My best novels happen when ideas collide.  Take two seemingly unrelated but interesting situations, then watch them tango warily around each other until suddenly they’re dancing cheek to cheek, and the plot for a book has begun to form.

Today, as I was handling papers and packing books for my move to somewhere this week, the same thing occurred.  As I filed the book list my assistant had made for me, I decided to count the books I’ve written.  I discovered that One Mountain Away will be book number 70!

What a great way to inaugurate a new series.  My 70th novel.  If you’re tuning in a bit late, then you need to know that a number of those books were series romances, shorter than the single title women’s fiction I write now. Some were even novellas, of the 25,000 word variety. Some were cozy mysteries, again a bit shorter.

But 70 books is still a cause for celebration.

As I packed up what books are left in my study and wondered why I still had so many, I pondered exactly how I should celebrate this milestone. Then, of course, it hit me.

I should give away 70 of my backlist novels as a thank-you to all the readers who have through the years supported me, as well as to introduce newer readers to my older books.

I should give away the books beginning in July, leading up to the publication of number 70 itself, One Mountain Away.

See what I mean about good ideas?

So, today I’m announcing my latest and greatest book giveaway.

Beginning Monday, July 2, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday through August 2nd I will give away a package of 5 books. That’s fourteen packages of 5 books each to fourteen lucky winners. Each package will contain two of my “longer” series romances, two of my single title women’s fiction novels, and one novella in an anthology with other authors. Some of the books have been on my shelves for years, but they were all my author copies and never sold or read.

All books will be signed and one in each envelope will be personalized to the winner.  Add it all up?  70 books total.

How do you enter? 

1. Comment on ANY blog here at Southern Exposure beginning today and tell us at least one reason you read my books or WANT to read my books.  One full sentence or more, please.  
2. I will log only one original entry per reader, although you can comment as frequently as you like.  
3. Your opportunity to comment extends from today through midnight July 31, but remember you can comment on ANY Southern Exposure blog during that time.  Just be sure your comment explains why you read my books or want to.  Other types of comments are always welcome, but won’t be considered entries.
4. When notified by email that you’ve won, you must provide me with an address within ten days, or another winner will be chosen to replace you.
5. Only one win per reader.   That means fourteen unique winners.
6. North American addresses only this time.

Simple, simple.  And I’ll remind you to comment on every blog between now and then.

By the way, this will be my final blog from Virginia, and I’ll be on hiatus for a little while as we settle for the summer in Western New York.  But I’ll be back soon, relaxed and eager.  You can count on it.

Welcome to Sunday Poetry. If this is your first visit you can read about the purpose and inspiration of my Sunday poetry blogs here.

I’m in the midst of moving, but I couldn’t let this occasion go unmarked.  Natasha Trethewey was just named the 19th U.S. poet laureate by the Library of Congress, and I wanted to feature her today. Not only did I find a powerful poem to share, but you will hear her read Monument at this link.  She was born in Gulfport, Mississippi in 1966, and has accrued many honors, including a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

Remember, we read poetry together here for the pure pleasure of the experience. There are no quizzes, no right ways to read or contemplate the poem we share. Absolutely no dissecting allowed. Just come along for the “read.” What line, word or thought will you carry with you this week? If you’d like to tell us where the poem took you? We’ll listen.

Blessed is the Busybody at Amazon

Some people can not be ignored.  Even if you hope they’ll just go away if you send them a smile and a nod, in your heart you know better.   They’ll still be hanging around at the end of the day, until finally, they can slip right in and ask a question or, in this case, questions.

Aggie Sloan-Wilcox is one such person.  She’s not impolite, and she’s not pushy–at least not very.  She’s just, well, nosy.  Aggie wants answers to all of life’s questions, and she doesn’t accept the easy ones.  She wants to find them for herself, and so she, well, investigates.  Everything.

Recently, when Aggie learned that my personal sojourn as the wife of an actively employed minister was ending, she zeroed right in on the questions that come along with any life changing event.

She promises my answers might help when Ed, her minister husband, decides to pursue another profession, or even when he is pursued by a red-eyed, fire-breathing posse of vigilante church members who didn’t like a sermon or his decision about where to hold the annual church picnic. (It happens.)

So without further adieu, here’s Aggie. . .

Aggie Sloan-Wilcox:  This is a momentous event in your life, Emilie. You’ve been the spouse of a minister for several decades, and no matter how carefully you’ve distanced part of yourself from your husband’s career, the church has still been a big part of your life. How do you feel?  My friend Hildy Dorchester (A Truth for a Truth) had a lot of trouble letting go after her husband’s retirement (and murder).  Will you?

