Weekend with Friends by Dru Ann Love

by Dru Ann Love

Every year me and two of my friends plan a weekend getaway. We’ve been to Boston, Denver, Savannah, and most recently Memphis and Tennessee. Whatever is our destination, I always look to see if I have any author friends in the area and plan a lunch. I like to introduce them to the authors and the books they write. In most cases, they do tend to make a purchase or two.

This past weekend, we did the touristy things, Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks march to the fountain in Memphis and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Johnny Cash Museum, and the Musicians Hall of fame. But the most entertaining activity was meeting the authors and one of them was Lois Winston. We picked the Margaritaville restaurant for lunch, but who knew they had live music that just never stopped. It was hard hearing conversations if you weren’t nearby. It was great seeing Lois and my other friends.

When you travel, do you seek out friends to visit?

Going in . . .by Dru Ann

This past month, I got on a plane or two or three to attend two reader/fan conventions.

First was to Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Left Coast Crime convention. This was the first time I was in a crowd of over 100 people. Was I anxious, yes, but that feeling of being among your tribe took over and except for a few blips, I had a wonderful time. In New Mexico, the mask wearing was optional. I wore my mask when I was in mixed company, meaning if I didn’t know three-quarters of the group, my mask went all. Hugs were plenty, but I asked before giving out hugs. I was on a panel “Decades of Books” and it was cool research books during a section decade. We received kudos for our panel. As for the airplane ride, mask was still mandatory, so I was feeling comfortable on my flight. Next year, Left Coast Crime will be in Tucson, Arizona where I will be Fan Guest of Honor.

Second trip was to Bethesda, Maryland for the Malice Domestic convention. This time the mask mandate was lifted, but I still wore my mask. My guess is that 75% still wore their mask. I was Fan Guest of Honor this year and moderated a panel “Writing a Series: Keeping it Fresh” with Edith Maxwell, Amanda Flower, Cheryl Hollon, SC Perkins, and Barbara Ross. After the panel, there were continual compliments on how well it went. At the banquet, after my speech, I was surprised when I received a standing ovation.

The best part of the month of April and attending these conventions, was I got to be with my crime fiction family after an absence of two years and it felt so good.

The Best Room in the House

Good Monday morning. I slept like the proverbial rock last night. Perhaps it’s because I spent the last month in flux—a weeklong trip to Colorado, followed by page proofs due in a week, out-of-town company, followed by loading my car with water bottles and pre-packaged snacks for my anticipated trip to Left Coast Crime in Albuquerque. 

Since 2020, like so many of my author colleagues, I haven’t attended an in-person conference. But on this one, I signed up because I could drive from my home base in Las Cruces to the Duke City. I already knew my schedule at LCC would be hectic. In addition to Mystery Writers of America, I belong to three Sisters in Crime chapters, Sisters in Crime Colorado, Guppies, and Croak & Dagger, the New Mexico chapter, based in Albuquerque.

Left Coast Crime is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which depends on a massive number of volunteers to bring together writers, readers, librarians, reviewers, and others. https://leftcoastcrime.org/2022/  Croak & Dagger, as the Albuquerque host, was called on to supply the heavy lifting of volunteers. I believe Molly Moeglein, Ann D. Zeigler, Johanna Egert, Joan Golden, Margaret Tessler, Donna Thomas, Janet Gregor, Don Allen, Anne Hillerman, Merit Clark, Linda Triegel, Bailey Herrington, and throw myself into the mix were among the many local volunteer contributors. 

To top this off, when others dropped by the Hospitality Room and saw how swamped we were, my friends Leslie Budewitz and Barbara Nickless got to work helping filling out forms and donations!

Naturally, other writing chapters, including Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime sponsored events. Members affiliated with these organizations were incredibly helpful in registration, author/reader tables, speed dating, room and panel moderators, as well as the conference organizers Stan and Lucinda Surber who appear tireless in running this conference year after year. As I was tasked with Hospitality and the Silent Auction, I didn’t get to attend many panels. This was disappointing, however, volunteer for Hospitality and the Silent Auction, people come to you.

I met so many I wouldn’t have ordinarily met by being a mere author attendee. What’s more, I got 15K steps in on Thursday, 12K on Friday, 10K on Saturday, and 5K on Sunday (four-hour trip home—give me a break!) Was it all work and no fun? Hardly. I had the best roommate ever. Author Barbara Nickless and I kept each other in stitches saying, “We’ll go to sleep right after we talk about this.” Merit Clark, who I shared an author table and panel with, was a tremendous friend, volunteer, and champion during the event. I also got to meet The Stiletto Gang members Dru Ann Love and T.K. Thorne!

