I am pleased to have Author Zoe M. McCarthy on my blog for another guest post.
A popular personality test pegged Zoe M. McCarthy an expressive analytic. Isn’t that an oxymoron? But it’s true. Zoe couldn’t survive without expressing her creative imaginings. Yet, this retired actuary* and introvert receives her energy from being alone in her cabin on a 26-mile lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Believing opposites distract, Zoe has penned ten published Christian contemporary romances. Her stories involve tenderness and humor and heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences.
She also has a book out on writing, Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days, and two books of contemporary Christian allegories, Crumbled, Tumbled, Humbled—Saved and Pearls in the Muddle. Zoe, a grandmother of seven, enjoys visits from her family, canoeing, and writing in her cabin—alone.
*Actuaries perform all the mathematical analysis for insurance companies, pricing products and estimating reserves to pay claims.
Now for her post!
The Story Behind the Story and Beyond
In April 2023, my husband John published on Amazon the e-book, Above the Lake, the second book in my Hidden Valley Lake stand-alone series. He then formatted the print version, while I concocted ideas for Rachel’s story in Adjacent on the Lake.
John had been experiencing some strange episodes for weeks but was fine between them. His doctor had scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist that, unfortunately, lay two months away. A few weeks later, John went to be with Jesus. Although I was thankful he didn’t suffer, I was stunned, because he was eight years younger than me. But I trusted the Lord was following His plan.
John’s ninety-one-year-old father made the long trip to attend the celebration of John’s life. That touched and pleased me. The senior McCarthy, an attorney (still practicing until his next birthday!), was very supportive of my writing and had read all my books. He passed away in the same year that John died. To honor the two men of Irish descent whom I adored, I created Rachel’s love interest to be an Irishman.
I dedicated Adjacent on the Lake to both John and his father. I ended the dedication with the Irish blessing that both men often quoted, and that John, as a lay speaker for our church, always ended his sermons with:
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Years earlier, John and I had planned a trip to Ireland with my sister and brother-in-law. We’d even purchased our plane tickets. Then COVID hit, and we stayed home. But I had done a lot of research on Ireland for our vacation, which came in handy for writing Adjacent on the Lake. Speaking of research, I enjoyed researching and writing Adjacent on the Lake more than any of my other books. Researching Irish slang for Michael to spout was especially entertaining. I discovered the Irish say grand and wee a lot. As a help and for fun, I included a glossary of Irish slang in the front matter of the book. I think John and Dad would have enjoyed reading the story.
I always hire my favorite editor for my books. Her edit of Adjacent on the Lake was the most encouraging evaluation of all the books she has edited for me. But without my writing partner, I hired professionals to format the book and to design the cover.
Writing the story containing romance and mystery and doing what was necessary to publish it was a labor of love. It was also therapeutic in sending me on the next leg of my life’s journey after John. Part of that leg is writing an end-times story, Word Carriers, which knocked on my brain during bouts of insomnia. And of course it has a romance thread.
Here's about her book!
Why has the attractive yet unpleasant Irishman uprooted his grandad from Ireland and moved them to “Obscure Community,” USA?
Irishman Michael Doyle has a lot on his shoulders: settlin’ Grandad into their new gaff on the lake; convincin’ the auld man to stick to their story script; and avoidin’ their wee next-door-neighbor, Ms. Bradbury.
Rachel Bradbury, a widow of six years, is a levelheaded bank manager in Hidden Valley. She’s counseled her widowed friends during their dating-again troubles, but she’s clueless how to escape her own current funk. Time is running out to start a family. Dating distresses her, and prospects are few.
Michael’s delightful grandfather, Harry, is the perfect remedy for Rachel’s slump. Like Harry, she’s hooked on movies—her mainstay during chronic insomnia. And their mutual love for baking will allow her to collect his Irish recipes.
Now, Michael’s in bits. Grandad has invited Ms. Bradbury to watch old movies in their sittin’ room. It may help the auld man cope with leavin’ Ireland, but it poses a risk to their current situation.
While stuffed-shirt Michael monitors Rachel and Grandad’s friendship, Rachel is suspicious about Michael’s motives for moving to Hidden Valley. Can their future relationship hold anything other than aloof tolerance?
Make sure to follow Zoe on Social Media:
Website and Newsletter Sign-up: https://zoemmccarthy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoeMMcCarthyAuthor/
Twitter (X): https://x.com/ZoeMMcCarthy
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/zoe-m-mccarthy