MacDonald Family Series Update
• Five Days in Skye, London Tides, News, Under Scottish Stars
I’ve been getting tons of inquiries about the fabled and long-awaited third book in the MacDonald Family Series, Under Scottish Stars. I’m thrilled that so many of you are still enthusiastic about this series, and so I’m happy to tell you that I have a timeline for the re-release of all three books!
July 2018 – Five Days in Skye will be re-released in e-book only with a new cover
Summer 2019 – Five Days in Skye will be released in paperback/London Tides released in paperback and e-book
Summer 2020 – Under Scottish Stars will be released in paperback and e-book (FINALLY!)
I know you may still have questions, so here are the answers to the ones I get most frequently.
What happened?
In 2016, when I switched publishers, the MacDonald Family series was purchased by Tyndale House from David C. Cook. It’s a huge coup for an author to have all her titles under one umbrella because it opens up options for pricing and promotion that you couldn’t do if titles are scattered between more than one house.
Why can’t they just release Under Scottish Stars now?
This was largely a strategic decision. The goal for every book is to get it to the widest audience possible. Bookstores don’t tend to like to buy third books in a series from a new publisher, and readers don’t like to pick up the third book in the series when the first two aren’t on the shelf. Since the first two are now out of print, that means Tyndale has to re-release Five Days in Skye and London Tides first.
So why don’t they re-release all three together now?
Again, bookstores are sensitive about the amount of money they sink into inventory for one author. With my new series, it would be asking them to buy five books in a short period of time, and with limited shelf space, that’s not going to happen. So getting both series into bookstores concurrently is a difficult proposition. (Unless you’re Francine Rivers and then… bring on the books! All the books.) And despite how many books are sold online, a huge percentage of my readers still discover my books in store.
But again… why?
I know. It’s hard for me too. I absolutely love Serena and Malcolm’s story (might be my favorite of the three, actually) and it’s killing me not to share it with you! Hang on… it’s coming! I promise!
If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for my mailing list so you’ll be the first to receive updates when these books are available. In the meantime, happy reading!
Tags: Five Days in Skye, London Tides, MacDonald Family series, release date, Under Scottish Stars
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Beverley. McInnes says:
Thanks for the update but it really only holds disappointment that it will be another two years before the release of Scottish Stars.
On March 16, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Carla says:
I know… 🙁
On April 3, 2018 at 10:58 am
Wendy says:
Just read your update on the publishing of the 3rd book in this series. And all I can think is “Awww, really?! I have to wait another 2 years?!” I totally understand it’s a business decision (on the part of the publisher), but that doesn’t alleviate any of my impatience on the matter. …. That being said, I’m glad Under Scottish Stars finally has a publication date. Thanks for the update 🙂
On March 29, 2018 at 10:27 am
Carla says:
It really is a killer. But you have no idea how much I appreciate everyone hanging in there! As authors, we barely expect readers to stick with us between books in a series, so to have everyone waiting expectantly for Serena’s story means a lot.
On April 3, 2018 at 11:00 am
Bev says:
I’ve been going crazy trying to find Under Scottish Skies!!There are only 3 copies in libraries across the US … i’ve Put in a request but it is doubtful that They will be willing to do an inter library loan.. soooo I guess I will wait the 2 years😒
On March 31, 2018 at 11:39 am
Carla says:
I sympathize! It feels like forever. Unfortunately, I can pretty much guarantee that those libraries don’t have a copy of the book– it never went to print, nor were any Advanced Reading Copies issued! I’ve heard from a couple of people that their libraries show it still on order.
On April 3, 2018 at 10:58 am
Wendy says:
I think a reader’s willingness to stick with a series has everything to do with the quality of the first book (and in this case the second book, as well!)—at least, that’s how it works for me and whether I stick with a series or not. 😉
On April 3, 2018 at 11:27 am
Lea says:
Can I just cry big big tears now?!lol I started the series after reading (and adoring) The Saturday Night Supper Club. I have been searching all over for the third book… and now I want to curl up in a ball.lol Looks like I better put these babies on my keeper shelf so I can reread them when Serena’s story is released!
On April 29, 2018 at 9:03 pm
Carla says:
Oh, don’t cry! I’m thrilled you loved TSNSC… and hopefully it won’t seem TOO long until you can read Serena’s story. You’ll get other books in the Supper Club series in between at least. 🙂
On April 30, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Linsey says:
Hey Carla,
I’m such a huge fan of the first two books in this series! London Tides was beautiful.
I’m so happy that Serena’s story has be told and will be available in the future.
I was just about to write an e-mail to you asking about it and I thought I’d better check your blog first to see if you’d written anything. Good thing I did!
Sounds as if there are a lot of people waiting 🙂
On June 30, 2018 at 12:26 am
Carla says:
Thanks so much, Linsey! Yes, this book is definitely counts as “much awaited.” Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter so you’ll get news as it develops!
On July 4, 2018 at 3:57 pm
Linda Greer says:
I’m trying to subscribe to your email, but it won’t let me put in my Birthday, and won’t go through without it.
On March 27, 2019 at 2:01 pm
Carla says:
I’m sorry you’re having trouble. That’s rather odd. I just tested it and it’s working fine for me. You might try clearing your browser cache and trying again. Otherwise, email me at carla [at] carlalaureano [dot] com and I’ll see if I can enter you manually.
On April 2, 2019 at 9:24 am
Wendy L Adams says:
Carla, will there be any “new” content with either of the previously published titles? Or are both word-for-word the same as when published earlier? Just curious…
Thanks!
Wendy
On April 2, 2019 at 1:41 pm
Carla says:
Good question, Wendy! Five Days in Skye is pretty much as it was first published, with a few small changes to reflect differences in technology between now and when it was written in 2012. London Tides has some new material. Originally, the book was deemed too edgy for the marketplace by the publisher, so I had to make some big changes to the last third of the book. The second edition is much closer to how I envisioned the story, though I did keep a few of my favorite scenes from the first edition in that section.
On April 3, 2019 at 12:06 pm