Don't you just love that title? I'm all about chocolate.
From the back cover:
Janie Rose Whitaker's world revolved around her chocolate shop until Roger Wentworth and his young daughter moved into the apartment across from Janie's. Anyone would think Roger fit the mold of the "perfect" guy, but soon Janie discovers secrets that could keep them apart forever. Though she resists getting involved in Roger's complicated life, they are drawn further into a bittersweet relationship.
You will laugh, cry, and crave chocolate as you read this LDS parody of the classic novel Jane Eyre.
Doesn't that sound like a fun book? Joan stopped by my blog for an interview.
Joan, when did you start to write and how long did it take you get published?
I have been writing over fifteen years. I felt prompted to sit down and write what a particular ancestor would say if I had the chance to interview her. She didn't want to give me much information, didn't trust me, and from that I wrote a short story that grew into a novel. Through that experience I discovered that I loved to write!
Kerry Blair lived in my ward back then. She'd edit my chapters and I tried to learn the rules behind her changes. I learned a lot from her. She realized she could do a lot better than I was doing, so she wrote her own first novel and sent it to Covenant. They accepted it within two weeks.
How did you break into publishing?
I admit it was luck. I was in the right place at the right time. Kathy Jenkins of Covenant Com. suggested I send Walnut Springs Press my novel We Have Seen His Star--so I did. I pestered editor Linda Prince every few months asking if she had read it. After the eighth month, she asked if I had an LDS romance and that she needed one right away. I sent Haunts Haven and she liked it!
What inspired you to write romance?
I think every story needs romance, if not just a touch of it.
What genre or sub-genre do you write? Why did you choose this genre?
I write LDS romance. Haunts Haven is a paranormal mystery romance, Chocolate Roses is pure romance with a Jane Eyre parallel. I haven't been able to get away from the LDS genre. I guess because it is so ingrained in me.
What are you working on now?
I'm writing a story about a recent ASU college grad who takes a journalist job in a seaside village in Oregon. It has a touch of the paranormal, and I love the characters.
What has surprised you about being a published author?
Before being published, everything I did had an eternal perspective: taking care of my family which included cooking and cleaning, etc., my relationship with my husband, my calling. Even writing novels and music was developing talents and I felt the Spirit affirming that was what I should be doing. As soon as Haunts Haven hit the stores and I was expected to promote it and myself. I felt uncomfortable with that because it didn't easily fit into the eternal perspective that gave me comfort. I'm still not comfortable about the promotion.
What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
I'm a family history addict. I love to sew aprons to give as gifts. I write music (http://joansowards.com/) that I give as a service. My adorable grandchildren take a lot of my time, and I love being with my husband.
What advice would you give aspiring writers today?
Don't give up. Be ready for when you are "in the right place at the right time." Learn the craft of writing and be open for critiquing. There's a lot to be learned from other writers.
Thank you for the Interview, Joan. I loved learning more about you and your books.
Thank you! My blog is http://joansowards.blogspot.com/. As all bloggers know, there is joy in getting comments!
Showing posts with label LDS Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LDS Romance. Show all posts
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday, September 4, 2009
Altared Plans, Chapter 1, Part 5
Several hours later, Caitlyn awoke to her mom standing in the doorway with a tray in her hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I wanted to leave you a little something to eat.” She placed the tray on the nightstand next to the bed.
Caitlyn wiped at her swollen eyes and sat up. She cleared her throat, “I’m not hungry.”
“Maybe later.”
Caitlyn shrugged.
“How are you feeling?”
“Sad. Confused”
“I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart.”
Caitlyn nodded. She toppled back down on her bed and her mother snuggled up next to her.
“I can’t believe he dumped me for another girl. Why didn’t he tell me he didn’t want to get married?”
“Maybe he was afraid.”
“He fell in love with a girl on his mission. Who does that?”
“I don’t know.” Her mom brushed her hand against Caitlyn’s cheek.
“What will I do now?”
“Go back to BYU.”
“I can’t. I told everyone about the wedding. Every time I have to answer why I’m not married, I’ll have to relive the pain all over again. I can’t do that. My heart hurts too much.”
“People will understand.”
