I am both humbled and gratified to announce the upcoming release of a revised and updated Tenth Anniversary Edition of the novel, Lady Maybe. This is a novel that caused a bit of controversy and earned negative reviews from some readers while others (still) claim it as their favorite novel.
It’s hard to believe it will soon be ten years since the book’s original release. Though in some ways, it seems a lifetime ago.
I am a fallible human, obviously, and I have (I hope) learned a lot since then, personally, spiritually, as well as about the history and customs of the Regency era in which I write, and about writing in general. I am thankful for the opportunity to make improvements, correct a few anachronisms and other gaffes, revise a couple of sections that admittedly went too far in the first edition and expand somewhat on the faith components, which were already there, but hopefully are now clearer.
This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to update one of my older manuscripts. A humbling and challenging task for sure! (Though I suppose it might be equally concerning if I had not learned anything in the last decade.😊) The good news? I still love this story ten years on, and I hope you will, too!
I am deeply grateful for my publishing team at Bethany House Publishers/Baker Books for walking alongside me during this new and unfamiliar part of the journey and all the ways they champion me and my books.
The new edition is slated to release May 6, 2025 and has a beautiful new cover, which I love. If you are not familiar with the story, here’s a description:
In the midst of a fierce storm, a carriage carrying Sir John Mayfield, Lady Marianna Mayfield, and her lady’s companion, careens off a narrow cliff road, changing their fates forever. When the wreckage is found, Sir John is gravely injured, and a woman is discovered unconscious, wearing a valuable ring. As the woman regains consciousness in a strange house, she grapples with fragmented memories of the accident, unsettling dreams of a child in peril, and a deep mystery tied to the ring on her finger. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces and haunted by a sense of foreboding, the survivor realizes she cannot trust anyone and must uncover the truth of what happened that stormy night, even as danger mounts and enemies conspire against her.
What about you? If you are a writer, have you had the experience of updating an older book? And if you are not, have you had the opportunity for a “do-over” in your life you’d care to share with us?
This is one believer who is grateful for grace and second-chances!
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Can’t wait to re-visit the story.
Oh! How fun! I just grabbed a copy of the first edition so I can read both!
I loved Lady Maybe, but will be interested to see the new version. The cover is gorgeous! I was disappointed in the negative critics at the time.
So happy for you to have this opportunity!
I loved that book. I look forward to reading your “new version.” I imagine updating an older manuscript would be daunting for all the reasons you said, so I’ve avoided it! 🙂
Lady Maybe has always stuck with me because of the ending. It isn’t the happiest or most romantic or most satisfying, but that scene of the two women together at the stocks on the hill–short and simple as it is–is one of the most powerful that I’ve read. You really nailed that scene!
Julie, This new cover is GORGEOUS and I think it’s wonderful that you were able to revise and re-release this novel. 🙂
This will be interesting to see how the novel is changed. Are you self-publishing it or did Bethany House buy it from Berkley?
Is there a copy of the original that can be read on a kindle? I have looked for this book before and was unable to find it in this reading form….I love your books and would really like to read the original…