Galleys for Love’s Awakening just arrived and my computer has decided two and a half years of faithful service is enough! So looks like I’m visiting Office Depot today:) Prayers appreciated!
It’s fun and interesting spending time with these characters after a four month absence. You see all sorts of things you didn’t notice when you were intimately acquainted for a year or better. It’s also my first foray into the 19th-century. Love’s Awakening opens in 1822 on the turnpike between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh on a dark and stormy day. But many of you had a little taste of that in the back of Love’s Reckoning:)
Anyway, can’t wait for you to meet Ellie and Jack!
And just so you know, that new cover should appear this week…
If you’ve read Love’s Reckoning, what would you like to see happen with Elspeth in this new story?
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I cant wait for the cover….as for Elspeth its hard to imagine after all this time that she could be the same person. It will be interesting to see what role she plays in this book and if she will turn to the Lord.
Oh Cindy, Love your thoughtful comments:) You’ve hit upon something so important for characters (and us flesh and blood folks!) ~ the passage of time and how the Lord uses our aging and changing to draw us nearer Himself. Can’t wait for you to see that cover! Revell has a big sales meeting tomorrow so it will appear once that is done. So fun to wait for it along with you!
Well, the old Adam in me says I would like to see a lot of bad things happen to her. However, the saint in me hopes she repents and trusts in Christ, and her life shows it. But, I wouldn’t mind if the Lord had to use some less than happy means to get her attention…I think He has had to do that for many of us, me included! I cannot wait to read it, and to see the cover! I am anxiously awaiting for the big cover reveal!
Laura, if you don’t mind, I have a prayer request for you and for any of your readers! My older brother had a cancerous brain tumor removed a few months ago. Yesterday his wife took him to the ER because he confused and disoriented. It turns out, his tumor is growing back. They are going to try some new medication that has shown to have excellent results. Please keep him in your prayer. This has been a very trying time for him and his family, as you can imagine. Thank you!
Emma, I’m very sorry about your older brother – and so glad you shared that here. I promise to pray – and invite readers here (many who don’t comment but do read these comments) to pray along with us. I have some understanding of brain tumors as 2 relatives have had them, and I know how difficult it is for everyone involved. So thankful for the medication you mention. Great strides are being made with those medical issues, etc. Please feel free to email me or update us here at any time you wish or feel the need. I’m always checking my email at lauran@tfon.com, too. I’m honored to pray for him and your whole family. We have such a compassionate, powerful God!! I love the Psalm that says our ‘God is for us’. Amen.
That’s a priceless comment about ‘the old Adam’ – I haven’t heard that before and it’s so descriptive! And you’re very savvy when you say sometimes the Lord has to get our attention in a way that is nothing short of SEVERE MERCY. I remember Ian’s prayer for Lael in TFD, that she would come to know Christ in a ‘whatever it takes’ way. Ouch. But we old Adams/Eves can be quite stubborn like you’ve alluded to. I am such a sheep. Sigh.
Prayers with you and your family – my boys and Randy will pray, too. So glad you’re here:)
Hi Emma. Just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for your brother. May the Great Physician touch him with His healing hand and give him a powerful testimony. May Jesus grant your brother, his wife, you and your whole family the peace and strength you need during this time. Nothing is impossible with our God.
Blessings,
Amanda
Thank you, Amanda, for this. You have a heart for these things – so glad you saw Emma’s comments.
Hi Emma,
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you that I am keeping your brother in my prayers.
Bless you, Michelle. I know it will encourage Emma – it does me.
How neat! I must confess I always enjoy reading about these little details of publication! Can’t wait to see that cover! How many changes does it usually undergo before the final? Do you get to see it at each stage along the way?
Wishes to you on your new computer. Frustrating I know, but hoping you’ll find the perfect one for your needs.
