Way back in September 2000, I turned forty with a bash! Surrounded by family and close friends, I hosted a fun “Color Me Forty” party. I donned my brightest, most colorful blouse, and we had a lamb roasting on the spit while we sat outside under our large willow tree drinking brightly colored sodas, playing kids games, and painting our faces. Everyone also painted a square cloth depicting me. After all these years, I still haven’t figured out what to do with those pieces of painted fabric, but they’re nice to look at from time to time.
Here are a few photos of that birthday celebration, which also served as a farewell party because two months later we immigrated to Ireland. (My apologies about the quality of the photos—they were taken in the days before the amazing Smartphone.)
Now, I’m not entirely sure that life began that day as the saying goes, but it certainly has been a roller coaster since. We’ve moved countries…twice—from South Africa to Ireland, and then back home again. We’ve traveled overseas many, many times to Australia, New Zealand, America, Lapland, Finland, Russia, England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Hungary, Romania, France, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, land of my birth. We’ve celebrated two sons’ marriages, been excited at becoming grandparents twice of two gorgeous boys, and cried at the graves of my parents. I’ve started a business which failed, become an author, and given up my day job to write full-time (which so far has been pretty successful…I’m managing to make a living doing what I love). We have loved; we have lost. We’ve laughed, and we’ve cried. Maybe life didn’t begin at forty, but it certainly has happened in great, big doses in the eighteen years that have followed.
Talking about the big four-oh, I’ve something exciting to share—something we’ve been keeping pretty much under wraps until recently and which I’m really glad I don’t have to do any longer. This past Tuesday, Remember Me released. This is the first of a 12-book tri-author series by Autumn Macarthur, Alexa Verde, and myself. This great new series is set in the fictional town of Chapel Cove on the Oregon coast where, as they say, life begins at forty.
Here’s what two early readers have said about Remember Me:
Very heartwarming, although sometimes heartbreaking, story filled with renewed hope of forgiveness, healing, trust, second chances, and new beginnings. The fictional town of Chapel Cove became so vivid in my mind that I wanted to linger in it, and even wished I could visit it in real life. Any reader can relate to wondering about the “what-if’s” and the “why’s” that are part of the characters’ struggles in this story. A story that will capture your heart and imagination and will remain past the last word. ~ Becky Smith
I am always amazed and gratified with Marion’s stories. Her grasp of human nature and how God figures in their lives makes her characters believable and lovable. With Remember Me, I fell in love with not just a couple, but an entire community. As soon as I can locate it on a map, I’m saving for a trip to Chapel Cove. Will you join me? I can hardly wait for the rest of this series. ~ Judith Robl, JR’s Red Quill Editing, Author of As Grandma Says
But why don’t I let the words and pictures below speak for themselves. Hopefully you’ll be as excited as my friends Becky and Judith to visit Chapel Cove.
Welcome to Chapel Cove, Oregon, where life begins at forty.
As their fortieth birthdays loom, three childhood friends return unexpectedly to their home town. Stunning coastline, a harbor against life’s storms, and a welcoming community await them. Hurt by challenges, disappointments, and failures; reminded of their unfulfilled hopes and dreams, they’re offered a fresh start. And, if they’re brave enough to accept it, a second chance at love. Will they allow God to safely anchor them in their hearts’ home, or will doubt and uncertainty drive them to repeat their old mistakes?
Discover this small town filled with love, hope, and faith, in Chapel Cove, a series of sweet and clean standalone Christian romances from three bestselling authors.
What she most needed was right there in front of her all along.
At the age of thirteen, Clarise Aylward and her two best friends each pen a wish list of things they want to achieve. Deciding to bury a tin containing their life goals, the friends vow to unearth the metal box once they’ve all turned forty. But as the decades pass and each girl chases her dreams, the lists are forgotten.
Heath Brock has been in love with Clarise for over twenty-seven years and counting. As a young man, he’d plucked up the courage to ask her out on a Valentine’s date, but the couple had succumbed to pent-up passions, sending Clarise dashing for the other side of the country.
