The book cover for Autumn Hush, the last book of the Winter Secret series, is finally finished. We are still adjusting the color for the back of the book cover. They switched the title from the top to the bottom to match my other books, but left the print color as white, unlike the other books where the color was incorporated in the print. Now we can move forward, and get a little closer to printing the book and a release date! www.amazon.com/author/lindagatewood www.lindagatewoodbooks.com

The story began...

Who could ever know that their unavoidable meeting in Idaho, on top of a dormant volcano, in the cold of winter, would lead to a dangerous adventure and promising love?
Derek Flynn is a man with multiple names from a mysterious life that he secretly yearns to resolve. Cynthia Morrison has become the target of an assassin, an innocent girl who is a victim of circumstance.
Can he protect her from those who wish her dead without bringing more danger into her life? Can Cynthia save his soul from a darkness that threatens him from within – the ghosts of his past that ravage his heart?
Start at the beginning with Winter Secret and experience an enthralling story that will grip your interest until the end and lead enticingly into Spring Promise, where a new story begins, pieced together by tantalizing clues from the past. When again, they escape threats from all directions, they must move forward, into Summer Truth, where the past continues to plague and, yet, entices with the beautiful potential of ultimate peace and love. At last, in Autumn Hush, they can understand the past and try to face the horrible, unimaginable truth that may yet destroy their dreams.
This is a series that you won’t want to miss! It’s time to start reading the story before the springtime, 2015, release of the last book, Autumn Hush. www.amazon.com/author/lindagatewood   http://www.lindagatewoodbooks.com 

Who were those little elves?

When I returned home late last night after a day of errands and Christmas shopping, I knew immediately that some little elves had been to my house. On my porch, I was greeted with a lovely decorated bag full of delicious fruit. Now, the question is who were those little elves? I searched the bag for a card or any identification of the giver, to no avail. As I pondered on the generosity of the mysterious giver, I contemplated the many times in the past that I have received similar surprises. I think I remember every single one of those moments, some more phenomenal than others, but all of them sprinkled with the magical flavor of the spirit of giving.

Sometimes I’ve played the elf, and sometimes the recipient. Each one of those designations makes me feel warm and cozy and bursting with the spirit of giving. If you don’t believe that giving can make a difference, no matter how humble the gift, you should try it. If you give, be prepared to receive more. St. Francis of Assisi said, “For it is in giving that we receive.”

Thinking of others, especially at this time of year, will ground you with a purpose and fill your heart with joy. I think that is one of the messages of Christmas, the example set by the Savior for us to emulate, the gentle reminder for us to care more for each other and find happiness in doing so. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “As we give presents at Christmas, we need to recognize that sharing our time and ourselves is such an important part of giving.”

As I put on my elf hat, a quote by Mother Teresa weaves gently through my mind. “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.”
© 2014 Linda Gatewood

The old star

This Christmas I realized something. When I was decorating my tree, it dawned on me that I have been putting the same star on my tree, every year, for 52 years! I can still remember when it was purchased. I was a young newlywed of 5 months and had just confirmed that I was expecting our first baby. To celebrate, we went out and bought the most beautiful star we could find. Every year, as I add the star on top of the tree, I remember.

There are other memories that have attached themselves to the star, like for instance, the year we had a fire and the tips of the star melted and bent slightly. It still worked and looked beautiful, but carried the memory after that.

Some of the brilliant gems that adorn the star, and glow so wonderfully, have faded over time, and I’ve had to replace a few of them. Each year the star becomes more beautiful because of added memories. The year our kittens climbed the tree and knocked it over, the star lost its lights and I had to finagle replacement lights. All the grandchildren who have sat beneath the star as it shone down on our Christmases have heard the stories of past memories.

Where does an old star go after so many years? It’s not a priceless heirloom or a treasured painting. It’s just an old star, which has been kept alive, year after year, waiting for its place of honor, on top of the Christmas tree.  There is one more memory that is part of the stars legacy. A reminder of the bright star that shone over Bethlehem on the night the Savior was born, a symbol and reminder of hope and honor that adorns our tree each year. It also signifies the enduring qualities of steadfastness and the tenacity to be true to our beliefs.

