More information/photos on the novel on page 2! Check out photo of Connie receiving the novel in LasVegas! Hit HERE! |
2004 |
Robert and Rachel invite you to share their journey. |
More information/photos on the novel on page 2! Check out photo of Connie receiving the novel in LasVegas! Hit HERE! |
A Romance Novel: A Story of Enduring Love, An Incredible Faith Journey, and a Sinister Villain! |
One reviewer compared the "bouquet" sisters to the Bronte Sisters! |
Pauline, Neil Weber, Brenda MacLaughlin and George reading a passage from the novel at the Book Launch! |
Why would the novel be of interest to a reader? 1. It reveals the powerful influence entertainers can have on their fans. 2. It reveals the enduring quality of some entertainers. 3. The dual setting of northern Nova Scotia and New England gives the novel an international flavour. 4. It is still possible to tell a powerful romance story without extreme violence or steamy sex scenes. 5. Through Robert's struggle with the ruthless antagonist, perhaps we obtain a definition of manliness. 6. The novel depicts the use of and value of diaries and heirlooms. 7. The novel highlights a minority group that rarely gains much attention; the immigrant Belgium miners who came to North America to work the pits. |
Each Chapter reflects a hit tune by Connie Francis. The Prologue: Among My Souvenirs We are introduced to Robert and Rachel. Chapter One: My Happiness Robert joins a Connie Francis fan club, thus beginning his relationship with Rachel, his American dream. Chapter Two: Everybody's Somebody's Fool Robert's best friend, Leah, is betrayed. Chapter Three: If My Pillow Could Talk Rachel fears her dream will never be fulfilled after she receives a letter from Robert. Chapter Four: Drownin' My Sorrows Sometimes we are driven to our own destruction by regret. Chapter Five: Your Other Love Rachel meets Derek. Chapter Six: Breakin' in a Brand New Broken Heart How long can one hang on to a broken dream? Chapter Seven: I'm Me Again When illness strikes, faith can be tested. Chapter Eight: Who's Sorry Now? The villain strikes. Chapter Nine: The Wedding Cake December 12 is a remarkable day: a funeral, a wedding, a birthday party! |
A Review from Amazon.Com - Used with permission of the writer "Once not so long ago ~singers did not require smoke, fireworks, synchronized light and sound shows, floating chairs, and precision dancing to showcase their talent. All they required was a powerful voice and a magnetic presence ~those were the days of With Connie! Once not so long ago, romance novels did not require excessive sex, violence or coarse language to showcase their merits. All they required was a solid plot, memorable characters and creative imagery ~those were the days of With Love! Perhaps that is why, With Love, With Connie works! Romance is alive! |
What is the novel about? December 12, 1997 is an extraordinary day in Robert Mascaux' s life, involving him in a family funeral, his second wedding and a birthday party for a celebrity. This romanctic novel begins with a flashback to 1959, in Northumbria, a coastal community in Nova Scotia. Robert, a high school student, resides at the Manor, a private nursing home owned by his parents, Bertha and Camille, immigrants from Belgium. Robert's home life is enriched by his 'foster grandparents' the Manor residents. When Robert becomes a member of a Connie Francis fan club, he begins a lengthy correspondence with Rachel Turner, the club's teenage president, who lives on an estate in Flanders Cove, Connecticut, with her reclusive, artistic aunts, fondly called 'the bouquet'. The reader discovers the enduring power of love through the struggles and triumphs that Robert and Rachel encounter during their friendship that spans 38 years. The novel depicts the influence that singers can have on their fans and also reveals parallels that can exist between the lives of singers and their fans. The music of Connie Francis is the thread of continuity for the couple for whom fate, an international border, family responsibilities, and a sinister villain delayed their marriage until December 12, 1997. |
Who is the author? George R. Henaut has an abiding interest in language ~ its power and its beauty. His career as an educator provided many opportunities to enhance and share his passion with others. Since 1990 he has written, directed and produced twelve dramas for audiences in his native Nova Scotia. His dramas and short stories have been influenced not only by life on the Atlantic seaboard, but also by his Christian spirituality and appreciation of traditional family values. All of these influences have culminated in his first novel, With Love, With Connie, which also reveals his enduring appreciation of the music of Connie Francis. His greatest desire is to share this romantic, yet turbulent story of Robert and Rachel with others. |
Can you believe what a friend of the author says? George obviously writes of what he knows; the result is an engaging story peopled with characters who are believable, refreshing and sometimes unique. Robert and Rachel' s longterm, long distance romance provides for a creative exploration of the traditional link between New England and the Maritime Provinces. There is an excellent portrayal of the elderly; the reculsive aunts (bouquet) and the manor guests. This novel does not need violence or sex to make it a worthwhile read. The unusual device of interweaving the effect of Connie Francis' music on their romance works well. The reader will not want this multi-layered 'good read' to end. |
