, sold.

All in all it was a pretty darned good week.

Oh! I also repainted the bottom portion of my bedroom and added a colorful border waist-high around the room. It looks fabulous!

Today? It's back to the book for Bullet Hole.

How's it looking in your neck of the woods?

~Bullet Hole who must see 'Appaloosa' this weekend!~

15 comments:

Terri Osburn said...

Wow! You've been busy. Congrats on the great week, the great review, and good luck with the launch. It's funny that so many of us are still longing for that first sale, but we forget there's still plenty of stress even after that point.

I'm sure the books will fly off the shelves (and will help with the soaring of one). And I'll keep my eyes out for more wonderful reviews.

Christie Craig said...

Kathy,

First congrats on the reviews. Second I can so relate to peering at those reviews between your fingers with dread in your heart.

You are 100% right. Being a writers isn't for whimps.

CC

Kathy Bacus said...

Thanks, Terrio! I'm hoping for great things from this book, too!

And you're right--it sure doesn't get any less nail-biting stressful in the eve of a book's release, no matter how many books you have out. In fact, I think it's actually more nerve-wracking as you're always striving to top your previous project.

~Bullet Hole who already has no nails left to bite~

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on all the great happenings for the week....and for getting back to writing while still working on those home improvement projects. Maybe your writing mind needed a vacation and all these great things are your welcome back gift!

~TerryS

Kathy Bacus said...

I hear you, Crime Scene. The writing gig is not for the faint of heart...

~Bullet Hole~

Kathy Bacus said...

I like your way of thinking,TerryS. It's nice to get back to writing but it's also nice to have those bright, spanking new rooms to enjoy when I'm through for the day...!

~Bullet Hole~

Anonymous said...

You go, girl!!!

Kathy Bacus said...

Thanks, Tori!

Keri Ford said...

Whoo-hoo! Great on the review AND for incorporating the home improvements in with your writing.

Kathy Bacus said...

Thanks, Keri! I just hope the rest of the reviews come in as positive--and, naturally, that lots of sales follow!

~Bullet Hole~

Anonymous said...

"The 'launch' date is almost here."

Well that explains why I couldn't find the book even though I scoured both Borders and Barnes & Nobel looking for it today. I must have miss read an earlier post.

***marks Oct 28 on calendar****

Your (and Calamity's) fans hope its not the last.


"~Bullet Hole who already has no nails left to bite~"

Are you sure you can't blame it on you house wrecking (ahem, I meant remodeling) projects?

Estella said...

Congrats on receiving a four star review for Anchors Aweigh!

Kathy Bacus said...

Thanks for being anxious to get my next book, Bookmobiler!

And yeah, I gotta admit the condition of my nails (or absence thereof) is also related to my remodeling-run-amok frenzy.

But I now have a bee-u-tee-ful house to admire even if the nails aren't so hot.

~Bullet Hole~

Kathy Bacus said...

Thanks, Estella!

~Bullet Hole~

Gemma Halliday said...

Congrats on the fab review! I can't wait to read this one.

And I'm dying to see 'Appaloosa', too! Doesn't it look awesome?

~Gemma