The Time Between UPDATE

I've been neglecting the blog! I feel like I've had a newborn in the house demanding all my attention. Instead of bottles and diapers, I've been up to my ears in edits and decisions. It's not really demanding to give attention to a newborn...sign me up for the sleepy little bundle on my chest. Yes, please. The decisions and editing didn't really feel demanding to me either. Putting the final touches on a cover I so painstakingly worried over for MONTHS...yes please! Crying while reading my own book...um yes again! See the pic above? Tears! It's been so fun and rewarding to feel it all come together. AND I cannot tell you how excited I am for all of you to have it in your hot little hands. Please comment here, message me, send a pigeon carrier, whatever, and let me know what you think. I can't wait to hear from you!

I've been editing like crazy wondering why I gave myself a deadline. And then I hear from a reader telling me they cannot wait to read it and wondering if I knew when it would be out yet and I remember why. I've had to get creative juggling my sweet family and editing. Good times!

Did you know my husband is a budding artist? He began to really draw (he's doodled his entire life!) a few years ago and it's been so fun to watch him grow his talent. He drew the above picture and it can be found in The Time Between! It looks so great. It wasn't easy getting it there though! Here's what it would look like in my document. Great, right!

Here's how it would look when it uploaded to kindle. What?

I'm almost ashamed to say how long it took me to fix. But, eventually I got it! Ta-da!

I discovered Chik-fil-a was my favorite place to edit. It feels like winter in there!  I couldn't feel my toes by the time I left. It was awesome!

My husband not only took the kids countless times so I could edit, but he brought me home flowers too. Love him!

If you follow me on facebook or instagram you know I agonized over the cover for The Time Between. 

I was so relieved when my proof copy came and I LOVED it! It was all I had hoped it would be.  

 

It soon disappeared, though.

This is where I found it! My twelve year old had swiped it. She finished it in a day and a half. It doesn't get better than that! Although, there was one point where she threatened to stop speaking to me. Ha!

The Time Between is now out and available in paperback or ebook! For some reason, it won't let me link it here yet, but I will as soon as it's available. In the meantime, you can search The Time Between Karen Richardson on Amazon or click The Ordinary or The Heir links on the right side of the blog. Once it takes you to Amazon you can click on my name and find it. If you're still having trouble after all that, comment and I'll see what I can do.

And lastly, THANK YOU, and HAPPY READING!

The Time Between - COMING AUGUST 6, 2018

Finally! I was extra indecisive when choosing the name and cover for the LAST book in THE ORDINARY SERIES. Each book has a level of expectations to meet (or hopefully exceed!). Maybe I got in my head a bit this time, but with each book, the level gets a bit bigger. This was no exception. I mean come on! It's the last book. You want to LOVE the last book. It needs to leave you feeling like reading the series was totally worth it! I've wanted each and every part of it to be just what I envisioned it to be...especially the cover and the title. I'm so happy with both!

Drumroll, please! Ok, we don't really need a drumroll. I mean it's right there!

AND did you notice the title? Love it! I think it fits the book so well.

I have more news! The release date is set! (Should I have a release date party??)

AUGUST 6, 2018!!

You can preorder an ebook copy now if you'd like. It will be delivered on August 6th. Paperback will be available on August 6th. Also, if you'd like BOTH versions, wait to order until the 6th. You will then be able to order a paperback at regular price and an ebook version for .99! If this doesn't make sense, let me know! I'll add a handy-dandy link to the side of my page when Amazon will let me. In the meantime, you can click on The Ordinary and then my name and you can find it.

Thank you all for all your support and excitement. I LOVE to write. You all loving what I write is beyond a dream for me. THANK YOU!

Perk or Curse?

I'm not sure the kids have figured it out yet, but I have learned if you want a "yes" from my husband,  wait for him to be huddled over a pile of papers to grade and go in for the kill. Do you want to go_______? He will drop that pen so fast you will wonder if he ever had it in his hand. Anything to get out of grading. It's pretty awesome. Want to go to the park? Yep. Want to clean the bathroom? Yep. He loves his job. He loves lecturing. He loves working with the students. He loves it all. All except the grading. I tell him every job has to have at least one downside--this is his.

