My special release day blog is both a dedication and an apology!
The dedication first …
“To Dad—my moral compass—for letting me travel my own path through life, for loving me no matter how I strayed, and for letting me make my own choices even when you didn’t understand them.”
These words might make more sense after reading the novel (and to those who know me). Suffice it to say, Simmering Season examines the impact of the choices we make and the paths we take. For my lead character, Maggie, a school reunion brings home more than memories when the past and present converge with the unexpected to form the perfect storm, blowing the lid of a lifetime off small town secrets.
While Maggie is facing stormy times – fictionally speaking – my gorgeous dad has endured his own perfect storm this past year. Many of you will remember I lost Mum 12 months ago, two weeks before my very first book launch. But there was my dad on my big night, alone in the crowd and proud as punch.
Well, it’s my turn to be proud of him – for all he’s achieved, all he’s taught me, and, more recently, all he’s endured while coming to terms with losing the woman with whom he’d shared 60 years of married life.
Although the first draft of Simmering Season was written some time ago and well before my own experiences – a story in which Maggie’s dad is coming to terms with loss, while the onset of dementia is stripping him of his treasured independence – the editing process last year came very close to home, mirroring reality in so many ways.
On a happy note, Dad inspired my love of music, and despite his efforts to teach the piano, it turned out the computer was my keyboard of choice. Writing Simmering Season, however, has allowed me to combine both passions and finally show Dad some of his amazing talent did manage to rub off. (At least I hope you agree something rubbed off when I release the Simmering Season song I wrote – the recorded version coming to a blog post soon!)
Now … about that apology.
I did that thing every writer dreads. I forgot to thank someone for their contribution in the acknowledgements last year. I remember the day I realised that House for all Seasons had gone to print and I’d left out one important name.
With Simmering Season I can now correct that omission. As I thank my many writer friends who show their support everyday by sharing the love, especially early readers of this novel, Annie Seaton and Tracey Alvarez, I am able to FINALLY acknowledge the special author friend who was instrumental in helping me through an early (frantic) draft of House for all Seasons and without that help Simmering Season would not exist today.
With that job done, I thank you – lovely readers – for getting this far down a very long but important (to me) blog post and hope you enjoy Simmering Season.
Watch the trailer…
Click to tweet or: Read a chapter, buy the book.
[Tweet “Watch out! It’s here. Simmering Season. Out now. @simonschusterAU @curtisbrownaus http://wp.me/p1zse7-1uz”]
Oh, and if you got this far, you might like to leave COMMENT AND WIN A COPY of Simmering Season or House for all Seasons. Your choice.
What a lovely post. I too lost my Mum and had to watch my father carry on without his soulmate by his side. It is truly heartbreaking. Sounds like we’re in for a tearjerker this time, I had better stock up on tissues before I start Simmering Season!!! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy 🙂
Ummm, yep…. Tissues required – especially after reading your comment. But lots of funny stiff to balance it out. 🙂
Congratulations Kristy. The early bird caught the worm. I will be getting a book to you. Which one would you like?
Looking forward to another great read. Best wishes to you & your Dad & I hope the book is a success as I’m sure it will be.
Thank you, Kathy.
Jenn, what a wonderful dedication to your Dad, brought tears to my eyes. I will read it out to Mum as she will be thrilled to hear about your dedication.
Gemma x
Thx Gem! Hugs to Carmel.
Ah, beautiful post Jenn!
The first year is always a big time of coming to terms with things. Like you, I lost my mother long before she actually died, but the final farewell was so hard. Alzheimers is a terrible disease.
Your father must be so proud of you, and I know your mother is too.
This has also been the first twelve months of being a published author! How fantastic and I can’t wait to get to my local bookstore (an indie of course) to buy my own copy. Hopefully I won’t need to wait as long as I did with House for all Seasons to get my copy signed!
AM
I treasure our friendship, Anna. Thank you.
A wonderful post Jenn, and huge congratulations on the release today of Simmering Season:) Your dad will be so very proud of you, as you are of him. Our dads are our inspiration and when they lose their life partners (as my dad did as well) it’s hard to see them suffer. Have an enjoyable launch (wish I could be there!) and soak it all up – you deserve it!
My dad was there at the launch. Almost made the launch speech without crying, Bren. Almost!
Happy release day! Don’t worry about entering me in the comp. I’ll buy my copy this week. 🙂
You’re a champion, JM. Enjoy Maggie’s story.
I love your honest posts Jenn. You are very good at speaking from the Heart. Good luck to Simmering Season, I’m so proud of what you’ve achieved in such a short space of time. You deserve all the success because you’ve worked hard for it. Congratulations. X
Kate, we are so going to hug forever when we eventually meet!
Lovely post Jenn! Like Juliet, don’t worry about entering me in the comp. I hope you had a terrific release day!
I did! Thx for dropping by Allison.
Congratulations, Jenn. Loved the trailer, you’re certainly multi-skilled. Can’t wait to read the book!
Thx for saying so. I must say, the story fell into those slides on the video. I hope you enjoy Maggie’s story. Thank you for dropping by.
Can’t wait to read this one too Jenn!!
Thx Kerrie. Appreciated.
Thank you to everyone for helping me celebrate and reading my book two blog. I wish I could give everyone one of you a book just for reading to the end of my post. You’ve earned it!!!!!. But Kristy (early bird) is the lucky one this time. Lots more chances – Sara Foster and Cathryn Hein both have a book giveaway for Simmering Season – be quick though.