If you’re new to my work, you won’t know who Dinah McCall was. If you’ve been reading me for a while, then you do. So, FYI… Dinah McCall is my pen name, and the last book she wrote was THE SURVIVORS, which came out in 2006. I was writing The Survivors in 2005 when my Bobby became ill, and then was diagnosed with liver cancer. He died in our house, in my arms, and a piece of me and Dinah went with him. It took me over a year to finish that book after he died. Every time I sat down to try and write, all I could see was him, all I could remember was feeling his last breath on my cheek. I was a wreck.
Over time, I managed to get my act together, but thinking about writing a Dinah book just reminded me of the last one, which reminded me of him, and ultimately, Dinah quit. Thank goodness Sharon didn’t, or we would both be homeless.
Yes, my Bobby was gone, but his spirit is always around me. I know it. I feel him. When I am worried or down about something, I find pennies. His signal to me that he is near. When I travel…when I have a serious appointment at the doctor, when I am worried about my mother, my family, making the next mortgage payment, whatever it is, I know he is near.
And then a few months ago I had a dream. Again, for those of you who DON’T know, I dream my books. In color, with dialogue, etc… like you would go to the movies. So in this dream, my Bobby was showing me a scene (it’s in the first part of the book where the heroine is being attacked and then rescued). And then the next night, I got the rest of the story. Everything in this book is an homage to the Native American race and to their enduring spirit to be able to survive despite what would seem to many, overwhelming odds.. Bobby was from the Creek/Muscogee tribe. Both of my daddy’s grandmothers were of Native American descent. One was Cherokee, the other Cree. So we always shared a kindred spirit as well as the love.
So, it’s because of my Bobby, and the dream and the push he gave me, that prompted Dinah McCall to pull herself out of mothballs. This is the first book she’s written in seven years. She was afraid most people had forgotten about her. She was leery about a Native American paranormal when the hot topic in paranormal books seems to still be demons, vampires and witches. But this was the dream, and this is the book, and it’s from her (and me and my Bobby) to you, with love…
Sharon, very moved hearing the story of your Bobby, and I love how your new Dinah McCall book has come about. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for all your great writing, you are a true inspiration in many ways. Diane
Thank you, Diane. I hope you enjoy the story. You’ll have to let me know.
Sharon, I am sorry to hear about your loss. However, I am pleased to welcome Dinah McCall back. She has been greatly missed. Whenever I searched for books to put in my wishlist, I would check to see if Dinah was writing again. Thank you for writing, because I find myself connecting with many of your characters with regard to emotional growth.
Sharon, I have missed your Dinah McCall. I am not really sure which was my favourite, though The Chosen has gotten pretty beat up. I lost my sister 3 years ago, and I know that your Bobby will always be just a little ways away. The heart knits a little, and the happy memories outnumber the sadness. I am so glad you are writing so much again, though it makes me kind of cranky that up here in Canada, I have to get the books from Amazon US, as Indigo did not carry A Field of Poppies or The Boarding House. Oh I loved that book!! I read it, got about half way thru, went Ah Hah, finished it, then a week later read it again. (and cried again) Your books are on my livingroom shelf, so I can reread them whenever I want!
Hi Sharon, I have been reading you for a long time now and was aware of all you went through with Bobby. I’m so happy that you have been able to move past the worst part of the grief and start remembering the good more than the bad.
I have to admit that my all-time favorite Dinah McCall was ‘Dreamcatcher’. I loved the way you were able to blend mystery, love story, and community into one book.
Like Monique, I have had trouble finding ‘A Field of Poppies’. I won’t by from Amazon or Barnes & Noble and for some reason Kobo (an eBook company based in Canada) doesn’t carry the book. This surprised me because they do have your Boarding House book. If you can help with this in any way, I would greatly appreciate it.
I just got ‘Don’t Cry for Me and can’t wait to start it! I absolutely loved ‘Next of Kin’ and like most of your books, it has left me on tenderhooks waiting for the next book in the seiries.
I hope you are doing well with your mom. I know how draining it can be, taking care of a loved one. You need to remember to take a little time for yourself too though, because otherwise you always feel drained.
~Tamar
I loved Dinah and also love Sharon’s books!!!