Cindy Bradford's Author Blog
As we embark on the publishing of novel two, Promises Kept, I am going to change my blogging a bit, but never fear; it will better than before and a little more all encompassing. As you can see the web site is already undergoing some changes so that is a start to the new look and feel. I will continue to highlight some of my life experiences and travels on a regular basis, but beginning this week, the main focus will be on my books. [Read more…] about Plots, Characters & Writing
(Continued from No Electricity No DSL Feb. 8 ) It was pouring buckets of rain all through the 1:00 book signing, but a few brave souls ventured forth and bought my book. They were all from northern climates so cool air and rain didn’t deter them. One lady said, “Hey, you don’t have to shovel rain.”
After the signing, my agent, Chris and friend Gayle went to Zeste, a local bistro, for a late lunch and of course, a celebratory glass of wine. As we were admiring the local art adorning the walls, the artist, Carol Plumb, and her mother came in with some of her small paintings. It was fun to meet and talk with another “local” struggling to let the world to know there is talent on this tiny island!
Before long it was time for the evening book signing. (Still pouring rain!) I was super excited and for good reason. Visiting with friends and making new ones was special, not to mention hearing compliments on Keeping Faith. I was truly fortunate to have the signing at Paragraphs on Padre. Not only is it a beautiful store, it is homey and welcoming, and feels like a book store should. The owner, Joni, and husband, Griff, were wonderful hosts and kind enough to provide hors d’ oeuvres and wine.
To top off what turned out to be a very special day, in spite of the dubious beginning in the early hours, a group of us went to The Shrimp Haus where Leslie, unquestionably the best performer on the island, was singing ‘50’s music. Of course, there were so many “Winter Texans” there that we couldn’t find a seat. Heck, at first I was thinking I should have had my signing there.
At least a 100 Q-tips (you have to have read The Q-Tips Are Coming to understand) filled the place, but then I was brought back to the reality that these people are “tight as Dick’s hatband,” (Did You See the Blue Moon) when I noticed the tip jar had about four one dollar bills in it, and Leslie had been singing her heart out for at least an hour and a half. These folks must have thought we were back in the 50’s! It was a magical day and night, and one I won’t soon forget. Hey, it’s not every day that a person is blessed enough to read a passage of her own book to strangers and sign a copy for a friend.
Although I was tremendously excited for my first book signing of Keeping Faith, which was held at Atticus in Ruidoso, NM, I am totally giddy about tomorrow’s signing at “Paragraphs on Padre.”
After all, South Padre is home, and hopefully, many of my friends will join me to share in my excitement. What makes it really special is my agent, Chris, is flying in from Houston as are my friends Iris and Paul.
The first signing is from 1:00-2:00, and then the owner has asked if I will return at 6:00-7:30 for book signings, discussions about how and why I wrote the book, and Q&A. Wine and cheese will be served at the evening event. If you are in the area, please stop by this warm and friendly bookstore right on Padre Blvd. It’s a beautiful, charming recent addition to the island, and a great place to find your favorite book and even enjoy it in one of the comfortable chairs. If you are miles away and can’t be here, then please wish me luck.
Saturday was a nice extension of Christmas because I had the opportunity to make new friends because of Keeping Faith. It all started back in early December on Twitter when a young teacher from the Austin area saw my “follow” and wished me a happy birthday. She then indicated on Facebook that she was going to be in Ruidoso for Christmas, but would miss my book signing at Atticus. As we continued to communicate via FB, we planned a meeting, but of course, the snow had other ideas for us since her cabin is on a shady hill and mine is similar. Too much snow and too little sun rendered us both home bound or not venturing out very far.
So, it wasn’t until the 26th that I was able to meet her, her husband, and her aunt at Starbucks, where they bought two books and we visited. And what a nice time it was! As it turned out, Hope Melayne is a kindergarten teacher in Buda, and an award-winning one at that. In 2004, she was named Texas Exes Elementary Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year for her campus, and for Buda ISD. And I can see why—she is bubbly, enthusiastic, and personable. And Rob, her husband, was such a sweetheart to come and listen to three woman talk about school. He’s an avid golfer, tennis player, and engineer, so I know if the truth be told, he was bored out of his skull. But he was, nonetheless, pleasant and patient.
Also joining us was Hope’s Aunt Linda, who was a long time educator and a retired principal. She also served at Texas Education Agency for awhile as well as holding other administrative assignments. She lives in Ruidoso part of the year and is super interesting. We even knew a couple of the same people from the education field. You can imagine how much we had to talk about, and could have continued but Linda had a skier visitor arriving from the Dallas area, and Hope and Rob had a bathroom to paint at the family cabin. So, we said good bye and promised to stay in touch. What a nice way to continue a Christmas weekend.
And the winner of the review contest is…………………….Kandie Bruckner. I’m sure that she is really excited about another book since she told me she has purchased five. Her name was selected randomly yesterday evening, and she received a $10.00 Amazon gift card via email, and will also get a bookmark and signed copy of Keeping Faith in the mail.
I hope she is as pleased to win as I am to have 18 reviews. I sincerely appreciate each of you who took the time and made the effort to write a review to support me. Each one is great, and you will never know how much I appreciate your support. I wish all of you could have won, but you are all winners to me. So again, thank you! And those of you, who haven’t yet written a review, please do. The contest doesn’t end the importance of these and how they affect the marketing on Amazon. So please understand there is no cut-off date for these. The more, the better!
On another note, I want to let all of you Kindle users know that the “Kindle Version” is available. It may not yet say so on the printed version Amazon page, but you can get it through Kindle as you do other books. Several friends have already told me they have ordered, so I know it’s working. Also, it is available on MobiPocket. I can’t imagine reading a book on my phone, but several of you asked for that version so there is a link on this web site. I’m trying every avenue I can think of to get Keeping Faith out there, and it appears to be paying off. And that is all because of you, my reader friends. So thank you and please keep telling your friends about my book.
As I mentioned in a recent blog, another novel, Promises Kept, will be released in late spring or at the latest early summer. Although it is a sequel to Keeping Faith, it is written to be a stand alone novel if someone misses the first one. Shame on you if this is the case!!
The title, itself, has enough symbolism to make an English literature teacher tingle in delight. Not only does it refer to one promise kept, but several, which is why it helps to have read the first novel and be able to figure out and anticipate the significance of the title. Am I piquing your interest?
Faith is the main character in this second novel, although in many ways, I saw her as the main character in the first because her influence was so powerfully subliminal and far-reaching. But according to the rules of developing the protagonist, one could strongly argue that Patrick was it hands down. I’ll be interested to hear what you think. And Kit and Shirley, you’re the “English marms”, so it will be good to hear an opinion from you.
But until then, the teaser for Promises Kept reads like this:
Determination and grit are the two forces that propel Faith O’Brien. After finding the father she never knew and graduating law school, her focus is centered on bringing to justice the priest who abused her father as a child. As a neophyte attorney she courageously battles a veteran, highly experienced and shrewd Boston lawyer.Soon, however, she faces a much bigger fight—one that threatens to take the life of the man closest to her. But this time intelligence, perseverance and resolve may not be enough…
