A Letter to Lee Child

Dear Mr. Child-

Remember me?  I'm the crazy lady from Salt Lake City that planned my entire vacation around your two book signings in New York. It wasn't easy getting through this series. I started to panic after book seven. But now that I've finally caught up with all of the Reacher books, I thought I'd drop you a little note to let you know just how thankful I am that you've chosen writing as a career. I also wanted to let you know how inspiring your character, Jack Reacher, has been in my life.

Thanks to Jack Reacher I have been able to define my very existence around my "Reacher worthiness." It's true.  Ever since you spoke about Roscoe's eyes and her "ass"  in Reacher's debut novel, Killing Floor, I have been obsessed with making sure that I am doing everything I can to be seen in such a favorable light.  You can read about this turning point in my life here.  I'm not embarrassed by this turning point and I have no problem admitting that I doubled my workouts to look "extra Reacher worthy" for you (I mean, Jack) on my trip to New York and created a Reacher Worthy Status Chart to measure my progress with.  

I've also found myself in meetings comparing gospel principle lessons on Sunday to Jack Reacher, as well.  You can read about that experience here.  I've since started calling them "Reacher moments' and I'm happy to tell you that I'm not the only one that has them.  My Reacher moments are famous at work. In fact, I was so upset that others weren't experiencing them with me that I devoted an entire blog post to encourage my friends to read the books with me. It became my mission. It also showcased how difficult it is to balance marriage and Reacher.

Did you know I taught my coworkers the importance of following the "Reacher said nothing" rule?  Well, I did and it's a great post that clearly shows the importance of being taught this lesson early in life.  I also taught them the importance of not being selfish. You have no idea how difficult this lesson is for me. I still struggle with the thought of my Reacher books coming back damaged.  Oh! The thought totally makes me sick.  I also told them stories of my attempt to develop an internal clock, and showcased Reacher's "four in the morning theory" as well as his knowledge of rats.  And I can't forget his math wisdom.  Seriously, Reacher's math knowledge made me look at passwords in a whole new way! Reacher is a true genius.

With all that being said, there is one scene that still haunts my dreams at night, and it goes back to the very first book.  If I could be any character in any book...I would choose to be Officer Roscoe.  Mr. Child, I would have stepped on that bus. I would have stepped on that bus with nothing but the clothes on my back and I would have memorized every moment, every touch, and every word in the short time I had been given with Jack. The ending of that book broke my heart. And even though I know it never would have lasted longer than a week...I still would have gone. My job would have still been there. My political aspirations would have still been successful. I would have left it all behind for just a few days, and I would have stepped on that bus.   There would have been no cause for Reacher to have tears in his eyes for a hundred miles because I would have stepped on that bus.

So, with all that being written...I just want to say thanks for choosing writing as a career and for giving me so many topics to write about these last few months.  It really has been fun and my coworkers have enjoyed every minute of it.  I'm looking forward to the next Reacher novel and I'm really hoping we get a chance to meet again.  Remember when I accidentally told you that I loved you at Borders on Broadway in New York?  Well, I'm starting to think there might have been some truth to that after all.  You are, after all, an "amazing man with the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen in a picture..."  and they are just as amazing in person, too. Thanks again for the friendship on Facebook.

Warmest regards-

Sabrina Ogden

And the winner of the signed copy of Worth Dying For by Lee Child is... Cindy Westover!  Not only did you capture my thoughts, but you seem to know Reacher quite well just from reading my blog!

Oh my dear Katie please don't be so blue.
For I'm here in your dreams just waiting for you.
Your eyes are still worthy, your soul still complete,
with qualities like that you'll never be beat.
So dab at the dribbles falling from your beautiful eyes,
Because Jack Reacher has never been good at good-byes.

Worth Dying For by Lee Child

Imagine me crying,

Imagine me blue;

Imagine me super sad

that I am losing you.

(sniff, sniff) :'-(

I know. I know.  It's the saddest poem in the history of blogger world. But...it is a very sad day for me and it's the best I could do under such depressing circumstances. Plus, I never said I was a poet...so deal with it!

Since I'm not quite ready to part with Reacher, this is all your going to get for now. 

