Today is a big day for me, because today Montana Born releases a brand new fun summer series with the incredible author, Nancy Robards Thompson as our launch author. Nancy is a terrific writer and an inspiring woman and I’ve asked her to join my blog today to talk about real life and an ‘issue’ close to her heart, since my readers always like the real author and not just the head shot and professional bio.
So here’s Nancy Robards Thompson talking about The Power of Girlfriends!
The other day, an old friend found me through Facebook. I hadn’t talked to her in probably thirty years. Obviously, we were babies when we first met. Hearing from her felt like Christmas had come early. We messaged back and forth for a while, talking as easily as we had back in the day.
Reconnecting with her made me giddy and it had me thinking about the power of girlfriends. I love my girlfriends. They are my sanity. They push me out of my comfort zone and sometimes (more often than I’d like to admit) they even save me from myself.
I am lucky to still be in touch with women I’ve known since my school days. There’s a group of moms I grew close to when our kids were in school. I’m in constant contact with a small group of trusted friends who are also writers. The connection I share with each of my friends runs deep and rich.
I came across this quote from Elizabeth Foley, “The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.”
That’s so true. Even though miles separate some of us and we don’t get to see each other more than once or twice a year, what’s important is that we always pick up right where we left off. As a writer, I spend long stretches of time alone, in what I call my “writing cave.” So, I particularly appreciate my friends who understand when I have to go “underground” for a while.
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Jane and Charlie’s friendship brings to mind another favorite quote of mine. “A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.”
Isn’t it wonderful when our girlfriends remind us to keep singing?
I hope you’ll check out the Big Marietta Fair series, which launches July 11. Be sure to let me know what you think of BEAUTY AND THE COWBOY. In the meantime, I’d love to know who is your oldest friend? Or what do your girlfriends mean to you?
I’ll give away a tote bag with some books to one person who comments (and Jane is tucking in some additional gift cards and swag, too!) so I’d love to hear from you and the blog prize winner will be announced on Wednesday so please check back to see if you won!
Award-winning author Nancy Robards Thompson has worked as a newspaper reporter, television show stand-in, production and casting assistant for movies, and in fashion and public relations. She started writing fiction seriously in 1997. Five years and four completed manuscripts later, she won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award for unpublished writers and sold her first book the following year. Since then, Nancy has sold 30 books and found her calling doing what she loves most – writing romance and women’s fiction full-time.
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Nancy, thanks so much for sharing with us and being here with us on your launch day! I love your new story and am grateful to have you ‘leading the way’ for the Big Marietta Fair series. (I’m also crazy about your gorgeous sexy cover, too! <g>)
Readers, I’m adding a $10 Amazon gift card and a $5 Starbucks drink card and a Tule water bottle to the totebag of books from Nancy, so let’s show Nancy some love and comment and chat and make her feel like one of us!
I met H in Kindergarten, back in 1964. We are still best buds, but we live 5 hours apart and only see each other once a year or so.
S & D have been my best friends since high school, so that would be 1972. We visit here, at S’s 1.5 hours west of here, and at D’s another hour west of S – once a year at each of our homes. I absolutely LOVE our get-togethers. We not only gab the day away, but we eat great food we prepare (and occasionally order out instead), plus we share any freebies we have gotten from grocery stores, etc. Needless to say, we also share our books, with S’s mom passing them on to others in her seniors apartment building.
I met my BFF in junior high. Our last names started with the same letter so we were in homeroom together. We don’t get to talk often. Facebook keeps us in touch at least through pictures and quick thoughts. I remember her telling me that she told her daughter that you are lucky if you have a friend that you can call up – even after not talking for years- and know that she will be there for you. That’s how it is with us.
I met my best friends in 9th grade, and they are both (one girl and one guy)they best friends I could I have… I also still have a friend from 5th grade, and one from 7th that I still keep up with. I couldn’t do without them…
they’re from school
I met my best friends in middle school. It was 5th grade, and some of them moved to my school that year. It was an awesome time. We’re all still friends, too.
