My mother was an elementary school teacher for twenty-five years in an inner city school. While she taught in a public school, I attended a Catholic school. Back then I had "Holy Days" off and would go to school with her. There. I helped with her reading groups and often I just listened to children read, I also heard her read to them.
Books were important to my mother. There were seven children in her family. Her parents immigrated here from Italy and considered their children's education a priority for a good life. My grandfather was a barber, yet somehow he managed to send all of his children to college. All three of his daughters became teachers.
Books surrounded me from toddler age. From Golden Books that my mom read to me or with me, I progressed to Nancy Drew, Zane Grey and young adult romances and mysteries. Riding bikes and spending time with friends were important, but a book was never far from my hand.
By reading to me at an early age, my mom taught me the power of words. I learned to listen, not only for the storyline but for the messages about the characters that were implicit in the words. As she read, I studied the accompanying pictures. That taught me to create visual images in my mind whenever I picked up a book, whether it was illustrated or not. I learned I could escape into a story and learn information in a fun way.
Helping my mom in her classroom, seeing her with a book in her hand, listening when she read to me were all bonding experiences...and the basis for my skills and dedication to be a writer today.
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I feel HER SISTER is the perfect Mother's Day book because it's the story of three generations of mothers who understand the indissoluble bond with their child and fight to hold on to it.
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 87th novel will be released in 2015.
Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens. And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.
Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below.
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©2015 Karen Rose Smith
