Author Lloyd Meeker is helping Romance Lives Forever Blog
celebrate Cancer Awareness Week 2016.

 

I was twenty-three when cancer first changed my life. My
childhood friend Michael died of testicular cancer, which metastasized to his
lower back and spine. He had one of those warm, lyric tenor voices that
conquered a room in the first measures of a song. He loved to sing country and
western, and I couldn’t stand it, but I listened, mesmerized, every time he
sang. We’d been friends since we were seven.

For a long time cancer was a disease that visited others.
Then in 2003, I was diagnosed — stomach and bladder. I’m one of the lucky
ones. I’ve been cancer-free since 2004. But in the twelve years since that
time, I’ve lost family and friends to the disease. A friend of mine was
diagnosed last month, and it’s been a privilege to sit with him, help him stay
focused on next steps, honoring his fear while reminding him that it’s not an
automatic death sentence, having him over for dinner or just to hang out if he
doesn’t want to be alone.

In writing terms, having cancer is a kind of hero’s journey.
Regardless of outcome, I’m convinced that being forced to face fear, pain and
hopelessness, to find inner strength, to learn to rely on trustworthy allies,
and to celebrate the triumph of finding the gold that lies in the darkness of
our frailty makes us stronger, better people. Regardless of outcome.

The hero’s journey is never a journey chosen by the hero.
She or he is forced to undertake it by events and powers beyond her/his
control. But as hellish as the journey may be, there are gifts. Hard won,
perhaps, but powerful. I received two gifts, that have stayed with me since my
first hospital stay.

Cancer made me get serious about writing, which I’d always
planned to do “one day”. I’m about to submit the manuscript for my
sixth novel, my ninth or tenth title overall. I’ve learned so much about myself
through writing, and I’ve embraced a craft I can pour myself into, working
constantly to get better.

Cancer also taught me how beautiful my mortality is, how
sacred it is to be fragile, and loving, and loved. It showed me what matters
most in my life, and I’ll be grateful forever for being led to that discovery.

Title Blood and Dirt
Author Lloyd A Meeker
Genre Mystery, Suspense, Gay Romance

Family squabbles can be murder.

Psychic PI Russ Morgan investigates a vandalized marijuana
grow in Mesa County Colorado, landing in the middle of a ferocious family feud
that’s escalating in a hurry. Five siblings fight over
the family ranch as it staggers on the brink of bankruptcy, marijuana its only
salvation. Not everyone agrees, but only one of them is willing to kill to make
a point.

Russ also has a personal puzzle to solve as he questions his
deepening relationship with Colin Stewart, a man half his age. His rational
mind says being with Colin is the fast track to heartbreak, but it feels
grounding, sane, and good.

Now, that’s really dangerous…

Wilde City https://www.wildecity.com/books/gay-mainstream/blood-and-dirt/#.V_kObqOZPdQ

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/MBe1gp

Twitter https://twitter.com/LloydAMeeker
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.a.meeker