Catherine West

Catherine West is my special guest today. An author, yes, but she mentioned she is also a sidewalker.

Anne – Thanks for dropping by today, Catherine, and congratulations on the release of your debut, inspirational contemporary romance story. Before we get down to business, I’m curious to know exactly what a sidewalker is.

Catherine – I volunteer with Bermuda Riding for the Disabled. I am a sidewalker, which means I walk alongside the horse while someone else leads it, and I help the child on the horse – some just ride, others can ride and do exercises, even trotting! It’s a wonderful experience to see the joy on their little faces when they are up on that horse!

Anne – How wonderful. It must be incredibly satisfying.! Speaking of satisfying tell us about your most recent release.

Catherine - My book is called YESTERDAY’S TOMORROW – an Inspirational Contemporary Romance, through Oak Tara Publishers:

Vietnam, 1967.

Independent, career-driven journalist Kristin Taylor wants two things: to honor her father's memory by becoming an award-winning overseas correspondent and to keep tabs on her only brother, Teddy, who signed up for the war against their mother's wishes. Brilliant photographer Luke Maddox, silent and brooding, exudes mystery. Kristin is convinced he's hiding something. 

Willing to risk it all for what they believe in, Kristin and Luke engage in their own tumultuous battle until, in an unexpected twist, they’re forced to work together. Ambushed by love, they must decide whether or not to set aside their own private agendas for the hope of tomorrow that has captured their hearts.

Anne - Is there a message in YESTERDAY’S TOMORROW you want readers to grasp?

Catherine - The story is really about forgiveness and restoration. I’d love for people to realize that no matter how hard things get, or what horrors you have endured, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. My characters’ faith journey teaches them that God does indeed work all things together for good. I think if we all believed that and trusted God, rather than relying on our own strength a lot of the time, we’d be much better off!

Anne - How long does it take you to write a book?

Catherine - It really depends on the book. Yesterday’s Tomorrow took about nine months. There was a lot of research involved, and I wanted to get it just right. If a story doesn’t require a lot of research, I can probably get through the first draft within a few months, but then comes the never-ending time of editing!

Anne - Do you belong to any writer’s organizations, critique groups, and/or depend on beta readers?

Catherine - I belong to American Christian Fiction Writers, and I can’t say enough about them! This is a wonderful writers group that everyone should take advantage of. The support and teaching I’ve received through ACFW has been invaluable. I’m currently serving as a zone director for our Beyond the Borders group, which is made up of ACFW members who live outside of the United States. I’m also a member of a new blog - International Christian Fiction Writers - dedicated to authors whose stories take place in countries other than the US. It’s worth checking out when you get the chance! Yes, I do have a group of trusted critique partners that I share work with. I can’t imagine writing without their help and guidance.

Anne - How long did your journey from wannabe writer to published author take?

Catherine -

Hmm. Way

too long? I’ve been writing for over twenty years, but I suppose I got serious about getting published about ten years ago. I landed my agent, the fabulous Rachelle Gardner, about five years ago, so for me, it’s taken awhile!

Anne -  How many rejections did you acquire along the way? What kept you going?

Catherine - I can’t say for sure how many! But I learned through each one, and lately, when I do receive a rejection, the editor has given specific reasons for passing, which has been very helpful.

Anne - If you could just snap your fingers and go, where would you visit, return to, or move? Why?

Catherine - My husband and I visited Sonoma County/Napa Valley, California, for the first time last fall. It was probably one of the best vacations we’ve had. It’s just a beautiful place, and I would love to go back and see more!  Italy is on my list of places to visit, so I’d definitely want to go there too!

Anne - What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Catherine - Getting through the first draft. I’m a seat-of-the-pantser so I really don’t plot. I don’t have much of an idea of where the story is going until it’s done. Once the first draft is finished, then the real work can begin!

Anne - Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Catherine - Don’t give up! Writing is not for the faint of heart. Rejection is never pleasant, especially not when you’ve poured your heart and soul into something that you truly love and believe to be great! Do your homework. If you’re really serious about getting published, there are a ton of resources available to point you in the right direction. Join writers groups, join a critique group, take course, go to conferences if you can. You can write a hundred books, but I don’t think you’ll ever stop learning! Networking of course, this is vital in today’s society. You never know what may come as a result of the online connections you make. And, did I say don’t give up? J

Anne – You did! Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud?