Thank you so much for the opportunity!! 😀
Congratulations, as well!!
lmao couldn’t find a link right away…duh! I met my friend back in the early 70’s….she babysat me and my siblings….she ended up being my bestie years later (she is only 6 years older but that was a lot back in the day) we are not 45 and 51 respectively! Can’t imagine not being her friend! Patty is a riot and we have great times together!
Nothing more thrilling than catching the eye of a male at the county fair, flirting, smiling laughing and your heart explodes with fireworks.
I recently reconnected with my BFF from grade school. Turns out she lives close to my aunt and uncle in Arizona. It was great reconnecting and talking about children, hubbies, etc.
One of my great friends for the past 9 years recently moved to Spokane, WA. As we still keep in touch, I can’t wait to go and visit her soon! Love them both!!!
I met by best friend thru my husband, she married my husband’s brother and although they are divorced we remain friends 42 years later
I really don’t remember what grade we met in but I know it was before fourth grade she moved down the street about a block we had so much fun now we are in our seventies and still in touch. Old friends we are.
My girlfriends mean the world to me. They help keep me grounded and I can talk to them about anything!!! Thank you for the chance. I can’t wait to read your book ☺️
My best friends are some from school and some from work. Since we retired we don’t see each other as often as we would like, since some of us moved to Florida.
I love my girlfriends, even though we don’t live close to each other anymore. Facebook has helped us stay connected or in some cases reconnect. 🙂
My best friend moved to California from New Jersey
When we were in 4th grade. We wrote for a while
and lost touch. Reconnected in college and lost
touch again. She was my first friend and best friend.
I’ve tried to look for her on Facebook or her family
members. No luck. Sure do miss her.
I met my best friend when her mom was my brownie leader. I moved to the burbs and we kept in touch all these years….which os over 50 years. We stood up at each others weddings and she is the godmother for my daughter.
I had a best friend when I was younger, but after college, we grew apart and went our separate ways. Don’t have one anymore.
Thanks for the giveaway. The Book sounds really good!
My oldest friend is my best friend, Shelley. Been friends since 5th grade, we are now 47.
My oldest friend, that I still see on a regular basis, is someone I’ve known for 24 years. We met when we started selling for the same home party plan – which has been long gone! She and our other friends are the only ones who took me out and celebrated my 50th birthday with me last year! They are always there when I need them!!
I met my oldest friend the summer before 5th grade…30+ years ago. And met my other BFF 10 years ago now. It’s wonderful having these fabulous ladies in my life. I’m so appreciative…I couldn’t ask for better friends. They say you can’t pick your family but I think I’ve picked the best in the friendship garden and they’ve become family.
Looking forward to reading Beauty and the Cowboy. 🙂
I met my best friend when we were 3. She lived a cross the street.
My sister is my best friend. We are 5 years apart and were.not very close growing up. As we grew older we became super close. Nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
My best friends are scattered across the US..but I know they are always there for me, and I for them…and we all know how to bury a body! 😉 LOLOL..j/k!
My oldest friend is named Shirley. She means a lot to me because I can always count on her honesty and even though she’s moved out of state, we are still able to connect!
I’ve stayed in touch with my best friend from high school so many years now. We may not talk but a few times a year but it always seems as if we just talked the day before. She fills a place in my heart that no one can ever replace! Girlfriends are so important to us.
I have a lovely friend I met on the internet. ICQ. haha Oh my gosh, 15 years ago.
I am in Arizona, she is in England. We actually met and spent time together. I got to meet her family.
Now, I am a grandparent and her sons are in college.
We still are in constant contact. Always there for each other. She is the best.
I am very blessed with girlfriends.
My best friends are 4 other teachers I taught with at the same high school & we had lunch together. When the district decided to break up the staff & we moved to 4 different high schools, we started meeting once a month for dinner. That was 6 years ago & we still meet once a month. Now it’s for lunch since we are all retired.
