Merri Hiatt's Blog, page 3
May 20, 2012
Enter to win a FREE paperback copy of Autumn Love!
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Enter to win a FREE paperback copy of Autumn Love at Goodreads! Here's a link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13645880-autumn-love
Two copies of the paperback book will be given away. You have until June 2, 2012, at midnight to enter at Goodreads.
What's the book about, read on:
Autumn Fieldstone works as a receptionist at a recording studio during the day, singing at weddings, birthday parties and any paying gig she can get during her off hours.
When she enters a country singing contest, putting her in direct competition with the love of her life, she finds out love and music don't always mix.
Books in the Seasons of Love Series may be read in any order.
May 10, 2012
Too busy for grass to grow under my feet!
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I began writing a short story a few months ago, then put it aside to finish the novel I was working on at the time. The story has been percolating in the back of my mind ever since. It came to full brew a few days ago when I pulled an all-nighter because I could not stop writing (even though I had an early appointment the next day and needed to get some sleep!).
What emerged was a wonderful fairy tale of sorts with references to Jack and the Beanstalk (first seen in print by Benjamin Tabart in 1807).
The story opens with Sarah Carpenter having three days to pay her rent. She has less than four dollars in her checking account. To take her mind off her troubles, she heads to the local farmer’s market a mile from her apartment. A mysterious woman offers her a lavender pouch filled with contents unknown. Instructions to come back in one week and either return the pouch with the items inside or pay five dollars follow. Sarah takes the pouch. In doing so, she opens herself to the promise of hope and the gift of believing in magic.
This short story is approximately 7,000 words and is available now in e-book format exclusively at Amazon. Here's a link: Sarah and the Magic Beans at Amazon. It will be available soon in paperback, as well.
May 7, 2012
Autumn Love has hit Amazon!
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Autumn Love is available exclusively at Amazon in e-book format as of today! This is another book in the Seasons of Love Series (this set of books can be read in any order). The paperback version should be available in a week or so.
Autumn Fieldstone works as a receptionist at a recording studio during the day, singing at weddings, birthday parties and any paying gig she can get during her off hours. When she enters a country singing contest, putting her in direct competition with the love of her life, she finds out love and music don't always mix.
I added the first two chapters of Summer Love at the end of the e-book as a preview.
I began writing Winter Love yesterday. This series has been so fun to write. The challenge of intertwining the lives of these four women without making it so you had to read the books in a certain order has been fascinating. I love learning new things.
Autumn Love will be free as an e-book download at Amazon on Tuesday, May 8th. Be sure to get your free copy! Here's a link: Autumn Love at Amazon
April 30, 2012
Puddle of Poetry
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I've put together a little book of poetry and it's available now!
Poetry is my first love. Well, words are my first love, so I guess it stands to reason that using them in any format would make my spirit soar. There's something special about poetry, though. Magical. Mysterious. How a line can sink into your marrow and burrow its way snugly into the fabric of who you are. Love that!
Puddle of Poetry: Swinging on the pendulum from sassiness to sensitivity to seriousness, Merri Hiatt shares sixty-two poems about love, compansionship, being a cancer surivor and both the human and spiritual experience.
Dip your toe in the Puddle of Poetry and experience life and all its glorious emotions. Sometimes we all need to get a bit wet.
A few poem titles:
New Baby Smell
Daffodil Whispers
In This Moment
Red Suspenders
Addicted
Unforgiving Soil
Caged Flowers
In the Shallows
Who God Is
Cancer's Hot Breath
Available in e-book format now at Amazon and Smashwords and in paperback format at Createspace (coming soon to Amazon). Clicking on a link will open a new browser.
ADDICTED
It roots itself deeply in your soul.
Plays endlessly with your every emotion.
Stings your senses with its poison.
It easily insinuates itself into being your
best friend and your worst enemy --
all rolled into one huge ball of
abhorrent discontent.
You play it cool.
Act as if the danger isn't near.
Can't touch you.
Won't control you.
Doesn't own you.
And then one day you realize
the grip is so tight
you can't even dream of escape.
Guess who you've become?
A three-syllabled
shell of your former self.
Addicted.
CAGED FLOWERS
Home Depot builds cages
to keep its flowers and plants
from escaping.
Tall.
Black.
Wiry
cages.
I wonder if an escaping rose bush
is a common problem?
It's like the doors
in public bathrooms
with their metal locks
and thick doors.
Is there a big problem
with people trying to ram the doors
and watch people pee?
The leaves on the tree next to my staircase
were amazing today.
Fresh.
Vibrant.
Kelly green.
They changed overnight.
I swear they weren't like that yesterday.
I would help them,
the plants and flowers
housed within
those
tall
black
wiry
cages
at Home Depot,
if they asked me to.
CANCER'S HOT BREATH
Even now I can feel the hot sting of death
from the dragon’s fiery throat
against my neck.
Blazing a trail down my spine.
The spittle sizzles on my flesh
as the cells inside my body seize
with an infestation of disease.
You see me as a whole, complete person.
Your eyes deceive you.
I am the walking wounded.
A woman who swims
inside a swirling, frenetic spiral
intent on consuming her.
The hairs on the back of my neck
stand on end.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting for the teeth of the beast
to pierce my fleshy tissue.
How long can I run?
How long can I endure the hunt?
The game I play
has become far too real,
and yet something stirs inside me
and will not let me succumb.
It bids me onward.
Gives my feet wings.
Lets my spirit sing with hope
that the sticky breath will be abated
and I shall be victorious.
COMPANION OF MY SOUL
i see you
through the warm eyes of love --
the thinning hair
the failing vision
the creaking body
fade from view
what do i see when i look at you --
a gentle heart
warm, soft hands
wonderful crinkly laugh lines
the best part --
walking beside you
sharing the silence
traveling the journey
with the companion of my soul
DAFFODIL WHISPERS
Daffodils wave their sunny heads
as passersby
snap photographs.