Catherine - I am most proud of my two children! That may sound cheesy, but honestly, they are two of the coolest young adults you ever want to meet. And they’re both super-talented too. My daughter Sarah is going into photography, and my son Chris is a musician. With me as the writer and hubby as the doctor in the house, our family has interesting discussions!

           

Anne – You’ve graciously offered a copy of YESTERDAY’S TOMORROW to one lucky commenter. Do you have a question or topic you’d like them to discuss, Catherine?

Catherine - Hmm. Well, since I write romance, I’d love to know this: What’s the most romantic thing that’s ever happened to you?

Anne - Great question! I'm sure the answers will be equally interesting. Thanks for dropping by, Catherine. Readers can visit her online at her blog.

* * *

This Complicates Things

Welcome to the final SUSPENSEFUL SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY excerpt for March 2011. WOW, time slips by quickly when we're reading, writing and having fun!

The following excerpt is from DEFENDING GLORY, first book of the Piedmont Island Trilogy series.

A body's been found. The sheriff's arrived. Things, especially for Mac, get complicated....

Sheriff Smith pushed himself to his feet.

“Well now. This complicates things considerably, doesn’t it? Not only do I have a murder investigation on my hands, but someone’s threatened Ms. Palmer and wants her to leave the island. Any idea why, McKeown? What’s the connection between the lady and your thug?”

“I just met her this morning,” he said, “but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt her.”

Want more? Visit Suspenseful Seven Sentence Sunday for a complete list of participating mystery and romantic suspense authors. Happy reading!



* * *

A - Z Blogging Challenge

Ever decide to do something, and later wonder what were you thinking? Me, too. Actually, I do that kind of thing a lot more frequently than I care to admit. ;-) 

When I opted to take the A-Z BLOGGING CHALLENGE, I didn't think about all of the other things on my to-do-list.

I didn't think about my looming deadline. Nor did I consider what's involved in the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour I'm involved in this May.
All I thought when I saw the logo and read the challenge was hey, this sounds like fun! I gotta sign UP.

Now that I'm committed (notice I did not say 'should be committed') I'll post 26 times during the month of April. (Most bloggers will take Sundays off. Me? Not a chance. I'll be posting my usual Suspenseful Seven Sentence Sunday excerpts.)

But back to what's required in the A - Z Blogging Challenge. The theme of the first post on April 1st will focus on a topic that begins with the letter A. Each subsequent post theme will work its way through the alphabet until April 30th when I reach Z.

And no, I haven't a clue what I'll write. That's the challenging part!

The good news is I won't be doing it alone. More than 600 bloggers have already signed up for this event. Want to join? Share in the pain, um, I mean the gain? We are, after all, talking about 26 new blog posts. Click HERE to sign up. I dare you!

* * *

And the WINNER is...

Chris is the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Winner. She will receive a pdf copy of DEFENDING GLORY, first book of my Piedmont Island Trilogy series.

A huge thanks to everyone for entering the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop. I'm looking forward to the Fool for Books Giveaway blog hop on April 1-2. (Also hosted by I am a Reader Not a Writer)

Thanks SO much for following, commenting and sharing. I enjoyed reading about all of your favorite things! 

* * *

Elaine Cantrell's A New Dream

Anne - I’m thrilled to feature author Elaine Cantrell today. When did you first realize you were destined to be an author, Elaine?

Elaine - At age five I dictated a story to my father who wrote it on notebook paper with a pencil. It was a great story. It must have been. He laughed the entire time he was writing. He put the story in a cedar chest where he kept important papers, and after his death forty years later my stepmother gave it to me.

Anne - What one or two lines best sums you up as an author?

Elaine - Hope. Dreams. Life…. Love. I hope this tagline conveys the sense that big dreams and true love are for everyone, and it can happen to you too.

Anne – It certainly does to me! What activity consumes your time when you’re away from the keyboard?

Elaine - We aren’t talking grandchildren, right? At present I’m teaching high school social studies so there isn’t much time left for anything. After I retire I plan to work at a local soup kitchen sponsored by the church that I attend.

Anne - Tell us about your most recent release.

Elaine - My latest work, is A NEW DREAM, and it should have been released on March 8, but we hit a snag, and it isn’t out yet. By the time this interview airs, the book may be available. If not, give it a couple of more weeks, and it’ll be ready. The book will be available at Astraea Press.

Here’s a blurb:

After an auto accident destroys his pro-football career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.

