He paced across the room once more. “It should be Wesley offering to marry you. But he is not likely to come back for several months, if not longer. I haven’t time to wait that long, and neither have you. I cannot offer love, of course, as we are barely acquainted. However, I can offer you marriage in name only…”
She stared at him blankly, then her face curdled in incredulity or repugnance. “You are offering to marry me? You yourself?”
“As I said. Did I not speak clearly, madam?”
~ From The Painter’s Daughter
Only one week until the release of my tenth novel, The Painter’s Daughter. I am so excited for you to meet Sophie and Stephen and dive into their story. Thankfully, the book is already being well-received by reviewers, with Booklist calling it “richly nuanced and superbly written” and Library Journal starring it as a “gorgeous story” with “unexpected plot twists and a swoon-worthy ending.” Such positive reviews are fun (and a relief) to see, especially because this is my first book with a marriage-of-convenience premise.
To celebrate the book’s release, my publisher and I are doing something a little different and art-themed: a coloring contest. (A warm thank you to my agent, Wendy Lawton, for suggesting the idea!) Want to join the fun? Simply visit my website, download and print out the high-res coloring sheet from there, and then get creative. Full details on how to enter are listed on my website as well. Deadline to enter is December 8th. (Contest open to US and Canada residents.)
Now for the prize. The winner will receive a signed copy of The Painter’s Daughter, two grown-up coloring books, and a set of 24 Prismacolor colored pencils. (A $60 value.)
What about you? Do you express your creativity more in writing, music, art, or something else? Have you joined in the adult coloring craze? I haven’t yet, but apparently it is very relaxing and stress-relieving. With the busy holidays ahead, it might just be time to try it out.
The discipline of creation, be it to paint, compose, write, is an effort towards wholeness.”
– Madeleine L’Engle
I hope you will enjoy The Painter’s Daughter. In the meantime, I’m wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers!
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Julie, this stay-at-home mom is dying to read your book! You have no idea how I look forward to your books. With two little ones who constantly need me, reading is one thing I do for me, and your books always hit that spot. I can’t wait! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
Hey, thanks, Courtney. That’s great to hear. I remember (barely :)) those busy days with small children. So glad my books offer you a well-deserved break!
How do you enter the contest.. info plz
I haven’t joined the “adult” coloring craze yet but I do have a Disney activity/coloring book I worked on at work one day when I forgot to bring my reading book. I like to do the activities but usually don’t color. There was a picture of Cowboy Mickey I thought I’d color. Could believe it. I actually felt my muscles relax as I started coloring. Our library has an adult coloring class every Wednesday night. I may have to join it.
What a testimony to coloring, Becky! Sounds like you should definitely ask Santa for (or win) an adult coloring book. 🙂
Hey, Julie. I joined the “craze” a year or two ago. It is very relaxing. I have two books that I doubt I will finish in this lifetime. One of colorful cats and the other is The Enchanted Forest, I think from the same folks that make The Enchanting English Garden. While I enjoy the colored pencils, I have more fun using gel ink, especially the ones with glitter or fluorescent shades. I like bold colors and things that sparkle. You should try it.
And congrats on the new release!!
Thanks, Robin. Gel ink does sound like fun. I may try that. And thanks for sharing the post on FB!
Congratulations on the new book, Julie! And for the great reviews. I always breathe a sigh of relief after good reviews come in. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Still waiting for the waiting to become easier, Lynn. Glad to hear I’m not alone in anticipating those first reviews. Love ya, lady. And a Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
This is such a brilliant giveaway! I’m not an artist, but my hubby and I were in Barnes & Noble the other day and there were DOZENS of adult coloring books and some of the coolest pen and pencil sets and I told him the pens alone made me want to BECOME an artist!Congrats on your book’s release! It sounds wonderful!
Thanks, Deb. After seeing photos of your home and decorations, I feel confident in saying you ARE an artist!
I just copied off some coloring pages and put them (and some crayons) outside my office at the university to encourage the students to color in order to relieve some stress as we approach the final weeks of the semester. Love this contest idea! And I can’t WAIT for your book launch!
Oh! Good idea, Sara. Way to be a blessing to your students. See you soon!
What a wonderful idea!! I’m so excited for this book, Julie. I plan to come to the launch party on December 1st and can’t wait. I recently bought my girls some adult coloring books and they are crazy about them! At night, I read to them and they color. It’s a very relaxing activity, and I’ve found that my second daughter listens better when her hands are busy. I’ll definitely print each of them a copy of The Painter’s Daughter and let them have some coloring fun. Congrats on the upcoming release!! Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.
What a creative contest! I think I have a ebook copy of this already, but I NEED the hardcover!!
Congratulations on your new book! I can’t wait to add it to my collection.
As far as the “adult” coloring craze, I’ve always found coloring to be relaxing. I had a difficult pregnancy and delivery 27 years ago, I had my husband get me coloring book and crayons from the gift shop while I was in labor (86.5 hours) they only had children’s coloring books back then but I didn’t mind. My daughter is very artistic and can draw just about anything, I only color.
Oh, for a printer that worked.
It was so interesting to read about your giveaway. I just became aware of adult coloring books last Saturday evening. We were celebrating my adult daughter’s birthday. Our son and his family gave her, among several other items, an adult coloring book and colored pencils. Then I read your post today and saw you are giving away two plus a book and pencils. As I told my daughter-in-law Saturday evening, I have never been able to color between the lines, so this is not on my wish list for Christmas. I would love to read your book, though.
I just recieved an adult coloring book for my (60th) birthday. I love it! I am a Pastor’s wife, and now in a wheelchair, so reading has become very important for me. I have always loved your books. Congratulations!
I was just looking at Adult Coloring Books at Amazon today! I’m buying them for Christmas gifts and I would love to win one. Thanks so much Julie.
What a fantastic tie to your book! I love the idea and am printing off the page for my oh so creative 15 year old. She’ll eat it up. Can’t wait to read this book, Julie! And congrats on the upcoming release of book ten!
I love your books! You are one of my favorite authors!
Julie,
Although Thanksgiving is over I wanted to say thanks for writing Lady Maybe! I read it on the subway to/from work in the days before Thanksgiving and in Grand Central Station on Thanksgiving Day and it was just the book I needed to keep going. You have a new fan and now a coloring contest-cool! Happy Holidays!
Kathy