I think my old star will always be hanging somewhere on a tree at Christmas, preserved as an heirloom and remembered always for what it symbolizes, as it waits inside a box for the next year, so that it can once again reign supreme.   
 

Young and talented new writers of the future…

When I was asked to do a writing presentation at a Fireside recently, I was so impressed with the young and talented new writers in attendance who represent the writers of the future. Their stories and poems were poignant, beautiful and insightful, and their intelligent use of expressive words was profound. I was suddenly excited to imagine their forthcoming literary accomplishments and endeavors and hope that I impressed upon them the importance of listening to their inner voice and sharing their heartfelt messages with others in the most uplifting way.

A writer can get lost in the joy of experiencing those moments of sharing thoughts and insights of their passions. It creates a happiness inside that’s hard to compare, a companionship within that consumes and comforts. The reflection of ones feelings can be echoed endlessly throughout all time, touching the lives of many, by simply writing them down.

The great power of script was coined in a phrase from English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his play, Richelieu; Or The Conspiracy, written in 1839:

True, This! —Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! — itself is nothing! —But taking sorcery from the master-hand
To paralyze the Cæsars, and to strike the loud earth breathless! — Take away the sword —
States can be saved without it!

The idea of communication surpassing violence in efficacy will always be debated, but the veracity has been proven repeatedly.  Those who feel the inclination to pick up the pen and make a difference are truly inspired to reach a higher level. I look forward to enjoying the acquiescent gift of their endeavors.  © 2014 Linda Gatewood

Writing the last book, Autumn Hush, of the four-book Winter Secret Series

Writing the last book, Autumn Hush, of the four-book Winter Secret Series, was bittersweet because I was writing the ending of the story that has been unfolding for several years. So often, I’ve compared writing a book and getting it published to the blessing of carrying a baby for nine months and then giving birth. Now that the series if finished, I’ll miss its presence in my mind and the daily challenge of solving the story and its many mysteries. I’ll miss the characters that developed throughout the sequences and am happy that I was able to end the series in such a satisfying way. Those of you, who have been reading since book number one, will be glad that you followed until the end because the last book is the best!  If you haven’t started to read the Winter Secret Series yet, you are in for a treat! For a brief overview of each book, check out my website, www.lindagatewoodbooks.com or find them online. www.amazon.com/author/lindagatewood By the way, I’ve started a new book called Timely Moment.  It is a romantic suspense, that you’ll love, but it won’t be part of a series, the whole story will be in one book. I’ll keep you posted about the story line.  © 2014 Linda Gatewood

Winter Secret, Spring Promise, Summer Truth (Pictured below)  and Autumn Hush

 

Review for Summer Truth

You'll enjoy reading this editorial review from Cizette for my new book, Summer Truth:

"I congratulate you for weaving together another compelling and exciting adventure that is filled with so much mystery, action, and drama with just the right mix of pain, loss, tragedy and triumph.  I was on edge from the beginning until the end.  The richness of your imagery lends greatly to the plot and the development of each of the characters has placed an almost picture in my mind, as if these people were real and breathing.  Kudos on another well executed book after your Winter Secret and Spring Promise.  I haven’t been this entertained in a long time. 

• Imagery is rich.  I could smell, taste, and feel every part of every scene in your story. 
  
  
• The characters you developed really brought more personality to the story in general.  They were very real people and I could even relate to some of the traits that you gave each one of them.
  
  
• The flow of the story is just amazing.  I haven’t read anything in recent history that is as compelling and as exciting as what you have put together here.  Hands down one of the best stories I have read in recent memory.

You’ve done a great job putting this together and it is truly an entertaining story from the start to the very finish.  I can’t wait to read the fourth book of your series."               
© 2014 Linda Gatewood