I can’t believe the Launch Day for Lacewood is finally here! (Tuesday, June 18). It seems like forever since the first concept of this book began forming, and a long process to get the ideas out of my head and onto the page. (See earlier story here).

What I don’t think I told you in the previous post was that I am so excited about this book, I bought my own Lacewood (sycamore) tree. What better way to remember the year the novel was published than to have a beautiful sycamore tree in my front yard?

I had to order the tree and have it delivered by UPS. Even though I live in a rural area, finding a real sycamore tree was not an easy task. Amazingly enough it arrived promptly, and appeared healthy and vibrant when I put it into the ground.

(By the way, I left that rock there as part of the landscaping after working so hard to get it out of the ground).

But the tree began to look a little sickly, even though I watered it (and talked to it) every day. The leaves slowly turned brown and curled, and then fell off one by one. For a few weeks, it looked like I had planted a large stick in the ground.

Of course there is a happily-ever-after ending! New shoots and leaves are forming now, so hopefully the tree is over the shock of being uprooted, moved, and replanted. I will be sure to post another picture to update you on its progress!

In any event, a million thanks to all of you who purchased Lacewood! I hope you enjoy it, and please don’t forget to leave a review and tell your friends!

Happy Summer!