Happy Friday! Steeple Hill Love Inspired debut author Glynna Kaye (www.glynnakaye.com) here for my very first Love Inspired Authors post!
Autumn. Brilliant blue skies. Glowing maples. Coolish days and crisp nights. A faint sent of woodsmoke from fireplaces on chilly weekends. Homecoming football games. Raking leaves. Hot spiced cider. Roasting marshmallows. Caramel apples.
Don’t you just love it??
I don’t know about you, but Autumn is the most nostalgic time of the year for me. It’s a time when, from my home in faraway Arizona, my thoughts are drawn to my growing-up years in small-town Midwest. Memories of trotting off to the big stone elementary school that both my mother and grandfather attended (it even had a bell on top!). Creating leaf-pile mazes with my cousins. Riding ponies with them through quiet country lanes. Okay, I admit it--I get a little homesick this time of year when “dreaming of home” as it once was lingers in my mind. The places and the people I love.
Given my affinity for this colorful, bittersweet season that heralds the coming of winter, I suppose it’s not surprising that my first published book, “Dreaming of Home,” is set during this time of year. It’s the story of Megan McGuire who has come to the mountain community of Canyon Springs to pursue a dream in a place she’s never been before—and widower, single-father Joe Diaz who is returning to the old home town to pursue a dream as well. Unfortunately, they both need the same teaching job to make those dreams a reality!
Do YOU have any special memories of Autumn that tug at your heartstrings? If so, please share!
Not only does my first published book take place in this beautiful season, but it’s also being released in October! So in celebration, here’s a Fall favorite of mine for you to try --a little taste of the season!
FRESH FRUIT DIP
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Combine the above ingredients & refrigerate until serving time. Serve with Granny Smith apple wedges (or other fresh fruit of your choice).
Oh, yum!!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on your first book! It was such a great story. I loved it!
Thanks, Missy! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Can't wait to pick up your new Love Inspired Christmas story this week!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on DREAMING OF HOME, a really wonderful book!
ReplyDeleteI miss apple picking in Vermont, cider donuts and making applesauce. Florida in the fall just isn't the same.
Thanks, Cara! And you have a first book coming out next year, too!
ReplyDeleteVermont smoked cheddar is one of my Fall favorites--ordered from Sugarbush Farm where I visited when "leaf peeping" in New England one year.
Well now you've done it. I went to the grocery store at 8 am. Now I have to go back to get the ingredients for this dip.
ReplyDeleteThe leaves are turning in Colorado. It is absolutely gorgeous with the mountains in the backdrop. If only we could save this season.
I loved Dreaming of Home and I really loved the hero, which for me is what makes me remember a story long after I put it down.
What are you working on now,Glynna?
Glynna, what beautiful images of home. I love fall too, especially now that allergy shots handle my hay fever. :-)
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite memories is of the fall I met my future husband. We took care of the children during the lunch hour at an elementary school near our college campus. He'd walk me back in the sunshine while brightly colored leaves drifted to the ground and lined the sidewalks. Romance was definitely in the air, then. And in your wonderful story, Dreaming of Home.
Janet
Hi Glynna, I so loved DREAMING OF HOME and can hardly wait for your next book. I love your humor and also the depth of the characters.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh fall. My favorite fall experience is in your neck of the woods. My hubby and I bicycled the 18 mile Pipeline trail from Schultz Pass to Lockett Meadow on the Franciscan Peaks at this time of year. The aspen in the high elevation (8000-9000 feet) were golden and shimmering in the breeze.
And the fruit dip. Yummmmmm. Pears are in season too. I'll throw in a plateful to add to the apples.
love the picture! autumn colors are so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI love the fall, too! Crisp, cool air, wood smoke in the air, colorful leaves...Yep, I'm there : )
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first book! Loved it, btw. Can't wait for the next!
So glad you liked it, Tina! I'm working on the tale of two of the secondary characters in Dreaming of Home. Trey and Kara have LOT of issues to overcome before they can have their own Canyon Springs Dream! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Autumn memory, Janet!
ReplyDeleteWOW, Sandra! An 18 mile bike ride at more-than-a-mile-high elevation! You're amazing!
ReplyDeleteLinda -- that's a maple in my front yard!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Audra! I sure enjoyed my day up in your Colorado Rockies a few weeks ago. Aspens at their peak--right before the snow moved in!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book! ~ Fall is my very favorite season - - our leaves here in Georgia are gradually starting to turn, and at their peak will be beautiful. Since my 3 kiddos all have Fall birthdays, it's an extra-special season for me! ~ Cannot wait to try that recipe....YUM! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Patti Jo
I know. Nearly killed me, but I made it. smile
ReplyDeleteHi Glynna!
ReplyDeleteI just got your book and cannot wait to read it! Hearing all the comments here only made me want to read it more!
I live in Vermont! Lol! So, I am currently seeing all this. I do like it, although we tend to go from hot summer to cold winter! No joke! It's freezing here tonight and pouring rain : / But last night it SNOWED a couple towns over from me! Ahhhh! It's too early for snow! And Sugarbush Farm is right near me : )
Small world isn't it?
Hannah
LOVED the book Glynna -- what a debut!!
ReplyDeleteLike it does for most people, autumn always conjures up memories of scarlet, orange and gold leaves and woodsmoke in the air as my sisters and I tromped through the neighborhood on Halloween. LOVED the popcorn balls!! But have to laugh at myself because every year I went as the SAME thing -- wearing one of my older sister's prom dress and tiara with a ribbon across my chest emblazoned with glitter that said "Miss America." Kind of pathetic, huh, but OH, so much fun!! :)
Hugs,
Julie
Thanks, Patti Jo! Three autumn birthdays -- bet that keeps you busy!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it Hannah! Vermont is soooo beautiful and I loved exploring New England even if the year I went (Fall 2005) was one of the wettest. Rained the entire time!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! One of my favorite costumes was one my mom made me -- a gypsy outfit -- and I got to wear all her jewelry with it. But I DIDN'T wear it every year! :)
ReplyDeleteLol Glynna! Well, I hope that you can come back someday!
ReplyDeleteHannah
WELCOME to the LI family, Glynna and fellow Seeker sis!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about your book and look forward to many more.
Loved your post. Living in the Midwest now, we're heading into that season you captured so well!
Hugs
Cheryl
thanks, Cheryl! As you know, I used to live right down in the heart of the region you live now. Gorgeous country.
ReplyDeleteI just found this community while poking around on eHarlequin, and there was this wonderful autumn (yum) story about Glynna's book. I just had to stop by to say I LOVED it. Congratulations on an absolutely wonderful first book. And reading the comments, you're doing one about Trey? VERY exciting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great book!
Thank you, Katie! So glad you enjoyed it! Yep, Joe's "rival" Trey Kenton gets his own story next! So stay tuned! :)
ReplyDelete