What in the world happened to THOSE SACRED BONES?
March 27th, 2010
I receive at least one e-mail each week about the “phantom” sequel to THE BUTTERFLY FARM, a contemporary mystery that published with WaterBrook Press in June 2006. I’ve attempted to get the word out, but I still receive letters from readers who after finishing THE BUTTERFLY FARM, note the “Coming Soon!” announcement at the end about the sequel, THOSE SACRED BONES, search everywhere for the book, and can’t find it.
I don’t like to talk about my health issues. We all have ‘em, some people struggle with far more challenging issues than I have. However, I do need to let readers know why THOSE SACRED BONES didn’t make it from my storyteller’s heart to printed page to bookstores. In January 2006, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. (Ironically, my first symptom was difficulty typing with my right hand — causing a multitude of typos — while writing THE BUTTERFLY FARM.) Six months later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. A double whammy for sure! I had written about half the book when the second diagnosis was made, which required a plethora of tests, surgery, recovery and post-op treatment. I found that as hard as I tried, I didn’t have the energy to complete that second book. As time went by, it became apparent that for the book to do well, we’d missed our target of opportunity for publication. (Series novels need to be released fairly close to each other.) So after consulting with the publisher, we mutually agreed to put the book aside for a “season.”
By the time I’d made it through the health crises, I’d moved on as lead author for another contemporary mystery series (Mystery and the Minister’s Wife for Guideposts Book Division), and then in 2009 felt my heart calling me to return to historical fiction — thus my new series, BRIDES OF GABRIEL.
I hope to someday return to our feisty Harriet, a woman of a “certain age” and sleuth extraordinaire. She’s one of my favorite characters ever, and I know in my heart of hearts she waiting off stage ready to steal the show again sometime in the future. So, please, dear Harrie fans, book mark this page and check back to see when she might once again star in a brand new series!
Blessing of love, joy, and peace!
Tags: Breast Cancer, Parkinson's, The Butterfly Farm, The Writing Life, Those Sacred Bones
I am an avid reader but have found that the older I get the more particular I am about the books I read. It’s hard to find books that are well written anymore. Character development is one of my main considerations when reading a book and I need the author to have the ability to really draw me in to the story. I used to read anything I brought home but now I find myself not finishing most books. I really enjoy your style of writing.
I recently read the first book in your Brides of Gabriel series and the Butterfly Farm and loved them both. Hopefully some day you will finish the sequel to the Butterfly Farm. Yes, I was one that just googled it because I couldn’t find it anywhere.
I’m sorry about your health issues and hope you are feeling better.
Tammy
Dearest Diane.
I realize that any attempt at finishing THOSE SACRED BONES could let you think about that difficult time in your life. Its a negative association that we all make when things happen at a certain time whilst doing a certain activity. However, just like your feisty character Harriet, who overcame her negative association with planes after her darling Hollis died, I really hope that you overcome whatever it is that is holding you back from completing this novel and move forward with courage and fearlessness, just like our dear Harriet. I have been waiting for this book since 2008 and I really hope 2012 will be the year that Harriet returns to my life. Please, dear Diane, please try for the sake of your readers. I adore this novel and have waited for four years for it.
Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 33:3… Enough said.
God bless you dear and may the Lord heal you.
Kelee. xxx