It’s here! Today is the Bumpy Landings launch party, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve been up for hours, too excited to sleep

I flew in to Utah last night, and an army of helpers has been working all week to make this party a success. The latest weather forecast shows light snow this evening, which should provide a nice contrast to the warmth and Aloha expected at the launch. I’m so very excited to see everyone, and introduce Bumpy Landings to the world.

Again, the details: The Bumpy Landings Launch party is tonight, January 13th, at the Hawaiian Cultural Center, from 6:00-8:00 pm. The center is located at 741 S Smelter in Midvale, just west of I-15 and south of 7200. There will be light pupus (refreshments) and for every book sold at the launch, I’m making a $5 donation to HCC.

If you live in Cache Valley and don’t feel up to making the drive tonight, I’ll be in Logan on Saturday at The Book Table from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 29 South Main Street. I’m joined by fellow authors Tristi Pinkston, Rebecca Talley, and Daron Fraley for my first book-signing road trip.

Now, for those of you who, like me, can’t wait until the party tonight, I have a treat to share. The Bumpy Landings Full Trailer is complete, and available for your viewing pleasure!

I’ll be running a contest similar to the last one, although I’ve been too busy with the launch to work out the details. So just spread the word, and when the contest goes live I’ll make all of your entries retroactive.

Thanks again to everyone who has given support to me and my book. It may sound cliche, but I really couldn’t have done this without you.

This has been one of those weeks with so much to blog about, and no time for blogging. I will catch you up.

Earlier this year, as discussion centered on the Whitney awards, the question was asked about books released in January, but on store shelves before December ended. what was there eligibility? The answer came back that Whitney eligibility was based on copyright date. Well, on December 30th, I had the thought to check my copyright date, and found it was 2010. I double checked, and found that meant Bumpy Landings would be eligible for the 2010 Whitney, but not 2011, and only if it got 5 nominations in the space of 2 days.

Now, I realize the 2010 copyright date was probably just a typographical oversight, but I’ve seen some pretty sad endings from clerical errors this year, and I had no interest in becoming one of them. So I mobilized a dozen of my beta readers, and invited them to nominate me. As a result, Bumpy Landings is an official Whitney nominee in the Romance category. Now, I always saw the book as General Fiction, but I’m secure enough in my masculinity to accept a Romance categorization.

The book does have some pretty good smooching, after all.

And I have some experience at being the token male in a group.

So becoming a Whitney nominee was the first great thing. Then on Friday, I was the Friendly Friday guest blogger over at CK Bryant’s blog. Check it out here.

I also learned, through a Bumpy Landings Google alert, that there are 5 copies up for grabs on a Goodreads contest.

And then I became a January sponsor over at LDS Publisher. Look at that awesome cover.

Then it was New Years, and I got two really big scenes done on the book trailer. There’s still some work left, but I’m gunning to have this done before I leave for the launch.

And then, the UPS man came, and he brought books.

Lots and lots of books.

MY books.

Let that sink in.

My. Books. Mine.

But you can have one or a dozen.

And with the official arrival of my book, I now have been able to join LDStorymakers. Woo!

So you see, it’s been quite the week. And with the Launch Party for Bumpy Landings just a week away (yikes!) there will be no shortage of fun and excitement to keep me going.

Hang on, and enjoy the flight!

There’s a new Christmas story collection available, and I’m part of it!

The book is called Stolen Christmas and it’s a compilation of winning stories from the LDSPublisher blog annual Christmas story contest. These books are being sold for the very affordable amount of $7.99. You can’t even buy a hardback bestseller from Wal-Mart for that price! To purchase your very own copy (or two or three), click here.

By Lds Publisher, Roger Bonner, Don Carey, Laura Craner, Joyce DiPastena, Sarah M. Eden, L. T. Elliot, Gussie Fick, Melanie Goldmund, M. Gray, Taegyn Hutchinson, Angie Lofthouse, Lori Nawyn, Tristi Pinkston, Brian C. Ricks, Sandra Sorenson, Janice Sperry, Christine Thackeray

What happens when you’re so poor you have to steal your Christmas presents? Have you ever taken a punch in the face as your Christmas gift to the girl you love? Or saved Christmas while hunting were-weevils?

These award-winning Christmas stories are the best of the best from the LDS Publisher Christmas Story Contests. From Christmases past, to present, to future; from sweet and inspirational, to zany and delightful-there’s a story for everyone in this eclectic collection.

Seventeen stories to celebrate the season, from Sarah M. Eden, Tristi Pinkston, Joyce DiPastena, Christine Thackeray, Don Carey, and more.