Oh - And I have a signed copy of Worth Dying For by Lee Child. I figure the value is close to $2500.00. Of course that is taking into consideration the following expenses of planning my vacation around Lee Child and his two book signings in New York.  It's true that I didn't have to go.  But then, if I didn't, you wouldn't have the opportunity to win this book now would you?  Expenses were:

Travel                  $796.00

Hotel                   $1337.68 (no bedbugs...totally worth the cost)

4 books               $91.54

Subway               $35.00

Food                   $50.00 (I'm only counting the cost of our meal at Carnegie Deli. After all, they did slaughter and entire cow for our two sandwiches because we weren't properly prepared for the size of the meal. Oops! I still feel kind of bad for that cow.)

Cab                     $100.00 (that was to and from the airport)

Statue of Liberty  $20.00 (and I'm talking a little statue for my desk at work)

TOTAL               $2430.22

Well, I'm hoping to find this book a loving home.  Preferably to someone that can understand the incredible pain I am going through right this very moment.  If you think you're the one...leave me a comment with a small poem in the comment section below.  I'm sure you won't have any problem besting mine.

I'll be announcing the winner on Friday (1/7/2011)! 

This is the saddest day EVER! WAAAAHHHH! :'-( I don't wanna wait for another book...I don't wanna!

61 Hours by Lee Child

So, I know Reacher told me where he was headed originally in this book, but honestly, the guy wanders so much that I've stopped paying attention to locations until I know he's landed in the locale where the book is actually going to be taking place.  In 61 Hours, Reacher finds himself stranded in Bolton, South Dakota after the tour bus he hitched a ride on slips and slides into a ditch.  It's winter time in the middle of nowhere.  There's a blizzard blowing into town.  It's cold...really, really cold. Like 20 below zero cold! Have you ever been in 20 below zero weather? I have. It was my freshman year in college and it dropped to 60 below with the wind chill. The college didn't close for the day, so like everyone else, I put on my clothes and headed to class.  I made it as far as the street corner from my apartment....maybe 300 feet. That's when I fainted. Anyway, where were we?  That's right...Bolton, South Dakota. 

The bus crash causes Reacher to take up residence with Deputy Chief Andrew Peterson where he learns that an elderly woman, Janet Salter, is in danger because of her insistence on testifying against drug dealers that have taken up residence at an abandoned military post in Bolton.  They aren't small time drug dealers. These guys have ties to a very short,  but brutal Mexican cartel member named Plato.  Reacher soon becomes acquainted with Janet, and knowing that Plato wants her silenced, Reacher is determined to do whatever is necessary to provide protection for her. 

In this story you'll see Reacher strike up a telephone friendship with Major Susan Turner, watch him develop a mother/son relationship with Janet Salter, learn that he was part of a government experiment when he was six, learn how to balance while walking on the ice,  put a bullet in the head of the Chief of Police, and scramble to escape a fiery ending that will leave you screaming, "NOOOOOOOO!" "NOOOOOOO!"  "NOOOOOOO!" After that, you'll read through the last five pages of the book with no mention of Reacher, and find out that Major Susan Turner is being deployed to Afghanistan.  What? Wait a second.  What happened to Reacher? Hmmm. I guess I'll have to read the next book to find out!

Saying Goodbye to 2010

Here is a list of books I've read this year. You may or may not find them interesting...I'll give a comment on some of them.  I've had a great time the last six months on this little lame book blog. I've read some great books and have been introduced to some new writers thanks to book bloggers that I have found on Twitter.  Amazingly, some of these great people allow me to follow their Twitter feed and some are even following me back. (total pressure...I still have yet to perfect my tweeting skills. One day I'll master it, I'm sure.)

BOOKS FOR 2010

1. The Secret Life of Bees- Sue Monk Kidd

 JR WARD
2. Dark Lover #1
3. Lover Eternal #2
4. Lover Awakened #3
5. Lover Revealed #4
6. Lover Unbound #5
7. Lover Enshrined #6
8. Lover Avenged #7
9. Lover Mine #8
10. Black Dagger Brotherhood Insiders Guide

~This series will be on my reading list each year. Yes...they are that good.  At work we refer to them as vampire porn.  It's a great story about a group of vampire warriors known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  These warriors are fighting to save the extinction of their race.  They live in Caldwell, NY- and I have to admit that I was tempted to search out their mansion when I was in NY for that Lee Child book signing this year.  Every night when I would see a flash of light in the NY skyline, I knew the brothers were out slaying Lessers.  This series comes complete with a glossary and....an Insiders Guide.