“Will they? I don’t even understand it.” Tears snaked down her cheeks.
“In time you’ll find someone else.”
“No way. I never want to be hurt like this again. I’m done with marriage. Forever.” She used her sleeve to wipe her eyes.
“You’re still—“
“I trusted him. I believed him when he said we’d get married. Even though we couldn’t see much of each other because I was at school when he got home from his mission, we talked on the phone and texted each other. He never said a word. When I came home to see him in October, he acted like we were still a couple. How could he change his mind like that? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t know, honey, but you life will go on. I promise.” Her mom stroked Caitlyn’s hair. “I called your apartment office and your contract hasn’t sold so you still have a place there.”
“Mom, I can’t go back. Not like this.”
“You can, Cait. You can pick yourself up and go back.”
“No. I can’t.”
“Even though this is something none of us expected, it will be a blessing.”
“Right.”
“Really. You’ll see. Heavenly Father knows better than we do. It’s far better that this happened now instead of after the marriage.”
Caitlyn said nothing.
“You still have more than a week before school starts again. Your dad said he’d take some time off work. We can all go to Provo and spend time together as a family before we drop you off.”
Caitlyn closed her eyes. She desperately wished she’d wake up in the Bahamas enjoying her honeymoon.
I hope you've enjoyed reading the first chapter of Altared Plans. I had a lot of fun writing it. If you're interested in reading the rest of the novel you can purchase it at Amazon, Seagull Books, and independent LDS bookstores. Thanks for your support!
P.S. I love the last line of the book.
P.S.S. I included some real events that happened when I met my husband at BYU. We met in the FHE group where I was serving as the "mom" and he was serving as the "dad." He tried to feed me one of his steers named Frank which completely freaked me out since I'm a certified city-girl (and he's a country boy). I met my future mother-in-law for the first time while I was dressed as a clown because I'd been volunteering at Special Olympics. I won't tell you any more secrets--you'll have to read the book :).
Caitlyn wiped at her swollen eyes and sat up. She cleared her throat, “I’m not hungry.”
“Maybe later.”
Caitlyn shrugged.
“How are you feeling?”
“Sad. Confused”
“I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart.”
Caitlyn nodded. She toppled back down on her bed and her mother snuggled up next to her.
“I can’t believe he dumped me for another girl. Why didn’t he tell me he didn’t want to get married?”
“Maybe he was afraid.”
“He fell in love with a girl on his mission. Who does that?”
“I don’t know.” Her mom brushed her hand against Caitlyn’s cheek.
“What will I do now?”
“Go back to BYU.”
“I can’t. I told everyone about the wedding. Every time I have to answer why I’m not married, I’ll have to relive the pain all over again. I can’t do that. My heart hurts too much.”
“People will understand.”
“Will they? I don’t even understand it.” Tears snaked down her cheeks.
“In time you’ll find someone else.”
“No way. I never want to be hurt like this again. I’m done with marriage. Forever.” She used her sleeve to wipe her eyes.
“You’re still—“
“I trusted him. I believed him when he said we’d get married. Even though we couldn’t see much of each other because I was at school when he got home from his mission, we talked on the phone and texted each other. He never said a word. When I came home to see him in October, he acted like we were still a couple. How could he change his mind like that? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t know, honey, but you life will go on. I promise.” Her mom stroked Caitlyn’s hair. “I called your apartment office and your contract hasn’t sold so you still have a place there.”
“Mom, I can’t go back. Not like this.”
“You can, Cait. You can pick yourself up and go back.”
“No. I can’t.”
“Even though this is something none of us expected, it will be a blessing.”
“Right.”
“Really. You’ll see. Heavenly Father knows better than we do. It’s far better that this happened now instead of after the marriage.”
Caitlyn said nothing.
“You still have more than a week before school starts again. Your dad said he’d take some time off work. We can all go to Provo and spend time together as a family before we drop you off.”
Caitlyn closed her eyes. She desperately wished she’d wake up in the Bahamas enjoying her honeymoon.
I hope you've enjoyed reading the first chapter of Altared Plans. I had a lot of fun writing it. If you're interested in reading the rest of the novel you can purchase it at Amazon, Seagull Books, and independent LDS bookstores. Thanks for your support!
