To Everything, A Season

Ashberry Lane, the publisher who championed three of my novels, is closing its doors. When other small presses were floundering after biting off more than they could chew, AL sought out special stories and authors in whom they could believe. I'm grateful to AL for their help in bringing Like There's No Tomorrow, Like a Love Song, and The Memoir of Johnny Devine to print.

But the publishing industry is a rapidly changing place, and sadly, is becoming a difficult place for the small press to stay afloat. So this forced transition is the end of a particular publishing season for me, but perhaps, Lord willing, the beginning of another.

Since AL is closing, all of their 24 titles (including my 3 novels), now found only at Amazon, will no longer be available. It is my hope to relaunch these three books under my own indie brand one day. But, until then, these titles will no longer be available in any format after April 30.

So if you've been thinking of getting one of my books for yourself, or for an upcoming gift, or a few for your church library or book club, be sure to get the copies you want before the end of this month (HERE).

I don't have a relaunch date yet, but if and when these stories become available again, YOU will certainly be the first to know. Until then, please be sure to get the copies you may have been meaning to get. (AND for those of you who belong to Kindle Unlimited, they are now available FREE under that program - but only until the end of April.)

And in the meantime, keep an eye out for my next novels, currently under construction, which will be published one way or another... Lord willing.

Thank you, my reading friends, for your support.

Isaiah 43:19
~Camille

The Birth of A Novelist

I don't know how many of my novelist friends can pin down the day they became a novelist. I can. March 7, 2007.  My friend Lisbet and I had been all dreamy-eyed, discussing the cross-continental romance between her sister (in Norway) and my brother (in America) and we decided someone ought to write a story about two people continents apart who fall in love over correspondence. That giddy musing turned into me going home, jotting a couple of notes (HAHAHA!), firing up the old computer in the kids' upstairs den, and sitting down to write. I planned to contact a publisher located in my state, because, after all, we were neighbors, and they would want to publish my book, right? I went to work, excited about what just might be the next best-seller. 

*Cough Gasp Cough*  Pardon me.

About 100 pages into the story, I realized my story, the one I'd been staying up until nearly dawn each night writing and was now irrevocably invested in, was in serious trouble. I had no clue how to proceed and figured it was time to seek out help. I searched online and found writing sites (www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com) and writer's organizations (www.ACFW.com, www.OregonChristianWriters.org), and from there, soaked up all the coaching, craft books, and critique I could get my hands on. (A word to the wise: not all critiques are beneficial, but ought to be considered for value and weighed against the instinct you must train into your writing gut with an obscene amount of high quality reading.)

In short, eleven years later, I have 3 full length published books (thanks to Rachelle Gardner and Ashberry Lane Publishing) and a Christmas novella (ebook), and a couple of novels in the works. That first story went through the proverbial ringer numerous times, and then came my agent's 10 page revision letter... but that first one did eventually become a book. The title went through several changes, as well as the opening, the storyline, and much more. My writing skill as well as my understanding of the publishing industry had to grow. A LOT.

So, since today marks the anniversary of the day I turned into a novelist, I thought it would be fun to pull out the first page (below) of that very first draft of what is now the book, Like There's No Tomorrow. (For those who know the story, Megan was later renamed Claire.)

Thank you, Gary & Merethe, for inspiring me to become something I didn't know was in there.

Here's the opening of that first draft, started 11 years ago today. :)

~CHAPTER 1~

 Megan Kendal sat speechless in the backseat of her own car. 

Anyone acquainted with the formidable little Scotswoman, especially those traveling with her now, knew she usually had no trouble unleashing her probing questions and fiery opinions on anyone within reach. But today, she was speechless. 

As the station wagon containing her whole family, including her brother Ian, headed toward Glasgow, she was still in shock. And not just Megan, but her teenage sons as well, who couldn’t remember their father ever coming to church with them. 

