After working with my editor, Denise Roy, and agent, Elisabeth Weed, for a few years now, we finally met today in Seattle! They came up this week, and we were joined by the lovely author Seré Prince Halverson (who also just published a beautiful book called The Underside of Joy). We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island, where I had fun pointing out all the landmarks that were instrumental and inspiring in writing The Violets of March.

Then we had a lovely lunch and visited Eagle Harbor Books, where I signed some books (always fun!).

Denise took this breathtaking photo, below, on the ferry ride back to Seattle. Don’t you love how the rain looks?

Just as the ferry pulled into Seattle, a rainbow appeared in the sky and the sun came out. It was a beautiful day with three phenomenal women.

What do you think? I’m smitten. P.S. It comes out on September 25th!

Look what book is an airport bookstore bestseller (next to Ms. Tina Fey)! Yup, our very own The Bungalow! My agent’s husband is traveling today and sent her this photo that he snapped at a bookstore in the Miami airport.

I hope you pick up The Bungalow on your travels and get whisked away to Bora-Bora with Anne and Westry.

I’ve been hearing from so many new readers these past few weeks since my book tour, which is always the most fun and exciting thing for an author, so if you’re new here, welcome! Thank you for reading my books and for stopping by. I would be so delighted if you “liked” my Facebook page, and signed up for my Readers’ Club (prizes and lots of fun and news—and zero spam). I look forward to being in touch with you!

Haha, I couldn’t resist! But, truly, every time I see one of those “hey girl” Ryan Gosling photos circulating the web, I can’t help but grin. And, I totally think that Ryan Gosling should play Westry in the movie version of The Bungalow, don’t you? [Photo: GQ]

I wrote a little something for the MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) email newsletter today (hello MOPS!), so, I feel like giving away a copy of my new novel to one deserving, perhaps overworked mother (like me). For the record, I have three little boys—5 and under. Moms, let’s stick together!

I’m on a book tour this month—and having a blast—but it’s quite something to go on a book tour when you have three young children to care for. Before each trip, I’m making sure everything’s attended to so my little guys are happy and comfy before I go (daddy and grandparents are helping a bunch—and the baby goes where I go, so lots of plane travel with baby!), and that means lots of extra prep work before each trip. Moms, you get this! We work hard (even when we’re not going on a book tour!) and because we all could use time to kick our feet up more and read, I’m giving away a copy of my new novel, The Bungalow, to one mother (at random). I’m also tucking in some chocolate, too, to make it extra special. Just leave a comment below! I’ll choose a winner this week.

P.S. Not a mama? Don’t worry, I’ll do more giveaways soon!

Look at this gorgeous, full-page ad that Penguin Canada took out in The New York Times Book Review supplement in the Toronto Star!

Swoon…

Here I am with Colby, my 11-month-old (who will be joining me on my book tour this month and next!), attempting to steal a kiss at Third Place Books in Ravenna the day my new novel, The Bungalow, came out. I’ll be reading at Third Place Books Ravenna in Seattle on Tuesday night (tomorrow!). Seattle friends, I hope you’ll come out and say hi! xoxo P.S. Can you spot The Bungalow on the table?

Oh goodness. My editor sent me this ad that Walmart Canada put together for The Bungalow, and I gasped. Me and … Tina Fey? And James Patterson? And Jane Evanovich? Walmart Canada loved The Bungalow and chose it for a mega January promotion, and I’m so grateful, but I had no idea they were including the book in this list of stellar titles. The above ad will be sent out in mailers and included in the in-store ads. Just wow. Do you think my husband will do the dishes for me for the rest of the month now? P.S. As far as I know, The Bungalow is only at Walmart Cananda, not Walmart U.S. (at least, not yet). For now, you can find the book well-stocked at Target, Costco, and wherever else books are sold!

Dear readers and friends: My book tour kicks off on Sunday (in the lovely town where I grew up, Poulsbo, Washington, at Liberty Bay Books), and I would love to see you at my various stops throughout January and February! All my events are listed here. I would be so excited to meet you at an event in the coming weeks!