Big news…my debut YA book, Come Back to Me, is out NOW.
It went live on Amazon last Wednesday, a happy surprise. There I was gearing up for the you’ve-published-a-book-now-what marathon, when suddenly the starter pistol went off.
I think I was tying my shoes or something.
But I got moving. Thanks in BIG part to family, friends, and lots of super cool people like the WANA (we are not alone) writing community.
Although no one mentioned the adrenaline. I could’ve lifted a car.
Anyway, speaking of family, friends, and love…those are big themes in my YA contemporary story. Check it out:
Available for purchase at AMAZON or SMASHWORDS
(paperback and other venues, coming soon)
Whitney Denison can’t wait to start over.
She thought she had everything under control, that her future would always include her best friend Katie… Until everything changed.
Now her life in Bloom is one big morning after hangover, filled with regret, grief, and tiny pinpricks of reminders that she was once happy. A happy she ruined. A happy she can’t fix.
So, she is counting down the days until she leaves home for Colson University, cramming her summer with busywork she didn’t finish her senior year, and taking on new hobbies that involve glue and glitter, and dodging anyone who reminds her of her old life.
When she runs into the stranger who drove her home on graduation night, after she’d passed out next to a ditch, she feels herself sinking again. The key to surviving the summer in Bloom is unraveling whatever good memories she can from that night.
But in searching for answers, she’ll have to ask for help and that means turning to Evan, the stranger, and Kyle, Katie’s ex-boyfriend. Suddenly, life flips again, and Whitney finds herself on not only the precipice of happy but love, too, causing her to question whether she can trust her feelings, or if she is falling into her old patterns of extremes.
As she uncovers the truth about her memories, Whitney sees that life isn’t all or nothing, and that happy isn’t something to wait for, that instead, happy might just be a choice.
So, it’s been an exciting week.
But wait! I’ve got one last, but very special thing to share. You may have read a post I wrote about signs. In that post, I mention how I equate ladybugs with hope, and to my brother (who passed away six years ago).
So, ladybugs found a way into Come Back to Me–and into my book’s acknowledgments, where I wrote, To my brother, Dan the Man, Thanks for the ladybugs.
Then, last Wednesday, in the middle of the awesome hullabaloo of seeing my book on Amazon, I ran up the stairs to grab my slippers (because it was a snow day–and cold!).
Halfway up the stairs I saw this:
Thanks for the ladybug, Dan.
Have an AMAZING, hopeful week!
Coleen Patrick 
Congratulations. Get ready for the movie offers.
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Ha ha, thank you Tom! 🙂
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Congrats!!!! Wow what an amazing rush. Your book sounds like a terrific YA read! Aw, that’s so neat about the ladybugs. I feel that way about crows. They remind me of my great aunt. 🙂 Hope you have a terrific week.
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I remember reading once about crows being a source of wisdom. 🙂 Thank you, and a great week to you too, Kourtney.
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How cool! Hope your week gets better and better. And the book finds its way into many readers’ hearts.
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Congratulations! So exciting! Your book sounds fantastic and I shall hie me over to Amazon straightaway and get me a copy! SO cool about the lady bug on the stairs… the world works in mysterious ways and how nice that it does.
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Thank you, Susanna! Yeah, I like that kind of mystery too, 🙂
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Congratulations Coleen! I’m thrilled for you. I really like the story line. Thanks for sharing the lady bug on the stares. Will purchase my copy. So pleased for you!
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Thanks so much, Patricia!!
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So excited for you, Coleen! Savor every moment … and may more ladybugs show up along the way! Off to get my copy now!
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Savor every moment…great advice, and I’m aiming for that. 🙂 Thank you tons, Beth!!
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Oh my gosh! I just read this to my husband with tears in my eyes! A message from your brother. How cool is that???
I had wondered why your book hadn’t been rolled out and am glad you caught up!
I will download a copy now. 🙂
Congratulations!
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Aw, thanks, Susie!!
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How very exciting, Coleen! My daughter has already purchased and read “Come Back to Me” so it’s my turn next! Looking forward to it.
Huge congrats to you, my friend.
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I did see that she read it! 🙂 Made me smile. Thank you, Ruth!!
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Congratulations! It sounds great. I’ll have to wait until it comes out in paperback, so please let us know when that happens. I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I am just not an e-reader kind of girl. But I am ok with that. 🙂
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Yeah, it took me AWHILE to get used to ebooks. I love that I can highlight things, but I don’t like that I can’t loan my books out so easily!
