Posted in Future Books

If you're not on my E-zine list and want to read the latest news, click on the graphic. I've finally figured out how to post my e-zine on my website:

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Posted in Future Books

Well, some very interesting developments have occurred over the last couple of weeks. But I want you to go here to read about it. http://circlecadventures.blogspot.com/

And then try commenting because I want to see if it's easy for you to do it. HSB has been so SLOW lately that it's hard to load my pages!

I want you to tell me what you think of the background over there, too.

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Posted in Future Books

Well, maybe it's not new to some of you, but for the rest of you? Take a look at my sidebar, where I posted a new poll. This one involves getting your opinion of how many books should be in the Circle C Adventures series. Not that we (Andi and I) have much choice in the matter. When the publisher decides a series has run its course, then what can we say? However, before the publisher makes any permanent plans to retire Andi and Taffy, we thought we'd get your input. You can take the poll (which is short and sweet, but with limited options), or you can leave a comment and express your opinion about how long this series (or any series for that matter) should be!

We appreciate your feedback!

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Posted in Future Books

Here it is! Kregel sent me the cover they chose. Luckily, it is also the cover that most of YOU chose during the cover contest. One slight change: they made the little Chinese girl's shirt a gray-blue rather than that rich (but pretty) red. In the story, this little girl (Lin Mei) is a slave. A slave would not wear red so I suggested they make it a little less wealthy-looking. I'm thrilled that they took my suggestion! So...with no further ado, here is the cover:

Thank you all for participating in the contest. And yes, JewelStuddedPen (AKA Julianne) did respond, so I will be sending her a book later this summer or early fall. And YES, I will have another contest (probably as part of the Fall Bloggy Giveaway).

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Posted in Future Books

A winter flood not only mucks up our town's streets, but also makes a mess of the schoolhouse. Do you know what that means? No school for two whole months! Lucky me.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Book 4, Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers, (coming this fall) go here: CHAPTER ONE.

Here are some real pictures of past floods in the area: (pictures courtesy of the California History & Genealogy Room, Fresno County Library.)

Cory wades through the street to help an old man capture his firewood that's floating away.

Here are some of the levees the folks of Fresno constructed to keep the water away from the main part of town.

Yep! Floods like the one described in Chapter One really happened in Fresno.

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Posted in Future Books

Some of you are asking about the cover and the title for Book 4. I think it's safe to say that the title for the new book is Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers. As for the cover....I did get a very rough draft of it the other day. However, I'm not at liberty right now to share that or any other cover that might be part of the Great Choose-the-Cover-You-Like-Best Contest like I had for Family Secret. However, I will show you the elements that are ON the cover, and you can use your imagination to figure out how they are putting it together to make it look very cool.

So...drum roll. Here are the pictures they chose to use (out of a whole bunch I sent them):

(The designer, of course, cuts around all the figures so the background doesn't show.)

This is a little slave-girl, Lin Mei, whom Andi and Jenny help at the school: Stop by Lin M

ei's (AKA Gracie's) blog and say "Hi"! She is an HSB homeschooling blogger!
Princess Gracie

This is the background for the cover--Aunt Rebecca's house! Bet you've always wanted to see where dear old Aunt Rebecca lives:

Do these pictures make you want to see the actual cover? Well, hang on for a few more weeks and I'll post the cover and (hopefully) another cover for you to look at for your opinions. Patience, friends!

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Posted in Future Books

Andi says:
I'm so excited to learn that my next adventure is going to be made into a book! I don't know what the final name of the book will be, but right now it's called, "Andrea Carter and the San Francisco Smugglers." Got a clue that maybe I get stuck in San Francisco? Yep! Unfortunately I can't bring Taffy along, but I manage to find other horses to keep me company. I think this newest adventure will be ready to share next fall--just in time for Christmas.

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