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Today is the official pub day of Return to Willow Lake. I’m so grateful to all the readers who helped make it a bestseller in hardcover. Now, paperback fans will find it in stores. You can also find the book in audio and digital formats, and in lots of different languages.
The hardcover edition was published during an exciting time in my life.
And I’m excited about the paperback, but for me, there’s something bittersweet about the publication of this particular book. When I first conceived the story, I knew I would be dealing with some big issues
Just out in paperback
. However, I didn’t know how personal the central issue would become for me.
One of the storylines in the novel involves a young woman returning home to help her mother through the ordeal of breast cancer. Now, on the eve of the paperback publication, I’ve discovered that one of my best friends has just been diagnosed with cancer.
Loretta is a wife, a mom, a sister, a friend. She’s facing the fight of her life.
So in addition to the dedication in the printed book, I would like to unofficially dedicate the paperback edition to my beloved friend, Loretta. She’s sharing her journey on a blog, and I’m so proud of the courage and humor in her writing, and in the responses from her friends and family. Here’s a link to her most heart touching post. Keep the Kleenex handy. You’ve been warned. http://blog.lorettastanton.com/?p=114#comments
no tilting
[photo source unknown, sorry]
Flashback. While organizing files on my computer, I came across this special letter from “navywife@…” who wrote to me ten years ago. Her words are such a beautiful reminder of why I write. I wonder how she and her daughter are doing now. I’ll bet they’re just fine.
How do you stop and say thank you? At the beginning of the summer my older daughter (18) at the time and I were not getting along so well. I suppose with my health and the stress of being old enough to go it alone yet not ready made for not such nice chat times. So on the night we sat to have our open table chat, I suggested she and I read the same book taking turns when time allowed and then have coffee to talk about what we thought. (image source http://ravynlarue.blogspot.com/2010/12/mother-daughter-moment.html)
And you were the author I chose. your books have brought us closer and we laugh about everything. Our most fav is the Summer by the Sea. We are trying to cook with your recipes and to our surprise not so bad. I hope to read more of your books. There is not a great deal of choices here in our town, but will keep an eye out for a new one to arrive. Thanks for taking time to express all you do in your books, even though they picture a perfect world, it is nice to have in this not so perfect life we all lead. So my daughter and I want to thank you for bringing us closer with words.
Sincerely,
NG
The View From Here 