Recently I received a review of my latest book, Appointment with a Smile. It made me consider my good fortune. All my reviews have been wonderfully supportive of my writing a romance about mature senior Sapphics.
Some writers are very nonchalant about reviews. I am no such thing. Are you kidding me? I devour them, memorize them. Absolutely. Good or bad, they’ve enlightened me, and assisted in forming my direction. And I appreciate each of them. Appointment with a Smile reviews were welcomed and embraced.
Earlier this week one review published, was written by Sage 320. And it beautifully encapsulated my message about women of a certain age. Love transcends increments of time. It just does.
So from where did my story about wrinklies (as my Brit friends would say), in their dotage years emanate? Well, I looked around at my own vibrant, intellectual, passionate friends. They have been enhanced by age, experience, and their zest for life.
Yet general fiction does not reflect them, nor does it cater to their quest to read about themselves. In fact, the aging Sapphic topic is shunned – as if irrelevantly hidden.
The message is If you’re between fifty and death, get over the emotional lift of love. If you want to read about yourself in a romance book, locating one is tough. You’ll find empty bookshelves filled with nope. We aren’t sex in the city, or anywhere else. Our aisle in the bookstore is relegated to menopausal reading. How to identify, how to cope, how to – everything.
What about the equation of love? That other facet of our being?
Within my first glimmer was the desire to write about a woman of age, falling in love. My main character, Danielle O’Hara, is passionate about her art, yet stagnating in both painting and romance. Her own passion shriveled at the side of the road – like lost heart songs unsung by those of us over fifty.
My novel explores love’s remembrances, as well as the igniting of romance within Danielle’s aged soul. Is that so impossible to imagine?
For me, writing Appointment with a Smile was a compelling journey that required I take it. Mature adult, Sapphic romance category? Previously vacant, or nearly so – but I would add one more voice.
I began with the premise that the book must honestly concern itself with the myriad of events culminating a life’s span. Years, emotions, joys, losses, gather into each of our lifetimes. Some events overlap, some are deleted, but all have constructed the wonder of us.
I didn’t want to ignore, or minimize the obvious. Through the decades, losses become reminders. As life pulls aside of us, we may lose our sculpted goddess bodies, and perhaps youth’s glib attitude. But replacing that loss is the ability to dabble in new and exciting wonder, with a fresh perspective.
Age offers the magnificence of reexamination. It shows the overview. Affords a glance back. There is a subtle nudge to make sense of our life’s relevance. Achievements are glory. Mistakes are life’s tuition.
Writing Appointment with a Smile was cathartic. That was a bonus. My objective was to capture an artist’s soul. I wanted to spotlight the topic of Sapphic ageing . And the importance of love. And I hope with all my heart I did that. I want to believe this unusual love story will matter to the golden, matured Sapphic.
Perhaps women in other age brackets will read it. They might want to imagine the existence of romantic love in their futures. The expedition of love beyond fifty, sixty, and on, awaits.
Encountering romance – well, that miracle simply is ageless. Being receptive to love’s possibility – beyond priceless.
“Appointment with a Smile is not just for older readers. There are points here that can appeal to many ages. However, it was nice to read about life from a different perspective.” – Review by Lynn Pierce. Amazon. You can read the thoughtful review in it’s entirety here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2WWZMWV1ROXB0/ref=cm_cr_rev_detup_redir?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx7D6LJ16ZFVD4&cdPage=1&asin=1935627864&store=books&cdThread=Tx8JQCEPEAS7AN&newContentID=Mx82F67CN2HDDQ#Mx82F67CN2HDDQ
Kieran York 
This 45 year old loved every word of Appointment with a Smile. Love is love, no matter the age. You had me hooked at page one. It’s a fantastic book for women of all ages.
Thanks, Bev. Your comment means a great deal to me. I can’t wait until your new book comes out. MY SOLDIER TOO will forever be in my top ten all-time favorites. It’s impact has stayed with me as if I’d just put it down. I’m going to be first in line to purchase your next one. Women of all ages are beautiful!
Reblogged this on Kieran York.
How was it I did not comment on this in July? This book was wonderful. It gave me hope. You know I have a heart that leans toward the romantic. Danielle is heroic in that she can look at her past and even while mourning it move on to a future that promises love and passion. This is a book I look forward to rereading. Something to bolster the spirit and remind me of possibilities as I move forward.
Thank you, Maf. You know how I respect your opinion! I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to think you like my book. It’s very special to know, my dear friend. You should have hope – someday someone is going be lucky enough to catch you.
You seem to know, Kieran, romance doesn’t die unless you let it. The remedy is simple enough. don’t let it.
A beautiful comment, my friend. Thank you!
Beautiful. I am looking forward to reading Appointment with a Smile….thank you for sharing your heart with all of us, young, old and in between.
Thank you, Rogena! Young, old and in between – nicely stated.