How do you celebrate 50 years of marriage? Jon and I marked our milestone by sailing up, up, and away in a hot air balloon! Floating high above the fields felt both exhilarating and a little terrifying—exactly like releasing a new novel into the world.

During that unforgettable weekend with our family—who gifted us with this amazing adventure—my beloved geek and I savored time together and reflected on the happiness of having all our dear ones close by. I understood how the joy of my family and the joy of my writing life have always grown side by side.

And that’s when it struck me: launching a book isn’t all that different from launching a balloon. (Be sure to enable your computer to view these colorful images.)

Just like preparing to go up, up and away, a book launch unfolds in stages:

Our hot air balloon ride began with this mass of fabric waiting to take shape.

Team members tether hot air balloon as fire begins to inflate it. To the left, wicker basket awaits passengers.

Hands clasped to share the joy after we’ve followed two others into the basket. Fueled by fire!

…on October 17! Visit this separate book page to preview chapters, hear the playlist, and see what early readers are saying—then order your copy and join the adventure!

This story about marriage on the Kansas frontier follows Annie Osborn Anthony—sister-in-law of Susan B. Anthony—as the Civil War winds down. Torn between loyalty, faith, and fear, Annie must endure hardship and find courage while her husband, Daniel Read Anthony, courts both admiration and controversy.

Looking for more about Susan B. Anthony herself? Then you’ll enjoy the novel’s account of her six-month stay with the Kansas Anthonys, including: segments of her first speech in Leavenworth, her wry observations of Annie’s housekeeping skills,  and proof that she can still keep her younger brother firmly in line.

Now’s a good time to order Secrets to the Wind (Daniel’s courtship story with Annie Osborn) so it’s fresh in your mind before you dive in to Born of This Fire. It’s on sale on Amazon till November 1! Read all about it on its separate book page.

If you can’t get enough of going up up and away, here’s a side note for you: A Brief History of Hot Air Ballooning.  Planning on a hot air  balloon adventure yourself? We loved this company.

Fun stuff coming in the next few days! Watch this space!

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