Ian and David had spent today the way they had spent many recent days: fishing at Loch Blane; and now Megan’s mind was churning with questions: What had happened? What did they talk about? How had Ian managed to get David to come to church with the rest of the family? Without thinking, she leaned forward to take a sniff of her husband who sat in front of her in the driver’s seat.

No smell of whiskey. 

She sat back, ashamed of her suspicions. Did she really think David would have to be drunk to go to church? She glanced over at 15-year-old Jack and understood the look on his face; he’d had the same thought. 

Johnny Devine, Living Large (Print, that is)

I'm pleased to share the ENORMOUS news that 

The Memoir of Johnny Devine is now available in Large Print!

These glossy lovelies arrived in the mail today, compliments of Center Point Publishing.

It's a hefty 415 page hardcover edition and weighing in at a whopping 1.3 lbs, according to Amazon.

(Whose job is it to weigh books? So, what do you do? Uh, I'm a book weigher. But I'm really discreet about it. You don't want the bigger ones to feel self-conscious, so I try to be sensitive and avoid weighing the heavy ones right after the skinny ones...)

So you get a book you can finally see without straining your eyes, but it's heavy enough to pull a hamstring. (?)

Seriously, I love large print. Not only do these books make reading easier, but when I go to reserve a popular title through the library, the large print versions are often available when the regular ones have 187 holds. Win-win!

The Memoir of Johnny Devine (Large Print) is available at Amazon for a hefty price ($36.95), but my guess is those who typically buy large print are prepared for that. Hopefully you've won the lottery or inherited a fortune from book addict. (Oh wait... that's a good one...)

The Memoir of Johnny Devine, a Novel, is a dramatic story-within-a-story of a Hollywood bad boy reformed and a good girl in need of reform. Set in the 1950s, it’s a powerful tale of love, redemption, intrigue, and the miracle of grace. Recipient of RT Book Reviews rare 5-star Top Pick, Seal of Excellence, Best Inspirational Romance 2015, and OCW Cascade Award for Historical Fiction.

I was pleased to find that the Cincinnati Library website includes a feature called Why This Title Appeals to Readers. They took the time to scan the 99 Goodreads reviews and pull the most frequently or commonly used terms people use to describe the "feel" of the Johnny Devine. According to CL, this book appeals in Tone: Moving, Strong sense of place, and in Writing Style: Engaging. I'm delighted to know readers are able to take away some of the things authors work so hard to include in our stories. 

I'm happy with the way this edition turned out. If you get a chance to read one of these, let me know how you liked the larger print. I almost expected to see a center section of film stills, autographed photos of Johnny, and his Hollywood Boulevard star. 

Wait Until They Actually Call Your Name: Lessons in Surviving Award Ceremonies

For one moment, I couldn't breathe.

Two, actually.

At the Oregon Christian Writer's Conference last week, after dinner Wednesday night, the Cascade Awards were given for published and unpublished works. What a tremendous boost to writers, to be acknowledged for the time, effort, and heart that goes into our work. 

My latest novel, The Memoir of Johnny Devine, was a finalist in the Historical Fiction Category, rubbing shoulders with Peter Leavell's West for the Black Hills and Sins of the Mother by Caryl McAdoo. The winner is announced with the first line of the book (or piece) followed by the title and the author. 

When the "Historical Fiction" category came up, I held my breath. For the life of me, I couldn't remember the first line of Johnny's story. 

Then I heard this...

"After all the women I've known and all the illusions of romance I've helped create on stage and film, you'd think I was Hollywood's leading expert on love. In fact, many people not only believed this, but banked on it." 

I think I stumbled to the stage before my name was actually read---awkward. (I never really know what to do in most important situations, so I'm really lucky if I actually do what I'm supposed to.) 

What an honor for Johnny to win this award, and what an honor to be included with such fine authors!

Back at my table, my husband and my publishing team (Ashberry Lane's Christina Tarabochia and Sherrie Ashcraft) were beaming and quietly congratulating me as the award program continued. I confess I was in a fog and didn't catch the winners in other categories I'd hoped to hear. 

