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Writing Research Trip of a Lifetime

July 12, 2025 by in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as , ,

In May this year, I had the opportunity to take a writing research trip of a lifetime. Not only did I take so many notes in the genre I like to write in, I also was able to visit so many places I’ve read about.

Meaning, I stood in the spot many of my favorite literary characters have stood. I could even imagine favorite scenes of carriage rides in Hyde Park, a stroll across Grosvenor Square, or sitting at a show performed at the Royal Albert Hall with royalty in the box down the aisle.

I thought it would be fun to share some of these photos with all of you. Which also helps me preserve the memories from my writing research trip.

Visiting Places I’ve Read About

In London alone, we were able to visit Grosvener Square, where the elite once lived and is now home to several embassies. We got here on our last night and I was so happy. It was on my bucket list for this writing research trip.

Castles and Palaces

We also were able to drop by and see two Palaces, and go inside Windsor Castle (the state rooms are amazing. We weren’t allowed to take pictures, unfortunately. But I did take notes on some things I saw. Never know when those notes can be used for writing research.

Famous Streets

Several books have taken me to a variety of London neighborhoods including Bow Street, Drury Lane, and Trafalgar Square. I had hoped to get to 7 dials, and a few others, but boy is it all a lot of walking. Even Hyde Park is huge, we had to break it up into two days. But just walking around gave me such great insight into the lay of the land. Perfect information for my next read or writing project. I kept finding every thing we saw as a research opportunity.

Hyde Park

Hyde park was so fun to walk through. We walked one side on one day, and the other side another day. The main area where many carriages would parade to be seen was so big and open. The Serpentine was too. So many people were enjoying the park for the day having a picnic or renting paddleboats on the river. I could imagine scenes with the hero rowing a sweetheart and wooing her at the same time. I’ve read many scenes like this.

The London Zoo is where AA Milne would visit Winnipeg the bear that inspired the Winnie the Pooh Stories. This was a fun thing for me. Everything has a rich history in London. With many research points to capture.

Writing Research Outside of London – the trip continues

I was so excited to go Bath and see the Roman Baths. I’ve read many stories with this setting in it. To see it in person was amazing. So much history it was overwhelming. We also walked through several churches including Notre Dame in Paris. In Scotland, visiting Edinburgh Castle gave me several ideas for a new series, where I also could possibly include the history of golf at St. Andrews Golf Course. Again, I found myself continuously taking writing notes on my phone.

There’s so much more I haven’t shared, I think I need to do it in another post. Let me know in the comments if you are interested in more from my writing research trip.

All in all I feel beyond blessed to be able to have seen all that we did. And look forward to adding these pieces to future stories. I’m so thankful our son decided to study abroad. Which got us planning this trip in the first place!!

Last month I shared about how I managed my book launch while on this trip. Take a look at all the pics I took with my book cover at these historical sights.

Or visit my website to read more on my blog.

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A New Book Release and First Book is an Award Finalist

June 12, 2025 by in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as , ,

I wanted to share my exciting book news – a book release AND an award final announcement! My first book become an award finalist and my second book released, all while on our three-week trip abroad (I will write another post about all the great research I did). 

2025 ACFW Award Finalist

My debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist in the debut category. It is such an honor to be recognized in this way.

When Plans Go Awry is a 2025 ACFW Carol Award Finalist in the Debut category

I was so surprised. In fact we were at Disneyland, Paris when I started receiving texts early in the AM (think nine hours ahead). I might’ve made a few incoherant sounds as I reached for my laptop to find the website page and confirm before I said something to my family. Sure enough, my book was listed. I think I walked around the parks in a daze that day. As I said, such an honor. Winners will be announced at the ACFW conference gala on September 6.

A New Book Release

My second book, A Slight Change of Plans, released May 27th. About midway through our trip. In fact, I was going through the final proof on the plane to London. 

Which meant I didn’t have a book in hand with me on my trip. Instead I printed out the cover and glued it to cardstock and carried it around with me taking pictures against major landmarks.

It was my little way to celebrate the release of my book and be able to create this graphic for launch day, announcing it was released to the world.

Denise M. Colby's A Slight Change of Plans released May 27th, 2025

I took way more than what could fit on one graphic, so I thought I’d share them here. See if you can guess some of the places I visited. Once the book released, I stopped (and kindof wished I hadn’t).

Celebrating both a Book Release and becoming an Award Finalist

I was staying present for our trip, except to respond to all the well wishes on both announcements.

