Sometimes I Write

Confession time. I signed up for this blog tour to promote one of my favorite chick lit authors and then life got all crazy on me. I’ve been beating myself up for not finishing the book before my assigned date on the tour and…I didn’t quite make it. But, I WILL finish it and I can still promote Susan May Warren’s books because I LOVE them. I haven’t read one yet that didn’t have me laughing loudly in public, still and silent-quickly turning the suspenseful pages, nodding my head in sympathy, or pondering the deeper truths learned by her characters and eloquently passed on to me through the pages in my hands. Susan is an amazing author and one funny woman.

Chill Out, Josey! is the sequel to Everything’s Coming Up Josey. You have to read both – they are hilarious and lighthearted, yet are filled with characters and life situations you can relate to. That’s what I love about good chick-lit and mom-lit, and Susan is a master at both. It took me less than 2 pages to laugh when reading each of these books.

It’s just a year. One year in Russia. Russia? But this Minnesota girl knows all about cold and she’s ready for her big adventure serving God in Moscow. But is Moscow ready for her? And what about the man she left behind? It’s not just about shoes and looking good in a shopka. Really.

Read the first chapter: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/c1_everythingsComingUpJosey.html

Russia? Not again. Josey’s finally living the good life – she’s got the man, the (almost-perfect) wedding, the two-story Cape-Cod house of her dreams. That is until her man drags her back to Moscow! Josey knows she has the guts to follow her own dreams across the world, but she’s not so sure she can play the perfect wife while her husband chases after his. Josey’s set on having the perfect life…even in a world without hot water, decent take-out and size-two leather fashion. But can she find the courage to tell her man the secret that will change their lives forever?

Read the first chapter: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/c1_chillOutJosey.html

Here’s what the author had to say about these two books:

“Why don’t you write your life story?” During my eight years as a missionary in Russia, friends from all over the world, in response to my letters, would pose that question. I’d shrug, saying….I’m not sure how to do it.

Fast forward three years. Chick lit is beginning to hit the shelves. An insightful editor at Steeple Hill challenged me to try my hand at this new genre. I thought –what would I have to write about– missionary stories?

Thankfully, she had vision, and when I proposed an idea about a single missionary headed to Moscow for a year, she embraced it. Finally I’d found a venue for my story…although fictionalized…mostly.

I laugh that finally, I got to write about all the fallacies, all the frustrations, and all the foolishness of being a freshman missionary. Mostly, I got to write about the one thing that God taught me – that He’d been at work in my life to bring me to this place, and the places beyond, all my life. And that I didn’t have to be perfect. I just had to surrender and trust.

Just like Josey.

And in Chill Out, Josey!, I let the adventure continue with more of my hilarious (at least I think so!) adventures as a pregnant woman navigating the bus, the subway and most of all LIFE in Russia. I hope you’ll laugh (and cry!) with me/Josey as she tries to figure out just how to stop worrying about life…and just learning how to CHILL OUT, JOSEY!

Here’s the really fun part. Susan is holding a contest for all readers who join her on this tour. (If you just read this post, you’re eligible.  If you’re a guy and still reading this, kudos…and win this for your wife by sharing one of her stories.  You may want to get permission first. lol) To enter, fill out the contest entry form with your funniest/craziest/most embarrassing PREGNANCY STORY and hit submit. You will be entered to win a Super Fabulous, Ultra Deluxe Chill Out, Mom SPA BASKET! and subscribed to Susan’s private newsletter mailing list! This is also where you’ll find several links to other writer/reader friends who are blogging about Josey this month.

More links to Susan’s world:

Susan’s website: www.susanmaywarren.com

Susan’s blog: http://susanmaywarren.typepad.com/scribbles/

Susan’s other books: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/novels.html

Did I mention that I’ve met her and she encouraged my socks off? I’m happy to point you in her direction!