Behind the Book: The Man Who Saw Her Beauty (and a giveaway!)
I wish I had an engrossing and fascinating tale to tell you about the genesis of TheMan Who Saw Her Beauty. I wish I could amaze you with the startling leaps the synapses in my brain made in the service of creating the story. I’d love to make you gasp in awe at the brilliance of my inventiveness and imagination.
But I can’t.
In fact the development of this story is all rather boring. It emerged at a snail’s pace while I was busy writing other books. No lightning flashes, no thunderbolts and no serendipitous epiphanies.
And yet I love this book and I loved every moment I spent writing it. I even enjoyed reading it again when my author copies arrived (and, believe me, that’s a rare occurrence.).
Why, you might ask? Excellent question!
First of all it is a story about hope and encouragement. Blair my heroine is recovering from a mastectomy, and I fear we all probably know someone who has been touched by breast cancer. As frightening as it is, though, there are also many, many stories about women who have fought and defeated breast cancer. Stories to kick despair to the gutter. I don’t think we can have too many of those.
Secondly, one of the main themes of this book is about not putting off your dreams—they’re too important to put on hold. How many times do we say, “When I’ve done x, y and z then I can pursue my heart’s desire?” This prompted some interesting discussion between the DH and me. Upside—we’re planning a trip to Europe early next year…and then we’re getting a dog. (Hey, dreams come in all shapes and sizes!)
And finally, Nick Conway my hero is the biggest honey on the face of the earth (not that I’m given to exaggeration or anything). Happy sighs just thinking about him.
The Man Who Saw Her Beauty is released in North America in May. If you’d like a chance to win a free copy, leave a comment
below—perhaps you could tell me if you have a dream or two that you’re working towards too.
19 Responses to Behind the Book: The Man Who Saw Her Beauty (and a giveaway!)
I inspire to write a harlequin romance someday.
Hold fast to that dream, Sara! It may not always be an easy road…but it’s an oh-so-satisfying one.
Hi Michelle ~ Breast cancer took the life of my cousin’s daughter this past month. She had just turned 50. Her great grandmother and an aunt were and are survivors. Her grandmother died about the same age as she did. Laurie lived life to the fullest the past five years. She managed to get her 75 year old aunt up para-sailing with her. Most of her extended family know how to chase their dreams because of her.
I’m going to be getting this book to read.
Kaelee, many hugs on your loss. Laurie sounds like a special woman and she’s left you all such a valuable legacy. I really do believe it’s important to chase our dreams and, wherever she is, I bet Laurie is cheering you all on.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi, Michelle,
I love stories about “hope and encouragement.” We seem to get so many stories about the opposite of those ideas.
Ever since I was able to study for a quarter in Europe, I have wanted to some day return to Europe and take my family. That’s my dream.
I will be thrilled if I win your book.
Cathy S — oh, I hope you manage to return to Europe and get to share that experience with your family. I’ll warrant it will be a memory to treasure!
Unfortunately, I know too many women who have had to deal with breast cancer. Everyone react differently and recovers differently.. Some have survived for 40 or more years and others only a couple of years. My Mother-in-Law was diagnosed in 1967 and survived until Alzheimers took her in 2007.
Many women I have known have felt less of a woman because of the disease and surgery. A strong, loving partner is one of the most important factors in their regaining a positive self-image.
This sounds like it will be a touching story well worth reading.
Hi Library Pat — Wow, your Mother-in-Law lived for a very long time with the disease. I had a dear friend who lived with it for 20 years and that’s when I realised that breast cancer wasn’t necessarily an immediate death sentence. You’re right, breast cancer can effect people in such different ways, and I expect having the unconditional love of a partner would be invaluable
I certainly hope that my story lives up to expectation.
Hi Michelle, Breast cancer has touched my family so an encouraging story is one I’d love to read. So much emotion!
I’m guessing your book will touch many readers.
Laura, I hope the story touches readers in the *right* way. Blair has been through a tough time…but Nick is exactly the man to challenge her to chase her dreams too.
It sounds wonderful, Michelle. Can’t wait to read it.
This sounds like such an uplifting story, I think we could all use more of that. I’m looking forward to reading it.
Summer, I’m definitely from the “glass-half-full” side of the population, and while I can’t ignore sorrow and heartbreak and challenging times, I do believe we can bounce back from them stronger. So I’m with you — give me an uplifting story any day.
Hi Liz, and thanks.
The dream I am working on is losing enough weight to fit in my summer clothes. I have lost 14 pounds in a month, but i still need to lose another 10 -15. Your book sounds so wonderful.
Hi Tammy ~ wow, it sounds as if you’re really getting places with your goal! Good luck with losing those last pounds. I can just imagine how wonderful you will feel when you can wear your summer clothes.
I just finished reading The Man Who Saw Her Beauty. Great story! I like that we join Blair when she has recovered, and Nick is the man of all our dreams .
Cathy, I’m so pleased you enjoyed The Man Who Saw Her Beauty…and recognised Nick’s sterling qualities.
Thanks for dropping by and letting me know!
Giveaway time…
…and the name I’ve drawn out of my trusty trifle bowl is:
Laura Russell
Congratulations, Laura! Email me at michelle (AT) michelle – douglas . com (minus the spaces) with your snail mail addy and I’ll pop a copy of The Man Who Saw Her Beauty in the post for you.
Thank you to everyone who commented — and good luck chasing your dreams.