Some Dreams Do Come True!

Okay, and some don't. When I was 12 years old I wanted to be a figure skater. I was Dorothy Hamill, even had the haircut. Vivid memories of skating across our street after an ice storm still thrill me. As an adult I'd be freaked out by all that ice, but when I was a kid, it was all part of the Plan, which included me becoming an Olympic Gold Medalist. When skating didn't pan out I tried for the Nadie Comanici deal. I made as far as collegiate competition and even earned a club sport letter at the Naval Academy for gymnastics. But that Olympic dream never came true.
A dream that has come true for me is my dearest (besides the dear, dear husband and lovely children, you get it)dream--to be a published author.
Book #2 is on the shelves as I type. WHAT FAMILY MEANS, a Harlequin Everlasting SuperRomance, is an inter-racial romance set against the backdrop of 1950's, 60's, and '70's Western New York. It's anchored with a contemporary romance.
Harlequin picked February for its release date in honor of African-American History month. I am so pleased and honored to be part of this celebration.
I've also gone to contract with Harlequin for my third novel, which will be a Harlequin SuperRomance. Stay tuned for release date and more information!

The Rewards of a Story Shared

Writing and reading friends are the best in the world--really, in the world. For example, this is a photo of my dear book group in Belgium. Not far from the French border and the Champagne region, we enjoyed some good bubbly with our books. Even though I moved back to the States, the gals didn't forget me and sent this great pic of them enjoying one of their more recent picks--my first novel, A RENDEZVOUS TO REMEMBER. You can bet I'm going to let them know about WHAT FAMILY MEANS, my February 2009 release from Harlequin. Read on! Thanks and love across the pond to Maureen,Kristen,Abby,Mindy,Elsie,Tracy,Amelia and all of my sisters-in-reading!

Pink Balloons in Western New York

photo credit: Sarah J. Carr-Mansouri Sarahphoto.com

I had the privilege of attending Western New York's annual benefit for the Breast Resource Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute this past weekend, Viva For Life! I went as the guest of my wonderful parents, Dad and Sally. We all dressed in the appropriate color this white-tie affair called for: PINK!!!

My mother died from breast cancer in 1986. She was only 46 years old. As I'm very close to that landmark age, I comprehend just what a devastating loss her passing was. I'm just beginning to live, and yet, at my age, my mother was fighting through chemo and advanced metastatic breast cancer. Huge strides have been made since then as far as early diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis statistics. But more and more women are being diagnosed with this disease, and while they're fighting it, sometimes beating it but always living with it, they need support and compassionate caregivers. This is where the Roswell Resource Center comes in. It helps women and their families deal with this disease in a most positive, dignified manner.

I am always proud to be from Buffalo, and this benefit highlights why--Buffalonians are giving, caring, fun-loving people. For such a serious cause, this was one of the most enjoyable evenings I've spent in years. Dare I say I caught the joy of the night--watching so many survivors dance around the floor, grabbing each beat of the music, making me wonder what the heck has taken me so long to appreciate each and every minute of my own life?

The woman-of-the-night, and for this year's VIVA celebration, was Karin Lorenzo. Her story and vibrant embrace of life, both when she struggled through her treatments and today, is life-changing.

The man-of-the-night, year, and years of VIVA celebrations is Russell Hurlburt, the founder of ViVa Hair & Spa. What an amazing, creative, generous, "tuned-in" soul Russell is. I don't know him personally, but after just this one evening I know I'll never forget him or his optimism. Not only can find a cure for this disease, we are.

This is the muse that motivates me to be the best, most honest story-teller than I can be. Life, in all its struggles, and in all its joys. As Russell and the entire community of Roswell's Breast Resource Center say---ViVA for Life!!

The Story that Keeps Giving

It's with great excitement and humility that I announce A RENDEZVOUS TO REMEMBER is a finalist in the Golden Leaf Award http://www.njromancewriters.org/ for Published Romance Fiction, in the Best First Book category. This is a great honor and I'm so pleased--here it's been almost a year since A RENDEZVOUS TO REMEMBER was first published. To still be receiving accolades in the form of contest finals totally rocks, from my perspective.
The winner will be announced at the New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Heart In a Book Conference in October. Yes, I'm attending--it will be a thrill to be around so many talented writers and publishing professionals. I love the "kick" that a conference gives me and my muse.
Thanks to all my readers for the support and my new book, WHAT FAMILY MEANS, a Harlequin Super Romance under the Everlasting Imprint, will be on the shelves in February 2009---only 4 more months to wait!!!
Get outside and enjoy this fall weather!
Peace,
Geri

Ode to a Fellow Buffalonian

I'd be remiss as a native Buffalonian, Political Science Major and U.S. Naval Academy grad, if I didn't take a moment to say a formal good-bye to Tim Russert. I never met him in person, but like thousands, probably millions, I watched Meet the Press every Sunday and felt I knew him. He was like so many wonderful people from my hometown--down-to-earth, incredibly intelligent, and articulate. His warmth reached across the broadcast and made me feel I was sitting right there next to him. Often, I felt as though I could feel the politician he was interviewing squirm in their seat.
As much as I wish there wasn't this occasion to pay tribute to Tim Russert, I'm grateful for all the outpouring of love and support and genuine grief at his passing--it's giving all of us a chance to pause and remember what's important in life. And to know that we indeed don't know the hour or the day, so embrace today as though it's the best day ever. Because it is.
God Bless Tim Russert and his family, God Bless Buffalo, God Bless America, and Bills, go "squish the fish!"

Another Great Conference and a New Title!

