Good morning, everyone!
First, a big and heartfelt thanks to our hostess for the invite. I'm pleased as punch and proud to be here!
Second, I got some super news about the First Responders series:
1) From Ashes to Honor has earned itself a movie option! Now, everyone knows that most options never BECOME movies, and the few that do rarely make it to the screen, but still ... it's an honor to have the Hollywood megs-moguls consider it, y'know!
2) Just got a call from my publicist, who said "Are you sitting down?" And then she proceeded to tell me that the prestigious Library Review gave Honor Redeemed a "starred" review. Whoa. That's rare, so, yeah I was pretty pumped!
3) A producer called me on Thursday - and stayed on the phone a whopping 15 minutes - talking about "possibilities." So I was, like, Is there gonna be a bidding war ... IN TINSELTOWN ... for something *I* wrote!? <sigh> Let me tell ya, I've spent a LOT of time on my knees these past few days, thanking God for all these blessings. (And if you get a minutes, I wouldn't mind a bit if you'd shoot a prayer toward heaven on my behalf, because, well, wow, this is some crazy stuff, y'know!)
But enough about me. So what do YOU think about me? LOL
I'm kidding. Really, No ... I mean it!
Lots of readers write to tell me what they thought of a particular book. All sorts of people. Old, young, men, women, kids ... Jews and Christians and Buddhists and Muslims. They share things in their own lives that mirror what happened in the story. Or tell me about someone they know who reminds them of one of my characters. They ask me to pray with them, about finances, job situations, missing kids, cancer diagnoses, the death of a loved one. And I write back as quickly as I can and assure them that I will.
To date, there are about 8,100 letters in my "Reader Letters" file drawer, and another 1,000 or so in my email address book. Did any of you have a pen pal when you were a kid? Well a whole lot of these folks have become exactly that ... letters and emails (and in a few rare cases, text messages!) float from my house to theirs ... some as far away as Rwanda!
Yeah, this sure is one wacky business. Where else can a gal hope to meet and interact with people from all around the world!
So this space is supposed to be me, talking about me and my books, right? <shrugs> For some unknown reason, I have this feeling that today, it's more important to focus on you. Whether you're in New York, the Midwest, California, or the millions of places in between ... I'm prayin' for you, too. Yeah, okay, that sounds moocho-corny, but with all the fierce weather and tragic accidents and heartbreaking news we're surrounded by every day, I figure it can't hurt to add my tinny voice to the others floating heavenward. So here's hoping your weather is exactly the way you like it. And if you or anyone close to you is sick, well, that's my "Check this out, God" list too.
In closing, I'd like o share a little something with you ... a "naggy mom" thing that I used to tell my daughters (both married with daughters of their own now): "There are two things in life that, once they're gone, you can never get back ... your virginity and TIME, so think long and hard about how you choose to spend both."
If you have kids of your own, I'm a tad late with the "how you spent your virginity" advice <g>, but TIME? I know you're busy with work and family and God-knows-what-else, so I'm touched and thankful that you chose to spend a few minutes of your time with me today.
Wishing you and yours only the best that life has to offer,
Loree
About The Author:
With more than 3,000,000 copies of her books in circulation, best-selling author Loree Lough's titles earn 4 - and 5 - star reviews and industry/reader's choice awards. She has recieved nearly 10,000 letters from fans who write to say she's "a gifted writer whose stories touch hearts and change lives." Her 9/11 series, First Responders (From Ashes to Honor, Honor Redeemed, A Man of Honor) is no exception, and it's raising awareness and funds for organizations that assist soldiers and first responders, and their families.
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BOOK TRAILER: Honor Redeemed
Book Description: Honor Redeemed
Highly skilled Search and Rescue (SAR) team leader, Honor Mackenzie, works almost as hard at guarding the dark secrets of her past as she does when training SAR dogs. As for widowed Sun reporter Matt Phillips, not even his former SAR work is as important as protecting his ten-year-old twin boys. When a jumbo jet crashes outside Baltimore one cold night, their respective jobs out them face-to-face at the grisly scene - and force Matt and Honor to reconsider the difficult decision that resulted in their long-standing "single forever" status. As Matt tries to come to terms with his feelings for Honor, he gets word that she hasn't reported in since starting the search for a missing child. Reverting to his SAR training, Matt leads the search team as a vicious winter storm bears down on the area. Will he find her in time? And if he does, will they find their way back to each other or go back to living life alone?
Your book sounds fascinating! And couldn't agree with you more about time and virginity. In lieu of Whitney Houston, I'd like to add sobriety to your list! Terrific book trailer and interview! Wish you all the success in the world!
ReplyDeleteDina Rae, author