CHARLAINE HARRIS
11. Dead Until Dark
12. Living Dead in Dallas
13. Club Dead
14. Dead to the World
15. Dead as a Doornail
16. Definitely Dead
17. All Together Dead
18. From Dead to Worse
19. Dead and Gone
20. Dead in the Family

~If I have to tell you anything about this series...something is wrong with ya! I started this set after I finished the BDB series. My coworker had received the series as a gift and I was just starting my love affair with reading.  Did you know Charlaine Harris will be at Bouchercon 2011 next year in St. Louis? If you want to know more about Bouchercon and find out what you need to do to attend, you can find information about it here.

ANNE RICE
21. Interview with a Vampire #1
22. The Vampire Lestat #2
23. Queen of the Damned #3
24. The Tale of the Body Thief #4
25. Memnoch the Devil #5
26. The Vampire Armond #6
27. Merrick #7
28. Blood and Gold #8
29. Blackwood Farm #9
30. Blood Canticle #10
31. Pandora #11
32. Vittorio the Vampire #12

~I know, I know. I was on a vampire kick...who hasn't been at one time or another?  Actually, I borrowed these books from my friend, Vicki and fell in love with the series.  Anne Rice is the only author I know that can write three entire pages about the desert and not make me fall asleep.  In fact, her characters are so well developed that I know they actually exist.  They have to be real! Every once in awhile, you'll find me referencing them on-line in a comment somewhere.  For example, I left this comment when I was trying to win an e-book:

My heart and soul belong to the crime writing community, but...I read just about anything that sounds interesting minus sci-fi. Ya, if I can't pronounce the name of the planet or the moon in some ones world, I pass on the book. I also have a soft spot for vampires. (Marius, did you find the scattered notes I left for you in New York?) See...vampires are real, right?

In all honesty, I love books that have characters I can relate to with story lines that keep me so entertained that I don't mind missing a meal or two. I haven't come across a book I haven't liked but once, and even then, it was probably my own mood that killed it for me. (I won the book!)

DEAN KOONTZ
33. Frankenstein Series
34. Mr. Murder
35. Dark Rivers of the Heart
36. The Husband
37. Intensity
38. The Face

39. Lightland- Kenny Kemp
~this was a great book...until the end when every other page was missing.  Uh-did you find a cure for that virus or not???

40. At First Sight- Nicholas Sparks
41. The Last Song- Nicholas Sparks
42. A Bend in The Road- Nicholas Sparks

43. Change of Heart- Jodi Picoult

44. Love The One You’re With- Emily Giffin

45. Prayers For Sale- Sandra Dallas

46. CRASHERS- Dana Haynes

47. Vanished- Joseph Finder

~I'm in love with Nick Heller...just in case Mr. Finder has any doubts.  Bring on the former flame in the next book. I'm totally ready for her.

48. The Betrayed- David Hosp

JEAN JOHNSON
49. The Sword #1
50. The Wolf #2
51. The Master #3
52. The Song #4
53. The Cat #5
54. The Storm #6
55. The Fire #7
56. The Mage #8
~read these for a friend to see if they were worth reading...they aren't!

ANDREW GRANT
57. EVEN (2)
58. Die Twice

~I have a super soft spot for Mr. Grant and the David Trevellyan series.  The longevity of this series and Mr. Grant's happiness is extremely important to me.  If you buy the series and are not satisfied...contact me at sabrinaogden@gmail.com. I'll refund your money.  The series is that GOOD!

59. Dracula- Bram Stoker

LEE CHILD
60. Killing Floor #1 
61. Die Trying #2
62. Tripwire #3
63. Running Blind #4
64. Echo Burning #5
65. Without Fail #6
66. Persuader #7
67. The Enemy #8
68. One Shot #9
69. The Hard Way #10
70. Bad Luck & Trouble #11
71. Nothing to Lose #12
72. Gone Tomorrow #13
73. 61 Hours #14
74. Worthy Dying For #15

~With this series came my Reacher Worthy Status Chart...the chart where I measure my Reacher worthiness...I might be developing a new chart when I complete the series...just starting book #15, and only having it return when a new book is available.  At this point, in all honesty, I'm not sure if I'm in love with Jack Reacher or Lee Child. 

