The Bride
This is my original copy of Julie Garwood’s THE BRIDE. It’s a book that changed the course of my life.
At the time, I was in law school and simultaneously working on a graduate degree in political science. I craved reading a book that would give my overtired brain a break. I saw this in a bookstore and bought it without giving my choice much thought.
To my surprise, I absolutely loved it. It made me want to be a romance writer.
Several years later, after I’d quit practicing law and had published a couple of romance novels, I was introduced to Julie Garwood a writers’ conference. Dorky me, I told her in the most clichéd way possible that her book made me want to be a writer. When another author mentioned that I had a young adult book coming out, Julie pulled me aside to ask about it. She told me that she loved YA and had published a few. She was excited to see the resurgence in books for teens and the support the books were receiving from both the publishing industry and librarians. She wanted to know which books I’d enjoyed recently, told me about some she’d liked, and asked for the titles of my books.
I was utterly happy just to be in the room with her. She was kind to this newbie and it meant a lot.
I was saddened to read that she passed away last week. She was an incredible writer and a class act. If you haven’t read her work, please do. It may not change your life, but it will certainly put a smile on your face.