Oh, Julia, so glad you like these little pub details:) I never know how much to share for fear I’ll bore you dear readers to death! About that cover… Would you believe over a year before the cover comes out, I/authors complete a detailed form about our hopes/ideas for the cover. I usually like to attach some images from the web of the clothing my heroine might have worn and also give input about the novel’s themes and mood, etc. When the art team begins work on the cover, they send me, compliments of the designer (Brandon Hill in this case), photographs of gowns and hats from the costume company and also portfolio pics of the actual models to choose from. Revell usually has a good idea of which model they want and what clothing but they’re very gracious about letting me give my preferences. I’ve always liked what they’ve done so thus far just nod my head and smile:)
But I do know covers can go awry. I’ve seen some troubled ones in the CBA and ABA and am sure you have, too. Sadly, a poor cover can spell the demise of a book. One thing I’ve learned is that reader reactions to cover art is as varied as books themselves. Some love my covers and others do NOT and both sides can be very vocal. I’m curious to see what you all think about this second cover:) Aye or nay, as Silas would say!
I’m happy to say I’m the relieved owner of a Toshiba on sale – now to have it set up and get it working asap:) JOY! Thanks so much for your gracious words!
Looking forward to the cover. Even though Elspeth was the way she was, evil to Silas and her sister. I would love to see Elspeth change for the better, and just maybe turn to Christ. Just my thoughts as a reader.
Carissa, I so appreciate your gentle response about Elspeth. Knowing that you have sisters and are close to them, I can imagine the emotions Elspeth caused for you over the course of the novel. I don’t have a sis but grew up with very close girl cousins like sisters to me and I had a lot of trouble with Elspeth!
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts about the cover:)
Oh Laura! Can’t wait to see the new cover! SO EXCITING! Even though Elspeth was so awful to Eden and Silas, I would really like to see her come to the Lord, and have her’s and Eden’s relationship restored as sisters. Getting anxious to meet Ellie and Jack. I’m not trying to wish the year away, but the release of “Love’s Awakening” just can’t get here fast enough. 🙂
Oh Angi, Wish I could hand you Jack and Ellie right now;) SO excited you are excited to see that cover! Brandon Hill messaged me today saying he’s working on a behind the scenes cover shoot post and I’m thrilled. I think I’ve said all that before, lol, but I do love his cover posts as his photography is so beautiful. And I haven’t had a peek at the shoot itself so am as ready as you are to see it!
Love your thoughts about Elspeth. I don’t want to spoil it for you but book 2 took some interesting turns with her. I was torn between redeeming her or letting her age and mellow without redemption and retain her fleshly spirit. I’ll just say that she meets her match in Jack;)
Thanks for sharing the book and cover love:) I DO hope you’re among the first to find it, dear Angi!!
Oh Laura! I can’t wait to meet Jack. If he’s going to be butting heads with Elspeth, I know this will be good. I got the impression from the preview at the end of LR that he’s pretty no-nonsense. And, yes, I’m excited to see the cover shoot post. I viewed the last one that Brandon did. Very interesting. 🙂
Oh, you’ve hit the nail on the head, Angi about ‘no-nonsense Jack’. LOVE that:) More importantly, hope you love HIM!!
Good morning, Laura.
My condolences on the loss of your loyal servant.
Hopefully getting the new staff member loaded and trained won’t be a bother.
And your galleys mean we’re all one step closer to a family reunion! Not that I’m selfish, noooooo.
A good cover is like the ultimate appetizer, or an extravagant cake in a bakery window. It should be almost magnetic in its ability to command the reader to lean against the book shelf and crack open the book. I used to work in picture framing and I had 5 seconds to either fall in love with a project or simply do the best job I could with what I had.
One of my favourite artists in terms of enticing the beholder would be Maxfield Parrish. His use of light and colour are unsurpassed in the artistic world. I might even dare to say that Brandon Hill knows his Max Parrish.
Whether it’s my imagination or not, the covers of CML, LR and TCL all use light and bold colour to draw the eye of the reader in such a manner that the visual focus is drawn into a mystery of its own and teases the beholder with something that must be pursued. It is a very subtle and almost subconscious enticement that Brandon Hill excels at beyond quite a few other cover artists.
Let’s just say I’d faint if he did a cover for me! Covers sell books, and he UP THERE in terms of creativity and talent.
As for Elspeth, sweet, darling, devotional writing, Beth Moore of her day Elspeth. It would be lovely to see her face to face with a drop dead gorgeous GODLY man far beyond her reach who would love her from the heart on out. Perhaps a little “Taming of the Shrew” meets “Last of the Mohicans-The Sequel: Magua’s White Sister”.
