Promises, Promises Blog Tour Starts Today!

I'm so excited to share with you the amazing schedule of stops I'll be making along this tour. For the next 3 weeks, I have over 30 stops with a fantastic group of blogs and web sites. I'll be doing everything from guest blogging and interviews to answering unique questions and being part of the CFBA Blog Tour from the 21st to the 23rd.

The focus of this tour will be my first book--in honor of it appearing on Amazon.com, Christianbook.com, Parable sites, Barnes & Noble and other retailers online.

** ADDED NOTE (7/10/08): I just learned the links won't be live until August. So, for now, use the links on the books page of this site for ordering. You can get it from Heartsong Presents or Signed by the Author. Your choice.

PLUS, my second book just released on the first, so you'll get to learn a little more about that one as well. It's entitled Quills & Promises, and picks up with the daughter of the main characters in book one. Ordering information can be found on my books page.

And now, without further ado, here is the schedule of stops. I hope to see you there!

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Shirley Connolly (July month-long feature) - http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/

July 7
Margaret Daley (bio)
Dawn Kinzer at From Dusk 'Til Dawn, Musings of a Night Owl
July 8
Donna Moore at Write by Faith
Kim Woodhouse at God's Grace, Love & Forgiveness
July 9
Margaret Daley (interview)
Amy Riley at The Friendly Book Nook
Book Lover News by Cindy Woodsmall
July 10
Jenny Blake at Come Meet AusJenny
July 11
Rose McCauley
Shauna Sturge at The Coffee Stop
Long and Short Reviews
July 12
Carolyn Strawder at Quiet Time with Carolyn
July 14-19
CAN! blog spotlight at You've Got Books! Fiction
July 14
Martha Rogers at Martha Writes
July 15
Leslie Sowell at A Little Bit of Sunlight
July 16
CFBA blog tour (various blogs) at CFBA
Novel Journey / Novel Reviews
July 17
CFBA blog tour (various blogs) at CFBA
Eileen Astels at A Christian Romance Writer's Journey
Cheryl Wyatt at Squirrel's Treehouse
July 18
CFBA blog tour (various blogs) at CFBA
Cara Putman at Cara's Musings
Tyora Moody at CB Reviews
July 19
Stacy Johnson at Vader's Mom
July 21
Camy Tang at Camy's Loft
Jennifer AlLee at Musings on This, That & The Other Thing
Trish Perry Reading, Writing and the Stuff In-Between
July 22
Cindy Woodsmall at the Plain Talk Blog
July 23
Delia Latham at The Melody Within (review/interview)
July 24
Margaret Chind at Creative Madness
July 25
Delia Latham at The Melody Within (guest blogger)
Christa Allan at Fictionary
July 26
Paula Moldenhauer at Grace Reign

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Promises, Promises: Reviews and Book Club Feature

I am simply busting at the seams with excitement and joy and even tears.

Earlier this week, I received a CC (carbon copy) of an email sent to my editor from a friend/fellow author. She's also a member of ACFW. Janice Thompson offered to review my very first book, and she loved it so much that she actually emailed my editor to tell her! Of course, Janice also writes for the same line, but I was FLOORED! It brought tears to my eyes just reading it. I mean, I expected Janice to post a review on her new Double-Booked blog for book reviews and all kinds of awesome stuff, but I NEVER expected her to email my editor! Talk about the shock of the week!

Double-Booked Review of Promises, Promises

"Amber Miller is truly one of the strongest historical romance writers I've read in years. Sometimes historicals (as a whole) don't hold my attention, or the reader tries too hard to impress with historical lingo/tidbits. But in this case, I found myself caught up in the action right away and also found the story very believable. I could relate to both the hero and the heroine. As I mentioned, it's the perfect blend of story, history and biblical truth."

For the rest, you'll have to visit Janice's blog. :) It's a fantastic one. You really should check it out. AND, if you go there and leave a comment, you'll win a chance for a FREE copy of my book. So, run on over there and take a look at the great review site Janice has.

