My father, whom I dearly loved, once gave me a poster of a pastoral scene with a winding road leading out of the picture. The caption said, "Happiness is found along the way and not at the end of the road." This concept helped set the tone for my life and strivings. I try to live in the present, not in the past, and not for some planned or hoped for future. That is not to say that I do not plan. I most certainly do. I create mental images of things I would like to happen, but I never put off living today. After all, we can only be sure of NOW.

I may not always be successful at staying in the here and now, but I try hard, which at this time of my life includes accepting my physical limitations. I can no longer sling a camera bag and tripod on my back and head for Maine, but I can and do drive to the river and I have developed a lovely portfolio of reflections taken at the river. Maybe some day I will put them into a book.

In June 2006, the loveliest event will occur. Hannah and Max are getting married in book six of the Ladies of Covington series. This novel will be called Two Days After the Wedding and in smaller print below the title, a Ladies of Covington Novel, because something incredibly special happens two days after their wedding. I’ll have a cover to show you next spring, and a first chapter will be on my web site at that time. There’s a wonderful twist regarding Grace and Bob’s relationship, plus the trial of Jerry McCorkle, and much more.

In 2007, The Mountains are Dancing will be published. The fifty-eight-year-old heroine of this novel falls apart after her husband’s death, because she feels that she has no value as a single woman and cannot function without a man. The novel traces the challenges she faces and overcomes as she gains confidence, independence, and the assurance that she may want a man but she does not need one. It is also a story of a tragic family secret and its resolution.

A Mother’s Day novella, the working title of which is An Unexpected Family is finished. In this book, Amelia discovers that her deceased husband, Thomas, had an affair and fathered a daughter, Miriam, now in her thirties. Miriam has turned to Amelia for help as she is fleeing from an abusive ex-husband. By the time Amelia recovers from the shock of Thomas’ betrayal and her humiliation and anger and reaches out to Miriam and her little daughter, it may be too late, and Amelia may lose the chance to have a family of her own. Look for this novella in the spring of 2007.

The first movie I ever saw -- I was seven and taken to Puerto Rico for this event -- was The Wizard of Oz. Tears fill my eyes and I still watch in awe, as Dorothy steps from her black and white house into the brilliant landscape of OZ. Whether this tripped the fantasy switch in my brain, I do not know, but I read every single one of the thirty-three Oz Books and all the fairy tales I could get my hands on: Grimes Bros., Hans Christian Anderson, and the Red Fairy Tales, The Green Fairy Tales, etc.

Recently, at a book signing at Fireside Book Store in Forest City, NC. I looked up and noticed a book on a nearly bookshelf. Witch was its name. I opened the book and there was a map-of OZ.

Witch was turned into a successful Broadway musical. It’s the story of the wicked witch of the west, the one Dorothy melted, and is written from the Witch’s point of view.

PHOTO: Joan at Fireside Books in Forest City with Dr. Donna Peters, Superintendent of Rutherford County Schools. Photo by Jean Gordon

I would like to share with you several reviews:

Diana Risso of Romance Reviews Today: "A Covington Christmas is a wonderful book that will delight fans and newcomers to the series."

Ruth Wilson of Huntress Review: "I was enthralled with this story and with all the brides as they planned their wedding day." and "--you will be mesmerized with this special holiday story."

Amy Scribner of www.bookpage.com: "A Covington Christmas is a pure charmer, a rich Southern tale about love and loyalty. It’s a beautiful reminder that some things just get better with age."

And here are a few comments from fans.

"I don’t usually write authors, but I was so delighted with your latest book that I had to let you know. It was a special story, and I plan to send it to my youngest daughter for Christmas?" Joan L.

"I loved this novel, loved the new characters you introduced, especially May McCorkle. Thank you for another satisfying read." Mary C.

"What a treat is was to curl up with A Covington Christmas. I could not put it down until I’d turned the last page." Lucy R

"A marvelous heartwarming story. It’s on my Christmas gift list for my mother and my aunt." Peggy M.

"Thank you for A Covington Christmas. I devoured it as I have all the others. As most of your fans, I count Grace, Hannah, and Amelia as friends." Suzanne B

For those of you who have read A Covington Christmas and loved May McCorkle I am happy you tell you that she reappears in book seven, as do Ida and June. Also in book seven, Grace brings home not one but two puppies—at last.

Bob and Max will soon drive out to the Christmas tree farm in Yancey County to select the ladies’ Christmas tree. Next Tuesday evening, the 13th, they will gather with friends and family, at the ladies home, for punch and tasty finger foods: stuffed mushroom caps, hot dogs wrapped in blankets, tiny quiches, and more. Grace always prepares more food than anyone could possibly eat.

As they have done every year since coming to Covington, they will decorate the tree, and the youngest child, Melissa, will place the angel on the top. Then Tyler will plug in the lights, and they will sing Christmas carols and enjoy the feast Grace has set out for them.

May your Christmas be joyful and your heart be filled with peace.

email: jmedlicott@mindspring.com

web: http://www.joanmedlicott.com