The Story Behind the Story of GRAY HAWK’S LADY

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banner with lettersGood Day!

Whether you’re joining us in the morning, afternoon or evening, welcome! 

Today I thought I’d tell the story once again of the making of the story of GRAY HAWK’S LADY, a story deeply enshrined in my heart.  This story has recently been re-released, and so because it is so special to me, I thought I’d give away a free ebook of the story today to some lucky blogger.

GrayHawksLady_v1Believe it or not, the story starts with a kiss.  But let me backtrack.  I had in 1992-1993 gone through a divorce and came back to California, because I’ve considered it home ever since I was 18 and fell in love with it.  Unfortunately for me, I jumped right into a relationship that was very bad for…many reasons.  After that relationship, I wanted nothing to do with men, love, marriage again.  Sigh…

The year was now 1995 and I was on my own and definitely enjoying being on my own.  One of my best friends (whom I had known since 1970) was pushing me to go on a blind date.  I didn’t want to go and I told her I wanted nothing to do with men, relationships, marriage, dating…nothing…

But she insisted and I found my self consenting to one date.  That was in January of 1996.  I had a book due to my publisher in July of 1996, but had plenty of time to write it and had, indeed, started writing it when I went on this first date.

family1[1]So off I went on this first ever in my life blind date.  The gentleman picked me up at my house and I noticed he was wearing cowboy boots and being very interested in the West and Cowboys and Indians, this was great.  He was also born and raised in Montana, and I was very interested in Montana since the story of GRAY HAWK’ S LADY was to take place in Montana.

The date was okay.  We went out to eat, but I was left with the impression that he wasn’t really interested in me.  So, I put it behind me.  He never called, never asked me back out and never told me what was happening and so eventually, just to end my wondering about it, I called my friend, told her I was sorry it hadn’t worked out and … well, so long sort of thing.  To my surprise she wouldn’t let it go — I had just wanted to put it behind me.  She said, “Oh, no, he’s really interested in you.”  and I said, “Oh, no, I don’t think so.  Let’s just put the whole thing behind us.”  And she said, “No, I’m sure he really liked you.”

30002_391822494010_760039010_4043017_7176149_n[1]So she called his brother, who then talked to him, and the upshot of it all was that Paul then called me and asked me for another date.  Well, it had been an okay first date, I thought, and he was a nice gentleman and perhaps we could be friends, I thought.  So I accepted.

Little did I know what was in store.  On the second date, we were both more relaxed, held hands, and I thought, okay, we’ll be friends.  He took me home, walked me to the door and just as I was about ready to go inside, he took me in his arms and kissed me.  Now, it was quite some kiss.  He meant it. And I was more than ready to receive it.   His hands caressed my cheeks, my eyes, my face, my hair, my neck. It went on and on and on, and when he was done, I felt a little drunk.  I think I stared at him and for the first time, I said to myself, “Who is this man?”  Indeed, I wanted more.

roadtr40[1]Well, that was that.  We had a date the next week, and within 2-3 weeks, I had moved in with him and we were married in May 1996.  Our first date was February 3rd 1996.  So it definitely was a whirlwind romance.

Now you may be wondering what this has to do with the book, GRAY HAWK’S LADY.  Well, a lot, I’m afraid.  I was in the middle of writing that book, and I fell so deeply in love with this man, who is now my husband, that of course that love was written all over the printed pages of GRAY HAWK’S LADY.  That first kiss and my Samhain_RWA2012_IMG_0292_Webemotional reaction to it is recorded in that work.  Also, my gradual coming to understand that this man was the most important man in my life is in that book.  His calmness, his teasing, his care…it’s all written there as I fell head over heels in love.  Over to the right here is a recent photo of us.

