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Guest Post with author Michael Baron & Giveaway

January 7, 2010 by Darlene


I’m really pleased to welcome Michael Baron back to Peeking Between the Pages. He visited with us a while back in conjunction with his novel When You Went Away and he wrote a terrific guest post. Now he’s back this time with his newest novel called Crossing the Bridge which released on January 5. One of the reasons I like having Michael here is because of his really wonderful and heartfelt guest posts and today he shares with us another one about how A Single Kiss can Change Your Life…

Much of the action in my new novel, Crossing the Bridge, stems from a single, monumental kiss. This is no normal kiss (how sad would it be if an essential moment in my novel was a “normal” kiss?). It’s a spontaneous, surreptitious one that has profound meaning for Hugh, the protagonist, but must never be repeated. This kiss literally changes his life — and while the kiss is revelatory, the changes are unfortunate, at least for a very long time.

I know from experience that a single kiss can have this kind of impact. Happily, my own path to this discovery was much less fraught than Hugh’s. I was walking on a Manhattan street with Anne, a woman who had, over the past couple of years, become my very best friend. We shared a fascination with books, music, food, and coffee, she regularly made me laugh, and she was one of the few people I’d ever met who could get me to open up about the things that were really important to me. She was also beautiful and I was very definitely attracted to her. Still, I had never pursued a romantic relationship with her. When we’d become friends, I was married, so romance wasn’t a consideration. My marriage ended about a year later, but by that point, Anne and I were such good friends, and I so completely needed a good friend, that I wasn’t willing to risk what we already had.

This night, though, as I walked her back to her apartment, something felt different. We’d been to a Mexican restaurant we frequented, and I could have attributed this feeling to the Margaritas, but I’d only had one and the restaurant used criminally little tequila in their drinks. In all likelihood, it had something to do with the conversation we’d had during our enchiladas. She told me some new things about her family that night and that got me talking about some long-undiscussed memories, and it just seemed as though we’d gotten to know each other at another level. As we walked down her block, I thought about how I’d feel if Anne got a serious boyfriend. She’d dated a number of men since we’d been friends, but hadn’t stuck with any of them for very long. The notion that she might fall in love with someone — and mind you this was all in my head; she hadn’t mentioned a guy in months — devastated me. By the time we got to the door of her building, I was filled with an entirely fabricated sense of loss.

So when we moved to hug goodbye as we always did, I kissed her instead. Remarkably, she didn’t seem surprised by this in any way. Even more remarkably, the kiss exceeded any anticipation I had for the kiss. It was eternal and electrifying at the same time. In the days and weeks that followed, we came to realize that any fears we had about romance screwing up our friendship were unfounded. The depth of our friendship was an indicator of how much we were meant to be together, not a barrier. Anne and I got married a year and a half later and we’ve been together ever since.

The memory of that kiss remains one of the strongest memories I have. It was then that I realized that a single kiss can change your life.
__________

Thank you so much for that guest post Michael and what a wonderful story! Being married to your best friend is awesome!

Here’s a bit about Michael’s newest novel Crossing the Bridge from Amazon.com:

Hugh Penders has been stuck in neutral for nearly a decade since his brother Chase died in a car accident. He carries with him two secrets that he has never been able to share with anyone: that he believes he might have been able to prevent the accident, and that he was deeply in love with Chase’s girlfriend, Iris.

When Hugh’s father suffers a debilitating heart attack, Hugh must return to the New England home he’s been running away from for the past ten years. One day, he encounters Iris – who has long since moved away – on the street. They begin a friendship and Hugh believes he’s falling in love with Iris all over again.

But the ghost of Chase haunts both of them. And when each reveals a truth the other never knew, their lives, their vision of Chase, and their chances for a future together will change forever.

Charged by the power of desire and the impact of loss, Crossing the Bridge is a soulful, romantic novel that will speak to you deeply.

