25 Comments

There is always time, and need, for celebration.

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oh, C.

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Congratulations on this milestone, Beth. The cover is beautiful.

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Thank you, Rona. That cover was designed by my husband, with his painting as the centerpiece. I am very lucky.

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I listened, and I heard and felt the sound and shape of the words effortlessly painting the scene, each detail chosen, I think, out of necessity and efficiency to do much more than a paint-by-number-with-words, those details infused with each character's emotional, psychological and spiritual needs, losses, desires, the room the witness. Hard to wait for my copy to arrive.

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It is as if you are telepathic, or maybe that is not the word — knowing what I am trying to do with words, sensing it. For yes. Everything about these two characters is right here, in the opening pages. And that room will anchor the story as it unfolds, as Peggy remembers the year 1918, in the final days of her living. Thank you, always, Char.

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First, celebrate away! We can use all the good news we can get these days. And second, to hear you read those first two pages--wow. What a story! Thank you. With a congratulatory hug, warm and tender and delighted for you and this new book-child.

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I wish we'd had more time together in Miami, Susan, long ago, when, well, when things were different. Thank you for this. Thank you for listening. Thank you for sharing my quiet happiness in this way. xoxo

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I think we connect when the time is right, honestly. And that seems to be now. I'm grateful that we met then and that we're able to reconnect here. It's just such a delight to see your work thriving and growing in new ways! xoxo

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We all need celebration now! Congratulations on your new book. I’m waiting to receive mine.

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I am so grateful to you, Lisa. Thank you. You will have a handmade bookmark tucked in!

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I love the way the opening descriptions match, and set the reader up for, the emotions of the protagonist. Beautiful.

I also love the cover--Bill, with painting, "gets" what you convey with words.

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So very grateful for your words and your time, always, Marianna. And what a dream Bill is, the painter he is. Thank you.

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I love everything here, Beth—the star, JAPA, the birthday-day launch. We really do need news to smile about, and this is all so cheering. Plus, you deserve it!

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Oh my goodness, Debbie. Thank you. (thank you) xo

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Wonderful, Beth. Can't wait for the book.

love aby

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Abby, we should zoom or talk or ... something. Soon. xo Thank you.

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Beth, I would love that.

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A true celebration to hear you read to me this morning. Thank you, Beth.

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you make me cry. here I have been, worrying and worrying about centering a post around a book, hoping that the reading itself would be the thing that echoed longest. you give me hope. xo

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I think NOW is the best time to find things to celebrate...and this is one of them! Listened to those first two pages. I'm hungry for the rest.

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Linda, I am so publicity shy as it is, but I am so GRATEFUL to Booklist and JAPA and Cathy at the bookstore and my publisher/editors and ... to my grandmother, whose story I found after all these years of searching. thank you. xo

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In the toughest times

attending to good news helps.

We will celebrate!

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your amazing haikus. thank you.

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Writing teaching sage,

artist, caring, kind mentor.

Deep bow as thank you.

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