November – the fall, really – is a time for reflection and gratitude. The colors of the leaves remind us of the changes in life. As we begin to settle down for winter, we reflect on what the year has brought us; we give thanks for all of the blessings we enjoy. There is a reason why both the Canadian and American Thanksgivings are in the autumn season.
So, with the American Thanksgiving fast approaching, I gladly reflect on my own life. In the last year, I have moved three times. I have been to weddings and to cemeteries. I have been left and found true love. Yes, this year has brought me many things. Good, bad and indifferent, I am grateful for it all nonetheless.
As a writer, I am thankful for my newest release,
Impeccable coming out in e-book and print formats.
Its predecessor,
Imperfect, was released last fall.
I am grateful for having been inspired to write these books and to have seen them be published. So very fitting that these two books which are so much about change, love, family and gratitude have been released two Novembers in a row. It is an honor to have these books out, and the symbolism of their release dates is simply spectacular. I have an incredible publisher in Vanilla Heart Publishing. Having the two books which are my pride and joy is something for which I will be eternally grateful. Honestly, I am just grateful that I even have the opportunity to pursue my childhood dream of writing. How many people can say they have had that chance? I have been given some amazing opportunities and experiences. I am a very grateful writer.
On a personal level, I am grateful for having met my fiancé. She has changed my life for the better. She has blessed me so much, I could not imagine my life without her. I am grateful for my family. Without them, I would be nothing. They helped to form me into the woman I am today. Without their support, I would not be or have all that I do. I am grateful for the roof over my head, the cars in my driveway, the little furballs that brighten my days (we have multiple pets and they are all incredible), and all of the other blessings I am so fortunate to enjoy day in and day out.
Life is good and this Thanksgiving, I will be sure to remember that and to pass it along. Gratitude, you see, is not something you should keep to yourself.
I try to ensure in my writing that I focus on family and gratitude as they are very important to me in my daily life.
Imperfect and
Impeccable teach us that family is not always defined by blood or color. That there are numerous people who enrich our lives, and thus are family too. These books also teach us to focus on the positive, to remember to be grateful for all that we have. So often in our lives, we get wrapped up in the busy-ness of the day that we forget to appreciate all that we have. Mind you, these are not self-help books. They are novels. A fictional pair of books that tell the life story of a regular woman – someone just like you or me. Regular people need to be in books too. To remind us of who we are, where we came from and where we’re going as a society. And for us to be able to relate to them and the story. To be affected and grateful for the power that the written word contains. Just because it’s fiction doesn’t mean it can’t impact us. And these two books impacted me just writing them, I hope and imagine how much they would impact you reading them! I hope that Carol’s story brings you as much gratitude, peace and hope as it gave me writing it. I am grateful for these books and what they have given me. I hope the same can be true for you.
This Thanksgiving, I will take quite a while listing all of the wonderful things for which I am grateful. From people to places, trinkets to things, I am thankful for so very much. Not the least of which will my newest books,
Imperfect and
Impeccable.
