Lurlene McDaniel

The Girl with the Broken Heart

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Somebody’s Baby

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– ends 9/2/18
Losing Gabriel: A Love Story

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Farewell to my Readers

“For everything, there is a season…A time to sow and a time to reap.” Ecc 3:1-2

For many years, I’ve written teen novels about life altering events that affect the course of someone’s life. I write about grieving. I write about love and loss. I write about hope in darkest times. I have sown my words, and now it’s time for reaping. I am retiring. It’s time for spending more time with family. A time for travel. A time without deadlines. THE GIRL WITH THE BROKEN HEART is my last original novel.

“A time weep and a time to laugh;” Ecc 3:4a

Many of you began reading my books when you were in middle and high school. Through the years, you wrote me letters, messages, and posts that also helped shape my stories and characters. You told me your personal stories—of love, lost friends, hardships, abuse, of determination. And survival. Today, many tell me they’ve grown up and become nurses, doctors, researchers, teachers, missionaries, Mothers, and writers. All because you once read books that inspired you. Wow!

“…a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecc 3:4b

Retailers and online sites will continue to sell my books. I will keep my website and social pages open for a season, and will always be thankful for your messages. I hope you continue to read. To be kind. To love one another. And most of all, I hope you dance!

About Me

Who I Am: Lurlene Nora (Gallagher) McDaniel

My Birthday: April 5, 1944… It only comes once a year, so I turn it into a festival and celebrate it for the entire month!

I was born in Philadelphia PA, grew up (mostly) in Hialeah FL, graduated from the University of South Florida, Tampa FL (go Bulls!) and currently live in Chattanooga TN—I’m an American citizen by birth, and Southern by the grace of God.

I have a brother, three years younger, married, and mathematically gifted. I am totally without math skills.

The books I write, the topics and subject matter, grew out of my firstborn son’s diagnosis of diabetes at age 3. Infinite reward that comes to me from my work…. when a grown reader lets me know that reading my books inspired her to seek a profession that helps others. I have wonderful letters saying, “Today I graduated from nursing/medical school.” Now that’s a gift of joy!

Words that always inspire me

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” (Matt 6: 28-29, KJV)

My Life Philosophy

No one gets to choose what life gives them. You do get to choose how you deal with it.

My Legacy

I hope to be remembered not only for the words I’ve written, but for what I leave behind, my finest work and the best of me—my two grown married sons and grandkids.

A Few of My Favorite things

Favorite Books: Are you kidding? Too many to list! And YES, I love my electronic reader. Goes with me everywhere!

Favorite Fictional Characters: Spenser (Boston PI created by Robert B. Parker), Liz Salandar (tech whiz created by Stieg Larsson), Scarlett O’Hara (Southern belle created by Margaret Mitchell)

Favorite Movie: BLADE RUNNER (Director’s Cut) with Harrison Ford

What’s on my i-pod: A wide variety of music, everything from classic and modern country to pop, to rock, to oldies, to classical. Love Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown…and so-o-o many others. Sometimes I write a book with a special song playing in the background to inspire me and my characters.

Favorite Activity: Shopping!! (did you doubt it?) 2nd

Favorite Activity: Travel…been to Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, Great Britain, the Caribbean, Canada, Greece, Uganda, Australia, and time permitting, the rest of the world.

Favorite Color (s): all things purple and turquoise, especially with sparkles.

Favorite Foods: Everything pasta. And ice cream for dessert—the perfect food. Vanilla with a drizzle of butterscotch, thank you!

Favorite Book written by ME: Whatever book I’m working on at the moment…

Favorite words from fans: “I never liked to read until I read your books. Now I love to read.”

Favorite Award: having my book SIX MONTHS TO LIVE placed into a time capsule at the Library of Congress not to be opened for 100 years—-2089! (hope someone remembers to open it).

My Wish for the Time Capsule Opening: cures for all childhood cancers.

Wish I could…Play guitar and/or piano.

Wish I wasn’t…such a couch potato.

I collect: Glass objects…big, small, always pretty. I have an “aquarium” made up of one-of-a-kind glass fish “swimming” on lighted glass shelves. In my eyes, no object of art is as captivating as light shining through blown glass.