Thank you for the chance to win. I enjoyed the excerpt & have the one-click page up ready to go buy after I finish here.
We had our 30 year high school reunion last year and I was able to catch up with some very old friends. Even with the gap in the years, we are able to reconnect. I have other closer friends I have met since being married and they save me from going to therapy!
I met one of oldest friends in college. I asked to borrow her notes because I missed a class and our friendship started then.
Hi Nancy,
I’m reading away as we speak and I’m loving it. My first book by you. Can’t wait for more.
My oldest friend is my sister. She has always been there and I hope that she will always remain my best friend. We live far away right now but we still keep in tush. I miss her every day.
Good luck with your new book. Hope you get tons of great reviews.
Two that I consider BFF. “Met” K. when our confirmation classes started writing as 12 yr olds…didn’t actually meet until we were 16. Still friends so many years later. D. I met in a singles Bible study in my 20s. Neither live close but we act like sisters when we meet!
Hi Nancy
Yes, girlfriends are greatly important. I’m lucky that not only do I have girlfriends that I work with currently but some from past jobs. But for me, my best girlfriends are my three younger sisters. We pretty much agree on most things and will not hesitate to drop what they are doing should I call them. Also, we look out for each other’s kids. I can’t imagine not having my sisters aka my girlfriends.
I look forward to reading Beauty and The Cowboy.
Thank you for your time.
G
Would love to win. Great contest. Thanks.
I have two girlfriends and my oldest sister who i dearly love. They can always make me smile or laugh at a moment’s notice. They have stuck by me through thick & thin and they know the whole story behind my bouts with Crohn’s disease.
Love my BFF even though she lives 3000 miles away!
Nancy, congrats on Beauty & the Cowboy! I read it this evening and enjoyed it so much.
My BFF has been my friend for almost 30 years. We refer to ourselves as ‘sisters from different mothers’. I don’t know what I’d do without her in my life.
Thanks so much for having me here today, Jane! This has been so much fun. I’ve loved reading about everyone’s best friends and summer fair stories. Have a wonderful weekend!
My 1st best friend that I ever had was when I was 6 and she was 5 years old. We have been friends for over 31 years. I actually just saw her on the 7th of July. She brought her youngest son Tanner who just turned 1. Even though I live in FL and she lives in MN (yes, I am in MN right now with my kids visiting my family and friends)we try to see each other every time I come to visit. I love the fact that when we get together my parents welcome her like one of their own kids and reminisce about when we were little and the things we did and got into trouble for but that is a whole other conversation for another time. 🙂
I loved this story! I so wish that Marietta was a real town because I wanted to be at that fair.
I don’t have a ton of friends, but the ones I have I couldn’t live without. We are always there for each other for the good and bad that life throws at us. It’s always fun to get together and lose track of time talking and laughing together 🙂
My best friends are the women that I walk with, three different “therapists” on three different early morning walking days each week. They have been there for me through some very hard times these last few years. We have pounded out our troubles rain or shine. Being a good friend is “showing up” and these women always do. I am loyal and always there for them too. My husband and four daughters are also my best friends. They “get” me like no other and there is nothing I would not do for them.
My oldest friend is one I’ve known since 4th grade and since we’re both 54 that’s a really long time. We’ve had our ups and downs but when it comes down to it there is no one who knows me as well as her. Not even my husband. 😉
I remember many of my friends from Tucumcari, NM, where I grew up. We moved to Albuquerque when I was a sophomore in high school, but I chose to go to college at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales where a lot of the Tucumcari kids went. I graduated from college in 1968 – and I’d married an Air Force guy in 1967. So with the moves we’ve had over the years, I’ve actually lost touch with the Tucumcari friends. And I didn’t make many in Albuquerque.
Although over the years we made friends where we were stationed, as everyone moved around we’d lose contact. A few years ago, on facebook, we have started connecting with some of the gang from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany – and we left there in 1990.
