Guest Blogger - Ritaestelle Christiano

Ahhhh... to be immortalized in print! One of life's little joys! Oh, hi all! It's Ritaestelle and if this name sounds familiar, it's because Ritaestelle is the damsel (albeit elderly) in distress in Leann Sweeney's latest book in the Cats in Trouble Mystery Series, "The Cat, The Lady and The Liar". I'm thinking Ritaestelle is the Lady and I mean that with a capital 'WEALTHY'. A very likable, authentic character who has her quirky moments and truly loves her precious feline diva, Isis. Murderer, I think not. Anyhoo, little did I know growing up as a little Ritaestelle with my parents' relatively frequent reminders to correct misguided people that my name is Ritaestelle - not Rita, not Estelle - that this unique name would inspire a literary creation and a very charming character at that. I have never had a nickname - well, actually, my Daddy often called me Blondie - yet I have a sister, Terry, and 2 brothers, Sonny and Buzzy ----- all nicknames. Hmmm. Interesting. My parents must have known instinctively that I could handle this mouthful of a name and I proved them correct with the help of Leann and Ellery Adams whose latest in the Books by the Bay Mystery Series, "A Deadly Cliche", features a certain seafaring vessel named 'The .......(altogether now...) Ritaestelle". Yippeee!! I must say I feel honored to lend my name to these TALENTED authors and it is beyond fun to read and learn the character that bears my name. I feel kindred to Ritaestelle Longworth - perhaps an identification of sorts being somewhat quirky myself, a huge animal lover, from SOUTH Philadelphia (thus the southern connection :D), not as elderly at 58 as opposed to 70 but, alas, not wealthy and emphatically not living in a Greek Revival antebellum house. (trivia fact: Ritaestelle means Daisystar) When Leann first asked to use my name a year and a half ago, I couldn't wait to read how she would write about the character. I purposely did not want to friend her on facebook because I did not want to influence her creative juices. I am happy to say we are now facebook friends! Well, I could not love this character more and to know how much everyone LOVES this book and series makes the experience even more joyful!!!! Viva la RITAESTELLE!!!!!!