The sea of brilliant yellow blooms
whispers to their tender souls:
pause for a moment,
breathe in
the beauty that surrounds you,
remember every second is a gift,
come dance with me
in the warm breeze --
it will be time well spent.
April 17, 2012
Summer Love is available now!
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The first of four books in the Seasons of Love Series is now available in e-book format exclusively at Amazon. The paperback version will be available in about a week and a half.
Summer Lansing is used to reading about love in books, keeping her at a safe distance from heartbreak. Mike Duncan doesn't know the meaning of the word safe. He's spontaneous and thrives on taking risks. When the duo cross paths, searing kisses soon follow and Summer finds a real-world passion she never knew existed.
Books in the Seasons of Love Series may be read in any order.
Autumn Fieldstone works as a receptionist at a recording studio during the day and sings at weddings, birthday parties and any paying gig she can get during her off hours.
Winter Montgomery has been known as a tomboy as long as she can remember. Working as a mechanic at Charlie’s Garage hasn’t helped her shed the title. With three older brothers, she knows how to hold her own.
Spring McDonald can whip up an espresso in record time, is active in church activities and finds it easier to blend into the wallpaper than meet new people.
All four women meet at the Port Townsend Book Club every Monday night. Pull up a chair and join them as the Seasons of Love Series carries you away on the winds of romance.
All books in the Seasons of Love Series will be available in 2012!
April 2, 2012
14 Love Letter Lane Paperback Book Giveaway on Goodreads
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Starting today, April 2, through April 28, you can enter to win a free paperback copy of 14 Love Letter Lane at Goodreads. Here's a link: Goodreads Two copies will be given away at random. Good luck!
Here's a description of the book (and the two other books in the Celebrating Love Trilogy):
14 LOVE LETTER LANE (Book one of the Celebrating Love Trilogy)
Three friends who've known each other since grade school work at Revive, a local coffee shop just off the boardwalk in the seaside town of Lexington. Andrea, Darcy and Ginny are more than ready to meet the men of their dreams. The trouble is they can't seem to find them.
Andrea receives a love letter from a secret admirer. Ginny meets a man who just moved to town and sweeps her off her feet. Darcy has the dress and the red leather boots ready and waiting for a fabulous Valentine's Day, if she can only find a date!
Join these three caring friends as they travel the oftentimes choppy waters of love. As always, a happy ending is guaranteed.
OTHER BOOKS IN THE CELEBRATING LOVE TRILOGY:
21 ROMANCE WAY (Book two of the Celebrating Love Trilogy)
The journey continues from 14 Love Letter Lane (Book one of the Celebrating Love Trilogy), as Darcy, Ginny and Andrea take Jim up on a generous business opportunity. Meanwhile, John's past sparks questions about his involvement with the fire at Revive and flames of a different kind sizzle between Darcy and Jim.
28 PASSION BOULEVARD (Book three of the Celebrating Love Trilogy)
The final book of the Celebrating Love Trilogy brings Darcy to passion's door, Ginny to steadfast love and Andrea to a newfound appreciation for the gift of every day. Desire, tears and heart-wrenching life events bring this Happily Ever After tale to its conclusion.
March 27, 2012
It's finished!
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It's ready! It's ready! It's ready! Excuse me while I trip over the ottoman dancing around with excitement. :D Yes, the final book in the Celebrating Love Trilogy is finished. The e-book is available now at Amazon. Amazon linky goodness The paperback version will be available within two weeks.
There's a sweet sadness when I make the last edit and hit save. I often sit and imagine where the characters' lives will lead them from that moment on. What life events will come their way and how will they handle them? It's hard to say goodbye.
Yes... I'm a sap. I'll tell you a secret. I love Barry Manilow music. I know, I know, but it's true. I grew up in the singer/songwriter era of the 70s. I'm all about the story and the feelings they convey.
Emotions are my life. Bring 'em on! Hope, love, despair, agony, delight, anger, passion... I adore them all.
But, as usual, I digress.
The Celebrating Love Trilogy is complete! Time for a little break, then it's on to the next project, Seasons of Love. Four books based on four women who have the names Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Can't wait to get started.
March 15, 2012
Spring is in the air
Can you feel it? Spring seems to be bounding forward and bringing hope with it.
I realize we have a way to go before spring actually arrives, but it's so close now. Reminded me of a poem I wrote a few years back.
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February 29, 2012
I was almost a leap year baby
29:)
I celebrate my birthday each year on February 28th. Yes, I was almost a leap year baby.
Birthdays are often a time of reflection. Thinking back on the last year and planning for the future. We believe another year lies before us, but we don't know what might come our way. A diagnosis may change our plans drastically. News of a pending divorce or marriage can alter how we view the days ahead. And, sometimes, we spend so much time thinking about yesterday that we miss the day right at our feet.
When I was knee-deep in chemotherapy treatment for cancer (diffused large b-cell lymphoma, to be exact), I remember counting seconds as a way to get through a difficult time. Every part of my body hurt and moving even half an inch or blinking my eyes took too much energy. I didn't see how I would ever get through that stretch of time.
Then, I began counting. One, two, three, four... When I got to sixty, I was relieved that an entire minute had passed. I had not died. I thought if I could do that sixty more times, I would make it through the next hour. I began to count again.
I still count today when times are tough. Instead of wishing the moment away, I try to experience it, hard as it may be, and then move past it.
With an extra twenty-four hour period this month, I hope you are able to pause for a moment and give thanks for the gifts you have received, honor the challenges for what they have to teach us and plan for the days ahead. It all lies before us like an unwritten book. It is up to us to lay down the words and breathe them into every part of our being.