*To purchase Crossing the Bridge you can go here in the US and here in Canada.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Now this giveaway is going to be a little different in that it isn’t for Michael’s newest novel, Crossing the Bridge which just released. It is actually going to be for a signed advance copy of his next novel, The Journey Home which is due out in May 2010. Isn’t that just awesome! It sounds like another terrific novel from Michael Baron. Take a peak at what The Journey Home is about over on Amazon.


To enter for a signed advance copy of The Journey Home by Michael Baron available May 2010…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you please.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you’re already a follower just let me know in your comment.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only and I’ll be drawing for the winner on Sunday, January 31, 2010. Good luck to you all!

Be sure to check both of my sidebars for other great giveaways!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pamela Keener says

    January 7, 2010 at 10:44 am

    OMG I just read a blurb about this book and it sounds so intriguing.
    Please enter me in this giveaway.
    Love, Hugs & Happy New Year
    Pam
    pk4290@comcast.net

    I am also a follower

  2. cherylbaryl says

    January 7, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    I am a follower and would love to win a copy of this book!

  3. Serena says

    January 7, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    I loved this guest post. Baron always has the greatest guest posts and they're so personal. I love that.

    I'd like to be entered since I have Crossing the Bridge, but not the May 2010 release.

    savvyverseandwit AT gmail DOT com

    I'll post this giveaway in my sidebar for you and you know I follow…just takes me a while to catch up in that google reader!

  4. fredamans says

    January 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    Awesome!!

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  5. fredamans says

    January 7, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    I am a follower.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  6. fredamans says

    January 7, 2010 at 2:16 pm

    tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/7479792114

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

  7. Kara says

    January 7, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    What an awesome post!! I loved the personal aspect about it…your life is truly a romance story!!

    Please enter me in the contest and I am a follower on Google Reader.

    ktulanko AT aol DOT com

  8. jonbonjovious says

    January 7, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    Wow! I've never heard of either of these books…but they are now on my book list! Very wonderful of you to host this giveaway.

  9. jonbonjovious says

    January 7, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    I follow

  10. jonbonjovious says

    January 7, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    I tweeted! http://twitter.com/jonbonjovious/status/7482752485

  11. tetewa says

    January 7, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    I'm a follower, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com

  12. Linda says

    January 7, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    What a lovely, moving guest post. I've never read a book by this author but am anxious to remedy that situation. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through Google Reader.

  13. kalynnick says

    January 7, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    Would love to enter. Thanks!

    kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

  14. mindy says

    January 7, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    this sounds just fabulous thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

  15. Sandy Jay says

    January 7, 2010 at 7:14 pm

    I'd love to read this. Please enter me in the drawing.

    I'm a follower.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  16. Mary says

    January 7, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    It sounds like a lovely, touching novel.

    mamie316(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

  17. Staci says

    January 7, 2010 at 8:44 pm

    Being married to your best friend is a good thing most of the time!!

  18. Giveaway Roundup says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:15 am

    Please enter me.
    ludeluh(at)yahoo(dot)com

  19. Giveaway Roundup says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:16 am

    I am a follower.
    ludeluh(at)yahoo(dot)com

  20. Giveaway Roundup says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:16 am

    I posted this giveaway on my blog here:
    http://giveawayroundup.blogspot.com/2010/01/more-giveaways.html

    ludeluh(at)yahoo(dot)com

  21. justpeachy36 says

    January 8, 2010 at 3:06 am

    justpeachy36@yahoo.com

    Please enter me in the giveaway.

  22. Dan says

    January 8, 2010 at 3:07 am

    He has the feel of Nicholas Sparks. Would love to read Michael Baron's books.
    Count me in. Thanks!

    grumpydan[at]netzero[dot]com

  23. Cheryl says

    January 8, 2010 at 5:07 am

    Let's try this again. I would love a chance to win this book. I'm a follower and I tweeted at http://twitter.com/ccmalandrinos

    Thanks!

