This week I welcome multi-published author Laurie Alice Eakes who will share with you her life's journey to fulfillment as a writer of Regency novels.
Want to Go for a Ride?
I like to travel. I do not, however, like the process of traveling. In other words, I like destinations, not the getting to the destination part. Yet in the past three years, I have learned that life is not a destination—it is a journey.
For five years, I thought in terms of a goal and then I would be satisfied—I would get published and my husband would go to then graduate from law school and land an amazing paying job and we would have a nice house and family and. . .
Things didn’t quite happen that way. Oh, yes, my husband got into a great law school with a great job offer at the end. I sold a couple of books. And I wasn’t satisfied. Something was missing. Whether I’m a slow learner or just stubborn I don’t know, and I didn’t figure out the lacking ingredient, or, since this is about journeys, the missing wheel, until three years ago. Three years ago this month, I got the call that I had sold three books, bringing my total sales to five. In the next year, I sold seven more books, including three that are my second reason for celebrating this month.
Since deciding I wanted to be a writer, I wanted to set my novels in Regency England. But when I tried to sell this in the Christian market, I got flat-out “We can’t sell that era” Yet, amongst my sales during that amazing year that has kept my fingers hopping over the keyboard, I sold a three-book Regency romantic suspense series to a publisher I never thought would look at my work, let alone pay me for my books. A Necessary Deception was released this month, more than a book for me. More the fulfillment of a dream.
Yet that is not a destination; it is a journey. It is only the first book in the series, if one wants to be literal. It is another step in my career path, in the symbolic sense. It is the fulfillment of a dream and a reminder that I must keep my eyes on why and how I got to this milestone along the road.
Three years ago this month, I made the most important journey of all—I managed to travel the head knowledge of knowing my life needed to be in God’s will, surrendered to His plans, down to my heart and soul. My prayer for God’s will to be done in my life changed from Performa, to sincere.
These past three years haven’t been easy. To go into all the details would take up volumes, not a few hundred words. And through all the difficult times, I have seen God’s hand working on hearts and minds to make me a better person, a greater servant for Him. Knowing my future journey is in His hands Provides me with not merely peace, but the excitement of wondering what is around the next curve in the road.
Award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes wanted to be a writer since knowing what one was. Her first book won the National Readers Choice Award in 2007, and her third book was a Carol Award finalist in 2010. Having her first book with Baker/Revell, Lady in the Mist, picked up by Crossings Book Club, and six of her books have ben chosen for large print editions by Thorndike Press. She has been a public speaker for as long as she can remember; thus, only suffers enough stage fright to keep her sharp. In 2002, while in graduate school for writing fiction, she began to teach fiction in person and online. She lives in Virginia with her husband, two dogs, and probably too many cats.
Necessary Deception
“Laurie Alice Eakes is one of the best storytellers the world has today.”—Delle Jacobs, award-winning author of His Majesty, the Prince of Toads
When young widow Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreams she will see him again. But just as the London Season gets under way, the man presents himself in her parlor. While she should be focused on getting her headstrong younger sister prepared for her entrée into Society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting herself and her family in danger?
Discover a world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades as Laurie Alice Eakes whisks you into the drawing rooms of London Society on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past—and let love guide the future.
Praise for Necessary Deception -
“Eakes weaves the fine silk threads of historical richness, dangerous intrigue, and forbidden romance into a flawless literary tapestry . . . that will leave readers breathless.”—Louise M. Gouge, award-winning author of At the Captain’s Command
“A page-turning story with an in-depth knowledge of the period, an eye for detail, and an escalating mystery that will keep readers guessing till the end.”—Ruth Axtell Morren, author of Wild Rose and The Rogue’s Redemption
“This is the kind of book I look forward to reading when I want to be uplifted and carried away.”—Jennifer Hudson Taylor, author of Highland Blessings and Highland Sanctuary
**NEXT WEEK - Join me ALL WEEK for my RELEASE PARTY to celebrate "Red Rock Weddings" - adventure and romance in the scenic beauty of Utah! Guest blogs, book giveaway and a Utah photo contest for a chance to win a gift card from Amazon.com!
1 comment:
THANKS for this post. I've read Lady in the Mist and enjoyed it very much. It was fascinating to read about Midwives and what was expected of them back then! It was gripping, suspenseful, and fun.
ENJOYED A Necessary Deception too! It was quite the mystery and I enjoyed all the characters, the older sister and the younger ones. You kept me guessing.
THANKS for sharing some of your journey. I like where you've taken me so far!
Blessings
Nora :o)
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