I Have An Announcement

by Julie Coulter Bellon

Last week I received the news that Covenant Communications has accepted my new manuscript for publication. I’m really excited about joining their company and thought I would share that with you today. It does mark the end of an era, however, since I was the only non-Covenant author on this blog. *sniff*

I also wanted to take this opportunity to publicly thank Spring Creek Books for taking a chance on me as a new author three years ago. They have published four of my books since then and I am forever indebted to them. Chad Daybell is easily one of the most professional and frankly, just plain amazing, people in this business. He is so supportive of his authors and I am sad to leave that safety net, but happy to have his blessing.

So it is with some trepidation, but lots of optimism, that I make this move to Covenant. And, I really can’t wait for you all to read my new book that is slated for release next spring/summer.

Do you want to know what this new book is about? Want a little preview? All right, you talked me into it.

There is no guarantee they will choose my incredibly fitting title that I’ve chosen, so I won’t list that here, but here's a sneak peek at the book.

It’s about Brandon Shepherd, a doctor serving in Iraq who goes for a dust-off with his colleague, Dr. Rachel Fielding, to help two seriously wounded soldiers in the field, and they both are captured by insurgents when their helicopter is attacked. The situation gets even more difficult when the doctors realize that they are now in the middle of a terrorist plot that could bring down a nation. Their captors then ask them to do something that no patriotic American would ever do---and it pushes them both to their emotional and physical limits.

Of course a mission to find and rescue the doctors is mounted by the Americans and Brandon's sister, Kristen---who is one of the top political consultants in the U.S.---tries to help using her connections. Kristen ends up mired in the dangerous situation herself when she realizes that someone very close to her could be involved not only in the kidnapping of her brother, but in the terrorist organization itself.

It is a story of political intrigue, conspiracy, and danger, showing that freedom is worth fighting for, that trust can have a high price, and sometimes lines that have been drawn have to be crossed.

What do you think? Does it sound like something you would read? I hope so. :)

I have to say that I couldn't have done any of this without the help of Corporal Matthew Blair, who has served two tours of duty in Iraq and was an invaluable source of information for me in sharing his experiences there. In researching this book, I have gained a real appreciation for the sacrifice of all the men and women of the military and what they go through every day. So, Matt, if you’re reading this, you have my deepest admiration not only for your service, but also for your patience in answering all my questions to make this book as accurate as possible. Thank you!

And now, will you please join with me in sackcloth and ashes for the sadness of no longer being the only non-Covenant author on this blog. Then throw back the ashes, (keep the sackcloth if you didn’t bring anything else to wear) and join with me in the party of finally being included with the other Covenant authors on this blog. (Maybe we should link arms and sing Kumbaya or something? Rob? Stephanie? No? Okay, never mind.)