My Favorite Year(s) by Alicia Dean
A
list of some of my faves…
1961
– I was born, without which, none of the rest would be possible. I was born in
Seminole, Oklahoma on July 1st, the same day and year as Princess
Diana.
1972
– One of the best and worst years of my young life. We were devastated when we
left our home neighborhood in Oklahoma City to move to a small town in
Missouri. However, in no time, we were ecstatic. It was a beautiful place out
in the country and, while we were city kids, we loved it. The school was
fantastic; we made tons of new friends; our neighbors down the road had horses
we learned to ride; and we were deliriously happy. After three months, our
house burned to the ground. We moved back to Oklahoma City, and were more
devastated than we’d been when we had to leave it. We ended up in Moore, where
I finished growing up, raised my kids, and met my best friend, with whom I’m
still friends after 40 plus years. Isn’t it funny how one thing can completely
change a person’s destiny? I always wondered how different my life would be if
we’d stayed in Missouri.
1975
– I saw Elvis Presley in concert for the first time.
1976
– I saw him in concert for the second time.
1977
– I saw him in concert for the third and final time. :(
1983
– My beautiful, smart, daughter, Lana Nicole was born.
1986
– My cute, precious, funny daughter, Lacey Jewel was born.
1992
– My adorable, funny, smart son, Presley Wayne was born (Yes, we named him
after Elvis and John Wayne)
(Lana is funny, too, but she got ‘beautiful’ so the other two got funny. Of course, they were beautiful too, but…you know…)
2007
– My first novel was published with Wild Rose Press and I saw a lifetime dream
fulfilled.
There
were tons of good years mixed in amongst these, and some pretty bad ones, but
mainly, there were bad things that happened in good years. But all of the
experiences, bad and good, brought me to where I am today, which is a pretty
great place.
And
who knows what else is in store for me? Maybe the best year is yet to come.
Although, I’m not sure how anything can top having my children—short of
becoming young and gorgeous and hooking up with Ian Somerhalder.
(Okay, I guess it wouldn't be better than when I had my children, but that was a long time ago, and just LOOK at him...)
Fortunately,
the fulfillment of my writing dream didn’t end with that first book in 2007, and
I get (almost) as excited with each new release. I’m so thrilled to share my
beautiful cover for my upcoming short story, releasing January 7, 2015 (the day
before Elvis’ 80th birthday), from the Wild Rose Press.
Blurb:
All
Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her
alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns
the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for
her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to
her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape
from everything wrong in her life.
Noah
Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past
the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true
problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she
will be just like her mother.
What
will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would
give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Excerpt:
“Who
kisses better? Me or my mother?”
Noah
blinked as if not sure what he’d heard. Then, a hard look came into his eyes,
and he set her from him with a not-so-gentle shove. “What the…? I should just leave
your ass right here. It would serve you right.”
Toby
ran her nail along his cheek. “Ah, come on, Noah. You wouldn’t do that to me,
would you? How about you and I go somewhere private and finish what we never
did at Make Out Point? We’re grownups now. No reason to hold off.”
He
raked a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Good God, Toby, what’s
gotten into you?”
“What’s
the matter?” Unexpectedly, a sob rose to her chest. She suddenly wasn’t happy
anymore. She was deeply, thoroughly sad. “I thought men liked tramps.”
Easy
for him to say, but he didn’t walk in her shoes, didn’t suffer the ridicule,
the shame of being Constance Lawson’s daughter.
She
sighed and lifted a hand to brush the hair out of her face. His rejection might
sting tomorrow, once she sobered up, but for now, she was spent. She just wanted to crawl into bed
and pull the covers over her head. Sleep for a week.
“Please
take me home,” she whispered.
17 comments:
Great excerpt! So glad you continued publishing over the past seven years! And that you were able to enjoy country living as a child...
Adorable pictures, and a really great excerpt. Poor Toby--she has some serious baggage to unload. Looking forward to the book!
Thanks, Ashantay. Yes, I'm glad too! The country living was only a few short months, but it was awesome. :)
Yes, Jannine, she most definitely does. I hope you enjoy the story. And, thank you. I think they're pretty adorable too. Wait...were you talking about my kids or Elvis and Ian - Cause it could go either way. ;)
Bad times in good years and good times in bad years. Isn't that pretty much true for all of us? I have to remind myself of that while going through the bad times. Best wishes for End of Lonely Street.
Yes, Diane, it certainly is. Thank you!
If life teaches us anything, it's to take the bad with the good. I love the sound of The End of Lonely Street! Hope it's a resounding success.
Great blog--loved seeing the baby pics and being reminded you are such an Elvis fan. (I am one, too). Your writing career is awesome. I cannot imaging how you do all you do--editing, monitoring, writing, living as a parent of three--a role model for us all. Thanks for sharing.
I'm going to ditto what Susan said. I am amazed by all you tackle! Editing, AND writing, AND being a mom, AND all the other stuff you so for us.
"End of Lonely Street" really sounds fabulous and I love the cover! Can't wait!
Alison, thanks so much. From your lips to God's ears, right? :)
Awww, thanks, Susan and MJ. I just do the best I can and fall behind all too often. :) I appreciate the kind words. Role model? Wow...I like that. I hope you enjoy the story, MJ. You ladies are awesome!
Precious pictures, precious kids. I'm a fan of the title, End Of Lonely Street (Elvis too, though I never saw him live in concert, darn!) Best of luck with your latest!
Love the good years! I didn't see Elvis, so I'm envious.
Love the good years! I didn't see Elvis, so I'm envious.
Thank you, Margo. They are pretty precious to me. :) And, I'm so glad you like the title. I have to wonder how many people will know it's a lyric from Heartbreak Hotel, but it fits the story, and at least I know. LOL. I was very, very lucky to have seen him in concert. It was phenomenal, electrifying. Sigh... I did not know you were a fan, but I'm glad to hear it, makes me like you a little bit more than I already did! :)
Thanks for stopping by Barbara, always nice to find out when others love Elvis. Yes, it was a great privilege to have seen him in concert, especially three times. I think I paid around $20 for the last concert, and I thought that was kind of pricey. Can you imagine what it would cost at today's rates? :)
Some day I'll have to share my Princess Diana obsession, but for now I'll just say those are some pretty wonderful events to dub as favorites. :-) And you're right, you just never know what's down the road.
I had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of "The End of Lonely Street." It's a terrific story that takes place in one of those golden periods in our American life.
It was nice getting to know you better, Alicia!
-R.T. Wolfe
Yes, Leah. You'll have to share. I had no idea! :) Thank you for the kind words. I'm thrilled you enjoyed End of Lonely Street.
Thanks so much for stopping by, R.T.!
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