14-smooch[1]Did I mention that my earring (the night of that first kiss) fell off — and I have pierced ears!…

In May of this year, we were married for 17 years.  Interestingly enough I still have the pictures of our wedding on my website www.novels-by-KarenKay.com — can’t bring myself to take them down, even though 17 years more or less have gone by now.  People sometimes write to me and congratulate me on my recent marriage — and I smile.  To me, in many ways, it does seem like a recent marriage, as I fall in love with this man all over again every day.  I told him recently (only a few days ago) that for me it seems as if our time together has been like a fairy-tale romance (again, knock on wood). 

galler6[1]I love this man with all my heart — and as the years have gone by, that love grows and grows and grows.   He stole my heart with that first kiss and that love goes on and on and on.  (I’ll knock on wood here.)  As the — gee, was it the Ronettes that once sang the song, “And Then He Kissed Me,” —  it has always seemd to me that it started with that kiss.    Ah, sweet!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the blog today.  Again, I’ll be giving away a free copy of this ebook to some lucky blogger, so do leave a message.GrayHawksLady_v1

And if you haven’t done so before, pick up your copy of GRAY HAWK’S LADY today!

http://store.samhainpublishing.com/karen-kay-pa-1676.html?PHPSESSID=6c95d8d5491a741a6376af7dabc15511

 

Karen Kay
Website | + posts

KAREN KAY aka GEN BAILEY is the multi-published author of American Indian Historical Romances. She has written for such prestigious publishers as AVON/HarperCollins, Berkley/Penguin/Putnam and Samhain Publishing. KAREN KAY’S great grandmother was Choctaw Indian and Kay is honored to be able to write about the American Indian Culture.
Please refer to https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules for all contest rules.

29 thoughts on “The Story Behind the Story of GRAY HAWK’S LADY”

  1. I love your story! I definitely would love to read Gray Hawk’s Lady. Isn’t it grand when love grabs you both when you least expect it and never lets you go. That happened to me thirty eight years ago and what a journey I have been on ever since!

  2. Thanks for sharing your love story and pictures. I’m happy you found your soul mate. I would love to read GRAY HAWK’S LADY, Genevieve and Gray Hawk’s journey to love and happiness.

  3. I really enjoyed reading your post this morning and love your books. I’ve won an autographed copy of your book from you before and would love to win an autographed copy of your book to give to my Grandma for her Birthday next month. She loves your writing too and we always share your stories.

  4. I love your wonderful love story! Love can happen in an instant, or in a kiss, and that is when happily ever after begins! Mine began 15 years ago and continues to flourish every day! I can’t wait to fall in love with GRAY HAWK’S LADY!

  6. Thank for your great story! It so nice to see people who are still in love truly! My husband and I had a funny start. When I first met him I originally wanted him to date my friend. but neither of them like each other like that for reasons I didn’t know why. but as it was he liked me that way not her. we have been together for almost 10 years and just celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. I still love his kisses 🙂

  7. Oh, thanks for sharing your story and pics with us Karen! It is funny, my mom told me that when she first saw my dad she told her mother that he was the one… on their first date, my dad told her that he never goes out with anyone for more than six months… after their date he did not call for quite a while… finally he called and they have been together since… 🙂

  15. WOW your love story is a true love story… How wonderful that second date and the kiss sealed the deal.. Thanks for sharing your wonderful love story and your pictures to go along with it.. And Grey Hawks Lady is defiantly a book I would like on my tbr shelf.

  16. Kay, what a wonderful, wonderful love story of you and your husband! I enjoyed this sooo much. Thanks for sharing this with us. Grey Hawk’s Lady sounds fantastic, and now that I know the inspiration–you know I’m going to have to get it and I’ll think of this blog when I read it!
    Hugs,
    Cheryl

  17. What a wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I would love to read Grey Hawk’s Lady. It sounds like a fantastic read.

  21. Karen, though I have read your story before I always feel so inspired by it. Thank you for sharing it and all of your tales. They are always so beautiful!

  23. Lovely story,,aren’t you glad your friend didn’t let it go,,love the cover on the book too very sexy

  24. I love you story! You have a fairy tale love story of your very own! I so enjoy your books. No one write an Indian love story better than you. Kudos to you, Miss Karen!

  25. Hi Vickie!

    So nice to see you here on the blog again. Thanks for your delightful comment — and I so agee on the book cover. For me, it tells the story, also. 🙂

  27. I enjoyed your posting. It reminds me of my niece. She had met different guys but was never right. She was going to focus on her three boys and good job. A friend begged her to go to the restaurant that night, so she went and they talked for over five hours. This past Valentine’s Day they were married. They’re very happy and the boys love him and he loves those boys. I’m very thankful to the Lord for this blessing in our family. Thank you for sharing your post with us.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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