Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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!!!!!!

9 comments:

  1. Ritaestelle - you do have a great name and I am so glad our authors have used it (though I still have to actually read the books). Not to mention, you are a great addition to our group as well!

    Terri

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  2. Ritaestelle,
    You are a wonderful group member and I am sooo happy that two of our authors have honored you in this way. What great fun for us readers to read books with our friends name in it.

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  3. Oh Terri, you are so sweet! Thank you! And yes, you have a lot of great reading ahead of you ---- these books are a real treat!!!!
    Ritaestelle

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  4. Thank you Pamela!! It is waaay too much fun! Jeannie is also a character in A Deadly Cliche btw!!!!!!
    Ritaestelle

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  5. Great name for a great character! I enjoyed reading this latest adventure and found Ritaestelle to be a captivating individual.

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  6. Well I am jealous. LOL Seriously though I can't blame any author for wanting to use your name. It's unusual and pretty...so win-win!
    I agree with Terri and Pam. You are a wonderful group member and we appreciate knowing you!
    Glenda

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  7. Glenda is a very unusual and pretty name as well!! Thank you for your kind words and I am so glad to know you too!!

    Kuzlin ------> thank you sweetie! Leann really knows how to write an intriguing mystery doesn't she?!! And this particular book is now on the NYT Best Sellers' List - woohoo!!!!

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  8. I just finished the book and every time I saw your name I thought of you and smiled. Woo Hoo! You're famous, okay, your name is.

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  9. Aww Dru Ann, your words made me smile! Thank you for being such a good cozy friend!!
    Ritaestelle

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