Violet works in the bakery, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef’s Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new managers broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.

Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt’s past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?

Anne - Is there a message in A New Dream you want readers to grasp?

Elaine - Probably my message would be that sometimes life throws us a curveball, but to find real happiness we have to learn to compromise, or maybe to put it another way, learn to bend and duck. Compromise dreams can turn out to be every bit as wonderful as original dreams. And maybe even better.

Anne – Do you have a fear, phobia, or habit you’d rather no one knew about?

Elaine - I do have one phobia, but I don’t care if anyone knows about it or not. I’m scared of deep water like in lakes or swimming pools. Especially lakes. I often have nightmares about them, and when I say nightmares, I mean the really bad ones.

Anne – My sincere condolences on those nightmares. I hate waking up with my heart racing, my palms sweating! Yikes. Let’s change the subject...I often write while sitting in my car. Parked. In my driveway! I call it my “cone of silence”. My very own writer’s cocoon, if you will. Do you have a unique place to write? Tell us about it.

Elaine - My place isn’t unique, but I do like it. After my younger son married and moved out, I took his tiny bedroom for my office. I took out all the furniture except his twin sized bed, and I put in a bookshelf, a TV, and a desk. I loved it! I kept the bed because it’s a great place for a quick nap. Eventually, everyone noticed I was spending a lot of time upstairs.

“What are you doing up there?” they asked. My husband checked out my room and liked it so much he said, “I’ll put my desk on the wall behind you. We’ll put the TV above my desk. Folks, the room isn’t big enough for two people, but what could I say? It’s awfully crowded in there, but there are some advantages. For one, in the winter time if we’re up there watching TV, he’ll let me put my cold feet in his lap, and don’t tell him I told you, but if I really tease he’ll polish my toenails for me.

Anne – How long did your journey from wannabe writer to published author take?  

Elaine - Only a couple of years. I heard about a writing contest sponsored by Oak Tree Press. The winner won a publishing contract. At the last minute I sent in my manuscript and forgot about it. Six months later the publisher called me and told me I’d won. I still go totally into shock when I think about it. The name of the book is A New Leaf, and it’s still available at Oak Tree Books.

Anne –How many rejections did you acquire along the way? What kept you going?

Elaine - Everybody gets rejections, but I never kept track of how many because it might depress me. I kept writing because I thought I had good stories to tell, and I loved telling them. A New Dream is my seventh book, and I have an eighth coming in June from Lachesis Press. It’s tentatively titled Kara’s Second Choice, but we’ve changed the name a million times so I can’t be sure that’s the final title.

Anne – Hey! I met the editor of Lachesis Press last September. Lovely lady. Please say hello for me! Are you most proud of one book in particular? If so, why? I like Return Engagement or A New Dream. I like Return Engagement because I played around with the idea for years before I finally sat down in front of the computer to write it. I liked the result so much I have a sequel completed and am working on a third book. I like A New Dream just because I like the story. If you’d like to watch a video preview of A New Dream you can do so HERE. Do take a look at it. I made it myself and fell in love with the music and the pictures.

Anne – The video is wonderful, Elaine. You are truly a very talented person! Where can readers find you?

Elaine - They can visit my website.

Anne - You’re offering an electronic copy of A NEW DREAM to one lucky reader. Tell us more.

Elaine - If you’d like a chance to win an electronic copy of A New Dream look at my video and answer this question: Why is the last picture in the video something you wouldn’t expect Elaine to use? Hint: the answer can be found in this interview. If you can’t find it, guess. Someone’s going to win a book. Leave your answer in the comment section here at the blog.

Anne – Thanks, Elaine for dropping by. I’d like to mention I’ll be posting an excerpt from A NEW DREAM on my Piedmont Island Trilogy blog on Wednesday, March 23. Please drop by, and leave a comment. BTW, If you leave a comment here today, and another on Wednesday, you’ll double your chances to win A New Dream. Good luck!

* * *

Day 3 - Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Welcome
to Day Three of the
Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop
hosted by
Books Complete Me 
and
I Am A Reader, Not a Writer.

I'll give away an e-book copy of DEFENDING GLORY, first book in my romantic suspense Piedmont Island Trilogy series.

Diana Coyle, Book Reviewer for Night Owl Reviews sez, "If you're looking for a book with an engrossing storyline, characters you can't help but fall in love with and an author who knows how to create a winning masterpiece in the end, then look no further. Ms. Albert is an author to watch because she's definitely goings places. She is one author you shouldn't pass up!"

