A Welcome from the Author

[DebbieMacomber]

I'm so pleased you're here and that you're reading Back on Blossom Street. This is the third installment in the Blossom Street series, which has the distinction of being a series I never intended to be a series. The truth is I completely lost control of my writing career. Reader feedback on Lydia and her yarn store in The Shop on Blossom Street was overwhelming, so in A Good Yarn, I went back -- and now I've done it again. Not only that, I was more than happy to make the trip! I'm a dedicated knitter, and I'm crazy about yarn (which is another way of saying my personal stash fills a large part of our house).

As you might suspect, I'm a passionate person -- passionate about the things that are important to me. I love being a writer as much as I enjoy knitting. I'm sure you can also tell from my books that my family's the very center of my life and that my friends matter a great deal to me, as yours do to you. I have strong feelings about how people ought to behave toward others, and yet I'm completely realistic, too. I hope all of that comes across in my portrayals of the women (and men!) in my Blossom Street community.

If this is the first book of mine you've read, that's fabulous, and if it's your thirty-fifth, that's even more so. I look forward to getting to know you and I hope you'll get to know me, too -- Debbie Macomber, writer, storyteller, friend (and a person who hoards yarn!). Whatever you do, though, don't get me started talking about my grandchildren, who happen to be the cutest, most brilliant children in the known universe...

I'm honored and excited about being a guest author in the Barnes & Noble online book club. I promise a lively discussion and some laughter and friendship along the way, so sign in and let's get going!

Debbie Macomber

[KathyH]

Hi Debbie!

I spent a glorious Memorial Day Weekend (well, actually, just Saturday and Sunday) reading all three Blossom books. I'm ready to go! I was previously in your Suzanna book. I read The Friday Night Knitting Club a couple of months ago and enjoyed iut immensley - although I don't knit.

I'm looking forward to some great discussions!

KathyH

[mimi1161]

Good Morning Debbie,

I was so excited to see that B&N was having Back on Blossom Street in yet another Book Club. I read it so quickly, that now I miss everyone in the book. I need a Cedar Cove fix now, I know it will be out soon, though.

I have just ordered your Cedar Cove and Back on Blossom Street knitting books from Leisure Arts. But they are taking too long to get here. I have all of the others and even sent them to my sister in New Jersey, who is an avid knitter just like you.

I can't wait to talk about this new book. I loved it as much as all the other 25 or 30 books that I have read of yours. You are the greatest, keep up the wonderful work.

Mary in FL

[Jeanne321]

Hello Debbie!
What a pleasure to be able to chat with you here, although I also check your blog on a weekly basis. I have read as many of your books as I can find in the library or buying at B&N! My favorites by far are your Christmas books - you capture my feelings about the holiday.

As for "BOBS" - your latest, I have just started my trip back to Lydia's and I am looking forward to it.

Jeanne

[cascadegypsy]

Hi Debbie,
I'm so excited to part of this discussion group. This will be my 3rd time in a group with you and I love the insights that I gather from you and the other readers each time. I wait with anticipation for each book that you write to be published. You might say that I hoard your books much the same way you do yarn.

[bigcent]

Good Morning Debbie,

I have been a really big fan of yours for a long time. I have not begun your knitting series yet, but I will now. You are the best!!! Keep on writing those wonderful books.

Penny

[Ktrink]

Hello Debbie,

I am excited to follow another discussion with you. Especially after meeting you at a recent signing in Pittsburgh!! Thank you for taking time to do this book discussion. Your insights make my reading all the more enjoyable. Take care.....Kathy

[jeanneo]

Hi, Debbie!

I spent my Memorial Day weekend knitting the crib blanket in your book for a new baby at church. I learned to knit when I was six but it one of those things I pick up only when I have a good reason due to time constraints. I hadn't had knitting needles in my hands for years until I read your book and thought 'I should try this one'. Well my first attempt is on the back of my couch as a throw , the second was begged for by a friend of my college aged son (I did it with that really thick cord in blue and gold - it turned out beautifully!) and now this is the third one for little Ronnie. Thanks for the inspiration to knit and for the great read. I haven't attempted the socks yet. I think they may be too advanced for me but I loved the book. I usually wait for the paper back(financial constraints)but I might have to go for this one. Is there a pattern in it? What for?

Thanks for the warmth of friendship that is evident in your books and the real characters. Along with the Blossom Street books I have read everything of yours in our library and bought some other paperbacks. I've never been disappointed.

Fondly, Jeanne

[Dragonlady12]

Debbie,

A friend of mine at work introduced me to your books. When I complained that my favorite fantasy authors weren't writing fast enough to satisfy my insatiable need to read, she told me to quit whining and handed me "The Shop on Blossom Street" and "A Good Yarn." All I can say is halfway through "Blossom Street" and I was hooked. I loved the stories of these amazing women and the friendship that was nurtured in it.

I got "Back on Blossom Street" the minute it came out at my local book store. Needless to say, my friend just laughed at me. I read it so fast that I miss it. It was just as wonderful as the first two. Now my friend is handing me the Cedar Cove books and I am sure I will be just as thrilled as before. I never thought I'd be a "Romance" reader, but I guess I have converted.

