I don’t know about you, but my 2019 finale was something of a rollercoaster. While I loved having my parents in town for two full weeks over the holidays, I didn’t love spending the first seven hours of their visit suffering in the Emergency Department of our nearest hospital. (Completely unrelated to their arrival!) While I loved that the prescriptions the doctor gave me eventually took care of the problem, I didn’t love the side effects they left behind. While I love getting back to my writing, I didn’t love saying goodbye to my parents again (they live several states away). So, with the start of 2020, I am determined to leave the past behind and focus on the positive heading my way.

Right now I am most excited about the prospect of finally sharing my cherished stories with so many readers! First up will be the early release of my prequel novella, Ribbons and Beaus. It’ll go out on January 21, exclusively to those who have preordered my debut novel and sent me their proof of purchase by January 11. Here’s a bit more about the novella:

Title: Ribbons and Beaus
Series: Chaparral Hearts
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Length: 35,000 words
Publisher: Kathleen Denly
Release Date: January 11, 2020

Nora Taylor was the little girl who followed Jim Brooks around the fields asking too many questions. So when his brother, Henry, announces Nora’s return from a trip to Boston along with his intention to court and marry her, Jim thinks he’s joking. Until he sees for himself how much Nora’s grown up.

Suddenly staying out of his little brother’s way doesn’t seem so easy.

The man Nora loves thinks she deserves better. Can she change his mind? Or will his brother change hers?

 

For more info on how to be one of the first to read Ribbons and Beaus, click here! (Hurry! The deadline is January 11th!)

 

Next up will be the long-anticipated release of my debut novel, Waltz in the Wilderness!!!!! Advance reader copies are going out to my launch team now and it officially releases February 4, 2020. Eeee! I can’t believe how close it is! Here’s the description:

Title: Waltz in the Wilderness
Series: Chaparral Hearts
Genre: Historical Christian Romance
Length: 328 pages
Publisher: Wild Heart Books
Release Date: Feb. 4, 2020

She’s desperate to find her missing father. His conscience demands he risk all to help.

Eliza Brooks is haunted by her role in her mother’s death, so she’ll do anything to find her missing pa—even if it means sneaking aboard a southbound ship. When those meant to protect her abandon and betray her instead, a family friend’s unexpected assistance is a blessing she can’t refuse.

Daniel Clarke came to California to make his fortune, and a stable job as a San Francisco carpenter has earned him more than most have scraped from the local goldfields. But it’s been four years since he left Massachusetts and his fiancé is impatient for his return. Bound for home at last, Daniel Clarke finds his heart and plans challenged by a tenacious young woman with haunted eyes. Though every word he utters seems to offend her, he is determined to see her safely returned to her father. Even if that means risking his fragile engagement.

When disaster befalls them in the remote wilderness of the Southern California mountains, true feelings are revealed, and both must face heart-rending decisions. But how to decide when every choice before them leads to someone getting hurt?

 

Have you ordered your copy? It’s available for preorder in both digital and print format!

Ebook preorder links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books | Kobo

Paperback preorder links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million 

 

While Ribbons and Beaus, and Waltz in the Wilderness are making their way in the world, I’ll be finishing up the next book in the series, Sing in the Sunlight! Aaaah! You guys! This book is coming along so well! I am in LOVE with what God is doing here. I cannot wait for you all to read it and discover the surprises in store. There are things happening and twists appearing as I work that even I didn’t expect! I really think you’re going to love reading about Richard and the woman God places in his life. If you’re interested in helping me polish out this beautiful story, be sure to join my list of Beta Readers and keep your eye out for the invitation email, coming in February. I only have a small number of slots available for beta reading each book, so act quickly.

Not up for beta reading, but still want to be one of the first to know more about my upcoming releases? Become a Kathleen’s Readers’ Club Member!

Aside from my own debut, I know of several books that are releasing this year which I cannot wait to read. In fact, there are far too many to cram into this post, so below is just the one that I know releases TOMORROW! The rest I will share in next week’s post, so be sure to keep your eye out for it!

January 7, 2020 (TOMORROW!!!) Roseanna M. White releases On Wings of Devotion, the second book in her fabulous Codebreakers series. (Currently on preorder.)

Have you preordered any books which are releasing this year? Which are you most excited about?