Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Release Day: THEN COMES BABY

The third in my Mirabelle Island series is officially released today. THEN COMES BABY should be hitting the holiday shelves any moment now! Then again, my mom said she spotted it last week, so don't ask me why they say Superromances are released the 2nd Tuesday of every month.

In any case ...

From the time I was very little, I've believed in wishes coming true. I don't think all wishes come true all of the time, but every so often something happens in my life that cements the belief that wishes can come true.

Like the time I said to myself, "If I don't sell this damned book, I'm going back into accounting." And we know how that turned out.

Well, the hero of THEN COMES BABY, Jamis Quinn (yes, I visualized Colin Farrell), is a sardonic, fairly negative thinker, who also believes in wishes coming true. Really believes. He's a Stephen Kingish (only sexy, duh!) horror writer with an odd outlook on life.

I don't want to spoil anything here, so I'll be as vague as possible, but Jamis blaming himself for the results of one of his not-so-wonderful wishes. He takes himself away from society to a place where he can do no harm. He's alone on the secluded northwest end of Mirabelle Island for several years, until Natalie Steeger moves in next door and opens a summer camp for disadvantaged kids.

Natalie (think Reese Witherspoon), too, believes in wishes coming true. Her favorite saying is, "Wish it. See it. Make it happen." (I was happy to see Harlequin used it for a the tag line on the back cover copy.) This concept is the basis for her camp. She believes that if she can give these kids a chance to visualize a better life, that they'll make it happen.

Trust me, this is not a preachy book, but it is a book with message, despite the fact that I didn't set out to write it that way. Somehow it just happened, all came together. I really do believe that people can effect changes in their lives and the first step is in believing it's possible.

How about you? Do you believe in the power of visualization? Ever made a wish that came true? Ever had some weird coincidence happen in your life that gave you pause? Do you think you'd blame yourself if you wished for something not so nice and it actually happened?

I'm giving away a copy of THEN COMES BABY today, so hop in and comment!

Helen

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Release Day, Helen !!!
One of my favorite saing is "be careful what you wish for". And I always do ! I think I'd feel much guilty if something bad I'd wish were ever to come true. I don't visualize much although

Anonymous said...

I meant...
I don't visualize although it is known to help your chances of success (i.e athletes who visualize their jumps).

Virginia C said...

I do believe that visualization is a powerful tool to bring about positive change in life. Keep seeing what you wish for in your mind, keep saying that it will happen, and keep projecting what your life will be like when you get your wish!

I try not to wish for negative things to occur to others. Each person must face the consequences of their own actions. We may not see their comeuppance, but it will happen.

Helen Brenna said...

Emmanuelle - that saying has stuck with me, too. As a kid I remember wishing for bad things to happen to a few choice people. Thank goodness none of it ever came true! I would've felt awful.

Virginia - you pretty much summed it, I think!

Michele Hauf said...

Congrats, Helen! What do you do to celebrate your book release day? Do you go to the stores and stare at it and wait for someone to walk by and pick it up? Do you go out and eat luscious chocolate things? Tell!

Kathleen O said...

Helen, I have it, I read it, I loved it... I cannot wait for the next installment to see which resident of Miriabelle Island is the next to fall in love. I think your idea of Jamis is right on the money and Reese is perfect for Natalie... I subscribe to Harlequin Super Romance's and got this copy a bit early that the store releases.. Which is why I got a jump on this book...Good luck with sales and Happy Release Day!!!

Pamela Keener said...

I have also lived on the premise of be careful what you wish for. I would never wish harm to come to anyone for fear that it would come back to haunt me. If those feelings start I immediately try to retrain my mind to think of delightful things after all we are human. In that same regard I try to turn my back on hateful people so as not to let that rule my world. I hope this comment makes sense.
Love & Hugs,
Pam

Helen Brenna said...

Oh, Michele! Could I already be that jaded that I don't do much of anything on release day? Given I'm plugging away working on my next book and wasn't planning anything, I'd have to say yes!

Tonight. Chocolate. Maybe I'll have a glass of wine, too!!!

Helen Brenna said...

Oh, Kathleen, you made my day, hon!! Thank you! Next book is Missy's story - the gift shop owner in THEN COMES BABY. My editor says it's her fav, so far, in the Mirabelle series.

Helen Brenna said...

Pam, your comment makes total sense. The world would be a better place if we all thought like you!

Pamela Keener said...

Helen, Believe me I am no saint because it it isn't easy but I find that if I can somehow shake off my animosities I am less stressed out.
P

Maureen said...

