This past weekend I left the big city of Edmonton for the smaller city of Red Deer, Alberta. I went there for a book signing at Chapters. The welcome and support I received there was phenomenal. God bless those smaller cities!

My husband drove the 1.5 hours there and back, so I was able to do something I rarely have time for—read a book. I’m reading Luanne Rice’s Angels All Over Town, and is it ever good! We arrived in Red Deer early (I hate to rush) and I wasn’t expecting things to be ready for me yet, but when I entered Chapters, they had the table set up, red tablecloth and my book display. The store had just opened. Wow, that bookstore is Efficient! I grabbed a Chai tea (one of my addictions), and started to work.

What a friendly place Red Deer is. I have always enjoyed it in the past, but my signing there on Sunday was the icing on the cake. I felt like part of the ‘team’ and was often asked if I needed anything and how I was doing. A couple of hours into my signing, one of the young gals came up to me and handed me a gift card. They do a ‘random act of kindness’ where each staff member hands out a gift card to customers. But she said she wanted to give me hers because of the great job I was doing. It was so sweet and I was very grateful. I need more books. I always need books.

Then she told me that one of the gals had ‘quit’ her job that day and it was my fault. Of course she smiled when she told me this and then proceeded to explain. One of the prized positions at Chapters is the job of “greeter”. I think they must fight over this like cats and dogs! I know I would. ;) Apparently, Nicole--who was supposed to be greeter--decided to ‘quit’ because she said I was doing a great job greeting everyone who came into the store anyway. I hope they didn’t make her stack the shelves…yikes. Sorry, Nicole.

Hey, you guys put me at the door and I’m not going to just sit there and stare off into the distance. No matter which bookstore I am in, I always take it as my responsibility to be the unofficial store greeter. Not only that, I can usually direct customers to the washrooms, book sections, Starbucks (ok…if there is a Starbucks in a 5 mile radius, I usually know where it is!). Just don’t ask for directions to some place outside of the store. I am directionally challenged on a wider scope.

So thank you, Red Deer Chapters. You all are wonderful and I can’t wait to come back. You made my signing fun, you showed so much interest in my upcoming movie deal on The River, and you were all very efficient and enthusiastic in how you advertised beforehand and promoted me during my signing. Loved the announcements, although the first time you said “bestselling author” I had to pinch myself. (Oh yes, wait…that is me.)

And imagine my utter ecstasy when I arrived home, only to find this wonderful review waiting for me, like a reward for a signing well done.

"Whale Song is deep and true, a compelling story of love and family and the mysteries of the human heart. Cheryl Kaye Tardif has written a beautiful, haunting novel." -- NY Times Bestselling novelist Luanne Rice, author of Beach Girls and What Matters Most

I think I need to go to Red Deer more often!

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, Divine Intervention and The River

To enter, simply order Whale Song from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca between today and May 15th, 2007.

When you receive your Amazon receipt, email me a copy at cherylktardif@shaw.ca.

I will draw 5 names from all entries and they will receive a beautiful coffee mug with the cover of Whale Song on the side.

All receipts must be dated no later than May 15th, 2007, to qualify and must be emailed to me by May 30th.

Draw date: June 1st, 2007.

One of my personal missions as a published author, is to help other writers and authors in any way I can, when I can. So when a friend asked me to help her promote a course that she is teaching, I was very happy to. Catherine Kuehne is a member of the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). I have seen her at a number of events lately, always supporting authors, including my own book launch for Whale Song. Now it's my turn to support her. :)

Finding Your Spiritual Muse
May 26th and June 2nd
10 am - 4pm
MacEwan Writing Works
Grant MacEwan College, City Centre Campus,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Looking for inspiration from a source greater than you? Learn how different writing styles and formats have been used by people for thousands of years to connect to their spiritual source. Learn how sound, meditation, poetry, personal stories and inspirational writings can stir your creativity. You will discover ways to find inspiration within yourself through a powerful creative source – your spiritual muse.

Instructor Catherine Kuehne has lived in a Shinto shrine in Japan, followed pilgrimage paths to churches and shrines in Europe and met many people of different faiths through her travels. She has taught courses, workshops and made presentations at local and national events and conferences. Catherine's writing has appeared in numerous periodicals including Synchronicity, The Mennonite, Lifestyle 55+, Edmonton Journal, BC Parent and Complete Canadian Gardener and in the antholology Edmonton on Location: River City Chronicles.

Visit Finding Your Spiritual Muse for more information

Submitted with Catherine's permission.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention

Sunday, May 13 at 7pm ET
A lone killer whale helps an entire community find their way home.

I can't wait to see Luna: Spirit of the Whale!!! I have a particular interest in this movie. I love killer whales and I'm the bestselling author of Whale Song.

Killer whales have mesmerized me since I was a pre-teen. I often visited Skana at the Vancouver Aquarium. But there is nothing like seeing them in the wild. I am always asked if I am native--not because I look it, but because of my natural affinity with whales and my interest in native legends. I lived on the Queen Charlotte Islands for many years.

I was addicted to the 'Free Willy' movies, even as an adult! The first one was the best!

This June I am doing a book tour to Vancouver and Victoria, and I am hoping to have time to go whale watching. For those of you who have never done this, it is something you'll never forget. I think it will be the highlight of my trip (although selling my novels is exciting too). :)

I've followed the story of Luna over the years, and I am so looking forward to this movie. And I quite like Adam Beach! :) Maybe he'll play the role of 'Adam' in Whale Song...the movie. lol

For more information on Luna: Spirit of the Whale, please visit CTV. 

And visit Orca Girl, one of my favorite whale blogs.