When you’re a girl with Irish blood running through your veins, you naturally have an affinity for the color green. And this girl born an O’Neill put that affinity into practice last week. As a treat for turning in my next round of book edits (!!!), I got my nails done at a real deal, bonafide nail salon. And what color did I choose?
Green, of course. Or more specifically, OPI’s “My Gecko Does Tricks.”
I just can’t type that name without smiling. I can’t read it without smiling, either.
In fact, I can’t stop smiling anytime I see the color green. Green wins everything!
Lately, I’ve had green on my mind for reasons beyond my heritage and the approaching St. Patrick’s Day. It’s also the beautiful color of my upcoming book.
Remember when I told you how scary it felt to share about my book? Well, today it feels only slightly scary to do a little “show and tell” and let you see her. Y’all have proven time and again that you wear kindness and grace like cute and comfortable clothing, so I know when I pull the cover out of my bag you won’t laugh. I know my cover is safe in your hands.
So, here we go, friends.
My book baby has a face! And a name!
Hot diggity!
Her full name is Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry You Through Life’s Transitions. I adore the title for several reasons, including the fact that it speaks well of the style and content of this book. Whether the change that arrives to you is expected, unexpected, chosen or regretted, it is something that will meet us all. Each of us may struggle adapting to the difficult change life plopped in our path. And during those seasons, each of us deeply desires a hope-filled view of those transitional moments.
Each of us deeply desires to know that God works for our good through the change, not in spite of it.
Each of us deeply desires to know that God uses change to rewrite our stories for the better.
Each of us deeply desires to know that Jesus came so we may have life to the full, and this is as true during seasons of change and transition as during seasons of calm familiar.
As I’ve said before, this book has my story woven throughout, but it also has change-stories of many other people inside its pages, too. Collectively, I wholeheartedly believe the stories in this book will speak needed encouragement to any person who, like me, has seen change as more foe than friend. I’m already praying that those who struggle with change, in either tiny or tremendous ways, will find a warm and relational perspective inside its covers.
I am over-the-moon thrilled that Myquillyn Smith, aka the Nester and author of the wildly successful The Nesting Place, wrote the foreword! It is so delightfully, wonderfully Nester-y. I love her addition to the book as much as I love her (and given I long ago wrote how I’d vote Myquillyn for President, I obviously love her a whole, whole lot).
And about the cover: I dearly hope you find it as lovely as I do. I firmly believe it does justice to the message of this book beautifully. I tell you, from the moment I signed my book deal to this very day, working with Revell Publishers has been positively dreamy. Formulating the cover design with them was no exception.
If you’re in the writing community, you are seeing lots of book covers these days. One more may start to feel like no big thang. But you know what? This is my first book cover, so it feels important to me. And what’s more, the subject matter of my book is important because it’s something commonly faced yet not commonly written about or discussed.
While this book doesn’t release until September 15th, you can preorder it from Amazon or Barnes & Noble today. I know it seems very early, but preorders tell Amazon there are folks interested and excited about a new book, and that’s a doubly helpful thing for a first time author.
As always, thank you for being gracious, warm, trustworthy people. I wish we could be neighbors in real life! But for now, it’s good to meet together on the front porch of my blog. I’ll always have a seat open for you.
So much love to you, friends. xo
WOOT!! It’s gorgeous and wonderful and lovely and perfect 🙂 I just adore it – and now I want to go paint my nail green in celebration!
Thank you, love. (And I say paint away!) xo
Just ordered my copy. I so can’t wait to read this. I for one have never been good at change or any kind. Your words are always so down to earth and resonate with me. I have no doubt I will find this read more than a little helpful!
Stella, you have no idea how much your comment means to me. Thank *you* so, so much. What a gift you are.
I don’t think I can wait until September to have this in my hands.
I love, love, love it. I love the cover. I love the color green. I love the title. And I love you and your grace-filled words.
So proud of you, Kristen!
You make me tear up, Kristin. Thank you, friend.
Oh, I absolutely love everything about this. Your book title and cover is lovely, Kristen. I’m heading over to pre-order now and can’t wait to have this beauty in my hands.
