Visiting Friends...At The Tremonton Library

In another episode of New Life Is A Lot Like The Way Things Used To Be, I visited the Tremonton Library last week, and once again I was reminded of how life used to be. The library's not the largest collection of books I've ever seen, but it contains many treasures.

I saw many books written by friends.

The library is not big. Of course, in a modern world, you can order books to be delivered to even the smallest of libraries, plus, there's always digital downloads where you can get almost any book ever written. You don't need a big building for that...just a Kindle.

As we browsed, I spotted a book written by a good friend, Scott Tarbet. Scott and I sort of began our literary adventure together, both with Xchyler Publishing. I loved seeing Scott's first novel, A Midsummer Night's Steampunk. I've always loved that cover.

Then, I spotted Dan Willis's The Flux Engine. I met Dan at the first convention I ever attended--also the first time I met Scott Tarbet. The Flux Engine had been released and Dan was pushing it.

I spotted Margot Hovley's Glimmering Light next. I've been friends with Margot for a long time. She's a great author and a better person--so glad to see that book.

Before we left I saw Sara Larson's Warriors of Wing and Flame, I believe it's her latest. I've been fortunate enough to be on a few FanX writing panels with her and she's been kind enough to sign several books for my daughter, books I've read.

I'm sure there are more books from my friends in the library--didn't have time to check them all out. I hope to return many times, and I hope one day my book/books will be among those of my friends.

Even though it's a small building, it contains many treasures.

Margot Hovley's "Glimmering Light"...A Book Review

The story Margot began in Sudden Darkness, the first in her series, continues in Glimmering Light. In the second book, the stakes are raised (no pun intended...) and the adventure they thought was over, has only just begun.

In Book 1 a family and their church congregation begin a trek from southeastern Washington State to Utah. They did this because America was at war and all electronic devices--including all modern cars--no longer worked. Throw in the threat of leaking nuclear radiation and the need to leave was urgent. But when the church members gather in Utah, they find another state in disarray. So they choose to once again began a long walk. This time the destination is not two states away, but halfway across the country. They're going to Independence, Missouri. 

In addition to being a story of survival, it's also a love story. The series's main character, Amélie Hatch, continues her courtship with her childhood friend, Zach, only this time the two cannot make the trip together. Zach joins a newly formed Mormon Legion and is given an assignment to make the trip on horseback with other soldiers. Amélie travels with over 200,000 other saints as a first waive to Missouri.

Sudden Darkness is narrated completely through Amélie's eyes. In this book, we get two perspectives, Amélie's and Zach's. The change is effective to show a bigger world view. In fact, both Amélie's and Zach's stories could have been stand-alone novels, each presented the characters with risks and dangers with which they overcame.

Glimmering Light is a great companion to the first. The story needed this book. We needed to know what happened to the people we've come to know. And we got to know them because of the talented author. These are two fast reads filled with flawed people accomplishing great things.

Margot Hovley...The Teaching POLAIK

It's been several weeks since I last wrote a POLAIK (Profile Of Local Author/Artist I Know) blog post. But today it's appropriate, for today this post is about Margot Hovley and today is her birthday.

I've probably known Margot longer than any of the other artists and authors I've profiled in my POLAIK posts. I did a play back in 2006 and one of the cast members told me about Margot. "You're a writer. You should read my friend Margot's book. It's SO good!" I was also told she had a writer's group that I should try and get in. 

Since 2006 I met and got to know Margot. She is, in a word, remarkable. Yes, she's a published author with novels, short stories and numerous articles to her name. You can access her website: HERE.

She's also a teacher. She teaches writing and gives piano lessons. A few years ago Margot asked if my kids would be interested in joining a writing group for teenagers. My three teenagers were and they joined.

And they loved it!

Margot used part of the writing group's time to teach and help the young writers to learn the nuances of the craft. I attended a couple of times and was totally impressed. Now, I'm fortunate enough to be part of her adult writing group ("Adult" meaning the age of the participants, not the genre in which we write--I felt it was important to make that distinction...).

For those of you lucky enough to know Margot, you understand when I say it's hard to find a nicer person. If she's involved in a project, she makes it better. And on this day I'd like to use this humble little blog to wish her a happy birthday and thank her for everything she's done for me and my family.

Congratulations, Author Hovley!

When a friend has a book release party, there's more to it than just an author sitting at a desk signing books for friends, family and interested parties. There's the hours of wondering, of fretting, of worrying if everything is as good as it could be. All this, of course, after the countless time in front of a computer creating the story.

It's overwhelming to think of all the things that go into creating a book, and so when someone celebrates by holding a book release party, it's an honor to be included in that celebration. Today my kids and I were able to attend Margot Hovley's release of Glimmering Light, the follow up to Sudden Darkness. Both books can be purchased on Amazon: HERE and HERE.

We bought the book, a signed copy, took some pictures and I enjoyed a delicious chocolate brownie compliments of Margot's aunt (yum...). We left to allow others to offer congratulations and to share time with the author. Seeing more and more of my friends finish their stories and share them with the world, I'm noticing something, something the authors seem to share. In addition to their excitement, I'm seeing a sense of relief. Well done, Margot!

Mrs. Hovley, Your Table Is Ready...

This afternoon my family got to go to a book signing, a real, live "watch an author sit at a table and autograph books that will be purchased" book signing. And what makes it even better is that the author signing the books is the moderator for my kids' writing class.

I've been to only one official book launch. It was last year at the King's English Book Store in Salt Lake City. Today's was different...more space. We picked up a book, signed to the family and brought it home. My daughter began reading the book in the car.

Unpublished authors wonder what it's like to sit at a table with a stack (or stacks...) of your freshly printed books before you. They wonder what it feels like to have friends and strangers approach--some excited, some a little embarrassed--and ask, "So, you wrote this?" And you say, "Yes." And they say, "What's it about?" And you tell them.

 

Well, tonight there's one less person wondering what that feels like. Congratulations Margot!

Margot Hovley Reads On A Page Or Two Podcast...

A Page Or Two Podcast: Margot Hovley Edition!

If you're driving in the southern Davis County area and you feel a burst of energy emanating from somewhere and you don't quite know where it's coming from or (a better question...) why you're feeling that sudden burst of energy, it's very possible it's coming from a newly published author, Margot Hovley. You see, her book Sudden Darkness is being officially launched next Saturday, October 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Centerville Utah Seagull Bookstore, and she can barely contain the excitement!

I was lucky enough to get Margot to read for me on my podcast: A Page Or Two. She is an incredible person who does amazing things and I am honored to call her my friend. You can get to my podcast by clicking:

Go Here To Hear Margot Read From Her New Book: Sudden Darkness

You can also find out more about Margot at her blog: Inklings: The Writing Adventures of Margot Hovley.

Please, check them both out, and if you're in the area next Saturday, drop by and say hello. Maybe some of that incredible excitement will rub off on you!