Sunday, July 10, 2016

Welcoming RRBC Spotlight Author Micki Peluso

I'm delighted to welcome to the blog today Rave Reviews Book Club Spotlight Author Micki Peluso.  Her well-reviewed memoir,  . . . And The Whippoorwhill Sang, is available on Amazon.



"Angel at a Book Signing"

My first book signing was quite an adventure. I had just recovered from the flu and wasn't feeling too perky. The mall was crowded and hot, filled with hordes of people intent on finding Valentine presents. Borders bookstore was running a sale on every best seller, offering half price, buy one, get one free--so even I would have preferred not to buy my more expensive first book. Still, as suggested by my publisher, I set up my table, looked pleasantly classy, and displayed great promo stuff up --along with a gorgeous poster of my book on a tall easel, just outside the bookstore and in the actual mall. Many passed by admiring the poster, asking if it was for sale--few stopped to buy the book. The bargain hunters that day, dressed in less than their finest, seemed harried and hungry--proven by the way they sneaked valentine chocolate hearts from my crystal bowl as they dashed past my table. The candy was free, but it entailed listening to my sales pitch for a book they didn’t seem inclined to buy.

After an hour I was getting dejected. This was not fun. Root canal was more fun. I forced family and friends to suffer through it with me but it still did not even border upon fun. My grandkids with their sweet faces and big blue eyes handed out flyers and bookmarks, asking people to buy my book. If that didn’t work I figured nothing would. The potential book buyers threw away the flyers and kept the bookmarks. I signed and sold about a half dozen books and was getting hungry and bored, when someone ran up to me, all smiles and excited. I could not tell if it was a boy, adult or teen. He introduced himself as John, still smiling that amazing smile on his elfin face. "I loved your book,' he repeated over and over.”I cried and cried and cried. "

          He didn't have his book with him so I signed a book plate for him and gave him a bookmark and a chocolate heart. He leaned over with both arms stretched out to me. I instinctively reached out and hugged him back, something I would never do to a stranger in a Mall.

          "Don't you dare stop writing books!  You can't not write books. You're a good writer and you must keep on writing books!" I wondered how he knew that this was my first book and I didn't plan on another.

          “I’ll think about it,” I said, smiling back at that wonderful face of his.  I glanced away for just a second and when I looked back he was gone. He seemed to disappear as strangely as he’d appeared. I turned to my daughter who was sitting right behind me and asked," Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" She nodded. This was not the first time we had encountered an "angel unaware" concerning my book and the story it relates. Another time was at a cemetery when we were lost while searching for my younger daughter’s gravesite. There was no way to explain those beatific smiling faces either time. I had a feeling this would not be the last encounter. From the moment he left, my energy returned, all pain left and I was able to continue signing books for another hour and a half, ending up selling all of them. I hope my angelic being shows up at all my future book signings. I want to tell John that I have started my next book—but somehow I think he knows.

Author Bio


Micki Peluso began writing after a personal tragedy. This lead to a first time publication in Victimology: An International Magazine and a career in Journalism. She's freelanced and been staff writer for one major newspaper, written for two more and has published short fiction and non-fiction, as well as slice of life stories in colleges, magazines and e-zine editions. Her first book was published in 2012; a funny family memoir of love, loss and survival, called, . . . And THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG which won the Nesta CBC Silver Award for ‘Writing That Builds Character’, won third place in the Predators and Editors Contest and first place for People's Choice Monthly Award. This book is close to her heart since it’s a deathbed promise to her dying child. It has the humor of ‘Cheaper by the Dozen,’ with the heart of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird. Some reviewers liken her writing to a cross between Erma Bombeck and Harper lee. She has over a dozen short stories in 'Women's Memoirs', 'Tales2inspire', and 'Creature Features'. Two of her short horror stories were recently published in an International Award winning anthology called "Speed of Dark." She is presently working on a collection of short fiction, and slice of life stories in a book collection called, 'Don't Pluck the Duck', due to be released in late 2017. Her first children’s story, ‘The Cat Who Wanted a Dog’ will be released in June of 2017. Author Peluso is a multi-genre and speculative writer who plans to tackle novels next.

To learn more about Micki Peluso, or to purchase her book, …AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG,
please visit:
Twitter: @mickipeluso
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndTheWhippoorwillSang
Website: http://www.mallie1025.blogspot.com/



43 comments:

  1. Micki, Thank you for sharing this story! It is a great reminder that your (our) work touches people. We don't always hear from "angels", but they ar out there! It also reminds me to let those who move me KNOW they have had an impact on my life.

    Thank you for hosting, A.M.!

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  2. Thanks, Rebecca. I think we meet 'angels unaware' more often than we realize. So glad you stopped by today.

    Thanks A.M. for hosting my tour.

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  3. Thanks, Rebecca. I think we meet 'angels unaware' more often than we realize. So glad you stopped by today.

    Thanks A.M. for hosting my tour.

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    1. Glad to do it, Micki. Hope you have a fabulous tour!

