Tribute to A Wonderful Friend

It's been nearly a year since I got the call that my good friend Terri J. Lynn passed away. It broke my heart. Today, for some reason, she's been on my mind.

I remember the first day we met. She walked into one of our Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America meeting and the only chair available was next to me. She stood, looking around the room, not knowing anyone -- ever been there? I have. You're a bit nervous, anxious to be seated, but wanting to feel comfortable.

I motioned to the chair by me. I asked her the usual get to know you questions -- introduced myself, asked where she was from, etc. We started to chat. We bonded. From there a friendship grew. Come to find out she and her family only lived a few miles away. I asked her if she was interested in joining a critique group. She jumped at the chance, and that's when I found out what a fantastic author she was, and how knowledgeable she was. What a great addition to our critique group.

We laughed. We criticized and made recommendations. We brainstormed along with Alysia S. Knight. Our group just clicked. We had fun. We got work done. She even suggested the name of my story, Dark Secrets. After reading it, she called me and said that had to be the name because of all the secrets revealed in my story. As soon as she said that, I knew it was what I'd name that book. Dark Secrets.

About three years ago she and her husband moved to Las Vegas. I missed her so much, but we talked now and again. We still shared bits and pieces of the books we were working on. Then I couldn't get hold of her. I worried about her, and a few months later, I received the call from her sister. Broke my heart. She had passed away.

Funny how a stranger walks into your life and your world changes. She was that type of person. Encouraged me to do better. Helped me along the way with suggestions. Pushed me at times to work a bit harder. Became a friend and mentor, and I can't thank her enough. She was a wonderful lady, and I still miss her so much.

So I wanted to write this as a tribute to her - my good friend, a wonderful critique partner, a super great person and gifted author. Rest in peace with God.

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

School Is Nearly Out!

It's that time of year when school is nearly out. You can feel the electricity in the air whenever you are around any school kids. They are counting the days left, looking forward to getting their yearbooks, reading the comments made by their friends. Seniors are in the midst of getting those senior pictures, getting their caps and gowns for graduation, sending out invitations and perhaps attending their last dance. Oh, as summer approaches, they aren't sure what they are planning for the rest of their lives. Fun, exciting time.

I'm looking forward to my oldest grandson's graduation day next week. It's fun to see him shrug when you ask if he is planning to go on to school, get a job, just what his plans are. I remember those same feelings so long ago I won't tell you how long it has been. It's a fun time of year.  Kids getting out of school, memorial day camping trip, and looking forward to the warm summer days.

My granddaughter is excited for yearbook camp, girls camp, family vacation. It's a time to spent at the pool or perhaps boating at one of the lakes in the area, having backyard BBQs, and when I was a kid - oh my so long ago- looking forward to nights at the drive in. Remember those?

Whatever you are looking forward to doing, I hope you enjoy family and friends and whatever plans you have made. Perhaps be lazy and curl up on your patio with a glass of ice tea or cool lemonade and read a good book. That's probably my most favorite time, and if I may, I would suggest my newest book, Cherry Wood Place.

Whatever summer days bring, enjoy!

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

Spring is for Flowers!

I think Spring is for flowers - and, of course, beautiful clear blue skies, nice temperatures, and looking forward to spending time on my patio, grilling a good steak or just enjoying the break from winter before the hot temperatures of summer arrive.

Today was just that type of day. Actually, yesterday was too. My husband and I spent yesterday on a nice, long drive, enjoying the beautiful day. Today, it was time to get busy and get my flowers planted on my patio.

I think they turned out nice, and it felt so good to clean up the leaves that had blown in, wipe off the patio tables, and spruce things up with some color.

What do you do to bring in the warmer days and enjoy the springtime before the hot summer is on us?

Now I've got my patio just about ready to enjoy, it will be a perfect place to relax, play with my yellow lab, Shilo, or open up a good book, or in my case, turn on my kindle.  And don't forget my newest story - Cherry Wood Place - is now available in both kindle and paperback.

Enjoy the spring. Smell the lovely flowers and perhaps plant a few yourself, and don't forget to curl up and relax with a good book.

Happy Spring! Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

A Writer Is A Writer

I'm a member of the Romance Writers of America and in our chapter newsletter last month, I found a little saying and I wanted to share it with you.

A Writer is a Writer not because she writes well and easily,
because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden.
A Writer is a Writer because, even when there is no hope,
even when nothing you do shows at sign of promise,
you keep writing anyway.

This really hit home for me. I love writing. I enjoy the process, but not everything flows easily. Somedays it would be easier to just give up, throw away my work, and find something else to do. But I can't. I can't explain why. There's just something in me that keeps coming up with stories I want to write and share with my readers, so I keep writing.

Today I received a box of my newest books in the mail. Cherry Wood Place. They look great. I'm excited for you the read them, and then I knew why that saying fit.

A writer is a writer -- and I'm one of them.

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

www.KRBailey.com