The Trade Paperback of Covet Is Available Today!

  • April 29, 2014

Hello, everyone!

Today is the release of the trade paperback of Covet, with the beautiful new cover! Will I be at Target tonight, taking a picture of it on the shelf? You bet I will (plus we’re getting low on paper towels and laundry detergent, so I’ll be there anyway).

Here’s a quick recap of where you can buy it:

Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Target
Wal-Mart (select stores)
Airport bookstores
Books-A-Million
Canada – Indigo, Chapters, & Amazon

And don’t forget, the e-book of Covet is still on sale for $5.99 through May 21st.

When Covet was released in hardcover, many of you sent me pictures of yourselves holding the book. I loved these “in the wild” photos and hope you’ll send them again (please direct them to [email protected]). If you do, I’ll send you a signed bookplate created by Bookplate Ink. It will look like this:

A bookplate is a fancy name for a sticker that you can peel off and affix to the inside cover or title page of the book (or wherever you want to put it).

My publisher has decided to up the ante a bit and has generously offered to send a copy of the trade paperback of On the Island (signed by me!) to the first thirty people who send in a picture of themselves with their copy of the trade paperback of Covet. Everyone who sends in a photo after that will also receive a bookplate.

Disclaimers: You do not have to buy anything. This is meant to be along the same lines as last September’s hardcover launch of Covet when I sent out signed bookplates. Basically, if you’ve been planning to buy the trade paperback of Covet and you pick it up sometime in the next week or two, I’d love to see a snapshot of you holding your copy (and you’ll receive a bookplate and signed copy of On the Island).

I will post your pictures on my Facebook author page, so smile pretty. 🙂

Thanks, everyone!!

Covet Playlist Explained: Why Did I Choose These Songs?

  • January 10, 2014

Hello everyone!

I wrote a post a while back for Penguin UK and I thought I’d share it here, too. My UK editor wanted to know if I could explain the reasons behind the songs I’d chosen for the Covet playlist. In case you’d like to know, here they are!

1. “Her Diamonds” by Rob Thomas  – The opening line of the song is, Oh what the hell she said I just can’t win for losing. When I first heard those words I thought they perfectly captured how Claire was feeling when she tried to help Chris through the stress of losing his job and the depression that followed. She wanted to help, but nothing she said or did seemed to be right.


2. “Daniel” by Elton John  – Somewhat self-explanatory, since Daniel is one of the main characters in Covet. But because of a decision that was made in the book, this line especially hit home: Lord I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much.

3. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by The Police  – At one point in the drafting of Covet, I had Daniel tell Claire that he’d assigned this ringtone to her. It was a not-so-subtle way of letting her know that he thought she was pretty special. The song is performed by The Police (get it?). I later took it out of the book, because it seemed a bit juvenile, but I love this song and it remained on the playlist.

4. “Don’t You Wanna Stay” by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson  – *Sigh*. These three lines say it all: Don’t you wanna stay here a little while? Don’t you wanna hold each other tight? Don’t you wanna fall asleep with me tonight?

5. “Bring It On Home” by Little Big Town – I love this song. I listened to it over and over while writing the ending to Covet (so it really should be last on the playlist). The theme of this song, at least to me, is that home is where you need to be when things are really tough. It’s where your spouse is. It’s where problems can be fixed. When things are at their worst you still have each other, so don’t shut the other person out.
When your long day is over
And you can barely drag your feet
The weight of the world is on your shoulders
I know what you need
Bring it on home to me.

I also love these two lines: 

Baby let me be your safe harbor
Don’t let the water come and carry you away. Claire was very close to being swept away, and Chris had some work ahead of him to convince her that he could be that safe harbor for her.

This last one just makes me teary-eyed because of what it conveys:

You got someone here wants to make it alright
Someone who loves you more than life right here. It reminds me of what Claire and Chris have at home.  

6. “The First Cut Is the Deepest” by Sheryl Crow – The opening line of this song is, I would have given you all of my heart. This is especially significant because Claire tells Daniel, “If things had been different, I would have given my whole heart to you.”

7. “Good Is Good” by Sheryl Crow – The song opens with, Good is good and bad is bad, You don’t know which one you had. I chose this song because that line sums up how conflicted Claire was throughout much of the book. She knows she is lucky, and that she has a lot to be thankful for, but there’s a part of her that wants and needs more. But she doesn’t want to rock the boat too much and risking losing it all.

