Thankful Author 2018- Laura Strickland

Great Big Little Things

I have a gratitude journal, and each morning I write down five things for which I’m thankful. I’ve been doing that a long time, and find the process sets me up with a positive attitude for the day. Most the things I write down are minor—the fact that I got out of bed under my own power or that somebody gave me a chocolate bar. Some are big and huge—gratitude for my family’s safety, the fact that we have a roof over our heads and enough food to eat. Thankfulness at being a published author, a lifelong dream come true.

This last year, I will admit, I’ve found the climate challenging for the cultivation of gratitude. What with the political divisiveness in our country, everybody thinking s/he’s the one in the right, folks unfriending each other over ideological disputes, not to mention the horror-story headlines of the day—everything from weather catastrophes, to shootings at places of worship, to children mowed down on their way to school…there are times when being thankful seems a stretch.

To top it off, my husband and I just lost our senior rescue dog, Jessie, after a long and grueling illness. For a year and a half, we fought to keep that little girl alive. She’s at peace now—us? Not so much.

So, as I sit down to write a post on thankfulness, what do I say? That I am so thankful! Thankful that when terrible things happen, we have only to turn our eyes upon our fellow humans to see the compassion and warmth come pouring out. That, when tragedy erupts, people so swiftly extend a hand, mount a protest or even open a wallet. That, for every person who abuses a child or an animal, there are ten beautiful souls working frantically behind the scenes to make it right.

Scratch the surface of the ugliness, my friends, and what do you see? The bedrock of kindness. And if I’m grateful for anything this Thanksgiving it’s those little demonstrations of kindness that make such a difference—the smile, the quip, the word of sympathy.

But those little things aren’t so little, are they? I believe they’re the very things that make us human, and make life worthwhile. Happy Thanksgiving!

Blurb 

From the moment Cindra is born, misshapen and ill-formed in face and body, her beautiful mother hides her away, allowing the world to see only her other three perfect children. Cindra, raised by an aged nurse and assigned humble duties in the kitchen, receives little affection and plenty of abuse from both her mother and sisters. Starved for beauty, she longs most of all for love.

Prince Rupert, newly returned from an education outside the kingdom and forced to take over duties as king, sees the beauty of Cindra’s spirit. In her sister-in-law’s garden, he courts her with rare flowers and nearly makes her forget her mother’s hate. But when war tears them apart, will Cindra have the courage to stand on her own? And when faced with the challenge of leading Rupert’s subjects through a siege, will the strength of her compassion be enough to sustain a kingdom?

Excerpt 

I dropped the tray. It fell hard with a clatter that echoed through the room. The remaining tarts—still a generous load—flew everywhere spewing their jam fillings as they went—on the carpet, on my shoes, on the Queen’s skirt and all over the Prince’s sapphire blue legs.

Everything froze. The music paused, everyone stopped talking. Someone laughed in horror and said, “Oh, my God!”

Mother’s face seized in a rictus; she leered at me. For an instant I could see nothing else. Not my father, not Bethessa who, I’m pretty sure, had laughed, not even the mess that surrounded me like the fallout from an explosion.

Just her anger. Her horror. Her disgust.

Then the moment’s paralysis broke. Mother reached out quick as a wasp and slapped me. The blow took me on the cheek and its force turned my head. Instant tears flooded my eyes.

“Stupid girl!” She drew back her hand to strike again. Two things happened before she could: Father cried, “Erikka—it was my fault!” And the Prince stepped between me and my mother, and seized her wrist.

“Please, Madame, do not. It was but an accident.”

No rebuke colored his tone. He sounded exceedingly polite. But I knew my mother took it as a rebuke and a public one. Her face stained with ugly red and she transferred her glare from me to the Prince.

Even at that moment, that terrible, terrible moment I knew she would never forgive me for this.

Buy Links

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Cinder-Ugly-Laura-Strickland-ebook/dp/B07DR7NJC2

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Cinder-Ugly-Laura-Strickland-ebook/dp/B07DR7NJC2

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cinder-Ugly-Laura-Strickland-ebook/dp/B07DR7NJC2

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cinder-ugly-laura-strickland/1128872584

Kobo: Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cinder-ugly

Bio

Multi award-winning author Laura Strickland delights in time traveling to the past and searching out settings for her books, be they Historical Romance, Steampunk or something in between. Born and raised in Western New York, she’s pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Although she enjoys travel, she’s usually happiest at home not far from Lake Ontario, with her husband. Author of numerous Historical and Contemporary Romances, she is the creator of the Buffalo Steampunk Adventure series set in her native city.

Author Web site: www.laurastricklandbooks.com