    Cheryl

    cg20pm00(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Mitzi H. says

    January 8, 2010 at 8:15 am

    Wow, what a beautiful story…and I haven't even read it yet!!! I just love the way you describe your friendship/love and how you recognized it. I can't wait to read the whole story!!

    I'm a follower
    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

  25. LittleEagle says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    It is a wonderful thing to be married to the love of your life. sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

  26. Wanda says

    January 8, 2010 at 5:56 pm

    OK, sign me up for a chance to win his next novel but now I have to find Crossing the Bridge!

    I follow and will post here.

    wanda_waiting[@]hotmail[.]com

  27. naida says

    January 8, 2010 at 7:01 pm

    Great guest post!
    What a sweet story!
    The novel sounds great 🙂
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  28. Nickolay says

    January 8, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    This sounds like a great book for a cold winter day

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  29. Kristi says

    January 9, 2010 at 2:54 am

    His story about his single kiss that changed his life was so cool! Being in love with your best friend is the best!

    I am going to have to add Crossing the Bridge to my wish list but I would love the chance to win The Journey Home.

    I am a follower.

    kherbrand at comcast dot net

  30. Allison says

    January 9, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    Please enter me!!! Thanks. 🙂
    Allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

  31. Allison says

    January 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    I'm a follower!
    Allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

  32. Alicia says

    January 10, 2010 at 12:06 am

    Would love to read this.

    Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

    bloggyig at gmail dot com

  33. Lacey says

    January 10, 2010 at 2:18 am

    I am a follower and I tweeted this post here http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/7577914057

    Lacey914@sbcglobal.net

  34. photoquest says

    January 10, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    This sounds like a wonderful book I would love a chance to win a copy : )
    I follow and subscribe
    photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net

  35. bison61 says

    January 10, 2010 at 10:32 pm

    I'd love to win this book

    tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

  36. Jemima says

    January 11, 2010 at 12:49 am

    Please enter me – I love signed books. thereadingjourney[at]gmail[dot]com

  37. Jemima says

    January 11, 2010 at 12:49 am

    I am also a follower.

    thereadingjourney[at]gmail[dot]com

  38. Anonymous says

    January 11, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    I would like to win this book.
    RJB
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

  39. Angie says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    The giveaway book looks great but Crossing the Bridge looks fantastic too. Another one to add to my wish list…(sigh)

    aksimmo at brainerd dot net

  40. Angie says

    January 12, 2010 at 5:48 pm

    +2 follower

    aksimmo at brainerd dot net

  41. a real librarian says

    January 13, 2010 at 1:28 am

    Oh, the new book sounds great!! Thanks for the chance to win! And I'm a follower!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  42. edmontonjb says

    January 13, 2010 at 4:25 am

    Count mein!
    I'm a follower

    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

  43. Sue says

    January 13, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    This looks really good! I'd love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

  44. Stacie says

    January 14, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    Sounds awesome! Sign me up!
    Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

  45. Stacie says

    January 14, 2010 at 7:42 pm

    I'm a follower! Staciele(at)netins(dot)net

  46. 409cope says

    January 16, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    This looks like a great read! cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  47. 409cope says

    January 16, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    I follow through google friend. entry #1 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  48. 409cope says

    January 16, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    I follow through google friend. entry #2 cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

  49. Linda Kish says

    January 17, 2010 at 2:44 am

    I would love a chance to win this. Thanks

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  50. Dawn M. says

    January 17, 2010 at 2:56 am

    Oooo, The Journey Home sounds so good. Would love the chance to read it. Count me in, please!

    I subscribe with google reader.

