I’m writing this blog on Labor Day, and this post is a labor of love. My mountaintop is changing, an unseasonably wet early fall making me fret about too much winter snow. Golden grasses streak the range north of my office. Bucks in velvet regularly cross the property. One rogue aspen in the meadow has a wicked sense of humor, with a flash of crayola-orange tipping a branch. (Quick! Get the greens!)

As my world evolves, I’m preparing for a writing conference. Book 3 has moved from its third edit and into my literary agent’s capable hands. My adult children are inundating (a joyous invasion) us before the youngest starts grad school. I’m stealing desk time to share news with you.

I’m not much for awards. My client entered my company, then picked up the Waterford crystal trophy for my first professional award. I didn’t attend the gala ceremony because every moment not producing marketing and advertising material was invested in family.

The LYRA, from Bookstore without Borders, was the only contest I’ve ever actually entered (in the wee hours one morning). Months later on a Sunday evening, I received an email telling me The Brothers’ Keepers had won second place overall—beating thousands of entries in this prestigious contest.

Between meatloaves and churning Palisade peach homemade ice cream this past weekend, I received a text encouraging me to see if I had won a Readers’ Favorite award. I didn’t know an award was associated with the website I had used for critiques of both books, so put fresh sheets on the guest beds. I clicked through the link in the second text to see what works won. When Camels Fly took third place in General Christian Fiction.

Aside from the fact that I love what I do, few things could generate more momentum than professional recognition. The awards are icing on the cake of a wonderful life. Incredibly talented people tease the best from my stories, and I am privileged to share this journey with you.

Starting in October, as these mountains explode in orange and yellow, my blog posts will include more information about book 3. My agent, beta readers, and editors believe it’s the best yet, and I agree. So grab a mug of tea and prepare for another adventure. This one is . . . dangerous.