Thanks for all your lovely stories. Stories that mean something. I love the knitting instructions and I may turn over my crochet hook and try to learn how to knit. After getting hooked on a different genre of books, I have learned that it is time to try more new things.

Thanks,
DL

[Hokie75]

Hi, Debbie!

My name is Betsy. I cannot begin to tell you how much your books have meant to me over the past six weeks. You see, I live just three miles from the Virginia Tech campus and am a Tech grad. My husband and I have spent countless hours with the Tech students on the campus trying to get us all through this unspeakable tragedy. I find comfort in your books. They are my escape to a gentle, much-needed home place. I look forward to joining the discussion next week!

[KateNYC]

Debbie,

Excuse the informality! Of course, I don't know you, but your books project a warm, concerned person with a significant gift for story-telling.

Two things have drawn me into reading about 7 or 8 of your books so far (not counting the 3 Leisure Arts ones!). One is your genuine respect for all women's work. Too many feminists despise anything that men don't want to do! Second is your concern with community-building; throughout the novels I've read, that comes through.

Thanks for your books! Keep them coming!

I'm hoarding your new book for a quiet weekend!

Kate

[CutieSherry]

I'm thrilled to be "Back on Blossom Street"! I am an avid reader of all your books and looking forward to the discussion.

Sherry in Denver

[DutchMoeder]

Hello Debbie!

I read your book A shop on Blossom Street when another mother on a message board I'm a part of suggested it. She hailed the book saying it was smart and interesting and she said that though she had never considered knitting a day in her life she went and bought needles and a skein of yarn and signed up for a class to learn. I being an avid knitter couldn't wait to pick it up and I fell in love! Your character are so vibrant and interesting. I have Back on blossom Street sitting on my desk but I can't pick it up until I finish a sun dress I'm knitting for my little knitting business. Since I started reading these books I've read MANY of your other stand alone books such as Changing Habits and Thursdays at eight. You're such a personal writer and I enjoy your e-mail updates and yearly letters they keep me feeling connected to your stories.

Thank you so much for your stories. I can't wait to dive into the cedar cove stories next!

Amanda Snellink

[johanna49]

Debbie,
Thank you for your warm welcome to all of us. Last year I enjoyed your book discussion
on Barnes and Noble book club so very much.

[flutteringfly]

Debbie,
Thanks for always listening to your avid readers and pouring your heart into each book. I started reading your books in highschool after my mom was done reading them and got "hooked." I have read every book so far in print that I could find of yours and look forward to the new ones coming out in the future too
Kris in MN

[tripldiner]

Hi Debbie,

I think I loved Back on Blossom Street more than the original.I read it in almost one sitting. It was so wonderful to see how everyone had progressed in their lives. It was like meeting an old friend after many years.Please continue the series I am waiting with baited breath.

[Reenie5]

Hi Debbie,
Just a quick thank you for giving us all such great reads over the years. Your ability to touch the core of relationships between family and friends never stops amazing me....To write with such depth, warmth and love is truely a wonderful talent and I know I am only one of millions who appreciates the heart and soul that you pour into it.
What fun to be here at B&N again for another rewarding discussion. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

Have a happy summer!!
Maureen

[Redcatlady]

Debbie! Wonderful to have you back! I'm so glad we're doing Blossom Street again. And not one, but two prayer shawl patterns in this one! Excellent!

Melissa/Redcatlady

[suzilightning]

Greetings and thank you.

I just was handed an autographed copy of Back on Blossom Street you did for some of my coworkers at BEA. How cool was that!!

Have fun writing and knitting...

susan

[thread]

---

DebbieMacomber wrote:

I'm so pleased you're here and that you're reading Back on Blossom Street. This is the third installment in the Blossom Street series, which has the distinction of being a series I never intended to be a series. The truth is I completely lost control of my writing career. Reader feedback on Lydia and her yarn store in The Shop on Blossom Street was overwhelming, so in A Good Yarn, I went back -- and now I've done it again. Not only that, I was more than happy to make the trip! I'm a dedicated knitter, and I'm crazy about yarn (which is another way of saying my personal stash fills a large part of our house).

As you might suspect, I'm a passionate person -- passionate about the things that are important to me. I love being a writer as much as I enjoy knitting. I'm sure you can also tell from my books that my family's the very center of my life and that my friends matter a great deal to me, as yours do to you. I have strong feelings about how people ought to behave toward others, and yet I'm completely realistic, too. I hope all of that comes across in my portrayals of the women (and men!) in my Blossom Street community.

If this is the first book of mine you've read, that's fabulous, and if it's your thirty-fifth, that's even more so. I look forward to getting to know you and I hope you'll get to know me, too -- Debbie Macomber, writer, storyteller, friend (and a person who hoards yarn!). Whatever you do, though, don't get me started talking about my grandchildren, who happen to be the cutest, most brilliant children in the known universe...

I'm honored and excited about being a guest author in the Barnes & Noble online book club. I promise a lively discussion and some laughter and friendship along the way, so sign in and let's get going!

Debbie Macomber

---

Dear Debby, How wonderful it is to be on Blossom street again. I just love to get together with old friends. I am an avid knitter and wonder if any other of your readers have heard of Guideposts Knit for Kids? It is easy to find on the net and a great story too. And a easy way to keep the children of the world warm. Than you so much for bring these friends to life. Kathy