Year in Review

My 2017 was epic. A little too epic.

I had three new book releases, I was nearly killed by a tick from the Writing Barn in Austin Texas, and I'm still struggling to recover.

And on JANUARY 2, 2018, my next book releases:

 This is possibly my favourite book in the series because I got to write in a wintery setting, it's a little inspired by my own family, and it has a wolverine in it - the coolest animal ever.
Also --- Avalanche! is my first book to receive a STARRED REVIEW from KIRKUS! 

Wolverines everywhere are cheering!

"A content-enriched page-turner with surprising depth." -- Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

If you PRE ORDER, just let me know and I'll send you a signed custom bookplate and other fun SWAG as a thank you. 

I wasn't able to do as much reading this year as I normally do. (or travelling) My brain was out of order for several months. But I did find some favourites to mention:

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor  - gorgeous prose as usual

Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller - spunky, funny heroine

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Boucet (note: I didn't care for the second book in the series as much)

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling - unusual main character in MG

What were your favourite reads of 2017? 

Once again, I'm sitting on some news. I'll hopefully be able to share soon. 

Thanks for reading!

Interviews, Skype, and my poor dog

With three new releases this year, plus battling a major health issue (a tick-borne illness from the Writing Barn in Austin, Texas last February) I haven't been able to do any kayak expeditions at all. We've been on zero trips - so no awesome photos to share. But I hope in the future I'll be back to normal.

In the absence of awesome photos, here are some other awesome things:

1.  I now have new SKYPE dates for the fall - filling fast! These are all free this year, but when the   slots are gone, they're gone.

2.  Myself and Christine Krones, editor for the SURVIVOR DIARIES, were interviewed for Publisher's Weekly along with Lauren Tarshis for her I SURVIVED series. 

                                                          (yes, this actually happened!)

3. Here's my interview for School Library Journal where I talk about growing up with a reserved family, living off-grid, and more.

4. COMING SOON -- I'll be unveiling the film debut of my next LIVE ACTION trailers for                  Falcon Wild and Sled Dog School. 

5.  Not quite awesome thing: my dog cut both front pads of her feet so badly she needed stitches. This is what she thinks about the situation

ARC giveaways - OVERBOARD and FALCON WILD

It has been a while since I posted anything here.

Though, you may have noticed the change of scenery to the header - if you have time, head over to my brand new website to see new and fun information. Hope you like it!


The reason for my long silence - my life was somewhat upended in February when I returned from a workshop at the Writing Barn in Austin Texas. I was bitten by an unknown insect (along with several other workshop attendees) and became gravely ill. To be honest, I've been struggling in silence with this for almost three months. It's scary news to post about, mostly because I'm a joyful person - and I like to talk about happy things here.

So far, my test results have come back positive for Lyme Disease and Bartonella. But I'm on treatment right now, and I'm hopeful to make a recovery soon.


Now, ON TO HAPPIER THINGS....

 


I've just realized it's less than two months away from the start of release season for me!

SURVIVOR DIARIES - OVERBOARD! comes out July 4

I have a shiny ARC to send to a lucky winner randomly selected from comments. I'm also giving one away on my Facebook page.

Also up for grabs is as an ARC of 

FALCON WILD releasing September 19. 

I'm thrilled to tell you this title is a JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION for fall 2017! 

Let me know in comments which ARC you'd like, and how to get hold of you if your name is drawn!

Falcon Wild ARCs are here!

I'm so incredibly excited that this little book is about to be set free!

FALCON WILD has been years in the making, and I can't wait to share it with you. The amazing cover is not quite final - but it's another gem by Cliff Nielson, who also did the cover for ICE DOGS.

I'm a very lucky author!

FALCON WILD comes out September 19, 2017

From the back of the book:

Thirteen-year-old Karma is lost in the backcountry of Montana with her falcon, Stark, and a runaway boy named Cooper. 

Both Karma's and Cooper's mettle is tested by mountain terrain, wild animals, severe weather, and their own waning hope as this edge-of-your-seat adventure story vividly portrays the special bonds that can form between humans and animals. 

I'll be giving away a copy here closer to pub date. Stay tuned!