P.S. I love the last line of the book.
P.S.S. I included some real events that happened when I met my husband at BYU. We met in the FHE group where I was serving as the "mom" and he was serving as the "dad." He tried to feed me one of his steers named Frank which completely freaked me out since I'm a certified city-girl (and he's a country boy). I met my future mother-in-law for the first time while I was dressed as a clown because I'd been volunteering at Special Olympics. I won't tell you any more secrets--you'll have to read the book :).
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Altared Plans, Chapter 1, Part 4
Suddenly, Caitlyn couldn’t breathe. She felt like someone was gripping her neck so tight she couldn’t swallow. She eked out, “Is something wrong?”
The Haggertys both nodded.
Caitlyn clapped her hand to her mouth. Terrifying thoughts swirled in her mind. “What is it?”
Brother Haggerty began, “You know Justin came down here to spend time with Troy.”
Caitlyn nodded. Tears formed in her eyes while her imagination exploded.
“He . . . well . . .”
“Is he okay?” Caitlyn’s voice cracked.
“In a manner of speaking,” his mother said. She shook her head.
“Please, tell us what’s wrong,” Caitlyn’s mother said.
“We were supposed to meet for breakfast early this morning.” His dad kicked at the ground. “Justin didn’t show up on time. After almost half an hour, Troy came to the restaurant.”
“And?” Caitlyn’s head pounded.
“I don’t quite know how to tell you,” Justin’s dad said.
“Just say it.” Caitlyn wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say, but she needed to know.
His mother blurted out, “Justin is on a plane for New York.”
“A plane?”
“We rushed to LAX and tried to stop him. Really, we did. But, he wouldn’t listen to reason,” his dad said, anxiety evident in his voice.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why would Justin fly to New York on the day of our wedding?” Her heart thumped in her ears. She felt her mother’s arm around her shoulder.
Justin’s mom let out a long sigh. “Caitlyn, Justin has gone to be with a girl he met while he was on his mission.”
“A girl he met on his mission?” Caitlyn blinked her eyes several times and her mother’s grip tightened.
“He’s not coming back. He said to tell you he’s sorry, but he couldn’t go through with the wedding when he’s . . .” her sentence trailed off.
“What?”
“In love with someone else,” his father said.
The words sliced through her. She dropped the garment bag to the ground in a heap. Her perfect life was unraveling right before her. Intense sadness grasped her heart and squeezed it so tight she thought she might die on the spot.
“I’m sorry, Caitlyn.” His mom embraced her for a few moments.
“We didn’t raise him to act this way. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He has a lot of explaining to do,” his father said.
Caitlyn stared at the ground. She’d been left at the altar, or as close to that as possible at the temple. How could he? Why didn’t he say anything? He led her to believe he loved her and would marry her today. Now, she was standing in front of the temple, deserted. Her life was shattered. All of her planning, her dreaming, and her love, was for nothing. She’d been abandoned on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
“We’ll take care of everything. We’ll go in and speak with someone in the temple and call the caterer. We’ll let the bishop know and we’ll make sure everyone gets the word before the reception was supposed to start. Don’t worry about anything,” Justin’s father said. “It’s the least we can do.”
Caitlyn could hear Justin’s mom crying.
“Thank you,” Caitlyn’s mom said. She whispered into Caitlyn’s ear, “Let’s get you back to the car.”
Caitlyn sat in the backseat. She wasn’t sure how she got there. She was numb, floating somewhere between dreaming and awakening.
“What kind of a young man does this?” her father said from the front seat.
“Robert, don’t make her feel any worse. We don’t need to discuss it right now,” her mom said. “Let her work through this.”
Lindsay reached over and caressed Caitlyn’s hand. Caitlyn rested her head against the seat and stared out the window as they drove the freeway back toward Santa Barbara.
Today had not turned out at all like she had planned. She’d played it over and over again in her mind. How could Justin have fallen in love with another girl while he was supposed to be serving the Lord, and while knowing that Caitlyn was home waiting for him? She wrapped her arms around herself, amazed at the physical pain she felt deep within her chest.
