Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

by Sharon Lathan I had several ideas of what I was going to blog about this time around, but before I could decide on one and begin writing they were pushed out of my mind. The reason is a tragic one: My mom lost a nearly 20-year battle with numerous illnesses this past Friday. Some of you may recall that we almost lost our mom in July, prompting my entire family to drive 18 hours to New Mexico from our home base in California. My brother and his family did the same, coming from Florida. By God’s divine grace and mercy, mom fought off death once again. It gave us a chance to spend time with her in a positive atmosphere. We all knew it was more than likely our last visit, but anyone who has lost a loved one knows that even after a long illness, it is still a shock. So, I hope I am forgiven for not writing a humorous or enlightening essay. Instead, please allow me to dedicate this column to the woman who raised me, most of the time single-handedly. She was beautiful, loving, cheerful, br...

by Sharon Lathan Moms must be on the brain these days. I know that I have been thinking constantly about mine. Primarily that is because she has been so ill lately, prompting our entire family to travel from far away reaches of the US to converge on where she lives. The spontaneous family reunion was wonderful for many reason, but mostly because it focused on my mom. I could write an entire book on my mother. Almost all of it good! Seriously, she is a wonderful person who has been a guiding force in my life. She is a good woman who often single-handedly raised us kids, has always shown us love and support no matter what we do, displays strength and humor through the trials of life, and is immeasurably proud of her family. Yet my mom and I are very different in many of our beliefs. We have journeyed down dissimilar pathways. And I do not always agree with her. But these trivialities do not matter. Or rather, the fact that we are unalike in many respects augments my love and appreciation...

Actually, my mom’s birthday is tomorrow, but let’s celebrate all the days we can, shall we? And in a way you have to feel sorry for her. I like to say once my parents had me, they were afraid for more, which is why I’m an only child. I was painfully shy as a kid, a dreamer, and I loved to read. And they always encouraged my writing. Over the years my mom’s also been a great cheerleader for my life in general. One of the funniest times was early in my career when I did the “I’m an author!” to someone. Afterwards, Mom said, “honey, you shouldn’t brag.” I told her it was more promotion. I would say barely a few months later we were out to lunch and she looked across the restaurant to see someone reading one of my books. Mom wasted no time going over to the woman, telling her, “my daughter wrote the book you’re reading!” and offering to have me sign it. There was no holding her back after that. And every birthday I take her out for a mother/daughter lunch, announce it’s her birthday so she...