Intelligent
brown eyes and a smattering of freckles decorate the countenance of Daffodil
“Dilly” Grace Douglas, the heroine of At
Home with Daffodils, my story in the Bouquet
of Brides collection.
I imagine Dilly, dressed in a long black skirt and plain white “shirtwaist,” making change for customers as she runs her mother’s general store in the rolling hills of northeastern Oklahoma, just a few years after statehood. The family store in Rock City also houses the first official post office in the area, so Dilly often serves as the acting postmistress.
When the
story opens, Dilly Douglas has finally outgrown her
hated nickname, Silly-Dilly. She keeps the books and manages purchasing at her
mama’s general store, ever vigilant to prove to the small town of Rock Creek
that she is a trustworthy, capable woman. Her mother believes she’s an early
bloomer, like her namesake flower that opens to the sun early in spring. She
says that from a young age Dilly has been dependable and trustworthy, but Dilly
struggles to believe her mother’s words. She still hears the childhood chant
ringing in her ears, “Silly Dilly . . . Silly Dilly . . . Silly Dilly . . . ”
and often holds back her innate exuberance and joy in her efforts to prove her
steadiness. What happens to help Dilly blossom into the fullness of all she is?
Of course it will have something to do with the reappearance of her childhood
sweetheart, Jace Gruber, but I won’t spoil the story by telling you about that
now. To celebrate the release of A Bouquet of Brides, I’m giving away a copy of the book. Enter the drawing by signing-up for my newsletter or leaving a comment on my blog during the month of January (USA readers only). Check out my website, where I have free resources and information about the Free to Flourish writing and speaking ministry.
Author, speaker,
and mom of four, Paula Moldenhauer encourages others to live free to flourish. She
shares this message when speaking at women’s events, and it permeates her
written work. Paula has published over 300 times in non-fiction markets and has
a devotional book series, Soul Scents. Her
first published novella, You’re a
Charmer Mr. Grinch, was a finalist in the ACFW Carol Awards, and she now
has six published works of fiction. Paula and her husband, Jerry, are adjusting
to a sometimes-empty nest in Colorado. They treasure time with their growing
family of adult children, spouses, and spouses-to-be. Paula loves peppermint
ice cream, going barefoot, and adventuring with friends. Visit her at www.paulamoldenhauer.com
Kathy's tribute to Paula Moldenhauer
I've been writing something about each of the authors in this collection as I post articles on the heroines of their stories. I must be careful here because I could fill a book with this one as we have known each other since the beginning of our writing journeys and have had many adventures together. Paula has been writing about the authors on her blog. Here is a link to the one she wrote about me. She has said everything I want to say about our time together except how I feel about her. Paula is my prayer-partner, writing partner (Titanic: Legacy of Betrayal,) and oftentimes a mother to me, even though she's ten years my junior. She's Lucy to my Ethel, although sometimes we switch. We've been through a lot together, good and bad, happy and sad. Her ministry is based on Grace and mine is based on Giggles. Together we make a well rounded team. I love you forever, PaulaPoo!