When they arrived home, Caitlyn went directly to her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and collapsed on her bed. She never wanted to leave her room. She’d cried so many tears on the way home, she didn’t have any left. Her heart was smashed into a million pieces and her dreams were crushed. What about their apartment, their house on the Mesa, their four children?
In the blink or an eye, or the takeoff of a plane, it was gone.
Read Part 5 of Chapter One.
You can purchase Altared Plans at independent LDS bookstores.
The Haggertys both nodded.
Caitlyn clapped her hand to her mouth. Terrifying thoughts swirled in her mind. “What is it?”
Brother Haggerty began, “You know Justin came down here to spend time with Troy.”
Caitlyn nodded. Tears formed in her eyes while her imagination exploded.
“He . . . well . . .”
“Is he okay?” Caitlyn’s voice cracked.
“In a manner of speaking,” his mother said. She shook her head.
“Please, tell us what’s wrong,” Caitlyn’s mother said.
“We were supposed to meet for breakfast early this morning.” His dad kicked at the ground. “Justin didn’t show up on time. After almost half an hour, Troy came to the restaurant.”
“And?” Caitlyn’s head pounded.
“I don’t quite know how to tell you,” Justin’s dad said.
“Just say it.” Caitlyn wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say, but she needed to know.
His mother blurted out, “Justin is on a plane for New York.”
“A plane?”
“We rushed to LAX and tried to stop him. Really, we did. But, he wouldn’t listen to reason,” his dad said, anxiety evident in his voice.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Why would Justin fly to New York on the day of our wedding?” Her heart thumped in her ears. She felt her mother’s arm around her shoulder.
Justin’s mom let out a long sigh. “Caitlyn, Justin has gone to be with a girl he met while he was on his mission.”
“A girl he met on his mission?” Caitlyn blinked her eyes several times and her mother’s grip tightened.
“He’s not coming back. He said to tell you he’s sorry, but he couldn’t go through with the wedding when he’s . . .” her sentence trailed off.
“What?”
“In love with someone else,” his father said.
The words sliced through her. She dropped the garment bag to the ground in a heap. Her perfect life was unraveling right before her. Intense sadness grasped her heart and squeezed it so tight she thought she might die on the spot.
“I’m sorry, Caitlyn.” His mom embraced her for a few moments.
“We didn’t raise him to act this way. I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He has a lot of explaining to do,” his father said.
Caitlyn stared at the ground. She’d been left at the altar, or as close to that as possible at the temple. How could he? Why didn’t he say anything? He led her to believe he loved her and would marry her today. Now, she was standing in front of the temple, deserted. Her life was shattered. All of her planning, her dreaming, and her love, was for nothing. She’d been abandoned on what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.
“We’ll take care of everything. We’ll go in and speak with someone in the temple and call the caterer. We’ll let the bishop know and we’ll make sure everyone gets the word before the reception was supposed to start. Don’t worry about anything,” Justin’s father said. “It’s the least we can do.”
Caitlyn could hear Justin’s mom crying.
“Thank you,” Caitlyn’s mom said. She whispered into Caitlyn’s ear, “Let’s get you back to the car.”
Caitlyn sat in the backseat. She wasn’t sure how she got there. She was numb, floating somewhere between dreaming and awakening.
“What kind of a young man does this?” her father said from the front seat.
“Robert, don’t make her feel any worse. We don’t need to discuss it right now,” her mom said. “Let her work through this.”
Lindsay reached over and caressed Caitlyn’s hand. Caitlyn rested her head against the seat and stared out the window as they drove the freeway back toward Santa Barbara.
Today had not turned out at all like she had planned. She’d played it over and over again in her mind. How could Justin have fallen in love with another girl while he was supposed to be serving the Lord, and while knowing that Caitlyn was home waiting for him? She wrapped her arms around herself, amazed at the physical pain she felt deep within her chest.
When they arrived home, Caitlyn went directly to her bedroom. She closed the door behind her and collapsed on her bed. She never wanted to leave her room. She’d cried so many tears on the way home, she didn’t have any left. Her heart was smashed into a million pieces and her dreams were crushed. What about their apartment, their house on the Mesa, their four children?