Then the ceremony turned to the two special awards OCW gives each year. Prolific author and generous mentor Melanie Dobson was awarded the Trailblazer award and everyone cheered.

As the next award was presented, a hush settled across the room. Marilyn Rhoads began to describe the author receiving the 2016 Writer of Promise award. The bio sounded strangely familiar. As Marilyn went on, I heard muffled sobs beside me. Christina and Sherrie were crying--Sherrie audibly. Traci, my super cool conference roommate at the next table, was grinning at me with tears in her eyes. As more of Marilyn's description of this author and her work became clear, my lungs stopped working. (The best thing to do in a situation like that is to actually breathe in AND out so you don't pass out in front of 300 people, and to think of something to say--asap.)

When Marilyn said, "and her book, The Memoir of Johnny Devine is this year's Historical Fiction Cascade Award winner--" the room exploded in cheers and applause. 

Marilyn was looking my way, so I of course rose and climbed onto the stage, quaking from the thundering energy in the room. 

It wasn't until I reached Marilyn that we all realized she hadn't actually SAID MY NAME yet. Awkward, again, but funny this time--I hope.

As best as I can remember, I thanked the organization, the mentors, and the writing community that I've been blessed to know as a result of being part of OCW. I realized later that I neglected to thank the One whose promise is steadfast and true, and whose gifts and abilities are treasures to be used with confidence and for His glory. 

So to Christ, I give my deepest thanks and my renewed commitment to write as he leads and to surrender the work of my hands to his purposes. May he be glorified in each word I write.

And may I remember to breathe. 

The Memoir of Johnny Devine Wins 2015 BEST INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE!

Thank you, RT Book Reviews! What a tremendous honor! Congratulations to all the winners, including my fellow inspy authors.

~Camille

RT Book Reviews Awards December 2015 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE to The Memoir of Johnny Devine

In addition to being a 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award Nominee, The Memoir of Johnny Devine (Ashberry Lane, 2015) has been awarded the RT December Seal of Excellence — the RT Editors' Book Pick of the Month.

Each month, RT reviews hundreds of books in several romance genres, including inspirational, mainstream, erotica, paranormal, and more. The Memoir of Johnny Devine was selected by a board of editors representing many romance genres. If I’m not mistaken, Johnny Devine is the first inspirational title ever to earn this recognition.

“The RT Seal of Excellence is awarded to the one title each month that stands out from all the rest. The RT staff nominates contenders which the editors then read and discuss at length. Sometimes a book is propelled to the top of the list by an innovative twist on a familiar story, or a villain that leaves readers chilled to the bone. In other instances the setting or the author’s writing style has set the story apart. But every title that wins the RT Seal of Excellence is our pick for the best read of the month.” —RT Book Reviews

What RT Editors are saying about The Memoir of Johnny Devine:

“I am having a difficult time finding the words to describe exactly how much I loved The Memoir of Johnny Devine. Religion, particularly as a person’s saving grace, is a deeply personal and highly subjective topic. However, Camille Eide introduces the plot point with such sensitivity and respect that it’s easy to identify with the characters. I cannot tell you how much I loved reading about an educated, unmarried woman making her own way in the 1950s. In a time where women were expected to stay home, marry and take care of the household, our heroine Eliza is committed to her career and correcting social injustice. Her intelligence, sensitivity and grace immediately endear her to her new boss, the famous Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Devine (whom I pictured as George Clooney...you’ll see what I mean when you read). The most intriguing (and also disturbing) thing about this story is that despite the 1950s setting, the need for gender and racial equality as well as the ongoing witch hunt that is the Red Scare are very relevant today, in 2015, and I applaud Eide for being part of the conversation. She has managed to intertwine a beautiful love story, the desire to build a personal relationship with God and the necessity for social change into one truly fantastic read.” —Kristin Wise

Read the rest of the RT editors' reviews HERE.

The 12 books awarded the Seal of Excellence in 2015 are the nominees for RT BOOK OF THE YEAR. Only these twelve are nominated out of thousands of books RT reviews each year. It is a tremendous privilege and honor to be included in this list. But even more, it is especially meaningful to see God and the story he inspired set apart and honored in such a way. I'm extremely pleased and grateful for this.

