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As part of National Novel Writing Month, I decided to write the third and final installment of the Maeve Kenny series. The story picks up a few years after A Sudden Gift of Fate ends. It was great to spend another month at Keuka Lake (in my imagination, that is—drat!) writing about the further adventures of Fergal, Brídgeen, Maeve & Andy.
     I just finished the first draft. My process is to walk away from the book for a few months now and work on other editing before I go back to it. There are some great new plot lines and more than a couple twists. Can’t wait to get this ready for my readers.

Be sure to check out Book Look in the latest edition of Life in the Finger Lakes magazine. A Sudden Gift of Fate was reviewed by Laurel C. Wemett who calls it an “engaging novel of two likable couples and how they handle the challenges in their lives.”
     If you haven’t read this wonderful magazine before, be sure to give it a look. It truly is a celebration of Finger Lakes life, from the breathtaking scenery to the work of fine artisans, from the fascinating lakeside places to the bounty of their shores, fine produce to exquisite wines.

I have created a web site for all of my writing.
It’s called marypathyland.com. Consider it a clearinghouse for all
of my works, including digital versions of my new and already
published novels. Stop by and let me know what you think.

A SUDDEN GIFT OF FATE has just made it through the first round — the story pitch — in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award. WOW! The novel joins 1,999 other works selected from a pool of 10,000 entries.
     In the second round of judging, Amazon editors and Amazon Vine Reviewers will be reading an excerpt of the novel (roughly the first 5,000 words). They’ll narrow the field down to 500 quarterfinalists to be announced around March 23.
     This moment is HUGE. Last year when I entered THE TERMINAL DINER in the contest, it failed at the pitch stage. That was so frustrating because no one read a word of my work. Not this year, buíochas le Dia!
     So say a few prayers, light a candle or raise a glass of Finger Lakes wine and send good thoughts toward my novel.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Bill Jaker will interview me on his WSKG FM radio program, “Off The Page.”  Bill interviewed me last year after I released “The Cyber Miracles.” We had a fun time. I look forward to returning to his show.
“Off The Page” airs at 1 p.m. and repeats at 7 p.m. that day. You can catch the live stream of the show here. Learn more about our planned interview here. The show will be archived on WSKG’s site 24 hours after broadcast.
The program call-in number is 888/359-9754 and they also take questions by e-mail to OffThePage@WSKG.org.

I found out today that another book club in Binghamton has selected A Sudden Gift of Fate to read.

I’m thrilled to hear this, and if any members of the group care to send me feedback on the group’s reaction to the novel, I’d love to hear from you.

You can send an e-mail here.

If you know of any other book clubs carrying the novel, or if you want to know how you can get your local bookstore to carry the novel, please send me an e-mail.

I entered A SUDDEN GIFT OF FATE into the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest just now.

We had to submit a pitch, excerpt (from the first 5,000 words) and the complete manuscript.

The first round cut will come after reading the pitch. Say some prayers, light a few candles or keep your fingers crossed. Better yet, do all of the above!

Should I win, the book will be picked up by Penguin USA. Now THAT would be a sudden gift of fate…

Well things got off to a rocky start in 2010. My computer came down with a bad virus and I just got it back. $$$!!! I have some good news in the meantime, however, to share with you all.

  • A Sudden Gift of Fate was the first featured story in Jim McDonough’s Irish News USA E-Missive, year-end edition. A review of the novel will be in the January issue of the Irish News & Entertainment newspaper coming out soon. If you’d like to subscribe to either, send an e-mail to Jim here.
  • I will be interviewed by WSKG Radio’s Bill Jaker on the February edition of “Off the Page.” The show airs live on Tuesday, February 16 at 1 p.m. You can call in questions to the show. An archived edition of the show will be available on the WSKG web site for a year. More info to come.
  • It has been suggested to me by a person in the book industry to enter A Sudden Gift of Fate in the Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award contest. I’ll let you know if I do that.
  • Check out the latest review on my Reviews page.
  • Very soon you will be able to order my book from all the chain, as well as indie, bookstores across the country. Watch here for an update.
  • Many people who are new to my work are buying both books at once. Thanks for your support!
  • NEEDED: input from my readers. Am thinking of writing one more book in what I’m dubbing the “Maeve Kenny Series.” Would you be interested? Send an e-mail here.

Wine 'n Picnic ToteBe sure to stop by the Loughmare Winery Gift Shop at Cafe Press. There you’ll find all sorts of fun gifts with the catchphrase from A Sudden Gift of Fate, “Got terroir?”

book jacket

$20
Available NOW at my e-store (Amazon.com),
Amazon.com;
Barnes & Noble;
Powell's Books
What readers are saying:
"This endearing foursome, that so many readers of the first book fell in love with, face new challenges with Irish wit and a generally upbeat outlook on life. They're a group of friends that anyone would want to hang out with."
"After finishing it, I kept thinking of the characters and wondered how they were doing. I had to remind myself they weren't real and had to let them go..."
"I couldn't put it down."
"Pure dead brilliant!"

The Prequel

book jacket

Buy it @ my E-store; Amazon.com; and Powell's Books.

Cost: $20

The story

Irish couple Fergal and Brídgeen Griffin get an intriguing wedding gift: the chance to manage a Finger Lakes winery. When they move to Keuka Lake from Queens, see the rundown winery and meet its surly winemaker, they realize it will be quite a challenge getting from grapevine to bottle.
Meanwhile their friends Maeve and Andy face a challenge of their own, separation as he pursues experimental therapy for his paraplegia.
As the two couples face the challenges ahead, will they be able to keep hope alive?

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A Sudden Gift of Fate: Sequel to the novel The Cyber Miracles

Podcast Interviews

* Listen to my interview with Bill Jaker on his WSKG radio show, "Off the Page" here.
* Listen to my 10/21/2009 interview with Morgen McLaughlin on her BlogTalk Radio show, "Finger Lakes Wine Talk" here.

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