In the blink or an eye, or the takeoff of a plane, it was gone.
Read Part 5 of Chapter One.
You can purchase Altared Plans at independent LDS bookstores.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Altared Plans, Chapter 1, Part 3
“Cait, you’re being way too dramatic. Get a hold of yourself. We’ll work something out, and it will be fine.”
“Mom, this is my one and only wedding day. I wanted it to be perfect, and now my veil is missing.”
Her mother checked her watch. “We need to get inside the temple. Your endowment session will begin in less than an hour and you need to prepare. You don’t need your veil until you leave the temple after the ceremony. I’ll make some calls and see if someone can go to the house and find it and then bring it down here.” She cupped Caitlyn’s chin in her hand. “Your day will be perfect and you will be a beautiful bride.”
Caitlyn closed her eyes and contained her breathing. She opened her eyes and said, “Thanks, Mom. And, thanks for coming with me. I know it’s hard for you to go to the temple without Dad, but I’m so happy you’ll be with me.”
“Me, too. I wouldn’t miss my baby getting married for anything.” Her mom wiped at her eyes.
“Mom, don’t get me started. I’m emotional enough.”
Caitlyn and her mom embraced.
Lindsay approached them. “I’ll take Dad over to the visitor’s center. Maybe he’ll like it. Or not.”
Caitlyn and her mother walked to the entrance of the temple and opened the large door. Caitlyn noticed the sign that said, “Members Only,” and wished her Dad could accompany them. She stepped inside, toward the desk.
She and her mom waited behind another couple and their parents, while a different couple stood in the waiting area holding garment bags. It was a busy day for the temple. She held her bag tightly. “I wonder if Justin is here yet. I can’t wait to see him.”
“I assume they’re here.” Her mom reached over and adjusted Caitlyn’s necklace.
After a few minutes, the outside door opened and Caitlyn turned to see Justin’s parents. She grinned.
Justin’s father motioned for her to come out to him. She looked at her mom and they both exited the temple.
“Hello, Caitlyn,” he said in a strained voice. He seemed distracted. Caitlyn figured it was due to the impending events of the day.
“Hi.” She craned her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of her way hot, soon-to-be groom. Excitement welled up inside.
“I . . . we . . . well . . .,” Justin’s dad stammered.
“Where’s Justin?” Caitlyn said with a smile.
Justin’s mom stepped forward. Her eyes were bloodshot. “We have some . . . bad news.”
Read Part 4 of Chapter One.You can purchase Altared Plans at Seagull Books.
“Mom, this is my one and only wedding day. I wanted it to be perfect, and now my veil is missing.”
Her mother checked her watch. “We need to get inside the temple. Your endowment session will begin in less than an hour and you need to prepare. You don’t need your veil until you leave the temple after the ceremony. I’ll make some calls and see if someone can go to the house and find it and then bring it down here.” She cupped Caitlyn’s chin in her hand. “Your day will be perfect and you will be a beautiful bride.”
Caitlyn closed her eyes and contained her breathing. She opened her eyes and said, “Thanks, Mom. And, thanks for coming with me. I know it’s hard for you to go to the temple without Dad, but I’m so happy you’ll be with me.”
“Me, too. I wouldn’t miss my baby getting married for anything.” Her mom wiped at her eyes.
“Mom, don’t get me started. I’m emotional enough.”
Caitlyn and her mom embraced.
Lindsay approached them. “I’ll take Dad over to the visitor’s center. Maybe he’ll like it. Or not.”
Caitlyn and her mother walked to the entrance of the temple and opened the large door. Caitlyn noticed the sign that said, “Members Only,” and wished her Dad could accompany them. She stepped inside, toward the desk.
She and her mom waited behind another couple and their parents, while a different couple stood in the waiting area holding garment bags. It was a busy day for the temple. She held her bag tightly. “I wonder if Justin is here yet. I can’t wait to see him.”
“I assume they’re here.” Her mom reached over and adjusted Caitlyn’s necklace.
After a few minutes, the outside door opened and Caitlyn turned to see Justin’s parents. She grinned.
