Nearing the New Year

Here's hoping your Christmas and holiday celebrations were wonderful. George and I had a great time with friends and family, although our son was ill and that was sad. We took food and presents to him the day after Christmas and had a great time. I'm all for extending holidays. I've been known to make birthday festivities last for a week.

Now we're creeping up on the end of 2009, and anticipating the opening of 2010. Although I'm dismayed with the direction our country has been shoved during this past year, I will not give up hope. I will continue to study the Constitution, attend Tea Parties, and speak out against anything or anyone that takes us closer to a socialist form of government.

My next novel, (the working title of which is) The Silence of God, will be coming out in spring 2010. It should be interesting to see the reaction, as the story takes place in 1917 Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution.

I wish serenity for everyone in 2010; the wisdom to stop amid the challenges and take a breath, the joy of sharing your laughter with a good friend, and the satisfaction of serving others.

Life is good.

Signing Updates

I will be signing books at the Confetti Bookstore in Spanish Fork, Friday Dec. 18 from 1-3 pm, and at the Orem Costco that same day from 4-6 pm.

Please stop by if you're in the area!

Review of Dawn's Early Light

Dawn’s Early Light is the third book in L.C. Lewis’ historical fiction series, Free Men and Dreamers. It is set in 1814 when America is fighting for its life against superior British forces. The book is a superlative example of excellent research and good storytelling; weaving the story of a fledgling country with the lives of backwoods’ patriots, Freedmen and slaves, and men in the British parliament standing on both sides of the “American” issue.

Ms. Lewis has a deft hand in bringing to life the dry events of history. I appreciated her even handedness in offering both sides of an issue for the reader to ponder. She did this masterfully by involving us in the lives of the characters, thereby allowing us to wrestle with the conundrums through their experiences.

It was also intriguing how the author flecked the story with aspects of the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s family. Though Joseph was only nine years old at the time of these occurrences, he and his family would surely have been caught up in the events shaping the groundwork of America—the bedrock upon which the gospel would come forth. I would like to have seen more of this aspect woven throughout.

On occasion the book could have used a bit of competent editing. Some scenes were ponderous and slowed the pace of the story. This was especially true at the end of the book with the story of the fallen British soldier and the capture of Dr. Beanes. The ending also became a bit muddled, as we were given several disparate scenes in rapid succession. There is a set up for a sequel, and I believe these final stories were in preparation for that event.

Overall, Dawn’s Early Light is a fascinating look into an important era of American history, and Ms. Lewis handles the subject matter with skill and talent.

Welcome to December!

Did it seem like November flew by faster than a turkey with a fox on its tail? Whew! I suppose I didn't see the days disappear because I had my nose to the grindstone trying to finish my Russian novel. And...it's done! I sent it off to the publisher two nights ago, and I'm beginning to feel like a human being again, instead of a human doing.

I'm now trying to catch up with the laundry, grocery shopping (poor George had to eat cereal many a day), and just general house cleaning. I'm not complaining. It feels great to get up and move about.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was great! Everyone pitched in and brought something yummy to eat, for which George was very grateful. Mashed potatoes and gravy had to taste scrumptious after weeks of soggy Special K.

And now it's December and the magical spirit of Christmas is upon us! I love Christmas! Nat King Cole singing, The Christmas Song. Yep, that always starts it off for me. I love the lights and the music. I love the excitement and the sharing. It's not about big gifts, except for one--the gift of the birth of the Christ Child.

May you be surrounded by the gracious spirit of the season as you go about trimming the tree, hanging the lights, and humming those delightful Christmas tunes. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."