A few weeks ago, he was deep in the end-of-semester-crazy, as we like to call it. He was up to his ears in papers to grade, worried students to console and diet coke. Okay, he's always up to his ears in diet coke. This time of the semester may be the exception to the above rule. Deadlines loom and have to be met. He keeps his head down and sometimes doesn't even hear our want to requests (noise canceling headphones in place!). So, when he asked for my manuscript I was kind of surprised. I thought he'd want to wait until his plate cleared a smidgen...even though he'd do just about anything to get out of grading. "Are you sure?" I questioned at least a dozen times. He was sure. He sent me this picture. He was hiding out at Hardee's reading and enjoying some non-grading time.

I worry though, is being married to the author and getting first dibs at the manuscript a perk or a curse? I guess we'll have to ask him. Either way, I'm super grateful for his excitement, enthusiasm, and expertise. I'm one lucky girl. Thanks Kim!

Guess What I Just Did?

The third and final book in The Ordinary Series is DONE! Well, except for the editing. For now, I've traded my laptop for THIS. The editing has begun!

Coming this summer! Check back for updates.

And, just because you've all been on my mind lately...thank you! Thank you for supporting and encouraging me. Thank you for taking this journey with me. I appreciate you!

With love,

Karen

Girl Smarts

There is a character in The Ordinary who is witty, fearless, and sure of who she is. She makes her debut partway through The Ordinary. She doesn't play a huge role in book one or book two, but she's pretty center stage in book three (still working on #3!). She's kind of who I'd like to be, in a way. I'm talking about Ky, Jordan's sister.  I admire Ky in so many ways, but the way Ky doesn't let fear hold her back is definitely what I admire the most. I tend to sit right in the middle of fear. Paralized and crying! Haha.

Now I'd like to introduce you to my daughter, Kyleigh. She is almost twelve (four more days, actually!) and she is fierce! We call her Ky a lot. Made a connection yet? Ky was born from this little lady right here. She stands up to her brother even though he can be intimidating at times. She's quick to forgive, easy to love and is a terrific friend. And she is fearless. She isn't afraid to be who she is regardless of the circumstance. She's awesome.

This is her first year in middle school. She's a social little gal and I was kind of surprised she hadn't found a club or group to join. But, right before Christmas, she informed us she wanted to join the Academic Challenge Team. The what now? We'd never heard of that. At first, she wasn't really sure either. We didn't get much information out of her except they push buzzers and answer questions. Before long, we were able to attend her first meet and got to see first hand what exactly the Academic Challenge Team was. We. are. impressed.

Have you seen The Chase? If not, google it and then come on back. It might be awhile because it's a pretty addicting show. It's okay. I understand. The Academic Challenge is kind of like that except without the Beast. And the chasing. The team who answers the most questions correctly wins. I could never, ever, EVER join this team. My brain would freeze and I would be dead weight. Dead, I say. 

Kyleigh, on the other hand, it's like she doesn't know she's supposed to be scared. She doesn't know it may be embarrassing to get the question wrong (which it's not. My brain would tell me it would be!). Our Ky started the first meet as the team captain and has been the entire time. No one else will do it. See. They know fear. 

I'm not just saying this because she's my daughter, but that girl carries the team. I love her little teammates and wish I could help them have Kyleigh's confidence. They got this! They just don't know it yet! 

Their last meet was yesterday and there were only three of them there. Normally, each grade level is separated into different rooms to compete but because of the flu epidemic, they were short staffed. They announced they would all compete in the same room and take turns. Sixth grade was up first. My fear swelled for her! If she noticed my wide eyes as she stood to take her place at the table, she sure didn't notice. She didn't seem intimidated by that packed cafeteria at all. She killed it in the first two rounds, which is the team challenge. They all discuss the question and she gives the answer (because she's the team captain). The last two rounds are the buzzer round and the other team had a really fast buzzer pusher. That kid was fast I tell you! 

