Bobbie O'Keefe's Journal

Life has been happening so fast I can't keep up with it all. In an email msg for my husband's sister, I mentioned the recent sale of two bks, and then discovered that he didn't know about it. He'd known of the offer, but not that I'd finalized it. Someone commented that he needs to read my blog to find out what's going on. (Smile) Thank goodness he smiled too.

After the contract comes the ancillary documents.
1) Author bio: 50 wds
2) Blurb: 100-150 wds
3) Excerpt: 2-3 pgs
I worry about the blurb and excerpt more than the manuscript itself. Readers decide to go for a book or not on those two shorties, so descriptions need to be exceptionally good--and good is defined by the reader, not the writer.

Red Rose Publishing is buying two books: "The House on Copper Street" AND "The Two Most Unlikely." Double wow. And they're publishing in E-book, so I'll be learning a whole new format. And I thought my retirement years would be laid back and lazy.

Red Rose Publishing is interested in "The House on Copper Street." Well now, how about that. We'll see what happens....

At my recent graduation reunion I was hoping to see my best friend from my high school years, or at least find out where she is now and get in touch again, and I have found out now that she is deceased. We'd kept in touch thru marriage and young kids, even attended our ten-year class reunion together, but drifted apart. It happens. If I could go back and undo it, and stay in touch, I would. But I can't.

During a recent auto trip I discovered that one leg is older than the other one ( somewhat more subject to cramping) and that spoilsport leg didn't like for me to go walking. But I forced my way back out again today, sore leg or not, and enjoyed a nice (albeit a little slow) morning stroll.

I just learned that the San Mateo Public Library has ordered a copy of Second Thoughts and is processing it. That bit of news made my eyes moist up. As Moose would say (one of the Second Thoughts characters), "It just keeps getting and better."

They say it's a small world, and I guess they're right. I just heard from someone very near my own age, who also shares my anniversary month, has only one more year's worth of matrimonial harmony than I, and who married a man with the same last name as my other half. We are each unique, however, in how we spell our first name. She lives in Miami and does absolutely beautiful online stationary. You can check it out at ramblinroots.net

After her college graduation my granddaughter jumped out of an airplane. Then she called to tell me that she was safely on the ground. It was her mother's fault; she'd married a man to whom sky diving is a love and a hobby--and she'd also taken that leap and then called ... after she was safely on the ground.

I very much enjoy browsing through the library, it's like a home away from home. And now I'm wandering thru libraries all over the nation as well--online, of course.

Two libraries in Anchorage, AK are awaiting ordered copies of "Second Thoughts," as are the New Amsterdam and the 96th Street Branches in NY, NY. In between, somebody checked it out from the Edina Library in Minnetonka, MN and it's due back June 18; it's due to be returned to the public library in Tempe, AZ June 20, and the trend continues thru libraries in 27 states so far. 

Do I sound like a little kid with a new toy?

...I'm playing it again. I asked Five Star if they would look at another manuscript. Cross your fingers and your toes for me. 

Happy Birthday to my youngest. Last born, and, oh, so precious.

First book signing and sale today, at my church. I had the support of friends, family, clergy and so many of the congregation.  I'm both touched and appreciative. We sold 24 books, and oh boy, think about feedback....

Romantic Times Book Review Magazine, June edition, says: "Marvelously entertaining, O'Keefe's novel has characters that are easy to empathize with and fun to read about ... a story to be greatly enjoyed and fondly remembered."

They gave it four and a half stars, their top rating, and they called it a TOP PICK! The full review is posted on the review page.

My cousin was going thru boxes of things belonging to our grandparents after his mother's death, and he came across two letters: one that I'd written to my grandparents in 1951 and one my mom had written to them. The letters are in good shape and the envelopes have 3-cent stamps on them. My sisters and I have been traveling down memory road with these letters, basking again in the love of our parents and reliving our childhood memories. Thank you, dear cousin, for sending these on.

Reader Views (4/09): "This is a fun, light-hearted read that is fast-paced ... you will laugh, cry and root for the underdogs in SECOND THOUGHTS by Bobbie O'Keefe."

Nice, and it's posted in its entirety--just click Reviews on the home page.

Romance Reviews Today says:
"An amusing tale of exes thrown together with a trio of not so savvy crooks is the basis for SECOND THOUGHTS by Bobbie O'Keefe ... Connie and Derek's chemistry churns ... enjoyable and evenly spaced ... light touches at the humorous scenes are nicely drawn and won't slide into anything bordering on slapstick ... if you're like me, SECOND THOUGHTS  will have you turning the pages to see what happens next ... for a fun read that mixes romance with some hijinks, grab a copy of SECOND THOUGHTS."

The complete review is posted on my Reviews page.

Two more professional reviews have come in, but before I get into those, some family members have voiced or written their own reviews, which I am also proud of and want to share.

"I highly recommend it as I enjoyed it thoroughly! It's got a little bit of everything in it... suspense, romance, comedy even a kidnapping. But don't just listen to me...." (from my daughter.)

"Where can I get a SteelMan comic book?" (from my son.)

"Pure fun." (from my daughter-in-law.)

Copyright is automatic, I learned, which surprised me. But one is still better off with an official copyright that is registered with the Library of Congress. And I'm as official as I can get; the copyright application is in the mail. (Well, I'll be more official once I get the certificate.)

Car rental companies want customers to sign several pages of documents, but don't want customers to actually take the time to read what one is signing. They're not the only establishments guilty of this, or course, but they are the most recent I've come in contact with.

And while we're on the subject of wheels and transportation, it has been an awfully long time since I've met a cab driver who is actually courteous and that I'd want to hire a second time.