Fearless at 80 and Beyond by Anne Fowler

FEARLESS FRIDAY

Anne, it's great to have you back for Fearless Friday on Discover... I'm so excited to hear you've published another book. Readers, Anne is a fearless lady whose life has had many twists and turns. And now she's fearlessly published book two based on other seniors' experiences. Tell us about The Truths We've Carried, Anne.

At age 80, after publishing my memoir I've Worn Many Hats, I never planned to write another book. However, a project came about when I was inspired by conversations with other seniors who expressed a desire to “someday” write about THEIR personal life experiences.

Utilizing Facebook, I posted a challenge to fellow octogenarians inviting them to share their memories. It was a post seen not only by women with a story to tell, but by the younger relatives and friends of ladies who are “less computer/social media active.” This call for action resulted in “Grandma/Mom/Auntie, you MUST share your story!” I’ll admit I was totally surprised not only by the number of responses but by the level of interest their stories were sure to evoke. 

To be honest, I had been expecting a bunch of "old lady tales" no one would want to read. Wrong! The Truths We've Carried is a collection of true, mesmerizing stories recounted by the women who "lived" the events. Expect the unexpected; it won't read as you thought! The diversity of subject matter is really quite extraordinary. 

Entries came from several different countries: Canada, US, England, Germany, Honduras, Australia. How did I receive the stories? My first contact was usually with a younger family member “checking me out” to ensure I wasn’t some wacko trying to scam their mom or grandma! Once my credibility was established, I obtained the stories in two ways. 

One, the contributor emailed me along with a draft of her story. We would go back and forth from there. Another was via Face time/messenger where I’d have live conversations with the prospective writer. She would tell me her story verbally while I took notes. These meetings were set up and attended by a family member with a computer who would handle the "technical" aspects of the job as the ladies and I talked. Several written drafts were then exchanged via email until both of us were satisfied with the result. This was the way I received probably 75% of the stories…talking face to face. Quite interesting as it was a more personal experience for both of us. One of the things I discovered during all these conversations is that it seems most seniors are quite protective of their privacy and only when I assured them that they could use a pseudonym were they comfortable with the process. And I'm referring to the women who were not hiding anything! When you read the book, you will definitely be able to identify the ones who had good reason NOT to give their real name! 

The diversity of subject matter is really quite extraordinary. To give you a taste of the content, here are some examples: escape from Dachau, lunch with Elvis, I climbed Mt. Everest, a clandestine romance, our plane was hijacked, and the other 54 stories are just as varied in topic.

This has been quite the journey both for me and the women involved. Next to my work in Honduras, it has been the most rewarding thing I've ever accomplished. I am truly grateful to the ladies who trusted me and shared the surprising, sometimes shocking, events drawn from their years of life experience. 

Click HERE for The Truths We've Carried

BIO
I am a retired Canadian who grew up in Toronto and for more than 30 years my career was focused on Human Resources. In 2000, I closed my company and “retired” to pursue philanthropic projects in Honduras, a country where I now spend six months of each year. Please visit my website to view the community programs that I initiated. You will see that I am a VERY active senior! http://anne.honduranhope.net

Family Saga, Romance, and Small Town Novels by Judythe Morgan

MUSE MONDAY

Please welcome Judythe Morgan to Muse Monday on Discover... How fun to learn where ideas come from and how they make it to the page. Read on and enjoy.

“When Love Endures” is the third book in my six-book Fitzpatrick Family series—a small-town romance collection built around eight preacher’s kids, each one searching for a hard-won happily-ever-after. The idea for the series began years ago, in 2009, when White Rose Press held a contest that included a “Mad Libs”–style synopsis and a cover graphic with the prize being publication. The rules were charmingly specific. The story had to include seven siblings… including a set of twins. I couldn’t resist. I entered the contest, didn’t win, and tucked the idea away. 

But stories have a way of waiting for the right moment, and eventually every one of those Fitzpatrick siblings started chattering in my head, insisting I tell their version of love and grace. That’s when the Fitzpatrick Family series truly came alive. 

Book three features Sarah Fitzpatrick, one of the twins. She still lives in the small hometown where she and her sister grew up, and after her high-school sweetheart breaks her heart, Sarah pours herself into her music. She teaches elementary school music, runs a piano studio, and finds comfort—and courage—at the keyboard. 

There’s a Christmas duet scene in "When Love Endures" that’s especially close to my heart. Sarah plays a duet with Nick’s young daughter, and that moment was inspired by a real duet my own daughter and I performed at one of her Christmas recitals. It was tender and nerve-wracking and unforgettable—exactly the kind of memory that slips quietly into a story and makes it feel true. 

I hope you’ll watch for that scene when you read “When Love Endures.” It carries a bit of my heart right alongside Sarah’s. 

