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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 second book in The Silver Locket Sisterhood series...

Mark's Grace

The Manager

In 1983 California, Grace Williams loves her new job as the manager of 'A Blink in Time,' the art gallery Angelinos are raving about. Burying herself in work means she doesn't need to face the past or how she feels about the gallery's gorgeous curator.

The Curator

From the moment he met her, Mark Callaghan, knew beautiful Grace belonged in his life, but she maintained a frustrating distance between them. Pursuing her is his other full-time job. Though the relationship produces a satisfying friendship, he desires a forever love.

The Partnership

An old flame hunts Grace down, and Mark fears his own decade-old affection for her may be too little too late. Will Mark's patience and life-changes win Grace at last, or will her past destroy whatever future they hoped to share?

Mark's Grace...

Book Two of The Silver Locket Sisterhood series is available in ebook format and will be available in paperback this August.

1983, California

Grace Williams loves her new job as the manager of Blink in Time, the art gallery Angelinos are raving about. Burying herself in work means she doesn't need to face the past.

Mark Callaghan, the gallery's curator, fell for Grace the first time he met her. Pursuing her is his other full-time job, but so far the relationship produces friendship, not love.

An old flame hunts Grace down. Mark fears his own affection for her may be too little too late.

Will Mark's patience and life-changes win Grace at last, or will her past destroy whatever future they might have shared?

The Silver Locket Sisterhood series Book 2...

Mark's Grace is now more affordable at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Silver-Locket-Sisterhood-Book-ebook/dp/B00CWR1EUY/ref=pd_sim_kstore_2

1983, California

Grace Williams loves her new job as the manager of Blink in Time, the art gallery Angelinos are raving about. Burying herself in work means she doesn't need to face the past.

Mark Callaghan, the gallery's curator, fell for Grace the first time he met her. Pursuing her is his other full-time job, but so far the relationship produces friendship, not love.
An old flame hunts Grace down. Mark fears his own affection for her may be too little too late.

Will Mark's patience and life-changes win Grace at last, or will her past destroy whatever future they might have shared?

The Silver Locket Sisterhood series...

The first two books are out:

Wherever ebooks are sold.

Saving Lisa will be available in December.

Mark's lesson...

...on the language of flowers.

I grew up learning about the specific colors.

Red is for love and passion.
Yellow is for friendship. It also has other less noble meanings, but I'm sticking with friendship.

Then I started doing research for Mark's Grace. I ended up deciding to keep it simple.

Whole books are written on the language of flowers. A single bouquet could be an entire letter. Not only color but variety determines the message.

Sneak peek: I created a Pinterest board for Mark's Grace (You don't need to sign up to look):
http://pinterest.com/lhawkes/mark-s-grace/
Or copy and paste the addy, as there seems to be a glitch with the link setup from blogger.

How I met Mark...

Mark Callaghan was not even on the horizon when Grace came into being. I knew Grace needed a special hero, but I figured I had plenty of time.

On February 4, 2012, I attended the Glendale Chocolate Affaire and met Jimmy Thomas:

http://laurelhawkes.blogspot.com/2012/02/chocolate-affaire-jimmy-thomas-and-me.html

By this time, I knew when Mark's Grace was due. I decided the curator played a far more important role than I first gave him. Mark slowly took shape. When I met Jimmy I knew how I wanted Mark to make Grace feel. He revealed himself much more quickly than Grace did once he knew he was in.

I did not expect him to become such good friends with Luck, in Luck in Love. More surprising was how he appeared in Luck in Love while Grace did not. Mark was bold and very much "what you see is what you get." Since Jimmy was the inspiration for Mark, I borrowed a little bit more. I don't usually use a specific person for my characters. I want people reading the book to be able to visualize their own hero. Mark is my exception. If you want to know what he looks like take a look at Jimmy Thomas, businessman extraordinaire. http://romancenovelconvention.com/

Mark is also uniquely his own man. My characters frequently surprise me. I think I know them, and they tell me a secret, something they've never told anyone else. Something that makes them who they are, and once I know, everything about them falls into place.

Grace's recipes and a little bit more...

Lavender Pancakes:
1 cup Pancake Mix (yes, an add water mix, keep it simple)
3/4 cup buttermilk instead of water*
The dried petals of one stalk of lavender blossom (preferably no crunchy stems).

Mix until blended.

Cook as usual.

*When I've had lite syrup from canned peaches or pears, I've used the syrup and made up the difference with milk.

Buttermilk Syrup (as given to me by my aunt):
1/2 cup butter
1 cup buttermilk
1-1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons corn syrup

In a 3 quart pan, bring to a boil.
Boil 7 minutes stirring constantly (don't want it boiling over, it makes a mess).
Remove from heat.
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Pour over pancakes.

And a little bit more, if only every little girl learned this, better late than never:
http://drkellyflanagan.com/2013/04/17/a-daddys-letter-to-his-little-girl-about-her-future-husband/

How I met Grace...

