Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Guest Blog for Book Tour- Keeper of My Heart by Darcy Flynn


Simple Things

In my book, Keeper Of My Heart, my heroine, Katie McCullough, has a special bond with an elderly man whom she “adopted” at age ten as her ‘stand-in’ grandfather. One of the things I love about Katie is her devotion to this wonderful man.

As a child growing up in New Orleans, I knew a kind elderly lady named, Mrs. Bulleman. I called her Mrs. B. She lived across the street from us and for the most part was house bound. My mother, an avid gardener, had a cutting garden in the front of our little house on Wilton Drive, and once a week during the summer she’d cut a bouquet of flowers for her.

I had the privilege of bringing the flowers over to her house. As a little girl, this was a highlight for me because I was allowed to cross the street ‘all by myself’. I felt very grown up and knew I was doing something grand when I handed over the lush bouquet to this lovely lady. I can still see the joy on her face as she took the flowers from me. Most of the time she’d invite me in for a cold lemon aid and a piece of chocolate. I remember sitting in her semi dark parlor leaning over the coffee table hoping I’d pick a piece with a nut inside.

One Christmas when I was about nine or ten, I was in Sears shopping for presents with my mother. Armed with fifty cents I went through the store looking for something I could buy for my only living grandmother and for Mrs. B. I had adopted her as my ‘in town’ grandmother so no way could I leave her out. A sales lady suggested I buy each of them a butter knife. They were only twenty cents each. So I did.

As the years went by and I grew older, it was my mother who took Mrs. B. her ‘weekly’ bouquet. But once, in my teen years, just as I was about to go out with friends, my mother grabbed me. “Run these over to Mrs. Bulleman. She hasn’t seen you all summer.”

I crossed the street with flowers in hand and was met with the same joyful reception I remembered as a child. Mrs. B. kindly offered me something cool to drink. I looked back at my friends, motioned for them to wait, and stepped inside her parlor.

Several years after Mrs. B died I was home planning my wedding when her daughter showed up at our back door. She smiled and handed me the little butter knife I’d given her mother all those years ago. A sweet flood of memories filled me as I recalled the day I bought her that knife. Her daughter shared with me how much my gift had meant to her mother and knew she would’ve wanted me to have it back.

Today, that simple, inexpensive knife sits by my butter dish. We use it every day. For me it’s a precious reminder of Mrs. B’s gracious acceptance of a small child’s gift and of how a life is touched by thoughtful actions and the simplest things.

Growing up, did you have an elderly neighbor that influenced you in a meaningful way? Or maybe, there’s someone right now in your life that holds a special place as a surrogate grandparent either to you or to your children? Is there a special object or gift that reminds you of this person?

I would love to hear your stories.

Darcy :-)

Feb 8 Guest Blog
Roxanne’s Realm

Feb 14 Character interview and review
Always a Booklover –

Feb 15 Guest blog (review later)
Keeping Up With The Rheinlander's

Feb 16 review
A Chick Who Reads

Feb 18 Interview
The Bornean Bookworm

Feb 21 review and interview
Forever Book Lover

Feb 22 Review
The Autumn Review

Feb 25 Guest blog
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

March 1 Guest blog
Fiction Fascination

March 2 Review
MarthaE
Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf

March 2 Guest Blog and review
Lissette E. Manning

March 3 Promo
For The Love of Reading

March 4 Guest Blog (review later)
Read 2 Review 

March 5 Guest Post
Lisa’s World of Books

March 5 - guest post 
The Dark Phantom


Keeper of My Heart

By Darcy Flynn

Blurb-

Katie McCullough doesn’t know it, but Max Sawyer, the over confident, irritatingly handsome hotel developer who outbid her for the lighthouse property, is none other, than her mystery lighthouse sailor. The one man who captured her heart five years earlier, the one man who has since been the plum line for every other unsuspecting male who has crossed her path. Unfortunately for Max, he doesn’t measure up either.

Still reeling from losing the property she’d planned to call home, sparks fly when Katie assumes Max is turning her beloved lighthouse compound into one of his ‘Serenity Spa Resorts.” Outraged, Katie sets out on a mission to dismantle the property…and his plans.