The easy thing would have her snap out of it and be nice, but come ON, where’s the fun in that?
Jennifer, You always pack a powerful punch with your comments. I can tell you have a writer’s heart!!
Laptops are such handy things but mine has such hard use I can’t seem to resuscitate them beyond 2 years. I hear desktops are better for longer life but I have to be with my family and don’t like to squirrel away in my little office/library at the back of the house. It’s so cold back there even with a little stove!
LOVE your cake imagery, etc. You really do understand the ‘pop’ required in cover art. It takes only a few seconds for a reader to love or kiss a cover goodbye. And it’s so true about the light issue with Brandon’s photography. That is very apparent with this new cover, too. He also makes use of movement or motion by bringing a fan(s) into the studio which I find fascinating as it makes things more lifelike, maybe? I can’t wait to see what you think of his behind the scenes cover shoot. I will have to look up Maxfield Parrish. The very name is intriguing. Also, Brandon Hill is on Pinterest – surprise! Rather NO surprise!
LOL about the Elspeth comments – Magua is definitely her male equal;) I just rewatched the cliffside scene with Magua and Uncas and Alice the other day for old times sake. Sniff! Still gets me every time!
Thank you. That means a great deal, coming from Laura Wan Kenobi.
You watched it again? Magua didn’t get it together yet, did he? That is the only movie where I yell “Uncas, wait for your brother! Magua has a…”
STAB. IMPALE. SHOVE.
“…honking big knife.”
Even though I KNOW it’s a film, Uncas’ face when he feels the knife gets me every single blessed time!!
I can only imagine the logistics and choreography involved in that scene. And camera placement, and hiking to work carrying all the equipment.
I’m looking forward to the new cover!!
I just borrowed LOTM from the library. My DVD is packed up, 1100 miles away. 🙁 Alice and Uncas :'( so sad! I read a long time ago that they actually had more of a romance, but it was edited out. Totally stinks! Anyway, haven’t watched it for years! Always tears my heart out– takes a few days to get over. Is that odd?? LOL.
I can completely understand! It’s a brutal way to end a film.
Jodhi May was unhappy they cut most of her scenes out. Which is a total bummer, because it makes the intensity of Uncas’ sacrifice a bit much, given the screen time they devoted to the romance.
But then again, these are fake people. Right? Tell me I’m right?
Did I mention I read TLOTM screenplay online a few years back? It was then I found those deleted romantic scenes of Alice and Uncas. The thinking was, and some lame thinking it was IMHO, that the producers feared the Uncas-Alice romance would take precedent over the Cora-Hawkeye romance. REALLY? I believe it would only add to the drama and enduring quality of that film, etc. Just sayin’;)
There you are, dear Whitney! SO happy you’re Mohicans minded again. That film replays in my mind so often. It was very well done, excepting, as we all agree, those deleted Alice-Uncas scenes. And hearing you say it tears your heart out and takes several days to recover is perfectly appropriate, even required;) I imagine many of us can say that. I heard Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar for his performance in Lincoln. He should have won one for TLOTM but perhaps he did!
Hope your week is going well and you have a good book near at hand:)
I agree– either this guy (Uncas) loves deeply with little action required (which I think he does!), or they cut out some major Unc-Al time. Ya. Bad idea. But I had such a crush on Uncas as a youngster, I bought a still of the movie with Eric’s signature!
Hi Laura! *waves* I am actually reading Courting Morrow Little. Woot! I hope I can keep my reader insights to a minimum with this one, but you KNOW I’m long-winded. More’s the pity…
I’ve got “Veil of Pearls” and “Against the Tide” hanging around, too, but there’s so many books and so little time.
I hope you and the new computer get along famously and it holds on your secrets and dreams and scribblings like a true friend. 🙂
OH, Whitney! Thrilled you’ve met Morrow:) Unc and Al can wait, as you say! But have you met HIM? In the barn? I must have a thing for barns as I seem to remember two scenes with HIM there. And no deathly cliffside scenes, I promise. Oh wait, there is one ~ but it’s only a romantic one:) Neat that you have a signed still!