On release day it rained as we walked to find a coffee shop and breakfast. This is the one picture of me and the book cover that day. I was a little wet and tired (we had walked and walked and walked every day). But still celebrating. A Slight Change of Plans made it to the 7th spot in one of the new release categories on Amazon, and has received many lovely reviews.

This week A Slight Change of Plans is on a blog tour. Click on the link to check out all the interviews, excerpts, and reviews being highlighted this week.

A Slight Change of Plans Blog Tour week graphic

It’s been an exciting month having a book release and become an award finalist. Thank you everyone for your support. I’m so happy to see readers enjoying the story and feeling encouraged. I love to write stories full of faith, hope, and love. If you are interested in learning what inspired and influenced my stories, I wrote this blog post a few months back about it.

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Welcome to My Book Birthday Celebration!

May 12, 2025 by in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as , ,

This month, I’m having a book birthday celebration as my second book, A Slight Change of Plans releases on May 27, 2025. This is book 2 in my Best-laid Plans series. 

Book cover for A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby is a historical romance set in 1870 Sacramento, California

I’m excited to share Jenny and Ren’s story with everyone. Out of the five teachers coming west, Jenny is the most insecure. She didn’t have a lot of love and affection growing up and hoped this new start would change all that. But the book starts with her school shutting down and she has no other options, so she heads to Washton, where Olivia is (the heroine in book 1, When Plans Go Awry).

You’ll meet Ren, and see familiar characters from book one including the rooster, Bert.

Bert the rooster from when plans go awry debut novel and now book 2 A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby

I’ve been busy putting together tidbits and information related to this story to share with everyone on my website, blog, and social media. Sign up for my newsletter to follow along.

Book Launch Activities

This time around I’m doing a blog tour through JustReadTours June 9-13

The blog tour graphic for A Slight Change of Plans to help celebrate book birthday for this novel

I’ve also created some of my own graphics to share 

My son added on to the original map of Washton to show the parts mentioned in the story. This rests in the front of the book matter (and hopefully soon on my website)

new map of fictional town Washton, CA created by Denise M. Colby and drawn by Kyle Colby
My son designed this updated map of Washton, my fictional town in my Best-laid Plans Series

My husband had designed the journal notebook for the first book, and so I asked him to do something for this one as well. This is what he came up with.

ink and quill designed by Ken Colby for A Slight Change of Plans
My husband designed the graphic that goes at the beginning of each chapter

Other Book Launch Things

I recently was interviewed on Awesomegang.com, and have new listings of A Slight Change of Plans on all major platforms.

As most of you know, it’s a lot of work to organize a book launch, yet so rewarding after spending so much time writing, editing, and marketing this story. And I get to do it again in six months when the prequel releases in November.

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post sharing which books inspire my writing. I also pick a word every year to focus on. This year it is Flourish.

Denise M. Colby's word for 2025 is flourish. She designed this graphic to share her word.

Thanks for following along in this journey with me!

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Celebrating Thirty Years of Romance

April 12, 2025 by in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as , ,

This post is not really book related, but since I write historical romance, it is romance related.  This month, on April 22nd to be exact, my husband and I are celebrating thirty years of romance. Okay the entire thirty years may not be all romance, but it is our 30th wedding anniversary.

Celebrating 30 years of romance blog header by denise m. colby

Just like any romance story, ours is full of attraction, love, faith, hope, discord, arguments, difference of opinion, reconciliation, hope, fun, magic moments, hardships, love, faith, and so on. A lot can happen in thirty years. For our 25th year, I wrote a blog post for why he was the perfect hero for me.

If I were to be writing this as a book, our happily ever after began on April 22, 1995. But our story began on Feb. 2, 1992. I wrote about it this year in February post on denisemcolby.com.

We met at Disneyland. Our honeymoon was in Florida at DisneyWorld. And for our 30th anniversary, we are headed to Disneyland Paris in France. We are so excited.

Our wedding day, thirty years ago

It is so fun to reflect back to our special day thirty years ago. I definitely was influenced by the fairy tales I grew up with. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. Our engagement happened at the Snow White wishing well by the castle at Disneyland, and we had a replica made for our wedding, making it a central piece to our wedding theme.

It’s fun to be able to share some pics from that day, long ago. 

As you can see by the cake topper and toasting glasses, we added Disney touches everywhere.

We hired an artist friend Dave Avanzino (who now creates beautiful artwork including custom work for Disney) to transform our drab brown carpet area into a lush garden complete with a wishing well replica.

It was magical! Looking back I’m sure family and friends thought we were over the top, but our young adult church group was having over ten weddings a year at the time and we wanted to do something different and make it our own.

We could barely imagine our life thirty years from then. But here we are.

