5 Weeks, 29 Stops

In less than a week, I’ll hit the road for THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER book tour. It will be a five-week adventure filled with 29 stops in both the big cities and charming towns from Chicago to Ocean Isle, Austin to Hartsville, and Kansas City to Amelia Island. I will feel much like a migrating monarch when the tour is over!

I look forward to meeting new readers, re-connecting with others from book tours past, and sharing in conversations with guests during book tour events. I cherish all of the stories shared and friendships made. I may not remember everyone’s name, or immediately recall each face. But I treasure the experience to interact with readers.

And this time, I’ll have something extra special to give readers in an effort to help save the monarch butterfly. My mission is to hand out 10,000 milkweed seeds during book tour. If everyone plants their seeds, the small effort will make a big difference in helping sustain the monarch population. Milkweed is the only plant on which a monarch will lay her eggs. And the monarch is the only bug species that migrates thousands of miles each year across the United States, like that of a whale or a bird.

Will you join me in helping save the monarch butterfly?

THE MONARCH AND THE AFTERLIFE

Have you ever experienced the presence of a deceased loved one through nature? Maybe it was the kind gesture of a total stranger that came when you prayed for a sign from above. Or it was a bird that landed nearby and peered at you the moment you began thinking of that loved one.
The monarch butterfly has a centuries-old symbolic connection to the afterlife in many cultures. I was fascinated by this fact, and so I started asking people about their personal experiences. I was amazed to discover how many said they’d had a personal connection with a butterfly after a loved one died. Perhaps at the funeral, or later when they thought of the person, a butterfly appeared.

So I included this element in my new novel, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER, through a few of my characters who have there own experiences with the comforting presence of a deceased loved one during a monarch sighting. Little did I know that shortly after writing those scenes I too would have my own experience.

The lingering butterfly

My father-in-law passed away during the writing of this book. My son and I ceremoniously released three butterflies I had raised in his honor. Two flew promptly away, as they all want to do. But one butterfly lingered for a long time, alighting on my arm and my son for a long time. He seemed reluctant to leave. I was astonished. It was just as I’d described it in my novel! I released many butterflies that summer but this was the only time one lingered so long. It was memorable and poignant. I believe we have connections with nature that we simply do not understand.

Have you had a similar experience with a butterfly?

YOUR QUESTIONS, MY ANSWERS

Three weeks until the book tour!

During my events I always enjoy the questions readers ask about my novels, my conservation work or my life. So, to answer questions for all, I’m going to periodically do a question-answer session on my blog. Those questions can spark some interesting conversation. Here are two questions submitted to me through my facebook fan page.

Debra McKay Hearne asked: Which of your books is your favorite and why?

The book I just finished writing is always my favorite! I devote so much time and effort to the creation of the book that I feel so connected to it. Thus, right now, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER is my favorite. I’d wanted to write a novel set against butterflies for years. Who doesn’t love butterflies?

As I began researching butterflies, however, the monarch stood out among all of them. It’s the only insect that migrates like a bird or a whale! Every fall this brave, fragile creature travels thousands of miles across the country to reach their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Then in the spring, they journey north again.

Once I fully understood the majesty of the monarch’s migration and visited the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico and witnessed the magic there that I fully committed to the monarch. From that trip and the many months of research— including learning to tag butterflies, creating a butterfly habitat in my yard, and raising them from egg to butterfly for release--- I found myself transformed as a writer, and fully able to appreciate the power of transformation that lies within us all.

Patricia Miles Burris and Lynda Young Chapleau both want to know: What do you plan to write about next?

I can’t let the cat out of the bag entirely just yet. But I will say that anyone who fell in love with sea turtles after reading THE BEACH HOUSE and SWIMMING LESSONS will especially love this little tidbit of information. You’ll soon learn more about the secrets surrounding Lovie Rutledge and the Primrose Cottage. I’m writing the book now and will continue all summer.  Stay tuned for more details.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

 

28: The number of days until the release of my new novel, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER

In stores May 3

27: The number of cities and towns I’ll be visiting during book tour

17: The number of times I’ll be sleeping in a hotel bed

10,000: The number of milkweed seeds I plan to hand out as my personal mission to save the monarch butterfly.

  

Yes, that is 10,000 seeds! Will you join me in this effort? I’ll be giving out seed packets, that I’ve pieced together myself while watching episodes of American Idol, to every reader I meet during book tour. To get yours, take a look at the list of appearances on my website, find the location that’s closest to you, and then come out to buy a copy of THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER and say hello.

 

Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs, but the supply has been severely impacted by development. Everyone has the power to help save this beautiful winged creature right from your own backyard. Plant milkweed and save monarchs!

I can’t wait to meet my readers and hear your stories during book tour. See you soon!