This is one of our favorite stores! Another gallery FILLED with inspirational, beautiful, GIFTY things! My mom and aunt had actually stopped in when I Love You More first came out, but hadn’t secured an order. Several months later Don Earle and I were starting off on our 1st cross country ILYM Tour and hit Sarasota. We found what we thought was the cutest shop “Little Bo-Tique” –what a great name, though it was empty inside. To be fair it was the end of 2002 and some businesses were definitely feeling the effects of 9/11 –tourist travel was down. They told us they’d really been effected and wouldn’t be able to take on new merchandise. Lucky for us we walked around the corner and stumbled upon Garden Argosy–no one told them business had slowed–the store was packed, bustling with workers and shoppers! We asked to speak to an owner and was told she wasn’t in, as we explained a bit about our book, Kathie, one of the owners, who was just too busy to deal with “soliciters” spoke up because she remembered hearing about our book. She took a case of 40 books and we were on our way. They’ve sold 1000′s of copies since and they are ALWAYS busy!! It’s a fabulous store–be sure to stop in the next time you’re in Sarasota and let them know “The Bald Chick” sent you!

The week before Valentine’s Day my mom and I traveled over to Florida’s West Coast for my nieces State Champ Soccer Game. Unfortunately they lost after a double OT in penalty kicks, but it did give me the opportunity to stop by Garden Argosy and sign books! It’s always great to stop in here because as I shared they are ALWAYS busy! I signed books for a few people and then had the absolute pleasure of meeting James, Tyler and their parents. Tyler was a little shy but not James, he’s an avid reader and quite the shining star himself! We talked for a bit, I signed a book for him and his brother, he agreed to share my book with his class making him an official *Ambassador of Love* and then…he asked his mom if I could sign his jacket. At first she said “No” but quickly realized if he wanted his jacket signed who was she to stop him. It was a true *Rock Star Author* moment for the both of us I’d say! I did his mom a favor and signed on the inside James and I connected that night–he was born with a cleft lip–though it wasn’t his cleft lip that connected us, but his attitude about it. “I was born this way” was what he told me–bright, beaming and brilliant!! After his mom took the pictures of the two of us he turned to her and said, “Facebook It!” My kind of kid! Keep Shining James! Your attitude makes this world a brighter place!!

*Rock Star Author* Moment

James…A Shining STAR!