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  4. Thank you for sharing such a lovely encounter with an "angel unaware." It is moments such as this that give us all hope -- as writers and as human beings. And, a special thank you to A.M. for hosting your Spotlight! ♥

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    1. So pleased to do it! Those encouraging moments are so vital.

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  5. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Gwen.
    I have been blessed with many angel encounters, especially through my grandchildren. So glad you stopped by for me.
    Micki

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed it, Gwen.
    I have been blessed with many angel encounters, especially through my grandchildren. So glad you stopped by for me.
    Micki

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  7. Micki what a wonderful encounter with an angel. I do believe in them and karma. Thanks for sharing your story. Its fascinating. Have to put your book on my TBR list.

    A.M. you have an amazing catchy blog. Reminds me of a commercial I remember with the same sort of theme. Nice job.

    Thank you 4WillsPublishing for giving us such wonderful tours.

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    1. Hi Shirley. Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you know about 'angels unaware' too. I have seen so many encounters with my grand kids who have not been taught of what can't be, so they see 'reality.'

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  8. Thanks for sharing this very moving story, Micki! I don't doubt these angel encounters for one second. Keep writing, girl! Thanks for hosting, Anne Margaret!

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  9. What a wonderful, heartwarming post! Thank you for sharing, Micki. I have no doubt that angels walk among us. Anne Margaret, thank you for hosting today.

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    1. Michelle, thank you so much for your kind words, and for taking the time to stop by to comment.
      Micki

      Anne Margaret, I'm so happy you are hosting me on your awesome site.

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  10. Thanks for sharing this inspirational story, Micki. It's easy to get discouraged; but so wonderful to remember that a sincere compliment is sure to brighten even the cloudiest day. Like your angel, I too absolutely love your book. AND THE WHIPPOORWILL SANG remains top on my list and I highly recommend your memoir to everyone. My signed copy is always waiting in the guest room for relatives and friends to enjoy while on vacation. I don't let them take it home, though. Simply suggest they download a kindle copy from Amazon if they haven't finished it and they do. Can't wait for your next books! Keep writing and shining... <3 Bette

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    1. Ahhh, Bette, sometimes I think that you might be an 'angel unaware' as well. Thanks is not a good enough word for all the encouragement and friendship that you share with me.

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  11. What a sweet and inspiring story. I'm sure all authors wished their guardian angels would visit them at book signings. :)

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  12. Many thanks, Rebecca. I'm glad you liked it. Guardian angels seem to have that angelic (pun intended) smile that is only seen on the faces of young children. More thanks for helping make this week successful and fun.

    Micki

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  13. There are angels among us - and some of them come in animal form. The sort that make you smile for no reason, or feel like the sun's come out, even when it's raining. :-D
    Anyone dithering about getting Micki's book - it's wonderfully uplifting, so what are you waiting for?!
    Thanks Anne Margaret for having us all over today :-)

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  14. Hi Jan, so glad to see you here. Your review of my book is one of my favorites. And yes, I believe animals can be angels too and many can sense the presence of both departed loved ones and angels.

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  15. Micki, this brought an instant smile and happy tears. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
    Thanks for the warm welcome, Anne Margaret. :)

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    1. Thanks for your happy tears, Natalie. He made my day and I sold all my books. That hardly ever happens lol.

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    2. Thanks for your happy tears, Natalie. He made my day and I sold all my books. That hardly ever happens lol.

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  16. Micki Peluso is on my favorite authors list. Her touching book will make you laugh, cry and want to read over and over. Thanks for sharing her with us, A.M. :)

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  17. Hi Gwen, so nice to see you here. We can all use an angel or two :)
    Micki

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  19. Hi Penelope, love seeing you here. So glad you liked my book. It's a promise kept.
    Micki

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  20. Anne Margaret, it's been a long, but happy day. Thanks for hanging out with me through it.
    Micki

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  21. Anne Margaret, it's been a long, but happy day. Thanks for hanging out with me through it.
    Micki

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  22. Beautiful story Micki. With patience, things always work out. And Angels do exist. I am a firm believer. :D Thank you Anne Margaret for hosting her.

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  23. Thank you Joy for your kind words. Yes, angels do exist and thank God that they do.


    Anne Margaret, thanks for being such a lovely host.

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  24. What an inspiring post, Micki!! Thank you for sharing. I hope you're enjoying your Spotlight tour! :)
    Anne Margaret, thank you for being such a lovely host for Micki :)

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  25. Hi Harmony, we meet again lol. Thanks for taking time to make so many stops and I'm glad you liked the blog.

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  26. Thank you for presenting Micki. It is always encouraging to me when I read something about her. As a writer and as a person, she is first-class and true.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia

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  27. Micki Peluso has something that stays with you when you read her works. She puts her heart and soul into the things she writes. I for one can not wait to see what she will publish next, I just know it will be as fabulous as ...And the Whippoorwill Sang, if not even better, now that she has grown so much in her writing endeavors. As a person, Micki is someone I love dearly and will never forget. I cheer for her from the sidelines and keep her in my prayers. Thank you for featuring Micki Peluso, wonderful author! God bless you, Micki!!

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