Emilie:  I’ve loved being part of the five churches my husband has served, particularly watching him conduct services, but he’ll still be doing that from time to time. We’ll always be involved in churches in one way or the other, only now the pace will be less frantic. And you know what I like best? Now I can sit with him during church services, something I’ve never been able to do.

Aggie Sloan-Wilcox: Being part of a minister’s family is the definition of life in a fishbowl. Good/bad memories?

Emilie: Trying to explain to teenagers why they have to go to church when they would rather sleep in like their friends. Cringing when a small child throws a tantrum during social hour–my small child, alias the minister’s son. Keeping my opinions to myself, because no matter how I qualify them, whatever I say is attributed to the minister and comes back to haunt him.

Best memory and most important? Being part of a wonderful community of people whom I love and admire and knowing how much of a difference that community and my husband’s part in it, make in their lives.

Aggie Sloan-Wilcox: What advice do you have for church congregations (regardless of denomination) about the care and feeding of the minister’s family?

Emilie: I am so glad you asked. Having just watched our congregation give my husband a glorious send-off, I’ll tell you what I observed from this extremely fine and healthy congregation.

The following are always welcome:  Thank-yous. Acknowledgement that the minister may have a different but equally valid point of view. Understanding that the minister can’t be everywhere. Realization that each minister has special gifts and needs space and support to use them effectively. Open lines of communication instead of secret phone trees or griping sessions.

Ministry is not an easy job, in fact statistically 50% of all ministers will not last 5 years at the job. 50% of those who do would choose a different job if one were available, and only 1 in every 10 ministers retires as a minister. 80% of spouses believe the minister is overworked, (55 to 75 hours per week) and  80% of spouses feel under-appreciated and wish their partner had chosen another profession. (Pastoral Care Inc.)

Aggie Sloan-Wilcox:  You’ve probably anticipated this final question.  Would you do it again?

Emilie: In a heartbeat. But I have to say, Aggie, that I am delighted I’ve never had to solve a murder while I was sorting clothing for the church rummage sale. I have to hand it to you.  You’ve definitely one-upped me. (For which I am profoundly grateful.)

Sunday Poetry will return once our move is completed in a few weeks.  Meantime, let us know if you find a poem with particular meaning to you.

Olivia from Treasure Beach

Just a few fun tidbits today.

Tidbit One:  Some of you have written to learn the fate of Treasure Beach, the “novellini” I wrote last year for Southern Exposure, set between Fortunate Harbor and Sunset Bridge (books two and three of the Happiness Key series.)  I’m happy to say that while you can no longer read it at my blog, you will be able to read it again.  My publisher bought the rights and is putting it out in July with another novella by author Sheila Roberts.

The anthology will be called Summer in a Small Town and published strictly as an ebook, priced at $1.99.  I’ve seen a cover mock-up.  While the cover isn’t coastal Florida, (Sheila’s setting is on the cover) it feels suitable anyway.

For more information, check my website from time to time.  And as always, if you’re on my newsletter list, (a new one went out this week) you’ll get word directly in your inbox.  (I send updates four times a year, so sign on without fear of being inundated.)

Tidbit Two:  I can’t tell you how nice it was to read all your comments on my recent blog about moving.  I was surprised and honored you took the time to wish me well.  We are sure this adventure will be a good one, but having you tell me so helped.  I read all my mail and much appreciate it.

Tidbit Three:  I’m happy to announce the winner of the May List giveaway, as chosen by Random.org, is Gladys, who asked the eternal question:  ”Will the Leaning Tower of Pisa ever fall?”  I hope it doesn’t, not in my lifetime.  Gladys wins an autographed copy of Rising Tides.  Congratulations, Gladys.

Tidbit Four:  Brenda Novak’s auction closed yesterday and the final total was $306,000 for diabetes research.  See what one woman can accomplish when she pursues her dream? My item, quilt books and a gift certificate for fabric, closed at $70.

Tidbit Five:  And speaking of my Quilt Along with Emilie books?  I’m pleased to announce I  just donated a large stash of brand new copies to the VA Quilt Museum to sell in their bookstore to help raise money for the museum.  They’re all autographed, and if you’re really anxious to have a set, I bet they’d be willing to ship one at cost.  It never hurts to email and ask.  This is a museum you shouldn’t miss visiting if you’re traveling through the Shenandoah Valley.  A wonderful, wonderful place.

This weekend is my husband’s retirement celebration and we have family coming from all over, including our grandchildren, who will be dedicated at my husband’s final service as minister of our church.  It’s a huge milestone for all of us.  I am so proud of him.  He was unanimously voted the minister emeritus of our congregation, a wonderful honor.  We will party hearty.

Off to figure out how to feed twenty family members after the final service. . .