Merit Clark was on the ball finding the restaurants we’d escape to after a long day. Fell in love with The Artichoke Café and Season 52 (picture of a group of us here—Alistair “Jerry” Kimble, Matt Goldman, Barbara Nickless, Merit Clark, Shannon Baker, Mark Stevens, and myself). Special thanks to Matt Goldman for driving my car back to the hotel after dinner (no, wasn't inebriated – I think he could just sense I was exhausted and nervous about night driving in a strange city.)

 

I also was on a panel called Graphic but Not Gratuitous, Getting Police Procedure Right,  [pictured here hidden behind her microphone, M.M. Chouinard], Shannon Baker, Donnell Ann Bell, Merit Clark, and James L. E’Toile.

When authors took the stage on Saturday evening, I’d already met many of them. I didn’t get to meet the fabulous Kellye Garrett, but after hearing her speak, and after more than $1,000 was raised that night by attendees who wanted their name in her next book, I understand the definition of “fan.” Catriona McPherson is hysterically funny and gracious, and one of the most moving, inspirational speeches I’ve ever heard (period) was given by Wanda M. Morris, the winner of the Lefty Best Mystery novel. Following are the Lefty award recipients. https://leftcoastcrime.org/2022/Awards.html

 I do not have the exact amount of money that was raised by the auction and silent auction, (Kudos to Ellen Byron/Maria DiRico for being an outstanding author/auctioneer) and Ann D. Zeigler’s Great Little Library Adventure, but I’m estimating $5,000 +/-, benefitting New Mexico’s libraries (currently state funded) are the beneficiaries of these proceeds.

 After dropping off the delightful T.K. Thorne at the airport, I headed home to Las Cruces to celebrate what I’d missed by attending, namely my husband’s birthday and our 39th wedding anniversary. I paused in listening to Robert Crais's Taken, to return a phone call to my friend Mike Befeler who ordinarily heads up the New Authors' Breakfast and who couldn't attend the conference due to knee surgery. Such a win/win ride home!

Still on the heels of Left Coast Crime, the fascinating and talented Pamela Beason will be my houseguest as she passes through on her touring adventures – all because we reconnected at Left Coast Crime!

On a final note, I left that event tired but inspired, and I know I barely skimmed the surface. Overall, though, I remain convinced I had the best room/seat in the house.

 About:  Donnell Ann Bell is an award-winning author, including finalist in the 2020 Colorado Book Award, and the 2021 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards for her first straight suspense Black Pearl, a Cold Case Suspense. Until Dead, a Cold Case Suspense, will be released May 31, 2022, and is available for preorder. She is currently working on Book Three and the start of another series. You can learn more about her other books or find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or BookBub. Sign up for her newsletter at https//www.donnellannbell.com

 

 

November 2021 Releases

Presented by Dru Ann Love as previously reported on Dru's Musings

Here is a list of over 65 new titles representing major genres such as cozy mysteries, traditional mysteries, historical mysteries, and others releasing this month, with eight debut series.

The longest running series on this list is the “Murder She Wrote” franchise at 54 books.

As always, I hope there is a new title to suit everyone’s personal taste. Embrace the adventure!  

---

November 2, 2021
Mystery of the Eight Islands by Terry Ambrose (Trouble in Paradise #11)
The Killing Carol by Jennifer Bee (Anna Greenan) *new series*
The Cry of the Hangman by Susanna Calkins (Lucy Campion #6)
Body and Soul Food by Abby Collette (Books & Biscuits) *new series*
Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum #28)
The Collective by Alison Gaylin
Killer Research by Jenn McKinlay (Library Lover’s #12)
Debonair in Death by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran (Murder She Wrote #54)
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris
An Eggnog to Die For by Amy Pershing (Cape Cod Foodie #2)
Carols and Yule Perils by Trixie Silvertale (Mitzy Moon #16)
Tyndall by James L Thane
Fogged Off by Wendall Thomas (Cyd Redondo #3)
Life Without Parole by Elaine Viets (Angela Richman, Death Investigator #5)
The Attic on Queen Street by Karen White (Tradd Street #7)

