A Proof Of Love Guest Post and Giveaway!

A Proof Of Love By Merida Johns
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Guest Post
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The Inciting Incident that Created A Proof of Love
A burning question readers often pose: “Is the story autobiographical?” And my answer, “Well, no, but then again, yes.”
When I began writing fiction, I took the advice “Write about what you know.” All of my novels blossom from my imagination. But that creativity is influenced by my experience, perspectives, and observations—and a whole lot of research—that give the story authenticity and sensitivity, helping readers connect with the characters and feel their joy, disappointment, sorrow, and happiness.
So, how did my experience, perspectives, and observations create A Proof of Love?
The inciting incident that propelled me to write the story is tucked into the Prologue in an ending that provides urgency to the moment:
“Shoulders slumped, she sips lemonade turned tart. “I should have kept a diary, she says. “Not to chronicle life’s ups and downs, but to share stories about those I loved the most.”
She gazes at that old maple tree and makes us a promise. “One day . . . I’ll write about the special people in my life so you will know them, and they will never be forgotten.”
But Gram went to heaven before her one day came, and her stories, told in her own words, are lost forever.
Fifteen years later, I’ve learned that one day’s promise is not assured. Before it’s lost . . . So, I’m seizing that one day to write about the special people in my life, so that you will know them, and they will never be forgotten. This is A Proof of Love. “
Kathleen Claire Blake, Memorial Day, 2024
The inciting incident for writing A Proof of Love occurred while I was working on genealogies. I love snooping and researching, and as I put the puzzle pieces together for family and friends about their ancestral journeys, the most common responses I received were “That explains a lot” and “I never knew.”
“That explains a lot . . . I never knew my grandmother lost three children within five years.”
“I never knew . . . he had received a Purple Heart.”
“That explains a lot . . . why family was so important to my father.”
“I never knew . . . Dad lied on his enlistment application. He was only 17 and went to war.”
“That explains a lot . . . it was a murder, not a suicide. All this time, we . . . ”
“I never knew . . . I had a great uncle who was killed in World War I and is buried in Arlington.”
As those “aha moments” piled up, my “aha moment” kicked in: How sad that so many people are forgotten and unknown even to the next generation, let alone the ones that follow.
Once my “aha” moment became the inciting incident and the foundation for A Proof of Love, there was still more to be done, and I got to work crafting a story about three characters whose lives are reshaped by a secret that binds them and who readers will never forget.

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A fictional story with a memoir overlay as narrator Katie Blake reflects on life in small town America and the principles, influences, and big personalities she wants you to never forget.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, 2009, and the town gossips have their shorts in a twist about a mysterious newcomer who wears tie-dye, colorful headbands, clunky necklaces, and rings on every finger.“Who installs a ceiling fan on a Victorian porch?” cries Ned Boomer, Woodburg’s grumpiest man, and the town gossips concur, “She must be a hippie, witch, or maybe worse . . . a socialist.”
Hell-bent on preventing a neighborhood blow-up, precocious, nine-year-old Katie Blake launches a covert investigation to gather the truth about the enigmatic Rose. But when she discovers a decades-old secret binding her, Rose, and bad-tempered Ned Boomer, her world takes a turn.
Penning a memoir sixteen years later, Katie is forced to reconsider whether the real proof of love was in preventing a neighborhood war or finding friendship and comfort among three unlikely grief-stricken souls who should never be forgotten.

Excerpt:

Gram taught me to be independent, manage my anxieties, and have confidence in myself, showing me how to use my imagination to wiggle out of a jam or face the “grim crossroads” when confused or sad.
The first time I cried and lost it over a complicated computer problem, she said, “Be inventive, Katie! What can you do to calm down and think things through?”
We put our heads together to come up with ideas. Gram said she brewed herself a cup of tea when needing a break. Mom worked on crossword puzzles. Dad played solitaire. My one decadent delight was a FatBoy ice cream, and that’s how Gram and I hatched the plan of taking two ice cream sandwiches and hiding them under the frozen vegetables to create my private emergency stash.
“Close your eyes, breathe, take a bite, and replace the leftovers. No one will suspect anything. Our little secret. . .”

About the Author

At heart, I am a storyteller who writes women’s fiction and stories of courage and discovery, showcasing the protagonist’s journey toward a more fulfilled self.
My passion is writing women’s fiction and exploring the human experience—how ordinary people tackle challenges, endure sorrow and betrayal, wrestle with doubt, and act on their aspirations to achieve flourishing lives.
My insight into the power of fiction came during a conference call in late 2017 with a group of fellow life coaches. “What would it be like to help women and men achieve a flourishing life through storytelling?” I asked them.
After that phone call, I got started answering that question. The result was my debut novel titled Blackhorse Road, a compelling story of womanhood and the power of choice, gratitude, and forgiveness, published July 21, 2020, by Coffee Cup Press, followed by Flower Girl (2022), Flawless Witness (2023), and now A Proof of Love (2026)
Before embracing writing fiction, I was the author of health informatics and leadership textbooks. Later, I put my leadership experience to use as a leadership coach, focusing on supporting others to fulfill their leadership and economic potential. My range of nonfiction is available on my Amazon Author Page.

Links To A Proof Of Love

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Tour Participants

April 14: Romance Novel Giveaways
April 16: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
April 21: Sandra's Book Club
April 23: Welcome to My World of Dreams
April 28: Joanne Guidoccio - review only
April 30: Dawn's Reading Nook blog
May 5: The Avid Reader
May 7: Maggie Blackbird
May 12: Sapphyria's Books
May 14: The Key of Love
May 19: Karen J. Mossman World of Stories
May 21: FUONLYKNEW
May 26: Gina Rae Mitchell
May 28: This Writer's Life
June 2: Beyond Romance
June 4: Tina Donahue Books - Heat with Heart
June 9: The Reading Addict
June 11: Sarcastically Yours, Jen
June 16: Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
June 18: Beverley A Baird - review
June 23: nanasbookreviews
June 25: A Wonderful World of Words
June 30: Our Town Book Reviews - review only
July 2: Author C.A.Milson
July 14: Fabulous and Brunette
July 16: Always Reading
July 21: Long and Short Reviews
July 23: It's Raining Books
July 28: Straight From the Library
July 30: The Faerie Review