Love MaryLu. In fact, am giving away her latest release on Facebook later this week – FORSAKEN DREAMS. Pls join us for that – and everyone else here – if you can. The cover is beautiful and I must put in a shameless plug for MaryLu’s blog/website. She’s a wonderful author and friend and prayer partner. Her testimony is inspiring, too! I have Against the Tide, too. Another beautiful cover. Something about ships is very appealing.
Thanks for the computer wishes. We’ll master it yet, Lord willing.
Jennifer, You just crack me up;) Yes, that particular scene is horrific! I recall that exact sequence. Shudder. You’re so right about the choreography and such. It’s amazing and so realistic and must have taken countless hours to film. I’d really like to see the Biltmore estate grounds where some of that took place. Oh my, I completely forgot the equipment and all the sound and boom people and the like… And that NC heat!!
I get a delicious chuckle thinking of Magua in breeches and cravat cornered in a parlor with Elspeth. Am sure she’d be smitten on sight!
I get a delicious chuckle thinking of Magua…
WHAT? I do! I like a bad boy!
I married one. Only he hasn’t knifed anyone off a cliff in ages. Maybe even years.
I’m super excited for Love’s Awakening, can hardly wait!
I admit it may be gratifying in a little way to see Elspeth get what she deserves, but what I really hope is that she comes to sees her evil ways and the hurt it’s caused, and become a better person, even strike out on her own.
I love your updates, BTW, not too often but just often enough to make me look forward to seeing what you have in store, beautiful art or something encouraging. I love it that you have a place here for input and a place to pray for others needs. It’s so inspiring that you are accessible in this way to your readers!
Love your encouraging heart, Angela. My readers mean so much to me and I’m glad you feel that shows in even a tiny way here. Thrilled we can pray for each other and stay connected. There are so many needs out there. Another author I love though I’ve never met, Mary DeMuth, has an actual prayer closet, so to speak, on her website that is so inspiring. I imagine it’s a busy place. VERY thankful you like the intermittent updates here. I try not to drown readers with them but strike the right balance:) Glad you like that beautiful art I post, too. Bless you for being here ~ I think you must have the gift of encouragement:)
I cannot wait to share the cover with you! And pray you like both cover AND story. It’s quite different than Love’s Reckoning and even has a little humor in it, something I didn’t intend but there you have it:) I’d love to tell more but then I want you to meet the cast of characters on your own terms without author interference;)
Oh that Elspeth! ‘Gratifying’ is such a good word regarding what I felt like dishing out to her. I feel like you’ve peeked into my writing mind when you mention “even strike out on her own.” You’re closer to the story than you think!
As for Elspeth, I’m just curious as to how she can still be causing trouble all these years later. And what happened to her when she came back and Silas said . . . you know. 🙂
I hope you find a great laptop. I’ve had mine almost two years now, and it’s working perfectly. Hang on while I knock on wood. 🙂
Sally,
I finally found a Toshiba on sale and am very thankful! Galleys are not a good time to be offline – quite a hiccup. Thank heavens for smart tech people (I am not one of them)!
Your comment about Elspeth says so much. It is interesting when troublemakers age and what can happen. She’s about 50 in book 2 as the story leaps to 1822. Her ‘voice’ stayed the same though she is a different person by then. But no spoilers, promise!
Happy writing to you, my friend, and all else! Did you happen to see the Downton season this go round? I didn’t – and am glad after hearing about those 2 characters killed – but I thought of you:)
These comments are a hoot!
I love book covers that look like art. CML, TCL, and LR are all beautiful. They caught my eye long before I ever picked any of them up and read them. So glad I did, because they’re so much better inside!