The past 20 years, hubby has been a United Methodist pastor, so we’re still moving — making and leaving friends.
Sometimes I’ve envied my sister a bit — she has 2 really good & close friends, and a group of others as well. They travel together (both as just girls and as couples), and are just there for each other. But guess my personality fits better with the life style we lead. So I guess I do not have a BFF — and probably never have had.
I was lucky to read an ARC of Beauty and the Cowboy and I really enjoyed it and I was even the first person to write a review on Amazon to let other people how much I enjoyed it.
I know my oldest friend since first grade, we went to the same school for 5 years and we were also neighbors but even after we moved to a different part of the city where now live, we kept in touch and our parents are friends as well.
In less than a week we are flying to Barcelona together to celebrate our 30th birthday 🙂
I have 5 sisters. The best friends in the world.
It is a ‘gorgeous sexy’ cover.
I have best friends scattered around the world. I met one while travelling through Scotland a few years ago and while we don’t always see eye to eye we are still there for each other. Another was the hospitality manager at the Scout camp in England where both my sons did their GAP years working as volunteer activity instructors. Another came into my life through Facebook. We’ve never met as she lives in the USA and I live in Australia but we share a love of good books. Then there are all the wonderful women I’ve got to know through street teams of which I am a member. They sell enrich my life so much!
Love my high school girlfriends, and I have always thought it is such a special gift that we can go a year without seeing each other and still not miss a beat when we finally do get together. One of the things I love about Jane’s books is that I always feel like her characters could be one of my friends 🙂
Looking forward to checking out this new series too…I just can’t keep up with all these new releases from Tule!
Those besties are the ones we can count on when we hit a wall!
My 2 Very Best Friends – my older sister was my partner in crime while growing up and my greatest confidante thru the trials and tribulations that is called life. Sadly, I lost her to cancer 10 years ago. My other girlfriend has shared life with me since high school! We don’t live near each other, but when we do talk or see each other, conversation picks right up like we never were apart! Shared history and love has cemented our friendship.
Nancy, congratulations on your new book – Loved it!
Keep singing & dancing!!! 🙂
Congratulations, I am excited about the fair. My best friend and I met in fifth grade. We were both new to the school and met while lining up alphabetically. No one knows you like someone from your childhood.
My best friend from high school and I are still friends After 20 years. We see each other once or twice a year only but after all these years we have a great time together and are so much alike I know why we are still friends. My girlfriends I have met after having kids are the one that keep me sane and I treasure them all. We support each other and save each other when we need time away.
I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for more of the series. I wish I could say I had close girlfriends, but I really don’t. I do have wonderful online friends that mean the world to me. My school friends didn’t want anything to do with me when they got married and started having children. They wanted to hang with other mothers. I made new friends when I got married, but when we divorced, those friends took my ex-husband’s side. The friends I made after that left me when I didn’t have money to go to clubs or shopping with them. I pretty much stick to myself now. That way I don’t get hurt.
I recently reconnected with my BFF that moved to North Carolina just last week! So funny that the timing was so perfect for this blog. We met when our kids started Kinder together. She moved to North Carolina about 7 years ago but on those rare times when we can meet up (about every 2 years) we always pick up where we left off. I’m so grateful for these times I get with my bestie and it was a wonderful time of late night talks, early morning walks and plenty of laughs in between.
Kim has been my bff since 7th grade, & we’ve know each other since the 2nd grade. She understands that I need my “incommunicado” periods, but will always surface again, ready to hear how she’s doing, & talk about any and everything.
Nancy, I bought this wonderful book last night, and I’m dying to get into it, though a road trip right now is making it hard! Your books are ALL so fabulous–I know I’ll love it. My best friend has been in my life since I was a child, and though we live 90 miles apart it’s still the same. In fact, when I stumbled onto my “baby book” the other day, I saw that my mother had included a picture of the two of us on the page titled “Year Four, Momentous Occasions.” Under it she wrote simply, “Met Celie.” Luckily, I have several slightly newer friends who also mean the world to me, and who enrich my life…some of whom you MIGHT already know!