I'll pick the winner's name at random on Tuesday, March 22. To qualify, follow my blog. Easy peasy. If you'd like to leave a comment based on today's questions, however, that'd be great.

I mentioned in my last post that as a writer I find people fascinating. Today I'm focusing on Mac and Glory, the main characters of "Defending Glory". Like real people, they've suffered their fair share of setbacks and tragedies.

1) Mac's dream job as an FBI agent ends when he's wounded in an ambush.

2) He moves to Piedmont Island to forget the past and start over as a general contractor.

3) Mac abandons his faith after the ambush, but Glory's faith sustains her through thick and thin.

4) They join the residents of Piedmont Island and celebrate the Fourth of July at the annual Fishing Derby.

5) Estranged from her family, Glory turns to her friends for their love and support.

6) When Glory needs to get away from it all, she heads to the backyard and the gazebo.

7) An orphaned Chihuahua steals Glory's heart, and eventually steals Mac's heart as well.

* * *

Now it's your turn. (And yes, ONE word answers are fine!)

1) As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

2) Have you ever had to move or start over in another city or state? If yes, where? If no, could you?

3) Regarding faith in a higher power, do you identify more with Mac or Glory?

4) How do you like to spend July 4th?

5) Who can you rely on more? Friends or family?

6) Is there a special place or building where you seek peace and solitude?

7) What is the name of your favorite pet?

Thanks for sharing. I hope to see you soon. Enjoy the rest of the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop!

* * *

Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop

Top 'o the mornin to ya!

I'm excited to take part in the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop hosted by Books Complete Me and I Am A Reader, Not a Writer.

I'm giving away an e-book copy of DEFENDING GLORY, first book in my romantic suspense Piedmont Island Trilogy series.

Diana Coyle, Book Reviewer for Night Owl Reviews sez, "If you're looking for a book with an engrossing storyline, characters you can't help but fall in love with and an author who knows how to create a winning masterpiece in the end, then look no further. Ms. Albert is an author to watch because she's definitely goings places. She is one author you shouldn't pass up!"

On Tuesday, March 22 I'll pick the winner's name at random.

To qualify, follow my blog. Yup. That's it. Plain and simple.

If you have time, (and I hope you do), please leave a comment based on the questions below. You'll double your chances to win DEFENDING GLORY.

As a writer, I find people and their quirks, traits, likes and dislikes fascinating. So, today, I'd like to find out a little something about you. And don't worry. I won't use any of this info in my books. Unless of course I change the names to protect the guilty! ;-)

Today's QUIZ:

1) What movie have you watched more times than any other?

2) What is your favorite vegetable?

3) What is your favorite song?

4) What is your favorite board game?

5) What is your favorite sweet treat?

6) What is your favorite sound?

7) What is your favorite morning beverage?

Aw, come on. Don't be shy. Tell you what, I'll go first.

1) My Fav Movie - Puppet Masters based on Robert Heinlein's novel, and starring Donald Sutherland

2) My Fav Vegetable - asparagus, served with lemon juice

3) My Fav Song - House of the Rising Sun by The Animals

4) My Fav Board game - Scrabble (Big surprise, huh?!)

5) My Fav Sweet - Milk chocolate (Not dark.)

6) My Fav Sound - Fingers on a keyboard. It's music to my ears.

7) My Fav Morning Beverage - Black coffee.

Now, it's your turn! What's your 7 favorites?

* * *

Thanks for dropping by on the Lucky Leprechaun Giveaway Hop.

* * *

Giveaway!

Lots of fun stuff happening this week.

Today I'm being featured on author Diane Craver's blog.

Drop by, read an excerpt, and leave a comment to win an e-book copy of DEFENDING GLORY.

Have a great Wednesday, and happy reading!

* * *

Why I Write

Once upon a time there was a little girl, let’s call her Annie, who learned at a very young age that what she said, what she felt, and what she thought DID NOT MATTER. So, she bottled all of her emotions, all of her thoughts and all of her opinions up inside.

She never shared. She did not dare. She also never dreamed that things would one day change. Why would they? She was just a girl.

Decades passed. The little girl became a woman. Then, one day, all of the words, emotions and feelings Annie had held deep inside for so very long bubbled to the surface. She tried to subdue and tame them, but nothing could hold them back.

