Way back in 1991, I went to my very first writing class. A woman sat next to me, and we introduced ourselves. She had been a principal and teacher; I had been a teacher. We'd both 'retired' and decided to write books. And that was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. We took two classes together and not long after that my friend moved far, far away. Back in those days, long before the internet or email or even Facebook, we wrote each other letters and once in a while we'd treat ourselves to a long phone call. We cheered for each other when we'd get our word count written for the day or a manuscript requested from an editor or we'd commiserate if something didn't go well and we received a rejection. I still remember when Dorothy called to tell me her first book had sold! Back then, she wrote children's chapter books. When I sold my first book, she was the first person I called. And so it's been down through the years as we've celebrated books and babies and puppies, and cried together over the loss of our fathers and dogs and experienced painful trials. Friends. Twenty years of friendship. It is a sweet and precious gift.

For many years, Dorothy has been an award-winning author of children's chapter books and young adult novels. But finally last year, she decided to write a historical novel for the adult market and Thomas Nelson bought the trilogy. The first book is coming out soon and the buzz is building. I cannot wait to read it! She's already garnered some amazing endorsements. So today I'm delighted to introduce you to my dear friend, Dorothy Love, who is launching her new website this week. I hope you will go take a look and also participate in her contest. You will definitely want to check that out!

www.dorothylovebooks.com

By the way, the pictures above are of Dorothy's beautiful cover, Dorothy and me at ACFW this past September (the first time in 20 years that we were actually at the same writer's conference!), and Dorothy getting a big, slobbery kiss from the Hilo Monster! I just have to say that Dorothy knows how to handle a big dog as she has 2 beautiful Golden Retrievers. When she came to my house this past September, she taught Hilo (and me and the kids) a few tricks on how to train a dog. I'm thinking Hilo should go visit Dorothy for a few more training sessions.

Labels: author, Beyond All Measure, Dorothy Love, friendships, Inspirational author, Thomas Nelson, writing