75. Farm Fresh Murder- Paige Shelton

~I met Paige Shelton at a book signing here in Salt Lake.  I wanted to make sure I was supporting authors that live in my area. We've since become friends and enjoy regular lunch dates.  My review of Farm Fresh Murder-my very first "review"-was so liked by my readers, they actually told me to do more. Go figure!

SUZANNE COLLINS
76. The Hunger Games
77. Catching Fire
78. Mockingjay

79. How To Grow Up and Rule the World- Vordak the Incomprehensible
80. Opposing Energies- J.W. Collier

81. The Great Bridge- David McCullough

82. Terminal Damage- Do Some Damage Gang
83. Eight Pounds- Chris F. Holm

~I lumped these two collections of short stories together because this was my first introduction to short stories. I had no idea people wrote short stories and had them published and available for readers.  I'm not sure why this was so amazing to me, but my readers fell in love with the idea just as much as I did. The idea of being able to pick up a book and read a complete story in a short amount of time was priceless for many of my blog followers that have no free time.  I plan to introduce them to more of these options next year. Oh...I also met a new bad boy that I fell in love with. Yes, Oscar...I'm talking about you!

84. The Stupidest Angel- Christopher Moore

85. A Christmas Carol- Charles Dickens

There ya have it! My end of the year post complete with really weird commentary.  Thanks for reading my blog and I look forward to visiting with you next year...which by the way, is going to ROCK!

Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child

Just in case you're ever interested in planning a tactical assault, Reacher says it's been proven by the Soviets that the best time to attack is at four in the morning.  It has something to do with brain function being at its lowest activity level, or something like that. Well, whatever it is, I could have used this information back in high school. 

My senior year in high school a group of us decided it would be fun to toilet paper our Principal's house.  We were on good terms with the guy and we had nothing but the best intentions in mind; just a bunch of kids playing around is all. It was back in the day when camo attire was popular, so we dressed up in some camo gear and headed out for a night of fun. Things went pretty smoothly for us and we completed our task with little to no trouble.  I think we lost a couple of rolls of paper before using their full covering potential, but all in all, we did well for the short amount of time we spent on the task. 

I'm not quite sure if any of us were feeling guilty about our secret mission when we arrived at school the following Monday, but before first period would even begin, we would definitely have a change of heart.   It was shortly after we all noticed we were having difficulties with our lockers that we were summoned to the Principal's office.  Turns out Mr. Sharps is a war veteran and heard us the moment we stepped foot in his yard.  The first thing he did was grab his weapon.  The second thing he did was search for the enemy. He said his first images of us running around his yard in camo brought back memories he would rather have forgotten. He spoke to us of war flashbacks and how we should be more considerate of other peoples property. It was a great learning moment for all of us and I'm thinking  that even if the four in the morning stuff is a proven theory, my guess would be it wouldn't have worked in this situation or with any other war veteran I know.  I'm not a war veteran and even my background keeps me prepared at all times of the night.  Especially when I'm visiting my family in Oregon. Plus,  this little blogger is awake every morning at four. (I was trying to develop Reacher's internal clock trick.  I wanted to wake up every morning at five, but I'm originally from the West Coast and I'm thinking my internal clock isn't interested in Utah time.  It's probably the same reason why my brain still isn't able to figure out the state tax system.)

In Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child, Reacher is riding the New York subway late at night when  he spots a woman that he believes is a suicide bomber.  After a shocking turn of events and some pretty blunt accusations by local law enforcement, Reacher, partially out of guilt, is determined to  find out what exactly was happening in this woman's life to make her commit such a desperate act.  In the story you'll find out just how easily it is for government employees to be taken advantage of by terrorists posing as Afghan  war widows, learn that every so often an elected official has secrets that can actually hinder another country more than our own, forever be scarred by images of women slicing and dicing their way to confessions, see Reacher utilize the four in the morning theory with perfection, and be surprised by Reacher's incredible knowledge of rats. Rats? Yep, it's true.  Reacher likes rats.  I found it rather interesting myself.  It reminded me of all the useless information I have about cockroaches.  Hmmm,  I wonder if I could turn that into a blog post?