This next one is from a Heartsong Book Club reader:

"Your book was absolutely wonderful! Just finished it tonight and decided I would look you up online. I loved your story about Gustaf and Raelene. They seemed so real! I could especially relate to Raelene's feelings, because after I lost my dad in 2005 (he died a very hard death) - I went into a long period of depression. I had trouble trusting God, but now I realize that death will come to us all, sooner or later, and in some way or other. God decides. Even Jesus, God's Son, was allowed to suffer, and it had a purpose. That thought has comforted me. You have an amazing gift for expressing people's innermost feelings. Thank you so much for your exceptionally fine work! I look forward to your new titles coming soon!"

Isn't that just the sweetest comment and review? I was so touched. She read my book from the book club then took the time to find me online so she could email me.

This last one came from a dear friend and fellow newbie author, Debra Ullrick, whose first book, The Bride Wore Coveralls, also released with Heartsong this year:

"Oh my gosh, I loved your story! I finally got to read it and when I started, I couldn't put it down. I loved your characters, your writing, the plot, ah heck, I loved the whole thing! FANTASTIC! You're writing is awesome. I can't wait to read your next story."

She and I have shared so much as we both sold our books around the same time. It's been quite the journey.

Add those to the other reviews that have trickled in, and I'm one snoopy-dancing, honored and humbled new author. God is SO good, and His promises have truly been fulfilled in my life. That's one of the main themes in this book and it's taken from Romans 4:21. The reviews aren't overwhelming, but they're sincere and heartfelt, and reveal how this book has touched the readers' lives.

That's what this journey is all about. As I posted two weeks ago, I'll be having a blog tour in July where more feedback and reviews for Christianbook.com and Amazon.com and other online sites will start appearing.

But before that happens, my book is one of the two that is being featured THIS MONTH at the ACFW Book Club. If you haven't heard of this club, but you love reading and discussing great new fiction and even chatting with the authors, then this club is for you! Take a look.

The cover of my book is on the main page of the ACFW web site and listed with my buddy, Cheryl Wyatt's book on the club information page. You can see that here. Talk about fantastic publicity! The largest Christian fiction organization in the world, and my book is on the main page. Praise God! Woo-hoo!

I look forward to the discussion among book club members later this month...at least from those who read historicals. :)

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Promises, Promises Blog Tour -- July 2008 -- Hosts Needed!

CALLING ALL INFLUENCERS!

I'm thrilled to announce that Promises, Promises will hit Amazon.com, ChristianBook.com and other online retailers this coming July! I am prepared to send out copies of the book to influencers who will help me get the word out by posting reviews and/or hosting me on their blog. If you think you'll be able to assist me in promoting Promises, Promises, please send me an email letting me know what you’d like to do. I greatly appreciate any assistance. You’re all the best.

The tour will take place from Monday, July 7th through Saturday, July 26th (excluding Sundays), 2008. My book will also be part of the CFBA Tour during this time from Monday, July 21st through Wednesday, July 23rd. So, if you're a member of CFBA, you can request the book through that venue and still be part of the overall tour. If you wish an additional component to add to what CFBA provides, feel free to email me after finishing this invitation.

The theme of the book is the promise that God will never leave or forsake us, no matter what happens in life.

I would love for you to host me on your blog by featuring an:

• an interview


• a guest appearance


• or a book review

Offer a free book as a prize to anyone who leaves a comment. Books will be provided for reviews and giveaways as needed, and I will mail the free copy to the winner so you don't have to incur the cost of shipping.

Email me with:

• the date you prefer (Monday, July 7th through Saturday, July 26th -- excluding Sundays)


• the URL of your blog (and title if applicable)


• the type of feature(s) you will be doing (interview, guest blogger, book review)


• your snail mail address, so I can mail your influencer copy to you

I prefer all interview questions to be sent no later than June 30th to allow me time to answer them. If you decide to have me as a guest on your blog and have a preference for a topic, please get that to me by June 30th as well.

If you know of someone else who might be interested in participating in this tour, feel free to let them know about it. The more, the merrier!


