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?
- 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.
- I will log only one original entry per reader, although you can comment as frequently as you like.
- 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.
- 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.
- Only one win per reader. That means fourteen unique winners.
- 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.
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I want to read you books because I would love to hear more about what is going on with those folks in Shenandoah Valley. I would love another mystery with Aggie Sloan-Wilcox. I would love to hear the latest from Tracy, Wanda, Janya, and Alice. But it sounds like you will not be writing any more about those characters. I trust that you will create more characters that I love. Best wishes with your move.
I still think of the history in Touching Stars, and though I have read at least 15 more of your books, that theme still captures my imagination–wow, if only it were so! There is always a catch or tickle in your novels, no matter what the theme, that makes me smile at the end of the book and wish there were 30 more pages to enjoy each time. Though we met under unusual circumstances –in Chautauqua when Amy Tan spoke, I will never forget the serendipitous moment when you chose to sit next to me, though there were 5000 attendees in the amphitheater, and we talked about knitting. The rest of the story belongs to us, but the retelling of it has delighted many of our friends, and made Emily Richards readers out of them. xxxiris november
I have read all the Happiness Key books but just one of the
Ministry is Murder books. I think I’ll head over to Amazon now and see if I can find more of them to order. Best part of your books is the characters and the flow of the stories.
Good luck with your move.
I’ve got a couple of your books on my to be read list for a while now, I even bought some of them, they sound like the sort of book I would enjoy. I haven’t actually read any of them yet, no time like the present to start reading them.
Thanks for the good wishes. Moving is SO not fun, but we’re beginning to come up for air.
Hope to see you this summer, Iris. Miss you.
I do hope you’ll love the next set, too. I felt like the women of Happiness Key had told their stories and needed to move on. But I’ll always miss them.
That’s lovely, thank you, Evelyn.
LOVE the Quilting series: Then Happiness keys can’t wait till the next one!
My favorite novels are ones with unique characters – characters who change and grow. I just finished Sunset Bridge. There was definitely character group in all three books in that series.
I loved the Happiness Key books. I even made a cherry pie sewing project with Pat Sloan! I am looking forward to reading some of the Shenandoah Album Novels next.
After reviewing your book list I found quite a few that I would place on my to read list – “Beautiful Lies” and “Whiskey Island” to name a few. The story lines are intriguing and your books seem to offer a variety of themes.
Hi Emilie,
Viv Ilo writing for Carolyn here. Is there a way to subscribe to your blog via email? If so, can you please subscribe Carolyn at the email here? FYI, the Subscribe link on this page is not working in Chrome. It throws an error and shows all your HTML. It works on Firefox but only to subscribe to a reader which Mom does not use. She is greatly looking forward to your next book, as am I.
Hope all is well. Congratulations on 70 books!!!
Carolyn & Viv Ilo
[...] to enter my 70 Book Giveaway, you have until July 31st. Everything you need to know is right here. I’m delighted to say the first winner of a package of five books has been chosen and [...]
I always find time to read your books. My favorite is Whiskey Island. Probably because I live near that Lake Erie Island. I also enjoy your Ministry is Murder mysteries. I’m glad that you have got back your vim and vigor. Now we can look forward to more books to read.
Picked up a happiness key book a feww weeks ago Loved it. ,now I have read three and will read all your books. Looking foward to more.
Thanks sandy P.
I came to Emilie Richards shortly after my husband’s death. Prospect Street was the book that made its way into my hands. Reading just a little each night, it stretched out over quite a long time. So long that when I finished it, I went into “withdrawal” from visiting the characters each night and yearning to know the ending! I made my way here to her blog after seeing another Emilie Richards book I want to read, and then the thought of 70 books! Mind-boggling… but I’m up for it! I wish to read on…
Yes, it was One Mountain Away, that I saw….
Only five in the package… That’s good. Whew! ….
Well, I love you and all of your books. You are a great writer and your books hold me captive when I am reading. I love the fact that my Mom, at 87, prefers your books over all others and will reread them like they are new each time ( one of the benefits of aging!!) Give my love to Mike.
Too funny that I put in your married name as your last name, without thinking and got the message that my answer was wrong. Pen names are good for anonymity!!
I was introduced to you and your writing by Pat Sloan and the Happiness Key series. They were fun reading and even though I got sidetracked, I do plan on finishing the quilt soon!
I am a Virginian through and through (though born in South Dakota). I lived near DC Prospect Street, horse country Fox River, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Shenandoah series, and also in Australia Beautiful Lies. Have loved all your books because the setting is so relateable and the stories are so well-written. I look forward to each new one with anticipation. Thank you for writing them all.
Emilie, I love your books and almost caught up on some of the series. Can’t wait for the new series to come out.
My favorite books are the quilting series, but I found all 3 Happiness Key books to be a fun read. Emilie has a way of bringing to life all of the characters in her novels, and you don’t want to stop “finding out what happens next”!!!
I first read Prospect Street at the recommendation of a counselor! I thoroughly enjoy your writing and connect with the characters. Whiskey Island and Iron Lace were wonderful and I wished both series could go on and on. I would love to read more of your work!