The dam broke. Words flowed, and Annie realized the time had come for her to be HEARD.

Not verbally, mind you. Girls, no, women like Annie did not say what they thought. Or felt. But as a writer, well, maybe it was possible. Those words, written down where no one would ever see them, they were quiet words. 

And so, Annie wrote.

She wrote knowing no one would listen. She wrote knowing no one would care. She wrote when even she wondered…why?

Then, a fairy godmother appeared. Annie’s fairy godmother! Waving her magic wand, she said, “You, Annie, are a writer. You shall share your words with the world for they, AND YOU, are worthy.”

Annie, of course, did not believe a single word. But she was far too shy and timid to say otherwise. The beautiful lady with angel wings and gossamer dress of gold and silver was, after all, the nearest thing Annie had ever had to a real mother. 

Someone who cared.

Within a relatively short length of time – at least in the fairy godmother’s realm, but was in reality twenty years all told for Annie, her books were published. One-by-one, readers read her stories. They fell in love with her words. They fell in love with her worlds. They fell in love with her characters.

They fell in love with what Annie had to say.

One reader, let’s call her Darlene B., said, “Your offer of friendship through FB made me curious enough to check out your books. I loved what I saw and bought DEFENDING GLORY. Started it--love your writer's voice. Oh my goodness…You have me as a permanent fan.”

Annie blushed. She gasped. She reminded herself to breathe. Darlene liked her books? Really? Annie gazed up at the sky and thanked her fairy godmother. For caring. For believing.

The moral of this story? Every young girl needs someone to believe…IN HER.

Thank you, Dorothy! You made the young girl inside of me smile, and very, very happy!

* * *

Missing!

The switch to daylight savings means this weekend is missing an hour. Unfortunately, that's not all that's missing.

This latest installment of SUSPENSEFUL 7 SENTENCE SUNDAY is an excerpt from FRANK, INCENSE AND MURIEL, first book of my Muriel Reeves Mysteries. It takes place less than an hour after Muriel has reluctantly agreed to help Frankie, her sexy high school nemesis, find a missing woman.

* * *

Frankie strolled back to the Envoy, unaware that every woman within a hundred feet–myself included–watched him with bated breath.

After paying for the gas, he tucked the briefcase behind his seat and eased the vehicle onto the street.

“Do you always carry around a spare change of clothing?” I asked.

“I like to be prepared,” he said.

“I never figured you for a Boy Scout.”

“Trust me,” he turned to gaze at me. “I’m not.”

* * *

To read more, click HERE. And please, drop by SUSPENSEFUL SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY for a complete list of participating mystery and romantic suspense authors. And hurry. You've already lost one hour of the day!

* * *

INTERVIEW WITH KATE GEORGE

Please welcome award winning writer, Kate George. She's author of MOONLIGHTING IN VERMONT and CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' (released March 1, 2011). She lives in Vermont with dogs, kids, and when we did this interview - snow.

You can reach her at www.kategeorge.com. Her books are available at www.mainlymurderpress.com, amazon.com or can be ordered from any bookstore.

AKA - Tell us a something about yourself that you would normally only share with close friends.

KG - I’m scared of the dark. Seriously. I know nothing changes when the lights go out, but something about the night can get to me. I both love the night, the quiet, the starts, the moon on the snow, and hate the night; the dark, the quiet, the feeling people are looking at me through the windows.

AKA - What activity (cause, charity, organization) consumes your time when you’re away from the keyboard?

KG - Well I have four kids. Piano, basketball, play practice, the list goes on and on. The feeding and care of children ages ten, thirteen (twins) and seventeen consumes much of my free time. I also work full time. After those two things, and writing, I sew, quilt (yes it’s different than sewing to me), knit (badly) and talk to my far flung friend via the internet.

AKA - Tell us about your most recent release.

KG - Oh, that’s California Schemin’. I’m rather proud of this book at the moment. I’m sure I’ll start to hate it again when I have to read aloud from it over and over and over, noticing all the mistakes. But for now I’m liking it a lot.

There’s murder, of course, and a great deal of the book takes place in Northern California where I grew up. It was fun to write about a place that I am very familiar with, but where I’m not living at the moment. The story is maybe seventy percent California, twenty-nine percent Vermont and one percent Washington, DC.

