Another Peek into a Writer's Life

I gave two co-workers advanced reader copies of Black Knight, White Rook because they had both loved the first book, Black King Takes White Queen. One of them shared the first book with her daughter who also loved it. When I needed a name for Ivy's second feline companion in the new book I asked Kris to ask her college-aged daughter for some suggestions. She produced a list of four or five names, and I chose one from the list. Rebecca is acknowledged for her contribution of the cat's name at the front of the book. But that's neither here nor there.

What happened today is what I'm talking about here- I came back from lunch out with another co-worker. I passes Kris and Kristina in the lab area on my way back to my desk. Kris says to me, "I'm almost finished with the book and I love it! I love, love, love it!" and I respond, "Good, that's what I like to hear!" and keep walking. And then I hear Kristina say to Kris, "You're not supposed to tell her you like the book until AFTER you've read the WHOLE book!"

I didn't know there was a certain etiquette involved in this. So, if this is the case- I guess if you work with an author and you're reading her new book you're supposed to remain mum about it until you're finished with the book.

Kris has already told me a dozen times since she started reading it that she loves it. And another co-worker, Lana, has been coming to my desk to tell me that she's nearly finished Black King Takes White Queen, that she's really enjoying it and looking forward to diving right into Black Knight, White Rook. (This is the young woman who blushed and remarked that Romney was rather frisky- and I had replied, "You can just skim over the parts you find offensive." She'd smiled, shaken her head, and said, "Oh, no! I can't do that!"

When all is said and done- there is a lot packed into these books, but the main story throughout is Ivy Greenaway, an unassuming white witch/druidess who has been happily working in her family's nursery and herbarium doing her earthy thing when suddenly she's plunged into a series of events that change her world. She constantly has to adapt and adjust to her now constantly changing world while trying to grasp the truth of what's going on, and who she really is. It's her journey of self discovery.

I don't think anyone has said to me yet, "Ivy is a strong female character." But if you lay it all out-she's a consistently strong young lady who deals with, handles, and copes with whatever is thrown at her, and will do what she has to do to protect her loved ones, family, and friends.

Well, I'll wait and see what Kris and Kristina have to say when they've both finished reading book two.