Thanks to My Wonderful Readers
Last Tuesday I asked you if you would take a moment to let me know which of the three series I’ve done in the recent past you would most like to see continued.
Quite honestly I expected just a few responses. You’re busy. I understand. You can’t always follow my blog or stop by my website. But instead of a few responses, I got many. Here, on my Facebook Page, and in private email. You are quite simply the best, wonderful readers every one.
If I’d had to predict which series would get the most votes, I would have guessed the Shenandoah Album series. For those of you who are unfamiliar with these novels, at this point there are five. Each one features quilts in some way–although not all the interconnected characters are quilters–and all have a related story from the past as part of the longer contemporary story. They take place in Toms Brook, Virginia, a real town in the lovely Shenandoah Valley.
Since my publisher asked me to move on to other characters I’ve received so many emails asking for more Shenandoah Album novels. So I am not surprised that by a vote of nearly two to one, you chose this series as the one they would most like me to continue.
I was surprised by your second choice. My Ministry is Murder Mysteries got slightly more votes than my Goddesses Anonymous series. Although let’s face it, I created my own method for weighting your answers, and while Shenandoah Album would be an obvious winner by any method, the second two series were very close. Still, I honestly had no idea how many of you read and loved my mysteries. I’ve said here before that writing them was an absolute pleasure and I’d like to write more. So now I have a bigger incentive. Thank you for letting me know!
I was also surprised at how many of you have never read any of the Goddesses series. I think in many ways these are the most like my Shenandoah novels, a close group of diverse women dealing with important issues and deepening friendship as they do. So with book four, The Color of Light, coming out in early August, I hope you’ll give these books a try while they’re still in print. I think you’ll be glad you did.
Finally, even though I didn’t include it, so many of you wrote in the Happiness Key series. See, here’s the thing. . . Happiness Key, well, ended with a bang! No spoilers here, but it seemed to me that the women’s lives had changed so drastically from events in the third book that the series ending was clear.
Not so apparently. And I have always had this niggling feeling that I need to send the neighbors to Australia to check up on Dana. . . So who knows?
What I do know for sure? Each and every one of you who took the time to email or comment is a gem, and you are much appreciated. I have wonderful readers, something I knew already.
Oh, and by the way? I do have a Shenandoah Album project in the works. It’s well underway. It’s not the next full-length novel, but something a little different that I know you’ll enjoy. Can’t say when it will be completed. That depends on the book I’m writing for my publisher. But I really do take your desire for more in that series seriously and always have. I am listening.
Good morning Emilie. I’m pleased that your fans exceeded your expectations in response to your request for feedback. Thanks for sharing the news with us. I’m never too busy to read your blog.
You are the best! Thanks for including us in you decisions on what to write! We know that you truly care about your readers!
I voted for the mysteries…Smiled this morning when I read your post about how well it ranked in the “voting”. Thanks for sharing the results
I am sew excited about your Shenandoah series and can’t wait for your next book…as you can see from my email address I am a huge quilter and my first book I read of yours was the Wedding Ring…I was hooked on your writing from the first page…the Murder is Mystery, Happiness Key and Goddesses Anonymous books are also favorites…oh let’s just say I love them all…keep putting them out there and I will keep buying and reading them…have a lovely day! robyn~
Thank you for asking our thoughts. Your books are always a joy to read. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
I have pre-ordered “The Color of Light”. I am happy to hear that you are doing another novel in the Shenandoah series. I have all your novels. I love to read your novels. I even have one I ordered by accident, in German. You are an awesome author. Please keep writing…
So glad members mentioned the keys series. Definitely worth more stories. Besides the main group a follow up with the agents included left the future door open , In my thoughts. Evan happier to see a Shennendougha book coming soon. Looking forward to preordering.
I love them ALL as well. In fact, I have collected every one of your books and cherish them in my collection. I am very excited about the new one coming out in August.
Oh I hope you do continue the Ministry is Murder series! I love all of the series but always hoped we’d see more of these. You are a wonderful writer and I enjoy everything you do. How about a follow up on the Whiskey Island characters?
~ a Cleveland fan
Did you find The Parting Glass? It’s book two, but likely the last. I felt the sisters had found their endings. I’m a Cleveland fan, too, so doubt seriously that I’m done with the city. In fact the book I’m working on has a Cleveland character.
Yes, read The Parting Glass, too! I just like to imagine that endings are never really endings,…. I’ll look forward to reading about your Cleveland character.
Thank you for years of reading enjoyment!
Thank you, Kim. It’s my pleasure to write them.