I have to go back and re-read your post, because I keep being distracted by your cover -- it's gorgeous!

And 25 blogs in 25 days? OMG. I did 8 in a month and I was exhausted, so I tip my hat to you. ;)

As for kindness, I've been fortunate more times than I can count to have received the kindness of friends, and sometimes even people I hardly knew. I think kindness and bravery are everywhere. A must in our heroes and heroines.

I love that idea of "home is where you start" -- I think that's something I have come back to again and again with my characters, and was just thinking this morning about how parents, home, always make some appearance in my stories, if only as part of the character's backstory. It always shapes, to whatever degree, who they are. I don't see any way around that, really, at least for how I think of characters.

I was thinking about it yesterday, in regards to two brothers I have in two books I have running now, an online read at eHarl, and the Oct release that it's linked to -- they were both motivated to respond to relationships very differently by their own parents' very happy marriage. They had an ideal childhood, no trauma or sadness, and yet each brother comes at relationships differently because of how they perceive that idea of "the perfect marriage."

This is a great blog, and I hope we'll have lots of fun discussion today. :)

Sam

I believe those traumatic moments are what make us who we are. They only strengthen us for things to come. Since characters are often modeled after us mere humans, it only stands to reason that they would have similar experiences.

I know what you mean with your kids starting school. Our first day of school was last Monday, so hectic and exciting all rolled into one. We do the best we can at home and hope that their teachers are doing the same when we give our children into their care every day.

Oh, and I can't wait to read TORTURED! LOL

Deidre

Hello Amanda,

Here in the last year I have been touched by the hands of a stranger on two occasions. One was from a fellow reviewer who sent me a box of books from two of my favorite authors. Another couple, donated some wood to use for our front porch. People are truly remarkable. I have been blessed by both incidents.

Roberta H.

Hi Amanda. Tortured sounds great. I love the cover. I have been been helped by strangers before. I have had guys help me load groceries in my car and carry heavy items for me when I am struggling. I have had people give me coupons in the store when they see I have an item in my cart that they have a coupon for.

First off, I LOVE this cover...it's gorgeous! Your story sounds fascinating, and I can't wait to pick up my copy of this book.

I know what you mean about time going by in the blink of an eye, and yet still feeling the same as you did all those years ago. My oldest will turn 16 at Christmas, yet it seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and taking pictures of her tucked inside a Christmas stocking under the tree!

Years ago, my husband bought me a beautiful hand-painted barrel stave that I keep over the door to my sunroom that says, Home is where your story begins. I love it.

The kindness of strangers...where to begin? I am constantly humbled by how generous and giving people can be.

Congratulations on your book, Amanda!

Hi Amanda!

In Emma Thompson's screenplay adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, I'm always floored when Elinor says this to Edward:

"The unkindness of your family has made you astonished to find friendship elsewhere."

It is a statement very close to my heart.
Hugs -
G.

www.genelladegrey.com

Welcome, Amanda!

I am blessed to say that I have often been touched by the kindness of strangers. I do a lot of volunteer work with an international women's group. I get to see all manner of kindness - not just to myself, but from women to other human beings around the planet.

For me personally, even just a genuine smile or a door held open as I'm carrying the baby is enough to stick with me. Just thinking about it is making me smile. Thank you!

Good luck on the rest of that tour. Whew!
Cathy

Hi, Amanda! Congrats on your kids heading off to their junior year! (That's still a ways off for our family--this will be the first year they're all in school for at least part of the day every day!)

As for the kindness of strangers, I think that whenever I tend to get cynical about people and their motives, someone will surprise me with something--often it isn't something huge, but as others have said, a genuine smile or offer to help or even a true compliment go a long way :)

Please do not enter me, I have already won a copy...just waiting for it to come :)

There have been so many times people have done nice things for me. When my daughter was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopahty, we had more help offered to us than we knew what to do with. Helping with the kids at home, random people at the hospital just there to listen or do what they could to help.

Two of my boys started school today. 5th and 3rd grade, they looked so cute in their uniforms. My youngest son will go to preschool in September, just leaving me and my daughter home to have girl time. Summer goes by so fast!

Thanks!
Amy M

Hi Amanda,
Simple gestures such as holding the door open for me or letting me on the bus ahead of them really make my day. Hope your twins have a great first day at school.

Hi Amanda! Tortured sounds right up my alley. I really enjoyed your blog and the question you posed.

The first thing I remembered regarding the kindness of strangers was when, about a decade ago, my car slid off an icy road and headed straight for a large stand of trees. On the other side of those trees was the frozen lake of a local beach. Luckily the snow was deep enough that my car stopped long before I hit the trees, but it took a handful of people - none of whom I knew - to dig out my car. I didn't have a cell phone or a shovel, so if they hadn't been there, I would have been in for a very long hike! People with kind hearts do exist...sometimes you just have to search a little harder to find them. :)

Wishing you much success!

Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/

I just saw the book on the shelf today (and it IS a gorgeous cover! caught my eye right away), but I hadn't read this blog at that point in time and was there for another purpose other than browsing for books for me. I'll have to remember to check it out the next time I'm there. Sounds verrrrry interesting!

Thanks for a great blog. :)

And congrats to Roberta!

TGIF, everyone

Sam