8/15/2016

Birthdays and New Things with Lizbeth Selvig



Hi GLIAS friends!
Thanks for stopping by today to start a two-day extension of my birthday weekend. I want to share some of the fun writing things I’m working on, but I especially want to give away a bunch of cool presents to celebrate. After all, once you hit a certain age, it’s way more fun to give than to receive—and part of what made this birthday so much fun for me was knowing how many awesome friends I’ve made because of my journey as an author and a GLIAS contributor.

So today and tomorrow—let’s have a PARTY!!

Here’s the first COOL THING I want to tell you about and the first present I have under my birthday tree (I just made that up, because I’m a writer) to give away:

A New Series Name
My very first series is still near and dear to my heart. The first book, The Rancher and the Rock Star, was released nearly five years ago and it remains one of my favorites. It was followed with Rescued by a Stranger (nominated for a RITA award—a huge honor),  Beauty and the Brit (I love this book!!, and Good Guys Wear Black (Dewey’s story—Dewey is a character that appeared in every book and was one of my best heroes even though he had a rough start). 


The problem is that Rancher was originally sold as a single book. By the time it became a series, there was no series branding from my publisher, Avon. Long after the fact, someone (neither I nor my editor knows who) gave the series a truly AWFUL name on Goodreads and Amazon. It’s called “Rural Gentleman.”  How’s that for a serious YIKES?  After a chat with my editor, we decided that name definitely needs changing. So—within the next couple of weeks you should see a new series title:  “Love From Kennison Falls.”

If you haven’t visited my wonderful little Minnesota town and met the fun people there—I’d love you to check them out. You’ll not only meet the heroes (a famous rock star, a giving doctor, a handsome British equestrian, and a small town hero hiding his lonliness) but you’ll meet  Lester and Cotton—two birds who live at the local restaurant and always have something new to say; crotchety, loveable local farmer Robert McCormick who’s always a firecracker; the Loon Feather—a fantastic place to eat and meet; tons of horses and other special animals, and all the great folks of Kennison Falls.

To give you an introduction to the series—I have e-books from the Love From Kennison Falls series to give away.  TWO commenters from today and tomorrow will each get a set of two of the books!

Which leads me the second COOL THING:  my second series, which does have a super cool title:  “Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys.”

Next Brides Book 
I’ve loved this series from the start—six sisters and a long lost cousin who find they’ve inherited their family’s 50,000 acre Paradise Ranch in western Wyoming. Getting to know the Crockett girls:  Mia, Harper, Joely, Grace, Kelly, Raquel and Cami—has been amazing. They’re now like real people to me. They’re almost like the sisters I never had (thanks to my three brothers). Many of you know the first three books in the series:  The Bride Wore Denim, The Bride Wore Red Boots, and The Bride Wore Starlight. They’ve all done well and you, my friends and readers, have given them great reviews, too!

But I have a little bit of a different vision for the last four books in the series than my publisher had—so I’m going to indie publish them and do something new with Avon. Hence the cool thing!  Bride Book Number Four (still to be named) will come out in January (if not before), and while it will have the same great characters and the same special themes, I think it will be even more beautifully branded and draw in even more fans!

PREVIEW NOTE:  Come back here tomorrow for a sneak peek excerpt from Grace’s story and a little more about the new book!!

Meanwhile—more presents!!
I have one e-book set of all three Brides stories for one commenter today and tomorrow!

Let’s talk birthdays! Tell me what your favorite birthday present has been or what your favorite birthday party was (as a kid or an adult).  And come back tomorrow when I'll have some more presents under the birthday tree!!

28 comments:

  1. My birthday is this Friday! For a present my husband is taking me to the Inn Boonsboro in Maryland. The travel from Minnesota will be hard and I'll miss my toddler, but I'm excited! He's a good gift giver :)

    Also...I can't wait to get my hands on Bride Book #4. Seriously, I'll be the first in line to preorder once the link is live Liz!

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    1. Hi Erin!! How fun is THAT? An out-of-town trip for a birthday bash! That is so cool. And you're so sweet--I'll be sure and let you know when it's done! XO

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  2. Happy belated birthday!

    I would have a hard time saying my fav birthday gift as I always love everything - but most of all I just like spending it with those I love!

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    1. Hi Sabrina! You know, as I get older I'm on the same page--the only present I ever ask for is to get all my kids together and just hang out. Those times are the very best! Thanks for coming by!

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  3. My Birthday is not till October, which is my favorite month, love the colors changing on the trees. My all time favorite and most memorable birthday gift. 10-19-14, My Dad was in a Alzehimers facility, he really stopped talking for a few weeks at that point....I walked in and he looked directly at me and said .... " I love you! ". That was priceless!!!!!

