by Kate Hewitt, author of In The Heat of The Spotlight (Harlequin Presents, February 2013)
I haven’t written a dedication for every book, but occasionally a story comes along and I know just the person to thank for it. In the case of my February release, In The Heat of The Spotlight, it’s my older brother Geordie.
Geordie is ten years older than me and from a young age he has inspired, challenged and teased me in turns. For my twelfth birthday he bought me ten books, all classics, and challenged me to read them in the next year. And because the dare came from him, I did. During rainy summer days at my family’s cottage he used to pick a poem and then we’d race to see who could memorize it first. I still know all the words to Death Be Not Proud by John Donne and A Bag of Tools by R.L. Sharpe (it was a rather eclectic book of poetry that we chose from!) because of those afternoons.
In case you get too rosy a view of my big brother, he also hung my favorite teddy bear from an overhead light in my bedroom when I was about eight and still has the power to embarrass me in front of large groups of people, which he does with both relish and frequency.
In The Heat of The Spotlight’s heroine Aurelie is a washed-up pop star desperate to make a comeback on her own terms, with her own song. When I was deciding on the lyrics for her song, I thought of my brother, who has written and recorded many songs over the years. I ended up (with his permission) using the first verse to a song he wrote while he was in college:
Winter came so early, it caught me by surprise
I stand alone while the cold wind blows the tears into my eyes
I turn my face into the wind and listen to the sound,
Never give your heart away. It will only bring you down.
That verse
encapsulated Aurelie’s view of love in the beginning of the book—and as the story unfolds the hero Luke transforms both it and her. Of course I had to thank my big brother for giving me the words as well as so much inspiration over the years, and so my dedication to him reads:
To my big brother Geordie, the real writer of Aurelie’s song. Thank you for always being my (tor)mentor. Love, K.
Do you have anyone in your life who inspires you, and how do they do it? With encouragement, challenges, teasing, or like my big brother, all three? Leave a comment for a chance to win copies of both my Bryant Brother books, Beneath The Veil of Paradise and In The Heat of
The Spotlight
And thanks, Geordie! I love you in spite of—and because of—who you are 
!
Happy reading,
Kate
Update: The giveaway is now closed — please check the comments to see who won!
My elder sister (by 15 years) inspires me by setting a great example. It used to be annoying, but now I just accept it for what it is: helpfulness with love.
(My brother, on the other hand, inspires me to always do the OPPOSITE of what he does; I shake my head a lot, but, God help me, I still love him, LOL!)
I do not have one person that inspires me.. I get inspiration from EVERYTHING! Books, movies, people.. life in general.
I understand about the annoying part
My oldest daughter is 14 and I am expecting a baby girl so I hope she will be an inspiration to her younger sister!
Melanie, that is great to find inspiration all around you. What a great attitude
My cousin, who is more like a sister. She’s also my best friend. She inspires me just by being there for me whenever I need her, no matter what. When my father passed away a few years ago, she took off a whole week of work just to be available in case I needed something, a drive somewhere, help with arrangements, etc., or just to be with me and my sisters for support. I’ll never forget that.
Hi Kate,
Lovely dedication and nice to know there are brothers and sisters who do get on! Geordie sounds like my older brother. It must come with the territory of being top of the line.
Talented people inspire me.
My mother inspired me the most. She was a wonderful person. I do get inspiration from other family members and friends. Right now my inspiration comes from my younger brother.
When I was in high school, I have a mentor who is a retired Army Sergeant Major. He has given me encouragement. When I did something incorrectly, he would teased me about it instead of giving me a hard core lecture. He was my inspiration to be the best I can be.
I’ve had several teachers who’ve inspired me over the years. These days my husband encourages me!
It’s so lovely to hear about the different people who have inspired all of you. Inspiration can be found anywhere, and in any relationship–my younger daughter who is 11 inspires me with her kindness and gentleness
I don’t have one person who inspires me. I get my inspiration from family and friends.
I love this story Kate, and what a talented family you are. I’ve enjoyed your Bryant brothers!
i get inspired by moments …A child holding his mothers hand inspires me with trust .
Day to day moments inspire me with one or the other feeling.
my mom always inspired me. with her strength, courage, willingness to say whatever….and always a good meal.
Hi everyone! Kate has asked me to announce the winner of her giveaway. Congratulations to… gracie! Gracie, please check your email for a message from me
~Amy from Harlequin
Thank You! Will message.