Today, to celebrate the release of Just Wicked Enough, which hit the stores yesterday, I’m going to hold a drawing among all those who post comments today by midnight Texas time. The prize is a Just Wicked Enough mug and an autographed copy of Just Wicked Enough.
Hence the title of today’s post—it’s a quick draw(ing). I’ll bet you thought I was going to discuss how cowboys handled their guns. Nope. Not today.
Today, I’m going to share with you a little known fact about my Texas-set historicals. All contain some version of (or a different spelling of) my mother’s name. Her name was Lily Elizabeth; friends and family called her Lee. She passed away unexpectedly in August of 2004, so I’ve been thinking about her a lot more lately as August draws to a close, remembering all the times she made me smile, how supportive she was of my dream to be a writer. I’m not sure she ever noticed that I paid tribute to her in my books. I’m wondering if anyone else noticed how often similar names showed up. Some of the characters were very obscure, some had leading roles. So here is the list of westerns, inside of which is a tribute to my mom.
Sweet Lullaby: Lee Hastings, ranch hand
Parting Gifts: Lilly, stagecoach passenger
Ladies’ Man: Hercules (Lee) Daltry, hero
Always to Remember: Dedicated to Lily Elizabeth and Curtis Rayburn
Texas Destiny: Houston Leigh (pronounced Lee)
Texas Glory: Dallas Leigh
Texas Splendor: Austin Leigh
A Rogue in Texas: Elizabeth Fairfield, heroine’s sister
Never Love a Cowboy: Elizabeth Fairfield
Never Marry a Cowboy: Elizabeth Fairfield
The Outlaw and the Lady: Lee Raven, hero
To Tame a Texan Anthology: Lillian Madison, heroine
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys: Lonestar Lily (character in heroine’s stories)
Lorraine,
I was stunned to see (though I don’t know why really) that you put your mom’s name in all your books. I do the same with my father. Unlike your mother, my father never knew I was a writer, nor did he ever see a book of mine in print, but he’s there with me in every story. His name appears in some shape or form and I can be very inventive. Charles– chuckwagon, St.Charles Church, Charlie, heroine’s brother, Charleston Street, etc.
When my mom died three years ago, I named my heroine after her, Caroline – and that Desire won the National Readers Choice Award.
It’s amazing to see that you’ve done the same. Loved the picture of you and your mother. It’s very touching.
And Lily Gets Her Man was the first western I sold, the hero’s daughter’s name? Bethann.
This was great to read, and such a wonderful tribute to your mom, Lorraine. And Charlene, so cool to acknowledge your parents in all those fun and touching ways. Our daughter’s middle name is Leigh, no Texas cities though LOL…I just admire you all so much for having so many successful titles in print, and Petticoats and Pistols is so enjoyable to visit.
Thank you for sharing this tribute about your mom. I think its great when people honour their parents in their work. I’m looking forward to Just Wicked Enough! But I’m also greedy, when is your next book coming out?
ahhh…that’s neat that you have a tribute in your books for your mom. I’m so glad you have such nice memories. That photo is one to treasure.
Hi Lorraine! What a wonderful way to add your mother’s touch to each of your books. Such as sweet to remember your mom!!! And what a gorgeous picture.
What a wonderful tribute to your mother. I think it is great that you honor her by including her name in your books.
What a lovely post to read first thing in the morning, Lorraine. I’m sure you’ve made your mother proud, many times over.
And congrats on the release of Just Wicked Enough–hope the book flies off the shelves!
That is so nice to put your Mom name in the book and the picture is beautiful.
As for your book the store her is going to try and order it for me. Sometimes I go in with a list and they look at me strange. I think they don’t get out much.LOL
Maybe I will be one of the lucky ones. Good luck with the sales.
Charlene: What a surprise to learn that you pay the same sort of tribute to your father. I think that’s wonderful. Just as you do you, I find it’s like having my mom in every story. I’m impressed with your inventiveness. Don’t you always have an “Ah” feeling when you realize this is how you’ll use the name in this story?
All: Thank you for the lovely sentiments. It was simply something I started doing with the first book and it became a tradition. My mom was big on traditions.
Regarding the photo of Mom and me, it was taken the morning we left England to begin our life in Texas. We’re in my grandparents’ garden.
What a lovely tribute to your mother, Lorraine. Thanks so much for sharing. And your new title is great–hope the books fly off the shelves. Sorry I can’t be in the running for that delightful-sounding mug!
Elizabeth
Lorraine, this is such a lovely post. And what a tribute to your beloved mother! Thanks for sharing this with us.
What a sweet and lovely tribute and remembrance for your Mother Lorraine ~ and for your father too, Charlene.
My son and his wife just had their first baby on Monday and they are using my Grandma’s name for her middle name. So, I was already a little emotional with that, and then I read your post and it really gave my heart a tug.
Lorraine, I got teary reading your lovely post! Blessings to you as you finish out August; my dad died in a Sept. a while back, but that month always brings more reflections of him.
What a wonderful honoring of you Mom! Now I won’t say my daughter’s name without remembering this!