    Can't wait for Bride Bok #4! Love the title of your new series!!!!!!!

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    1. Hi KerZar19! I have to tell you that your comment really touched me. My dad is currently in a care facility suffering from dementia. He hasn't been able to speak for several years, but until recently he always knew us all. He is confused a lot these days, but we can all tell the moment he remembers who is with him. He takes our hands, pulls us near and strokes our hair. It is indeed priceless. So--I'm so thrilled that you have that moment to remember with your dad. You'll have no regrets!!

      And thanks for the title compliment--I think it's fun. I'll let you know when #4 is here!! Thanks for being here!

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  4. Happy Happy B-day Wishes!!! :) My fav b-day was when I was turning 11. My family and grandparents went on our first cruise together! It was part cruise, then visiting Disney World and Kennedy Space Center! So much fun!

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    1. Hi Colleen!!!
      What a fun memory. As old as I am, I would go on a Disney visit to anywhere even now. Proof that it's a wondrous place is that your memories have lasted since age 11. Thanks for the story!!

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  5. I really want to read The Bride Wore Starlight.

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    1. Awww, Erica, that is so sweet of you. I hope you get the chance!!

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  6. My favorite birthday was just last month. My husband and I went on an Alaskan cruise. Departing on my birthday, how perfect. We had a fancy dinner that night, so yummy!

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    1. Hey you! I don't blame you a bit for making that your fave birthday. You know how much I love Alaska, too, so I'm so happy you got to go. On the other hand, it will pale in comparison to what's coming your way in December . . . :-D

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  7. Because the circus is always in KC the first week in September when my birthday is, we took our boys for my birthday present for years. It was magical to see their reactions.

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    1. Hi Terri!! I'm with you -- I LOVE the circus. My kids weren't the biggest fans and I have NO idea how that happened. But I would still go any time. And I love grown-up circuses, too, like Cirque du Soleil. I think you get the great fun Mom award!

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  8. coat

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  9. I don't like celebrating My Birthday anymore I used to when My Mom was still here she was the one who made it My Birthday if you know what I mean. iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Mine is soon too on Sept 26th iamabho (at) gmail (dot) com

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    2. Hey Linda. I sure do understand how moms make the day! And I'm so sorry you're missing yours. But--I say still celebrate because I'm sure that's what she would want for you--happiness until you see her again! I'm so glad you stopped by. And happy birthday in September!!

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  10. Happy birthday Lizbeth (again LOL)
    I was going to go with funny (you know my sense of humor), but this time I'm going serious. After almost dying in February (they brought my best friend into recovery to tell me good bye), I'm going to declare my upcoming birthday in December the best birthday ever. It'll be a survivor birthday blow out... that same friend and I will be living it up in Las Vegas!
    Of course I don't need to be entered in the giveaways! You just need to write faster! (*waves to Dewey*)

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    1. Aw, Julie, I'm so so so grateful that you're here to give me this "serious" comment. Thank God Las Vegas is going to have to batten down its hatches to make ready for you and your friend. As for Dewey--he loves you back!! Thanks for stopping by, my friend. XO

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  11. Already have the books and don't have a favorite birthday gift, but thought I'd stop by and say Happy Birthday again! (And thanks for the reminder to call my son and wish him a happy birthday!)

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    1. Love you, my friend. It's just awesome that you came by. Thanks for the wishes and same to #1 Son!!! XO

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  12. Happy birthday! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you! Presents for us...you are too generous! ☺ One of the presents I distinctly remembering receiving was a Betty Crocker cookie book from my grandmother. We always baked together. It lives on my kitchen shelf to this day, with her distinctive handwritten note inside.

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  13. What a sweet comment--on so many levels! I love sharing presents on my birthday, so thank YOU for always being so faithful and commenting! I love the cookie book story. My grandma and I started a family tradition of Christmas cookie baking that still goes on today. So the thought that you have a book with your grandma's notes in it is so wonderful. Thanks for the great story :-)

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  14. NOT in contest! I have and love all of your books. I am sorry to hear that your published didn't support your vision but I am thrilled that you can still publish the books. I would be heart broken not to be able tofollow the rest of the
    Family.

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  15. Birthdays are a big deal in our family, so each one is very special.

    My daughter's birthday is next week, but I swear we have been celebrating all month. So much fun.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  16. I don't really remember any of my birthday but I love it when people give me best wishes. The best birthday is when someone give me books (typical me)

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