Monday Quote

Monday Quote

Grace's Possibilities quote...

The talented Donna Keevers Driver took the quote I sent from Grace's Possibilities, Book 4 of the Endless Possibilities series, and created this:

Posts About Me 5

This is the fifth 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.

Endless Possibilities series had an interesting start.

I used to write Lord of the Rings Fan Fiction (taking the original story and giving it your own twist). Someone who followed my story emailed and suggested I write a historical romance. I didn't think I could. Creating a whole world of my own intimidated me. I wrote back and told her I simply didn't have the gift for it. About fifteen minutes later, I wrote again and told her I'd give it a whirl. The worst I could do was fail. I'd done a lot of failing in my life; what was one more thing?

My early romance reading was Regency by Elizabeth Mansfield, clean, sweet. I own them all.

I didn't intend to start out writing Christian. As I wrote, it slipped in. I finally stopped fighting it.

A Promise of Possibilities was under a different title and rejected. I learned some things, like no head hopping. To make it work, I rewrote the book. By the time I finished, about half the book was new.

I hadn't planned to write a series. I liked Ellie's brother. One thing lead to another.

Hidden Possibilities told her middle brother's story. I wanted to explore amnesia. I was going through a time in my life when I wished I could forget the past and start over new. Amnesia opened the door. As I studied, I realized forgetting everything doesn't solve anything. In fact, it created more problems than it solved.

Unexpected Possibilities told Ellie's oldest brother's story. He would be the most likely to follow in their father's footsteps. What would happen if the right woman didn't appeal and the completely wrong woman captivated the hero instead?

As I contemplated the youngest brother's story, he wasn't supposed to have his own story. His romance would be interwoven with one of the others. Best laid plans. I was sidetracked by the youngest brother's best friend. The problem was he died, before the series even started. Desert Breeze Publishing offered the perfect solution: A free short story. I still had to figure out how to tell George's story. He dies. Leo solved the problem, but then I had to figure out how he ties into the youngest brother's story. I thought the title rather apt: Impossibilities.

The last story in the Thorn saga is Grace's Possibilities. The youngest brother did not start out the way he ended up being written. As I became acquainted with him, I didn't like him. How do you take an unlikable hero and make him likable? He has to change. It doesn't matter he has his reasons for being the way he is. He needs to change. As much as I wanted the heroine to be the change, I knew he needed a God change.

There are scenes I still remember vividly from each of the books.

Preparing the upcoming release...

The Regency period represents a turning point in history, balanced between the past and the future. In England, 1816, the year without summer due to a volcanic eruption, the war is over and the world is changing. A new season begins for the Thorn family. Being one of the Thorn children promises difficulties, unless they bend to the will of their father whose interests lie in wheedling his way into the peerage, seeking power and money. Loving a Thorn child isn't easy either. They've learned the painful lesson of guarding their hearts.

Dark schemes lurk, riddled with twisted intentions bent on the destruction of those who refuse to bend to its will. Hopeless dreams awaken, and doors open to new paths, for those who dare to brave them. The worlds of class differences and propriety clash, and complications abound. Torn between the possibilities hidden in the future and the secrets of the past, choices must be made, before time runs out and the past catches up, deciding the future for them.

Shattered trust and faith may tear souls apart, unless they unearth the courage to embrace the truth. Honor demands choosing the right way, the hard way, God's way. No matter the age, God is there and He never abandons His own.

Books in series: 5

Genre: Christian Inspirational Regency Romance

Available wherever ebooks are sold and in paperback at Amazon.

Secondary characters in the following books demanded their own  stories and so was born the series Endless Knights. More on that later.

One Directive

In 1816 England, James Thorn, by his father's command, must marry a titled lady in exchange for his inheritance. He is granted one Season in London to accomplish the task or lose everything.

Two Stumbling Blocks

James suspects his inheritance is not as lucrative as intimated. The young lady for whom he must sacrifice his soul in order to inherit may not be worth the price.

And an Unexpected Distraction

Lily Milton, housemaid, earns the unenviable role of conspirator in her mistress' plan to hoodwink the young lady's suitor, none other than Lily's own knight in shining armor. Darker schemes lurk, with twisted intentions bent on destruction, but God never abandons His own.

George Budge is a military man. He's survived the army for over seven years. The night before the battle at Waterloo, he endeavors to impart to his protégé what matters most.

Taken under George's wing when he joins the army, fifteen-year-old drummer Leo stands on the brink, more man than boy, facing the fight of his young life.

Life's unexpected twists demand uncommon fortitude, dogged determination, and unfailing courage. From time to time, God sends a pair of unlikely angels.

Will Leo accept the vagaries of war and choose death or allow God to reveal another way and step through the door with the boldness for which his mentor nicknamed him?

Loyalty and Devotion

Hannah Budge married one of her dearest friends to protect her honor and her other best friend, the man she loves. The death of her husband leaves her vulnerable to the advances of a man she loathes, the father of the man she loves.

Betrayal and Revenge

Benjamin Thorn always planned to marry Hannah, until his two best friends betrayed him. They made their choice, and he made his. With his dream dead, he throws himself into other pursuits, until he must save Hannah from his own father.

Love and Grace

Hurt and suspicion will tear them apart forever, unless they choose to trust God and each other...

The last of the Thorn siblings...

Grace's Possibilities ~ June 2014 Benjamin Thorn and Hannah Budge

Hannah Budge married one of her dearest friends to protect her honor and her other best friend, the man she loves. The death of her husband leaves her vulnerable to the advances of a man she loathes, the father of the man she loves.

