Daddy's Christmas Angel

Monday, April 11, 2011

Meet Marilyn Meredith, Guest Blogger and Author of Angel Lost

 Today, Marilyn Meredith is my guest on Notes Along the Way. Since meeting Marilyn as a fellow author at Oak Tree Press, I have been impressed with her knowledge of the publishing industry and also by her willingness to help other authors. Despite her busy family life, writing several new books every year, keeping up her Web site and blogging, she always has time to plan conferences and answer questions. Marilyn even  attends several conferences each year where she is a speaker and/or panel member. I am delighted to know this amazing woman and to have her as my guest to tell about her latest book, Angel Lost.

Where the Angel Inspiration Came From for Angel Lost

That was the question Monti asked me to address for my visit here to her blog. She probably wonders what place an angel has in a crime novel.

One night while I was driving home from my writers’ critique group, I spotted a large
crowd gathered around a store that I knew sold floor coverings. It was dark out, yet, people jostled for a space around the plate glass window. Some of the folks held up cell phones and cameras taking pictures. Two police cars with their emergency lights on were parked in the middle of the street and the officer leaned against their cars. Vehicles filled the adjacent lot, and more were turning in.

I couldn’t tell what was going on and didn’t find out until I read the morning paper. An angel had made an appearance in the store’s window. People came to view the angel every night and the crowds grew bigger and bigger. No, I never got to see the angel myself. Ultimately, it turned out to be a reflection from the street lights on the window—or so that was the decision. Maybe it was, but maybe it was a miracle put there to make people draw closer to God. Certainly the people who actually saw the angel felt that there was a spiritual reason behind the angel’s appearance.

I knew that I would one day use a similar manifestation of an angel in a book—and of course that’s what happens in Angel Lost. There is a double meaning for the title, but you’ll have to read the book to find out what that is.

Frankly, I think we tend to brush off these miraculous sightings instead of embracing them as a gift from God.

F. M. Meredith, author of Angel Lost, who is also known as Marilyn.

Bio: F.M. Meredith, also known as Marilyn Meredith, is the author of nearly thirty published novels. Her latest in the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series, from Oak Tree Press, is Angel Lost. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, Four chapters of Sisters in Crime, including the Internet chapter , Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit  her at http://fictionforyou.com and her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com  

Here a Blurb about Angel Lost - As plans for her perfect wedding fill her mind, Officer Stacey Wilbur is sent out to trap a flasher, the new hire realizes Rocky Bluff P.D. is not the answer to his problems, Abel Navarro’s can’t concentrate on the job because of worry about his mother, Officer Gordon Butler has his usual upsets, the sudden appearance of an angel in the window of a furniture store captures everyone’s imagination and causes problems for RBPD, and then the worst possible happens—will Stacey and Doug’s wedding take place?

Thanks for visiting, Marilyn!

My A to Z Blog Challenge post for "I" follows:


"I" is for islands especially the tropical islands of the Caribbean which have fascinated the Passenger to Paradise since my first visit to Jamaica in 1980. The light, the sweet fragrances of sand, sea, and flowers all intrigued me. Visits followed to St. Thomas, St. Johns, St. Croix, St. Martin, Antigua, St. Barts, Anguilla, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Trinidad, Curacao, the Bahamas, Hawaiian Islands, Key West, and many other beautiful tropical islands. We have never been on a cruise, so all of our visits have been stays on the islands. 


Not only have I written about these fantastic destinations in travel articles and books, but I have painted them as well. During our travels, a camera has never been far away. I have thousands of 35mm color slides stored in my art studio which I've used as resort materials for hundreds of drawings and paintings. Sadly 35mm slides are a thing of the past, but I love the convenience and quickness of my digital camera.


Do you love the islands as well? Do you have your own special island or retreat?

18 comments:

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thank you, Marilyn for being my guest today on Notes Along the Way. I love the title and the cover of your new book. Good luck with all your projects!

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Thank you so much for inviting me to visit today, Monti. I'm honored to have you for a friend.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Great interview, Marilyn. Now I know where the angel came from!

Mary, like you I love the Caribbean. Nevis & St. Kitts are wonderful. Montserrat before the eruption was heaven. Must return someday!

Mike Orenduff said...

And here I thought you had made up that story about the angel in the store window. Sometimes fiction incorporates truth.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Marilyn,
Fabulous post. I love all you do to help others. Thanks for sharing the story about the perceived angel. Like you, I believe everything happens for a reason. It's us to embrace the event, learn and move forward in a positive way to help and inspire others. Please take care and know I wish you every success!
Sincerely,

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

As it turns out, someone corrected me to say it was the face of Jesus they'd seen in the window--oh well, it happened a few years ago and the inspiration is the same.

Thanks for visiting Anne, Mike and Diana.

WS Gager said...

Isn't it funny how things that happen to us or we see make it into our books but never like how the original inspiration was. As writers, we have to at least tweek it whether consciously or not.
Wendy
www.WsGager.com

Sunny Frazier said...

I was stationed in Puerto Rico during my time in the Navy and have fond memories. I'm definitely a Caribbean girl. I was loaned out to a top secret base in Antigua, but I think my favorite island is Grenada. Although, despite the poverty, I have a special place in my heart for the Haitians after two visits.

Now, as for angels: my mother went to see the vision that appeared for a time in the Santa Maria hills. She took a photo, very eerie. Nobody has ever explained it.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

The closest I get to an island is a water park but I can dream.

Karen McCullough said...

Great story, Marilyn! Inspiring in any number of ways.

lisekimhorton said...

Great fun blog - and wonderful to see Marilyn's terrific history as a writer.

I have a special place - not an island, but a house on a lake. It is at the top of a mountain (the lake is a volcanic lake) and small, secluded and nestled in the woods. There's no place more magical for me, but I sadly get no time to visit these days. But soon!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

You're welcome, Marilyn!

Thank you for visiting, Anne. I haven't been to any of "your" islands, but I've heard they are/were lovely.

Thanks for your comments, Mike,Diana, and Wendy!

Nice, Sunny, that you were stationed in such a delightful area! Would love to see your mother's photo!

Giggles, a water park may be a nice second choice!

Deirdre, thank you so much for the Creative Blog award!!!

Thanks for your comments, Karen and Lise. House on a lake sounds like a magical book setting!!!

Morgan Mandel said...

I have no special island. My retreat is the breakfast table where I read while I eat.

Morgan Mandel
http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel

Sarah Allen said...

Fantastic interview! Hearing the thoughts and ideas of other writers is always valuable to me. Thank you for sharing :)

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thanks for your comments, Morgan and Sarah. Sounds like a calm, easy to reach retreat, Morgan!!!

Thanks again for being with us, Marilyn! I'll look forward to discovering more projects in the future!!!

M.M. Gornell said...

Yes, Monti, Marilyn is an amazing person! And Angel Lost is an interesting and very enjoyable book! When I was in grammar school, I had one teacher (Sister George) who insisted we leave enough space in our seats for our guardian angels.

Marja said...

I enjoy hearing where some of the story ideas come from, and it sounds like this one was inspired. Good post, Marilyn!

Unknown said...

The Hawaiian Islands are my favorite, as they're just a hop, skip and a jump from Alaska and during the winter months, we sorely need a respite. Enjoy your posts.