Elliott’s First Book — and a Giveaway to Win Your Copy!

FullSizeRender(4) I’m so excited to share some big news with you today: my husband’s first book was just published!

Elliott has been working on this novel since before Gil was born, beginning with weekend mornings and workday evenings in Sicily when he would quietly close the bedroom door for a few hours, turn off the internet on his computer, and write. Even though it was a long, long road to get to this point — a published novel!!! — he never lost that gleam of excitement in his eye. He had a story, a good story, and he couldn’t wait to get it on paper and out into the world.

So what is the story? Cole McBride, a Special Forces veterinarian, is in the Congo doing research when he discovers a family of gorillas suffering from an unknown illness. With his beautiful South African coworker, he cares for an orphaned gorilla suffering from the illness, and then learns that a nearby aid hospital just admitted a patient with a strangely similar human case. Cole realizes he’s in a race against time to discover the virus’s origins and to stop it from spreading around the world. His journey spans the globe from Iran to Washington, D.C., and leads up to a white-knuckle 4th of July finale.

The Chimera Sequence falls squarely into the thriller category, and it is much more interesting and a lot harder to put down than most of the books I recommended last week! The book has been extremely well-received since it was released a few weeks ago: he has 44 reviews on Amazon (4.7 stars!), 32 reviews on Audible (4.2 stars), and 24 reviews on Goodreads (4.47 stars).

Yes, it’s on Audible, too, and he got an amazing narrator to read the book — just in case audio books are more your speed!

Every step along the way, Elliott has made thousands of decisions about exactly how this book should look, from each word on the page to the font to the cover design to the author photograph. And for each and every decision, he’s turned to me and asked my opinion, or asked for my help. I can’t tell you how many hundreds of times we examined another draft of the cover together before he ultimately decided to change one more thing! It was truly amazing to be by his side for all of it, to edit the first rough draft, to take his author photo for the back cover, to hold the first proof in my hands.

Bit by bit, I watched my husband craft a beautiful thing. He was a perfectionist about it, thoughtful and meticulous, and I watched his stamina and dedication with awe. Even now, when I see copies in our house, I’m amazed that he did this and it’s finished. The book is beautiful, and we’re so proud of him and of it!

The_Chimera_Sequence_Elliott_Garber copy

And now it’s your turn! Would you like to win a copy, signed by the author himself? Just comment on this post for a chance to win! If you’d like to earn extra entries, you can share this blog post (or a link to Elliott’s book) on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or another social media platform, and let me know that you did so in a comment.

Winner will be chosen next Wednesday, Sept 30, at midnight and announced the next morning. Good luck and happy reading!!!

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69 Responses to Elliott’s First Book — and a Giveaway to Win Your Copy!

  1. David Perez September 24, 2015 at 9:58 am #

    Hey there, I would love to read your book.

  2. Amy Peterson September 24, 2015 at 9:58 am #

    Can’t wait to read it! More veterinarians should write books… Meghan Davis- I’ve seen your poetry, where’s your novel?

    :)

  3. Jan Smith September 24, 2015 at 10:02 am #

    Sweet. Made in the image of a creator God.

  4. Bekah Weir September 24, 2015 at 10:06 am #

    Congrats to Elliott on finishing his novel! Looking forward to reading it!

  5. Massie Cooper September 24, 2015 at 10:16 am #

    Congratulations!! Can’t wait to read it!

  6. Sylvie September 24, 2015 at 10:19 am #

    I would love to read it – and even better have a signed copy :)
    Congratulations to your husband. It is a really long and hard road.

  7. Jennifer Heath September 24, 2015 at 10:20 am #

    I would love to have one!

  8. Erica Gapp September 24, 2015 at 10:27 am #

    Sounds like a great read! Looking forward to it.

  9. Michelle Vosler September 24, 2015 at 10:52 am #

    Can’t wait to read this book. I was looking for a new author! Congratulations!

  10. Melissa Rosloniec September 24, 2015 at 11:01 am #

    Can’t wait to read it! This is so awesome!

  11. Tiffany September 24, 2015 at 11:08 am #

    This is so cool!! Can’t wait to read it and would love to win a signed copy!

  12. Caroline September 24, 2015 at 11:20 am #

    Wow! Congratulations, that’s truly an accomplishment AND well-received. Amazing. Bravo.

