Local author celebrates book release with roller-skating bash

Skaters from around the area will gather at the Orbit Skate Center in Palatine on Saturday, Oct. 2, to celebrate artistic roller skating and the release of the new roller skating mystery "Skating Around the Law," written by Joelle Charbonneau, a native of Bensenville who now lives in Rolling Meadows.

The book hits retailers' shelves Tuesday, Sept. 28 - the same day that she will be starting a national book tour in New York City. She will then promote her book at stops in St. Louis and Decatur, Ill., before returning home for the book release party.

The book was inspired by Charbonneau's mother, Jaci, a former World Champion artistic skater. Jaci Charbonneau's athletic abilities were featured on ABC's "Wide World of Sports" and in the World Book encyclopedia. Jaci Charbonneau, who lives in Bensenville, and her former partner will be among the hundreds of artistic roller skaters at the event to celebrate the release of the book and their passion for the sport.

"The roller skating community has been incredibly supportive of the book, and my mother has really enjoyed how so many of her former competitors and students have re-established contact because of it," Joelle Charbonneau said.

"Skating Around the Law," which was published by St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, is the story of Rebecca Robbins, who returns to her rural Illinois hometown to sell the roller rink inherited from her roller-skating mom. When she finds the town's handyman drowned head first in the rink's toilet, her plans for a quick sale disappear. With the sheriff more experienced in gardening than murder, Rebecca has no choice but to stay close to the investigation.

"For years, I was a music theater and opera performer around Chicagoland," said Joelle Charbonneau, who received her masters in opera performance from DePaul University. "As a performer, I am used to saying the dialogue that someone else wrote. Knowing that people will be reading the story that I created is both exciting and a bit scary. Hopefully, readers will enjoy Rebecca Robbins and her antics as much as I enjoyed writing them."

The book release party will begin with Charbonneau signing copies of the book at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Orbit, 615 S. Consumers Ave., Palatine. Admission to the signing is free.

At 7 p.m., the open-skate session will feature an Old Timers Reunion, which remembers all the great Chicago rinks that are gone but not forgotten. Organ music will be provided by Carl DeSanti and Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks organist Frank Pellico. Admission to the Old Timers Skating Reunion is $10 for skaters, $8 for spectators and $3 for skate rental.

For details, call (847) 394-9199 or see orbitskate.net.