Ultimately, they lost this round, but she was recognized as our team's high scorer. She didn't gloat or even tell her dad when we got home. She's humble, too.

As Ky's (Jordan's sister) character progresses, she may have some fear. She's up for a challenge and I'm anxious to see how she handles it all. More on that later! In the meantime, I'll keep watching my fearless girl and all her girl smarts and hopefully gleen some from her.

Riverbed Road

My mother grew up in a little town in southern Utah. Right next to her little town was an even tinier town, Greenville. I talked about it and shared some pictures here. When we would visit my grandmother, we would always take a trip to Greenville. There were two ways to get there but our favorite was by far the riverbed road.

First of all, to get to the riverbed road you got to drive past the coolest nursery ever. A nursery in the front and a small farm in the back. Sometimes we would get really lucky and the peacocks would have their feathers out for us. As we followed the gentle curves of the road and we would listen to mom and grandma share their memories. The pictures they painted were so vivid I could imagine I was there with them.

I love that place and the area around it. So many memories are wrapped up in the smells, sites and sounds of that place. So. many. I still can't drive on gravel and not think of my grandmother.

I've shared a bit about my husband and his newfound love of art. The past year or so he's been nurturing that hidden talent and growing so much! I've been trying to get him to sketch my memories and he did! He's awesome like that.

To say I love it is an understatement. I mean, come on. My greatest love created one of my fondest memories! Does it get any better than that?

Goodreads giveaway

Today marks the first day of a Goodreads giveaway! Enter here for a chance to win a free paperback copy of The Heir! Good luck!

It's HERE!

My paperback copy of The Heir arrived today!!

My daughter walked in the house from school, snatched it up, and headed to her room. This is how I found her...

I was kind of surprised she wasn't in the closet. That's her favorite place to read! Be still my heart.

The BIG release day is TOMORROW! Preorder your digital copy here. Or if you're a paper kind of person click here. Thank you ALL for your love and support! I'm humbled and so grateful.

About The Ordinary Series

Book order: 

                   The Ordinary, Book one

                   The Heir, Book two

                   The Time Between, Book three 

The Ordinary Series was born out of a love of reading with my children. We've read to them since we brought them home from the hospital. It's always been a part of their routine. However, some nights we get home past bedtimes and sleep becomes slightly more important than reading. On those nights, I make up a story on the fly while they sleepily brush their teeth and change into pajamas.

Often those nights turned into the next night and the next because they wanted to hear more. I noticed my husband would hang around and even chuckle with the kids once in a while! He, my husband, has been my biggest support. He's encouraged me for YEARS to write. But, life is busy and I find myself putting my needs and wants at the bottom of the list. It's a mother thing. I'm working on it!

In my "About Me," I talk about life being crazy hard and how my writing was a great result of that crazy hard. Our son is a beautiful square peg that no matter how hard we all tried (he included) just couldn't make the round hole, public education system work for him. Not that teachers and administrators didn't help and work and fight for him almost as hard as I did. We've had some wonderful teachers throughout the years who have made such a difference in his life! Regardless, after much consideration and prayer, we decided to homeschool.

Well, that beautiful, brilliant, square peg of mine needs his momma close. He needs her to sit and redirect and not add to his distractions. Laundry is out. Sit. Be still. Be near. A momma can only plan so much and with only one student...well, there isn't a ton of grading. What's a girl to do? WRITE!

An idea had been hanging around in my head for a while. I wanted to write about fairies, but I didn't want them to be what we think of as traditional fairies. After reading the first little bit of my book to my son, I knew I needed to call them something different because they WERE different. He turned up his nose as soon as he knew my book was about fairies. Silly kid. I did some research and soon Essentials were born. Non-Essential's are called Ordinaries because, well they are ordinary in the eyes of Essentials. 