    Thanks! :0)
    librarygrinch at gmail dot com

  51. Eve says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:31 am

    Please enter me
    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com

  52. Eve says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:32 am

    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com

    follower #1

  53. Eve says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:32 am

    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com

    follower #2

  54. Eve says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:34 am

    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com
    tweet #1

    http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/7850646520

  55. Eve says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:34 am

    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com
    tweet #2

    http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/7850646520

  56. Eve says

    January 17, 2010 at 3:34 am

    shopgurl101(at)gmail(dot)com
    tweet #3

    http://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/7850646520

  57. Benita says

    January 18, 2010 at 4:08 am

    I'd love to read this. Thanks.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  58. Benita says

    January 18, 2010 at 4:08 am

    Follower via google friend connect.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  59. Jonita says

    January 18, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I would love to read this- I just finished "Crossing the Bridge" and it was great!

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

  60. Jonita says

    January 18, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    I'm a follower through Google Friend Connect!

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

  61. Jonita says

    January 18, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    This contest has been added to my sidebar…

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

  62. Anonymous says

    January 20, 2010 at 3:42 am

    Certainly know what it means to be "on hold" for an extended period because of trauma… Would love to read this. Please accept this as my entry. Thank you!

    Aliya D.
    aliyadaya(at)shaw(dot)ca

  63. Mrs. Duff says

    January 20, 2010 at 4:29 am

    romance!
    I follow you
    kduff@oelwein.k12.ia.us
    THANKS

  64. xxsquigglesxx says

    January 20, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    Please enter me. I am a follower.

    squiggles87(at)Aol(dot)com

  65. traveler says

    January 21, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Thanks for this great giveaway. I enjoyed learning about the book. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  66. Denny, Alaska says

    January 22, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Please, count me in!

    denny(dot)gill(at)gmail(dot)com

  67. Lori says

    January 23, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    I would like to win this, it would be an honor.

    count me in

    dlsmith44@msn.com

  68. Lori says

    January 23, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    count me in again pls as I am a follower

    dlsmith44@msn.com

  69. couponmom says

    January 26, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    I would love to enter this contest

    formycontests@gmail.com

  70. couponmom says

    January 26, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    I also follow you on Twitter
    My name of Twitter is courtreporterON

    formycontests@gmail.com

  71. MarionG says

    January 27, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    I would love to win this. This author is great.
    polo-puppy-fluffyAThotmail (dot) com

  72. MarionG says

    January 27, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    I'm a follower.
    polo-puppy-fluffyAThotmail (dot) com

  73. FrankSandy says

    January 28, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    Please enter me. walkerd@primus.ca

  74. FrankSandy says

    January 28, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    I'm a follower. walkerd@primus.ca

  75. dsandyboy says

    January 28, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    Count me in.

    dsandyboy@gmail.com

  76. dsandyboy says

    January 28, 2010 at 6:58 pm

    I am a follower.

    dsandyboy@gmail.com

  77. Marianna says

    January 29, 2010 at 1:52 am

    I'm a follower of your blog!
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    mannasweeps (at))) gmaildotcom

  78. lag123 says

    January 30, 2010 at 6:38 pm

    Your review has left me wanting to read more. Please enter me and thank you for having this giveaway!

    lag110@mchsi.com

  79. lag123 says

    January 30, 2010 at 6:39 pm

    I am a follower.

    lag110@mchsi.com

  80. lag123 says

    January 30, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/8420719462

    lag110@mchsi.com

  81. Kitty says

    January 30, 2010 at 7:09 pm

    follow on google reader

    maynekitty at live dot com

  82. Stephanie says

    January 31, 2010 at 4:48 am

    Please enter me.

    steffanie771 at hotmail dot com

  83. CherylS22 says

    January 31, 2010 at 5:27 am

    I'd love to read the new book – please count me in.
    Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com

  84. CherylS22 says

    January 31, 2010 at 5:28 am

    I already follow in GFC
    #1
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

  85. CherylS22 says

    January 31, 2010 at 5:28 am

    I already follow in GFC
    #2
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com

  86. Marjorie says

    January 31, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    I am a follower and would like to win this book.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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