Please welcome Jill Haymaker and take a peek at her lastest novel
in the Peakview Series, Mountain Hearts.
Thanks, L.A., it's good to be back.
I’ve always wanted to write a book about someone who’d lost a child. It’s the most devastating thing anyone can live through. My heroine starts the story in this very dark place. This book is about recovery and coming through on the other side of grief. Love can help us get through just about anything. I decided to make my hero have his own past ghosts so they could heal together.
We’ve all experienced some kind of grief in our lives. My goal is to show hope to those who need it. I hope everyone will be able to relate to this story on some level.
Excerpt:
Suzy Quinlan kicked the dark gray slush in front of her tire with the pointed toe of her high-heeled black boot. The clump fell off her car with a thud, as she grabbed the door handle with her free hand to avoid the same fate. In her other hand, she clung to the large, black umbrella. The cold, icy drizzle continued to fall from the sky. She glanced back in the direction she’d come, in time to see the coffin being lowered into the cold ground. She quickly turned away. The grave side service was bad enough—she didn’t want to think about what happened next.
She carefully walked to the driver’s side of her car. A solid layer of ice had formed on her windshields. Could this day get any worse? She slid her way to the trunk and grabbed out her ice scraper. This was a two-hand job. She collapsed the umbrella and threw it in the trunk. Her long, red hair, which she had so carefully straightened this morning, was sure to turn into a frizz ball in about ten seconds flat in this weather. It didn’t matter. Nothing really mattered anymore. She made her way back to the front of the car and started chipping away. Reaching across the snowy hood, she cursed as her ankle twisted in a pothole. Icy, cold water entered her boot which was made for fashion, not function.
She gave up and climbed behind the wheel and cranked the defrost button to high. She’d wait while the car did the rest of the work. She sighed and laid her head on the steering wheel. She wasn’t going to cry, not now.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Suzy looked up to see her mom knocking on her window. She pushed the button, and slush flew as the pane descended.
“You’re coming to the house, right?” Mom’s pretty face was creased with worry.
“Yes.”
“Do you want to ride with us?” Mom pointed over at Dad sitting behind the wheel of the next car.
“It would be silly to leave my car here at the cemetery. Besides, my feet are soaked. I want to stop at the apartment and change. You go ahead.”
“Alright, but don’t take too long. Aunt Julie says people from the church have been bringing food by all day. I know everyone wants to see you. Don’t forget that Grams and Alice have to catch a plane tonight.”
“I’ll be there.” She rolled the window back up and watched her mom climb in their vehicle, and her dad drive away.
Her windshield had semi-cleared. She turned on the wipers, pulled away from the curb, and drove down the slushy street. Not toward her apartment—not toward her childhood home—just ahead. She knew everyone wanted to give her their condolences, but she’d lose it if she heard one more person say, “I’m sorry for your loss” or “It’s going to be alright.” It wasn’t going to be alright—ever. No amount of casseroles could change that.
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Blurb:
SUZY QUINLAN’S heart dies the day she buries her five year old son, Mason. Leaving the cold cemetery, she flees to the Colorado Mountains searching for peace. Unexpectedly caught in a blinding snowstorm, she seeks shelter in the tiny town of Peakview.
JERRY DECKER is known as the town’s hermit. Since returning from his service in Iraq eight years earlier, he lives a solitary life hiding from his demons, with only his dog, Bear, as company.
Two hearts damaged by grief drawn together as kindred souls. To move forward, they’ll have to face their pasts and lay their ghosts to rest. Can broken hearts dare to hope again?
COME HOME TO PEAKVIEW, COLORADO, WHERE EVERYONE HAS A CHANCE AT LOVE.
Jill Haymaker was born and raised in Indiana and Ohio. After high school, she attended Bowling Green State University before moving to Fort Collins, Colorado. Ms. Haymaker made her home in Fort Collins until her recent move to East Texas. She practiced family law in Fort Collins for the past 20 years. She has three grown children, a son and two daughters. She also has three granddaughters.
Jill has always had a passion for writing. Colorado Sunset was her first full length romance novel in her Peakview, Colorado series. Her latest book, Mountain Hearts is the eighth book in the series. If you love small town romance, you will love the characters in this series. She also has had several short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, the most recent in the book Random Acts of Kindness.
When not practicing law or writing, Jill enjoys The Colorado mountains, horseback riding, gardening, long walks with her Shetland Sheepdog, Laddie, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She enjoys their numerous sporting events. She is also an avid football fan and can be found on autumn weekends cheering on her favorite teams. She has a passion for working with high school youth- she is a youth group leader at her church, coaches a high school mock trial team and is a volunteer at cross country and track meets.
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