The Rare FIVE-Star RT Book Review

RT Book Reviews recently gave The Memoir of Johnny Devine (Ashberry Lane, Dec 2015) a glowing review! I’m amazed at how much insight the reviewer was able to squeeze into the 175 word limit. She also rated it 4½ “yellow” stars and Top Pick.

I didn’t realize the different color (usually the stars are blue) meant anything until a senior RT reviewer pointed out to my publisher that those are GOLD stars. She also said the gold rating is a rare, only given once or twice a year. In fact, 4½ gold stars is equivalent to 5 stars, which they did away with years ago (for some mysterious reason).

But then, a few days ago, I heard that RT is planning to bring the 5 star back. The next day, I discovered that the rating on Memoir had been changed to FIVE GOLD STARS. As far as I know, no book has received 5 stars from RT Book Reviews in years.

So this is huge!!

And to top that off, I also learned that The Memoir of Johnny Devine is an RT 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award Nominee! This nomination is for books that reviewers consider the best of the best. I’m thrilled that Memoir is listed alongside such fine, talented inspirational romance authors such as Laura Frantz, Sarah Ladd, Robin Lee Hatcher, and Jen Turano.

 

I’m thrilled, honored, and grateful, but I’m not sharing this to get pats on the back. I’m hoping that this special nomination and rare five-star rating will help give Johnny Devine a better chance to reach readers who will love and be touched by this God-inspired story. And I hope those who love it will share it with every reader they know. In the literary world, the best advertising is still word of mouth.

Find out more about this story and where to get your copy at www.camilleeide.com. 

AUDIOBOOK version of Like a Love Song is HERE!

Love audio books?

Like a Love Song is now available at Audible.com, narrated by professional narrator and author 

Becky Doughty.

Not a subscriber? No worries! 

Get this book FREE when you sign up for a free trial of Audible.

Special thanks to Ashberry Lane Publishing and BraveHeart Audiobooks 

for making this audio book possible!

Goodreads Book Giveaway: Like a Love Song

What could be better than a FREE BOOK?

A Goodreads Giveaway is now open for a chance to win a paperback copy of Like a Love Song. Enter by Oct 12 (US only).

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Like a Love Song

by Camille Eide

Enter by Oct 12, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Like a Love Song is a romantic, faith-filled drama about a desperate woman, some cast-off kids, and finding the courage to believe in a Love that never fails. Romantic Times Book Reviews gave this story a glowing 4½ star, “Top Pick” review (May 2015).

Good luck!

Johnny Devine Cover Reveal & Pre-Order Deal

I LOVE THIS COVER!!

KUDOS to Nicole at Miller Media Solutions and Ashberry Lane Publishing for this stunning book cover for my upcoming novel! I think it is the perfect blend of of Hollywood glamour, nostalgic mood, intrigue, and romance, don't you?

The Memoir of Johnny Devine is a “classic” love story set in 1953 at a time when post-war America seeks security in prosperity and conformity. Hollywood’s Golden Age is coming to an end, McCarthy's “Red Scare” reaches new heights of paranoia, and unrest over civil rights continues to grow. It’s a story for those who enjoy a character-driven, inspirational drama, a strong but chaste romance, and a touch of intrigue.

This novel was a blast to write and research. In fact, the idea for it came to me in a dream one night at a time when I was in the middle of writing another book. I was so moved by the dream that I set the other book aside and began plotting. Soon, Johnny "Devilishly" Devine was born. (He may possess a few attributes similar to Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Gregory Peck. Their best ones, of course. :) )

Love can’t rewrite the pages of one’s past, 

but it can cover a multitude of sins

---one page at a time.

Rumor had it that Johnny could seduce anything in a skirt quicker than he could hail a cab. But now, the notorious womanizer claims he's born again. Trouble is, everyone knows who he is and what he's done, and they'll never forget---the tabloids have made sure of that.

