Update: I cannot believe how time has flown and life has had this author flailing in the wind. I checked my website and found a letter from Christmas 2010! Now I knew something was amiss, because my web mistress had not updated my site. Kathy was always diligent about decorating my home page mantel for each season. She also ran my contests and kept me up to speed, but she was not answering my emails. Imagine my shock when I finally learned that she has passed away unexpectedly and those who had taken over her business were not aware of me, nor I of them.
I should have followed up on the unanswered emails, but I was embroiled in trying to write the last book of the Brides of Alba series. I lost two dear aunts that spring and summer. One mine and one my late hubby's. The first was my favorite Aunt Marie and her passing was so drawn out that hospice was even prepared to kick her out. What it did to the family was a trial involving last rites at least four times. Living two hours away made it worse. I knew I had a book to write, but my heart was with her in Baltimore. So I got nothing written and worried a lot...about them and my mother, her sister.
I was ready to quit writing. I even thought I'd give the advance back on this book, but I'd already spent it to keep the household going. My despair was compounded by the loss of my hubby's aunt, leaving me the only surviving member of that family and the one who had to take her household apart. It was like tearing sweet memories into pieces. As though vultures tore at my heart, reopening the wounds from my dear Jim's loss. Need I say it? Depression sunk its teeth into me.
Yet God was ever at my side. When I could take no more, the landslide of turmoil paused enough for me to get another night's rest in His arms. Recharged, I sallied forth again to do what had to be done.
But the book, its characters, would not cooperate. In panic, I went away for a couple of days to view a workshop written by some very talented Hollywood troubleshooters. These are the guys the writers call in to figure what's wrong, why the project isn't working. I shared it with two friends who were also 'blocked."
Guess what? All the garbage I 'thought' I'd written was actually right on target with the presentation. Then I knew my enemy. The other side did not want this book written, though what was so special about it, I couldn't say. Even my editor faced unusual trials during her work on it.
REBEL is about a priest who'd lost his enthusiasm for the faith after seeing it abused. The heroine is a bright young woman who let her guard down one time and now carried the child of her betrothed, slain in battle before they could wed. Lastly, it reveals through the setting and plot early Christianity at its finest and those attitudes and actions that tarnished it. The theme-don't throw Christ out with the dirty church water.
I did that once, many years ago, so this message is important to me. I have made mistakes that I wish I could undo and allowed them to rob me of hope and happiness. And I have seen the Light in all these things upon growing closer to God as I spiritually matured beyond the do's and don'ts of religion.
REBEL will come out in June this year. It was a rebirth for me as a burned out writer who focused on what I couldn't do, rather than what I could do when I focused on God's glory. I wrote two-thirds of that book in eight weeks, once I realized that the other side did not want this message out there. The words poured forth with the Spirit, for this weary, grieving soul did not have them in her. I do hope you'll put it on your "To Order" list.
I am now trying to get my life back in order, now that REBEL is in the process of being published. Projects long let go are in progress, while new ideas are fermenting about the first century church and the valiant fight to protect the lost apostles in Britain from Roman persecution. Fascinating and inspiring stuff ripe for stories of love and grace.
Meanwhile, I will make every to better my communication with you all. I have already offered my condolences regarding Kathy's passing, but I ask that each of you say a little prayer for her family. I know from personal experience that grief never vanishes, but God makes it easier to bear with time and faith.