Grace Williams appeared in Luck in Love not as an actual character but as a person of influence in her brother's life. I thought I knew Grace and her story. She was the inspiration for Luck's award-winning triptych "The Savior's Gift." I knew her story was painful. My PLAN (my BFF likes to remind me it's a four-letter word and trecherous because once you say the word your cherished plan will change without your consent) was to write Grace's story in a few years.

As Luck in Love developed, Grace's story wiggled in the back of my brain. It wasn't uncomfortable, so it was easy to brush off. I'd tackle it, later. I did know enough to know it would be a difficult story to write. The PLAN was to put it off until I was better prepared.

God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

When I wrote my proposal for the series, I already had a contract for 3 books over a year and a half. That would give me plenty of time to work on Grace's story. I figured the next series would be tacked on after the first series was finished. I blissfully sent in the proposal. I was offered the contract to publish the vintage series interspersed with the Regency series.

I signed.

Suddenly, Grace's story wasn't down the road a piece. It was NOW.

One of the toughest pet decisions...

Pets, as much as we would like them to, do not live forever.

I don't have to make this decision right now, but I have made it twice. Neither time was easy.

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/know-time-euthanize-pet-162100593.html

In Mark's Grace, coming out May 21, Grace worries about having to make the final decision. She's afraid to become a pet owner because she doesn't want to make the final decision.

Making the decision for my horse was difficult and yet not. He was deteriorating. When the vet told me he only had three grinders left and he would have to go to soupy alfalfa pellets, I knew it was time. This was my child who loved to eat. It was his joy in life. He'd had back pain and problems with colic his whole life. How could I take away one of his great joys?

I remember him pacing the fence when I brought his grain every morning. Hay was brought, and he was right there, first in line. I talked with my vet and my farrier and a lot with God.

It was an amazing experience letting him go, not easy, but I knew he was finally pain free.

My dog was a whole other story. I wish I'd had the list provided in the above article. I think it might have helped. It still wouldn't have been easy, but maybe I wouldn't have felt so much like I was guessing.

March 25 is Tolkien Reading Day...

I've lived in Arizona all my life, with a few odd trips here and there. This past weekend, my California friends celebrated Tolkien Reading Day. They gathered together and read passages from various Tolkien works. The Hobbit was the main focus, of course, what with the release of the DVD, last Friday.

This was the third year I missed.

For eight years, I went to L.A. once or twice a year, only for a weekend. I stayed with a couple of dear friends. Most of our activities were Lord of the Rings related. We talked. We laughed. I relaxed.

The first few years, there were no trips to the ocean. I didn't want to go. My memories of the ocean were of the northern California coast where the waves crashed so loud I couldn't hear myself think. I wanted to turn down the volume. It drove me crazy I couldn't make it stop.

Finally, one of my dearest friends talked me into eating at the Belmont Brewery, right there on Belmont Beach. We walked in the sand afterward, listening to the soft whoosh, whoosh of the tide. I was enchanted. Every time I visited thereafter, it was arranged for me to spend at least a little time at Belmont Beach, walking in the sand. I discovered the pleasure of walking close enough to the ocean for the tide to wash over my feet.

I've missed my friends in L.A., and I've missed walking along the beach. I've also missed the Reading Day event. There were two passages I particularly enjoyed sharing, the crossing of the ford and the destruction of the Ring. I was honored to be asked to do the latter several years in a row.

I miss the laughter. I miss the friendship, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging. I miss the sense of peace that always encompassed me.

Now, whenever I see L.A. on some television show, like NCIS Los Angeles, the first thought to race through my mind is "When are you going home?" I can't explain it. I only know that every time I fly there, there might as well be a giant magnetic force. As we fly over the mountains into the Los Angeles Valley, my heart sings, "Home. We're home."

End of February....

Already! How does this happen? One sixth of the year is gone!

Today, I'm doing an bit of personal inventory. It needs to be done every once in a while, to make sure I'm still on track.

This year, I promised myself the word for the year would be CREATE. I would create a haven where I live. I would create a healthier me. And I would create more stories.

How am I doing?

Next book out is Endless Possibilities series book 2 Hidden Possibilities, on March 21, 2013. Whoohoo! I've posted the cover. It's a perfect fit for the series.

I've been working on edits for The Silver Locket Sisterhood series boo2 Mark's Grace, coming out May 21, 2013. As always, with help from my editor, it's MUCH better.

I'm exercising more and eating healthier. I promised myself I would not step on the scale. I am not a number in a box. I also freak myself out if I lose weight. Long story. Measurements say I'm doing better. Yes!

My room is a little more organized. I have a "clutter spot," I struggle to tame. I'm much happier with all the changes I've made. Go me!

How am I doing?

I'm doing good.

Wordless

Miss B...