Gracious Mysteries
Releasing a new book is more than dotting i's and crossing t's. It's the culmination of craft and tech blended into twenty-first century art; writing novels will hopefully remain a timeless manner of expression now enhanced by an author's ability to self-publish. Gracious Mysteries, set in an unnamed world in what could be deemed several decades ago, continues the tale of one woman's search for her beloved and the experiences of others caught in a devastating plague.
Yet a long-fought war has tempered these characters, and now finding themselves in a relatively safe place, Brynn Dahl and her family can finally set roots on a vast ranch, although not everyone initially joins them; Brynn's eldest daughter Ronan takes a different path, attempting to find peace after years of abuse. Love emerges between Polly and Mo, as well as Ava and Seti. And for Timral and Nasri, budding affection is threatened when Nasri intervenes as one man attempts to cause harm. A novel can't exist without drama, and better for me to churn out heartbreak fictionally as much as possible.
Yet as I noted in yesterday's post, my family is hurting, the outcome unknown. And twenty-five years ago, when the above photo was taken, great heartache rocked my world; my younger brother took his life three days shy of his twenty-fifth birthday. It's odd thinking he would have turned fifty this year, I never imagine him having aged. I was thirty-one when he died, now my youngest is thirty, time not lingering although our memories possess an inordinate manner in which to transport us into the past. Thankfully those visits are fleeting; all we truly have is this day, full of mysterious grace, or ohmah polise. I consider that term on occasion, conjured for this series yet it resonates in a way I hadn't planned; appreciating the here and now regardless of how little knowledge aligns to it is vital for keeping one's heart at rest and peace of mind intact. I might have a lengthy To Do list, but perhaps most importantly is to take a few minutes to breathe deeply, accepting the quiet of this morning, and how awesome are the gifts within my hands; writing books, writing about those books (lol), then attending to whatever comes next. There are sites to update, this entry to post, the nuts and bolts of publishing a novel. Then there are the less visible but just as meaningful matters; breakfast is one, making notes for the next story, sewing up some coasters.... A book is released amid momentary fanfare, then life continues. Celebrating and grieving go hand in hand, turning us into what we become day after day after day.
Gracious Mysteries is available at many fine online retailers. I recommend picking up its predecessor The Possibility of What If, intriguing blends of fantasy and women's fiction. And look for the series' conclusion, That Which Can Be Remembered, coming in December.
