Hi friends! First and foremost, the very lucky winner of the Rodin’s Lover giveaway… As chosen at random by Rafflecopter… is…. Vel Baricuatro-Criste! You may know her from the fabulous blog House and Home at 2102. How she will have time to read I have no idea, but she is a true supermom and seems to make it all fall into place so seamlessly that I am sure she will devour this book in no time at all! Congrats, Vel!
In other news, I got to meet a celebrity and major role model a couple of days ago. Kim Boykin, author of The Wisdom of Hair, which I finished recently and can’t rave enough about. It’s such a great story of family and friendship, the consequences for our actions and how, sometimes, the things that seem like mistakes end up being the biggest blessings of all. And, at our lunch, she gave me a signed copy of her latest novel Palmetto Moon, which I can’t wait to read. She is the nicest, sweetest, dearest person and was so full of good advice for me and so willing to share her wisdom. (And she’s one of the only people I’ve ever met who is even prettier in person than in her book photo… I didn’t tell her that lest I seem stalker-ish.) Which is good because, well, I was an hour late to our lunch.
We had planned to meet at a cafe in Charlotte, and, not knowing Charlotte all that well I drove thirty minutes from South Park (where I already was) to Ballantyne. I got there, rushed in and the hostess informed me that no one was waiting for anyone. After a few more minutes of looking they suggested that “perhaps my friend was waiting at the South Park location.”
Seriously? This is kind of the story of my life because I am terrible with directions, and I hate having to drive and find new places in new towns. GPS is great, but, let’s face it, it isn’t infallible.
So dear, sweet Kim Boykin who has so much to do for her third novel that is coming out soon sat at that (freezing cold) restaurant and waited for me for an entire hour and then spent most of the afternoon with me. And I will always remember that and be grateful. It is so fun to meet authors in real life, and the ones I have met so far are just so nice, which is even more important than how talented they are. Sigh…
So, if you’re looking for something great to read this week, pick up one of Kim’s books. You definitely won’t be sorry! Happy, happy day to all of you. I hope it’s a wonderful one!
What an afternoon! I know the drive from South Park to Ballantyne and yes I can see why you were an hour late! What a shame, but it turned out to be a great day and that’s all that matters!
Yes, Kim looks very pretty, gracious and charming !!!!
xo
Patty