Bree is in California with Beau, supposedly recovering from the events that happened after the first murder when a body falls into her life. Yes I’m using the word falls on purpose. If you want to know why you’ll have to read the book! Ask your library to order it.

Anyway, back on track now, Bree becomes the focus of some very bad people and she spends a lot of time trying to save herself from the people who are trying to save her. Yes, it gets complicated! But it’s full of fun and high jinks, and hopefully a few laughs!

AKA - What is the hardest part of writing for you?

KG - Quiet time. I don’t have any. I’ve learned to write in all kinds of circumstances, and to block out the noise, but it so much easier to write when it’s quiet. I really miss the year I got to stay home and write.

AKA - Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person?

KG - Half full. Actually all the way full.

AKA - Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

KG - If you want to be a writer you must write. That means finding time to put your butt in the chair, turn off the internet, phone, TV, email and write. Even if it’s just a few minutes every day. You can’t produce a novel if you don’t take the time to write.

I like Nike’s tag line: Just Do It.

AKA - Quick. Your five favorites – author, actor, movie, song, quote.

KG - Author: Jennifer Crusie, she writes fabulous character rich romances, and she’s very accessible. I really admire her willingness to connect with other writers and help them get better.

Actor: Colin Firth. Just because he’s Colin Firth.

Movie: I can never think of movies. I know there are bunches I like, but when I start to think about it I can only remember the one I saw last.  Up! Is a very sweet movie. Also everything with Colin Firth, but especially the BBC Pride and Prejudice Mini-series.

Song: The JCB song. It makes me squishy inside.

Quote: Don’t Postpone Joy and also Life Rewards Action. I don’t know who said them but I try to remember them daily.

AKA - Kate has graciously offered to give away a signed paperback of CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' to one reader, and an e-book copy to another. I'll pick two names at random from comments based on Kate's prompt question below.

KG - I’d like to hear what genre readers like the most. And do you tend to read serious or light books? Would you rather laugh or cry when reading a book? 

AKA - Great questions, Kate. I can't wait for the comments to start rolling in. Thank you so much for dropping by. I'll select a winner sometime next week.

Daffodils, Tulips and Marsh Marigolds

Today is SUSPENSEFUL SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY...an online community of mystery and romantic suspense authors who post seven sentence excerpts from their books...on their blogs...on Sundays. 

Short.  Sweet.  Suspenseful.

The following excerpt is from my debut novel, DEFENDING GLORY, first book of the Piedmont Island Trilogy series.

* * *

Aidan "Mac" McKeown palmed the bullets doctors removed from his right thigh and stared out his office window. Daffodils, tulips, and marsh marigolds lined garden paths beyond the alleyway at the back of the building. The fragrant scent of lilacs sweetened the air. Robins chirped on their endless hunt for worms. It was a perfect Thursday morning in northern Minnesota. The kind his partner would have cherished.

If he were alive.

* * *

Thank you for dropping by. For a list of other participating S7SS authors, visit SUSPENSEFUL SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY.

SheWrites.com Blogger Ball Redux

Welcome to the SheWrites Blogger Ball Redux.

Make yourself comfy. Coffee's on, your absolute all-time favorite kind of muffins are warm out of the oven, and I've saved you the coziest armchair. So sit back, kick off your shoes, relax awhile, and please, stay for as long as you like.

The exciting part about this SheWrites event is, tah-dah, it marks my 100th post.

Yeah, I know, 100 posts may not be all that impressive in the universe of blogs and bloggers, but in my little corner of cyberspace it's a milestone. MY milestone. And I plan to observe it. :-) So, please, join me in a glass of champagne. (Don't you just love the bubbles?!)

Thanks to Meg Waite Clayton for organizing this super event.

I'm so glad you dropped by, and hope you'll return soon.

For a complete listing of all participating SheWriters Blogger Ball Redux bloggers, click HERE. Cheers!

Questions...So Many Questions!

I'm being interviewed today on romance author Deanna Jewel's blog, Deanna's Tidbits.

Please drop by. I'll bring the coffee and cyber food for thought! Plus, leave a comment to enter the draw for a pdf give away copy of one of my books.

ME AND NANCY DREW

Recently I was interviewed by author Lori A. Moore. One question she asked was: What books have most influenced your life most?

My answer? "That would be the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Trixie Belden books. I read them all as a child, and always imagined myself as the sleuth. They began my love affair with mysteries."

To read the entire interview, click HERE.