Monday, May 11, 2020

HOW'S EVERYONE DOING? By Kathleen Lawless @kathleenlawless


Tomorrow marks the day Steel and I were supposed to attend a Rolling Stones Concert, which means today we would have been on our way to the city where the performance was scheduled. 


I must confess I don’t really love big concerts the way I once did.  These days I prefer a more intimate venue with comfy seating, and perhaps a bottle of nice wine.  But hearing the Stones in person has been on my bucket list since I first spent my allowance on a Sticky Fingers album with a working zipper on the jeans.  As neither I nor the band are getting any younger, it was now or never. 


When the concert might get rescheduled, and if we'll be able to attend . . .   Such is the stuff of these uncertain times.

One thing that’s for certain is that romance continues to bloom.  It’s just over five years since my very own hero, Steel, went down on one knee and asked me to become his wife.  We were vacationing on a tiny island in the Caribbean that had no cars, only scooters, golf carts and tuk-tuk cabs.   Somehow, he convinced the restaurant to open just for us on a night they were normally closed, and cook us lobsters.  That evening was more romantic than anything I ever could have written, and a total surprise, right up to the moment when he was actually kneeling on the towel from our finger bowls, so he didn’t cut his bare knees on the shale rock floor.

 Steel, being a true hero, understands that I write romance novels with larger-than-life characters and situations.  He knew that a special moment like the one he spent months planning had to be over-the-top extraordinary.  And it was.  The man “gets” me.  He understands what I want and need, often before I do.  I count myself extremely lucky. 


We’ve yet to formalize things with a wedding ceremony.  When we do, it will be an intimate event, most likely on a beach in the Caribbean, attended by family and a few close friends.  With uncertain travel being part of the foreseeable future, I’m glad we didn’t choose 2020 as the year.  I know a lot of people have had wedding plans derailed, and I hope they have come through it to make their romance continue to bloom despite global changes and uncertainty.

Being a sucker for weddings and bride stories, I’m really excited for the June release of Mail Order Olivia, Book 17 in the popular sweet western series: Widows, Brides and Secret Babies.  Here’s a sneak peek at my secret baby, second-chance romance.    
               


          As the train slowed to a stop, Olivia rose, settled her wiggly daughter on one hip, and reached for her valise, which was light enough to lift with only hand.  Because she had left Philadelphia in a hurry, she had packed only the bare necessities for Chloe and herself.
          She waited as passengers jostled past her, impatient to disembark.  No need to wonder if she would recognize Robert; she would know him anywhere.  When she stepped from the train, she spotted him instantly on the far side of the platform, talking to a plump, dowdy-looking woman.
          Pushing aside her fears and uncertainty, she covered the ground between them and reached the pair just as the other woman fisted some money Robert handed her, and rushed off. 
          Olivia knew exactly what had happened.  Robert had changed his mind.   Again.  The same way he had when her left her high and dry in Philadelphia, in a family way.  That wouldn’t be happening a second time!
          “Robert!  Her tone was more shrill than she intended, but it got his attention.  As he turned toward her, a myriad of expressions crossed his face.  Surprise and delight quickly faded to wariness.  His steps were hesitant as he approached her.
          “Livie!  What are you doing here?”
          “Looking for you, obviously.”
          “I don’t understand!”  
          “Neither do I.”
          Olivia was vaguely aware that the platform had emptied around them as they stood, gazes locked. 
          “You look well,” he said finally.  “I see congratulations are in order.  Where’s Harry?”
          “Harry died a few weeks ago.  Stumbled blind drunk in front of a train.”  She stated the facts with no more emotion than she had felt at the time, except relief that Harry was out of her life.
          “I’m sorry to hear that.”  His gaze darkened with emotion, only to vanish as quickly as it appeared.  “If you came to me for comfort, you’ve come to the wrong place.”
          “Nothing of the sort.”  She had come to ensure she and Chloe remained safe. 

Pre-order Mail Order Olivia here.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086JFJ6YC

Check out the rest of the series here.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084WYL1QX


And don’t forget to enter this month’s Rafflecopter

Till next month, stay safe and read lots.

Kathleen  

26 comments:

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  2. What a great story--both of them! Looking forward to Olivia's and glad to have heard yours.

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    1. Thanks Liz. It's fun to write about romance, even more fun to live that way.

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  3. Kathleen...what a romantic setting and hero for life! I suspect this island you went to was where my daughter honeymooned. Congrats on the new release...it sounds like another fun read.

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    1. Thanks Bonnie. We were on Utila. Is that the same place your daughter honeymooned? Our Vira president Whitney has visited the island as well.

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  4. Love the story of your personal romance and you hooked me right into that book! Here's to more romance.

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    1. thanks, Nora. I'm all for more romance, especially in these uncertain times.

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  5. Aww I'm bummed you'll miss the show, but what a sweet story!

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  6. Me too, Laura. No one is rushing a refund our way, but I can't imagine how long before it can be rescheduled.

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  7. Hugs on missing the concert, Kathleen! We've been to every tour so far. The last one was when Mick Jagger had to have treatment for a heart problem and it was rescheduled. I think this is the same tour. The time before that we actually flew to Nashville from NJ because that was the only one that fit our time frame. When you finally do get to go, I bet you'll love it! And what a nice story about your romance!

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  8. I am glad you found the man you want to spend the rest of your life with. The rafflecopter form is not letting me say that I commented.

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  9. I hope you get to see the Stones! What a trip that would be. And, to share it with Steel would be the icing on the cake. I'm not sure I'd heard the story of your engagement before and it is truly lovely. So glad you've found your guy. Love to the two of you. :) p.s. Can't wait to read the rest of Olivia!

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  10. Thanks, Maddie, you know how special it is when you find that person who is so compatible.

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  11. You are going to have a lovely wedding! Marrying your hero is a blessing!

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    1. Thanks, Kara. I love making memories with my love.

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  12. I still get chills hearing about your proposal. He’s the best and I love seeing how much you two radiate love for each other when I get to see you together. I can’t believe it was five years ago already! You’ll get to see the Stones, I’m sure, and they are well worth seeing. I saw them years ago in Vancouver and it remains to this day the BEST concert I’ve ever seen. Thank you for the advance copy of ‘Mail Order Olivia’ too, she is a fantastic fun read.

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    1. I know! Five years. I'm hoping to still be able to jump up and scream when I finally see the Stones.

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  13. I remember when you two first met. Steel is even dreamier in person. What a great real life fairy tale you two turned out to be. I can't wait to read Mail Order Olivia, and I better be on that wedding invitation list. lol

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    1. You definitely be invited. He is a huge fan of yours as well!

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  14. That excerpt definitely hooked me, Kathleen. I happy romance bloomed for you in such a spectacular way. Best wishes.

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    1. thanks Caroline, it's easier to write about romance when our world is full of love!

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  15. Wow, what an awesome proposal from Steel! Seriously, woman, Steel??! It's a perfect hero name for a romance author! I can't wait to hear about your wedding when the time comes. BTW...a ceremony on a Caribbean beach sounds ideal for you, based on what I know. Much happiness for you to look forward to.

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  16. teehee. We met on line and I said, is that really your name? I knew it was meant!

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  17. Hi, Kathleen. I had to revert to using Firefox for blog commenting. Here's what I said when I first read your post. You lucky girl! It's wonderful to have a guy who "gets" you and follows through with the kind of romance he knows you want.

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