  13. Lydia September 24, 2015 at 11:22 am #

    How great! I love a good thriller.

  14. Lorrie September 24, 2015 at 11:35 am #

    Amazing…I can’t wait to read it. I see your adventure continues!

  15. Helen September 24, 2015 at 12:12 pm #

    Congratulations, I will look out for it!

  16. Heidi Thomas September 24, 2015 at 12:14 pm #

    Sounds like a great read!! Congratulations, Elliott!

  17. Nicole September 24, 2015 at 12:17 pm #

    We’d love to have a signed copy! Way to go, Elliott. Now it’s your turn.

  18. Kelly September 24, 2015 at 12:18 pm #

    Just my kind of book! I will read it but I would really like to have a signed copy :)

  19. Poppy September 24, 2015 at 12:25 pm #

    Congratulations!

  20. Ellen Becker September 24, 2015 at 12:25 pm #

    Hi Becca! I would love to read Elliot’s book!

  21. Katie September 24, 2015 at 12:35 pm #

    I would love to read Elliott’s book! How exciting!

  22. Karene September 24, 2015 at 12:38 pm #

    I would love to win your husband’s book. Sounds like a great read!

  23. HelenaS September 24, 2015 at 12:39 pm #

    Wow, what an amazing achievement! Would love to win a copy and if luck isn’t on my side, have already added it to my wish list. Auguri!

  24. Sarah D September 24, 2015 at 12:51 pm #

    So exciting! When you had talked about the book before, I thought it was years away from publication. Congratulations to Elliott! This will be my airplane read on my flight back to Cameroon. :) :)

  25. Carrolann September 24, 2015 at 12:56 pm #

    How exciting!! I would love to win a copy :)

  26. Morgan September 24, 2015 at 1:04 pm #

    Creative moonlighting is a huge commitment! It is so exciting to see it all come together! I love the cover (which is what I judge books by ;))!

    Morgan

  27. Alica September 24, 2015 at 1:17 pm #

    I would love to win a copy of Elliott’s novel! Congratulations! (and I shared on facebook)

  28. Liz Mover September 24, 2015 at 1:26 pm #

    congrats!!!

  29. Lora Grant September 24, 2015 at 1:57 pm #

    Congratulations! We rejoice with you!

  30. Mary Herr Kelly September 24, 2015 at 2:00 pm #

    `Always ready to read a good book and I’m looking forward to reading yours.
    `Would especially love to own a signed copy/ Congratulations to you and your lovely family!

  31. Di September 24, 2015 at 2:22 pm #

    Well done Elliot…great news. It sounds like that will be an interesting read and very pertinent to life….

  32. Debra Lusitana September 24, 2015 at 2:28 pm #

    Wow! How exciting! We would love to be entered into your drawing for a signed copy!

  33. Charla Redman September 24, 2015 at 2:39 pm #

    Congratulations! Truly impressive!

  34. Courtney September 24, 2015 at 3:09 pm #

    Congratulations, Garber family!! What a fantastic thing to celebrate! :)

  35. LJ September 24, 2015 at 5:01 pm #

    Congratulations! Would love to read it.

  36. Amanda September 24, 2015 at 5:20 pm #

    That’s amazing! Congrats to you all. What an accomplishment!!

  37. Carrie La Jeunesse September 24, 2015 at 5:32 pm #

    Elliott is a trailblazer, visionary, revolutionary promoter of global health. Compelling fiction that educates is critical if we hope to gain broader public support for more effective, sustainable and holistic approaches to international development and reduction in hunger, poverty and disease.

    Bravo, Elliott! I will share broadly. And brava, Becca. Nice collaboration!

  38. Krystal Finney September 25, 2015 at 2:06 am #

    How exciting! Sicily is quite inspirational for a writer. Even if I don’t win this giveaway I plan to purchase the book and read it. Sounds like my kind of thriller. Bravo Elliot!

  39. Krystal Finney September 25, 2015 at 2:06 am #

    And I also shared a link on my Facebook. ;)

  40. Julia B. September 25, 2015 at 5:35 am #

    Congratulations!! That’s such an awesome achievement! I am excited it is on Audible–I would love to listen to it! :)

  41. Hope September 25, 2015 at 6:10 am #

    I’d love a chance at a copy!

