Tuesday, March 1, 2016

For the Love of Words

 Keli Gwyn here to talk about words...

I love words. I have a hunch you do, too. Whether writing them or reading them, they can bring us such delight.
 
I'm often asked if the heroines of my stories and I have anything in common. Becky Martin, the heroine of my March Love Inspired Historical, A Home of Her Own, and I both love words.

One of Becky's most prized possessions is her late mother's dictionary. Since Becky wasn't able to attend high school, she struggles with feelings of inadequacy. She reads the dilapidated dictionary regularly, memorizing new words and proudly incorporating them into her speech in order to sound more intelligent.

As I researched the story, I longed to see what Becky's dictionary would have looked like, what words it would have included. Imagine my delight when I found this facsimile copy online for a mere three dollars. I snapped it up.

I love reading the entries in this historic dictionary. They were so succinct. Since all type was handset back then, that makes sense.

I enjoy seeing the old text. Note the way the letter S was written more like a lower case F.



I chose to photograph this particular page in the dictionary because I'm excited about the release of A Home of Her Own. I love knowing that readers will soon be reading the words I labored over. It's my hope they will enjoy the experience.

* * *
Do you have a love affair with words?

* * *

 A Blossoming Love

Becky Martin knows that she can’t stay at James O’Brien’s apple farm forever, but she wishes she could. After her brother framed her for arson, she flees Chicago, traveling cross-country to California and finding work caring for James’s ailing mother. Beneath the apple blossoms, it’s almost as if she has a real family…but her secret won’t stay buried forever.

James, scarred from an explosion, didn’t expect to connect to the pretty young traveler. Could she really love someone damaged like him? He knows she’s hiding something. If only she’d trust him. Can she let go of her past and believe in the possibility of a future amid the apple trees?
Click here to read an excerpt.
Copyright © 2016 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Cover art and cover copy text used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited.
® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
or its affiliated companies, used under license.

10 comments:

Jackie Smith said...

Beautiful cover, Keli! I would love to read your "words"....your book!

Keli Gwyn said...

Thanks for your kind words, Jackie. I'm thrilled with the cover of A Home of Her Own. The Love Inspired art department produces one beautiful cover after another.

jcp said...

I can't wait to read your new book

Keli Gwyn said...

Thanks, jcp! I hope you enjoy James and Becky's story.

Jennifer said...

Hi Kelly, Words are very fascinating to me especially since helping my son study a spelling bee he was in not to long ago. There were words I had never heard of before.
Walking around The Henry Clay Estate in Ky I noticed that to about how the s back then looked like an f. Your book looks and sounds great! Jenny

Hi Jackie and jcp!!!

Keli Gwyn said...

Jenny, how fun to have your son participate in a spelling bee. I've seen a couple of movies about them, and I remember being amazed at some of the words the young people were asked to spell. They would certainly stump me.

Thanks for your kind words about my book. I'm thrilled with the cover. The Love Inspired art department does great work.

Shirley said...

It would seem that there are a lot of us logomaniacs around.
I can't wait to read your next book.

Keli Gwyn said...

Thanks for your comment, Shirley. You just taught me a cool new word. Yes, I am obsessed with words, ergo I am a logomaniac. So is Becky, the heroine of A Home of Her Own. Such fun!

Somerset Wedding Gal said...

Great post, your passion for words is very inspiring!

Keli Gwyn said...

Thanks, Somerset. Words themselves can be quite inspiring, can't they? =)