And here I am, now a published author with my second Historical Romance launching this year. I like to think my relationship with God and with my husband has influenced my writing.

Since this is a writing blog, I would be remiss if I didn’t share my new cover of A Slight Change of Plans. It launches May 27, 2025. A pre-order link will be coming soon. Next month, I’ll be sharing all about it.

Book cover for A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby is a historical romance set many years ago

Thirty years of romance later

Never could we imagine what our life would be like thirty years later. But now that we are here, I’m thankful for the adventure we have had so far. Here’s to many more years of romance in the future. Both in real life and in my stories.

a thirty year happily ever after romance by Denise M. Colby
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Deadlines and Books, the Life of an Author

March 12, 2025 by in category The Writing Journey by Denise Colby tagged as , , ,

With the deadline approaching for my third book in my Best-laid Plans series, I’m deep in my writing cave and not thinking about much else except exploring the California countryside with a peddler in 1867. And when I’m not thinking about that, I’m reviewing the edits on book two. Or working through my next read. Whatever it is, it’s all about books.

So I thought I would share some highlights from each of these areas.

What I’m Revealing – A Slight Change of Plans Releases May 27th

Book Cover will be Revealed for A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby

I will be revealing my book cover for A Slight Change of Plans in my newsletter that goes out on March 15. This is the second book in the Best-laid plans series. If you want to be the first to see it, sign up for my newsletter right now.

Deadlines on multiple books this month, which included edits on this beauty. I can’t believe that in a few months I get to say I’ve published books (plural)! I can’t wait for people to meet Ren and Jenny when it releases on May 27, 2025.

Here’s the back cover blurb.

A Slight Change of Plans – Book 2 in the Best-laid Plans series by Denise M. Colby

She believes she doesn’t matter. 

Jenny Millard’s hopes for security and stability as a schoolmarm out west are dashed when her schoolhouse closes and no positions are available nearby. With only enough money for a one-way train fare, Jenny heads to her friend’s home uncertain of her next step.

His scars have made him an unlovable outcast

Newcomer Ren Lyman prefers to keep to himself, hiding in the back of the blacksmith shop to avoid the stares at the scars left by a childhood accident. When he comes across a lost stranger, he’s surprised when she doesn’t recoil at his appearance, and even more so at his eagerness to assist her. 

As Jenny settles into the welcoming, but small, town of Washton, she can’t help but come across Ren, especially since his daily constitutional takes him along the same path. It doesn’t take long for them to form a connection that breaks down the walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, it seems their chance at happiness might be at risk. 

Will Jenny and Ren discover that they’re enough—for God, and each other?

What I’m Reading – Readers Comfy Porch Book Club

I’m participating with eleven other authors in the Comfy Porch Book Club. I posted about this in my January post. This month we are reading EV Sparrow’s Muldoon’s Misfortunes. Anyone can join us at any time. There’s daily conversation in a facebook group page, and a monthly zoom call to discuss the book.

Readers comfy porch book club books for 2025. daily conversation on facebook and monthly zoom call

Back cover copy: A cursed widower forsakes his faith to ensure his hope.

On a verdant island beset by poverty and death, Mick Muldoon dares to escape his misfortunes. Is working a farm and raising a family such an impossible thing to ask? Wasn’t God supposed to answer prayers—not turn a deaf ear?

After surviving the treacherous voyage to America, Mick discovers the rumors of ample opportunity aren’t exactly true. His defective body hampers employment and keeps him dependent upon his peculiar sister. However, an unexpected invitation to move to the heartland guarantees his dreams.

Mick’s own dreadful choices hamper his hopes when he accepts work as a widow’s farmhand. Unbeknownst to him, there’s deception afoot. Mick’s inattention to love causes catastrophe as single fatherhood cruelly shatters his family. Will God miraculously hear his prayers this time?

In Book 1 of Those Resilient Muldoons series, this misguided, wayward widower encounters God’s unexpected presence.

What I’m Giving Away

I’ve joined a group of authors in a newsletter round robin and each month I will feature a different author in my newsletter and my subscribers can download their book for free. I thought I would start out with the first one here. All That Glistens by Marie Wells Coutu

When the bright lights of Broadway dim, the warm glow of home beckons to Delia. Delia left her tiny Kentucky hometown to make her mark on a Broadway stage in the 1930s. But when her success proves fleeting, will she be welcomed home or will her older sister’s jealousy tarnish the homecoming?

This short story was originally published in Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest 2023.

Get your FREE copy of All That Glistens

All that glistens by Marie Wells Coutu. A free short story

Hope you have a wonderful week

Blessings,

Denise

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