Notice something a little different? Welcome to the new and improved TheRealLisaBain.com. Why the change? I’m excited to announce the release of my novel, Heart of a Kingdom, which warranted a little makeover. Whaddya think? Let me know in the comments section!
CREATIVE WRITING AS THERAPY
Two years ago I started my blog ‘The Wandering Widow’ with the following words:
On July 10, 2016, at 8:24 am my life changed forever. After a nine month battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, my soul mate left me behind. This blog chronicles my journey as I navigate my way through grief and figure out who I am without him.
Like many of the bereaved, I was encouraged to write to help me cope and process my grief. I blogged, I journaled, I wrote angsty poetry and described Dan’s death in as many ways as my nightmares made me relive it. In one of my grief counseling assignments, I had to describe my future. It was a time I could barely breathe, let alone think about what the future may hold. Enter the fairy tale and its magical ability to help us suspend disbelief, even if it’s about a future that might include a happy ending. That assignment evolved into this fantasy novel.
A life never imagined
I didn’t set out to write a magical tale about grief recovery, instead, I created the heroine I desperately needed, one who was real, grieving, funny, and who successfully (albeit messily) transitioned from surviving to thriving. I was inspired by the many widows in my life who remind me daily that there is strength, beauty, and grace to be found in the ugliness of our bereavement.
It is my wish you will enjoy the adventure and magic. More importantly, I hope that Libby inspires hope and faith that while the happy endings we thought we were going to have may die, we can create new ones. No matter what life throws our way when we learn to harness our magic, we gain power over the life we never asked for and the freedom to live a life we never imagined.
My first novel: HEART OF A KINGDOM
So what’s it about? I’m so glad you asked. Heart of a Kingdom is a modern fairy tale with an edge, one that begins with the happy ending and then everything falls apart. It follows the trials of its heroine, Queen Libby, as she survives a horrific loss, learns to pick up the pieces and put her life back together through a series of adventures:
The Kingdom of the Talking Trees survives on the hearts of its rulers, Queen Libby and King Dale. Each has half the other’s heart grafted to theirs, and their magical kingdom is kept safe and separate from the Normals’ realm by this bond. The Kingdom has had two rulers bearing the burden for as long as they have known. When Dale is fatally wounded, the half of his heart within Libby dies as well. To stay alive and keep her kingdom safe, she must do the impossible and regrow her heart. Her weakened state brings trials and danger to her Kingdom, so Queen Libby travels with her loyal knights and advisors to defend her people. But will she be able to save her kingdom and herself amidst the devastating loss of her husband?
WHERE TO BUY
Heart of a Kingdom is available on Amazon (see link at the bottom of this page), and soon to be released on Kindle.
As always, thanks for following along.
XOXO,
The Wandering Widow
Live Now. Dream Big. Love Fierce.
Feeling Good, Nina Simone
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel
It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
I’m feeling good
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: L. BRICUSSE / A. NEWLEY