Now, thanks to my friend, fellow author and ACFW Advisor, Deb Raney, the following are a few influencer activities that I'd also love for you to do to help promote this book:


KEY PREFERRED OPTIONS
•Write a review for the book on online bookstores such as:

• http://www.amazon.com/


• http://www.barnesandnoble.com/


• http://www.christianbook.com/

•Write a review at one of the many online book review sites, including:

• http://www.acfw.com/bookreviews.shtml


• http://www.faithfulreader.com/wom/wom.asp


• http://www.epinions.com/

•Using http://www.christianbook.com, recommend this book via an e-mail link that will take your friends right to the page featuring this book.

•If you have a unique perspective—for instance, personal experience with the book’s topic, etc.—offer your insights with your review.


*** For the above, even if you don't have a blog/web site or you don't wish to participate in the tour, I will provide 1 influencer copy that you are free to use as you wish. ***

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS

•If you have a newsletter that goes out on a somewhat regular basis, consider promoting this book.

•Offer to write a book review for your church newsletter, neighborhood newspaper or any other printed source that might reach readers.

•Recommend this book as a featured title for a local book discussion group. Discussion questions can be provided if needed.

•When you’re finished with the book, tuck it into a gift basket for someone who is ill or in the hospital; or take it to your next dinner party as a hostess gift.

•Word-of-mouth is still probably the number one way books hit bestseller lists, so simply start conversations about the book. Tell your friends and family what you’ve been reading and why you enjoyed it so much.

Feel free to write to me and share your experiences after doing any of these things. I'd love to hear about your creative or unique ideas. Thank you for any and all assistance you can offer in helping me get the word out about this book. You truly are a blessing.

* * * * *

Humor in Life -- My First Book Is in Good Company...Then Again....

All right, for the past few weeks, I've been getting "Google Alerts" sent to my inbox each day to let me know when my name or book title or design business appeared in Blog posts or Web searches. Although I glanced at a few for my first book title, Promises, Promises, I didn't pay much attention to it beyond a simple look.

However, this past week, my husband went onto Amazon.com and did a search for my title. Boy, was HE surprised at what he found! And of course, he just *had* to share it with me.

The first result isn't bad at all...even if the premise isn't the best. It's an audio CD of the 1968 Original cast recording from the Broadway musical by the same title. And recent news has a revival in the works to bring this musical back to Broadway. That's a companion I don't mind being associated with my book. It'll mean some potential good press and publicity.

The play is based on the 1960 Billy Wilder film, The Apartment, written by Neil Simon, about a man who rents his apartment to the philandering upper-level executives at his job so they can bring their girlfriends there. The film was the winner of five 1960 Academy Awards® including Best Picture and starred Jack Lemmon, Shirley Maclaine and Bud Wilder. Some legendary names there! :)

The other one, however, isn't as flattering.

It's a DVD about a 1963 sexy shipboard romp featuring two women who are pregnant but don't know which of the husbands is the father. It resulted in a headline-grabbing photo spread in Playboy Magazine for the lead actress, Jayne Mansfield, who also directed the movie.

Ok, so I can guarantee that my book is NOT connected in any way to that 1960's romp. It isn't even connected to the famous film or play, but I wouldn't mind the added publicity from an Academy-award winning movie!

Now, we just need to get my book listed on Amazon, and that has to wait until my publisher submits the info. I'll be so glad when they do.

Another Interview and Book Giveaway

For now, the interview spotlights will be trickling in, one by one. However, in late May and June I'll be doing a multi-site blog tour for a period of about 3-4 weeks. You'll have a LOT of opportunities to enter then.

Or you can enter them as they come, increasing your chances. :)

Today, I have a spotlight interview on my friend and fellow Heartsong author, Lena Nelson Dooley's site. There have already been 13 comments. Add yours for a chance to win a FREE autographed copy of my book.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Congrats to Teresa, who won a copy from my interview on Cecelia's site last week. Your book will be mailed this week.

Vote for My Book -- ACFW Book Club May Choice!

For any of you not familiar with this fantastic club, it's an online book club with members from all over the world (585 of them, to be exact, and growing every day) who chat about their favorite fiction books, read a specific one (or 2) each month, then chat with the author one week after that month ends.

It's a great way to share your favorite books, learn about others you might enjoy, and interact with fellow fiction readers...all from the comfort of your own home.

If you'd like to join, you only have to send a blank email to: acfwbookclub-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

But, that's not the best part!