8. “Say” by John Mayer – Oh, this song.
Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead,
If you could only . . .Say what you need to say.

Claire had tried to talk to Chris in the past – and been shot down – so she stopped trying. Chris internalized everything and never shared the way he was feeling with Claire. Their lack of communication almost ended their marriage.

9. “Mockingbird” by Rob Thomas  – These two verses highlight the way Claire felt when she knew the marriage was on shaky ground. She knew something had to change, but she needed Chris to work with her, not shut her out. This one was one the darkest times for her.
Here we stand
Somewhere in between this moment and the end
Will we bend
Or will we open up and take this whole thing in?


Maybe you and me got lost somewhere
We can’t move on and we can’t stay here
Maybe we’ve just had enough
Well, maybe we ain’t meant for this love.

10. “Whatever It Takes” by Lifehouse – This whole song applies to Claire and Chris’s marriage. I can picture him saying the words in the first verse to her, and her saying the words in the second verse to him.  
I’ll do whatever it takes
To turn this around
I know what’s at stake
I know that I’ve let you down
And if you give me a chance
Believe that I can change
I’ll keep us together whatever it takes.


She said if we’re gonna make this work
You gotta let me inside even though it hurts
Don’t hide the broken parts that I need to see
She said Like it or not it’s the way it’s gotta be
You gotta love yourself if you can ever love me.




So, there you have it! I played that playlist so often my kids know the words to every song (my daughter has become quite the Rob Thomas fan). I love being influenced by music when I’m writing a book. 

Here’s the playlist for my new book, which I’m sure I’ll be adding to as I go along. All of the songs are relevant to the story in some way (I’ll be sure to explain why I chose them after the book has been released). If you’re on Spotify, please follow me. 🙂 

Happy Friday, all!

Updated Covet Tour Schedule

  • September 9, 2013

Happy Monday, everyone!

I just wanted to share the updated schedule for the Covet book tour. Please let me know if you’re attending any of these events. I’d love to see you!

COVET BOOK TOUR
 
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
7:00PM
BARNES AND NOBLE
The Shoppes at Three Fountains
4550 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266
 
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
7:00 PM
RAINY DAY BOOKS
2706 W 53rd St
Fairway, KS 66205-1705
(913) 384-3126
 
Thursday, September 19, 2013
6:00 PM
THE BOOKWORM
8702 Pacific Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 392-2877
 
Friday, September 20, 2103
7:00 PM
THE BOOKMARK
220 First Street
Neptune Beach, FL 32266
(904) 241-9026
 
Saturday, September 21, 2013
2:00 PM
THE BOOKSELLER AT LAURELWOOD
387 Perkins Road Extended
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 683-9801
 
Tuesday, October 1st, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble 
Northland Square SC
333 Collins Rd. NE Bldg 1
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 393-4800
 
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
6:00 p.m.
Plain Talk Books and Coffee
602 E. Grand Ave. (East Village)
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 283-1230, ext. 203
 
Saturday, October 12, 2013
IOWA CITY BOOK FESTIVAL
More info to come
 
I will post more information on dates and appearances as it becomes available. Have a great day!
 
Tracey
 

Covet Tour Dates and Cities!

  • July 29, 2013

Happy Monday, everyone!

I’m very excited to share the dates and cities of my upcoming book tour for Covet. I will also be creating a Facebook event for the signing at the West Des Moines Barnes & Noble. If you’re local, I would love it if you joined me!

COVET BOOK TOUR

Tuesday, September 17, 2013
7:00PM
BARNES AND NOBLE
The Shoppes at Three Fountains
4550 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Wednesday, September 18, 2013
7:00 PM
RAINY DAY BOOKS
2706 W 53rd St
Fairway, KS 66205-1705
(913) 384-3126
www.rainydaybooks.com

Thursday, September 19, 2013
6:00 PM
THE BOOKWORM
8702 Pacific Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 392-2877
http://www.bookwormomaha.com/

Friday, September 20, 2103
7:00 PM
THE BOOKMARK
220 First Street
Neptune Beach, FL 32266
(904) 241-9026
http://www.bookmarkbeach.com/

Saturday, September 21, 2013
2:00 PM
THE BOOKSELLER AT LAURELWOOD
387 Perkins Road Extended
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 683-9801
http://www.thebooksellersatlaurelwood.com/

Saturday, October 12, 2013
IOWA CITY BOOK FESTIVAL
More info to come
http://www.iowacitybookfestival.org/

I will post more information on dates and appearances as it becomes available. Have a great day!