The message of your book . . . I sent you a FB message today . . . I have someone who I think is really struggling with change. And I get that heart struggle and I’m praying for her (for them) to see God during this season.
Much love.
xoxo
Beth darling, as usual, you bless the livin’ daylights out of me. Thank you times a million.
Indeed I saw your message and will message you back ASAP. Love you, sister.
Kristen, this is SOOOOOO exciting! I’m so happy for you, proud to know you, and can’t wait to read it!
Angela, you are extraordinary. Thank you, thank you!
Congratulations! September can’t come soon enough! Sending you blessings & joy!
Sending the same to you, sweet Amy! And thank you!
Cheering wildly for you, friend! Your book is a beauty just like the author! 🙂
Thank you dear friend. I couldn’t possibly love you more. xoxo
Oh Kristen, I am so excited for you! The cover is perfectly beautiful. I can see your personality shining through and can’t wait to read your first book. Well done, my friend!
SUCH a generous comment, Raquel. I can’t thank you enough. You are amazing! xo
Your book cover speaks of growth and looks like a Fairy Tale may be hidden beneath so it also reminds me of childhood. Following The Nester now. I look forward to reading your thoughts on change.
Oh I’m so glad I introduced you to the Nester! She is such a gem.
Thank you for your kind words, Leigh Ann!
Kristen,
Hooray for you and God together!! Celebrating with you the “birth” of your new baby!! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy…you are, and always have been, an inspiration!
Blessings and ((Hugs)),
Bev
Bev, thank you so much. Hugs right backatcha.
Ohhhhh!!! I am so excited for you my dear friend!!!!! Xoxo
Ann Marie, thank you for sharing the gift of your excitement. You are the best! xo
Soooooooooo excited!
I’m excited that you’re excited! What a gift you are, JDL. I couldn’t love you more. xo
Kristen, congrats! It’s beautiful! Cannot wait to read your book, heading over to pre-order now. Also, I totally want green nails now 🙂
It IS SO a big THANG!! Gah, I’m so so excited for you. Dance yourself silly and get on with your bad self with those green nails and eyes. Love you to the moon and back!!
Can’t wait, friend! Just pre-ordered my copy and posted a link on Facebook. 😉
Kristen,
I love the book cover! The green with the brown & yellow leaves is fantastic!! 🙂
I’m in a season of transition sort of. Last year we moved my aging (90 almost) dad into assisted living and he had a myriad of health and psych issues. My job has changed and I don’t care much for it. I’m working on relearning nursing skills to be able to work some in clinic & trying to decide if I want to stay here or move on. I’m praying about it and waiting to see what God has in store!
Meantime–WOOTWOOT!! A hearty congratulations to you on your first book! Yes I would love to live near all the In Courage women! You gals rock!! 🙂
I guarantee this is going to be my new favorite book. She’s gorgeous and I can’t wait to get my hands on my own copy! xoxo
It’s beautiful!! And, I can’t wait to read it!
Soooooo very excited to see it release to the world, Kristen! I love this topic, and I have no doubt you’re gonna touch lives with your words.
(Also, hooray that it’s my favorite color!)
Sooooooo exciting!!!
Oh, I simply can’t wait to read it!!! We are on our 10th military move, things are “different” (as always…) and I’ve been praying so much about embracing God’s story for our family. Thank you for writing, yes – the cover is BEAUTIFUL, and I’m praying that our Father will use your words in mighty ways to encourage, equip, and challenge! TO HIM be the glory, sweet writer!
THIS is the perfect first book for you to have written! I know you know the guts of what you’re talking about, and because I know your heart, I know you’ll point us to Jesus again and again. I canNOT wait to hold your new baby and I promise to take good care of her :).
Also? OPI KILLS ME! That color makes me grin, too, and your delight in it reaffirms one of the many reason I’m thankful you’re my friend.
Happy dancin’ down South at this VERY BIG THANG of yours!!
xo
Kristen,
It is a lovely cover. I
I am a September birthday girl… your book has just been added to my wish list!
I am so excited to read your words –
Amy