Thank you, Emma. 🙂
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I hope you were tying those sparkly tennis shoes. They and the ladybug are appropriate for a book debut.
“…happy might just be a choice.” So true, Coleen. I’m over-the-moon happy for you.
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I almost put in a photo of the sparkly shoes! 🙂 They are a quick go to when you need to feel sparkly. Thank you tons, Pat!
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OH! *sniff* That ladybug made me cry! :o) Super congrats to you, Coleen! Your book is GORGEOUS, it sounds fantastic, and I can’t wait to read it! *cheers* ❤
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Thank you Leigh!!! 🙂
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Congrats agian on the release!!! Sounds lime a wonderful story, can’t wait to read it! The cover is just gorgeous, too. I LOL’ed at “I think I was tying my shoes.”
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Seriously, I was surprised. For some reason I had it in my head as a week, maybe half a week. Not hours! So yeah, it took me a bit before I rallied.
Thank you, Jennette. 🙂
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Totally awesome news, Colleen! Huge congratulations! I hope you have much success with sales.
And I teared up at the ladybug story. What an amazing find on the stairs. Your brother will always be with you in spirit and ladybugs.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Thank you, Patricia. It was pretty amazing to see the ladybug. 🙂
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Congratulations on your book and your ladybug!
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Thank you, Lauri. 🙂
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Congratulations. Wonderful that you found a ladybug! I grabbed a copy before I made a comment. It seems like I know have a treat to entice me to complete my TO DO list.
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Thank you, Stacy!!
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Congrats Coleen! The cover is beautiful and the blurb hooked me. I bought my copy 🙂 Can’t wait to read it.
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Aw, thanks so much, Reetta! 🙂
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Yay for you and Dan and ladybugs! Off to buy the book now. 🙂
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Thank you, Wendy!! 🙂
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Hey Coleen… I hope the adrenaline rush still has you buzzing 😉 and big congrats! By the way, I love your book title and cover, and looking forward to getting into the read this week!
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I’m still antsy!! Thanks so much, Alarna!
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Come back to Me sounds wonderful. I will definitely be checking it out. Congrats on the “going live” and good luck with everything. I believe ladybugs mean good luck- I love how to you them mean hope and remind you of your brother. I am sure lots of luck will come your way. It has been great meeting you- and ps, I love the sparkly shoes! I want a pair.
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Great to meet you too, Rebecca. I got the sparkly shoes from Amazon (what can’t you get there nowadays??) Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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AWESOME NEWS COLEEN!!! Congratulations! I’m heading to amazon right now!
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Thank you, Leigh!!!
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Wow, Coleen, that’s awesome that you found that ladybug in your house, a sign from your brother. I’m so sorry he passed away. I love the sweet message you wrote to Dan in your book. Enjoy the ride of being a published author!
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It was pretty cool to see that ladybug in the house. 🙂 Thank you, Lynn!
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Congrats on your book, Coleen. I totally believe in signs, and that ladybug sure did come along to tell you something! Here’s a virtual toast! 🙂
Also, if you’re ever interested in a plug for your book, I’m happy to offer you a guest post or we can do an author interview or whatever. Just let me know! 🙂
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Thanks so much Kate! I will have to take you up on that. 🙂
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I’m so excited for you, Coleen! The cover is gorgeous and I’m looking forward to reading the book. I like the title of this post ~ Choosing Happy. Makes me love the story already. And you know I already love you oodles!
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Thank you, Tameri! Oodles of love to you too!
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That is so exciting! HUGE congrats, Coleen! I hope you celebrate your day with chocolate and hugs!
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Chocolate and hugs sounds perfect! Thanks, Emily. 🙂
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Oh, my gosh, what a week you have had! I got chills reading about the ladybug. May this be the first of many many books and may happy be the result of every choice you make. 🙂 Congratulations.
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Aw, thank you, Lynette. 🙂
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Congratulations on the book! 🙂
Wishing you lots of success! Must be an exciting time for you! 🙂
Enjoy!
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Thanks so much, Phil!!
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I, too, have these sorts of signs now and then.. You and your brother love each other so much! I am so impressed and to the moon happy for you. Writing a book is such a daunting task.. and you did it!! Congratulations!!! xx
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Thank you, Barbara!!:)
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