After all the hard work and the solitary challenge of writing a book, it was with some fear and trepidation that I scheduled my first book signings. Everyone knows what it's like to organize a party and then, just before it's time to start, feel a pang of doubt whether anybody will show up. And of course, they do, and the party gets rolling, and the anxiety evaporates and is quickly forgotten.
That's how it was with the first book signings. I worried needlessly. They went better than I could have hoped. I am so grateful to everyone who attended the events at Murphy's Place on Thursday, Borders on Saturday, and Fireside Books today (Sunday).
All three were great fun and I enjoyed getting to meet so many wonderful people. I especially am grateful to Beth Karas, one of my favorite people in the world. She has been such a help and encouragement right from the start, writing the foreword to "Sin, Shame & Secrets," going out of her way to get Nancy Grace to write an endorsement for the book cover, and then staying over an extra night in Toledo so that she could be at the book signing at Borders. She is a remarkable woman and, as her fans know, a savvy and smart reporter. She's also down to earth and a lot of fun to be around. I'm sure many of the 200 or so people who came to Borders were there to see Beth.

I don't have any numbers for you yet but I would guess I signed more than 200 books at the 3 signings, the majority of them at Borders.
Big kudos to Joan Russell and Clifford Murphy, owners of Murphy's Place, for hosting such a classy book-release party on Thursday. And thank you to Claude Black and Clifford for the incredible live jazz and to the staff at Murphy's for great food and service. I also would like to thank the Borders staff -- Chris, Tab, and Ashley are awesome, they took care of all the details and made sure everything went smoothly. Nicole at the main office did an exceptional job planning and advertising the event. And my newspaper, The Blade, has been so supportive, running promotional ads that listed the signings. Thanks to Dan Gallerno and the people in marketing.
The Fireside crew were a pleasure to work with also. I was thoroughly impressed with the store -- including the fireplace and cozy chairs -- and give credit to them for running the only independent bookstore in the Toledo area. Let's all do our part to support this local business.
Thanks also to Jon Stainbrook for taking photographs Saturday at Borders.
I feel extremely encouraged by the turnout and the comments and honored that you want to read my book. Several people who read it told me they could not put it down and read it straight through. I can't think of a greater compliment.
I'm looking forward to the next round, Saturday 10/28 at the Open Book in Fremont;Sunday, Oct. 29, at Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, and then Nov. 4 at Barnes & Noble.
Hope to see you there!
Sylvania, Ohio, Oct. 22, 2006