Well, it’s about time to test this baby of mine.  How can it be a baby, though when it incubated for 25 years?

Yesterday, Heather Moore, Whitney award winning author of two Book of Mormon series, gave the following praise when asked for something for the DB Christmas catalog:

"Pieces of Paris by GG Vandagriff is a literary symphony, a cacophony of words that delves into the hearts of Annalisse and Dennis, as they fight to reestablish the rhythm of their marriage. An emotionally-engaging and unforgettable story."

I was overwhelmed by such praise, of course.  Writers are very insecure and never believe, really, that their writing is any good, no matter who tells them it is.

My signings for the next bit are all in place, as follows:

Saturday, Sept 18, 1-4 pm Authorpalooza at Orem Barnes and Noble.

Saturday, Sept 26, 12-2 pm Celebrating Sisterhood at Orem University Parkway Seagull

Saturday, Oct 2, 6-8 pm Ladies’ Night at Ft. Union Deseret Book

Saturday, Oct 9, 1-4 OFFICIAL LAUNCH at Orem Barnes and Noble

     Door prizes: Novels by your favorite LDS Authors and lovely black feminine "Pieces of Paris" ,

t-shirts.  Giveaways: chocolates and gorgeous bookmarks.  Special giveaways: Sterling    silver Eiffel Tower charms for those who buy Pieces of Paris and another of my books.

Hope to see you soon!

Winners:

I’ve gotten behind in my blogging, but wanted to announce the winners for the Alma and Saving Madeline "contest winners."

They are:  Night Owl Mommy and Suze (Saving Madeline)

            Deron Fraley (Alma)

Plans:

I am busier than a one-armed paperhanger trying to get ready for my trip to Florence next week to research for Crazy Ladies, my next series.  Am trying to finish up current novel (The Only Bright Thing), and am in a very difficult part in the rewrite.  Have been working on this one for twenty-five years.  Hopefully, this will be published in 2010, however I have no idea of the timing. 

Have to buy a raincoat, and umbrella, and a new rolling bag . . .

Reviews:

Watch for reviews of The Hidden Branch which should be coming out soon since DB finally got around to sending out review copies yesterday!

Signings:

All you readers who live in Utah County–don’t forget to come visit me at the University Mall DB Ladies’ Night!

The Hidden Branch is being launched as I write this.  It has been in the stores for about a week, and already has a review from my great fan, Britt!  You can read it at http://bookhabitue.blogspot.com.

The winner in our contest is:

Susan Winterton from Chandler, AZ.   She will receive the entire set of Alex and Briggie books as well as the same gift package of memorabilia that all the other contestants will receive.

I will be signing all my books at the Layton Hills Mall, Layton, Utah on Saturday, the 26th of September, as well as on Ladies’ Night at the University Mall in Orem, Utah.  (Good to have some signings near home for a change).

After conference, my husband and I will be flying to Florence to research my first book in my new series: The Crazy Ladies of Oakwood, Part One: The Escapade.  I am hoping this will be balm for all of you who are mourning the loss of Alex and Briggie.  There will be four new eccentric heroines, exotic places, and complications galore.

One thing that is really fun about Utah is that every town has it’s summer festival.  Friday, July 17th I will be signing for "Steel Days" in American Fork, at the library from 2-3 in the afternoon.

Monday I will be in Spanish Fork, signing for Fiesta Days at the Confetti Antique store from 2-4!

I hope to meet some new fans!

Starting next week I will be writing my semi-final draft (the very final draft is the galleys!) of The Hidden Branch, my fifth Alex and Briggie mystery.  It is due April 15, and I expect to be busy right up to the last making A & B jump through my hoops!  I have actually (with the help of my cleaning lady) organized and cleaned my office in preparation.

I will also be holding 4-6 signings to launch my new book, The Last Waltz.  The confirmed signings are as follows:

• Saturday, March 28, 12-2, Seagull Book, East Bay, Provo Store

• Friday, April 3, 7-9, Pleasant Grove Public Library, Pleasant Grove

• Saturday, April 4, 4-5:30, Ft. Union Deseret Book, Midvale and

• 6-8:00, Layton Hills Mall Deseret Book, Layton

After my book goes to the publisher I will spend time preparing for what is to come:

On April 24 I will fly to California to spend quality time with my daughter and grandson, Jack.  I have been stocking up at the craft store and am mailing supplies ahead!  We’re going to finger paint, bake and decorate, paint and decorate a treasure box for our tent, make 3-D dinosaurs, dance to Pictures at an Exhibition, have adventures in our tent, and finally go to stay with my sister and visit the beach for Jack’s first time.  He wants to make sand castles.

I will return on May 4, have lab work done on May 5 and a hip replacement on May 6.  I will be in the hospital for 3 days.  During my recuperation, I am planning to write a children’s book “The Extraordinary Adventures of Jack and His Nana.”

When I am sufficiently recuperated, I will depart on an extended book tour to:

San Diego, Orange County, Upland, The San Fernando Valley, Bakersfield, Fresno, Palo Alto and environs, Seattle and environs, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.  I am very fortunate that my publisher is so willing and excited to promote my novel.  I will be staying with Stanford friends, my sister, and my daughter.
I will post signing information when all has been organized!

Happy reading!