One of my earliest memories is of seeing my mother in her beach chair, reading a book under an umbrella by the water's edge while my sisters and I played beside her. Of all the life lessons she taught me, that is one of my favorites: to take time at a place I love, restore my spirit with books and the beach.

The music never leaves. Once you have it, you can't lose it.

Missing pieces do more than complete the puzzle, they fill in an empty space.

Anyone with a heart, with a family, has experienced loss. No one escapes unscathed. Every story of separation is different, but I think we all understand that basic, wrenching emotion that comes from saying goodbye, not knowing if we'll see that person again-or perhaps knowing that we won't.

After 30 novels, release day is still a thrill. Its always a little bittersweet, too.

Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing of all.

A good sailor knows everything is always changing.