P.S.  I'm not sure who it is in the Netherlands that is in love with Andrew Grant, but don't think I'm not noticing how many times your clicking on that review of Even. You may have moved that post to third place, but you have a long, long, long way to go before you even come close to knocking Nick Heller out of the number one spot. Just sayin'! ;-)

Nothing To Lose by Lee Child

I probably shouldn't be doing this, but I really couldn't resist.  I had written a review of this book, but I felt like I was a little disconnected in my usual approach so I took the time to see what others had been saying about this book.  I'm so glad I did because the comments all made me laugh and they kind of ticked me off.  I thought I'd share a couple and share some comments after.

#1 (anonymous review) The plot involves tough hombre Jack Reacher treated rudely in a company town called Despair, where he promptly deposits several men to the hospital. Reacher makes several repetitive trips across a barren landscape to investigate the nefarious doings at a scrap metals plant in Despair, aided by a female cop from a neighboring town called Hope. Somehow, the plot never gels--religious fanatics, environmental damage, war vets, etc. -- all the major issues of the day are mixed in this salsa. Probably most disappointing are the oddly written passages that seem the work of a lesser writer than Lee Child (see Reacher mulling over meanings of the word UHaul as he looks at a truck-- a dismal passage that left me wondering if Child's editor was the victim of a roadside bomb).  OUCH!

#2 (anonymous review)  I know it is hard to keep a series going but the last Reacher novel set in LA was great so I had high hopes for this one. It is a fast read but overall was disappointed because the whole set up seemed contrived.  The whole set up that Reacher didn't get served coffee and is chased out of town and he just doesn't move on seems a bit ridiculous...he's not helping or saving anyone so it all just seemed a bit much.  The main thing is really there isn't much happening in the book other than Reacher going to the town, leaving going to the town, leaving etc. Oh, and the ending...right, she's gonna push that button..would never happen.

Gee whiz, people!  Where's the loyalty? Better yet...did we even read the same book?

In the book Jack is headed to San Diego by bus, car, foot...when he arrives in Despair, Colorado and is subjected to harassment by the local townsfolk because they have secrets, and they don't like outsiders.  After being driven out of the city by law enforcement, Reacher being the stubborn character that he is, decides he wants to head back to Despair and find out what all the fuss is about.  The book takes Reacher back and forth between a neighboring town called Hope where he meets Officer Vaughn, and together they set out on an exciting adventure to discover the truth about Despair.

In the book you'll find a town ran by a religious fanatic that has been surplussing uranium at his recycling plant in the hopes of jump starting Armageddon, Reacher discovering a dead body in the desert as he makes his way to Hope, a war vet that brings to life the reality of the War in Iraq, an officer that is struggling with the consequences of said war, and an ending that will leave you believing that there is absolutely nothing that my man, Jack- can't do! 

As for the garbled written reviews above?  Let me dissect them just a little.

#1-religious fanatics, environmental damage, war vets, that pretty much speaks for itself...it's true. All of this in the book.

#2-see Reacher mulling over meanings of the word UHaul as he looks at a truck-- a dismal passage that left me wondering if Child's editor was the victim of a roadside bomb.  I don't understand why your upset with this.  At the time he's discussing the origins of the company name U-Haul, he's been driving a beat up car for hours while driving behind a U-Haul truck and was trying to keep himself awake.  And seriously-you've never found yourself doing this?  I have.  For instance...why is Mtn Dew called Mtn Dew?  The can is green, the liquid is green.  Why not just call it Mtn Green or better yet, why don't they just drop the Mtn all together?  Is the word Mountain subliminal?  See, everybody does this. 

#3-he's not helping or saving anyone so it all just seemed a bit much.  Hmmmm...correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he stop a mad religious freak from using a dirty bomb to kill thousands of people in an attempt to jump start Armageddon?  And didn't he find a dead body in the desert?  And didn't he pretty much save Officer Vaughn from her life of misery by giving her some much needed lovin' and a better understanding of how to deal with her husband. (Okay, that last sentence sounds kind of bad, but you really have to read the book to understand.)

#4-Oh, and the ending...right, she's gonna push that button...would never happen. Well, I personally would have been irritated if she hadn't pushed the button.  I would have pushed the button, so in all likelihood, she would have pushed the button, too.  It just makes sense. 