1953: Eliza Saunderson is a young war widow appalled by societal injustice and inequality. She also resents the notion that modern women are expected to look fashionable, keep house, and play bridge. What if a woman has other aspirations, other skills, other dreams? And then there was the expectation of marriage. Her's hadn't turned out to be the fairy tale her sister promised. Instead, marriage had taught her a painful lesson: Love wasn't worth the constant work of earning and fear of losing it. If what she had could be called love.

Desperation forces Eliza to take a job writing the memoir of the ex-Hollywood heartthrob, Johnny Devine. But to her surprise, she finds herself falling for the humble, grace-filled man John has become. Meanwhile, her passionate articles on racial injustice land her on McCarthy’s hit list and she must clear her name while trying not to fall in love with a man whose scandalous past keeps him too busy to notice her.

...Or does it?

The Memoir of Johnny Devine is the dramatic story within a story of a bad boy reformed and a good girl in need of reform. It’s a powerful tale of love, redemption, intrigue, and the miracle of God’s deliberate grace.

Johnny releases in print and eBook in December, but the eBook is now available for pre-order at a Special Price of 3.99 ($1 off) thru release day.

This novel is coming in December!

The Memoir of Johnny Devine is the story-within-a-story of a bad boy reformed and a good girl in need of reform. This “classic” romance is set in 1953 at a time when post-war America seeks security in prosperity, Hollywood’s Golden Age is coming to an end, the “Red Scare” reaches new heights of paranoia, and unrest over civil rights continues to grow. It’s geared toward those who enjoy a character-driven, inspirational drama, a strong but chaste romance, and a touch of intrigue.

Will be available in print, ebook, and audiobook.

Visit www.camilleeide.com for release news or sign up for publishing news from Ashberry Lane.

Bookstore Sighting & The Super Cool Scoop

Bookstore Sighting!
Today, I saw my latest book in a "real" bookstore for the first time (yay!). How fun is that? What's even more fun is that it was rubbing shoulders with some of my wonderful author friends: Leslie Gould, Rebecca DeMarino, and several others with whom I've connected or met.

GLOWING Feedback!
Like There's No Tomorrow (2014) and Like A Love Song (2015) have been extremely well received by readers. Reviews are trickling in and are all or nearly all 5 Stars. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, which is phenomenal and humbling!

Like There's No Tomorrow is a Finalist in OCW's Cascade Writing Contest (Published Contemporary). The winner will be announced on August 12.

Like a Love Song received a Romantic Times 4-1/2 star (the most they give) "Top Pick" review.

One reviewer writes about Like a Love Song:
"Very moving story about love, forgiveness, regret, and redemption. The characters are engaging and their situations compelling. From the first chapter I didn't want to put this one down. It was impossible not to root for the characters, cheering with them through their triumphs, mourning with them through their struggles. The romance was nothing less than sheer delight! A wonderful sampling of chemistry and passion, motivated by a growing and genuine love between Joe and Sue. The moments they shared a kiss produced that welcome warm and gooey feeling experienced in the best love stories. Yet without doubt, THE best love story in this tale is the one happening between the characters and God. The way Eide weaves a portrayal of the Lord's wooing of Sue and her wounded heart is - as the title implies - like a beautiful love song. Those who are Christian will be touched as they hear echoes of their own love story in this tale. Those who don't know Christ may find in these fictional events a stirring of their own heart by the truth that resonates so clearly about God's love. This is the third narrative I've read by Camille Eide (Savanna's Gift and Like There's No Tomorrow being the other two). This is her best offering yet! If you haven't read her work consider giving these stories a read. You won't be disappointed." ~M.L.

So readers are liking these stories! This is gratifying, especially when I've felt a distinct call from the Lord to write them.

But...

The problem, in spite of such glowing feedback, is that word of these stories is taking time to spread. My audience is small (and growing, but slowly). My brilliant publisher and I are newer kids to the block and are working hard to gain more visibility, but it's not easy. It takes time and teamwork.

