So ... I've been receiving loads of emails and comments lately that absolutely thrill me. Unless you've been in this position (or something similar), it's impossible to fully grasp what it means when an author learns that perfect strangers are being moved by their writing. An author shares stories that apparently come from nowhere, opening their souls to the world, daring themselves to be brave enough to chance criticism and rejection. 

And everyone receives that. It's part of the business. You can't please 'em all.

But when the opposite happens, when readers express love for the writing, it is more than a dream come true. For me it is something of which I never dared to dream. I wrote "Under the Same Sky" for me, never thinking it might go any farther. I wrote "Sound of the Heart" for me, for my editor ... and for Dougal, who demanded his story be told. And in Fall 2013 you will read Adelaide's story in "Out of the Shadows". This passion of mine has grown and become a mountain I can't help but climb.

Recently I've received a number of requests for a certain storyline ... namely a reunion of the two MacDonnell brothers. This review by Carolyn Hughes on Goodreads was a wonderful example.

BUT I have to explain something.

Berkley Sensation (Penguin US) has been wonderful, believing in me, encouraging me to share the stories in my head. But what they asked me to write was a "companion novel", not a sequel. That means you should be able to pick up one book and read it completely independently of the other, so if you pick up "Sound of the Heart" first, you won't miss anything key. If I'd written a sequel, you'd have to read the books in order. With my companion novels, I have independent stories happening at the same time - different lives being led, all connected. 

Andrew and Maggie came first. Dougal nearly drove me crazy with his insistence (thank goodness!), and even shy Adelaide woke me one morning with a need to share her story. Wee Janet MacLeod (the beautiful lassie who tried unsuccessfully to win Andrew over) even wants a book. (Under construction) These are all "companion novels".

But I'm with you. I can't see the series as being complete since the family members haven't yet reunited. And I get excited thinking about the offspring of Maggie and Adelaide. Can you imagine? It may be a while, but I will write that book. Just be patient! Andrew searched his whole life for Maggie, Dougal spent years looking for Glenna ... so hang in there. I love love love that you want to read that book. I can hardly wait to write it.

And thank you. From the bottom of my heart.