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I don’t get out a lot during the winter – it’s one of my favorite times of the year to write because I’m like a bear when the weather turns cold. I hibernate in the writing cave with good music and warm cocoa. I wear my favorite thick socks, my faded warm up pants and a long sleeved motorcycle T-shirt. Outside my window, the chipmunks are running the rabbit out of the back yard and the birds are snatching seeds when the chipmunks are distracted. That’s a moment when I settle in to type and think how fortunate I am to be able to do something I love so much.
That’s because you read. You rock!! You make it possible for me to sit inside until Spring, which is here! Yay.  But it was a battle to drag spring in and shove winter out.
Since moving south of the city (my husband and I lived in the northwest quadrant of Atlanta until 10 years ago) to a town called Peachtree City (yes, everything here is peachtree something…) we so rarely even see snow flurries even when it snows on the north side. But this year we got hit down south.
| Here’s a picture of a fountain in my backyard with snow. There’s a story behind that fountain I’ll tell you some time, but I always wanted a fountain and have this one only because Karl and I took a trailer way, way outside of Atlanta to where someone had it in her backyard who made us a great deal but we had to get it on the trailer ourselves. The thing weighs as much as an elephant. It took five men to carry it to that spot in our yard (which looks a lot better with snow on everything before the weeds get started ), but it was all worth it because I can see that from my writing room. We don’t have a very big backyard but we love our porch, our dancing lady and our chipmunks. |
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I get comments on the beautiful pendants I wear everywhere I go. I have a fused glass set that Sherri gave me I love. Other than those pieces, the rest of my glass art jewelry is by fused glass artist Gail Jensen of Studio GG (that’s a shot of her studio). She creates the pendants with layers of glass put together in a way that always draws oohs and ahhs. Gail Jensen also makes large pieces of musical instruments that are as amazing as her unique dishes. Below is a new pendant with copper in the blend that she created for me to wear on tour this year (I love having creative friends). To see more of her gorgeous glass work visit www.StudioGG.com
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Sherri and I signed books at Sherlock’s in Lebanon, TN last November. What a terrific independent bookstore! They came up with an interesting concept look that is fun to shop in and has more than books like a media room where you can host a private movie screening with friends, amazing radio operated cars, a coffee shop…too much to list. We took a bunch of pictures that I have yet to find, but this one was sent to me of me, Sherri and Jill.
I’ve had the great fortune of Cassondra Murray agreeing to work with me as an assistant. She joined me in Ft. Lauderdale for Sleuthfest where I presented programs on Power Openings and Power Pacing to a great group of writers.
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I was the Welcome Speaker at Silken Sands Conference in Pensacola, FL this past March. If you’ve never attended the Silken Sands Con you should treat yourself to the BEACH in March. Great people and a wonderful program. I know the pic is a little blurry (I’m sure the wine had nothing to do with the photo’s quality :->), but I’m with two very dear friends – Barbara Vey of Publisher’s Weekly – link to www.BarbaraVey.com - and USA Today best selling author Catherine Mann. |
While I was in the area I dashed over to Fairhope, Alabama to catch a couple author friends of mine – James Dean and Eric Litwin – who just released their new Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes. James is an artist (www.PeteTheCat.com) who is known for his Pete the Cat paintings (Karl and I have one in our collection, but I have to admit that Karl found James and introduced us the first time, for which I am very glad) and Eric wrote the text plus created music for the book (he’s a fabulous musician – www.EricLitwin.com) that is a free download with the book.
Here’s the great news – this book debuted at #8 on the New York Times list. (yes, I have a copy of this book…several, in fact). |
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Back to my story…I was on my way to see James and Eric, but missed them because they were in such demand at the local schools. However, while running around the festival hunting them, I heard music that sounded like Ottmar Liebert to me. Cassondra and I found this wonderful group called Roman Street (www.RomanStreet.com) playing their original new wave music, which includes a crowd favorite of their own version of Pachelbel Canon in d – very different. |
As they say in Scotland, it was a wee bit windy at the beach. Barbara took this shot of me standing next to a painted pelican (that’s what you see down there – pelican sculptures painted).
MAY IS COMING UP QUICK – please visit the auction page on www.BrendaNovak.com and support the fight against Diabetes. Brenda Novak started this auction because her son Thad has diabetes (see pic of them below). I’ve been involved since pretty close to the beginning of this and am thrilled to see what Brenda has done since 2005. Sherri, Mary Buckham and I have a 10 item page plus we’ve donated romantic suspense, paranormal and writing books. Join the fun and bid on something.
Okay…I’m back to work writing. Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you somewhere soon. To find out where I’ll be go to my Appearance page.
I’ll be touring the week of April 20th with Sherrilyn for our new SILENT TRUTH release then we’re back on the road the last week of May as well with her new INFINITY, the Chronicles of Nick.
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