I suspect it may actually take a village.

Would you like to be part of this village?

If you want to help me and my books to gain more visibility, you can like my Facebook Page, write a review on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, share a link to my website with friends, Facebook, Twitter, etc, share your copies of my books with family and friends (& ask them to post a review if they like it), or talk to your library or local bookstore about carrying the book. These are a few ways you can help get my books and my hard-working publisher on the map.

Lastly, The Latest Super Cool Scoop: My third book, The Memoir of Johnny Devine, a Novel,

(cover reveal coming soon!)

releases December 2015 from Ashberry Lane! I am especially excited about this "story-within-a-story" of a bad boy reformed and a good girl in need of reform. It’s a powerful tale of love, redemption, intrigue, and the miracle of deliberate grace.

Eliza, a WWII widow hired to write an exclusive memoir, lands on McCarthy’s hit list and must clear her name while trying not to fall in love with Johnny Devine, the born-again, ex-Hollywood heartthrob whose scandalous past keeps him too busy to notice her. Or does it?

The Memoir of Johnny Devine is a “classic” romance set in 1953 at a time when post-war America seeks security in prosperity, Hollywood’s Golden Age is coming to an end, the “Red Scare” reaches new heights of paranoia, and unrest over civil rights continues to grow. It’s geared toward women (and men) who enjoy a character-driven, inspirational drama, a strong but chaste love story, and a touch of intrigue.

Mark your calendar! Better yet... sign up for Ashberry Lane's Newsletter to keep up on my new releases and special pre-order price deals.

And Thank You!
~Camille

I Just Signed a Contract for My Third Full-length Novel!

Ashberry Lane Publishing has just offered to publish my third full length novel, The Memoir of Johnny Devine! I am so excited and can't wait to share this story with you. We will have launch date soon, so stay tuned. A little history about how this story came to be: I was working on another novel--one that was giving me trouble--when I woke one morning from a vivid dream. (My dreams are usually pretty boring, so this got my attention.) In this dream, a very handsome man who walked with a cane watched in silence as a lovely young woman walked out his door. He didn't say a word, but somehow--because dreams are like this--I knew that his heart was breaking and yet he couldn't do or say anything to stop her. I woke instantly fascinated! Why was his heart breaking? Why couldn't he stop her? I mulled it over, and soon, Johnny Devine's story--or stories, to be exact--was born. So with a lot of prayer and the weekly encouragement of a wise and wonderfulauthor friend, I pushed out chapters week after week until the book was finished in just 3 months (It usually takes me a year to complete a novel). I believe that when the Lord lends his divine help to my writing (or anything we do), he is affirming that what we are doing worthy of his time and the use of his beautiful, divine creativity. I believe this story was his idea, his timing. And I believe he helped me write it. I just hope that I've told it well, and that readers will find it worth their while.

The Memoir of Johnny Devine, A Novel by Camille Eide Love can’t rewrite the pages of your past, but it can cover a multitude of sins—one page at a time.   1953: Desperation forces war widow, Eliza Saunderson, to take a job writing the memoir of ex-Hollywood heart-throb, Johnny Devine. Rumor has it Johnny can seduce anything in skirt quicker than he can hail a cab. But now the notorious womanizer claims he’s born again. And so he seems to be. Eliza soon finds herself falling for the humble, grace-filled man John has become—a man who shows no sign of returning her feelings. No sign, that is, until she discovers something John never meant for her to see. When Eliza’s articles on minority oppression land her on McCarthy’s communist hit list, both John and Eliza become entangled in a HUAC investigation that threatens both John’s book and Eliza’s future. To clear her name, Eliza must solve a family mystery. She also needs to convince John that real love—not the Hollywood illusion—can cover a multitude of sins. But just when the hope of love becomes reality, a troubling discovery confirms Eliza’s worst fears. Like the happy façade so many Americans cling to, had it all been empty lies? Is there a love she can truly believe in?   COMING SOON from ASHBERRY LANE PUBLISHING!