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Posts About Me 7

This is the seventh in a series of posts about me. I hope these help you decide my books are worth the read. I also hope they help save time for those who have no interest in my books. I know there's nothing more disappointing than expecting one kind of book and discovering what I'm reading isn't something I'm interested in reading. Not all books in a single genre are the same. Authors in the same genre are as different as football players on the same team and cupcake bakers. A lot of similarities but no two are alike.

The Silver Locket Sisterhood series. I saved this series of stories for last, except for the Holiday series. TSLS is the most difficult to talk about, for me. It's the most personal of all the series. I took major turning points in my life and wrote stories with the truths I know now but didn't know then.
The inspiration for the Silver Lockets came from the story, The Refiner's Fire, shared through emails and on FB. One of my dear friends was a part of the women's Bible study group and shared the story with me. I chose the symbolism of the silver heart locket and the photos inside. Carol Fiorillo chose beautiful lockets for each cover. I held off on my descriptions for the lockets until I saw the cover mock-up. I did have specific ideas for some of them, but mostly Carol chose what she thought fit from the information given to her on the Cover Art sheet.

Some of the events in each of the stories are true.

In Luck In Love, I worked in Yellowstone, at Lake Hotel, in 1983. I was on the second floor, the women's floor, of the Sandpiper dorm. Sara, the heroine was chased by a moose. Yes, that happened to me. No, there was no Luck for me. He was a "What if?" I had so much to learn. I didn't know anything about PTSD yet. I gave Sara and Luck the benefit of my growth and changes. I endeavored to be careful to not use anything not common knowledge in 1983.

In Mark's Grace, I brought to life a dream I'd had years ago. I dreamed the man who wanted to impress me decorated my home for Christmas. I didn't know how to accept the gift. It terrified me at first, and then charmed me. I couldn't imagine any man doing something like that for me. Writing it into the story allowed me to live the dream. The house where Mark and Grace live actually exists in Signal Hill. If I were independently wealthy, I'd live there. The dog story is mine. Mark was inspired by cover model Jimmy Thomas. The first time I met him I asked for a hug. He gives the best hugs. I don't know how he did it, but he managed to wrap his arms around me without making me feel trapped or even uncomfortable. The moment he hugged me, I knew I'd found what I wanted for Grace. By the way, Grace wasn't supposed to have her own story and then her story wasn't supposed to happen for a few more years. Characters have their own ideas. I endeavor to stay out of the way.

In Saving Lisa, I lived in Thailand, in '84 and '85. I was present at the Fourth of July celebration at the embassy in Bangkok. I expected Lisa, but I didn't expect Eric. He surprised me, pleasantly. I'm not a photographer, but my sister is, so I picked her brain frequently. I knew of the slave trade while I was there, but only peripherally. I learned more later, after I returned home. Heartbreaking. I did land myself in a precarious position on one occasion, and to this day think that but for the Grace of God... All the royalties go to Operation Underground Railroad.

In Finding Home, I flew to England for the summer of '86. The moment I landed in London, I felt like I'd come home. The joy of writing the book was re-visiting a beloved place, and more especially the people. I learned a lot about being gracious and appreciative. I had a lot to learn. I was treated with kindness by everyone. Becki worked for the airlines, and so did I. Ian lives in the flat I would have loved to have owned. It was down the road from where I stayed. I miss the people who treated me like their American princess and claimed me as their own. I did not properly appreciate it then; I didn't think I deserved it.

In Wings to Fly, Samantha and Jordan wrapped up my whirlwind life of travel. The dog and the horse were mine. Samantha gave me an opportunity to pull together so many of the things I learned through my counselors. A fun side note is that Samantha and Jordan's favorite place to eat is P.croissant, which is my favorite eatery. P.croissant kindly gave me permission to use them in my story. They've been open since 1983. What a perfect coincidence.

In many ways, The Silver Locket Sisterhood was cathartic. I was able to release a lot of painful memories as well as clarify my faith. I can't remember ever doubting Jesus as my Savior. However, learning to trust Him has been a lifelong battle. I have to remind myself that the real lack of faith has been in myself. I was able to build my faith along with my characters. My hope in writing the series and seeking publication is others will learn they aren't alone.

The forth book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood...

Finding Home

Starting Over

American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Moving On

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest for him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Finding Home

Home isn't a place but a space in the heart waiting for the right person to take up residence. Embracing a new faith and trust in God and leaving familiarity behind is the only way to welcome the love waiting, but only if trouble doesn't set up house first...

Original Release Day

In 1986, England, an American woman, her trust in God shaken, searches for new dreams, never anticipating the challenge of a faithful British gentleman. 

Finding Home, Book Four in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series, is here!
 