Years after Clarise’s sudden departure, Heath serves as youth pastor. He’d held out hope of Clarise’s return, but buries his feelings for his childhood sweetheart when he learns she’s married.
Almost penniless, divorced, and with nowhere to go, Clarise returns home to Chapel Cove, her future uncertain. She’s approaching forty with her dreams in tatters. When old feelings resurface, Clarise wonders whether she’s ever really fallen out of love with Heath.
What’s the man of God to do when his old flame returns, seemingly to stay?
With Clarise back in town, Heath is determined not to repeat past mistakes, but if he has anything to say about it, never again will he lose the only woman he’s ever loved.
I’ll be giving away an eBook of Remember Me to one reader (anywhere in the world). One commenter on this post will be chosen at random Friday, April 5, and notified by email.
Why not follow our Chapel Cove series page? You can do so right here!
USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.
Sounds great! I’m in my early 40’s (please don’t enter me for the ebook)
Hi Marion, this book is sitting on my kindle ready to be read (school holidays begin in a week!!).
Thanks for sharing your journey over the last 18 years- life has certainly kept you busy! When I read Melbourne Memories I wondered if you had been to Melbourne- your depictions of buskers along the Yarra River and the cafe scene was very real. Isn’t it great to be able to look back and reflect, remember and be grateful for the time we’ve been given. I still have a couple of years to go until I hit 40, though each year seems to go faster!!
Blessings:)
Wonderful, Sabrina. Hope then that you’ll enjoy a journey to Chapel Cove :)
Yes, my husband’s brother and his family live in Melbourne. Its a wonderful and fascinating city. Sadly, we visited them there back in 2003…way too long ago (but they’ve been across to visit us here many times). Definitely think the next overseas holiday will need to be to Australia again.
Talking about faster, they do say that it’s all downhill after 40, so hang on tight when you get there :)
Sounds like a interesting read. Added to my TBR list.
Wonderful, Margaret. Readers are loving it so far…hope you do too :)
I am so thrilled about this series, and have enjoyed Remember Me, cannot wait for more!
Thank you!
Thanks, Paula. So glad you enjoyed Remember Me. I can’t wait to start working on the next one :)
Chapel Cove sounds delightful! Marion, I also turned 40 in September of 2000, but my life has certainly been a lot less eventful than yours!
I love the idea of a series with characters at this age!!! My hubby and I got married in our 40s and it is the first marriage for both of us.
I am in my early forties and really enjoyed this blog. Thank you for sharing! Happy writing!
Thank you, Sherri. Hope you get to read it. Well, at least I’ve been healthy enough to enjoy the mayhem :)
How wonderful, Ellie. Well, two of our initial characters are divorced, but Autumn’s character, Nai (book 3) has never been married, and just turned 40 :) Hope you get to spend some time in Chapel Cove.
So glad you enjoyed the blog, Kimberly. And I do hope you get to read our Chapel Cove series :)
Sounds interesting. I just downloaded it from KU. God bless.
What a beautiful trailer! This sounds like a great series by three authors whose books I enjoy reading.
Sounds like an incredible series. Well done to all three of you! Every blessing on your sales.
I admit I am well past 40, and I’m thankful for every day the Lord gives me. I love how this series sounds and it will be a blessing to read the books.
Sounds like a wonderful series! Can’t wait to get done with my ARC obligations so I can dig in.
Wonderful, Diana! Hope you enjoy Remember Me (and the rest of the series when the books release) :)
Thank you so much, Lori. Autumn, Alexa, and I have certainly have enjoyed creating this series and characters :)
Thanks so much, Shirley. It’s been so much fun :)
Thank you, Sally. It’s been a wonderful series to write so far and I can’t wait to dive into writing the next story.
