Saturday Spotlight: Guest Post: Lacey Weatherford: Have you hugged a Librarian today?

I feel very privileged to hold a guest post from Lacey, not only are her books fantastic (really one of the best literary couples EVER) but she is so lovely as well. Lacey has recently changed publishers and new content, covers, etc are now available - more along the lines of what Lacey had in mind in the first place. Unfortunately, as yet, Lacey does not have a UK publisher and I for one would dearly like to see that changed. If you go to Tuesday's Trailer you can get a coupon to download the first book in the series for FREE.   Over to Lacey:

I’m actually quite excited to do this guest post today because I get to talk a little bit about a subject which is very near and dear to my heart, and that is libraries/librarians and how they influenced me toward writing.

When I was younger I couldn't wait for an opportunity to go to the library. We had one in the back room of the small country school I attended, and it also served as our town library too.

Our librarian’s name was Orpha Jackson, she was my great aunt, and she was one of the most wonderful people I have ever known. She was an older lady, who would light up when I would come into the room to talk to her about books. Often times I was the only one in the library, so she would follow me around, visiting with me and helping me to carefully check out books.

I loved visiting with her, and I loved being able to take those books home and devour what was between their pages while curled up in a cozy spot. We didn't have a television at that time, so reading was my number one entertainment. Most times I was finished with my books in a day or two and eager to return to the library again.

It was during this time, on a day spent with aunt Orpha that I discovered my first Nancy Drew book, reading it on her recommendation. I was eight years old and I was instantly hooked! I read the several volumes that our library carried and when I ran out aunt Orpha told me there were more copies of them in the neighboring town’s library.

I soon had a membership at that library too, and continued reading as often as the occasion would arise. This series was what initial made me want to become a writer, and I began writing my own little mysteries, that starred myself and my cousin. I believe my first mystery was called, The Diamond Caper. It was totally laughable, but hey, I was nine at the time!

As I grew older, into my late teens, I continued to check out books to read while I dabbled with writing stories for friends, or sometimes even giving a few shots at poetry too. I helped out with story time at the library on occasion, and when fundraising was started to build a new town library, I volunteered my services as a clown for the big country festivals they would have. (I've been clowning around ever since! Ha)

After I was married, I briefly served as President for The Friends of the Library of our new town library, and I kind of felt like things had come full circle.

I recently took my kids, nieces and nephews to a library and they all freaked out because they found my books sitting on the shelf. This particular library is on a county system so it’s a network of several libraries. I found out while I was there that my books were the number one checked out books in three of their libraries, with long waiting list to be checked out. The librarian laughed and said they had to keep replacing the books because they tended to “disappear” a lot.

I just shook my head in awe. Never did I imagine that I might be an author supplying books for others to read someday. I definitely attribute my becoming a writer to those young childhood adventures to the library.

So my advice to you is this. Go to your public library. Let your cities know they are important to you by frequenting them often. Too many of them are being forced to close due to budget cuts lately. And most importantly, if that good librarian behind the counter inspires you then give her a hug and tell her so! It will make her/his day!

My sweet aunt Orpha has long ago passed away, but I know without a doubt she would be thrilled to see my books in HER library today!

Thank you Lacey for that wonderful post. It really must be surreal to see something you wrote on the library shelves.

Lacey Weatherford has always had a love of books. She wanted to become a writer after reading her first Nancy Drew novel at the age of eight. She resides in the White Mountains of Arizona, where she lives with her wonderful husband, six beautiful children, one son-in-law and their energetic schnauzer, Sophie. When she's not out supporting one of her kids at their sporting/music events, she spends her time writing, reading, blogging, and reviewing books.

Lacey also has a new promoter in the form of the lovely Belinda Boring. Go take a look at all the hard work these guys do.

We want to reward all the wonderful followers of this blog tour, so what better way to do that than to give away a free Kindle and Of Witches and Warlocks Swag!

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