It's difficult for an Ordinary to tell if another person is an Essential unless they go full Essential (wings out) or wield energy. There is energy in and around the earth that Essentials move creating prosperity or to destroy depending on intent. Their purpose, though, is to help the earth to flourish. In book two, The Heir, Natalie encounters the Dark. The Dark are Essentials who use the dark source of energy to wield and in doing so it changes their very nature as well as the physical nature of the earth.

Initially, I thought the storyline would follow Natalie's teaching experience within the Academy but for me, the writing process took on a life of its own! I would have an idea in my head and as I wrote I went a different direction. This kind of became an addicting part of the creative process for me! And no, I wasn't sure exactly how things were going to go. It ended up being a bit of a surprise for me as well!

While I wrote this with my kids in mind, I wanted to be entertained, too! Que love triangle. I kept this all PG because I wanted my daughter to read it, but the love story is there. The romance and drama are there. Also, something I have found so interesting is how people of ALL ages love the story. I'm hearing wonderful things literally from pre-teens, teens, early-twenties all the way up to 77! 

I think I will leave you with a sincere, heartfelt thank you for reading my books and a short summary of each. Please feel free to contact me through the contact form on the sidebar or comment here with questions, concerns or comments! I'd LOVE to hear from you.  Oh, and I included things about my family throughout the book. My children's names are Kaleb, Kyleigh and Kambrie. Just knowing that sheds some light on some of those things! If you're interested in knowing more, just ask! Thank you, again!

The Ordinary Series includes:

#1 The Ordinary:

I opened my eyes and gasped. My shadow still stretched down the long drive, but rising from my shoulders were two, breathtaking wings. My shadow had wings! I tilted my head and watched them. They moved with each breath I took. I’d never wanted to be an Essential before, but for a moment I wished they were mine. -The Ordinary

 

Natalie knew her life would change when she agreed to immerse herself in the Essential world, but she could never have anticipated just how much. She came to teach Essentials about the Ordinary world and how to live undetected among them, but she didn’t realize how difficult living among Essentials would be. And then there’s him. The moment she saw him, something changed within her. He controls energy. It moves through him and for him. He is an Essential. She, an Ordinary, represents everything he despises. With upheaval in the surrounding kingdoms, Natalie’s days of teaching do not last long, and she finds herself in the middle of a violent search for the Ordinary heir to the throne. Haunted by a recurring dream, and caught between her Ordinary boyfriend and the Essential she is unexplainably drawn to, Natalie struggles to manage this new tumultuous world she has become a part of. She went to Kambrasia to teach Essentials how to live in the Ordinary world, but will she survive in theirs?

#2 The Heir:

Natalie knew when she took the job teaching fairy-like Essentials how to blend into the Ordinary world that she was stepping into a world far from her own. While she anticipated the unexpected, nothing could prepare her for what was to come. Her world was turned upside down, propelling her into an entirely new reality. Her teaching days behind her, Natalie struggles to find where she fits. She is an Ordinary existing in a world where she is surrounded by the extraordinary. She finds solace from the newfound pressures and horrific nightmares she’s plagued with in her fiancé and is certain her life will settle once they are married. However, their plans to wed are deterred when Natalie’s future father-in-law cannot be found, resulting in delaying their big day indefinitely. Their search to find him reveals a twisted, dark, hidden past that puts Natalie and the ones she loves in grave danger. In this much-anticipated sequel to THE ORDINARY, Natalie fights. She fights for her identity. She fights for love and freedom. She fights the Dark. She fights for The Heir.

