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Sticky notes from my desk – again
Wow, so many exciting things have happened since my first
romance, ACCIDENTAL HERO, was released in December, I’d like
to share some of them with you here. Be sure and check out
the scrapbook section of my website for the latest photos.
Salsa Dancing? Yes, a Salsa Dance Fiesta was held to benefit a local equine therapy program, Therapeutic Horsemanship of West Michigan, the organization that inspired my book. Jeri Wilkes, director of THWM, invited me to sign books there and meet some of the people involved in the riding center. I’ve included a photo of the THWM Rider of the Year Jessica Abma, the Volunteer of the Year Constance Conklin, and the Therapy Horse of the Year Liddy Lit Up. For more information about this worthy program and how it benefits the special needs community , check out their website,
www.therapyriding.org.
Another event in December turned into a big surprise. You know the saying, “We don’t remember years, only moments?” Well, I had my moment to remember at the Waldenbooks signing in Grand Rapids right before Christmas. The weather was cold, snow was on the ground and the mall was jammed with shoppers. I didn’t know what kind of attendance to expect, but hoped my family and a few loyal friends would show up. I was signing with Laurie Kuna, a popular local ImaJinn author.
About half-way through the signing there was a commotion at the entry to the store. Everyone in the crowded store let out a collective gasp when my ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild (ages 8 months to 20 years) marched in wearing identical tee-shirts emblazoned with a picture of my book cover on the front under the words, “MY GRANDMA IS A FAMOUS AUTHOR”. (The baby’s said Great-Grandma) These wonderful kids had paraded the entire length of the mall advertising my signing. God bless ‘em. They caused quite a stir and my heart just filled up and overflowed. Needless to say, so did my eyes. Everyone else applauded and cheered.
My two terrific daughters made the shirts and planned the surprise. The grandkids had miraculously kept the secret. The store clerks said the signing was one of the best ones they’d ever had – certainly the most creative. People who never read romances before even bought copies. Men bought them for wives and girlfriends as Christmas gifts. What a day! What a moment to remember!
In January I trekked to San Antonio, Texas, for a signing with Patricia Kay at the Barnes and Noble store at San Pedro Crossing. Pat is a USA Today bestselling author and one of the sweetest gals you’ll ever meet. We had a lovely time signing our books for romance readers there. Since that area is where I was born and lived until my marriage, it was a real treat to visit with class mates from the past, as well as do some research in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Watch for that location to appear in my future books.
And what would a trip to San Antonio be without a visit to the Riverwalk and lunch at Casa Rio? Though I’ve seen the sites many times, I never tire of looking at the Alamo and other landmarks of that great state. My thanks go to Kay Thomas, my dear friend who encouraged me to return for a visit and unselfishly played tour guide and driver on all our day trips.
Next, I’m headed to Romeo, Michigan, on the east side of the state, for a February Romantic Romeo Days event at the Romeo District Library. Five romance authors from our Mid-Michigan chapter of RWA® will be panelists in a discussion on writing romance. Wil A. Emerson, Laurie Kuna, Michelle Celmer, Dorien Kelly and I will be signing copies of our books after the program.
ACCIDENTAL HERO has been well received and I’m grateful to all the readers who have written to tell me how much they enjoyed the story. Your support and encouragement is deeply appreciated. I love writing stories of ordinary people and extra-ordinary love. I hope I’ve managed to make your day a little brighter with my first book – to make you smile and give that special someone in your life an unexpected hug. Love is meant to be shared.
Until next time, happy reading ---
Loralee |
