I had good news from Tyndale (my publishing house) this week. They have accepted “Tattler’s Branch Road” for publication next September. Whew! What a relief. Even though this will be the 7th book Tyndale has published, I still go through writer’s anguish after I send a new manuscript in. It is difficult to part with the characters I’ve spun out of thin air. I always wonder if they are really ready to meet the public.  It’s sort of like it was years ago when I got my three boys ready for Sunday school, always tucking something in, wiping something off, and straightening something else.

In “Tattler’sBranch Road,” you will meet a diverse group of people. There’s Doc Lilly (of course) and Armina (whom you’ve already met), as well as Lilly’s sister Mazy, the local sheriff, Chanis Clay, and a sly stranger,  Shade Harmon.

The story centers on a baby who seems to appear out of nowhere. Why doesn’t her mother come forward to claim her? The good folks in Skip Rock Shallows step up to keep the baby safe and ultimately to save the life of Doc Lilly.

In my writing I like to explore what makes people do the things they do. I think my readers will like getting to know the people who populate this new novel. For myself, I’ve grown very fond of them. Can’t wait to see if you like them too.

Pray for the folks impacted by Hurricane Sandy and also for the leaders we will elect on Tuesday. How wonderful it is to live in a free society.