Giveaway!

Check back Monday for details on this:

It's going to be exciting!!

A review of Chasing Hope

Sometimes a review makes me some completely and utterly happy, that I feel compelled to share it! This review, at livevicarrieous.com, is one such a review.

Free download

Hello friends!
In order to celebrate the release of Chasing Hope, my publisher is offering my first book, A Promise to Remember, as a free ebook now through September 7. Pull out your kindle or nook and get yourself a copy!

PS- Chasing Hope is in stores now. Ebook version will be available September 15-- you can pre-order a copy when you download A Promise to Remember. :-)

Deborah Vogts is giving away six books on her blog this week. I'm happy to report that Almost Amish is one of them. Follow the link to enter. Good luck!
Book giveaway

Book inspiration

Do you sometimes wonder where novelists get their inspiration? Or, how they do their research? I made a little Pinterest board about Chasing Hope. If you want to check it out, click right here.
I hope you enjoy it!

Chasing Hope-- The first review

I'm so happy to share first official review of Chasing Hope. According to the Fresh Fiction website,  "You'll laugh, cry and cheer with these characters as you read CHASING HOPE. This one's a keeper!" You can read the entire review here. With only a month to go until official release, things are starting to get exciting!

Looking for influencers for "Chasing Hope"

My publisher has opened up a few new "influencer" spots for my upcoming novel, Chasing Hope. What is an influencer, you ask? Well, it's someone the publisher direct mails a free copy of the book right around release time. This person agrees to read the book and help spread the word about it. Normally these spots are reserved almost exclusively for bloggers, etc., but since I have a few extra slots, I'd really like to get the books in the hands of my true readers.
So... if you like my books, and you like to tell other people about my books through Facebook, twitter, book clubs, or talking it up among your reader friends, this opportunity is just for you! (If you are simply looking for a free copy, please ignore this post and check back next month when we will be having more giveaways).
If you are interested in "influencing", send me an email with your snail mail address by clicking here.

Happy reading!

PS- If the response exceeds available books, I will have a random drawing. Include a list of unique ways you can "influence" and I'll enter you in the drawing twice! 

Almost Amish review

This review from InRandom.com made me so deliriously happy, I simply had to share it:

http://www.inrandom.com/2013/01/best-book-pick-for-women-almost-amish.html

Back in the writer's cave

So, I'm back in my writer's cave, working on rewrites for my upcoming novel, Chasing Hope. I'm really pleased with the way the story is going-- hopefully you will be, too. Check back for updates in the next few months (including a sneak peek at the gorgeous cover!)
Happy reading!
Katie

Check it out

My friend Sherry Kyle is part of a blog hop today. Click here to go to her blog and learn all about her latest book.
Happy reading!

Library Journal Review

Thanks to everyone for making free download day such a success! 
Here's the latest review for Almost Amish. It appeared in the August 15th issue of Library Journal:


Almost Amish by Kathryn Cushman
August 1, 2012  |  Christian Fiction
9780764208263

Julie Charlton is thrilled when her sister-in-law Susan is chosen to participate in a reality-TV show about living like the Amish. Susan needs another family to join her, so Julie volunteers hers and they move near an Amish community in Tennessee. Soon, the cameras are rolling and Julie realizes that the simple life might be more complicated.

VERDICT Well-developed characters and a heartwarming story make Cushman's fifth novel an enjoyable read. Recommend it to fans of Fannie Flagg.


 I'm super excited about being compared to Fannie Flagg!!

One day only, Almost Amish free on Kindle

August 17th, from midnight to midnight, Almost Amish will be free on Kindle. If you don't have a Kindle, no problem. There are free apps so that you can read it on your computer, iPad, or smart phone.
Mark your calendars so you don't miss out!

Book Banter Winners!

Thank you so much for dropping in for a chat today on Book Banter. That was a blast! As promised, here are the book drawing winners. If you name is on this list, please send an email with your mailing address to:
noelle.buss@bethanyhouse.com
Congratulations to all the winners!
Patti Salyer Valentine Gellner
Jamie Fannon Beck
Ellen List
Michelle Brown Jinnette
Kaye Whitney
Lindy Enlow

Book Banter Today

Hello friends!
From 10 AM to 1PM PST today, I will be the featured author on Book Banter. If you are on Facebook, I would love to have you drop by for part of the chat. We will be giving away several books over the course of the event, with winners posted on my blog. For a direct link, press here.
Hope to see you soon!

And the winners are...

Congratulations to the winners of the Almost Amish drawings. 

Winners of a free copy of Almost Amish are:
Mary Ellen Weiler
Kate Johnston
Christine A.
Emma
Shelfishness.com

Winners of a Starbucks gift card are:
Tavee2
Nancy Narma
Jeanette Marks
Kathleen Bianchi
Marybelle

I have attempted to contact each of you via email for mailing instructions. If you have not received anything from me, check your spam folders, or email me via the contact page on my website.

Thanks to all who entered!

Almost Amish releases!

It's official. Almost Amish is now available.
If you live in the middle Tennessee area, I will be signing books at the Christian Bookstore in Lawrenceburg this Friday from 2 to 5. I'd love to see you there.
If you are part of the Buzz Note Shelf Awareness promotion, keep those comments coming. I will draw winners this weekend.

Vacations and books

 Last night I arrived home after a weeklong vacation with the family to find copies of Almost Amish waiting for me! Vacation... books... it doesn't get any better than that!

Sunset over Boston Harbor (vacation shot)

First copy of Almost Amish

Free book-- hot off the press

If you would like your name entered in a drawing to receive one of seven free copies of Almost Amish,  answer the question below by this Friday (make sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you win). Winners will receive a copy of Almost Amish direct mailed from the publisher. I will email the winners for their mailing address.
Here's the question:
When it comes to parenting, which type are you? If you're not a parent, you can guess :-)

Type A-You head up the PTA, preschool board, fundraisers for the team, etc. Positive- You make sure things get done the right way.  Negative--Everybody seems to lay back and let you do everything.
Type B-  You don't like to be in charge, but you are willing to pitch in and do your part for everything your kids do. Positive- It's nice to be involved and helpful without the stress of being in charge.  Negative- You can get steamrolled into doing too much.
Type C- You work a full time job and you don't want to come home to a bunch of work that someone at the school should be doing. Your job is to take care of the kids at home, it's up to someone with more time to help in the classroom.  Positive- You can maintain something of a time balance in your life. Negative- There can be a sense of disconnect between you and the other parents.

Almost Amish Preview

Almost Amish is complete and headed to the printers in preparation for its July 1st launch. In the meanwhile, Bethany House has put the first three chapters up on their website so you can check it out. Click here for a quick link to the site.

Happy Reading!

Out of the cave!

At long last, I've emerged from my cave, happy to announce that Almost Amish is completed. Whew!
I've already begun early work on the next book, due out in 2014, which, as yet, has no official title.
In the coming weeks I'll be talking more about the upcoming release of Almost Amish, including some giveaways and contests. For now, I'm simply dropping in to say "Hello".
I also invite you to pray along with me for a local girl battling her third round cancer in as many years. Her father is a pastor, and if you want to hear something raw and powerful, listen to his sermons posted after the first two diagnoses. Amazing! Access the website by clicking here.
Talk to you soon!
Katie