Hi there! Here's installment number (I have no idea) in our group's April re-introduction theme.
I’m a lifelong “small town girl,” having grown up in a corner of the Midwest that most people have never heard of, let alone visited. I’m also a USA Today Bestselling author of small town sweet romance and women’s fiction.
If each of our lives is a book, I’m in the second chapter of mine.
In the first chapter, I grew up in a loving family, made lifelong friendships starting when I was one year, two months, and three days old. (That's when the next girl cousin was born. I'm an only child, and my cousins are super important to me.) I fell in love with writing stories as soon as I learned cursive. My first publishing credit was in second grade–a haiku in a national Sunday school magazine.
I was blessed to live my own small town love story, and during 30 years of marriage to the smartest, most unique man I’ve ever met, became Mom to a wonderful son. The end of chapter one was becoming a widow when my husband died from a brain tumor.
Add Minimalist-in-Training to my Resume
My second chapter has included downsizing from the big family home to a studio apartment, writing full-time, and becoming mother-in-law to an amazing young woman. I also found a second chance romance. (It's good to know those don’t just happen in novels!)
I love to travel, and in autumn 2015 took an unexpected, dream-come-true trip to Ireland with one of those lifelong friends I mentioned. But my full-time residence is still in small town America, where life in the slow lane includes plenty of heartwarming, simple pleasures–concerts, plays, festivals, street fairs, and old-fashioned family recipes shared at reunions or backyard barbecues. I’ve seen my town be at its best when family, friends, and often the entire community pull together as life’s challenges threaten.
I currently have two small town contemporary romance series available for readers. All the books are wholesome romance (also known as clean, or sweet).
The heartwarming stories of SERENDIPITY, INDIANA: This series is set in, and around, the Standish family Christmas tree farm. Each Serendipity story includes one or more instances of the life-changing magic of Love. (More concrete thinkers may see these as random coincidences.) The Serendipity series contains sweet romance, and also romantic women’s fiction (Emily’s Dreams, The Blank Book). The Blank Book and A Piece of Her Soul also have a light paranormal element. Seven books are available now, with the eighth scheduled to release on June 1st.
The small town charm of THE McCLAINS OF LEGEND, TENNESSEE: This series invites readers into the lives and loves of the large, sometimes exasperating, and always entertaining McClain family, to whom Legend has been home for generations.
If you want to learn more about me, please visit my blog and/or my website. To get all the latest news, and the occasional nifty perk, sign up for my monthly-ish newsletter.
Until we meet again–happy reading!
Until we meet again–happy reading!
Magdalena
Beautiful and heart-warming, Magdalena. Your small town sounds wonderful. Best wishes on your upcoming release.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Josie!
DeleteLovely post on the changes in our lives and dealing with, embracing each. Here's to wonderful memories and second chances.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Grace. Dealing with change certainly isn't my favorite thing, but I suppose I'm getting better at it. :)
DeleteVery inspiring post, Magdalena. Change is something I truly hate, but usually, it makes me grow into a better person, pain and all.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. I guess we are "Sisters in Change."
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