Skip to main content

Lady Wynwood #7 early release Kickstarter

I worked on my first Kickstarter and it got approved! It’s for the Special Edition Hardcover of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer and the release of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 7: Spinster. I contacted my graphic designer about the Special Edition Hardcover of vol. 1: Archer—it’s going to be SO beautiful! The Kickstarter focuses on the Special Edition Hardcover, but it’ll also include vol. 7: Spinster so that it’ll sort of be like a launch day for vol. 7, too. A third special thing that’ll be in the Kickstarter is Special Edition Paperbacks of all the books in the series. They won’t be available in stores, just in the Kickstarter (and later, from my website, and also in my Patreon book box tiers if I decide to do them). The Kickstarter is not live yet, but you can follow it to be alerted when it has launched. (You may need to create a free Kickstarter account.) Follow Camy’s Kickstarter

Guest blogger Laura Jensen Walker

Captain’s Log, Stardate 07.04.2006

Lovely Laura: Hilarious and bubbly Laura Jensen Walker is guest blogging for me today! Her newest book is Women of Faith Novel of the Year RECONSTRUCTING NATALIE!


"You think you're self-conscious about YOUR lack of cleavage?!"

You wouldn't think the words "breast cancer" and "hilarity" belonged in the same book, much less the same sentence, but chick lit author and breast cancer survivor Laura Jensen Walker knows how to address painful topics with a wink and a smile.

Reconstructing Natalie is the story of a woman whose breast cancer is the catalyst for some serious changes—not the least of which is her cup size! Holding tight to her old friends while reaching out to new ones, Natalie must redefine herself and her faith on new terms.


And now, here’s Laura!

No Place Like Home

Don’t hate me, but my husband Michael and I just returned from three weeks in Europe (England, Scotland, Wales, and Paris) on a desperately needed vacation. (The cool thing is my part was a tax write-off since I was doing research for an upcoming chick lit :) so you may see some of the things below in a future book…) Some memory-making moments (please forgive any mistakes, these are the writings of a jet-lagged chick :)).

Lying in bed and having a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower out our hotel window as it put on a dazzling light show just for us.

Riding in a bateau mouche (open air boat) down the Seine at night as we listened to Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” on Michael’s iPOD (sooo romantic) and then as we approached Notre Dame, listening to the rousing chorus of “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Miz. MAJOR goose bumps.

The best crème brulee EVER at a sidewalk café in Paris

Weeping at the sight of one of my favorite paintings (Monet’s Woman with Green Umbrella) up close and personal in the Musee d’Orsay

All the Renoirs, Van Goghs, Monets and Degas’ in the Orsay and the Orangerie…

Deciding (like Kellie Pickler in the American Idol finale) against escargot

Visiting Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage in England’s Lake District. Weeping again. (Love his ‘Daffodils’ poem, plus he’s all tied into my writing dreams—it was in the same English class where we studied him that I shyly told my college professor I dreamed someday of becoming a writer and he said the words that thrilled me to my soul… “You already are.”)

Wandering through the ruins of Dunkeld Cathedral in Scotland

Cadbury’s melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate buttons

Seeing one of my favorite actresses, Oscar-winning Judi Dench—I mean, Dame Judi Dench—onstage in the West End in Noel Coward’s comedy Hayfever from THE SECOND ROW! (A rough job, but somebody’s got to do it.)

Attending Evensong services at Winchester Cathedral—gorgeous. (Both the music from a visiting choir and the cathedral.)

Scottish shortbread (Walkers, of course)

An unexpected side trip to Conwy, Wales which led us to the best B&B of our entire trip at a lovely inn in the woods… Tir y Coed (means woodland) Had an amazing meal—including the best pate of my life.

A Parisian pigeon pooping on me in a park (Okay, not on a par with the other stuff, but definitely memorable.)

There’s a ton of other cool things, but I don’t want you to start throwing food at me (although if it’s an éclair or Napoleon from a Parisian patisserie, I’ll take it).

