Lisa Marie Runfola!! Like my main character, Lisa Marie is an American living in Paris, and she bid an amazing $338 for the book. Lisa Marie wrote me a very touching note after the auction, saying that she wanted the book for her 17-year-old daughter Marie and that she thought it was money well spent because she believes everyone (including Bridget Zinn) deserves a chance at life.

And for those of you who knew me in my previous incarnation as a blogger, Lisa Marie AND the underbidder (a Minnesotan, who bid up to one dollar less than Lisa Marie) were both loyal Chitlins followers and read my posts for years. Lisa Marie told me in her note that she believes in me. Which makes me realize how lucky I am to start my writing career with such a firm base of long-time readers who are all cheering me on.

Thank you Lisa Marie. Thank you to the two other bidders (A.N. and J.C.) who I know participated. And thank you to everyone out there who donated and bid in the auction, helping Bridget’s friends to raise over $8700 for her cancer treatments.

And Merry Christmas to Marie Aquelina Runfola in New York, who will be getting a box with these inside in a little over a week. (If the post office gods are feeling benevolent.)