Hi! I know Holly Jacobs is supposed to blog here today, but she spent the weekend at the New Jersey conference and is recovering, so I offered to come here on my morning school break to blog for her.
So, let me introduce myself. I'm Eli Cartwright. Eli is short for Elinore, not the guy's name, long-E 'lee.' I'm the heroine in Holly's November book, UNEXPECTED GIFTS. Now, she won't tell me exactly what happens in the book, so I can't give you many clues about the story, but I can tell you about me.
I'm in my early forties and I teach at the high school and run the teen parenting program in Whedon, PA. Whedon, PA is a fictional town, just like I'm a fictional character. (Yes, I know I'm fictional...Holly might not tell me what happens, but she has been honest about my fictional status, though frankly, I feel real!) Now, anyone who reads Holly's books knows she sets a lot of them in her hometown, Erie, but Holly has volunteered for years in Erie's teen parenting program, so she opted to create a program for me in a fictional town located just outside Erie.
So, back to me. I'm a teacher. I date a nice man named Arthur. He's older than me and dreams about retiring and writing the next great American novel. I have a great house, just bought my dream car--a Mini Cooper! I have a great friend, Tucker. She was the first teen parent I ever worked with. There was no program here in Whedon, so I inadvertently created one! It's challenging work, but very fulfilling.
Holly's going to come in and post my book cover...I'm not allowed to see it. She says it will give me a big clue about what's going to happen. And since she's been watching Flash Forward, she using that as proof that knowing your future isn't a good thing.
So, what about you? If you had a chance to know the future, would you chance taking a look?
Eli
PS Holly gave me my own Facebook page...if you'd like to be a friend, I'd love it! http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000269350966
24 comments:
Hi, Eli! Thanks for blogging for me today! I posted your cover. Anyone reading this will know why you can't see the cover! November will be here soon enough! Your book is already available at eHarlequin, and it will be available on the bookshelves in just a couple weeks!
And if I could know my future, I wouldn't want to. I think it comes down to that the journey is more important than the destination!
Holly
Hi Eli! I've enjoyed getting to know you over at Facebook and I can't wait to read your story. Holly always creates wonderful stories for her characters so I know you'll have some good surprises along the way. Relax and try to be patient. It will all be revealed in good time so no peeking at that cover!
Nope, don't want to know my future. I've learned to enjoy and appreciate each day for the blessing it is.
PJ, Thanks for the reassurance! I know Holly always tries to do her best with each book!
Most days, I feel torn between feeling like a kid at Christmas and wanting to sneak a look at my present, and the adult, who knows that some gifts are best waited for...they might be unexpected, but they're truly a blessing!
Eli
PJ, Let's not taunt Eli, but isn't it a great cover?? LOL I feel like the cover gods have really liked me lately!
I'm realling liking Flash Forward, and have laughed when I think about poor Eli, wanting to know, but needing to wait!
Holly
As you know Eli I have read your book and I really think you will love the story once Holly lets you read it.
Ellen, Thanks for the reassurance!!
Eli
EllenToo,
Thanks...it really means so much that you liked the book!
Holly
I know what the future holds so I am happy living my life one day at a time. No need to rush things.
Nice to meet you Eli.
Kim, Nice meeting you, too!
Eli
Eli,
Just be patient. You will be thrilled, I promise!
I don't think I would want to know what my future holds. I would always be worried about messing it up or worried about how to change it if i didn't like it.
Hi Eli!
Can't wait to read your book.
If I had the chance to sneak a peek of my future. I honestly don't know if I would because I would constantly be wondering when the thing I see will happen. It would change how my life would be so I guess I wouldn't. The idea of knowing would be good but actually seeing it not so much.
Thanks, Jessie and Nicole!
Eli
Kim, Jessie and Nicole, That's what I'm loving about Flash Foward. It asks those questions...if the future you saw was good, will you do whatever you need to in order to hold onto it? And if you saw something bad, can you avoid it? Loving the series!
Thanks for visiting Eli...and me! LOL
Holly
I absolutely would not want to know the future!!!
The book looks really good..
I don't think I would want to know the future. It might scare me to death. I can't wait to read your book.
Thanks, Martha and Linda!! I hope you like my book. Heck, I hope I like my book! LOL
And the general consensus seems to be no looking at the future! Which means my decision not to nag Holly is a good one!
Eli...who didn't even try to catch a glimpse of her cover!!
Good for you, Eli!!
I just want to thank everyone who dropped in on Eli's substitute blog!
Holly
I can't wait to read your book. Congrats !! (really love the cover ;-)
Emmanuelle,
Thank you so much!! I hope you enjoy it! And thanks...I'm so in love with this cover, too!
Holly
PS. Okay, a new contest to celebrate the release of UNEXPECTED GIFTS. I'm hoping we can spread a lot of glee this month! http://tinyurl.com/yj3nrbg
Holly
Your new book sounds wonderful Holly, thanks for being here today, I'm looking forward to reading it.
Penney
You know, I would want to know my future. I think having the background that I had, where things weren't always as good as they should have been or downright bad. I would like to know if I'm headed straight towards another awful mess and steer myself from it.
Penney, Thank you so very much for looking for Eli's book!! I so hope you enjoy it!
Mary, That's an excellent point on the advantage of knowing at least a bit of your future! Wouldn't it be nice if the universe occasionally gave a big sign that said, go this way??
Holly
I just want to thank everyone for allowing me to come blog for Holly! You know, not many authors allow their fictional characters to come out on the net and play!! LOL
Eli Cartwright, Unexpected Gifts, 11/09
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