Monday, November 26, 2018

Thankful Author 2018- Kathy Otten



Thanksgiving is over for another year. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blasted off for another season of frenzied holiday shopping. It’s easy to forget the family and friends we were so thankful for just a few days ago.

We each have stuff. Life kicks us all in the chest sometimes. It can be hard: loss of loved ones, of home, of money.

After fourteen years, I lost the unconditional love and constant companionship of my German shepherd, Max. Right after that, I lost two close family members. And the holiday has been hard. Even thinking about their passing now, months later, still really hurts. But life is a circle I have my kids, though they are grown, and I don’t see them as much. I have a grandson. He reminds me how to be young, and he brings me joy.

I have friends who offer support and encouragement, in my personal as well as my writing life. I’m thankful for them; for their smiles and their hugs.

I’m thankful for my computer guy who doesn’t charge me much to keep my old desk top running and has kept me able to write while on a tight budget.

I thank the Lord I was able to buy my house. I have a real office now. My research and writing stuff is all organized. I feel like a real author. I love looking out the window and feeling happy.
Because life is full of those moments, when everyone is well and everything is good. So I try not to sweat the small stuff. It’s not worth it. Life’s too short. I hug my grandson close and know there a piece of my brother inside him.

And I will get a new dog in 2019. 


Excerpt

He pulled away, and she blinked up at him in a daze. His chest rose and fell as his breath escaped his parted lips in wispy clouds. He shook his head and smiled. “Ye are not clumsy, Maddy. And when ye are in me arms, ye’ll glide around the room like a swan.” Her heart leapt. “Oh, James, it sounds so wonderful, but...”
“We’ll dance all night. I’ll not be giving ye up to anyone else.”
“People will talk.”
“Let them talk. I want to marry ye.”
Madeline gaped at him stunned. Surely he was teasing. “But I’ve known you less than two weeks.”
“Marry me, Maddy, and we’ll dance every night for the rest o’ our lives.”
James offered her a lifetime with his smile, and because she ached so desperately to believe he loved her, she said yes. 
 Buy Link

ANOTHER WALTZ   (Victorian Holiday Novella)





Author Bio

Kathy Otten is the published author of multiple historical romance novels, novellas, and short stories. She is also published in contemporary romance and historical fiction. She is a Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star winner and Utah/Salt Lake RWA Hearts of the West finalist. A Place in Your Heart is her fourth full-length novel. Currently, she is putting the finishing touches on a contemporary young adult novel.
She teaches fiction writing online and at a local adult education center, and is a regular presenter at area events. Kathy also does manuscript assessments and editing. She lives in the rolling farmland of western New York where she can often be found walking her dog through the woods and fields. She has been married for thirty-four years and is the mother of three grown children and one grandson. 


Author Links 


9 comments:

  1. Enjoy your grandson and see if you can't discover how to bottle up all the energy I'm sure he has. I'd love just a touch of it :)

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    1. I've heard if we adults could mimic every movement a toddler makes we'd all be thin. He's an active, happy little guy. He helped me roll crescent rolls on Thanksgiving.
      Thanks for having me today. It's nice to take the time to remember things we're thankful for in our lives.

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  2. Thank you for sharing, Kathy. Grandchildren are the best! Mine help to keep me young and to laugh every day. All the best!

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    1. Hi Mary,
      Thanks for stopping by. My grandson does make me laugh. And as they say, laughter is the best medicine. Enjoy your holidays.

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  3. Kathy, we lost our beloved rescue dog last month, and just adopted another rescue this past weekend. It's hard--the heart weeps and says it might not be ready. But then the love comes rushing towards a new fur child. I believe the love we give the new dog is a tribute to the love we shared with the pet we've lost. Love never dies.

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  4. Hi Laura,
    It's hard for people who don't have pets, how devastating their passing can be. And it is so true, love never dies. And it's a beautiful sentiment that the love we give a new dog is a tribute to those who we've love before. I had never thought of it in that way. Thanks for sharing.
    Best wishes for a happy holiday season.

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  5. So sorry to hear about Max. Losing a beloved pet is hard. You were so lucky to enjoy him for fourteen years. My old dog is fourteen and I treasure every day I have with her. As you said so well... life is a circle. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Hi CB,
    Appreciate your stopping by and taking the time to comment. Dogs love us no matter what, and they have that innate ability to know how we feel. Wishing you and your dog a happy holiday.

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  7. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and happy memories of your lost loved ones to carry you through the difficult moments.

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