An Astounding Stroke of Luck

Sometimes it seems as if the stars are aligned against you. Other times, they are so lined up in your favor that it gives you goose bumps. In the first instance, my return trip from Athens was a great example of the “against” mode: a defunct flight that was supposed to take us to Frankfurt to catch our ride home; a missed connection when rerouted to Rome; a missed flight to the US; lost luggage; no place to stay in Germany – and the worst case scenarios just kept on happening.

But yesterday – wowzers! So many stars were aligned FOR me that I’m still a little shell shocked. Let me explain the amazing set of coincidences.

I received an email Saturday morning from fellow cozy chick Lorna Barrett alerting me to a message from Facebook friend David Chadoir. The message is as follows:

“A very special treat for Cozy Chick Kate Collins (this will knock your socks off). This early morning in Abu Dhabi, I was watching CNN International program "Backstory." I was bleary-eyed and half asleep. A reporter was interviewing a young man in Haiti and they went with him to his home. He pointed out various things in his bedroom, then he said: "This is my book, my English book." The reported asked him if he learned English from that book. He said, "Yes I did." The book was EVIL IN CARNATIONS by Kate Collins!!! In the attached clip, he points out the book at 3:09 minutes into it. CONGRATULATIONS, KATE! I've never read one of your books, but I will now.”

Here’s the link if you want to watch it. The young man is so eloquent and it’s very touching. http://tinyurl.com/yksr9jr
(Be prepared for a brief commercial before it starts). As David points out, the book appears about 3 minutes into the clip.

What is truly astounding is how many stars had to align to bring that to my attention. First, that David happened to be watching CNN that morning. Second, that the reporter happened to pick that boy to interview. Third, that the boy happened to get one of my books – no doubt through book donations – and is using it to learn English. Fourth, that David happened to know of the Cozy Chicks and took the time to contact us. As I said, astounding.

Have you ever had one of those serendipitous happenings? Or the worst case scenarios that just kept piling up?

Oh, and I have a favor to ask. I’m searching for a title for my March 2011 book. The tricky part is melding a vampire theme with flower terms. I’ve come up with a few, but none have been a hit with my editor. If anyone wants to try a hand at titles, I would appreciate it – and if your idea is a hit with my editor – I will dedicate the book to you AND use your name as a character. It needs to be 3-5 words in length. Anyone want to try?