Laurel's Quest (click title for buy link) is my very first published novel. Originally published in 2010 under the title Laurel's Miracle and then re-released in 2014 under Laurel's Quest by my current publisher, BWL Publishing. This is how it came about:
A riding accident in 2005, forced me into early retirement, but I'm not one to stay still for long. The enforced curtailment of my career outside the home enabled her to take up her first love. In 2010 her first YA novel, Laurel’s Miracle was released, it was followed by the second book in her Cornwall Adventures series, A Step Sideways in 2011 which was a finalist in the OKRWA IDA awards. This title is now A Step Beyond. The third novel in the series is Go Gently. Nancy’s first romance novel, Christmas Storm was released in 2012 and the novel was a finalist in the 2012 OKWRA IDA awards. This is now Storm's Refuge with some additional story added.
Research for the novels takes up a great deal of her time. The Cornwall series is Urban Fantasy. The underlying structure of the plot rests on the influence the earth energy lines play in the story line. Earth Energy Lines are not to be confused with Ley Lines. While the two are related, they are very different in character. In September of 2013 my husband and I travelled to Cornwall, UK and had the opportunity to dowse the spot where the Earth Energy Lines enter Cornwall and form a node at Carn les Boel. The spot is a high rocky promontory which in unremarkable unless one is sensitive to the energy. This is the start of the now famous Michael and Mary lines discovered by John Michel late in the 20th century that cross SW England from Cornwall to East Anglia. In the process of the research, Nancy made many wonderful friends, one of which was Hamish Miller, a well-known dowser, speaker, and founding member of Parallel Community.
The story in a nutshell:
Join Laurel as she pursues for her quest amidst the magic of the Cornish countryside. She is aided by her new friends Coll, Gort, and Aisling and helped along in her quest by the creatures of legend and myth. Vear Du, the Selkie, Gwin Scawen, the Cornish Piskie, Belerion the fire salamander, Morgawr the flying sea serpent who does Vear Du a favour, and Cormoran, the last giant of Cornwall. They must battle the odds in the form of bullies and confusing clues. Will they emerge victorious? Will Laurel have the courage to solve the riddle and fulfill her quest a reality?
For you enjoyment here are some pictures from Cornwall, the most magical of lands. Arthur's Land.
Until next month, be well, be happy
