Friday afternoon: Exhaustion has turned my limbs to chilled butter. Tears press against the back of my eyes, my nose stings with heightened emotion. Nothing is wrong; everything is right. I am just so very tired and this week, the week I saw my novel launch into the world, is nearly at an end. Half an hour on this ship, another hour on the road, and I will be home. Silence. Bath. Cat. The last season of Mad Men on Netflix. Wine.

How to put into words what this week has meant, all that has happened; the outpouring of love and support from people I've never met in the flesh; others whom I have not seen in nearly thirty years, taking a seat before the podium where I stand, poised to talk about my novel; the flooding of photographs on my Facebook feed by friends who have found my book on shelves in Hawai'i and Florida, Boston and Houston; others holding up my book in Ireland and Scotland while their friends and family chime in to say, 'What's this? You know the author?'—all who have embraced me with such unqualified belief, joy . . . the words don't come. Only the warm flush of gratitude, the spark of amazement.

While I've been in Seattle, reading, meeting, signing, celebrating, In Another Life has had at least as full and busy a virtual launch week as its author has had in real life.

Here are a few highlights:

Trade Reviews

A gorgeous review by Nicole Evelina from the Historical Novel Society's print publication: Historical Novels Review (Feb 1, 2016)
And another that left me wanting to throw a ticker-tape parade, from the Washington Independent Review of Books (Feb 5, 2016). Ann McClellan brought out the novel's themes with such clarity and grace.

On the Virtual Road

The Blog Tour for In Another Life kicked off a few days before launch and it's been a whirlwind of interviews, guest posts, and reviews. Here are my stops so far. Warm hugs to these bloggers, who do what they do out of sheer love for reading and the satisfaction of supporting authors and bringing books to their readers:

In Conversation with author Sandra Danby, about the intersection of history and fantasy.
A review on Always With a Book, and a guest post on how In Another Life entered the publishing world.
Someday soon I shall hug Anne Boyd Rioux, author of the forthcoming Constance Fenimore Cooper: Portrait of a Lady Artist, in person for her beautiful recommendation of In Another Life
Twelve Things About Julie on Book Mama—a little playful, a little
, a little serious, a few things about me that you didn't know . . .
Women Writers, Women's Books invites me to talk about the revision process: Revisions, Revisions
A lovely interview with Drey on Drey's Library
Leslie Lindsay reviews In Another Life and then we settle in for a heart-to-heart.
A gracious welcome from Helen Barlow on My Novel Opinion, where I share my journey from grief to healing as a writer and a woman.
A guest post, Stumbling into Historical Fiction No More Grumpy Bookseller, followed by Becky's wonderful review.
This one was of my favorite guest posts to date: The Soundtrack of a Novel, on Raven Haired Girl's lovely blog. And Raven graces me with a beautiful review!
A dream come true to be featured on Amy Sue Nathan's award-winning blog, Women's Fiction Writers, where my guest post about sharing claustrophobia with my protagonist Lia allowed me a way to explore and perhaps heal my anxiety.
This stunning endorsement from author Susanna Kearsley left me verklempt.
And a shout-out from Forbes.com! Beyond Flowers and Candy: Valentine's Day Gifts Under $25

Virtual Launch Party!

Tuesday, February 9, beginning 11:30 EST, I'll be part of a party of 13 authors whose novels launch between January and March, 2016. Join us for an incredible opportunity to chat with these amazing writers about their beautiful books. And me! Women's Fiction Writers' Association Online Book Launch Party

Current Giveaways

Goodreads Giveaway (3 copies) happening now through February 14.
Teddy Rose is hosting a giveaway of In Another Life: 10 days left to enter!
And, I'm giving away a gift bag of love, plus a signed copy of In Another Life, now through February 13. Subscribers to my newsletter are automatically entered into the random drawing. Giftbag Giveaway

As I wait for the boat to bring me from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula, a tweet arrives that pulls the exhaustion from my limbs and delivers tears and laughter. Three days after publication, In Another Life returns to press for a second printing. My gratitude knows no bounds.