Definitely an amazing trip of a lifetime and one we’ll never forget, but near the end I was clicking my ruby slippers and longing to be home. Nothing like your own bed and not having to wear a bra around the house. In fact, we’d barely gotten in the door when I whipped that bad boy off and dropped it on the dining room table—much to the bemusement of our dog sitter. (Whine: That Dolly Parton prosthesis really gets heavy.)

Speaking of bras and prosthesis…two boxes of ‘Reconstructing Natalie’ welcomed us upon our return. Yippie! Natalie is near and dear to my heart—and my boobs, lopsided as they are. She’s my thirteenth book (third novel) and while I was in the midst of writing her last year, I celebrated thirteen years cancer-free. This summer, I’m happy to say I’ll be fourteen years cancer-free. Thank you, God. I may not have a breast, but I have LIFE!

I was blessed to have a loving, supportive husband help me through my cancer experience (I was diagnosed the day after our first wedding anniversary) but what would it be like to be single and battle breast cancer? And Natalie was born. Hope you like her!

Laura Jensen Walker
www.laurajensenwalker.com

Camy here: Thanks, Laura! And I absolutely LOVED Natalie!

Popular Posts

Chinese Take-Out and Sushi for One

Captain’s Log, Supplemental My agent sent me an article from Publisher’s Weekly that discussed this incident: Chinese Take-Out Spawns Christian Controversy And here’s also a blog post that talks about it in more detail: The Fighting 44s This is Soong-Chan Rah’s blog: The PCS blog In sum: Apparently Zondervan (yes, my publisher), who has partnered with Youth Specialties, had put out a youth leaders skit that had stereotypical Asian dialogue, which offended many Christian Asian Americans. In response to the outcry, Zondervan/Youth Specialities put out a sincere apology and is not only freezing the remaining stock of the book, but also reprinting it and replacing the copies people have already bought. I am very proud of my publisher for how they have handled this situation. The skit writers have also issued a public apology . (I feel sorry for them, because they were only trying to write a funny skit, not stir up this maelstrom of internet controversy. I’ve been in youth work long enou...

I GOT A CONTRACT!

Captain’s Log, Stardate 03.29.2006 I had a wonderfully funny blog post planned for today, but I got sidetracked by some news yesterday! Zondervan has offered me a three-book contract on my Asian chick-lit series ! I’m still stunned by everything that’s happened. The series is actually a 4-book projected Asian chick-lit series about four cousins who fall under the infamous family title "Oldest Single Female Cousin," and their ruthless, wealthy grandma applies pressure on each of them to improve their lack of love interests. I think the first book is tentatively scheduled to be released in August 2007. The blurb on the series is on my website here . Brandilyn Collins posted to the ACFW loop about my writing journey, and Tamara Cooper asked that I share it. And since you all know how much I like to talk , here it is. My writing journey: Like most writers, I have wanted to write since I was very young. (In high school, I wrote a fantasy novel that will never see the light of day ...

Camy's (last minute) Christmas sale

Free Christian Romance novels, free Christian Romantic Suspense novels, and free Christian Regency romance novels Camy’s sale is here! Sign up for my Camy Tang newsletter to get  Weddings and Wasabi, White Soup, Unshakeable Pursuit,  and  Necessary Proof free! Sign up for my Camille Elliot newsletter to get  The Spinster's Christmas and The Gentleman Thief free! Shop Camy’s Sale

December 20, 2024 Weekly Patreon Roundup and Holiday Shutdown

I know I just did a roundup on Monday, but I need to tell you that I’ll be on holiday break on my Patreon. So today’s chapter post is the last one for 2024. I’ll be back on January 3, 2025. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! REMINDER (Tier 3 book boxes): Be sure to answer the question at the end of the update post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/117341237/ BONUS: Free short story: How Laura Met Aya https://www.patreon.com/posts/118057800/ New early access AND bonus annotated chapters this week: (Tier 3: Miss Nell’s Assistant and higher) Protection for Hire : Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 Lady Wynwood and the Senhora’s Bargain (bonus story for Tier 2 and higher): Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Volume 7: Spinster: Completed posting! Access to older chapters has been opened up to other tiers. https://www.patreon.com/posts/early-access-98508510 Thanks again for being my subscribers! Camy