Congratulations on the new release!
I had a couple best friends all through school. We still talk some and are Facebook friends but not close like before.
I have kept in touch with many old friends, some for 30 and 40 years! I also have a pen pal I’m still facebook friends with. She and I started writing when we were in junior high and got to meet in person when we were 30.
I’m excited about the Big Marietta Fair series, and looking forward to reading the first book.
I loved Charlie and Jesse’s story.
My bff is a friend from college. Love her so much. We write each other–on purpose–to keep in touch. It is a friendship which transcends time.
Nancy, Congratulations on Beauty & the Cowboy!I read and reviewed.My best friends are wonderful.Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoyed reading your book.Have a wonderful week.
Hi Nancy, congrats on your new release! It sounds really good and I love the cover.
I met my BFF when we were 5 years old and our parents were friends. We more of less grew up together like sister. I was at her house of she was at mine. I just sent her a 59th birthday card and was emailing her yesterday. So I guess that means we have been friends for 54 years and still stay in touch. I love her dearly and think of her as a sister.
Nancy, your book sounds like a great read and I will look for it. Thanks too for your comments about girlfriends, so true!
You caught me getting read to send a special birthday card with a pretty bookmark to my oldest friend. We have known each other since junior high and I celebrate her birthday every year being thankful that she is in my life.
I am more of a sister gal, my best friend is also my cousin in law, but I have two sisters I consider my best friends. I am not one for drama, I have enough of my own. Thanks!!
I have two, but one is a guy. We’ve been close since kindergarten and we’re in our 40s now. 🙂 he’s always been a terrific friend. My best girlfriend lives across the country but we’ve been good friends since 7th grade. Love long lasting friendships like these <3
I totally agree, girlfriends are the best! I have three besties, all I met in college. We were in the same sorority. There is nothing like our time together. Even though miles separate us, we get together at Christmas.thanks Jane and Nancy, foe reminding me how important these relationships are.
I now live 12 hrs from home. My best friends are from eighth grade , their was a group of five of us, inseparable. We have now been out of highschool for 35 years . We get together once a year when I go back home. Social media has made it easier for all of us to stay connected .
I had a best friend from 3rd grade to freshmen in high school. My next friend liked my husband more than me. After that I couldn’t trust anyone. We did not get divorced. Like a moron, I forgave him. I divorced him 5 years ago after 30 years. He really didn’t like me having friends. Now my best friend is his sister-in-law. We cause all kinds of trouble. We became besties after the divorce. I have also gained two other friends, one I go to the movies with almost every week. The other I see about every three months.
My oldest friends are from high school.
My best friend is my sister whose love and support has been there for me all my life. We talk daily and enjoy each other’s company. I am fortunate and appreciate her kindness and loyalty.
My oldest and dearest friend I met in middle school. We’ve been through a lot together and life wouldn’t be the same without her.
My oldest friend would be my mom. Thankful to have her in my life.
I loved Beauty and The Cowboy. Great start to a new series.
This book sounds right up my alley, there’s just something about cowboy stories …I haven’t read any books yet by this author but would love .
My oldest friend is from 3rd grade. We each have changed schools multiple times, I have been in her wedding and through divorces with her. Along with her daughter having cancer. We can go years without talking and there in a second if we need each other. Our likes have turned out so different and we don’t run in the same circles, even though we only live a half hour away. Our kids have different interests, etc. I even planned a surprise bday party for her in high school and hadn’t had it written down cause didn’t want her to see it and ended up missing it. So stupid of me 🙂 LOL
The best friends are the ones who, no matter how seldom you see each other, you can pick up right where you left off. For me, these include my best friend from h.s., Karen, and my close girlfriends from college. Even though we’ve all moved away from each other, we still share so much.
