Grief- A powerful element in Past Heaven is the loss of Liz’s husband. Reynolds learns of a loss in his parents’ life that causes them pain, and he grieves the end of a relationship. Allowing themselves to grieve their losses, and to feel that pain, allows both Liz and Reynolds to appreciate and accept when new, strong love comes into their lives.
 
Strength- Liz doesn’t believe she is a strong woman after her husband was murdered, but her inner strength always shines through to those around her. She protects her family, and finds the courage to love again. Reynolds’ strength comes through in his devotion to Liz and her family, and his conviction that their happiness comes before his own.
 
Renewal- After loss and betrayal, hopefully, comes renewal. Both Liz and Reynolds allow themselves to start again. They are open to making their lives different and to move forward, accepting the changes around them.

Unity- In the beginning Liz and Reynolds are united in their desire to memorialize Jack’s legacy. Ultimately, Liz, Reynolds, and the boys are united as a new family in this story. There is also a strong unity in Cindy and Liz’s relationship.
 
Transcend- Past Heaven describes the type of love that transcends. Love that goes beyond time and death. Liz shows us that we don’t have to stop loving one person in order to love another. True love transcends. 

Trustworthy - The underlying theme to The Pledge is trust. Taren and Alec each make promises that cause them to lead different lifestyles, and their trust in one another is constantly tested. They must take advantage of second chances and discover that they can depend on one another.

Profound - William, an important secondary character who has special needs, challenges Taren to step back and look at her life in a more simplistic way. She realizes that maybe things aren’t as complicated as she thinks. William helps her realize that love is really all that matters.

Provocative - Taren is dedicated to a life of partying and Alec is determined to achieve the adrenaline high he gets from risky activities. The Pledge is a story of opposites attract and is filled with alcohol-fueled parties, dangerously seductive gymnastics, and unexpected trysts in unusual places.

Optimistic - The Pledge explores the idea of new beginnings and recreating oneself. Taren and Alec both learn to leave behind their fears and go for the futures they want.

Authentic - Alec and Taren are “real.” They face insecurities and peer pressure, but their responses are genuine and heartfelt. Taren feels an intense need to belong, to be a part of something. Alec is desperate for freedom. While their choices aren’t always what would make their lives easier, their decisions are true to what they think they need to be happy.

LW: Thank you both for being here today. Readers would like to get to know each of you a little bit more. Would each of you please describe your favorite quality about the other?

Landon: Oh, definitely her spontaneous streak. Em is up for anything, at any time. (Laughs loudly)

Emma: Nice. Real nice, Land. (Looking at me) He’s a smart ass. I’m the first to admit that I’m a planner. Spontaneous behavior makes me itchy. I mean, what if I forgot something? What if someone needs me? (Winking at Landon) But, I’m working on the whole “chill-out” factor.

Landon: Darlin’ you don’t need to change a damn thing. I’ll take you any way I can get you. (Whispering loudly, so I can still hear him) And I mean that. In. Every. Single. Way. I can get you. 

Beneath Your Beautiful, Labrinth: The words to this song resonate with the story line so well. The concept that we are all surrounded by our own internal walls, and that underneath the pretty exterior (or underneath the “unpretty” exterior in the case of some in my book) is the actual, real, true beauty of the person.
 
Cruise (Remix), Florida Georgia Line (feat. Nelly): Pure fun and pure summer! I pictured being Emma, riding in Landon’s big truck, driving down a gravel road on a hot summer day next to the guy I liked more than I ever wanted to admit I did.
 
Love Somebody, Maroon 5: Two of my favorite characters in the book, Trevor and Amy, had life changing moments happen to them while listening to this song. I think the inspiration for using this particular song came from my two year old son’s ridiculously good Adam Levine impersonation.  

Elizabeth,

Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife! This is the first of many we will celebrate together as husband and wife. This past year has been the absolute best year of my life. I wanted to think of a different way to tell you how much I adore you, so I wrote a list of the little things about you that make me love you more each and every day.

1. That you insist on making my coffee each morning—and it’s always perfect.
2. How you talk out loud to rude drivers. When the kids are around you only scold them as if they could hear you, but when it’s just you and me in the car . . . you are . . . colorful in your displeasure.
3. The way your face looks when you drink champagne.
4. The feeling of your legs tangled with mine as we fall asleep at night.
5. That you always end up stealing all the covers.
6. How you have embraced riding horses, just because you know it brings me joy.
7. Your devotion to our boys. The fierceness of love and loyalty to all of the males in your life still rocks me to my core.
8. Your ability to let me also love your sons. To call them mine. To allow them to call me Dad.
9. When we are watching a movie, or sitting together quietly, and your fingers link with mine . . . words aren’t needed and I know you are telling me you are happy.
10. That you chose me. Trusted me. Love me like you do.

Thank you for being the beauty in my life and all the inspiration I could ever have hoped for.

I love you with all of me,
Reyn

Originally posted on True Story Book Blog.

Originally posted on True Story Book Blog.

Hey Baby,

This is the last Valentine’s Day before we are husband and wife. I can’t wait to make you mine and for the world to know it. But then again, I know that when it comes to you, the wait is always worthwhile.Sometimes it’s hard for me to express myself, but please know how deep my love for you runs. Just the thought of you makes me weak in the knees, but hard…where it counts.Your love has molded me into the man I am today. You are my one.You give all of yourself to those you love and ask for nothing in return. I’m asking you to let me give you everything. Let me take care of you tonight and for the rest of our lives.I know you trust me, so in the box you will find a blindfold. Put it on and let go, baby. Tonight is all about making you feel good. And I promise you, it will be a night you never forget.

I love you,
Landon

Check out the fan made book trailer for Past Heaven! Leave a comment to let me know what you think.

Check out the cover for my upcoming contemporary romance novel Past Heaven!
Design by Okay Creations.

Check out the fan made book trailer for Not Yet!