Good morning, Everyone
I hope you are all well and relieved. I, for one, dare to feel hopeful.
It is a beautiful Sunday morning on the south shore of Long Island. I am sitting in my pleasantly cool sunroom with my cat, Hershey, who naps on my left side and a steaming cup of coffee set on the right. Is your coffee warm? Let’s catch up.
If we were having coffee together, I would report that the Bella Vela is tucked in the side yard covered with a three-year-old shrink-wrapped. The wrap fits well enough for another winter with a little duct tape and extra bungee cords. I am determined not to throw all the plastic away into a landfill. I just need to retrieve my Sunfish sailboat from the beach club so that our boat fleet will be ready for winter hibernation. It was an odd season with COVID looming over all of us and more than the usual share of wild winds.
My sister and brother-in-law are keeping their roomy houseboat in its dock space this winter. We have been able to take boat rides to Sailors Haven, a National Seashore Park on Fire Island. Yesterday my sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, grandnephews, mom, and I rode across a calm bay. The ocean was inviting. Luckily, I came prepared and took one last 2020 full-body dip with my niece DD. The ocean was cold, and there was a bit of an undertow, but it was worth the cathartic dip.
If we were having coffee together, I would tell you my family is slowly adjusting to my dad not being with us. It is a crushing void. Mom has her good and bad moments. We are making progress with future plans and needed chores. Our extended family and friends have been so kind.
If we were having coffee together, I would announce that a lot is going on in my writer’s world. Daily Bread received number 1 new release in the Children’s 1900 US Historical Fiction category on the Kindle platform. Scheduling live events have been difficult because, you know, COVID. The recent spike in cases has put everyone back on high alert and vigilance, which is a good thing in keeping all of us safe.
However, I am all set for virtual book clubs and library and school visits. You can view the options here. I am very excited about doing a virtual book talk at the Tenement Museum. Tune in on December 8th at 7 p.m.
If you had purchased a paperback or ebook Daily Bread—Thank you!
Take a picture of you with Daily Bread, and I’ll send you Reader’s Swag and add you to the Daily Bread Reader slideshow. Kid pics are welcomed with parent or guardian permission. Please email me for details. Don’t forget to leave a rating and quick comment on Amazon and/or Goodreads.
While scrambling with Daily Bread’s promotions, Becoming America’s Food Stories cookbook is just about done. More preparations. Stay tuned for the cover reveal.
Well, that’s it, Everyone. Big thank yous go out to Eclectic Ali for keeping the Weekend Coffee Share up and running.
Have a good week, Everyone. Make it great.
Be well. Be safe.
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Daily Bread is set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows nine-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who wants to prove she is not a little kid. To be a big kid in the crowded tenement neighborhoods, she must tackle bigotry, bullies, disasters, dotty bakers, and learn to cross the street by herself.
Stories Served 
Thank you for the wonderful catchup, Antoinette. Congratulations on all your hard work, and exciting presentations, for your new book! Sending warm hugs to you and your family.
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You know what would be great with coffee? A Knot Surprise! 🙂 LOVED your book! I’m bad at book reviews, but I will write one. I bought a copy for my Kindle so kind of tough for a photo but thank you. Have a great week!
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email me your address and I will send you Reader Swag!. A picture of you with a kindle still qualifies.
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I did so much want to do a dip, so I could say I swam in November, but chickened out – I waded to the bottom of my swim trunks, put my face in the water, etc., but just couldn’t go all of the way. Glad you and your niece took the plunge!
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Thanks.The water was not as cold as expected here.
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Beach looks great. Thanks for the coffee and the hope.
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Antoinette, Beautiful beach photo and good for you to take the full-body dip with your niece. Congrats on your Daily Bread success! Have fun with your virtual book events. #weekendcoffeeshare
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Thank you!
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Hi Antoinette.
I too loved sitting back to read, “Daily Bread”. I read the Kindle version and put more detailed comments in my review so all I have left now is the congrats for a job well done, hopes that many young readers find their way to it and thank you for a great time of catching up. In your place, I’d look for some local home school groups to present it to. Tell them a California dad of 3 full K to College homeschooled kiddos strongly endorsed your work.
I proud to say that I know the author.
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Thank you, friend. I am humbled. email me (storiesserved@gmail.com) your home address to send you sweet Readers Swag. An, yes, queries are out to a bunch of resources. Thank you, again.
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