If you'd like to meet the whole family, you can find the series here: https://www.amazon.com/The-Fitzpatrick-Family/dp/B08W8CTXY7    

 

Sarah Fitzpatrick, pianist extraordinaire, stopped believing in true love the day her high school boyfriend, Nick Stephens, ran off with his pregnant ex.

Eleven years later, Nick’s daughter walks into Sarah’s music class—and one look at Nick brings every old dream and feeling rushing back. Sarah is determined to protect her heart this time. She can’t risk that kind of heartbreak again.

Nick has never stopped loving Sarah, and returning to Burton, Texas is his chance to prove it. But he has secrets—ones he can’t share with Sarah or even his daughter. And those secrets may cost him the future he longs for. 

Will their second chance survive the truth? 

If you’re new to the Fitzpatrick Family series, don’t worry—each story can be enjoyed as a standalone.

 

EXCERPT from WHEN LOVE ENDURES 

As much as Sarah enjoyed teaching music, she disliked Meet the Teacher night every school year almost as much as she dreaded the yearly holiday program, which was fast approaching.

All the parents seemed to want to meet her and promote their child as lead for said production. She’d had a steady stream of suggestions all night. One more session then she could go home and put her feet up.

“Miss Fitzpatrick, Miss Fitzpatrick, he’s here.” She recognized her new student, Rachel Stephens’ voice. The child’s cocoa colored, teddy-bear eyes pulled at her heartstrings from the second she’d waltzed into her classroom. The fifth grader had been so worried her father wouldn’t be able to attend tonight.

Rachel ran in. “He came like he promised. This is my Dad.”

“I’m so happy for you.” Sarah smiled at the child then lifted her head to meet the same blue eyes she had once imagined staring into as she said, “I do.”

Nick Stephens.

Square jaw, perfect posture, massive shoulders, and piercing eyes. Her Nick had matured into as intriguing a man as he’d been as a teen. Smile wrinkles like deep crow’s feet framed the corners of his eyes. He’d always been a great smiler. He flashed one her way now. A warm, friendly, country-boy grin.

The past roared to life and memories squeaked in her head like an orchestra tuning up. Her ears rang until her knees swayed. She sank into the nearest chair.

Ms. Lorene, the streams of gray in her auburn hair flying, huffed through the door. “Sorry. I stopped by Becca’s class to give her a hug. We do miss seeing you two at Bible study.”

Her familiar face crinkled in concern. The former summer camp nurse, who also happened to be Nick’s mom, aimed her hand for Sarah’s forehead as if on medic alert. “My dear, you look a little pale. Are you okay?”

Sarah blocked Ms. Lorene’s hand and waved her foot in the air. “New shoes. Just resting my feet a little. I’m fine.”

Or would be if she could only get her heartbeat under control. Summoning her best Homecoming Queen smile, she gripped the sides of the chair seat and pushed up. Knees don’t fail me now. “Glad you could make it.”

She’d assumed Nick Stephens still lived in Louisiana and Rachel Marie was just another of the Stephens’ kin. Over the years, she’d had several grace her classes. She should have remembered the thing about assumptions.

“Glad to be here.” His smile grew. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it. I travel a lot for business and flight schedules can be iffy. That’s why we moved in with Mom.”

A beat of awkward silence hung between them until Sarah fully processed his words. He lives here!

“Well, welcome back. I know Rachel’s glad you’re home.” Her voice sounded like an alto trying to sing first soprano.

His mom beamed. “I’m so glad he and Rachel have come home.”

What about his wife? Why wasn’t she with them? Sarah clamped her lips. Not the time or place to ask. It didn’t matter, anyway.

A bell sounded and an announcement that the meet-and-greet had ended blared from the classroom speaker. Sarah led Rachel toward the door. “Thank you for bringing your father and grandmother. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She looked from Nick to his mother. “Nice to see you both again.” Liar, liar pants on fire.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W9MP12F 

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08W9MP12F 

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08W9MP12F 

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08W9MP12F 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57020058-when-love-endures 

BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/books/when-love-endures-fitzpatrick-family-sarah-the-fitzpatrick-family-by-judythe-morgan 

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/When-Love-Endures-Fitzpatrick-Family/dp/B093CKNGK3 

AUTHOR BIO:

Judythe Morgan is an award-winning, multi-published author who believes stories should offer escape from real life, with strong characters and engaging plots, and satisfying endings, without explicit content. 

A lifelong wanderer as an Air Force daughter then an Army wife, Judythe now lives in a small Texas town north of Houston with her husband and their Old English Sheepdog, Finnegan MacCool. They enjoy a busy life with three grown children, eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and nine granddogs who keep their lives filled with fun and laughter. 

When she isn’t writing, you’ll likely find her on the porch swing with a glass of sweet tea, reading a book. 

Stay connected by subscribing to her free newsletter with subscriber-only sneak peeks at https://judythemorgan.com/contact/ or her blog at https://judythewriter.com 

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