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American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest for him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Sometimes home isn't a place but a feel when the right person is near, and sometimes finding the right person requires leaving everything familiar behind and exercising new faith and trust...

 

Finding Home...

Book Four of The Silver Locket Sisterhood series will be available on Monday the 21st, in eformat. It will be available in paperback, next month.

In 1986, England, an American woman, her trust in God shaken, searches for new dreams, never anticipating the challenge of a faithful British gentleman.

American Becki Bagley's dreams are within her grasp only to be shattered along with her faith. God promised to give those who are faithful the desires of their heart. Why does He deny her? Where did she go wrong? Perhaps she failed to be good enough.

Ian Morgan, British self-made businessman, is settled in his life. He's already raised a family, his younger sister. Another family holds no interest to him, although his pretty American neighbor tempts him to reconsider.

Sometimes home isn't a place but a feeling when the right person is near, and somtimes finding the right person requires leaving everything familiar behind and exercising new faith and trust...

Finding Home cover art is here...

Carol Fiorillo is a wonderful cover artist. I'm so grateful she's mine. She's done such an awesome job of coordinating the covers for both of my series.

Another follow up...

Ankle is still swollen like I'm sneaking around a tangelo. Foot is no longer swollen. I'm walking a mile every day, a very slow mile, but a mile nonetheless, without much limping.

Knee is almost back to normal.

Elbow still doesn't straighten. Bah. There is more flexibility, a little more every day.

The good news: Yesterday, I used my right hand for a little odd job. From my wrist comes what sounds like bubble wrap popping. Relief! My wrist has been a little tight ever since the accident. Now, it moves freely without any pain. Yay!

Finding Home is turned in to my wonderful editor.

Back to working on the other WIPs. Yes, plural. I can't help myself.

Update on me and my writing...

Ankle is swollen, but I'm walking further. Arm is the most aggravating. The flexibility improves a little every day, however, I'm still not able to straighten it. Bah. I've stopped taking pain medication because of rebound headaches. I'm sleeping, a lot. I hate sleeping my life away, even if it is good for me. I remind myself the body repairs itself in sleep. Knowing doesn't always improve my impatience.

Finding Home is being edited.

Though I endeavor to create time for writing and doing other things, editing tends to take over my life until it's done. It's probably a good thing that one chapter leads me into the next, and I don't want to stop reading.

God bless.

Update on current projects...

Grace's Possibilities is the fourth Regency book in my Endless Possibilities series. It's coming out in June 2014.


Finding Home is the fourth book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series. It's my "what if" story about my trip to Europe back in 1986. It's coming out in July 2014.

This is the shortest of my books, aside from my novellas. It's mostly dialogue. I kept attempting to make it longer and only ended up stuck.

The editing has been reasonably easy because it's an easy read, at least for me. I couldn't stop editing because I couldn't stop reading.

I confess I worry too much of the story is in my head and not on the page. Only time will tell.

There's one more book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series, Wings to Fly. It's due October 1st.

Tarnished Knight, the next book in the Endless Possibilities series, is due September 1st.

"Jack lied. A lot."

I'm working on my Holiday, USA, novellas, Tough Luck and The Blessing Basket.

Life Happens...

Last Saturday, I fell. I stepped too close to the edge of the sidewalk. My ankle rolled. I knew it was bad. It wasn't the first time. I prayed it wasn't broken. It isn't. Sprained, swollen, black and blue. It could be worse. It has been, in the distant past. I know what to do.

The arm is worse. I didn't break it either, for which I'm grateful. I did jam it but good. Swelling. Some bruising. Limited range of motion. Stiffness. Discomfort. It's my dominant hand. Oops.

Ice and heat, ibuprofen, arnica, frankincense, comfrey, and sleep.

I'm a little better every day.

Edits arrived for Finding Home, the fourth book in "The Silver Locket Sisterhood" series. It comes out in July 2014. I've felt pretty badly about how... not together I've been for the last few months. Maybe God is ensuring I don't mess with the story too much.

Working on Finding Home...

...the fourth book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series.

So many memories are flooding back.

The story takes place in 1986, mostly in England.

In many ways, it's been the most difficult to write so far.

A bit at a time...

First round of edits for Grace's Possibilities are done. I truly appreciate my editor.

Now it's back into working on Finding Home. It's been the most difficult of my books to write. Life happened, but unexpected memories have been stirred. Becki and Ian hold a special place in my heart, and it's more painful to explore than I anticipated. I'm hopeful for them, but they aren't at all who I thought they were when we started this adventure.

I'm endeavoring to place my hand in God's and allow Him to lead. Not easy for someone who desperately needs to be in control. Blessedly, God is patient.

I confess I'm also a little disappointed in myself. I'd hoped to have the fourth novella out by now. It's taken a back burner to other commitments. Not forgotten, simply on hold.

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