It’s been a while…
I haven’t posted anything new on the blog since May, but since we’re halfway through the year it’s about time for a general update. In May and June I did a lot of guest posting with other authors, and I’ve included links to some of those posts at the bottom. There’s a little bit of everything, from an interview with Frederick Smith, to book reviews and recommendations, to devotionals, to reflections on history and culture. Be sure to check them out: something might strike your interest!
Latest Release
Just in time for Christmas in July, I released a novella related to the Gott Mit Uns Series: The Christmas We Both Needed. My intent with the barrage of guest blog spots had originally been to promote the new book, but I had also originally intended my summer release to be Gott Mit Uns Book 3. A few bloggers were hesitant to allow me to promote The Christmas We Both Needed on their page. I was disappointed, but I knew all along I was pushing the boundaries with this book.
PersonalIy, I don’t regret a thing. I posted about it here on May 31:
Moving on from the grit for a moment…
The other thing that kept me busy in June was a 2-week trip to Germany. Even though I have lived in the USA all my life, Deutschland has without a doubt become my Heimat. There is no place in the world I would rather be than wandering around this storied and beautiful land, learning its language and its 1000+ year history, getting to know the people, and wandering where my ancestors did. Although I have ancestors from all over Southwest Germany, these are two places that really resonate with me:
I will be making more posts in my Wandering Around in Germany series in the coming months.
What’s next?
This week I am headed to a writer’s conference with a number of other women who find themselves in the “Mommy” stage of life. It’s an interesting balance that constantly has to be adjusted, especially in the summer months when everybody is home from school!
Check out this fun group of authors and get to know their work by following this hashtag on Instagram:
Plus, if you love clean, positive reads (although there are some of us who write about the grittier side of life), sign up for our newsletter here:
Writing News
I am hard at work reading through and making changes to Gott Mit Uns Book 3, The Rubicon. To cross the Rubicon means to pass the point of no return. As the Second World War ravishes the European continent, Jakob, Emmy and Christian will all face difficult choices. One of them will find that the sum of their choices has led them beyond the point of no return.
The majority of the story was originally intended to be part of The Prodigal Sons. It expands on some of the events in Sani: The German Medic, and wraps up the unresolved issues of The Prodigal Sons and The Christmas We Both Needed, although perhaps not perfectly or with a beautiful red bow.
I recently received a compliment regarding the way scripture is woven into The Prodigal Sons without preaching, and the way the message is supported by the facts of the story. I was grateful for this, because it is what I hope for when I write: I want to write books that touch people deeply, and maybe even in hard-to-reach places. I may offend some readers with grit while offending other readers with messages of faith, but those are risks I have to take. I leave it to God to fight those battles. I just have to be obedient with what He’s given me. It will reach those it needs to.
I want to write books that touch people deeply, and maybe even in hard-to-reach places. I may offend some readers with grit while offending other readers with messages of faith, but those are risks I have to take.
Future Blogs:
I have a number of drafts started, blogs that I hope you will find interesting:
Wandering in Germany: Heidelberg
A little diversion into the world of Bavarian dancing
Characters Part 5: Jake Schmidt
Thank you again for your interest in my writing journey! If you would like to take a look at some of the recent slew of guest posts I’ve made, you can find them at the links below (note that the giveaways are closed):
Aubrey Taylor Books 