In which we have BIG NEWS

Alright, chickens, I have a confession to make. The last few months have been difficult ones here at my wee corner of the interwebs simply because I haven't been able to talk freely about what I'm working on. I've dropped a few hints in various places--particularly during my speaking engagements!--but now I can TELL ALL!

I have a new book deal! Not just a deal but a three-book deal! I am so delighted to be staying with my publisher--these guys have worked SO hard and been so supportive of my books, I could not be happier. And I am beyond thrilled to be staying with my enormously talented editor, Valerie! Champagne for everyone!

But I know most of you are really concerned about what this means in terms of release dates and titles, so here goes: my next release is a stand-alone scheduled to publish in May 2013. It is called A Spear of Summer Grass and is set in Kenya in 1924. I am seriously aflutter over this book--you have no idea! It features a flapper heroine with a string of scandals to her name and a hero who will make you rethink Brisbane as a literary crush. No lie.

As I said, this deal has been in the works for months now, and it's been KILLING me not to talk about it, but here we are--the deal memo is signed, contracts are being drawn up, everybody is agreed, i's are dotted, t's are crossed! I can finally share some of the amazing things I've been reading, the research trip I took last month, everything! Look for details in upcoming blogs.

Now, about the things that I know you will want clarified:

1. The publisher requested a break from the series. They've always wanted me to write more than simply a series--an approach I completely agree with. I was willing to write another Julia book, but am delighted to tackle a stand-alone.

2. There is no decision yet on what books two and three of this contract will be. They could be stand-alones or we could pick up the series again. This is not a decision that is in my hands, you understand.

3. I do have another Julia Grey ready to go. I have written the synopsis for Julia Grey #6 and will be more than ready to tackle it when the time comes.

4. Yes, it is a bit longer than any of us would like until the next book drops. But since we have just now hammered out the deal, there is no way to put a book into the publication schedule before Christmas 2012, and this is NOT a Christmas book. It's the book people will hopefully want to reach for when they're heading off on summer vacation. Besides the seasonal issue, my publisher wants plenty of opportunity to do some exciting things with it before publication--PR goodies and that sort of thing--which entails it being in-house for quite some time before it publishes. Once they explained why they wanted to push the date and what it would permit them to do, I was completely on board with the decision.

So, there it is in a nutshell, my dears! I am researching and writing the final synopsis this month, writing in the fall, and traveling next year to do appearances, so I will still get to see readers! We are also doing a major website overhaul--as in starting over from scratch!--so those of you who would love to see a family tree for the Julia books should get your wish in the late fall/holiday season of 2012. (Oh, and Pookie, I edited your question a wee bit in the comments and will answer it soon. Just wanted to avoid any spoilers!)

Alright, chickens, I hope you're as excited as I am!