Today is release day for MAGGIE'S JOURNEY
This is a second edition of an award-winning book that released 15 years ago.
Excerpt:
“Mrs. Caine.” Angus McKenna came to an abrupt stop andcleared is throat before starting again.“I’ve come to ask you something that . . . I never dreamed I’d . . . ever askanyone.” His voice rasped, and he stopped to take a gulp of air, staring offinto the distance.
She couldn’t take her eyes from him, even when the babyin her arms squirmed. “How can we help you?”
New tears followed the trails down his cheeks anddisappeared into his beard. He grabbed a bandanna from his back pocket and blewhis nose with one hand. “I’ve just lost the most important thing in my life.”He paused and stared at the ground. “I don’t know how I can go on without her.”His voice cracked on the last word.
Once again he paused, but much longer this time. Hisprominent Adam’s apple bobbed several times. “I’ve been crying out to God, butI don’t think He’s listening to me right now. If He were . . . ”
What a thing for a man to admit to them. Florence knew he must be near a breakdown. He did needhelp, but what could they do?
“I’ve decided . . . it would be best to find anotherfamily to raise one of my girls.” He stood straighter. “I’ve watched you withMargaret Lenora . . . ”
“Is that what you’ve named her?” Florence gazed at thesleeping baby, and her heart ached for the child. To grow up without a mother.
“Yes.”
Angus looked straight at Joshua, and her husband gave aslow nod. “Your husband has told me . . . how much you’ve wanted a child.”
For a moment, anger flared in her chest. Joshua shouldn’tshare her secret with anyone. She took a deep breath to keep from saying somethingshe’d regret. Even though she didn’t even look at her husband, she could feelhis gaze deep inside. She was grateful he couldn’t see the ugly jealousy andcovetousness that resided there.
“What I’m trying to say, Mrs. Caine, is . . . ” HisAdam’s apple bobbed again. “Would you consider adopting one of my daughters andraising her as your own?” He snapped his mouth shut and just stood therewaiting, staring at the ground and clinging to the tiny baby in his arms.
As her own? Wasthis God’s answer to her prayer for a baby? Itcould be. She knew she should try to encourageMr. McKenna to keep his daughters. He might marry again and want all three of
them, but she pushed those thoughts aside before theycould take root. This might be the only chance she would ever have for a child,and she didn’t want to lose it. Finally, she turned her attention towardJoshua.
“I’ll be happy with whatever you decide, Florence.” Lovepoured from her husband and enclosed her in its warmth.
How could she refuse? She held this precious bundle closeto her heart right now, and she didn’t want to ever let her go.
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/magg...
About the book:
The stories of these identical triplets percolated in myheart and mind for several years before I put them on paper.
If I’m setting the story in an actual city instead of afictional one, I want to find pictures or descriptions of that city. WithSeattle, Washington Territory, in 1885, I had trouble finding any information.I did know a lot about wagon trains on the Oregon Trail, so I didn’t havetrouble with the Prologue. With Chapter 1, I came to a standstill.
I knew most libraries had Adult Research Librarians. So Icalled the Seattle library. I told the ARL that I didn’t want her to do theresearch for me. I just wanted her to point me in the right directions to findwhat I needed.
Their library had digitized thousands of historicalphotographs. She sent me the link to where they were stored, by decade. Theinformation with each photo included who took the picture and the names of thepeople in the picture, as well as the street names and names of the businessesif they weren’t on the building.
This was like a gold mine to me. I went to the 1880 decadeand went through the photos, printing the ones I needed to recreate the city. Everythingin the book, besides the business of my characters are actual businesses in1885. And the mayor and his wife who attended Maggie’s birthday party were theactual ones at that time.
This is true for the railroad trip, Denver, and Little Rockas well. I grew up in Arkansas and lived near Little Rock when I was in highschool.
Book 2 in the series, Mary's Redemption, will release in March, and the third boo, Catherine's Pursuit, will release in April.
If you are a member of a book club, I’d be glad to attendone of your meetings on Zoom to discuss my story. Email me at: lenanelsondooley@gmail.com if youwant to book me.