#3 The Time Between:

Believe it or not, Natalie has become somewhat accustomed to the unexpected living in the energy-filled, fairy-like, Essential world. She’s feeling more confident in her role in the kingdom she has come to love dearly. However, betrayal by the one person she least expected has rocked Natalie’s kingdom and shaken her to the core. With their enemy on the run and no leads to follow, centuries-old secrets are revealed with the hope it will finally bring an end to the Darks. Forced back into hiding, Natalie and her close friends find themselves in danger from unexpected sources. While Natalie is pretty used to the unexpected in her new world, nothing prepares her for another betrayal from the one Essential she thought she could trust—one who had never lied to her—she thought. In this conclusion of The Ordinary Series, will Natalie finally have her happy ever after, or will she and those she loves fall to the Darks once and for all?

This concludes The Ordinary Series #happyreading

COMING SOON

The Last Keeper tells Brie's story from The Time Between.

The Last Keeper 

Brie had the misfortune of being born into one of four Keeper families charged from the beginning of time to protect a unique Keep. Their Keep come in all shapes and sizes, colors and temperaments, but anyone would argue, all wondrous, fascinating, and magical. At seventeen, Brie would gladly walk away from it all. She would do just about anything to find a way to live a typical teenage life where the only place she encountered dragons was in books. She is out of excuses for her many scrapes and bruises all thanks to her Keeper training and embarrassed she can’t seem to get her grades above a C. She is tired of hiding the biggest part of herself from her friends. She just wants to be normal. That’s not too much to ask, right? All that stands between her and normalcy are her parents and heredity. Unfortunately, her best odds are with heredity. When a stranger appears and the dragons begin to behave oddly and soon disappear, Brie no longer has the luxury of time and is forced to make a choice once and for all. Will she finally be able to find the strength to become what she wants to be instead of waiting for destiny to decide for her?

The Time Between UPDATE

I've been neglecting the blog! I feel like I've had a newborn in the house demanding all my attention. Instead of bottles and diapers, I've been up to my ears in edits and decisions. It's not really demanding to give attention to a newborn...sign me up for the sleepy little bundle on my chest. Yes, please. The decisions and editing didn't really feel demanding to me either. Putting the final touches on a cover I so painstakingly worried over for MONTHS...yes, please! Crying while reading my own book...um yes again! See the pic above? Tears! It's been so fun and rewarding to feel it all come together. AND I cannot tell you how excited I am for all of you to have it in your hot little hands. Please comment here, message me, send a pigeon carrier, whatever, and let me know what you think. I can't wait to hear from you!

I've been editing like crazy wondering why I gave myself a deadline. And then I hear from a reader telling me they cannot wait to read it and wondering if I knew when it would be out yet, and I remember why. I've had to get creative juggling my sweet family and editing. Good times!

Did you know my husband is a budding artist? He began to really draw (he's doodled his entire life!) a few years ago and it's been so fun to watch him grow his talent. He drew the picture above and it can be found in The Time Between! It looks so great. It wasn't easy getting it there though! Here's what it would look like in my document. Great, right?

Here's how it would look when it uploaded to kindle. What?

I'm almost ashamed to say how long it took me to fix. But, eventually, I got it! Ta-da!

I discovered Chik-fil-a was my favorite place to edit. It's July...in the SOUTH. It's HOT and HUMID. Not at CFA! It feels like winter in there!  I couldn't feel my toes by the time I left. It was awesome!

My husband not only took the kids countless times so I could edit, but he brought me flowers too. Love him!

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you know I agonized over the cover for The Time Between...

I was so relieved when my proof copy came. I LOVE it! It was all I had hoped it would be. 

It soon disappeared, though.

This is where I found it! My twelve year old had swiped it. She finished it in a day and a half. It doesn't get better than that! Although, there was one point where she threatened to stop speaking to me. Ha! Luckily she kept reading. 

The Time Between is now out and available in paperback or ebook! For some reason, it won't let me link it here yet, but I will as soon as it's available. In the meantime, you can search The Time Between Karen Richardson on Amazon or click The Ordinary or The Heir links on the right side of the blog. Once it takes you to Amazon you can click on my name and find it. If you're still having trouble after all that, comment and I'll see what I can do.

And lastly, THANK YOU and happy reading!