I just received word today that voting has begun for the books that will be read during the month of May.

And MY BOOK is one of the books they're selecting!!

If you would like to participate in the vote, send the email to the address above, then log on to the web site and cast your vote. Or subscribe and come back here to vote using the link below.

If you are already a member of the book club, you can vote for my book here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acfwbookclub/surveys?id=2005704

The poll closes on March 15th, so you have TWO WEEKS to vote and/or join. Don't delay.

I'd love to have the readers choose my book, but I'd love it more if I could be the author invited to chat with the members in June so they can ask questions or just share with me what they thought of the book.

What an exciting possibility. I hope you'll join me.

Interview and Book Giveaway

Just a quick note to let y'all know that I've been interviewed on my friend's blog today. I will be giving away a FREE autographed copy of my book to the winner selected from those who comment. So, head on over there and leave a comment if you wish to be entered into the drawing.

http://ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com

Good luck!

Keep reading below for today's spotlight.

My Interview on Novel Journey

Just a quick note today to announce a very detailed interview that was posted on Novel Journey. The theme of this fantastic site is "Getting the Word Out, One Reader at a Time."

What a great tag line.

To help them, I'm letting y'all know that my interview is posted, and you can view it and comment if you like. Stick around the site too and take a look at all the other amazing stuff they have.

Read My Interview

Another one is coming on Monday. Stay tuned!

* * * * *

Promises, Promises is Here!! Purchase Today!

I am so excited, I can hardly sit still.

I just received word that my book is now available through the Heartsong Presents web site.

If you are a Heartsong Club member, you will be receiving your February shipment shortly which will include my book with the other 3. If you are not a member and would like to join, just visit the web site for club information.

You can also purchase my book through this site using the Signed by the Author link below my book. The only 'drawback' to that option is that it does not count toward my total sales as I have to purchase the book myself through the publisher.

www.ambermiller.com/books.html

Look on this page for the updated information and both options for purchasing my first book. The first through Heartsong Presents will not provide you with an autographed copy. But you can send your book to me and request an autograph. I only ask that you include a postage-paid envelope for return shipping. Use the Contact Form to inquire about the address once you have a copy of my book that you would like signed.

The second option of SignedbytheAuthor.com provides you with an autographed copy. The cost of the book is higher because I have to provide the packaging.

So, 2 ways to order, and 2 easy ways to get an autographed copy of my book. Come May or June, the book will also be available on Amazon.com.

And now I have to figure out a way to get some sleep tonight while I finish working on my book 3 deadline. It won't be easy with my wanting to dance for joy and shout thanks to God for this dream come true!

It will only get better!

* * * * *

My First Book - Hot off the Press & Cover Flats!!

I'm just dancing with joy today! All right, so I'm STILL dancing with joy after a great experience this past Tuesday.

A fellow newbie Heartsong Presents author, Deb Ullrick, shared with our ACFW email loop about receiving the PDF file of her cover for her first novel. In the midst of celebrating with her, I opened the mail Tuesday to find 45 cover flats of my VERY FIRST BOOK along with a 'hot-off-the-press' copy of MY VERY OWN!!

Oh, it thrills me to even say that, let alone to look at it. I wondered how I would ever get anything done that night. All I wanted to do was sit there and hold the book in my hand and stare at it. It's finally come true. It really is happening.

Now, I just have to wait for my author copies to arrive and figure out how I'm going to work my blog tour since there's a time lapse from book club release to online retailer and bookstore arrivals for my book. Been chatting with other HP authors to see how they've worked it in the past. Still working out a plan. So far, it'll be a small one in February and a full-scale one in late spring when it officially hits stores.

I had to share with all y'all who visit here and read my blog because I would never have reached this point had it not been for those who have encouraged me and supported me along the way. I only wish I could have gotten the dedication page to the publisher in time. :( Alas, it's nonexistent in the first book. I'm going to make double certain it gets into book 2, though. That comes out in July this year.

You can see the cover in the left column and read about the book on the books page. I'll have more information on ordering as soon as it's available, plus a sneak preview of chapter one very soon! Stay tuned.

Praise the Lord!