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skyringI've mentioned local romance author Valerie Parv previously. This evening I was lucky enough to get an invitation to the Australian launch of her 70th book "Desert Justice" at In2Coffee in Civic. A couple of dozen people, nibblies, drinks, books and chat.
Kerri and I turned up about half past five, said hello to Valerie, and mingled. I dropped off a half dozen books at her OBCZ and inspected the stock. Nothing that really caught my eye, thank goodness; I have enough books to read already.
I got to meet Valerie's husband Paul, also known as "the croc hunter" from the wild adventurous days of his youth before he settled down with a romance writer. And the owners of the Canberra Zoo, where Valerie works as a volunteer. "They've doubled my pay every year I've been there," she jokes.
Another local writer, Peter Clack was on hand to make a speech. The fact that he was dressed up in a sheik's robe and he referred to the book as "Dessert Justice" in his "after-dinner remarks" speaks volumes about how corny it was, but everyone smiled and laughed and clapped.
Valerie is a delightful lady and there are a couple of photographs of me, with my arm around her and Kerri, grinning like a cheerful idiot.
We said our goodbyes eventually, but not before we bought a copy of her book, which Valerie duly autographed.
She's promised to turn up to our mini-meeting at Guru Coffee in Woden on Monday. She'll get to meet a few more of our local BookCrossers.
In other news, I received a copy of my own book in the mail today. I cringe a bit when I re-read certain passages, but overall, it's a great reminder of two glorious honeymoon holidays in a magical land. New Zealand is truly paradise, and my spirits are lifted each time I return. I'm looking forward immensely to bringing Kerri back for a fourth visit next February.
Kerri and I turned up about half past five, said hello to Valerie, and mingled. I dropped off a half dozen books at her OBCZ and inspected the stock. Nothing that really caught my eye, thank goodness; I have enough books to read already.
I got to meet Valerie's husband Paul, also known as "the croc hunter" from the wild adventurous days of his youth before he settled down with a romance writer. And the owners of the Canberra Zoo, where Valerie works as a volunteer. "They've doubled my pay every year I've been there," she jokes.
Another local writer, Peter Clack was on hand to make a speech. The fact that he was dressed up in a sheik's robe and he referred to the book as "Dessert Justice" in his "after-dinner remarks" speaks volumes about how corny it was, but everyone smiled and laughed and clapped.
Valerie is a delightful lady and there are a couple of photographs of me, with my arm around her and Kerri, grinning like a cheerful idiot.
We said our goodbyes eventually, but not before we bought a copy of her book, which Valerie duly autographed.
She's promised to turn up to our mini-meeting at Guru Coffee in Woden on Monday. She'll get to meet a few more of our local BookCrossers.
In other news, I received a copy of my own book in the mail today. I cringe a bit when I re-read certain passages, but overall, it's a great reminder of two glorious honeymoon holidays in a magical land. New Zealand is truly paradise, and my spirits are lifted each time I return. I'm looking forward immensely to bringing Kerri back for a fourth visit next February.