Congratulations on your new release! This is an interesting topic. I think if you put something in writing it definitely helps you see your wish and can focus your resolve towards your goal.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your new release!!! Would LOVE to read this fabulous story. Thanks for the opportunity.

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Helen Brenna said...

Pam, that's a good point. Negative thoughts are very stressful. One more reason to stay positive!

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks Maureen. Hey! Your post made me realize New Years is almost upon us. Crazy, huh?

Helen Brenna said...

Got you down karenk!

Silvia said...

I believe, in the power of visualization. But sadly I never had any of my wishes come true. That doesn’t stop me from making wishes though. Every time I blow out a candle I make a wish. And no, those candles do not always stand on a birthday cake. It’s just something I like to do.

Unknown said...

Helen, you used the name Jamis...I assume from our infamous trip into the tundra when we met the adorable beta hero.

The book really does sound great. Congrats.

Helen Brenna said...

Silvia - what a nice idea. Why save wishing on candle just for bday cake! I'm gonna remember that!

Helen Brenna said...

Jamis! Yes, Lois. The moment I heard that name I knew I had to use it. Took a while to come up with an appropriate character, though. This guys fits the name, but Beta? Not so much!

Helen Brenna said...

Kathleen O - you read the book. Is Jamis beta? I'm thinking not, but what do I know. LOL

Unknown said...

Beta or not he was a great guy. Nice trip, similar weather.

GunDiva said...

This is kind of far out there, so bear with me...
A few years ago, I wrote down the attributes my "perfect" man would have. I discussed it with a friend of mine and promptly lost that piece of paper. Once I met my now-husband, the paper re-surfaced and he had ALL of the attibutes listed. A different friend of mine insists that the cosmos had something to do with it. It's a little woo-woo for me, but, hey, whatever it takes.

I'm not sure that it counts as a wish, but it its kind of crazy that the paper disappeared - and I mean GONE, I looked everywhere for it - and resurfaced after I met him.

Congrats on your new release, it sounds fabulous!

Helen Brenna said...

The Jamis we met was Beta for sure, Lois. But I'm just not sure MY Jamis is. Sometimes that's clear to me, other times, not. At least with regard to my own writing.

Is that weird to not know?

Helen Brenna said...

GunDiva - that's what I'm talking about! Maybe it's as simple as you writing those attributes down that made YOU look for that man. Eh?

Wild stuff.

KylieBrant said...

Congrats on the release date, Helen! I don't do much on release date...usually hard at work on book 2 or 3 since that one was turned in so it's always a little after the fact, y'know?

Love the name Jamis! I might have to steal it, LOL. I have a Kellan in my current book and am falling a bit in love with him!

I understand your not knowing about your hero, though. My alpha heroes are usually 'the guy who can whittle toothpicks out of coconut shells to make a shelter' types. Macho. Kellan...he's the type who would figure out how to make someone do it for him! More Johnny Depp...but he's definitely not beta, either, is he?

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

I love this cover. I usually visialize better with nice covers.


Please count me in
cindyc725 at gmail dot com

Kathleen Eagle said...

Whew. Been cleaning and decorating all day. Finally get to climb into the convertible and say...

Happy, happy birthday, Baaa-by!

Cindy Gerard said...

Congrats on the new release, Helen. LOVE the preggers heroine on the cover.
Not so much into visualizing but I do believe in the power of positive thinking. Much better than negativity!!

Helen Brenna said...

Hey, Kylie, thanks. See? You know exactly what I'm talking about with the beta thing.

Cindyc725 got you down, too.

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks Kathy and Cindy.

As for pg heroines ... Nat's a little TOO pregnant on this cover. She's only supposed to be about 12-14 weeks, so they pushed it a bit! lol

Lady_Graeye said...

Congrats on your new release! Count me in!

Linda Henderson said...

Congratulations on your new release. I don't think I've ever tried visualization before so I can't say whether or not it would work. I think you'd have to really believe in it for it to be successful.

mariska said...

I believe in the power of visualization. coz i've been practicing that quite some times.

like having an internet for my pc. then early of last month, my hubby signed up for the net connection :)

buddyt said...

I think visualizing is different from just wishing for something.

When you visualize, you really have to think about what it is you want and that automatically leads you to thinking things through.

So yes visualizing can help you to reach for what you want.

Carol

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Lady Graeye and Linda H!

Mariska - awesome! You sure you didn't wish for the great guy first? lol

Carol, I think you're right. I think wishing is something we do as kids. I think as adults we tend to take it one step farther. Sometimes, I think we do it without even realizing it!

Thanks guys!