I’d like to see Elspeth get her comeuppance, really. She was a character so easily loathed that I have a hard time envisioning her with a change of heart. It’ll be interesting to see how Silas, Eden, and Ellie relate to her, so many years later (I’m excited about the time period for LA, too!). I actually didn’t read the first chapter of Love’s Awakening, though the prologue was enticing. : )
Och, but you do love teasing us, don’t you?! 😉 Of course I enlarged that pic and caught that little snippet of Love’s Awakening, which only made me even more anxious to read it!!! Even though I only got a quick introduction to Ellie (LOVE her name!) and Jack at the end of LR, I liked them immediately and can’t wait to walk through the pages with them in LA! And, I CANNOT wait to see the sure to be GORGEOUS cover!!! 🙂
Sorry about your computer, my friend. That has happened to a couple of ours over the years. Alas, all things do work together for our good, no matter how inconvenient they immediately may appear. May your next one last you till the rapture! 😉
Gosh, what would I like to see happen to Elspeth? Well… it would be nice for her to come to the Lord and change her wicked ways. But something tells me, if the prologue for Love’s Awakening is anything to go by, that we haven’t seen the last of her and her future on the pages doesn’t look too kind. Maybe she married a Turlock? Maybe she’ll get back at Eden and Silas by causing problems for Ellie? After the things she did in LR and what was implied that she did, sadly, she just seems like one of those irredeemable characters to me… At best, I can see a deathbed conversion in her future but who knows… I’ve certainly guessed wrong before, as you know by my emails while reading LR, lol! Whatever happens, I trust the author 😉
Praying you have a beautiful week in Jesus, dear Laura! Looking forward to that new cover post! 🙂
Blessings,
Amanda
Amanda, YAY:) You rascal, you enlarged and actually had eyes good enough to see the text! I still can’t! You also, if I remember correctly, read my scribbles off of a legal pad when I posted the handwritten manuscript awhile ago, lol. Amazing! So glad you like Ellie’s name. Me, too. It’s short for the Scots version of Elinor. I really LOVE her sister’s name but won’t spoil it for you here. If I had a little girl I’d name her that. But again, no spoilers!
So interesting to hear your thoughts about Elspeth. You’d be a great brainstorming partner! Glad you trust me:) I always promise a happy ending and evil never triumphs. You’re so astute in thinking/saying it is difficult to imagine a hardened character redeemed. I did think that the easy way out, too cliché and unrealistic, when it came to her story even if I wanted it to happen. She wouldn’t bend till the deathbed conversion, if it so happened.
Smiling about that rapture-laptop comment. OH YES! I think of that quite often as if willing it to happen. The rapture part, anyway:)
Just saw my NEW final cover so it’s nearly here:) Can’t wait to show you…
Psssssst. She isn’t the only one who enlarged the photo. 🙂
I suppose that means you can actually SEE the text?!? I better go read myself ~ or try;)
OH MY, it enlarges quite nicely, so much so that you can see that editorial comment! Glad it was a good one and not a frowny face!
You need to post a screen shot again, only type “Ha, faked you all out, there’s nothing good on this screen! Oh! Don’t turn around, Ezekial Click just snuck up on you!”
I need to be as clever as you, Jennifer, and think up these things before instead of after the fact! I’m so computer illiterate I didn’t realize just how LARGE you can enlarge text on this photo here:) Back to work for me…
Yep, just finished the series last night. 🙁 I think I liked season two the best, although season three was close up until the last two episodes.
Glad you got your computer! Hope the galley work goes smoothly. Stay warm! We’ve gotten two separate twelve-inch snowfalls in less than a week. So we’re hunkered down and enjoying being somewhat snowed in. Is there much snow by you?
You know, I was never really fond of Edith or Mary (dare I say that?) but I LOVED Sybil. And I’ll even admit I didn’t care for Matthew either. Season 2 was definitely my fav though I have only heard about season 3. They need an import like Gerard Butler or Richard Armitage or someone bearded and brawny;)
Oh, I so covet your snow!! Not one snowflake in sight here – all winter! Glad you’re enjoying your time and staying snug with your family. Happy times:)
I caught your post on facebook yesterday about the laptop, but I didn’t catch that you’d posted a blog entry; hence my late arrival.
What I would want to happen to Elspeth, lol. Laura, you do remember that I’m Appalachian, right, and we hold grudges REALLY well. 😉 But that’s my flesh talking, in reality no one is irredeemable, not even Elspeth. So I hope she’s mellowed at least a bit as she’s aged.
As for Love’s Awakening, Amanda’s not the only one who enlarged the picture. 😀 Quite easily done, and I could even read it with my glasses off, lol. I simply cannot wait to see the cover. You do realize the first thing I’m going to do when I come home from work the rest of the week, is check for the cover?
Hope you’re liking the new computer. Is it Windows 8?
Michelle!! So happy you’re here. You just reminded me unwittingly that I forgot to post this journal entry on Facebook amidst all the computer angst! I pray it’s resolved by the time that cover appears and I’m not AWOL and missing all the action!