Benjamin Thorn always planned to marry Hannah, until his two best friends betrayed him. They made their choices, and he made his. With his dreams dead, he throws himself into other pursuits, until he must save Hannah from his own father.

Hurt and suspicion will tear them apart forever, unless they learn to trust God and each other...

Original Release Date

Grace's Possibilities ~ The last of the Thorn children, Benjamin, finally shares his story.
Carol Fiorillo created the perfect cover.

Impossibilities and Grace's Possibilities

Impossibilities is a short story.

George Budge is a military man. He's survived the army for over seven years. The night before the battle at Waterloo, he endeavors to impart to his protégé what matters most.

Taken under George's wing when he joins the army, fifteen-year-old drummer Leo stands on the brink, more man than boy, facing the fight of his young life.

Life's unexpected twists demand uncommon fortitude, dogged determination, and unfailing courage. From time to time, God sends a pair of unlikely angels.

Will Leo accept the vagaries of war and choose death or allow God to reveal another way and step through the door with the boldness for which his mentor nicknamed him?

Coming this Saturday, June 21st:

To protect her honor, a lowly seamstress is forced to marry the man she always loved, despite the fact he hates her for betraying him.

Grace's Possibilities
 

Hannah Budge married one of her dearest friends to protect her honor and her other best friend, the man she loves. The death of her husband leaves her vulnerable to the advances of a man she loathes, the father of the man she loves.

Benjamin Thorn always planned to marry Hannah, until his two best friends betrayed him. They made their choices, and he made his. With his dreams dead, he throws himself into other pursuits, until he must save Hannah from his own father.

Hurt and suspicion will tear them apart forever, unless they learn to trust God and each other...

New Cover Reveal...

It's here! Another gorgeous cover by Carol Fiorillo. Thank you! Book 4 of the Endless Possibilities series, Grace's Possibilities, available June 21, 2014. Next month!

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.

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.

A Christian author I enjoy...

Dee Henderson is not new on the writing stage. She is new to me. I recently discovered her O'Malley Clan, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. This is a Christian Suspense Contemporary series.

For me, part of what I enjoy is the spiritual journey her characters undergo. I've read the first two books in the series and both have given me insights into my own spiritual journey.

This is the kind of writing I want to do: Offer a good story, with an enjoyable romance, and something uplifting... something that helps me become a little bit better person. I don't think I'll ever write suspense or mystery for that matter.

I enjoy writing Regency. I have Endless Possibilities books planned for the next few years, though they'll be taking a slight turn after the release of Grace's Possibilities this June.

I've enjoyed writing my Vintage series, The Silver Locket Sisterhood, but there are only two more books in the series, and I'm not sure I'm going to take it any further.

I'm enjoying writing Contemporary Novellas. I love Holiday, USA, and I'm discovering more and more interesting characters.

Deadline around the corner...

The Cover Art request is done. The formatting is almost finished. Grace's Possibilities will soon be on its way to Desert Breeze Publishing. I am so blessed.

A bit of spring, last year's crop of ducks. I love itty-bitties, otherwise known as ducklings...

Sneak peek for another like on FB...

Over on FB, I received another Like:

https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHawkes

To say thank you, I'm giving another sneak peek into Grace's Possibilities, which is due to Desert Breeze Publishing on February 1st. The fourth full length novel in the Endless Possibilities series will be available in June.

This is the last paragraph I typed before posting this:

"I don't suppose he does. Not a particularly pleasant fellow, not even on the best of days." Benjamin waited for the boy to meet his gaze, albeit from the corner of his eye, and handed over the reins. "Take good care of him."

Challenge from FB...

Gail Delaney posted page seven of her current WIP and tagged seven other authors, including me.

This is part of page seven of Grace's Possibilities.

The past year never saw a truly warm day. She shivered, unable to remember the last time she'd been warm.

The year before she lost George at Waterloo. Before that day, she waited for news of him. The year before that, George married her to save her. How like him. He lived who he was in his soul. A knight, slaying dragons for his lady fair. Not only for his lady fair but for king and country.

Duty, honor, courage. A warrior.

In all her childish dreams, she never fantasized about a man fighting to rescue her. Her father cared for her, but always wished she'd been a son. When her mother died of influenza Hannah became her father's apprentice in his tailor shop, despite her young age. He preferred to pass the shop to a son, but Hannah would do. His sudden death, three years before, almost cost her the shop, but Benjamin saw to the necessary legalities, ensuring she did not lose her source of income and the only home she knew. Helping her, solidified Benjamin's decision in his course of study.

From the time she was a small child, there was only ever Benjamin for her. Gentle, patient Benjamin. Benjamin who hated violence and conflict. Benjamin who always smoothed every bobble and bump, who cajoled her from her tears.

George and Benjamin. Opposites in too many ways to count, and yet, in truth, simply two sides of the same coin. Both courageous in their own way. Both determined to right any wrong. Both made of a metal hidden behind a smile and prowess and diplomacy respectively.

Sneak peek at Grace's Possibilities...

Because a new person liked my FB author's page, yesterday I gave those who check there the first paragraph of Grace's Possibilities.

Benjamin Thorn stared at the bottom of his glass. He glanced at the empty bottle beside him, as empty as all his dreams for the future. His best friend married his other best friend, right from under his nose. Backstabbers.

An update on my writing...

I'm awaiting the last look at Saving Lisa, coming out December 21, 2013.

I'm working on Grace's Possibilities, the next book in the Endless Possibilities series.

I'm also working on Finding Home, the next book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series.

I've created a series I've written for myself, but I hope other enjoy it as well. More on it closer to publication. It's my Impossible project. I never thought I could possibly do something like this. The next two months will tell.

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