Can you feel the love tonight?

Reflecting on a week filled with incredible moments, milestones, and memories

It’s been one week since my new book, A Little Bit About a Lot of Things, was released. So many wonderful things have happened in the last seven days, but to be honest, I feel like I kind of need a nap to recover from all the celebrating. So, before I fall asleep, let me catch you up on the fun.

When smoke gets in your eyes

The festivities started a few days before the book launch when Jodi Cowles and Rachael Mitchell, my fellow founders of The Unknown Authors Club (and my publishers), came to town. They flew in so we could have an all-day planning session for the year ahead (a.k.a. tax write-off), and so they could be here to help me celebrate the book launch.

Seeing as it was their first time in Dallas in a long time, I had to give them a proper Texas welcome with a BBQ dinner the night they arrived. I have a feeling they’re still trying to get smoke out of their clothes, but it’s a small price to pay for the best brisket in town.

There’s nothing like the Shekinah-glory glow from a neon BBQ sign in Texas.

The next day the three of us worked hard to plan out the year ahead. In addition to my book, we have three more books slated for publication in 2023, including another anthology project. We are excited about where things are headed with The Unknown Authors Club and our publishing adventures. (By the way, we have room to publish a few more books this year. If you have a manuscript waiting in the wings, let me know. I’d love to hear more about your project and see if we can help.)

My girl wants to party all the time

Thursday was jam-crammed with party fun since it was my birthday and the official book launch day. In addition to Jodi and Rachael, I had several of my nearest and dearest friends come to town to help me celebrate.

My best friend, Amy, flew in from Tampa, and a handful of the G2B2s came to town as well. If you don’t know what or who a G2B2 is, then you need to read my new book as I share all about these amazing women in chapter 11.

Celebrating my birthday with a few of my favorite females.

Over lunch, we all caught up on life, laughed loudly, and just celebrated being together. I kept looking around the table, marveling at these incredible friends who had flown across the country, driven several hours, taken time off work, and made arrangements for kids and pets and their busy lives, in order to be with me on such a big day. They made the day—and me—feel magical, indeed.

That day I also received several messages of congratulations from friends, including beautiful flowers, champagne, and an appropriately-named bottle of Irish whiskey to toast the launch of my new book. Thank you to everyone who reached out!

You cannot write a book without shedding at least a few tears.

Celebrate good times, come on

Finally, it was time to party!

Celebrating the release with friends and family was an incredible way to send the book out into the world.

I was blown away by the number of friends who came out that night. After hiding away for the last two years writing, it felt so good to hug necks, look them in the eyes, and thank each one of them for the many ways they’ve encouraged and supported me during this journey.

I’m also grateful to Write On! creative writing center for being such a generous host. Their colorful, creative space was the perfect venue for celebrating this milestone.

Such a fun and memorable night celebrating with friends and family. Thanks to @nataliecatherinephoto for capturing the fun.

I have never known a love like this

Before the party, I took a few minutes at home for a quick power nap. I knew I needed a moment of quiet to let the energy and joy of the day sink in. I turned on some soft worship music, crawled onto my bed, closed my eyes, and just told God, “Thank you.” All day, people had gone out of their way to tell me how proud of me they were, how much they loved me, and how thrilled they were to help me celebrate this book. The love I felt that day was overwhelming and unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

As I lay there reflecting over the day and telling God thank you for my family, for my friends, for His hand in helping me write this book, for the unbelievable love I was experiencing, I heard Him speak back to my heart, “The love you feel today—that indescribable love you are experiencing—that love is just a fraction of the overwhelming love I have for you and for everyone who believes in Me. My love for My children is extravagant.”

Friends, if it’s been a long time since you felt that kind of love—a love so concentrated that you aren’t even sure what to do with it—you don’t have to publish a book or have a birthday to experience it. God loves you, extravagantly, and He is ready to pour His love out on you right now. All you have to do is open your heart to Him to receive it.

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Thank you to everyone who has already bought a copy of A Little Bit About a Lot of Things. In the first week on Amazon, the book hit number one new release in five categories and was a number one bestseller in two categories! That’s pretty remarkable for a non-traditionally published book.

Sweet Valley High?…High praise, indeed.

If you’ve read it, would you consider leaving a review on Amazon? Reviews are the very best way to let other people know that this book is worth checking out. Reviews also help Amazon’s algorithm promote the book to people looking for similar titles.

Again, thank you for all the overwhelming show of love and support. I am truly, truly blessed.

Until next time,

Leslee