Justin’s father motioned for her to come out to him. She looked at her mom and they both exited the temple.
“Hello, Caitlyn,” he said in a strained voice. He seemed distracted. Caitlyn figured it was due to the impending events of the day.
“Hi.” She craned her neck to see if she could catch a glimpse of her way hot, soon-to-be groom. Excitement welled up inside.
“I . . . we . . . well . . .,” Justin’s dad stammered.
“Where’s Justin?” Caitlyn said with a smile.
Justin’s mom stepped forward. Her eyes were bloodshot. “We have some . . . bad news.”
Read Part 4 of Chapter One.You can purchase Altared Plans at Seagull Books.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Altared Plans, Chapter 1, Part 2
“Looks like the weather will cooperate,” her mom offered. Caitlyn recognized it as her mom’s usual attempt at peacemaking.
Caitlyn gazed out of the window of her parents’ silver Jaguar. “I sure miss California weather. I can’t wait until Justin and I both graduate and we can move back to Santa Barbara and start our family. We’ll have two boys and two girls.”
“Sounds like you have it all planned out,” her mom said. She laughed.
“What?”
“Not everything goes as planned, you know. You may end up with all boys or all girls.”
“Four children? Do you have any idea how expensive it is to raise kids these days? Especially in Santa Barbara. You need to be realistic,” her dad said.
“Don’t worry. I have it all figured out. Justin thinks I’m obsessed with planning everything, but that’s just his way of saying he appreciates me taking charge.” Caitlyn nodded her head.
“Where will you work?” her father asked.
“Me? I’m not going to work. I plan to stay home and raise the kids.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I want to be at home and take care of our house and the kids while Justin works and eventually takes over his dad’s business.”
“You’re going to waste your education raising kids?” her dad said.
Her mom cut in, “We’ll be at the temple in less than fifteen minutes. Robert, you charged the video camera and brought extra batteries for the digital camera, correct?”
“The batteries are in the camera bag.”
“I want to make sure we get plenty of footage. Maybe you can record them while Lindsay takes photos.”
“What about the photographer?” her dad asked.
“He’ll get plenty of shots, but I want my own, especially of the family and everyone who will be waiting outside the temple.”
Caitlyn’s parents continued to discuss taking pictures. She was grateful that her mom had sidetracked her dad. She laid her head back against the seat and shut her eyes. In a few hours, she’d start eternity with the guy she’d loved since high school.
“I can see the temple,” Lindsay said.
Caitlyn bent down so she could see the temple from Lindsay’s window. “I’ve always thought it looked a little out of place. I mean, L.A. is city everywhere, and all you can see is pavement and then, boom, the temple sitting on that big grassy hill. It looks so heavenly.”
She smoothed her hair again and took several breaths to calm her nerves as she gazed at the white building set against the clear blue sky. This was it.
They pulled into the parking lot and Caitlyn’s heart felt like it might jump out of her throat. Since the temple was only open this one day during Christmas break, she had to go through the endowment session right before her wedding ceremony. She worried it might be too overwhelming, but it was the only option if they wanted to be married before winter semester at BYU.
Caitlyn walked around to the back of the car and opened the trunk. She rummaged through the contents. “Mom, I can’t find my veil.”
Her mom stepped over to the car. “I thought you said everything was in there.”
“I put it in here. I’m sure of it. Where did it go?”
“Could it be in with your dress?”
Caitlyn unzipped the garment bag and searched through it. “I don’t see it.” Her face heated. Stress clamped down on her chest. “I can’t have pictures without my veil.”
“Calm down. We’ll figure it out.”
“How can it not be here? This will ruin my wedding.”
Read Part 3 of Chapter One.
If you'd like to purchase Altared Plans click here.
Caitlyn gazed out of the window of her parents’ silver Jaguar. “I sure miss California weather. I can’t wait until Justin and I both graduate and we can move back to Santa Barbara and start our family. We’ll have two boys and two girls.”
“Sounds like you have it all planned out,” her mom said. She laughed.
“What?”
“Not everything goes as planned, you know. You may end up with all boys or all girls.”
