Yep, that's me with Elizabeth Berg, a writer whom I
consider a goddess. I had the very great fortune to not only meet her
recently when she was at the Tennessee Williams Festival in New Orleans
and I was at the Novelists Inc. conference, but I got to spend a little
time with her and her charming partner, Bill Young, as well as introduce
her keynote speech to Novelists Inc.
I have adored her books for years and read every
one more than once. Her prose is luminous, and her ability to slide
beneath the skin of her characters and bring them to glorious life is
remarkable, as her latest book, WE ARE ALL WELCOME HERE, will
demonstrate.
I want to take this moment to speak of New Orleans
and the ravaged Gulf Coast and parts of Texas which all took such hard
hits last August and September. Never have I admired a group of people
more—the courage required to rebuild in the face of such disaster is
truly heroic. But seven months after the hurricanes, there is still
much work to do—don't assume that because you don't hear it on the news
much anymore, that everything's great. It's not, and people are still
suffering badly. If you can lend a hand in any way, please do.
That said, New Orleans is very much open for
business again. Please consider taking a trip there—the food is as
fabulous as ever, the hospitality as warm. Everywhere we went, shop
owners and cab drivers and restaurant and hotel workers welcomed us with
open arms and showed us that they may be battered, but they are BACK!
(I have to take a second here to say that the Hotel Monteleone set a
standard for hospitality beyond any I've ever encountered—thank you,
folks!)
People are wearing fleur de lis emblems on jewelry
and clothing and displaying them on street banners and such, as their
symbol of rebirth. New Orleans has always been utterly unique and
packed with charm...and all of that is still very much there. If you go
to the Quarter, you'd never know a hurricane hit. The streets are
clean, the shops are open, the food is sending out heavenly scents, and
the musicians are filling the air with glorious sounds—and they need our
patronage, folks. They've battled their way back to their feet, and our
tourist dollars will keep them standing and moving forward.
A personal note: this month marks a new release
from me, SWEET MERCY, the story of Gamble Smith from my Signature
Select, MERCY, released last May. Whatever you thought of him and his
behavior then, I think you'll be surprised now to find out what was
motivating him—I sure was!
I had another thrill when I picked up a magazine
yesterday—in this case, First for Women—and found a full-page color ad
for this book, along with a sidebar on the facing page! Cool! (The ad
will also be in Woman's Day and two other magazines soon.) So if you're
ready for another read from me, I'd appreciate the opportunity to tell
you a new story.
In the meantime, my very best wishes, as always, to
each of you. I appreciate your support and encouragement more than I
can begin to say.