Awesome, Pam. I can’t wait for you to read our Chapel Cove stories. I can’t wait to be finished writing my current book so that I can get back to writing more Chapel Cove stories :)
Wow as you say a lot has happened. And you have traveled so many places. Places I am honored to read about. Because, praise the Lord, I can read and dream. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am now 60 and sooo much has happened since I was forty. Sigh, life can be so full when we allow it. I love it. Oh about those scraps of fabrics. Sounds like they are special. I so agree. How about having them put into a quilt, this way you can look at your quit and remember that day. Oh is the paint permanent on the pieces of fabrics?
WOW!! Another fictional series taking place in Oregon?? I live in Oregon and it is a wonderful place to live.
Would love to get to read this series and win a copy of the book you are giving away.
I cannot wait to read it. It sounds like a great new series
What a roller coaster Marion!!!
Congratulations with a new release! I’m so happy for you!
I still have couple years…till 40 ;)
Hi Marion! Congrats on your upcoming release and the new Chapel Cove series. Oh how I can relate to being 40. I celebrate my 39th Birthday stressed because my dad had bypass surgery and we were moving close to home. May 1990 I turned 40. My husband threw me a surprise birthday party. Family and friends from the Midwest attended. In my arms I held my six month old son (therefore the tears the year before) and was surrounded by my twelve and nine year old sons. To make sure there were no mishaps from blowing out my 40 candles, a friend who was a volunteer firefighter stood by in full attire. Life after 40 offered many opportunities – especially travel around the world – Germany, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Poland, Switzerland, and Japan. Blessings.
LOL, Lori, it’s so long ago, I’ve NO idea what paint I used on the fabric. Doubt it would be big enough to make a quilt, but could make an interesting table cloth of sorts. Sigh, one day when I’m not so busy writing books, maybe I’ll tackle stitching it together … or pay someone to do it for me :)
That’s awesome, Andrea. Oregon looks like an amazing place. My very first book I wrote (not published) was set in Oregon and had some scenes up in Seattle and higher along the coast. All the best in the draw for the giveaway. Hope you get to read our Chapel Cove books.
Awesome, Jamie. Hope you get to spend time in Chapel Cove real soon. We have so enjoyed creating this series.
LOL, it certainly has been, Natalya. But that’s life :) Thanks for the good wishes, and enjoy those pre-40 years because you know they say it’s downhill after that, but I don’t believe it one bit (although someone might want to tell that to my creaking knees LOL).
LOL, Renate, I love the firefighter standing by :) I can fully understand your fears on your 39th birthday. So glad that you have been able to travel to so many wonderful places (and you get to travel to the others in my books :) )
Wish. Can I can afford to buy books right now ( money is so so tight right now). But, I want to read them, so bad. They , sound so Good. Love the covers.
I already have this, but haven’t read it yet. Looking forward to the series. :)
I am nearly 63 and I love the series about more mature love.
I must say that I am grateful for this 40 something couple. I am enjoying my 40s. I am single and having fun traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Chapel Cove has caught my attention. Thank you.
Sounds like a great new series!
Thanks so much, Rose. Wishing you all the best in the draw.
Thank you kindly, look forward to checking this series out.
Hope you get to spend some time in Chapel Cove soon, Andrea :)
Thank you, Helen. We’ve enjoyed writing stories with more mature couples :)
Thank you, Sonnetta. So glad you’re making the most of your singleness. You’ll relate well to Autumn’s character in book 3, I’m sure :)
Wonderful, Kelley. Hope you get to spend time there very soon. Enjoy!
Thank you, Melynda. We have certainly enjoyed creating these characters and this storyworld.
That’s great, Kelley. I hope you get to read our Chapel Cove stories.
This series sounds great! I’ll be looking for it!
Thank you, Regina. Follow us on the Chapel Cove Romances author page on Amazon and get notified when there are new releases in the series :)
A huge congratulations to Kelley Blair on winning the ecopy of Remember Me. Happy reading, Kelly!
Thank you!