I had the great opportunity to attend and speak at the Connecticut Romance Writer's Conference two weekends ago. The theme was "Ignite Your Muse" and man oh man it set my muse on fire! I haven't been this excited and anxious to get to the page in quite a while. And this says a lot as I always have new stories, ideas, and mostly characters popping into my mind, begging to be written down.
One great thing about conferences is that I get a chance to meet other writers, get reacquainted with long-distance friends, and enjoy the company of other artists who "get" me. A highlight of the weekend was getting to be with fellow RomVets (Romance Writers who are Military Veterans) Lori Avocato and Jo Ann Ferguson, who also writes as Jocelyn Kelly. What a joy to be with my fellow sisters-in-arms!
A new friend I made is Kristan Higgins, a phenomenal romantic comedy author who, by the way, is up for a Rita award for her wonderful book CATCH OF THE DAY. If you like to laugh, love, and appreciate a warm-hearted dog added in, you'll love Kristan's writing.
I met up with Jennifer D'Ambrosio, and her friend and fellow writer Madison Leigh. Both Jennifer and Madison are pre-published, but expect to see their name in print soon! They are warm, wonderful, articulate women with the drive it takes to succeed in this business. You heard it here first! That's Madison, Kristan, Me and Jennifer in the picture at the booksigning. It was a thrill for me as I sold out of my books there--the bookseller assured folks she could order more for them, which I appreciate.
One more note--my February 2009 Harlequin Super Romance release has been titled--WHAT FAMILY MEANS. I love this title and hope you'll fall in love with the characters and story as I have.
I hope you're staying cool in this hot weather so much of the country is experiencing. Now to go back to my writing...Peace, Geri

Friends, Fun and a Tribute

So much has been happening in my writing life that I haven't found the time I need to blog more regularly. Please forgive me, but this is going to be a long post with LOTS of photos.

In April I had the pleasure of attending the New England Chapter of RWA's Let Your Imagination Take Flight Conference. I met up with my dear friend and fellow Harlequin author Linda Cardillo, and was reunited with my dear friend, writing mentor and soul sister Susan Wiggs. Susan and I share a unique bond that is best explained by reading the dedication in her book, The Ocean Between Us, her first hardcover and the book that put her on the NYT list. Susan is an awesome writer and an amazing friend. She wowed the crowd with her breakfast Kick-Off speach, and motivated me to keep digging to write my best stories possible.

Linda Cardillo and I met as newly-sold Harlequin Everlasting authors in Atlanta in 2006. Linda's most recent book, The Valentine Gift includes Linda's The Hand that Gives the Rose, a heartwarming story told in Linda's gifted style. I have no doubt that our friendship is that of a lifetime. My soul sings when I meet other writers who "get" me.

Both Linda and Susan were already friends with Judith Arnold, who has long been a favorite author of mine. We have passed one another in conferences before but this was the first time I was able to spend time with Judith and attend her workshop on Theme which I've listened to dozens of times on my RWA National CD's. Of course I was in total amazement when I sold to the same line as Judith Arnold--her Harlequin Everlasting The Marriage Bed is not to be missed.Over the past month I've learned that my first book A Rendezvous to Remember has continued to do well in contests for published works. It has finaled in the Gayle Wilson Award for Excellence, The Write Touch Award, The Colorado RWA Award for Excellence in Romance Fiction, won First Place in the Yellow Rose of Texas category for long category romance, and most recently finaled in The Beacon Award. I can't thank the Wisconsin RWA, Colorado RWA, Southern Magic RWA, Yellow Rose of Texas RWA, or the First Coast Florida RWA enough. Because of your great contests my book has been read by some of the best in the business--very thrilling for a first-time author!

My dear friend and super-woman-Mentor, Debbie Macomber, was in town a couple of weeks ago promoting her new book Twenty Wishes. It is always a fun, motivating time when Debbie is around. We are good cheerleaders for each other as we managed to cheer ourselves right into a local yarn shop, maybe more than once. But there's only photographic evidence of one time, and that's my story.

Finally, this past Memorial Day Weekend I was honored to sign with two fellow U.S. Naval Academy Alumni, Rob Ballister and Luke Ritter. Rob's book, God Does Have a Sense of Humor is a poignant, laugh-until-you-cry memoir that proves a guy (and gal!) can not only survive cancer but thrive past it. Securing Global Transportation Networks: A Total Security Management Approach by Luke Ritter and published by McGraw-Hill, is a must-read for anyone in the Transportation or Securities Industries. We signed at Hard Beans and Books in downtown Annapolis, MD, thanks to Manager Supreme Andy who gave us royal treatment. Andy kept signed books by all of us, as further support of our success. Thank You Hard Beans and Books!

What I found most humbling about this particular signing was that it was on Saturday after the Friday graduation of over 1000 U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen--all of whom are now commissioned officers in either the U. S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps. There are usually a sprinkling who get commissioned in the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard, as well. All of these young men and women have made a commitment to their nation that allows me to sleep better at night, let me tell you.

Many of the new graduates and their parents stopped by our table and expressed their surprise and excitement that all three of us were grads. And we in turn thanked the grads for their service and shared in the pride of their parents and families.

All in all, a great day. Thanks for the candy and props, Rob!

I wish you all a blessed summer as the kids start to get ready to sleep in, and the days turn warm. I'm off to another conference this weekend, the Connecticut Romance Writers Light Your Muse Conference, where I'll be giving a workshop on Resistance and how to overcome it to write your best-selling novel. Okay, the title's not that long but you get the gist...

Thanks for stopping by.

Peace,

Geri