“Four children? Do you have any idea how expensive it is to raise kids these days? Especially in Santa Barbara. You need to be realistic,” her dad said.
“Don’t worry. I have it all figured out. Justin thinks I’m obsessed with planning everything, but that’s just his way of saying he appreciates me taking charge.” Caitlyn nodded her head.
“Where will you work?” her father asked.
“Me? I’m not going to work. I plan to stay home and raise the kids.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“I want to be at home and take care of our house and the kids while Justin works and eventually takes over his dad’s business.”
“You’re going to waste your education raising kids?” her dad said.
Her mom cut in, “We’ll be at the temple in less than fifteen minutes. Robert, you charged the video camera and brought extra batteries for the digital camera, correct?”
“The batteries are in the camera bag.”
“I want to make sure we get plenty of footage. Maybe you can record them while Lindsay takes photos.”
“What about the photographer?” her dad asked.
“He’ll get plenty of shots, but I want my own, especially of the family and everyone who will be waiting outside the temple.”
Caitlyn’s parents continued to discuss taking pictures. She was grateful that her mom had sidetracked her dad. She laid her head back against the seat and shut her eyes. In a few hours, she’d start eternity with the guy she’d loved since high school.
“I can see the temple,” Lindsay said.
Caitlyn bent down so she could see the temple from Lindsay’s window. “I’ve always thought it looked a little out of place. I mean, L.A. is city everywhere, and all you can see is pavement and then, boom, the temple sitting on that big grassy hill. It looks so heavenly.”
She smoothed her hair again and took several breaths to calm her nerves as she gazed at the white building set against the clear blue sky. This was it.
They pulled into the parking lot and Caitlyn’s heart felt like it might jump out of her throat. Since the temple was only open this one day during Christmas break, she had to go through the endowment session right before her wedding ceremony. She worried it might be too overwhelming, but it was the only option if they wanted to be married before winter semester at BYU.
Caitlyn walked around to the back of the car and opened the trunk. She rummaged through the contents. “Mom, I can’t find my veil.”
Her mom stepped over to the car. “I thought you said everything was in there.”
“I put it in here. I’m sure of it. Where did it go?”
“Could it be in with your dress?”
Caitlyn unzipped the garment bag and searched through it. “I don’t see it.” Her face heated. Stress clamped down on her chest. “I can’t have pictures without my veil.”
“Calm down. We’ll figure it out.”
“How can it not be here? This will ruin my wedding.”
Read Part 3 of Chapter One.
If you'd like to purchase Altared Plans click here.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
This and That
My blog tour continues. I've answered some interesting questions and Danyelle Ferguson is holding a fun contest.
A big thanks to all of you who have purchased my book from Deseret Book. Heaven Scent has climbed 100 places on the DB Besteller list. It's been very exciting to see it move up the list. Thank you!
I'm still working on my LDS romance, but summer break has robbed me of more time that I anticipated. There's always something going on at my house. Absolutely never, ever a dull moment.
We brought home a puppy for the kids about a month or so ago. Have you ever read The Diggingest Dog by P.D Eastman? Well, that's our dog. She digs and digs and digs. I expect one of these days, I'll call her and when she doesn't come, I'll have to rerieve her from China.
My youngest has been teething and has he ever been miserable. You know that saying, "When Mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy?" Well, I'd like to change it to, "When the baby ain't happy, ain't no one gonna get sleep, meals, or a shower (especially Mama)."
A big thanks to all of you who have purchased my book from Deseret Book. Heaven Scent has climbed 100 places on the DB Besteller list. It's been very exciting to see it move up the list. Thank you!
I'm still working on my LDS romance, but summer break has robbed me of more time that I anticipated. There's always something going on at my house. Absolutely never, ever a dull moment.
We brought home a puppy for the kids about a month or so ago. Have you ever read The Diggingest Dog by P.D Eastman? Well, that's our dog. She digs and digs and digs. I expect one of these days, I'll call her and when she doesn't come, I'll have to rerieve her from China.
My youngest has been teething and has he ever been miserable. You know that saying, "When Mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy?" Well, I'd like to change it to, "When the baby ain't happy, ain't no one gonna get sleep, meals, or a shower (especially Mama)."
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