Harlequin & A Tribute by Karen Cote’

A Tribute…Thank you for sharing in this inconceivable dream and journey to publication.

I want to thank a few people who have made this all possible and I first want to begin with my Mother or better known to me as Mama. 

Raised on a farm in Central Missouri, I’m the youngest of six children so it’s safe to assume I learned early-on the value of silence and observation. I also guess being the baby of the family, it was only natural to form a tight bond with Mama. I can attest to loving her very deeply.

In my early years things for my mother became more challenging. I suppose she just found life too difficult. Depression catapulted her into doing the unthinkable and although she lived through the horrific event, she had to go away for a while. I, of course, didn’t understand everything at that time. I only know that I spent many hours missing her, curled up with a perfume-laden blouse, crying.

I was delighted when Mama eventually came home. She also brought home a book. Some doctor from that ugly place she’d returned from had given her a Harlequin.

“Reading was therapy,” he’d said. But on a farm miles from town, our library was limited, to say the least. However, the book given to Mama had an insert advertising a home delivery subscription.

Four Harlequins a month! 

After the books began to arrive, the therapy worked for Mama and healing began. I’m eleven by this time and furiously begging to read the books too. 

But Mama said,“Karen, these books will spoil you because these types of men (these Heroes) don’t exist.” 

Being the tenacious girl that I am and knowing the soft spot Mama had for me, I didn’t give up and eventually Mama gave in.

Fate sealed us together as we spent the following years up to her death, in shared reading, laughter, and tears. Our favorite author at that time was Anne Mather who spoke frequently of an exotic place called London. 

Now…in love and devotion to my mother, I hesitate to say she was wrong in anything. But alas, a second TRIBUTE evolves to my real life Hero…my husband. Today, I’m thankful that although my mother didn’t attend our wedding, she was able to meet him. 

After her death, most of the books we’d shared had either gotten lost or were sold. My husband (pre-internet) went on a mission to find those books traveling from used bookstore to used bookstore. Christmas-time became a particular delight as I discovered wonderful little treasures of believed long-lost books wrapped up by him to open. 

The most memorable time after my mother’s death was when my husband took me to London. I remember, it was nighttime, and my husband and I were standing outside the Tower of London. That was when it hit me! I grabbed onto his arm and looking up to the heavens, I cried, “Look Mama. I have my Hero and he’s standing on London soil.” 

There are many reasons my husband continues to be my hero, not least the ability to quit my “day job” to pursue my dream of writing. I’m also grateful to Lea Schizas, Publisher of MuseItUP Publishing, Inc. for this opportunity. 

And here we come to my third TRIBUTE and the One I owe the first and second tributes to. The One who has guided my life and opened doors to this very moment. My Lord Jesus..My Savior. 

It is with humility and love to the Grace of the Trinity Who has allowed my final declaration to once more reach up to the heavens and cry, 

“I’m published Mama. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to provide hope and escape to someone else…just like you!”

MY REAL-LIFE HERO