It’s hard for me to explain my books to other people. Why would loving parents of a ten-year-old send their child to a boarding school only to be adopted by another family at age fourteen? But, it’s a premise you must accept to understand my stories. Much like science fiction, where you have to accept that the characters can travel faster than the speed of light, or time-travel in a novel, or the supernatural powers in horror stories, all of which have never been proven in fact. Yet, you must buy into the basic premise to understand and enjoy the story. Maybe it’s easier in those stories because interstellar travel and time travel are a lot less emotional. Okay, horror, not so much.

The premise you have to accept in my books is that there are people in the world capable of unconditional love. It doesn’t matter who they are with. It doesn’t matter their gender. They have the capacity to give love constantly. Openly and honestly. Most parents understand this type of love. As we grow, the list becomes larger. My wife, my mother and father, my kids, my siblings, their spouses, and a few dear friends are all people I feel I can love unconditionally and without judgment. It’s is sometimes hard to get there, but it’s worth it.

There is a constant spiritual theme throughout The Hanover Girls series. These characters believe love comes from God, the penultimate unconditional love. Obviously, I do, too, since I created these characters. Religion isn’t the source, but devotion to whatever faith you have is important. These children interact with all creeds and races. Because it’s exceptionality that defines them with an exceptional love.

Are the families in the Hanover Girls series perfect? Not at all. Are they confused and conflicted? Some of the time. But the love they have for each other guides them through their relationships and the world. I’m writing about characters much better than me in hopes some of it will rub off. Something to aspire to until I die. As Sarah Hanover often says, “It’s never enough.”

So is it a leap of faith to believe there are devoted, loving families out there? Not at all. The ones that work the hardest get no credit. They are selfless and unassuming. They may be accomplished and wealthy, or struggling and poor. Yet, the love transcends all, and they go on loving, brightening the world for all of us. It’s no coincidence that I’ve had the characters quote St. Pauls first letter to the Corinthians several times. “Faith, Hope and Love remain. And the greatest of these is Love.”

Yes, it’s been a while. So much for New Year’s resolutions. Too many distractions, but most were self-inflicted. We did a kitchen remodel. Enough said?

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’m working on The Hanover Girls Book 5. I’m struggling with the thought that it will finish the series. I had to stop writing due to the distractions, but I finally feel like I’m back on course. The characters get closer, and the relationships deepen. Book 5 may end this sequence of events, but I may never walk away from these characters. So, yes, I plan on continuing with other storylines of these remarkable people and their legacy.

I’ve enjoyed the research on Book 5, taking me on internet journeys to Ireland, Paris, and, of course, New England. Also more technical subjects like flight school (spoiler) and music recording. Both of which I’m familiar with from my younger days, and both of which have changed dramatically from my younger days.

One of the better distractions has been the guitar I mentioned in a previous post. I’ve never done a setup on my guitars myself, usually letting more qualified technicians take care of it. But I didn’t really like the factory setup on the new guitar, so I decided to do it myself. I learned a lot, thanks to many good posts and videos online. It’s just the way I want it now. It’s the kind of guitar you just want to pick up and play every time you walk by it. A technical but creative distraction.

In the midst of the guitar discovery, and with help from some creative impulses, I realized Book 5 needed some original music. So I embarked on some original songs. Creativity spawns creativity, which I love. It’s very strange to have so much music tied to the stories. I actually have a playlist for Book 4, where most of it is performed. It’s funny when inspiration hits you. Two in the morning, and I’m typing lyrics into my phone before I forget them. I hope that never ends.

Music plays a big part in the Hanover Girls story. It’s there in Book 1, but it gets more and more pronounced in each of the following books. There is no doubt that music is an inspiration to me, and it has been since I was young. In college, I was in a road cover band with my brother. We traveled all over the western US. There was no greater joy than performing, even in dive bars with 500 drunk rig workers. The crowd appreciated the good live music and we were happy to oblige.

A couple of years ago, I mentioned to the same brother that I was looking for another guitar. I have a few, but I wouldn’t say I’m a collector. My electrics of choice are Fender Stratocasters. I was pretty specific in what I wanted. I already owned a 1965 pre-CBS Stratocaster that I got when I was in ninth grade. It’s now considered a relic but in a good way. We won’t talk about what year that was. I told my brother I always wanted a sunburst Strat with a rosewood fingerboard. It could be a MIM (Made in Mexico) because those are renowned for their high quality but affordable. I already had a US-made Strat and frankly, I don’t feel worthy of a Custom Shop Strat.

The youngest of the Hanover kids, Jack Hanover, is a guitar virtuoso at a very young age. Is it any wonder his favorite guitar is a Fender Stratocaster? Yes, I live vicariously through my characters. Music defines relationships for the Hanovers all the way through the series. These kids work at music and become better musicians and better human beings. Isn’t that what music is all about?

I don’t know who the audience is for my books. I’m writing about love, but does that make it Romance? I’ve included intimacy, but does that make it Erotic Romance? It’s about an ever-expanding family, but does that make it Family Life Fiction? It’s about teens, but does that make it Young Adult? The characters are spiritual; does that make it Christian Romance? Categorizing is hard.

Maybe I don’t need to worry about it. Yes, I have to attach genres on the various book seller’s websites. And as my tagline says, Contemporary Love Stories, which is why I put them under Fiction/Romance/Contemporary. What people think of it from there is up to them.

Life is complicated enough, and we’re all human. We succeed, we make mistakes, we love, we hurt. But we always grow. That growth is what I’m trying to capture and convey with these characters. So what category would that be? Probably Coming of Age, but not in the traditional context. We will be coming-of-age until we die. At least, I hope so. I’m not the same person I was four decades ago. Not even two decades ago. Not even last year.

I would propose to make a Fiction category of Romantic and Passionate Life. Where our characters are always pursuing the exemplary. To make themselves better, and in turn, making us better.

Yes, that was a comment from a reader. Yes, they are. They are supposed to be. But it doesn’t come without some experience, both from my own children, and many I’ve met.

With that transition, we found photographing high school seniors was our sweet spot. These were nice kids. They were respectful, polite and full of energy. They were also handsome and beautiful young adults. These kids were the inspiration for the Hanover kids and their friends. Above is a small sampling of the outstanding young men and women I was blessed to photograph. I am grateful for the inspiration they provided.

My love of New England started as far back as I can remember. My mom was from a small borough west of Boston, and we would travel to see my grandparents and cousins every few years. I never lived there, but it’s still a magical place for me. I had the chance to visit recently, and it was everything I remember, which is odd after a thirty year hiatus.