-
One of My Favorite Scenes
*** I’ve been decorating a little bit today for the holidays. I’m feeling terrible, still trying to deal with a chronic health issue, but I’m trying to remain positive and optimistic. Evert time I break out my Christmas decorations, I always think about a particular scene in my first novel, Beneath the Mimosa Tree. The scene unfolds at the holidays after ten years, when two former lovers and next door neighbors are reunited. After years of not speaking and feeling anger and guilt over a mistake that was made, the two come face-to-face in the driveway as Annabelle and her family return from getting a Christmas tree. Michael, home from…
-
Launching LITTLE MILESTONES Today, my newest novel…
*** Okay, my friends, today, my newest novel, LITTLE MILESTONES is official and is on the market through Amazon (coming in days to Barnes & Noble). While this is not a true sequel to Inn Significant, it does tap into those characters as they become a part of Little Milestones and the lives of Olivia and Nan. The new book is set in beautiful St. Michaels, Maryland, and as you may have surmised, I have a slight obsession with the Eastern Shore. There are also some scenes in Annapolis because I love my home state so much. * I think of all the books I’ve written, this one has made…
-
The Power of Forgiveness
“People can be more forgiving than you can imagine. But you have to forgive yourself. Let go of what’s bitter and move on.” ~ Bill Cosby When people ask me what BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE is about, I try not to get off course when I give them my “elevator summary of the plot.” Ultimately, the novel is about forgiveness, about time healing all wounds, about not only moving past something that caused a lot of pain, but also forgiving it. While one character lives with guilt and regret, the other is full of hurt and bewilderment. Can forgiveness be found between these two main characters, Annabelle and Michael? As…
-
Regret, Tattoos, and Regret
Dear Readers, I know I blogged earlier, but I feel I must share this wonderful bit of wisdom with you from Kathryn Schulz on TED. A writer, journalist, speaker, author, Schulz talks about regret, one of the subjects of “Beneath the Mimosa Tree,” and something I, and many others, think about often. This clip is about 16 minutes long, but worth every single second. I just wanted to share it because it spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you as well about anything that you’ve done in the past that has left you full of regret. This puts a new spin on things. Also, to those students who…
-
The Reviews Are Rolling In & An Excerpt From The Book. What People Are Saying About “Beneath the Mimosa Tree.”
Dear Readers, Well, it’s been two weeks today since I let it go out into the world. So now what are people saying about my debut novel entitled “Beneath the Mimosa Tree?” I thought I’d let these lovely comments do all the talking, but before I do, I wanted to share an excerpt from the novel just to stir your interest if it hasn’t already been stirred. Then, enjoy reading what people are saying. We independent authors can use all the support we can get to spread the word about our work. For those of you who have liked the book, thanks for your kind recommendations to others. I can’t…
-
The Unending Appeal of Ebenezer Scrooge
“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world.” — Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol *** It’s about that time. Any day now, I will be breaking out my copy of Dickens’s novel “A Christmas Carol,” as well as my two favorite copies of films depicting one of my all-time favorite characters: Ebenezer Scrooge. (The George C. Scott…
