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Tart Blanche
Ah yes it seems like only yesterday. That’s right, it was yesterday. A book
reading like none other. A little adventure, a little food, a lot of talent and
yes, a ton of lingerie.
So how is it that I piled in the car yesterday with husband and sister Jen on
the way to the G-Spot? Why did we know it was going to be so much fun that
before we reached that magical place we had to stop off and pick up a friends
Annie and Dave, knowing that reaching the G-Spot is always more fun with others?
The answer of course is Tarts. That wonderful group of female mystery
authors who aren’t at all afraid to be girls. Where they are is always a good
place to be. If you can’t be with them visiting their web-site or reading
their prose is almost as satisfying. I suggest it to all with a like for life.
They are a lively, intelligent, talented group of writers. But on to the story
of our day.
A week ago we found out the city of Chicago was about to be taken over
temporarily by three of the current members of Mystery Organization Tart Noir.
Lauren Henderson flew in from New York, Laura Lippman came from Baltimore and
Vicki Hendricks arrived from the state of Florida. Bless her, Florida to Chicago
in January...ummm... They came to share their stories with a group of fans and
old friends from the Midwest. And what a perfect locale  for
a Tart reading. Chicago’s trendiest lingerie store G Boutique. Located at 2131
Damen St. downtown it is a wonder of pink and lace and “accessories”. Live
in the area? Valentine’s is coming!! Although if I could I’d be there once a
week. These ladies can make any day a special event.
We arrived at Annie and Dave’s front door exactly five minutes early. What a
house. A treasure of books in every room and home in every corner. A quick look
around and into the city the five of us flew or rather crawled Chicago traffic
being what it is. Damen Street “Hey I bet it’s the pink one” (those
years of mystery reading and subtle clues paying off yet again). Down an
exquisite hallway and into one of best merchandised stores I’ve ever seen.
Then the best site of all... Laura, Lauren and Vicki in a habitat that seemed
much more suited to the three than the book stores and conference rooms I
usually get to see them in. As a bonus I was introduced to Wendy, a woman so
dedicated to RAM that she gives up hours of every work week just to keep up with
postings without the ability to actually post. I also met an AOL hard-boiled
board lurker and one of Laura’s oldest friends, G Boutique’s very own Cheryl
Sloane. Corsets were petted, Champagne was opened and then the readings. Lauren
and Laura and Vicki all shared erotic passages from one of their works. Applause
was loud after each well written and yet “Tarty” story. Customers in search
of that special “toy” ended up with Tart Noir anthologies and the dog got
her ears and belly rubbed by everyone she could. Yes that’s right, the dog was
the biggest Tart there. The second
round of stories began and both Laura and Lauren were wonderful. The momentum
was building.
Surely Vicki’s dolphin story was going to be the climax of our day so a break
was cleverly called for and the Shopping began. Everybody left with a bag of G
Boutique goodies and some with many more bags than one. What was in the bags
shall remain our little secret. We all gathered around one last time to share
the energy of the event and heard Vicki read from Stormy, Mon Amour. If you
haven’t read this tale of tragic love you must.
Wind down required after this wonderful day we repaired to the restaurant across
the street where we regaled with tales of Sky-diving gone wrong, New Year’s in
Italy and a Sheriff's seizure of “novelty items”. Good-byes were said and
promises of we’ll see you soon made. The Tarts set off for their Chicago
adventures and the group from Milwaukee set off for Annie and Dave’s. We
talked and laughed and ate more. Annie and Dave both let us explore and touch
their books. Grace personified in a book collector. Jon found a man wandering on
the second floor who turned out to be son Dan and although it will surprise few
who know my husband that they disappeared to talk music you should know that Dan
is so knowledgeable that Jon was gone for hours when he had pie waiting.
This morning we woke to coffee and Annie prepared a brunch fit for a king. Talk,
camaraderie and a hospitality not to be matched. It was time to go though and
off we were, Milwaukee bound.
It was a great weekend made possible by three members of Tart Noir, a group of
ladies who can spread warmth and light on the coldest of Midwestern days. I hope
you’ve enjoyed this account of reaching the G- I’ve been told “It’s all
in the composition”. Be sure to ask Annie about the Virgin Mary the next time
you see her. It was an eye-opening day.
Ruth Jordan
The G-Boutique is located at: 2131 N. Damen; Chicago Il 60647
They can be reached by phone at: 777-235-1234
And soon at www.boutiqueg.com
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