So, there you have it- my take on Nothing to Lose by Lee Child. It's a great book and I highly recommend it.

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child

I've always hated ATM cards.  I've had one a time or two in my life, but after I was married I put the kibosh on them real fast because Richard never brought home receipts and he never tracked anything.  I was constantly transferring funds to cover the shortfall that consistently showed up in our accounts caused by Richard's spending.  One day after arriving home from work I told Richard that I needed to see his ATM card.  He gave it to me without hesitation, and I took a pair of scissors to it and chopped it up into little tiny pieces.  I then gave him some cash and told him that his life with an ATM card was now officially over.  Hey, you can think I'm harsh all you want, but I do the finances in our household.  He was draining us dry.  I had to do something.  So, why bring this up in a book review?  Easy.  In book eleven of the Jack Reacher novels, Reacher uses an ATM card for the very fist time.  Although I'm secretly happy that Richard loves the Reacher novels now that he's met Lee Child, I'm secretly hoping he never makes it to book eleven for fear that he will want his ATM card back.  After all, if Jack Reacher can have an ATM card then Richard will think he should have one too. 

In Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child, Reacher is still the same Reacher I've always known.  The only real difference is that he has an ATM card now and he also carries his passport with him along with his never forgotten folding toothbrush.  After discovering an unusual amount of money being transferred into his account, Reacher deciphers the hidden meaning and finds that there has been trouble brewing with some of the guys in the old unit.  In fact, four of them are dead.  Their bodies have been found in the California desert, and the forensics show that, while still alive, they were dropped from a helicopter from the height of three thousand feet.  Reacher meets up with the rest of the old unit; Frances Neagley, Dave O'Donnell, and Karla Dixon, and together they set out to find the people responsible for the death of their friends.

In the story you'll meet a terrorist that has made a deal to secure 650 missiles, see first hand how the bond of a military unit extends beyond death, wish you had paid more attention in math class, never look at a P.O. Box at the Post Office again without thinking of Reacher, and sit in disbelief when you read what happens to Reacher's toothbrush.  I'm still in shock over it. Honestly, when I read about the toothbrush incident I was so upset I called the culprits responsible, well...I can't type it here for fear of offending.  Let's just say it was a naughty word that started with the letter b and ended with the letter s.   My response was right on the money since Reacher used the same word to describe them as I did. 

I've always known Jack Reacher was a numbers guys, but even I had to laugh out loud when reading how Reacher would come up with a number to use as a computer password. "...I'd probably write out my birthday, month, day, year, and find the nearest prime number...Actually that would be a problem, because there would be two equally close, one exactly seven less and one exactly seven more.  So I guess I'd use the square root instead, rounded to three decimal points.  Ignore the decimal point, that would give me six numbers, all different."  Neagley's response was classic, and I couldn't have agreed more.  In fact, I'm still shaking my head and giggling just thinking about the look that must have been on Neagley's face as he recited this mathematical solution to her. For me, a computer password is whatever happens to pop into my head when the computer tells me it's time to change it.  At work, I have so many different programs requiring passwords that it would be impossible for anyone to crack them.  Well, people that know me really well might be able to figure them all out.  But still, the square root rounded to three decimals?  It's safe to assume that my mind doesn't work like that! 

You can find more information about Lee Child and the Jack Reacher novels on Lee Child's webiste: http://leechild.com/. 

I'm currently finishing up Ten Degrees of Reckoning, by Hester Rumberg.  This is a true survival story that tells of the horrific ordeal that the Sleavin family encountered in 1993 when they set out to sail around the world.  It was highly recommended by an attorney at work.  I'll also be starting book twelve in the Reacher novels soon.  By the way- my blog posts showcasing my time in New York was a big hit.  I came home to Utah and had more than one  friend tell me they had started the series based on my intriguing blog posts.  Is that not the coolest?  So- I might have come across as a crazy lady after attending both book signings, but at least my  interest in Lee Child and my love for Jack Reacher have people discovering the series.  Eventually, I'll be able to have friends to discuss the books with.  If my plan works just right, I might even be able to persuade Mr. Child to make a trip to Utah.  See, I have plans...lots and lots of plans! 

My Day Stalking Lee Child...

