Lizbeth's Name-dropping Birthday Weekend - Part 3

Happy Actual My Birthday day!! Welcome to day three of my Name-dropping Birthday Weekend Indulgence. I'm sharing three short posts about my relationship with a couple of my author heroes whom I’ve been blessed to meet and, in some cases, more-or-less befriend. Each one has inspired me in my own writing and has something special that makes her a superstar not just to me but to all her readers.

Today's dropped name is the one and only Kristan Higgins. I truly think she is one the most popular authors writing romance and women's fiction books today. Certainly she is one of the authors I look up to the most. 

I first met Kristan after the RITA/Golden Heart ceremony at the 2010 RWA conference in Orlando. I had just received the honor of my life by winning the Golden Heart for

2010

Contemporary Single Title romance, and Kristan had won the RITA in the same category. I screwed up my courage and asked if she would take a picture with me. I didn't know yet how amazingly generous she is with her readers--but her eager willingness that night was my first taste of her amazing personality.

The second time I met Kristan was in an elevator at the RWA conference a year later. She was with her husband (McIrish is nearly as big a celeb as she is!) and we had just minutes to re-introduce ourselves and chat just a bit. Then I spoke with her after a presentation for maybe two minutes about some shared personal experiences.

Fast forward to the release of my second series for Avon books and I sent an email to Kristan asking if she'd participate in a week-long tribute to my writing heroines--of which she was one. I started the email: "I don't know that you'll remember me but..." Her response? "Liz--of course I remember you. How could I not?"

2018 -- Another RITA!!

Was I blown away? You bet I was! That moment I saw in action proof--that no matter how popular you are or how "famous" or busy you get, you can always be nice. And you can treat everyone with friendliness and a personal touch. Kristan didn't have to make me feel like I was one of her peers--but she did. She might be one of the A-listers but she elevates others into feeling like they're up in that list too. 

May I always take that lesson to heart!

Kristan's newest book is "Good Luck With That"--a book that takes an honest and emotional look at the problem of women and weight and body image issues. She blogged about the controversy surrounding the novel:  check it out HERE 

And here is Kristan's 2018 RITA-winning book "Now That You Mention It." 

Find it right here on AMAZON

I hope you enjoyed my birthday indulgence--talking about the authors who've taught me so much about how to have a brilliant career. I owe them so much! 

I'd love to know what authors you've met or read about and whom you now admire. What are some of your favorite books--I'm always looking to add to my TBR pile!!


I’ll be giving away four books after today to commenters who've visited during this weekend! Some of mine--some of my favorites from the authors in this weekend's blogs. Thanks so much for celebrating my birthday weekend with me!!

 Check out my two most recent releases!

BETTING ON PARADISE

and

MISSING BY A HEARTBEAT