Except Max’s plans have absolutely nothing to do with hotels and everything to do with winning Katie’s heart.


About Darcy Flynn

Darcy was born into the rich culture of New Orleans, La. As a city filled with colorful historical intrigue and broad creative energy, her natural bent to the arts coupled with her love for one of the most romantic cities in the world has been the inspiration and anchor of her artistic multi-dimension endeavors. Darcy was always compelled by the need to express herself and like her mother’s famous gumbo, her previous expressions included a little bit of everything - art, music, acting and dance.

Although, published in music, art and the Christian non-fiction market under another identity, it was the empty nest that turned Darcy to writing romantic fiction. A lover of lighthouses, Darcy’s first novel, Keeper Of My Heart, unfolds in a small Maryland fishing village on the Chesapeake Bay.

Darcy, a former Mrs. Tennessee, continues to be surrounded by all things creative in Music City and when not in writing in her London flat, lives on a beautiful horse farm in historic- Franklin, Tennessee with her husband, son, two English Setters and a calico cat. Darcy enjoys stargazing, raising rare breed chickens and gardening.

Visit Darcy at www.darcyflynnromances.com

Darcy is giving away 5 ecopies of Keeper of My Heart to 5 lucky readers

To enter fill out the form




14 comments:

Callie said...

Hi Darcy,

Happy release day and many, many sales. Your book sounds great, and I love, love, love lighthouses. I collect them (well, not the full sized ones, lol.)

I love your story about the older neighbor.

Darcy Flynn said...

Hi Callie,

Thanks for your kind words! I collect lighthouses, too. And like you, only the kind I can set on my book shelves. lol

Thanks for stopping by!

Darcy

Angela Britnell said...

Wonderful story and I love the sound of your new book - look forward to reading it! Best of luck

Angela Britnell

Darcy Flynn said...

Thank you, Angela for stopping by! And thanks for your encouragement! -:)

Darcy

Susan J. Bickford said...

What a lovely story and memory. Good luck with the book! I'm adding it to my 'to be read' list.

Mandi Casey said...

Sound like a great read, and everyone could use a Mrs. B :) Best wishes in success!

Darcy Flynn said...

Hi S.J.

It is a lovely memory. she was a dear, a real treasure.

Keeper of my Heart is a sweet fun read! Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks so much for stoping by today!

Darcy

Darcy Flynn said...

Hey Mandi,

Thank you so much! And yes I wish everyone had a Mrs. B in their lives!

Thanks for your comment!

Darcy

Ann Montclair said...

I love the sentiment you express in your post. I had a grandfather who I was lucky enough to spend the majority of my youth beside. He taught me to garden, to cook, to love animals, and to be satisfied with a smile and a bowl of ice cream--essentially everything I ever needed to know to be a happy woman. He would tell long stories, and while most of the family tuned out, I was rapt. There was always a moral implied. He's the reason I write. Thank you for your beautiful post and the memories it inspired. I'm going to eat ice cream and then I'll buy your book! Best of luck.

Darcy Flynn said...

Oh my gosh, Ann, when I read your comment I got goose bumps! Your memory with your grandfather has touched my heart. I love that he told you stories and influenced your writing. Thank you for sharing that! What a wonderful grandfather to have in your life.

Enjoy your ice cream :)

Darcy

Darcy Flynn said...

I want to thank Roxanne for having me today! Roxanne"s Realm is a terrific site! And a fantastic start to my blog tour!

Darcy

C.J. Redwine said...

What a lovely story! We also adopted a lady who was a local shut in. Every Tuesday, we drove to the nursing home and picked up "Grandma Nash" to take her grocery shopping and to run her errands. She always bought my sister and I one of those little Homerun cherry filled pies. She also crocheted us each a pink poodle, which I still have. :)

Darcy Flynn said...

Thank you, C.J. Yours is a lovely story, too! I'm sure Tuesdays, were a highlight for "Grandma Nash" and for you and your sister, as well. I guess we have our mother's to thank for instilling in us the love and care for an elderly friend or neighbor.
I'm sure every time you look at your pink poodle you think of Grandma Nash! I love that I have that little knife and especially the memory that goes with it.

Thanks for stopping by!

Darcy -:)

Carolyn Rosewood said...

SO happy for you!!