Years after running away with her boyfriend in her junior year of high school, Marly Hanson returns to Dreyerville at the request of her daughter, Katie, who has recently been treated for brain cancer. Katie has never met her grandmother, Marly’s mother, Winnie. But Marly and Winnie have been estranged for years and confronting the past for each of them is painful. The homecoming is bittersweet, but revisiting the conflict between them is crucial if Marly and her mother are ever to find the bond they shared before Marly left Dreyerville.
To complicate matters, living next door to Winnie is handsome sheriff and widower Reed Bennett, and his son, Ham, who is close to Katie’s age. Ham and Katie become fast friends, while their parents find their attraction to one another going deeper than mere friendship. But Marly’s time in Dreyerville is limited and risking her heart isn’t something she’s willing to do.
As the days slip past, and though she tries to avoid it, Marly and Reed become more deeply involved. Can she risk loving the handsome sheriff and give up the the futer she worked so hard to forge for herself and her daughter? Can she make a life in Dreyerville after what happened all those years ago?
Will Marly finally realize that her true destiny and ultimate happiness lie in coming to terms with her past?
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
My mother dreamed of being a writer. When I was a girl, she talked about it often. In high school, Tulare Union in the San Joaquin Valley, she was the editor of her high school newspaper. She loved writing and more than anything, she wanted to go to college and become a journalist.
But the country was at war back then, and my grandparents were poor. My mother never achieved her dream, but I could hear the yearning in her voice when she talked about it, and maybe that was the seed that set me on the path to becoming a writer.
Or maybe it was the love for reading she instilled in me.
As a young woman, I saw reading as something I had to do to get through high school and then college. I enjoyed learning new things, and especially enjoyed reading history books. But reading just for fun? I couldn’t really imagine it.
Then I discovered the Bestseller List.
My mother loved every sort of book and particularly true crime murder books. But my tastes were not the same and other than the textbooks I read in college, I had no idea what to choose. I began picking up books off the top 15 bestseller list in the grocery store and discovered the wonderful world of fiction.
Books by Wilbur Smith and Danielle Steel, Sidney Sheldon, Frederick Forsythe, Herman Wouk, Arthur Haley, Robert Ludlum, Jack Higgins. Anya Seaton, Kathleen Winsor, and Frank Yerby wrote heartwrenching Romance novels.
I was hooked.
Over the years, my mother and I often traded books and then discussed them, which lots of moms do with their children today.
I loved reading, but a career as an author never crossed my mind until I was in my thirties and I met my husband, Larry, who was had written a western novel. It was a wonderful book and I couldn’t understand why he hadn’t been able to get it published. I thought maybe I could help him by doing a little editing and during the process, realized how much I was enjoying the work.
I decided maybe I should try writing something myself and jumped in with both feet.
MAGNIFICENT PASSAGE was the result, my first published novel, which I am happy to say is being republished this July with a magnificent new cover.
More than fifty books later, my mother is gone, but I’m still reading, and I am still writing and I thank her every day for introducing me to the career I love so much.
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
Many thanks to Kat for joining us today!
For more information about Kat and her books, please visit katbooks.com. And to be entered for a chance to win a signed copy of A SONG FOR MY MOTHER (US/Canada only), just leave a comment below. Good luck! 😀
My father instilled in me the love of reading. He taught me to read on his lap in front of a newspaper. He wrote for magazines and sportsman’s papers. I suppose, now that he is no longer with us, he is the reason I want….no, that’s not the right word. I have this need to write about these adorable little characters banging around in my brain. They may never get published but my writing them will hopefully pass a spark down to my granddaughter. My father, thankfully, was able to pass the spark to my daughter. We are all very lucky to have been loved by him.
Reading this excerpt and the message afterward has helped me see what a beautiful gift he gave us and how I NEED to pass that gift on. No more being scared to write these character’s stories. Just start. That’s where it all begins. Right?
Thank you so very much.
I taught myself to read when I was barely 3. I have loved reading ever since. I would love to read this book, it sounds really good.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I thank my Mother every time I pick up a book to read. I love to read and that’s because of my mother… I’d love to read this book. Please enter me in your drawing.
My mother loves to read and it is something she insisted we do as we were growing up.
