October
2006
Birthdays, both human and book
Today is my husband’s 34th birthday. That in itself makes it a special day. Every time I look at him, I can’t help but think, “How did I get so darn lucky as to be spending my life with such a guy?” He’s due home from work in about fifteen minutes, and I just can’t wait–even though I just saw him at lunch. (The girls and I took him to Don and Millie’s restaurant in honor of the day.) He’s truly a rare and beautiful treasure. And for all the girls that passed him over in college because they thought he was just a “nice guy” but nothing exciting, I have only one thing to say…
Neener neener neener!!! *thumbing my nose*
(Me and my sweetheart at a Denver B&B this summer for ICRS, dressed up to attend the Christy Awards.)
But this is also a special day for another reason–one year ago today, my first novel, SAHM I Am, was released. I remember specifically avoiding bookstores on this day–wanting desperately to see my book on the shelf and yet scared that it wouldn’t be there and I’d be disappointed.
And now this year, the sequel, @Home For The Holidays, is available, too. (I think the official release date was actually yesterday.)
It feels sort of like the difference between having the first child and then having the second one. Lots of angst and nail-biting and ecstacy and anticipation last year at this time. Lots of running to the bookstores (after I heard that yes, the book was ON the shelf) just to stand and grin at the little stack of MY books.
This year, it’s a little different. I’m still VERY excited, and I want everyone to check out @Home because it’s a terrific story. And I will still end up oogling the Christian fiction section of every bookstore I visit, just to see if it’s there. But I’m calmer this year. It’s a terrific book, but I also have more realistic expectations about it. It’s not likely going to take the literary world by storm or turn me into a celebrity. (Not that I expected the first book to do that exactly…but a girl fantazises, you know.)
But still, it’s MY “baby” and having two novels in print is no small thing. So please excuse me for my proud parent moment…I’m going to whip out the photos and show you my “kids.” I hope you will check them out!
Here’s my debut novel, on its first birthday:
Isn’t it CUTE???
And here’s my newborn novel, only about a day old. It’s a Christmas story about the same group of stay-at-home moms as my first novel. A comedy about motherhood, fatherhood, stay-at-home parents, and how we celebrate the holiday season. It also has story threads in it about international adoption, embryo adoption, and the “War on Christmas.” (Ooohh, that one was a LOT of fun!) Publisher’s Weekly said the satire of Rosalyn was “delicious”–high praise from that particular publication!
@Home For The Holidays
Happy Birthday, everyone! (And pick up a copy of my book!)
The Birthdays, both human and book by Violet Voices, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Written By: Meredith Efken
Posted under: International Adoption, On Being a Parent, Stay At Home Parents, Women's Voices . 
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I have to tell you I looked in EVERY BOOKSTORE in my town yesterday, no @Home…*sigh*
I may just have to order it online when I get my eBay auction payments!
LOL! Thank you! What a sweet thing to do. But I’d say give it a week or two–technically it’s a “November” release, even though the release date was October 24.
However, if you don’t see it in a week or so, and you’re willing to go to bat for me…could you all PLEASE bug your local bookstores and demand that they get it on the shelves? I’d really appreciate it.
CONGRATULATIONS, Meredith! Awww - and I was IN a bookstore this morning conducting an interview for my column . . . didn’t know, so didn’t look. Will have to go back - it’s a small independent bookstore - are you in those?
>..
Happy Birhtday to your hubby!! Happy Anniversary to your first book! And Welcome to your second!! I’m so eager to read it!!! Now I know to be watching for it!!!! What a fabulously BIG day!!!
I loved SAHM I Am! Am thrilled to hear that it’s sequel is out…and about the same group of women! Will definitely go to bat for you if I don’t see it soon…
Congratulations!
Congratulations!! How exciting!! Will look for the book.
@Home is terrific, everyone. Very entertaining. (I got a preview copy, lucky me!)
But I will be grabbing a few copies for Christmas gifts for my SAHM friends as soon as I see it!
Tell Jason Happy B-Day! And from your older friend…don’t bug him about his age!!!
I have to admit I was in the bookstores for another reason too…I was doing some stealth marketing for Susan Meissner’s new book “Widows and Orphans.”
Happy birthday on several accounts. Tell your husband that having crossed that threshold only last month, it’s not all that bad.
Can’t wait to see your new one. So, does it look like you or more like your husband?
–pete
Pattie…I love the phrase “stealth marketing”! Now I have a name for what I did with Meredith’s first book at every bookstore I found it it
And I do need to get busy on that for this one!!
Congratulations on both accounts. I feel the same way about my dear hubby of over 22 years. I am so very blessed. I will definitely check out your new book.
God Bless!
Congrats on the release of the new book!! And you and your hubby are just gorgeous in that pic. *grin* (I think my man is stellar, too.) Thanks for sharing!
Hi Meredith –
I just wanted to pop in and say I saw your Christmas book for sale at my local Publix grocery store here in Georgia. One of the VERY few inspirational books on the shelves.
It looks like a great book. Congratulations!
Thanks, Heather. I’m thrilled to know my book is making its way out there. And Shannon, thanks for the compliment.
And everyone else, thank you for the kind wishes and congrats and support!
Love you all!