It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve released a fiction title. For those of you who’ve contacted me and asked when I’ll release something new, Room to Grow will release May 31. The image above isn’t the book cover image, just a place holder until that’s available.

I wrote this spring-inspired story last year with the idea of it being a smaller book, but even when I was done, I knew the story wasn’t finished. Josh and Sophie had a next phase of life that needed to be captured. I’m glad I held out until their story was complete. I love each book as if they were a unique child of mine, but there’s something about the ending of this one – melts my heart with pure sweetness.

I’ve been intrigued by this couple and how they break the traditional mold of what a couple should look like. Sophie is beginning a new life, feeling defeated and ill-equipped. Josh is still holding onto his first love from more than a decade before. A chance meeting at a coffee shop redefines life for them both.

Room to Grow is the first book in what I’ll introduce as the Nashville Series. Because Nashville and the local towns have been my home my entire life, I’m excited to capture the uniqueness of the areas and share with readers worldwide just how fabulous our city it is.

Stay tuned for more info. Pre-sales of books will begin sometime in May.

And remember, stay tuned for You. Are. Loved. Live the Love Song, my first nonfiction book. The release is scheduled for April 19.

Blessings to you all,
Lisa

I missed this month’s blog on purpose. I had a decision to make: come up with some random topic or keep rolling on with my current nonfiction project. I’m glad I chose to power through. I can say with a big grin that the manuscript is completed with only a few edits remaining on some final chapters. If you would have asked me a few months ago if I would ever finish, I would have said no way. The moment I hit print on my final chapters to give to my editor, I nearly sang a happy song.

This is just a little glimpse of what’s next in my world as I see it now:

• Next month in February, I plan to make the official You. Are. Loved. book announcement and offer a free look at a sample chapter. I am still on track for a spring release and ready to hear your feedback.
• The new website for You. Are. Loved. is currently in production. For now, book release updates can be found here at lisaheatonbooks.com.
• I have a new fiction book in the works, something I began last year and hope to complete for a spring release. The working title is Room to Grow. To revisit this project only makes me long even more for spring. It’s a light and happy book, filled with unlikely love and romance – just what spring of 2019 needs if you ask me.
• I will have a free download offer for Deceiver soon if you know of anyone who might want to check it out. I will give you more details on that when the timing is set. Notices will be here and on social media.
• I’m excited to speak to the ladies of The Journey Church in Lebanon in June. The topic will be related to the new nonfiction book release, its focus on how knowing we are loved drives our every action and shapes how we live out our lives. Others are invited to join us for this Saturday morning event on June 22nd. Space will be limited, so registration for this free event will be required.
• One element of 2019 that I’m most excited about is my ability to follow through with ongoing discipleship through web-based teaching. After the book release, beginning in June or July, I will be offering free stand-alone topics on the youarelovedbook website. Each month through 2019, I will tackle a new area of our faith walk as it relates to God’s love for us.

So, yeah, a lot is underway. Much of this is the culmination of a vision that began over 18 months ago. Then, I could have never imagined how so much would come together to create a ministry that would alter the course of my life.

This is the point where many working parts must come together: the web presence, social media launch, print book publication and ebook conversion. Collectively, it feels like too much to wrap my mind around. So I ask that you pray for me. Pray that I have tunnel vision over this next few months to stay tuned in to how God leads.

You are always loved and appreciated.
Blessings over your new year,
Lisa

I usually try to pull together some thoughts and get them sent out the first of each month in the form of a blog. I won’t be doing that this month. For us all December is such a busy month. I’m trying to decide what to buy grown kids and a Scrooge for a husband.

I have a trip planned to see that precious grand baby this weekend, so Christmas will come early in South Carolina. I’ve been prepping for that, buying little-kid toys for the first time in over a decade. Too. Much. Fun!

If all that wasn’t enough, I am trying to complete the manuscript for my new, nonfiction book this month. Almost there! Now that I’m on the down-hill slide, I can better establish a timeframe for publishing. Though I had hoped for a February release, it will instead be Spring of 2019 before I have the print version ready. If all goes as planned, we will have preview chapters available in February, the month of love.

All that said, I’m hoping your hectic month is filled with peace that only Jesus can bring. It takes effort on our part to stop and breath and remember that Jesus is the reason for this season. So in between Hallmark movies, shopping, and planning for family gatherings, grab hold of small moments of peace and joy by leaning into Jesus.

Many blessings to you and yours this season.
Grace and peace,
Lisa