January - the month of dreams and plans

In Idaho, time stands still in January and gives us a moment to pause and wish.  We pause to rest from the holidays past.  The Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years that rushed by and pushed us ever forward towards the next activity, the next gathering, the next party, until it all stopped on January first.  The snow began to fall faster, the cold locked its doors, the silence of white-blanketed fields and hillsides covered us in peace. And we paused…

January crawls by slowly, forcing us to slow down and remember what life is really about; brief moments for the quiet visit, the empty rooms, the constant of our own company within the quiet of our minds; a time to reminisce, to remember what is past and make peace before moving on.  It is a time to renew and regroup for the year ahead with new strength and determination. The time to enjoy the beauty winter brings when boughs are covered in white fluff, weighed down with brilliant ice and the abundant fields are untrammeled, tempting us to play.  It is a time to long for spring and, most of all, a time for wishing…

We wish for the spent summer, when trees were green and winds were warm, when roads were clear of snow and ice, when the sun shown every day and kissed our body with its joy. We long for the freedom of the soft breeze and the delicious scent of roses. And in our longing, we rejoice with appreciation for what is past and anticipate what looms ahead because we know what is coming, what will be here shortly.   January becomes the month of dreams and plans for the future, the most important month of the year.

©2013 Linda Gatewood

Teaser for Spring Promise, sequel to Winter Secret

The love between Derek and Cynthia was tested to the limit in the exciting first book, Winter Secret, but will it be strong enough to withstand the continuing forces that strive to separate them?  Once again, a new season brings new adventures and terror to the couple who ask for nothing except to be together. 

A mysterious relic in the form of an ancient map and key that represent a legend of early American source, surfaces and ends up in the hands of Cynthia and Derek, who once again, must discover its secrets.  The pursuit of ancient hidden gold and treasure is a lure that draws greedy men into dangerous situations and ultimately interfaces the lives of Derek and Cynthia.  Not only is Derek labeled a terrorist who must clear his name but they are both drawn into the mysterious and threatening world of ancient legends and myths of the earliest Americans.  Derek continues to struggle with the pursuit of the man who murdered his parents and his obsessive need for revenge which draws danger into their lives, while Cynthia faces a new, personal and unexpected threat to their continued union. Will the danger and threats separate and destroy their love or will this new season of opportunity bring them closer together? 

Will they be able to stay together and keep the promises they made to each other or will the forces against them destroy the hopes of their Spring Promise?

©2013 Linda Gatewood