www.debbierigaud.com

Back in high school, I always had some catch phrase (like “word is bond”—or, if I was really adamant, “word is life”) that I would continuously use. But what really became my trademark was the high-pitched sound I’d make when I was super excited–“Eeeeeeeee!” Ironically, one particular time I can clearly remember using it was during a volleyball game in gym class. They don’t call it an auditorium for nothing.

So, the teenage Debbie would so be going  “Eeeeeeeeeee” right now, because the final cover art for PERFECT SHOT has been released for public view!

This is also a proud moment because PERFECT SHOT features the first African-American protagonist/couple in the Simon Pulse romantic comedy line. Double “Eeeeeeeeeee!”

And “bonus” (to borrow my cousin Jessica’s current saying), I now have an author page on Simon & Schuster’s revamped website! So far, there’s no photo or bio up yet, but you can link to all the release information about PERFECT SHOT, which comes out December 1, 2009.

So, without further delay, introducing the PERFECT SHOT cover and the Simon Pulse-issued back-cover synopsis!

“London Abrams’s first love is volleyball, so why is she a contestant for an online modeling competition? Answer: Super-hottie, Brent St. John. London spotted Brent signing in contestants at the store, and she got in line simply to say hi. She never thought she’d make it into the competition!
London’s now up against fourteen hungry fashionistas willing to do whatever it takes to win. But all she wants is to win Brent’s heart…but the money prize couldn’t hurt. If London plays this right, she can win the contest, the boy, and the cash. GAME ON!”

Eeeeeeeeeee!

So, we’ve all heard the word "coincidence” playfully referred to as “kawinkidinks.” But I thought it was extra cute when I read that such occurrences should be credited as “God-winks.”

March was, on the surface, an understated month for me. But as quickly as those 31 days went marching by, a few God-winks were left behind. I’ve got a few of them to tell you about.

~My honey and I live in a two-family cottage. We’re on the ranch level (as seen below), and another couple (young empty-nesters) live on the lower level. This month alone, I ran into the wife at the local supermarket three times. Each time, I drove her home and we got to chatting. In one of our car conversations, we realized that we all share the same wedding anniversary! How cool is that?

A week or so after our supermarket run-in, the wife knocks on my door and surprises me with a batch of homemade cupcakes! (My absolute fave.) I told her that her timing couldn’t be better because it was my birthday. With those words, she put down the treats, and covered her mouth. Her eyes got watery. 

“Debbie,” she finally said. “It’s my birthday, too.”

Kawinkidink or a God-wink?

~God-wink #2 came today. Mail here is notoriously slow, so I just received a birthday card from my sister Golda. She and I have always been twin  spirits, so over the years, I’ve gotten used to the way we can tune into each other’s brain waves. But when I saw her card, I was taken aback. She’d been telling me how she was drawn to a particular card because it was “so me.” She wasn’t kidding. The pattern on the card was a carbon copy of the print on my new skirt, which I happened to wear on my b’day (the photo below was taken on that day).

For a closer look, here’s the skirt and the card together.

I have no words.

~Okay, so maybe the next item isn’t exactly a “God-wink” since I may be a little biased– but the Obamas really remind me of my parents! At first everyone in the fam noticed my dad’s resemblance to POTUS. But now we’re also picking up on a Mummy-esque quality in Michelle.

Judge for yourself.

The happy dance.

Kickin’ it old-school.

Lounge act.

No? What’s that you say…? I’m stretching it a bit? Well, okay. I’ll just leave well enough alone.

But thanks for humoring me. [wink-wink.]

When I was informed about the Bermuda Book Fair 2009, I knew I had to attend. It was my opportunity to meet local authors and purchase their books.

So, on a rainy Sunday afternoon, my groovy house guest Madeline accompanied me to the Mount St. Agnes School auditorium in Hamilton to check it out. The place was lined with writers end to end. We didn’t know where to start.

We missed the reading of Lost Island of Tamarind by author Nadia Aguiar by just a few minutes (my fault). But I introduced myself to Nadia and picked up a copy of her book. My current reading list is as long as my arm, so I had to refrain from reading too far into this adventure tale (Must finish M.T. Anderson’s book first!). But it was tough to pull myself away. Tamarind is about 13-year-old Maya who lives at sea with her siblings and marine biologist parents, until a violent storm sweeps Maya and her sibs onto a mystical island.

Here’s the lovely Ms. Nadia framed by her book’s cool cover art.

Also on hand was Samuel Alexander (pictured below), a prolific author of supernatural novels. Dude has three books under his belt (Destiny?, Decisions, and Wolvire) yet he still considers himself just getting his feet wet!  If this is what you call a warm-up, I can’t wait to see what he unleashes after he’s really gotten things started.

And as much as I adore short stories, I couldn’t pass up the chance to pick up Legacies and A Ballad of Orange Valley. Authors (from left to right) Gwendolyn Lawrence, Rawle Frederick, Marilynn O. Simmons, and Grace P. McCallan were gracious enough to sign my copies and pose for a  quick photo.

I didn’t get to document (or purchase) all the exciting offerings on hand. But there were a number of children’s book authors present. Bermuda’s Minister of Culture, The Hon. Dale Butler, JP, MP was also in attendance. I was drawn to the art (pictured below) in his children’s book It Takes a Smiling Raindrop, so I picked up a signed copy.

Bermuda packs in a lot of talent on this tiny island!