Jim Vanore, staff writer for the Cape May County Herald, writes about my upcoming book talks this weekend in Avalon and North Cape May, NJ. The article also carries the first published look at the colorful new paperback cover of My Cousin the Saint (above), which will be released by Harper Perennial next month. The story is here.

Sunday was a special day for me in Cape May County. I had a wonderful turnout for my first book signing. The stars of Part I — my father, and his brothers and sisters — came out. And so did scores of new and old friends. Jim Vanore, writer with The Herald of Cape May County, came with his wife, and posted this coverage of the event on his blog. Thank you, Jim.

UPDATE: My brother Len took this photo of me with Judi Salasin, a dear family friend who spent real valuable time with my brother Alan when he was sick in 2004.

Two years ago today, I was preparing for a month-long stay in Italy to research the life and family of my cousin, Padre Gaetano Catanoso. A year ago today, I had just completed the first draft of my book and sent it on to Cassie Jones, my editor at William Morrow/HarperCollins. Today (the day actually arrived!) my book has its release across the United States and Canada.

And tomorrow, the first newspaper story on my book appears (May 21) in The Herald of Cape May County, where I am from. It can be seen online here. Writer Jim Vanore did a great job.

It has been, and continues to be, a wonderful journey.