 This is being taken from my family blog - The Ogden Family! With Updates!

Today was fantastic. We left the hotel around 10:00 this morning and headed to the Financial District to scope out (I can't believe I used the word "scope" in this post-I am a STALKER) the Borders where Lee Child would be doing his book signing. We took a quick stroll through Battery Park and wandered the grounds of Trinity Church. Then I stood in line at the book store and after a short wait was introduced to Lee Child. His eyes are just as beautiful in person as they are in those pictures I've been seeing in the back of those books he's been writing. When the book store employee told him I had flown in from Salt Lake just for his book signing, he seemed a little surprised. Actually, I believe the first words were, "no you didn't." Then when I told him that it was indeed true, he said, "are you crazy..." So not the words I was going for. I think I responded with, "no, I'm in love." And I don't think I bothered to clarify that I was in love with Jack Reacher either. It didn't matter though, he seemed very appreciative that I would plan my vacation around him and was very kind. I have to admit that I was a little star struck. I meant to get a book signed for a friend as a surprise, but when asked I gave them the name Katherine. What the heck was that about? I know a Kathy and a Katie, but I don't know a Katherine.  I was in the middle of personal tweet to the intended friend when I realized my mistake. I was horrified and was totally ready to burst into to tears.  Richard thought it was funny and laughed all the way back to the hotel.  Don't worry, dear readers, I already have a taker for the book...the very person it was intended for can actually use it.

After our rest we headed to Barnes & Noble.  They are so much better at these book things than Borders. But, I have to admit, I was still a tad bit nervous about going.  I almost backed out, but Richard insisted that I attend.  I mean, after all, I did plan my vacation around this guy.  Remember that dream I posted on my book blog about the police waiting for me at Barnes & Noble and arresting me for stalking? Well, there was an officer inside the building when I arrived, but she didn't seem to be looking for me and no arrest was made. I was surprised to find out that not only would Mr. Child be doing book signings, but he would also be doing a short lecture on Worth Dying For as well as a question and answer session with the audience, all while being filmed for a CBS special to air on Sunday morning. It was amazing and made me so thankful that I decided to hop that plane to New York. Afterward, I had the opportunity to stand in line with a lady named Nermin who was kind enough to pose for a picture with me. She was thrilled to hear about my vacation planning around my favorite authors and was happy I chose to come to New York to see Lee Child. Actually, I just think Nermin was happy to meet another woman that loves Jack Reacher as much as she does. I really do have a soft spot for that guy.

When it was my turn to get my books signed...again, Mr. Child was kind enough to acknowledge that he remembered me from earlier. I had no problem admitting that I had dedicated today to him and that I had been Facebooking and tweeting about it on Twitter all day. When preparing to sign the second book (yes, I bought four copies today), I told him I just needed his signature so I could give the book away on my book blog. That comment led to him asking for the name of my blog. When I told him, he recognized it and said, "so that's you, you're Andrew's fan." Yes, Mr. Child, I am Andrew's fan. Truth be told, while standing in line I was plugging the David Trevellyan series to Nermin after she stated she was having difficulty finding another author that she liked as much as you. I also plugged Joseph Finder's Nick Heller series. Please forgive me, but I really love to read and I meant it when I told you that I was a huge fan of Mr. Grant. I'm also, however, an equally huge fan of yours and I will forever be thankful for your kindness even though I am secretly dying to know just what was said to you about my book blog. It's an honest passion, that book blog of mine. I have your brother to thank for that. If I hadn't stumbled upon Even by accident I never would have discovered my secret passion for crime fiction, and, as I told you, I never would have discovered you!

Thanks for the kindness, Mr. Child. I'm signing up to be your friend on Facebook and will anxiously await your reply. When you asked if I was your friend tonight, I was a little nervous. I never signed up to be your friend because I didn't want to betray your brother. But then, when you think about it, I kind of already did that by making you my first author to plan a vacation around.  As it turns out, I woke up the next morning forgetting that I was supposed to sign up to be his friend on Facebook.  So in a mad rush, I turned on the computer bright and early and submitted my request...It took Lee Child 4 MINUTES to respond.  4 MINUTES!!!  I guess I didn't freak the guy out after all, but then again, he did say he accepts all female requests...that probably gave me sure in!