  42. Rachel September 25, 2015 at 10:36 am #

    Congrats! Would love to win a copy!

  43. kristin September 25, 2015 at 11:33 am #

    whaaaat?! this is totally exciting.
    i’d LOVE to have the opportunity to have a signed copy.
    what a cool thing.

  44. Meryl September 25, 2015 at 11:57 am #

    Love thrillers!!! Excited for Elliott’s new adventure.

  45. Sally A September 25, 2015 at 2:13 pm #

    Wow, sounds like my cup of tea. Is the comp open worldwide? I would love the chance to win and wish him all the best in selling zillions of copies.

    • Becca September 25, 2015 at 2:16 pm #

      Sure, it’s open worldwide! Good luck! :)

  46. Laura September 25, 2015 at 4:27 pm #

    I would love to win this for my husband! If not, I’ll be adding it to my list of gift ideas for him. :) Congrats to you both on completing this – what an accomplishment! I hope you will blog about the editing and publication process.

  47. Erin R. September 25, 2015 at 6:52 pm #

    I would love to read this. My husband probably would too.

  48. Amanda September 25, 2015 at 7:41 pm #

    That’s amazing! Congrats!

  49. Jessica September 25, 2015 at 7:51 pm #

    We would love to read this and have an autographed book! But it’s already in our Amazon cart to buy next week if we don’t win :) congratulations!

  50. Clay September 25, 2015 at 7:51 pm #

    Awesome! Congrats on a published book. Here’s an entry for that drawing : )

  51. The Special Forces Singing Pediatrician September 25, 2015 at 8:45 pm #

    My 394 twitter followers (extra entry please?) and I are eagerly anticipating the first installment of the Cole McBride trilogy (or were you thinking tetralogy?)!!!

  52. Kathy Alsina September 26, 2015 at 5:19 am #

    Hi Becca, Huge congratulations to Elliott (and yourself too, of course) on the publication of this book. How in the world did he find the time to write, edit and get published? Would you recommend this book for a book club? We’re always looking for ideas here and what better way to support a former AOSC book club member than to read her husband’s book? I’ll be sure to share this post as well.

    -Kathy

  53. Jacquie Kranyak September 26, 2015 at 6:43 am #

    I have found that your book recommendations are spot-on for my own tastes in reading and since you enjoyed it so much, I can’t wait to read it. I’ll probably order it before you decide the winner, but just wanted you to know how happy and excited I am that he has made this great accomplishment. (Katie’s aunt)

  54. Katie September 27, 2015 at 5:43 am #

    I would love to read it! It’s so exciting to see something come to it’s fruition after so much hard work.

  55. Rose September 28, 2015 at 12:37 pm #

    This sounds like a wonderful new book. I would love a chance to have a signed copy. Good luck on more endeavors :)

  56. Suzanne K September 29, 2015 at 1:38 pm #

    Congratulations, Elliott! How exciting!

  57. Amanda S September 29, 2015 at 6:19 pm #

    I would be fascinated to read something written by your other half!

  58. Bethany September 29, 2015 at 7:40 pm #

    I’d love to read this! :)

  59. Lizzie September 29, 2015 at 7:49 pm #

    I would love to win! But I will check it out even if I don’t :)

    Congrats to Elliot, and to you too. Ihave an idea.of what a lot of work you two have gone through…I’ve been the editor for a friend, the query letter writer and a writer as well. It’s a huge job, full of satisfaction, joy, self doubt and sometimes headache inducing work!

  60. Meryl September 29, 2015 at 10:34 pm #

    Win or lose I’m going to read Elliott’s book. ;)

  61. Maggie September 29, 2015 at 11:01 pm #

    i hope this is the book club book for January!! ;) ;)

  62. Beth September 30, 2015 at 5:09 am #

    Looks like a fascinating story—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

  63. Gabriele September 30, 2015 at 9:14 am #

    I would love to win the book.

  64. Lloyd Reitz September 30, 2015 at 9:50 am #

    I cannot wait to read it, it sounds awesome!!

  65. Kristen September 30, 2015 at 7:43 pm #

    How exciting! We can’t wait to read it! :)

  66. Carrie October 1, 2015 at 7:06 pm #

    So cool – congratulations to your husband (and to you for all your help, input, and support!)

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