With that in mind, the idea for The Family Journal came to me a few years ago. Lily Anderson appeared in my virtual world with a story to tell me that went along with the inspiration. She was still in pain from a messy divorce after five years and needed a change in her life. She and her young daughter bonded over an old family journal she found in her mother’s antique secretary. Having these characters in my head for all the weeks I worked on this book was truly an experience, and like so many of my other books, it became a book of my heart.

As always, it takes a village to produce a book, and I have folks to thank who abide in that village with me. My agent, Erin Niumata, and my agency, Folio Management, are amazing, and I can’t thank them enough for continuing to be there for me. My editors, Anh Schluep and Krista Stroever—y’all are simply the best, and I love working with you both. All the folks on my Montlake team who proofread, copyedit, and design my awesome covers—and do a fabulous job of promotion—I bow to all your expertise. My husband, Mr. B, who is my biggest supporter, who doesn’t mind having takeout so I can finish one more chapter—I love you, and here’s to another fifty-three years together.

And to my readers! Y’all are the icing on the cupcake. You are all worth every bit of the work that goes into producing a book. I love your notes, your reviews, and your encouragement.

I’m one blessed author, and I appreciate everyone in my life who helps me be able to say that!

Until next time,
Happy Reading,
Carolyn Brown

About the Author

About the Author

Photo © 2015 Charles Brown

Carolyn Brown is a RITA finalist and the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of nearly one hundred books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, cowboy and country-music romances, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in the small town of Davis, Oklahoma, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and when . . . and reads the local newspaper every Wednesday to see who got caught. They have three grown children and enough grandchildren to keep them young. Visit Carolyn at www.carolynbrownbooks.com.