Tabi socks, part deux

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.25.2008 (If you're on Ravelry, friend me! I'm camytang.) I made tabi socks again! (At the bottom of the pattern is the calculation for the toe split if you're not using the same weight yarn that I did for this pattern (fingering). I also give an example from when I used worsted weight yarn with this pattern.) I used Opal yarn, Petticoat colorway. It’s a finer yarn than my last pair of tabi socks, so I altered the pattern a bit. Okay, so here’s my first foray into giving a knitting pattern. Camy’s top-down Tabi Socks I’m assuming you already know the basics of knitting socks. If you’re a beginner, here are some great tutorials: Socks 101 How to Knit Socks The Sock Knitter’s Companion A video of turning the heel Sock Knitting Tips Yarn: I have used both fingering weight and worsted weight yarn with this pattern. You just change the number of cast on stitches according to your gauge and the circumference of your ankle. Th...

Brainstorm - character occupation

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.23.2009 Hey guys, I could use some help. In my current manuscript, The Year of the Dog , which is a humorous contemporary romance, I have a minor character, Eddie. He’s my heroine’s ex-boyfriend, and they’re on good terms with each other. He’s a bit irresponsible, but not so much so that he’s a complete loser. He’s got a very easy going attitude, he forgets to pay his bills sometimes, he’s friendly and charming. He’s adventurous and fun to be around, but he’s a little forgetful sometimes, and he tends to spend a little outside his income. I need an occupation for him. What would a charming, easy going, slightly irresponsible guy do for a living? He’s not too irresponsible, because otherwise readers will wonder what in the world my heroine saw in him to date him in the first place. She was attracted to his charm, his easy going attitude (her family’s uptight, and he was a nice contrast), and his adventurousness. But his forgetfulness and irresponsibility ...

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures...

A List of my Free Blog Reads

Curious about what my writing is like? Here’s a list of all my free books and the free short stories, novellas, and novels that you can read here on my blog. I’ll update this post as I add more free reads. Christian Romantic Suspense: Necessary Proof (Sonoma series #4.1, novella) Click here to buy the FREE ebook on all retailers Alex Villa became a Christian in prison, and because of his efforts to help stop a gang producing meth in Sonoma, he has been set up for the death of a cop. Can computer expert Jane Lawton find the evidence that will prove his innocence before the gang eliminates them both? Fantasy short stories: Pixies in a Garden in Kyoto There were pixies in the garden. Since she was in Kyoto, she was certain they were not called pixies, but she didn't know what they would be called in Japanese, and they certainly looked like what she imagined pixies would look like. The King’s Daughter The trees in the King's garden were full of colored pixie lights. The...

Excerpt - A HUNDRED YEARS OF HAPPINESS by Nicole Seitz

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.05.2009 Update: Sorry, this giveaway is closed. A Hundred Years of Happiness by Nicole Seitz A beautiful young woman. An American soldier. A war-torn country. Nearly forty years of silence. Now, two daughters search for the truth they hope will set them free and the elusive peace their parents have never found. In the South Carolina Lowcountry, a young mother named Katherine Ann is struggling to help her tempestuous father, by plunging into a world of secrets he never talks about. A fry cook named Lisa is trying desperately to reach her grieving Vietnamese mother, who has never fully adjusted to life in the States. And somewhere far away, a lost soul named Ernest is drifting, treading water, searching for what he lost on a long-ago mountain. They're all longing for connection. For the war that touched them to finally end. For their hundred years of happiness at long last to begin. From the beloved author of The Spirit of Sweetgrass...

Update

Captain's Log, Stardate 02.10.2010 Hey guys, So yeah, I've been offline lately. Been busy. Teaching an online class on synopsis writing and working on a new proposal. And no, I can't tell you yet. But every so often I'm on Twitter and Facebook , so be sure to check out my Twitter feed (it's also on the right sidebar) or find me on Facebook. Lately, all I've been tweeting is my shock at finding so many gray hairs all of a sudden...and I don't even have children as my excuse for having so many. Then again, Captain Caffeine says I'm the reason he has so many gray hairs, but I know he's just kidding because he had tons of gray hair when I first met him. Or at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.