I found reading on my own. No one encouraged me to read. I just did. I love reading and spending hours reading at a time. I enjoy it so much. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
Reading is and always been my addiction. Since I was young and biked and walked by myself to the local library I have been immersed in books. They transport me to other realms, give me great entertainment and are memorable. My parents were both avid readers and their influence was important and definitely has been for me. What a beautiful post today. Thanks for your lovely thoughts.
Kimberly– Got to write all those stories rolling around in your head! you never know why they are there…maybe a message from the dad you love and miss. thanks so much for your comments. very best, kat
Wow, such interesting comments. This book opens up something a little different for readers, I think. It is interesting how each of us came to be readers. And how wonderful for us!
I did not enjoy reading when I was younger… felt I had to do it for school reports and had no enjoyment with it. Later towards the end of high school I got my hands on a romance novel and have been hooked ever since. Congrats on all of your books and this newest release!
My Mom loves to read. Hopefully, I have passed that love on to my daughter.
sounds like a interesting book.
I can’t ever remember seeing my mother read but my father read a lot. He was always reading westerns. I will have to say I enjoy a good western romance myself. I must have got loving to read from my father. My older sister reads alot too.
I was never encouraged to read! I have always loved libraries and books, and an a voracious reader. I can’t wait to read this book. It sounds just wonderful, as are all of your books!
I’ve always loved to read, it was my Aunt who introduced me to romance when I was a teen. I’ve been hooked ever since. Her & I still trade back & forth.
I love to read! However, I didn’t as a child. When I had to participate in a summer reading program 1 yr my mother figured that she could bribe me to read. She offered me a penny a page. Little did she know what she wold create! I’m a book monster!
Colleen– I didn’t like reading until I got out of college–couldn’t figure out what to read. then discovered Forever Amber and I was off and running.
Quilt Lady…I love western romance. first thing I wrote. my oldie, first book is reissued in July. Warning, its a true bodce ripper, not politically correct these days.
Hi, Runner!
Martha– you’re a doll!
Meggerfly–you’re story is closer to mine. Didn’t like it at first, now voracious reader.
Jenn– romance is a great way to get hooked!
My Father taught me to read before I was 5 and I am still reading 50+ years later.
I love your books!
Hi, Estella– aside from schoolbooks, I got a late start (early 20s), but like you, I am still going strong. love to read! Glad you are enjoying my books! kat
i’m interested in reading this novel…thanks for the chance 🙂
karenk. Best of luck in the contest! kat
My mother instilled reading in me! I can’t thank her enough for the gift of reading. I don’t know where I’d be without it!
I got my love of reading from my mom too, and I thank God for that gift every day.
MY MOTHER’S DREAM sounds awesome, Kat!
Interesting how many of us have our mom’s to thank for becoming a reader. I am sure grateful to mine! kat
Wish I could say my mom inspired me, but no. Mom didn’t read anything. At all. (Yes, she had a Grade 12 education.) Dad read the local papers and Reader’s Digest.
Found out after both parents had died that I had a different biological father who lived across the street – who had died before the other two. (Long story, but the whole town knew but me.) HE actually read romances, and one day I picked one up to pass the time. Next thing I knew, he took me to a local store to buy more and more and more.
I’ve always loved to read. I enjoyed the Noddy books, then Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys, followed by Agatha Christie, and then LaVyrle Spencer. I have read over 250 books a year since around 1974.
Kat, congratulations on doing something you enjoy. I love typing, and I have a typing business from home that has enabled me to raise my children without babysitters. I feel like I have the best of both worlds.
My mother was awesome. She raised 4 children all by herself, and struggled on all by herself.She worked 2 jobs up into her 60’s. It will be 2 years this month that I lost her, and it’s been hard to work through the pain at times. She tried to be a super grandmother to my youngest sister’s 2 boys up until her failing health in 2009, and I miss her so very much. Our relationship was difficult in my early married years, but she grew to be my biggest supporter in my marriage. If she had she interfered as many mother in laws tend to with their son in laws, I’m sure my husband and I would not still be together after 35 years…*S* Your book excerpts reads so wonderful, and I have it on my gotta have list..*S* Wishing you the best, for this is going to be one of the keepers I’m sure of it…*S*
Darcy
It makes me smile reading how you and your mother shared books. My mother, grandmother and my great aunts and I all shared books and also discuss them. 🙂
I used to love to go the school library as a kid and when I found an author I liked, had to read all of their books – just like now. LOL.
This sounds like a turly beautiful read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy