Sunday, November 06, 2005

Saints & Sinners Tour


I had the pleasure of hosting Marcia Talley and Kate Charles as they brought their "Saints and Sinners" tour through North Carolina. The two drove from Richmond to my home in Apex, arriving late on Tuesday night (Nov. 18). We all had to sleep fast because the two had an 8:00 brunch appearance at the Carolina Club in Chapel Hill. They talked to a small, but enthusiastic crowd, signed copies of their books, and returned home with me.

I quickly shewed them out the door to tour Apex's historic downtown, while I pulled together a luncheon in their honor. Mutual friends, including local mystery authors, joined us for a talk-filled meal. Wednesday evening was given to an appearance at our lovely Eva Perry Library, where members of my monthly mystery group swelled the crowd of other mystery readers to listen and ask questions of the two.

On Thursday, we drove to Pinehurst where Kate and Marcia spoke to the combined book clubs of the area. Not only did we enjoy a lovely luncheon at the Resort at Pinehurst, we were also treated to a showing of great new books by the Country Bookshop. We all left with scribbled notes on their handouts. Books make great gifts, don't you think—they're so easy to wrap!

Thursday afternoon and evening was given to rest, relaxation, and getting ready for Friday's departure. Until, that is, the two authors discovered we all had similar tastes in music, and they fell on my CD collection. Kate spent time on-line with her web cam, and I got to meet her mother via cyberspace. Marcia had ordered a new digital camera to be delivered to my house, and she was fervent in memorizing the instruction book before she left.

Friday morning began before daybreak. We gathered bags, lunches, and authors and fled for the airport's rental car return, just missing the early morning traffic. By the time they were in the air headed for Houston, I was back home asleep.

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