Author Beverly Barton passed away last week, and today is her book release day. One thing that struck me and other folks who visited Barton’s website was that she was very excited about 2011 and the books she had scheduled for release this year. Judging by the number of sad messages on her Facebook page, there are many sad readers who have lost a favorite author, and there are many heartbroken authors and writers who have lost a close and valued friend.
When I asked people who had worked with Ms. Barton to tell me about her, I received quotes from a few varied sources.
Kerri Nelson told me, “Beverly Barton’s books are one of the reasons I became a romance author. Her written words captivate both the heart and the soul. Having had the opportunity to meet her on several occasions in the last decade, I can honestly say that she’s as gracious as she is talented. To say that she’ll be missed seems a less than adequate tribute to a legend in romance fiction.”
Author Christina Dodd emailed me and said, “Although I knew Beverly only slightly, her passing touched me because I felt as if I knew her through her books. She created mood. She sucked me into her world. She made me live with those characters, made me care about them. She made me feel, which is why I read. I will miss her. All her readers are in mourning.”
Rachel Chou, Chief Marketing Officer Open Road Integrated Media, said “I had the pleasure of working with Beverly over the past year and got to meet her at RWA 2010. Each of us at Open Road would describe her as the ultimate Southern Lady: always willing to try something, quick-witted, and unparalleled in manners. The mere mention of her name in our office brought about smiles and laughter. She will truly be so missed by us all.”
And Teresa Mederios told me, “She was just an incredibly gracious, generous and funny Southern lady all the way to her core. I adored her!”
So, to borrow some phrasing from Wendi Corsi Staub’s memorial to her friend:
Beverly’s latest book, DEAD BY MORNING will be released tomorrow, less than a week after her death. She had such high hopes and jittery nerves for this one—well, for every one, really. I don’t know an author who doesn’t count off the days until the next pub date with the same anxious anticipation of a pregnant woman approaching her due date. That Beverly didn’t live to see her final novel hit the shelves makes this a bittersweet day indeed.
Among the last words Beverly ever wrote to me, in a recent email, were these, cut & pasted: Wouldn’t it be great to be one of those authors who always hits The Lists in the Top 10. Dream, dream, dream.
So as a fitting memorial to an author who was truly loved by many, many people, I heartily pimp this book because Ms. Barton isn’t with us here to do so herself.
I think many people take it for granted that once an author hits a list, they always do each and every time, but I’m learning that that is not true at all – and like Corsi Staub wrote, every author counts the days until their release date with anticipation and excitement. So let’s be excited for Ms. Barton – and pimp that book all up and down the joint. I’ll be giving away copies (digital or print, your choice, when possible) throughout the day here, and on Twitter and Facebook. To win here, just leave a comment – or spread the word and email me at sarahATsmartbitchestrashybooksDOTcom and let me know where you spread the word.
Or, if you want to buy a copy for yourself or for a friend, you can find it at Amazon, for the Kindle, BN.com, for the nook, Book Depository, and Powells – and very likely your local bookstore of choice.
As usual, standard disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. I’m buying the books myself. No publisher was involved or harmed in the making of this giveaway. Void where prohibited. And most of all:
Dream, dream, dream.
This post made me cry, and I don’t care that my coworkers will know I’m crying because a cherished author has passed. I love her admonishment to dream dream dream!
What a lovely tribute to a gracious and talented lady. Being remembered for manners and charm as well as for books says so much for Ms. Barton.
I am so sad to learn of her passing. I enjoyed her books very much!
I am going to the bookstore later this morning to pick up my new copy of the late, great Beverly Barton’s book DEAD BY MORNING. Can’t wait. Rest in peace Ms. Barton.
Will be missed. Still in shock. What a lovely tribute
What a loss to the romance community. She wrote some great books.
The death of an author is a loss not only to the readers but to the world. An author brings to the readers hopes, dreams, and a peek into a world not known to the reader.
So sad about this. Since I haven’t read any books from her and she’s gone already 🙁
I was so sad and shocked to read this last week. I loved her books – quite a few are on my keeper shelf.
This is sad. I know that “they” say that dying is a part of life, but it still sucks.
What a lovely tribute from friends, fans, and contemporaries.
I read Beverly Barton’s older works and I’m sadden by the loss. She was a wonderful author, one of the early ones I read.
What a wonderful, meaningful tribute. Sharing it far and wide.
I was reaing one of here books when I got the news. So sorry to hear of her passing. She will be missed.
This was a lovely tribute to Beverly. Her loss leaves a big hole in the lives of her family and friends and in the romance community as a whole. Everyone needs to read this book. She was such a talent!
Beverly was one of the first romance author I ever read as a teen. She holds a special place on my bookshelves.
I haven’t read any of Ms. Barton’s books, but I plan to (I’m a recent romance convert). Sounds like this is a real loss for the community, but she is leaving quite a legacy. It’s a testament to the power of words.
I really love that she’s remembered by so many not just for the wonderful stories she’s shared, but for her gracious Southern charm and wit. That’s a beautiful way to be remembered.
I’m a big fan of Beverly’s books – they always draw me in and entertain me. I was sad to hear of her passing – my thoughts go out to her family and friends.
I was stunned and saddened to hear of Beverly Barton’s passing. She was (and always will be) one of my favorite authors; whenever anyone asked me for a romantic suspense recommendation, her name would be first on the list. Her friends and family have lost a loved one, but the reading community has suffered a great loss as well. I wish I had the opportunity to meet her because she sounds like a lovely person. I hope this book sells, sells, sells! And in her honor, we should all remember to dream, dream, dream!
I hope that her book does extremely well, and hope that the final book of the trilogy gets published as a tribute to her. I have the trilogy on my to-buy list now.
I have never read any of Beverly Barton’s books, but I will since seeing all the great comments on her novels.
I did not know her or of her until her passing, which is a real shame for me, but it looks like so many lost a great friend and romance readers lost a great author.
Dream, dream, dream indeed.
Looking forward to reading it, nice to see such a lovely tribute.
I’ll do my part to get her on the Top 10 list.
One wonders, in a sort of Catholic/Christian way, if she and God are up in heaven snuggled up in a cloud comfy chair reading her book together. Maybe with some tea spiked with heavenly booze. Perhaps a Godly Bonbon.
Hrm.
That’s what I’m going to picture. That way she gets to share her book with someone who loves her beyond all comprehension. Yes, that’s what I’m going to imagine.
*shuts eyes and imagines very very hard*
How bittersweet!
I was sadden to hear of Beverly’s passing. I really enjoy her romantic suspenses.
Bittersweet indeed. I hope she makes the lists, because i’m betting she’s up there in heaven still bouncing with nerves and anticipation. And her talent deserves the recognition even though she’s gone.
Sad, indeed, but great to see you doing the author stuff for her.
captcha is remember ‘97: would that be A Child of Her Own or The Tender Trap?
Lovely tribute. Here’s to hoping the book does fantastically well in her honour.
This sad event made me realize how very little I do to let my favorite authors know how much I enjoy their work.
This past weekend, after reading about Beverly’s death, I wrote several emails to several authors thanking them for making my day a little brighter.
I wish we’d all had time to send her fan mail.
What a beautiful tribute to a much-loved woman. It’s amazing how easy it is to believe our favourite authors, creators, etc. will always be around, and so surprising when we lose one of them. *sigh*
I shocked to read about her passing. I have only read one of her books so far and enjoyed it. I picked up another recently that I have yet to read.
The tributes are so sweet. I’m sure she will be sorely missed.
What a beautiful message to leave, “Dream, Dream, Dream”