What a wonderful way to pay tribute to your mother! That is just so sweet.
Uh, forgot to say I snagged my copy of JUST WICKED ENOUGH this morning, and can hardly wait to start it!
What a lovely tribute to your mother!
One of my favorite names, and a wonderful way to honor your mother. I haven’t been able to get to the bookstore yet this week, but I have JWE on my TBB list.
Great post, Lorraine. Thanks for sharing this with us. And Congrats on another book hitting the market.
Incorporating something of your parents in all of your books is a very thoughtful way to remember and honor them, Lorraine. For none of us should ever take for granted, the people who created us.
We may look nothing like them, but there are always certain traits, habits, expressions, gestures and attitudes that link us to our parents and cannot be denied. That you have chosen to honor that link in a public way speaks well of the relationshop you shared with them.
I wish you the best in your future books.
Loved that your shared the list and how you used the names so creatively!
The picture is a treasure.
I enjoyed your touching post today. That is a wonderful and sweet way of remembering your mother in your novels. You are indeed fortunate to have this ability to create and honor her memory. The photo is special and unique.
That’s so sweet. And a great picture. I got my copy of your book today. It looks good.
And I really appreciate everyone who has already picked up a copy, ordered it, or has it on her TBB list. Brenda: How can a bookstore employee not understand that devoted readers have lists so they don’t miss the books they’re looking for?
Christy: I think it’s wonderful that your son and his wife are using your grandmother’s name for their daughter’s middle name. I think it’s a lovely way to honor and remember those who have come before us.
Nancy: It’s great to see you stopping by for a visit. I’m so anxious for your first book La Vida Vampire hit the stores in April. (Shameless plug for my dear friend. I had an advance read and it’s a wonderful story–even if it’s not a western.)
And again, thank you all for your warm and sincere comments about my mom and my tribute to her. And for sharing your own stories. They touch my heart.
This tribute to your mom is very sweet and touching. I can’t think of a more wonderful way to honor her than by using her name in your books!
My throat clogged with tears when I read your touching tribute to your mother. We lost our moms three months apart and it’s been something that I don’t think we’ll ever get over. The picture of you and your mother is just beautiful. I can see the love you had for each other. I’m glad you find ways to honor her in your terrific stories. I used my mother’s actual name in Redemption but she’s always in a character’s actions in each book. I wish you continued success and off-the-chart sales for Just Wicked Enough. I’ve got to get to the bookstore!!
Nice post, Lorraine. My mother unexpectedly passed away in September of 2000. She was my #1 supporter with my writing. You can always count on your mother, can’t you?
Hugs,
~Carol
That is sweet and my grandmother’s name was Elizabeth Lily. Congratulations on the new book.
I have a cat named Lilystripe
Seriously, I think that’s really a wonderful thing to have used your mom’s name in your stories. My one daughter has both her grandmothers’ name although my MIL used her middle name. Then my second daughter got her one grandfather and greatgrandfather’s name – Lee. Had I had a son it would have got my dad’s name. I love that kind of tradition.
How Wonderful!! I hope that someday my children will think so highly of me. Now that my Mom is not well, my sissy and I go out of our way to make sure she know how very much we appricate her. I got my 2nd daughters name from a book,The Texans Wager,and wouldn’t it be wonderful to think that I named her after someone whom was so special to someone else. Am looking forward to this book, and can’t wait till I can find it out there somewhere!!!!!!!!!
Amy
Ah, Lorraine, you rock.
Best of luck with JUST WICKED ENOUGH!
Geralyn
Enjoyed your post today and what a wonderful way to pay tribute to your mother. Continued success and luck on the release!
Great tribute to your Mom, Lorraine, and thanks for all your wonderful stories!
Lorraine, what a wonderful way to remember and immortalize your mother! One form of Lily that you can use in a future book is Lilianna. Oftentimes when people mispronounce my daughter’s name, Leilani (Hawaiian for heavenly flower), they say Lilianna.
Can’t wait to read Just Wicked Enough!
Hey, Lorraine, nice way to get lots of responses to your post. I think I’m making it under the midnight rule, I’m in the Texas time zone.
I’ve been using people’s names in my books for a while. Not one, but several. I just told my friend Myra I made her a corpse in my WIP. She is understandably thrilled.
I did name my four girls in Petticoat Ranch after my four oldest nieces, Ashley, Amanda, Lauren and Elisa.
Well, trouble came knocking. In 1870 Ashley and Lauren (Loren) were considered mens names and Elisa was just a little too…modern.
I got to keep Amanda, though.
So they’re Amanda, Elizabeth, Sally and Laura.
When I wrote it I never dreamed anyone would publish it!!!! So I just did whatever I wanted. It’s a wonder I didn’t name the girls Harpo, Groucho, Chico and Zeppo.
Mary: You made me laugh–naming a corpse after your friend. That is so rich!
We have a winner!
Congratulations to Christy.
I’ll be in touch.
And again, thank you everyone for sharing and spending the day with me yesterday.
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