Greetings, New Friends

Greetings from Northeast Ohio!

As I'm a new Heartwarming author (make that a new author in general), I wanted to introduce myself. My first book, A Promise Remembered, comes out March 1st and the road to getting published started years ago.

I've been a stay-at-home mama for the last eight years, and I've loved it. As my husband and I sacrificed a lot financially to make it possible for me to stay home with our children, I ended up being the kind of stay-at-home mama who did just that - stayed home. We didn't have money for eating out or enrolling in fun children's activities. No pool passes or day trips for us. Our biggest ventures consisted of going to the grocery store (who doesn't love grocery shopping with children, lol) and patronizing our local library (a God send during the long, cold winter months. Librarians are my tribe).


As I didn't get out much, I had to find ways to funnel my creative energy. Doesn't every woman need a room of her own? Well, I would have settled for an hour of my own, especially in the days when my children were babies, and we were living way out in the country.

I read - sometimes only two pages at a time.

I wrote - mostly on my smartphone as I nursed babies.

Then one day, years ago, as I searched the Harlequin website for tips to improve my writing, I discovered they were launching a new line titled Harlequin Heartwarming. Just the name of the line attracted me. A line focused on love, romance, family and community? This was it! This was where I needed to be!

The line listed movies to help convey the feel of what a Heartwarming book should be. I began thinking of not only my favorite books, but also my favorite movies with a Heartwarming feel. The first one that popped to mind was Return to Me (2000). Have you seen it? Rent it. You won't be sorry!

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I fell in love with this movie when it came out and aside from the beautiful love story between David Duchovny and Minnie Driver or the fabulous writing from comedians Bonnie Hunt and Don Lake, it also had a cast of supportive family and friends. It was Carroll O'Conner's last movie and he, along with the other retired-aged men in the movie, was charming and sweet. As I adored both my grandfathers so much, I knew a future book would have to have a group of older, wiser, supportive men, like these characters, to help nudge my heroine and hero toward a happily-ever-after.

It wasn't until my third book attempt that my supportive troupe of older men took shape. Danny, Joe, and Earl, or The Old Timer's as they are affectionately referred to in the story, were some of my favorite characters to visualize as I wrote A Promise Remembered. They visit Pop's Place, the local diner where Annie, my heroine, works. And as they have a chance to talk to Annie every day for years, she learns to trust them. Isn't that how we learn to trust someone? Small interactions with people who come through for us time and time again? As Annie and William, her first love who returns after years away, learn to trust each other again, my Old Timer's see a blossoming love that  Annie and William won't acknowledge at first.

If only we could all have Old Timers to coach us along to love and a HEA too.


Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing, ocean, text and outdoor

He’s finally back… 


but time doesn’t heal all wounds.



William Kauffman is back in his Michigan hometown, but not for long. When he runs into his high school sweetheart, Annie Curtis, she’s a reminder of everything and everyone he left behind, without an explanation, years ago. Are a sick mother, a failing diner, two adorable children and the woman he’s never stopped loving enough to make him right past wrongs and stay?






Comments

  1. Welcome to this group of writers and readers. As different as we are, we all love the Heartwarming books. Congratulations on your upcoming release--it has the usual wonderful cover typical of our line. You'll enjoy seeing the posts here every day. It's a great group. Your current life reminded me of my years of being home with my two kids long, long ago, and for sure, librarians are my tribe, too. A toast to your first Heartwarming!

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  2. Thanks so much, Virginia! I'm glad to be included among such a kind group of writers. And yes, I love the covers of Heartwarming books!

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  3. Hi and welcome to Heartwarming, Elizabeth! Super congrats on your debut! I love the cover, title and blurb. Great post and I, too, love seeing different generations within a story and how the 'old timers' add a certain 'knowing' and wisdom when it comes to the hero/heroine. Oh and btw I loved the movie Return to Me! I've seen it 2 or 3 times. Once again, welcome and congrats! You'll love this Heartwarming second tribe ;).

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    1. Thanks, Rula! I already feel right at home in this Heartwarming tribe!

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  4. Hi, Elizabeth. So glad you're here! The book sounds wonderful. I love a multi-generational perspective and I'll look forward to reading it in March. Congratulations!

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  5. Welcome! And congratulations on your release. It sounds like a lovely story!

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  6. Hello Elizabeth!!! Welcome to Heartwarming! You're book sounds amazing! And I love Return to Me also.

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  7. Welcome, Elizabeth! I’m another Ohioan. Grew up near Akron. Your book sounds wonderful. Congratulations!

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  8. Welcome and congratulations, Elizabeth! This sounds like a wonderful Heartwarming debut. I can totally relate to your story, as I conjured up my first Harlequin while nursing my first child many years ago! All the best!

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  9. Hello, Elizabeth! Your book looks wonderful, and I'm so glad you have joined the Heartwarming family.

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  10. Welcome to Heartwarming. This is a lovely group of ladies! And congrats on your first book. (Return to Me is also one of my favorite movies).

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