I LOVE the 10 Moments That Changed My Life posts, and we haven’t had one in a while, so I’m pleased to share one from author Iris Blobel…
New Beginnings
by Iris Blobel
Thank you, Alicia, for having me on your blog and a big hello from Australia to you and your readers.
Here my 10 moments that have changed my life … in no particular order:
- The first “moment” that comes to mind is my move from Germany to Australia. It was scary and such a big step for me. Life here is great, and I don’t regret the decision, but I do miss my family back home.
- My wedding, of course, another memorable moment and one that has changed my life. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary only recently – such an achievement J
- Having children has changed my life, no doubt about it. Suddenly life’s priorities have altered and the love of the two human beings I created is the most important part of my daily life.
- My grandma died when I was twenty and for the first time in my life, I had to deal (and cope!) with “death”. It was a hard lesson which took me a long time to come to terms with it.
- This one is a recent change of my life – Last November I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m still in treatment, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m feeling better every day and I’m looking forward to going back to something close to a routine soon again.
- After my traineeship at the TV station, I went for a year to the UK. Life changing in a big way … returning not only more mature, but also more confident, and with the idea that there’s more to life than finishing school and start work. I knew then that I wanted to travel the world.
- Publishing my first book was a massive event for me. I always considered myself, and probably still do, more a “numbers” person. Writing a book in a second language and have a decent (local!) success changed my life in a sense that I do something I have come to love, something my teacher told me I was useless at. Writing is my escape from routine.
- I’ve been presenting the German program at our community radio for a few years now. It’s great and so much fun.
- Travelling through Canada and Alaska for three months was one of the highlights as well. I meet my (Australian) husband while on a tour.
- And … last but not least, a moment that didn’t necessarily change my life, but one that was hard and might be life changing one day: the day I had to say goodbye to my mother last year not knowing whether I’ll ever see her again.
Oh my, Iris. You have had some experiences. I am sorry about the breast cancer. Thank God you’re improving. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. Thank you so much for sharing with us today!
BLURB NEW BEGINNINGS
The chance to start life all over with the help of a stranger.
Twenty-two-year-old Sophie Levesque has been guardian to her eight-year-old sister Mia since their mother’s death a few years ago, and it hasn’t been easy. Luck comes their way when they inherit a small house in Hobart. Problem is, though, they don’t know and have never heard of Clara Bellinger, the testator. Settling into their new life, Sophie is still afraid it’s all a mistake.
Mark O’Connor, attorney in Hobart and the bearer of the good news for Sophie and Mia, curses himself for the lack of information about the testator. However, researching the questions gives him an opportunity to see Sophie again, and the more time he spends with the two, the more he realises that his life is missing something. And it’s not his casual lover Linda.
But then there’s Zach, Sophie’s sexy neighbour from across the road… and a very good friend of Clara’s.
Will unravelling the mystery unravel Sophie and Mark’s promise of a future?
EXCERPT
Sophie Levesque stared at the attorney in front of her, waiting for some answers. She and her little sister, Mia, had been quietly sitting in Mr. O’Connor’s office for more than half an hour, learning about the details of their inheritance.
Once he was finished, silence hung in the air before she asked with raised eyebrows. “Who?”
“Clara Catherine Bellinger.”
Mia leaned closer to her elder sister and gave a soft tug on Sophie’s shirt. “Who is she?”
Sophie shrugged. “I wouldn’t have a clue.” Then turned her attention back on Mr. O’Connor and asked the same thing. “Who is she?”
The handsome attorney on the other side of the massive desk leaned forward and rested his elbows on it before he started to repeat his earlier speech. Although hearing his words, Sophie still found it all very hard to comprehend. Here she was in this old office, furnished with heavy antique oak furniture, the curtains in a pretty shade of aubergine, and the carpet beneath her shoes thick and warm in a matching shade, hearing about an inheritance from someone she’d never even heard of.
Startled by the subtle sound of the clock chiming across the road, Sophie’s gaze turned to the window, where she saw the post office building across the road. It looked impressive and old. It’d been only a few hours since they’d arrived in Hobart, the most southern capital in Australia, but she already liked it. A lot more than Sydney, the place she’d lived all her life.
Hauled back from her thoughts, she heard Mr. O’Connor say, “I believe she was a distant relative of yours. I’m afraid I don’t have any further details.”
Sophie arched an eyebrow in disbelief, doubting the accuracy of it all. Not only did she try not to question his competence as a lawyer, but she also hoped it wasn’t a dreadful misunderstanding.
With a slight shrug of her shoulder, she asked, “Why not?”
He met her gaze steadily. “Pardon me?”
Sitting up straight, she repeated, “Why not? Why aren’t there any further details?”
He rubbed his chin with his fingers, his unease now obvious, and although she almost felt sorry for him, she tried not to care. She needed to know more. And not just the what, but why and who as well.
PURCHASE LINKS:
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BIO:
Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London, as well as Canada where she met her husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper has only emerged recently, but now her laptop is a constant companion.
Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.
Next to her job at a private school, she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.
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Author Alicia Dean 