Tracey

Covet Tour Dates and Cities!

  • July 29, 2013

Happy Monday, everyone!

I’m very excited to share the dates and cities of my upcoming book tour for Covet. I will also be creating a Facebook event for the signing at the West Des Moines Barnes & Noble. If you’re local, I would love it if you joined me!

COVET BOOK TOUR
 
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
7:00PM
BARNES AND NOBLE
The Shoppes at Three Fountains
4550 University Avenue
West Des Moines, IA 50266
 
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
7:00 PM
RAINY DAY BOOKS
2706 W 53rd St
Fairway, KS 66205-1705
(913) 384-3126
 
Thursday, September 19, 2013
6:00 PM
THE BOOKWORM
8702 Pacific Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 392-2877
 
Friday, September 20, 2103
7:00 PM
THE BOOKMARK
220 First Street
Neptune Beach, FL 32266
(904) 241-9026
 
Saturday, September 21, 2013
2:00 PM
THE BOOKSELLER AT LAURELWOOD
387 Perkins Road Extended
Memphis, TN 38117
(901) 683-9801
 
Saturday, October 12, 2013
IOWA CITY BOOK FESTIVAL
More info to come
 
I will post more information on dates and appearances as it becomes available. Have a great day!
 
Tracey
 
 

Covet galley giveaway – Canada!

  • April 1, 2013

It’s galley giveaway week!

Isn’t that fantastic?

Unless you’re saying to yourself, “Maybe? Because I’m not exactly sure what a galley is.”

In which case, let me explain. A galley is another name for an ARC which is another name for an advance reader copy. ARCs are bound galleys that are printed in advance of the actual publication. ARCs are sent to the author and also bloggers and reviewers. They will usually have a little sticker or something on the front that says, Advance Reading Copy or Not For Sale or Advance Uncorrected Proof. So there may be typos or spacing issues or other things that will not be a part of the final, printed book. So if you win one, please keep that in mind.

I’m going to hold three giveaways this week. One for Canada, one for the U.S., and one for my international readers. Here’s how it will work:

Day one (that’s today!) will be for Canadian residents only. In other words, if you enter the giveaway — and you win — you must live in Canada and have a Canadian mailing address.

The giveaway will run for 24 hours (starting today at 12:00 noon CST). You can earn extra entries by following me on Twitter or liking my Facebook page (but don’t worry if you’ve already done those things. You can still enter the giveaway).

One quick thing I want to mention: Comments are moderated on this blog, so if you leave a comment you might not see it right away. I try to moderate them as quickly as I can, but sometimes I’m away from my computer or phone and can’t do this immediately. I wish I didn’t have to moderate at all, but the spam was getting out of hand.

So remember, today’s giveaway is for CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY.

Tuesday’s giveaway will be for my international readers. Wednesday’s will be for the U.S.

Happy Monday and good luck!!

Goodreads Q and A and Covet Excerpt

  • March 15, 2013

Hello everyone,

Just a quick reminder that I’m answering questions on Goodreads today. I’ll keep taking questions until about noon CST, and I’ll answer every one of them. When you go to the listing for Covet on Goodreads (I’ll post a link below which will take you there), you’ll want to look for this:

 
Then click on ‘view the group.’ This is where you can ask your questions.

And, since we’ve well-exceeded our goal of 1,000 additional readers adding Covet to their “to be read” shelf, as promised, we’ve posted the first three chapters of Covet on Goodreads. Scroll down to the end of the description for Covet until you see this:

 
Then click on ‘download excerpt’ and you’ll be able to read the first three chapters!
 
Click here to go to the listing for Covet.
 
Enjoy!
 
xoxo,
 
Tracey
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

PRESENTING…COVET!

  • March 8, 2013

Happy Friday, everyone!

