Header PromotionSerendipity. When I looked this word up just now, the main definitions had to do with making accidental but fortunate or desirable discoveries. The second definition was the more general 'luck or good fortune.' My understanding of the word had been a blend of the two definitions– unexpected good luck or a surprise blessing. Whatever definition you use, serendipity is one of my favorite words. It just sounds happy and fun! And I've been fortunate enough to experience moments of serendipity in my life.
For example, several years ago when our son was still a toddler, my husband took me out for dinner on Mother's Day. A friend of his had told him the new Outback Restaurant in our town was open, so we headed there first. As we pulled in the parking lot, we watched as a couple was turned away at the door. Naturally we were disappointed, thinking the restaurant was still closed. Well, they were still closed ... sorta. We went to the door just to see what was going on. (There were, after all, cars in the parking lot and people inside.) The gal at the door said they wouldn't officially open until the next day. That night they were training the wait staff. Then almost as an afterthought she added, "But if you don't mind us practicing with you, we'll give you your dinners for free."
Did we MIND them practicing with us in exchange for free dinners? Heck no! And I don't mean just two dinners for myself and the dh. Our toddler got a free kids meal, we got a free appetizer and bar drinks, and we shared a free dessert. And because they were practicing, the service we got was awesome! I said to my husband as we ate dinner that night, "This is serendipity!"
Another moment of serendipity for me came last November. I had just finished wrapping up a writing project and turned it in, when I got a call from my agent. The Senior Editor of Silhouette Romantic Suspense was offering me the opportunity to work on a continuity series that would feature the popular Colton family. The Coltons had been featured in several fan-favorite continuities in the past, and the editors wanted to spotlight the Texas members of the family in a six book continuity for the Romantic Suspense line. Did I want to write book 2 in the series? Well, yeah!
I was honored, excited – and, yes, a tad nervous about the short deadline that meant writing through the holidays, while I was also coordinating my RWA chapters conference... But the offer to be part of a continuity with the likes of Marie Ferrarella, Justine Davis, and Carla Cassidy was pure serendipity in my book. And so my October release, RANCHER'S REDEMPTION, was born. After a bit of brainstorming, the book just about wrote itself. When I turned it in, the SRS editor asked for NO revisions... almost unheard of! More serendipity!
Even the circumstances in the opening of RANCHER'S REDEMPTION could be seen as serendipity for the hero and heroine, Clay and Tamara– although they wouldn't see the events as serendipity until later...
Horse rancher Clay Colton finds an abandoned car on his property and his ex-wife is on the team of crime scene investigators that responds to the local sheriff's call. While Clay and Tamara get caught up in the danger and mystery surrounding the abandoned car, solving the crime together affords them an opportunity to renew their passion and give their love a second chance.
I hope you'll enjoy RANCHER'S REDEMPTION, Book Two in the Coltons: Family First continuity with Silhouette Romantic Suspense. Clay and Tamara's reunion story!
Now it is your turn... tell me about your moments of serendipity!
Best wishes and happy reading, Beth
Beth Cornelison- www.bethcornelison.com
DUTY TO PROTECT- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- July 2008
RANCHER'S REDEMPTION- Silhouette Romantic Suspense- Oct 2008
