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Me with Alicia (and Chip and Cougar)
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Last Monday, Joe and I made a very quick trip up to Grand Rapids, Michigan where we met with the folks at Zondervan who are publishing my Belle Meade Plantation series. It was great to see both friends I'd made before and to meet some new ones.
Alicia Mey, the Marketing Director, lives at Dream Acres (don't you love the name!) and has horses on her property. So of course, we had to feed and love on them. I'd forgotten what it feels like to have a horse eat from your hand. A very "nubby" feeling, like they're gumming you to death.
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Joe with Cougar
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Chip and Cougar, the horses, were very gentle, and I was surprised to learn that Chip's lineage can be traced back to Belle Meade. Cool!
We had dinner that night at a wonderful place called Brewery Vivant, but of course I forgot to take pictures of that delicious meal. I was too busy chatting, I guess. But not to worry (Judy), I enjoyed something equally delicious the next day!
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Joe and me (it was really fun to have some
extra time with him)
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The next morning, I had the honor of speaking to the entire sales staff, and I really enjoyed the time to share with them about what God has been teaching me––and continues to––about surrendering to Him. Considering how long the two of us have been working on this theme in my life, you'd think I'd be farther along by now. But I'm fairly sure that has more to do with me than with Him. : {
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With Sue Brower,
my editor at Zondervan
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Becky Philpott (Associate Acquisitions Editor), Andrea Lyons (Director, Digital Marketing),
Michelle Lenger (Art/Cover Design), and me at the Twisted Rooster for lunch
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Becky, me, Michelle, and Andrea again
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And this fabulous bowl of warm, gushy love is a signature dish at the Twisted Rooster...
Lobster Mac & Cheese with Fried Parmesan (Oh. My. Gracious. De-licious!!)
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Joyce and me
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And last, but certainly not least, is Joyce Ondersma who helped shuttle us around while we were there and got us to the airport on time! She's the Director of Author Care at Zondervan, and let me tell ya... The woman is good at what she does! She's been with Zondervan for twenty-seven years, and I'm fairly certain the place could not run without her.
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A glimpse out the window on our way home. So pretty...
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Jack
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Finally, this was the sweet little face waiting for us when we got home. It was great to get back and quickly jump into the swing of things again.
I'm writing basically 24/7 these days, but I'm grateful to have the opportunity to write, and I'm thrilled to share my next cover with you (albeit, it's a cover still in progress). To Whisper Her Name releases in November…
I'm off to VOTE this morning. I hope you'll do the same too, if you're able, and that you'll join me in praying for our country today.
Blessings on your Tuesday,
Tammy