My girlfriends have helped me through a lot if ups and downs in my life..
OMG! I have been looking forward to this day since you first mentioned Nancy’s book. The book sounds like it is going to be one of those books that you get excited while reading it…. So, Congratulations Nancy on your book, I look forward to reading it…..B
Congrats on your book. My best girlfriend and I have been friends for 50 years – when we get together you would think we are 15 – even though we don’t live close any more we talk at least 3 times a week.
I am part of four friends who grew up together. Three of us live within an hour of each other. The other moved up north and is about a five hour drive away. We keep in touch on Facebook and through private messages. I know these friends would be there for me whenever I need them, as I would be for them. We always pick right back up where we left off. My only sadness is we don’t see each other in person except for once every few years. Distance may have separated us but time never will. xo
My oldest and best friend is my cousin. We share so many special memories,
I had to leave my best friend in my home country when I moved to Canada 20 years ago. We keep in touch through Skype and every time I get a chance to go home. In Canada I have a few great friends as well, but E. has been my best friend all my life and I still miss her and no new friend will ever be able to replace her.
Congrats on your new release Nancy! My best friend and I have been friends since kindergarten. I really can’t remember the time before I knew her. We have memories from all the way back when we would hold wedding ceremonies for our stuffed animals in our backyards, to first jobs, learning how to drive, marriages of our own, births, deaths, etc. it is getting close to a 40 year friendship.
Congratulations on your new book! It looks like a good one. My good friends are from college and my sister is a good friend too.
Good friends are hard to come by so treat them well!
I love to read this book! My best friend is my cousin, she is a 2 time cancer survivor and she is the strongest person I know, we may not talk everyday like we did when we were kids for we lived a mile away and now were about 900 miles from each other, were just there for each other. I have very few friends that I can really count on but ones I do have I would be their for them in a minute! That’s what counts! Have a wonderful week!
I loved this book really enjoyed it.
I really didn’t keep in contact or they didn’t with old friends. maybe a few friends doing christmas cards and letters that type of thing and one friend from high school who was younger than me with letters and cards. I kept in contact with a neighbor friend from younger friends for awhile but even we lost touch.
Hi Nancy – really looking forward to reading your book and starting a new series! My best friend was my maid of honor 21 years ago. We still keep in touch on facebook and it’s like we talked yesterday even when its been many months.
Congrats, on the new series! Can’t wait to read the new book. It’s always fun to catch up with old friends. A shared past makes memories so special.
I am excited about the new series. I just love all the MBB. I have one girlfriend that we have been friends since the 2nd grade and BFF since 7th. We have been through so many ups and downs, but always there for each other for over 30 yrs now. I am lucky to have some other great girlfriends that I treasure just as much. In fact this weekend, I was at one of my friends for the last 23 years family reunion, because her family has always made me a part of there lives, she was one of my first friends when I moved to CA, it was also her parents 50th anniversary and it was so nice to be apart of all the celebrations. My life would not be complete without all my girlfriends event he ones I have only met on line through facebook and a mutual love of books!
My oldest friend was is a neighbor when I was 5 yrs old. We haven’s seen each other since were were 16 – but were friends on fb. My closest friend is from HS.
Love, love, love all these comments about best and oldest friends! Thank you for sharing and for showing Nancy so much love!
Our winner is #23, Merle A. Perkins!!
Merle, shoot me an email with your mailing details and we’ll get your prize on the way to you.
Hope everyone’s having a great week!
Jane xoxo
My e-mail address is as follows:
Merleperkins@ymail.com and the mailing address of the physical/occupational therapy facility I’m currently and temporarily a resident is as follows:
Merle A. Perkins
Room 203/ The Woods
c/o Kindred Transitional Care
1575 Brainard Rd.
Lyndhurst, Ohio
44124
Thank you for selecting me as the winner of these awesome gifts! I really do appreciate talented writers!
Congratulations Merle.
Thank you Ginger!
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