The Forget-Me-Nots

Sharing the title and cover of my new book on a day that we should never forget is my honor.  September 11th will long haunt the memories of those who lost loved ones, but hopefully time has replaced their sorrow with precious memories.

 I didn't know any of those lost in this needless tragedy, but my grief for the loss of innocent lives and the injustice was real and painful.  I remember how prominent waving flags became and how we all pulled together as a nation.  I only wish we could recapture that feeling without another disaster to make it happen.  But, on with happier topics.

Check out Delilah Stephans' latest accomplishment.  Awesome, isn't it...right down to the WWII image that sort of pops out at you once you see it.

I'm so happy that Lea at Muse It Up Publishing accepted this special short story.  For me, it's reminiscent of my grandmother's passing and how I felt in her room, going through her things.  By God's good graces, I still have my mother and I know she has trinkets she's held onto for years.  The Forget-Me-Nots is conjured from memories of pictures of my parents back in the 40s.  My dad was in the Navy when they met, and my mother...well, she was just a knock-out babe in her floral dress and platform shoes. Jitterbugging, entertaining the troops, the awesome music...it was all part of the era and my legacy to share with you.

Here's a little teaser:

A loose step creaked under Melinda’s weight, the guestroom door closed, and the house fell still. Mel’s ability to remain stoic at such an emotional time annoyed Sarah. Perhaps her sister had used the months Mom battled cancer to prepare herself for this day. Maybe Mel just had more strength.

Sarah slid off the bed, picked up the jewelry box again and returned to the rocking chair. She removed the top tier, put it on the side table and ticked through the pieces on the bottom. Her gaze rested on three charm-like bars joined together with a black ribbon. She picked them up. Small flowers decorated the ends, and something had been etched on each. The metal discoloration made most of the writing illegible. Sarah squinted and barely made out part of a date: April, 1941. She couldn’t see the actual day, but the month and year meant nothing to her. It wasn’t a birthday, anniversary or holiday she was familiar with.

Her interest in the other ornate pieces within the box paled once she found the charms. Where had they come from and what did they mean? Maybe Melinda knew something about them. She’d ask her first thing in the morning.

Don't forget to mark your calendars on May 1, 2011, when this book is scheduled for release.  You'll find it in the bookstore at Muse It Up Publishing.