Something Old and Something New...

I want to tell you all about a new Indie author--Terri Tiffany!

No, Terri is not a new author—she’s been around the block more than a time or two with published stories in many Chicken Soup books, magazines, etc, and even had a novel titled The Mulligan hit the shelves two years ago—via the traditional route. But now Terri has ventured into the land of self-publishing, with her first novel published last week. She has also stepped out of her usual genre into her true love—suspense.

 

 

 This story grabbed me from the start! 

Tiffany does a great job of making the MC’s special “gift” truly believable. Kate Song is a photographer who sees mystifying details that others can’t in her photographs—a puzzling phenomenon she was left with when she became the sole survivor of an massive explosion. Kate has spent her life running from the fame that event brought her—determined to shed the name Miracle Girl.

The setting for this story—the town of Bend, PA—is nothing short of eerie. The perfect backdrop for a suspense novel, complete with a cult-like community. The people of the Bend totally creep me out!

You can tell Tiffany's a seasoned writer. Her descriptions drew me into each scene. The story moves along at a good pace with lots of action—a real page-turner.  The characters are well-developed, and the tension between them kept the story engaging between the action scenes. There are plenty of interesting secondary characters to round out the tale. Tiffany does a great job of creating multiple suspects to keep me guessing the identity of the "trainer".

Tiffany also does a great job of wrapping up all the loose ends. Disappointing—I would have loved a sequel!

Did I mention this one is clean? Yes, a book that you won't be afraid for your teen to flip through. Refreshing to find a suspense that isn’t filled with sex and foul language. This story will appeal to a broad audience. My husband started reading it last night. He said, "Wow. This is a really good book."

Yes, it is a really good book. It's available now as a paperback and for Kindle and Nook. You can purchase The Bend at Amazon, and at Barnes & Noble.

I look forward to reading her next book. Terri Tiffany is an Indie author to watch!

Peeking at the Process with a Debut Author

I've had a delightful experience I want to share with you...

watching the birth of a book up close and personal.

It started here, with my blog.

I follow some blogs just for entertainment.

I follow some blogs that are authors-agents-editors' blogs, 

hoping to glean valuable tips to help me in my own journey.

I follow a lot of writers that are where I am, hammering out that first manuscript.

And I follow some seeking publication with one or more finished books.

Terri Tiffany was in the last group.

 Terri has been published more times than I can count as a contributing author,

with several stories in the Chicken Soup books, as well as other inspirational collections.

She is a seasoned writer, but had to wait patiently for that first novel to be grabbed up.

Through following and commenting on our respective blogs,
Terri and I became friends.
One day she asked me if I would be interested
 in reading a chapter of a book she had written, 

and giving her some feedback. 

I eagerly said yes!

In June of 2012, I read the first chapter of a manuscript she called The Mulligan.

The story is quite unique.
The MC is a young girl who decides to go to golf school
to keep her family from falling apart.
What? You say you just read a book about the same thing?
I didn't think so.

In April of 2013, she sent me some revised sections.

And on it went...

We've exchanged a lot of emails since that first chapter.
She has shared a lot of her frustrations,
as well as highs, in the process of publication.

(I think I drove her a little crazy when it came to knowing the actual publication date.)

She had the patience of Job.
I didn't.
I don't know how many ways I can ask,
"Soooo...do you have that date yet?"

I would have been sending emails.
I would have been calling.
But she waited.
And trusted.
And waited.

I've learned a lot through Terri,
but the thing that stands out right now is
that getting published takes a lot of patience.
And talent.
And work.
And perseverance.

Our teen pastor recently spoke about what decides where you end up...
"Direction--not determination--decides you destination."
Although, I think determination can help quite a bit,
we can want something will all our heart,
but if we don't take steps in the right direction,
we will not reach our desired destination.

Terri is a perfect example of someone who kept facing the right direction.
She never lost sight of her goal.
Despite rejections, she kept trying.

So now, I want to officially say...

February 6, 2015
(I know...I'm a little late.)

I really owe a lot to Terri Tiffany.
She has lit the proverbial fire under me!
She not only encourages me,
but she challenges me.

I recently had the privilege of meeting her!
Yes! Face-to-face!
 

This photo doesn't do her justice. She is beautiful inside and out.
Hubby and I drove all the way down south to have dinner with her and her husband.
Yes, we drove 1500 miles just for dinner!
(Okay, maybe we were on vacation.)
We ended up spending several hours talking.
It was like we had known each other for years.
I guess we have.

 
Here comes another good part...
Terri gave me an autographed
copy of The Mulligan!

Of course, I already bought
 the eBook when it released.

But there's something
really special about having
an author hand you
their paperback.


Congratulations, Terri.
Published Author
of
The Mulligan