I’ve read several of Emilie’s books and enjoyed them very much. I am always looking for more reading material.
After finishing the Shenandoah series and whiskey Series, I am about to finish the Happiness series. I can’t think of an author whom I enjoy more. Next up “Ministry in Murder”. thank you for such enjoyable books!
I LOVED the Happiness Key Series. And I would love to hear more about them. But I really enjoy everything that I have read of yours. I keep a list in my wallet of all of your books and make off the ones that I have. sometimes I can get lucky and pick up copies at Library Sales and other places. When you have a new book coming out, I add it to the weekly shopping list so that I remember to look for it.
BTW we just moved to southern Maryland and used to live in southeast Virginia. Never been to New York – City or State for that matter. Enjoy the summer. Any ideas where you might land? Thought the note about your former house being hit by the tree – sounds like good timing. No longer your place and your concern.
I can’t decide if I liked the quilting series or Happiness Hill series best! I like that Emilie writes about things that matter to me.
I have read and enjoyed your Happiness Key books. I really enjoyed the characters and am looking forward to reading more of your books in the near future!
Thank you, Jane. I think eventually we’ll settle in Florida. It’s our “home” state, if vagabonds have homes. But we’ll spend lots of time in Virginia and North Carolina and Ohio on the way up and down with our kids. So I think we’ll have the best of all worlds doing it that way. Plus the kids think a FL winter trip is a good idea, which will be great for them AND us.
My thanks to everyone who has commented. When I came up with the giveaway I didn’t realize what a lovely ego boost I would get. I was just making sure people knew what they were commenting on. But this has been a joy.
Emilie I love reading your books because they are Christian based and I know they would never contain bad words. I especially loved your Shenandoah series because it was about quilting. I can’t wait to read “One Mountain Away”!
I am glad you have survived your moved.
[...] package of 5 books in my Seventy Books Giveaway. If you haven’t entered, the rules are here. Tracey said: “I love to read about the people and the places and the roads those people [...]
I love you books and like Happiness Key and the two following books, I usually can’t put them down until I’ve finished them. Afterward I’m just a tiny bit sad it’s over. I read every night and your books keep me up later than any person should be allowed. LOL Keep em coming.
I absolutely love all your writing, but if I have to name a series – for starters I will name the Ministry is Murder series. So loved it.
I first read your Shenandoah series as part of a book club through a local quilt store, but now have read almost all of your books, Emilie. The Ministry is Murder series is my all time favorite, but you continue to draw me to the characters of all of your books as new friends I look forward to meeting again.
I have always loved the Shenandoah Valley series, can’t wait to read more of them. But I loved Whiskey Island as well, since I’ve lived in Cleveland all my life!
Your books sounds just like “my type”. I see several titles that are going to the top of my “tbr” list.
I have a bookshelf right next to my computer. I am looking at the spines of at least 20 of your books. I have loved each and every one of them, and cannot wait to read One Mountain Away! I love reading series where I can keep up the characters and find out their on-going stories. I started reading your books after we met at the quilt show in Ky. I purchased one for me and one for a friend who could not attend. We both treasure them!
I love knowing we met at Paducah. I do hope you love the new series just as much.
I read my first Emilie Richards novel when urged to do so by a quilting friend. I was hooked! I read all of the quilting series, waiting anxiously for each new one to be published. When I ran out of those, I read Prospect Street and all the New Orleans books, then Ministry is Murder (once again waiting impatiently for each new one), and Happiness Key. I also have the quilt instruction books, and have had fun with the patterns. I treasure all the friends I have “met” in your books! This discussion is prompting me to go back and re-read my favorites. Thank you for giving all of these wonderful characters to all of us!
I began reading Emilie when I began quilting and someone recommended the Shenandoah series. I was instantly hooked! I searched for anything and everything “Emilie.” I have a much loved copy of Prospect Street that was much loved before I acquired it! I also love how the character’s stories in the series intertwine. It is just like we are neighbors. Thank you, Emilie, for this chance!
I would love to read your books. They sound like going on an adventure and you get to know the characters. I have never read any of your books before and would love a chance to win to go on a new adventure. I love reading books that you feel like you are part of the characters families. Thanks for giving me a chance to enter.
Emilie,
I read your books because I love the complexity of family relationships in your stories, and I’ve really enjoyed the two I’ve read so far, “Whiskey Island” and “The Parting Glass”. You have a way of intermingling past mysteries and present dynamics with smooth and witty manner. I look forward to reading more from you soon!
~Kathleen K.
I love how you weave your stories between the present and the past leaving me frantically devouring each page to find out what happens to the charachters. My all time favourite books are Rising Tides and Iron Lace. They transported me to a part of the United States that I did not know much about but I felt like I was living there!
Continued sucess in your new novel and your move!
I read your books because I enjoy the way that your characters interact. My favorites are the Happiness Key series. I also loved the recipes that you included. Please write more with a Florida setting!
I look forward to reading more of your works, I recently read the Happiness Key trilogy and finished my quilt! I am so glad I have been introduced to your books via Pat Sloan, friendship is a grand thing…
I’d like to read your books because they characters sound intriguing.