I’ve never used an exclamation mark in the title of a blog post, but this news is pretty darn exciting.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not just one, but two books will be ready for release in March 2013 — my middle grade novel From the Tea Village and the cookbook Simply Yunnan. Both books sprang forth from my years of living in Yunnan, China, and though they each stand alone, they also complement each other.

From the Tea Village

Ye Sun grew up in an ethnic Bulang village in Yunnan Province, but she now lives in the Chinese world of her boarding school. While other students decide to stay home after sixth grade, Ye Sun sticks with it and moves to middle school in the market town. Her friendships broaden, but she also faces more difficult subjects, an abusive teacher, and taunts over her faltering Mandarin. Just as she thinks the situation is at its worst, a harrowing accident turns her family — and her life — upside-down.

Simply Yunnan

Ten years of eating in Yunnan led to this cookbook. I want to share the simple recipes I’ve collected from friends and from trial-and-error recreating dishes from favorite restaurants. These are the dishes I like to cook to remind myself of towns where I lived, of people I miss — to remind me of places and moments wrapped up in flavors and textures. Simple ingredients. Simple technique. Simply Yunnan.

Look for more news on where to find print and e-book versions of both books to come in the days ahead. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter (using the form in the left sidebar) to be the first to hear about upcoming dates, releases, and special offers.

Thank you, friends!