"I Know You Already Have a Book Cover, But...." (A Chance to Win a Copy of "Visage").

No, this is not the official book cover for Visage.

Yes, this is my official promotional piece for the second book in the BryonySeries, which has a December 1 release date.

So what’s going on?

I received a very cool surprise gift last week. So while Matt Coundiff, the illustrator for Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from “Bryony,” is still hard at work on the cover and interior art for Visage, I’m seizing the opportunity to show off this gift off a bit.

Besides, the timing of that gift brightened up a challenging week. Here’s what happened.

Last Monday night, while carrying an armful of books down the ladder for family Bible study (We tend to go overboard), I paused a couple rungs from the bottom to chat with Rebekah, who was folding laundry.

As I took a step, my foot, (which I had foolishly clad in non-skid slipper socks, hardly the appropriate attire for ascending and descending metal ladders with my hands full), slipped backward and down I tumbled. I dropped the books but not quickly enough to keep from hitting my hard head on the bottom rung.

I didn’t feel too badly that night, but oh was I stiff and bruised the next morning! Did I mention it was also my second concussion in six weeks? That one was the result of a freak piano accident. Read about it Here.

Work was slow going that day (I also succumbed to a ninety minute nap, which didn’t help my cause), and I fell somewhat behind, (despite skipping the walk), but I got through it and happily crawled into bed.

The next day I was still hurting, but now scrambling and feeling a bit caged since I again passed on my walk. Late that morning, a good friend, Christopher Gleason, texted and asked when, after one o’clock, might I be free. (I can hear the background chuckles of all you know me well. Free? I am never free). I texted back that I wasn’t available due to work and then homework with the kids. Next he asked if he might drop something off at the house, and I agreed.

When Christopher texted to announce his imminent arrival, Rebekah and I were in the last few pages of Jane Eyre. Christopher asked me to come outside just as Mr. Rochester jealously finished drilling Jane about her relationship with St. John Rivers.

Rebekah glanced at her remaining stack of homework and groaned both at the work and more the fact that I was disrupting a really pivotal point in the story.

“I’ll just be a minute,” I promised.

I quickly crossed the front yard and approached the driver’s side, asking, “What’s up?”

“Get in,” Christopher said.

I glanced back at the house and mentally heard Rebekah’s indignant objections.

“Um....” I began.

“Just get in.”

I hurried around to the passenger’s side, shut the door, and reached into my back pocket for my phone to text Rebekah that’d I’d be right back.

We didn’t move. Instead, Christopher reached behind the seat, brought forth a large silver and white gift bag, and set it on my lap. Stunned speechless (an amazing feat in itself), I moved aside the tissue paper and beheld an 8x10 colored pencil, framed rendition of Visage.

“I know you already have a book cover, but....”

I felt awestruck and warmed to the core. Sure, I’ve enjoyed the thrill of seeing my work come to life in the form of art, music, and even candles, but those have been artist/business collaborations. Except for my family, this is the first time anyone ever proactively created a Bryony themed piece and presented it to me as a gift.

As I studied the picture’s detail, I admired the time Christopher, unbidden, had devoted to it. Furthermore, he had framed it in cherry wood, the signature wood of Bryony’s bedroom furniture and music box. I momentarily forgot about Rebekah and her homework.

To date, I have several Bryony events and two writer workshops scheduled in October and November and several more needing finalizing. Christopher’s picture will accompany each one.

I invite you to stop by and leave a positive comment about the art along with your name and contact information. One random commenter will receive a signed copy of Visage.

For event details, become a fan of Bryony on Facebook www.facebook.com/BryonySeries and visit the BryonySeries "Fetes and Feasts" page: www.bryonyseries.com/Fetes_and_Feasts.html