Chuckling about that grudge holding comment. From one Appalachian to another, I do recall that less than stellar trait runs in our veins. Am curious if there are other regions/cultures that carry grudges to the grave, apart from Sicilians and the mafia? Love that you think Elspeth may have mellowed along with turning 50 or so. We shall see…;)
About that new laptop. Yes, it’s Windows 8 and it’s wild! Everything looks like a big app. And I’m so not savvy which explains why the new computer is with my tech still and not me. Praying the galleys get transferred off my old system and onto my new one. I’ll breathe a sigh of relief once done.
Sounds like you use Windows 8 – or like?
No, I’ve not used Windows 8 yet, just heard that it takes a bit of adjustment time. My laptop runs Vista, I bought it back in 2009 just prior to Windows 7 coming out. I’m really hoping it will last one more year.
Michelle, Glad for the heads up on the adjustment time. It does look a little more complicated. I had Windows 7 till the crash. Hope your system lasts even longer than you wish. I do wish computers were a bit more reasonably priced. Randy has an Acer that is 6 years old with never a problem and hard use by our boys, too. Hope that one lasts a little longer, too. Have a good night:)
I just saw the cover for Love’s Awakening on Brandon Hill’s blog!!! 🙂 So beautiful!! I like how it’s a similar style to Love’s Reckoning, but different too. The dress is very pretty! But what I’m most looking forward to is reading the story!
Oh Marissa! I ran over to peek and it’s not there anymore! But am SO happy you like it:) Your kind words mean so much!! I will go back and try to figure out what happened to it, lol;) We’ve been trying to coordinate the timing between Revell, Brandon, and author. BLESS YOU for telling me!!
In between all your edits and galley reviewing, please be sure to take care of yourself by having some tea! 🙂 And as far as your question…I don’t know what to say, to be completely and perfectly honest! With one of my WIPs, I have recently considered changing the heart of a very fiercely evil character. The kids and I are watching The Lord of the Ring series (well, they watch parts, not all, as I forward through some bits), and the way one character (er, creature, I should say) is portrayed as one that COULD be redeemed really has made me contemplate the arc of my character. Hmmmm. So, I don’t wish, in the end, bad will towards Elspeth because we are ALL deserving of “death.” Now, I’m wondering how you will spin it. Either way, I know it will be such a fascinating story! And I can’t wait! CAN’T WAIT!!!!!!
Dear Amy, Love this look into your writing heart and head. I think movies provide such inspiration and give countless ideas for novels and tweaking characters just as you describe. You’re living proof! And I was SO hoping you’d read the Mohican comments and rejoice:) A lot of fans of colonial era films and books here! Thrilled your kids are watching parts of Tolkien as that is such classic stuff and great fuel for young imaginations. I need to do that myself. I must confess never reading The Hobbit. But Richard Armitage almost makes me want to do that, lol:) Bless you for your great comments. I hope I wasn’t too hard on Elspeth – or too kind to her either!!
Amy, I had forgotten about chimney rock – glad you reminded me! The movie must mean even more as you were right there. I wondered if it is as beautiful in person as it is on film and you’ve assured me it is. I need to go! Only maybe not in the heat of summer. I imagine fall would be incredible. I do think there is something about epic movies that speak to our epic writing aspirations, at least as far as our love for our stories go. I pray/hope you get back there with your family, yes:)
Also, how wonderful it is to read all the LOTM discussion in previous posts. LOVE! Fun to see fellow fans of that epic movie. I have a serious obsession with epic movies. Is that a commonality among most writers? Of historical fiction, to be exact? I recommend visiting Chimney Rock Park where a lot of LOTM was filmed….really was breathtaking and catches your soul! I’d love to take my children now and go with my husband…it would be a sweet encouragment.
Amy, I had forgotten about chimney rock – glad you reminded me! The movie must mean even more as you were right there. I wondered if it is as beautiful in person as it is on film and you’ve assured me it is. I need to go! Only maybe not in the heat of summer. I imagine fall would be incredible. I do think there is something about epic movies that speak to our epic writing aspirations, at least as far as our love for our stories go. I pray/hope you get back there with your family, yes:)