Several years ago, the first four books in my Smoky Mountain Novel Series went on the market. I had always intended to write at least one more book in the series — and did get two chapters of it done — but life just sort of got in the way — if you know what I mean. And part of that life was other books that were pressing from within to get out. During these intervening years, I have written 8 other novels and loads of short stories and poetry. But book number 5 of the series just wouldn’t materialize — at least not all the way.
I love the family of wonderful characters in the series, and many readers have felt the same. In fact, I just had one reader tell me this past week — as she was reading the whole series — one complete book a day — that the people in the stories felt like family. I was delighted to hear it, and her telling me that just nudged me that one more little bit to get back to the keyboard and finish book 5 this time.
So, that’s my assignment for this week. And I thought in light of that fact, I’d re-post a super short piece I did a few years ago that gave an excerpt from Book # 5’s story. I wrote this super condensed piece in response to a flash fiction challenge, but it’s from the first chapter of This Fire In My Heart — which is now well on its way to seeing daylight as Book # 5 in The Smoky Mountain Series of inspirational novels:
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He was Cherokee, she Scottish-American. But the moment they met in the airport coffee shop, they were connected. Waiting out the fog, they talked like old friends. When her plane was called, he carried her bag to her boarding gate.
A question in her eyes, she said, “Wow, Chicago and Dallas – talk about two people going in opposite directions.”
Light flared in his eyes as he realized she didn’t want their connection to end any more than he did. He reached out, thinking to touch her cheek, but caught himself just in time. Such an intimate touch with someone he hardly knew wasn’t like him, but the pull of her was so strong — so elemental. He quickly bent and picked up her bag and handed it to her, smiling.
“Opposite directions today,” he said, “but not always, I think.”
A spark in her eyes leaped to his, just as the boarding line began moving, and he promised: “I will see you again, Joy.”
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Excerpt: This Fire in My Heart
The Happy Wordcrafter 
Now you are teasing us. Better get to work so we can find out what happens. 🙂
I thought I’d better go back and browse through a couple of the earlier books in the series since it had been so long. I didn’t want to accidentally get some of the people completely out of character in this next book. It’s been exactly 15 years since I wrote book #4, I guess we’re all a little older and wiser now. 🙂 🙂 🙂 At least I hope so. I had to go back and double-check everyone’s ages, addresses, and current work status. 🙂 🙂 🙂
By the way, I sent you a package last week. The post office says you should get it Wednesday.
By the way, it came today. Thank you. Now I’ll have to blow my diet for all that chocolate! (Down 30 lbs since Jan 1st) But for your chocolate, I’ll sacrifice. Thanks again.
I’m glad it got there already. And, yes, it’s very hard to read that much about chocolate and not eat any.
🙂
This sounds like a loving and heart-stirring Book #5. Waiting for it. To the press after this week?
It won’t go to press for a while yet. It’s been 15 years since I wrote book # 4, so I’ve had to go back and renew my acquaintance with everyone so that I’m sure the characters who populate book 5 will be the same people they were in books 1-4. Hopefully somewhat more mature, but still identifiable. I have only about 4 chapters completed, so it’s going to be a while before this one hits the market.