Romance is alive! |
May 29th, 2004 The Connie Francis Concert at the Toronto Centre of the Arts Connie autographs the novel! |
Connie autographed the novel! |
The rose is a souvenir from the concert at the Toronto Centre of the Arts on May 29th 2004! |
The Incomparable Connie Francis Foxy 88.5 FM presents The Connie Francis Concert at the Toronto Centre of the Arts, May 29th 2004 I finally experienced my first live Connie Francis concert. It was an incredible evening! Toronto's Foxy 88.5 FM radio station which defines itself as "Radio with Class"served as promotional host for the Connie Francis Concert in Toronto. Everything about the concert was first class. The Centre itself is an outstanding concert hall with exceptional acoustics. No one in the audience was further than 85 feet from Connie and her magnificent 20 piece orchestra. My wife, Pauline, and I had front row seats and were able to meet and greet Connie following the concert. Seated beside us was a lady who was enjoying her tenth Connie Francis concert. We were surrounded by fans who identified with Connie's career and her personal tragedies, the "survivor"as Dick Clark labeled her on A&E's Biography. But it was the legendary entertainer that we came to experience and we were not disappointed. For fans who have a copy of the 1995 CD or video, "The Return Concert: Connie Francis Live at Trump's Castle"or fans who have been at a recent concert, you will have experienced much of the programme we enjoyed at the Toronto concert; including the audio-visual presentation, the songs, and the dialogue. The programme included her familiar hits: Who's Sorry Now, Stupid Cupid/Lipstick on Your Collar/Everybody's Somebody's Fool, Among My Souvenirs, Don't Break the Heart That Loves You, Vacation, Many Tears Ago, Where the Boys Are and Mama. She included several tributes: Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Rock and Roll, and Country Music. Toronto has a large Italian population amd the audience loved the Italian medley. Everyone was touched by Let Me Try Again and her final song Maybe This Time. She received several standing ovations! MC Gary Gamble presented Connie with a spectacular bouquet. Her encore was a tribute to Sept 9/11: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? Long before attending the concert, Pauline and I had enjoyed on numerous occasions the comprehensive web sites created by Mike Wright and John Donatelli, Jr. Mike Wright's site opens with: "She has the knack of wrenching the emotions with her powerful voice. Connie's music, transcending any and all boundaries, is capable of taming the beast, sooting the wounded heart and lifting the fallen spirit." John brands Connie as "Incomparable"! We now more fully appreciate the branding and the powerhouse description. Gary Gamble, the aimiable host of Foxy's Morning Show was the MC for the evening. He began by feigning annoyance at a smudge on his collar, exclaiming; "Lipstick on My Collar", but "Who' Sorry Now? " Connie walked on stage and into our hearts looking lovely in a three-piece ankle length dress of dark charcoal lace and elegant jewelled sandals. Her low neckline was enhanced by a sparkling necklace with her upswept hairstyle revealing matching earings. The audience was hushed throughout the entire performance; listening to every word of dialogue, cherishing every familiar note sung by the foremost female singer/entertainer of the golden age of Rock and Roll; a singer who has earned the title as the world's biggest selling female singer of all time. She has recorded in 13 languages, been on the top of the charts simultaneously in 15 countries. From the moment the orchestra played the first notes of one of her hits, the hall was charged with anticipation, excitement, and profoundly appreciative applause! We relived our past as she sang of hers. We appreciated her ability to laugh at herself, to go beyond her tragedies, to reach out to all of us! We were enthralled as one always is in the midst of greatness. Here was a singer who did not require smoke, fireworks, a synchronized light and sound show, floating chairs, precision dancing to showcase her talent. All she required was a powerful voice, a magnetic presence and a gifted conductor with an orchestra as she captivated us to journey together down our shared memory lane. We watched her every movement. The black grand piano with its vase of exquisite red roses became part of her as she touched the piano affectionately, leaned on it, and later climbed three steps to sit on it. Connie's mood changed as the music tempo changed. Much of the time, she was reflective, singing from the depths of her being, but she could just as easily smile, snap her fingers, sway her body to the upbeat rhythm of "Stupid Cupid" or "Vacation". Following the concert those who had purchased a meet and greet package were able to enjoy a wine and cheese reception with Connie. The ladies all received a single red long stemmed rose; the rose will undoubtedly be treasured among their souvenirs. Connie graciously signed pictures, CD's, books, etc. This is the type of evening that dreams are made of! Who's Sorry Now? Defintely not the 1800 who attended the Connie Francis Show at the Toronto Centre of th Arts! |
Connie receives her copy of the novel in LasVegas 2002! |