I’ve been waiting all week to show you the cover of Covet. I have lots of wonderful people who are participating in the cover reveal, and I’m so excited because they’ll all be posting the image on their blogs this morning. I also want to thank Goodreads for creating the cover reveal event. There are some really fun things going on over there, including the chance to win a galley copy (see links at the bottom of this post for more information).

Here’s the list of amazing bloggers. Please check out their blogs and follow them!

April at http://sim-sational-books.blogspot.com/
Autumn at http://www.autumnreview.com/
Andrea at http://thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/
Amy and Melissa at http://www.chicklitcentral.com/
Jenny and Gitte at http://totallybookedblog.com
Stephanie at http://www.manicmommy.blogspot.com
Rosette at http://literatiliteraturelovers.com/
Tina at http://www.tinasbookreviews.com
Gina at http://readingteam.blogspot.com
Aestas at http://aestasbookblog.com
Christine at http://shhmomsreading.com/

And now, for the moment I’ve been waiting for. I can’t wait to see this beautiful cover on the shelves of bookstores across the country. I love it and hope you do, too.

 
 
 
And here’s the blurb if you haven’t read it yet:
 
 
Covet asks the question: What if the life you wanted, and the woman you fell in love with, belonged to someone else?

Chris and Claire Canton’s marriage is on life support. Downsized during the recession and out of work for a year, Chris copes by retreating to a dark place where no one can reach him, not even Claire. When he’s offered a position that will keep him away from home four nights a week, he dismisses Claire’s concern that time apart could be the one thing their fragile union can’t weather. Their suburban life may look idyllic on the outside, but Claire has never felt so disconnected from Chris, or so lonely.

Local police officer Daniel Rush used to have it all, but now he goes home to an empty house every night. He pulls Claire over during a routine traffic stop, and they run into each other again at the 4th of July parade. When Claire is hired to do some graphic design work for the police department, her friendship with Daniel grows, and soon they’re spending hours together.

Claire loves the way Daniel makes her feel, and the way his face lights up when she walks into the room. Daniel knows that Claire’s marital status means their relationship will never be anything other than platonic. But it doesn’t take long before Claire and Daniel are in way over their heads, and skating close to the line that Claire has sworn she’ll never cross.

 
Genre: women’s fiction
 
On sale date, (e-book and hardcover) US and Canada: 9/17/13.
On sale date UK (e-book only): 9/17/13. Trade paperback pub date TBA.
 
To add Covet to your shelf on goodreads, click here. To enter to win a galley copy, click here. To ask me a question in the goodreads group, click here.
 
For updates on all things book-related, connect with me on Facebook here.
 
Let me know what you think of the cover!
 
xoxo,
 
Tracey

ON THE ISLAND AROUND THE WORLD

  • January 3, 2013
Hello everyone!
 
Some of you have asked on my Facebook page about what languages/countries On the Island will be available in. Lauren Abramo, my awesome foreign rights agent, put together this wonderful list so I thought I’d pass it on. I don’t know all the publication dates, but foreign covers are starting to show up on my Facebook wall thanks to awesome readers all over the world. I sure do appreciate when they do that. 
 
 
Here’s the Russian cover. I love the starfish and the heart. Look how funky my name is in Russian.
 
 
 
Here’s the Italian cover. I think it’s gorgeous!
 
 
*And check out this trailer that popped up in yesterday’s Google alerts. It’s absolutely breathtaking. I probably only watched it a normal number of times. Like 2 or 3. Probably.
 
 
 
 
 
When foreign rights to On the Island first started selling, one of the things I got really excited about was the fact that the publishers would be sending me 2-4 copies of each book. I can’t wait to put a copy of each edition on the bookshelves in my office.
 
 
Here’s the roundup of all the publishers who have bought the foreign rights to On the Island:
 
 
UK/Ireland/Australia/New Zealand/India/South Africa/Commonwealth: Michael Joseph/Penguin (On the Island & Covet).
 
