Dreams come true

Pardon me while I interrupt the Ireland blogging, but I have some fantastic news! I’ve been offered my very first book contract by Harlequin Mills & Boon for my historical novel His Chosen Bride!!

I am so excited. I think I have perma-smile on my face right now. It happened at 10:03 a.m. in my third period class. I was about to give them their quiz when my editor called. I believe my words were: “I really hope you’re calling for the reason you’re calling.” And she was! I was dancing in the middle of my third period class saying, “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. OH. MY. GOSH.” :confused:There may have been stronger words, but I can’t quite remember. It’s a blur right now.

I’ll let you know details as I receive them, but for now, join me in a virtual celebration! The dream I’ve had since I was twelve-years-old, to be a published author, has come TRUE!!

Devenish Island

After finding a lost relative, we spent time looking over the tombstones in Kinawley. Morbid, I know, but it was also fascinating. We saw all sorts of family names. One of the toughest parts was seeing the grave of an infant or child. Maybe it’s the mom in me, but I get very teary-eyed whenever I see a child who didn’t live. It bothers me.

We ended the day, searching for the ferry to Devenish Island. Upon the island, there is one of the best-preserved 12th century round towers. I was excited for the chance to go inside, because in one of my books His Chosen Bride, the characters hide inside a round tower. I wanted to understand how they would get from one level to the next. Ladders? Ropes? Stairs? Since we didn’t want to take the full Lough Erne tour, we went in search of a pier where we could just take a water taxi or ferry directly to Devenish.

From my husband’s watchful eye, he spotted a small sign leading to the ferry. Once again, we had to drive blindly down a one-lane road, which was even more fun because of all the mist and rain. We reached the small dock and found the boat house locked and closed. The ferry times listed in our guidebook didn’t match what was listed at the pier. Not to mention, the boat that was supposed to come, never did. Can you imagine being this close and not being able to get across the water? I was ready to hijack a canoe. Or swim. Or something! Here we are, in front of a tower that I NEED to go inside for research…and the ferry isn’t there. It was maddening. I vowed that some how, some way, I would find a round tower in Ireland to go inside.

We spent the night at Abocurragh Farm, which was a lovely guest house with its own dairy cows. We enjoyed watching the cows walk down the road to be milked. Rush hour in Ireland, I tell you. And to top off the day, our hostess was shocked to find that my father-in-law’s family grew up only a few miles away. For you see, the next door neighbors at Abocurragh had the same last name as ours. Small world!