Brazil: Editora Intrinseca

China: Beijing Zhengqing Culture & Art

Croatia: Znanje

Czech Republic: Euromedia 

Denmark: Forlaget Turbulenz

France: Editions Bragelonne

Germany: Goldmann/Random House

Greece: Papadopoulos

Israel: Kinneret

Italy: Garzanti

Latvia: Zvaigzne

Netherlands: Luitingh-Sijthoff

Norway: Aschehoug

Poland: Albatros

Portugal: ASA/Grupo LeYa 

Russia: Azbooka/Atticus

Slovak Republic: Ikar

Spain: Ediciones Salamandra

Sweden: Forum Bokförlag

Taiwan: Kate Publishing

Thailand: Earnest Publishing

Turkey: Epsilon Yayincilik
 
Hungary: Pioneer Books
 
Indonesia:  PT Kairos Gradien Mediatama
 
 
I’ll share more covers and trailers as they come in.
 
Have a great day, everyone!
 
Tracey
 


*Watching a book trailer repeatedly has a negative effect on productivity. Apparently.

 

Book Clubs, Signings, And Miscellaneous Appearances

  • September 25, 2012

My favorite season is here! I’m a cool-weather girl and always have been, and I’ll take fall over summer any day which probably makes me sound really weird (I’m especially fond of cold and rainy fall days. See? Weird). I’m really looking forward to my first fall as a full-time writer because as soon as it gets cold enough, I’ll be turning on the fireplace (yes it’s gas. Yes the real thing would be better). My writing chair is conveniently located right next to it and there’s nothing I love more than writing in front of the fireplace.

Anyway, this fall will also be insanely busy. Many of you have asked about Covet; I turn the manuscript in to my publisher on November 15th and the days leading up to that deadline are going to be intense. Not because I’m in danger of not making the deadline (the book is almost done), but because the revision stage (which will begin around October 1st) is all-consuming. I love the revision stage, but I have a hard time sleeping and/or concentrating on anything else which can make me appear reclusive and anti-social. Also ungroomed (if you see me at the grocery store at 10:00 p.m. in my pajamas with no makeup and a ponytail, please don’t judge).

Also, many of you have asked about the release date for Covet. I had originally planned on self-publishing Covet this fall. But because of all the wonderful things that have happened in the last six months I would have been hard-pressed to make that deadline, and had I not signed with Penguin I would have undoubtedly pushed the release back to winter 2013. I spend 3-4 hours a day working on things related to On the Island: answering reader e-mails, responding to tweets and Facebook messages, and fulfilling requests from my US, UK, and Canadian publicists (interviews, Q&A’s, etc…). On top of that, I still have to actually write. A year ago, when I stated that Covet would come out this fall I had no idea what fate had in store for me, and I’m eternally grateful for all the good fortune I’ve experienced. But it has required adjustments to my timeline and I hope you’ll understand my need to be flexible. Also, Covet will be released in hardcover and Penguin/Dutton will need time to make sure they have completed all the steps necessary to put the book on the shelves of bookstores everywhere. As soon as I have a firm release date, I promise I’ll share it with you.

After I turn in Covet I’ll attempt to take the rest of the month off from writing to enjoy Thanksgiving and my daughter’s birthday. But in December I’m launching right into another project that I’m very excited about. I can’t tell you about it yet, but I’ll provide all the details as soon as I can. Hint: there might be something this spring that will tide you over until Covet is released. It may involve another character from On the Island…

Okay, now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, here’s what’s going on in September and October:

Tuesday, September 25th – Skype chat with the RGV Book Junkies.
Wednesday, September 26th, Book Club – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 27th, Dallas Center Library – 7:00 p.m (presentation and signing).
Friday, September 29th – Sunday, September 30th, TFEIC event in Chicago, Palmer House Hilton (Saturday’s author meet and greet is from 12-4). This event will be epic! Read all about it here.
Thursday, October 4th – Chick Lit Twitter chat – 8:00 pm. EST (use the hashtag #ChickLitChat).
Tuesday, October 9th – Book Club – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 11th, 7:00 p.m. I will be at The Book Vault in Oskaloosa. Click here for details.
Tuesday, October 16th, Skype chat.
Sunday, October 28th – WOW (Wonder of Words) Festival, Des Moines. I’ll be giving a presentation at 5:00 p.m. Click here for details.

I’m not adding any more dates on the calendar for now, to allow for time to go through the editing process with my editor and also to enjoy my cold and snowy evenings this holiday season.

But as soon as January gets here, I’m ready to fill that calendar back up again 🙂

Tracey

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