November 3, 2021
Treasure Under the Tree by S. W. Hubbard (Palmyrton Estate Sale #8)
Three’s A Clowder by Gin Jones (Crazy Cat Ladies Chronicles #3)

November 4, 2021
A Stranger from the Storm by William Burton McCormick
Rising Water by Joanna Campbell Slan (Tai Chi) *new series*

November 5, 2021
The Corpse with the Granite Heart by Cathy Ace (Cait Morgan #11)
Witches, Spiders, and Schemes by Elizabeth Pantley (Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic #4)

November 6, 2021
Pickled Petunia by Dahlia Donovan (Motts Cold Case #3)

November 9, 2021
Diner Knock Out by Terri L. Austin (Rose Strickland #5) *re-release*
Stitch X For Murder by ACF Bookens (Stitches In Crime #5)
Maggie Dove and The Lost Brides by Susan Breen (Maggie Dove #3)
Death on a Shelf by Allison Brook (Haunted Library #5)
Death by Doodlebug by Carol Caverly (Thea Barlow Wyoming #4)
Fatal Solutions by Becky Clark (Crossword Puzzle #3)
The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly (Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch #4)
Down a Dark River by Karen Odden (Inspector Michael Corravan) *new series*
Dead Write by Susan C. Richards
Death Under the Sea by Rosalie Spielman (Aloha Lagoon #16)
Midnight Hour edited by Abby L. Vandiver
The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek (Charlie Kingsley) *new series*
Nowhere To Hide by LynDee Walker (Faith McClellan #4)

November 10, 2021
Straight Up by Cathi Stoler (Murder On The Rocks #3)

November 12, 2021
Banana Slit by Angela K. Ryan (Seaside Ice Cream Shop) *new series*

November 15, 2021
Beating the Wrap by Julie Anne Lindsey (Bonnie & Clyde #3)

November 16, 2021
Doggone Deadly by Deborah Blake (Catskills Pet Rescue #2)
Mrs. Jeffries and the Midwinter Murders by Emily Brightwell (Victorian #40)
You Can’t Candle the Truth by Sarah E. Burr (Glenmyre Whim) *new series*
Styled For Murder by Nancy J. Cohen (Bad Hair Day #17)
Poison in the Pudding by Kathi Daley (Inn At Holiday Bay #17)
A Secret Never Told by Shelley Noble (Lady Dunbridge #4)

November 18, 2021
The Dinner Lady Detectives by Hannah Hendy

November 23, 2021
The Christmas Stranger by Keith Donnelly (Youngblood Story #2)
Marshmallows and Memories by Agatha Frost (Peridale Cafe #24)
The Mirror Dance by Catriona McPherson (Dandy Gilver #15)
Murder in Second Position by Lori Robbins (On Pointe #2)

November 29, 2021
Death Among The Stars by Sharon Linnea (Bartender’s Guide to Murder #3)

November 30, 2021
Irene in Danger by Judy Alter (Irene in Chicago #2)
Murder Yule Regret by Winnie Archer (Bread Shop #7)
High Stakes by Kristi Belcamino (Queen of Spades #7)
Killer Words by V.M. Burns (Mystery Bookshop #7)
Isabel Puddles Investigate by M.V. Byrne (Mitten State #2)
Mimi Lee Cracks the Code by Jennifer J. Chow (Sassy Cat #3)
Tales of Life and Daph by Phillipa Nefri Clark (Daphne Jones #3)
Big Trouble in Little Greektown by Kate Collins (Goddess of Greene St. #3)
Murder at the Lobstah Shack by Maddie Day (Cozy Capers Book Group #3)
Petals and Poison by Jess Dylan (Flower House #2)
Lies of Omission by Kathleen Ernst (Hanneke Bauer) *new series*
Marriage Can Be Mischief by Amanda Flower (Amish Matchmaker #3)
Claret and Present Danger by Sarah Fox (Literary Pub #4)
Murder at the Bake Sale by Lee Hollis (Maya and Sandra #2)
A Murder Like No Author by Amy Lillard (Main Street Book Club #3)
Bear A Wee Grudge by Meg Macy (Teddy Bear #5)
Christmas Candy Corpse by Rosemarie Ross (Courtney Archer #2)
The Dead Cry Justice by Rosemary Simpson (Gilded Age #6)
Do I Know You by Sarah Strohmeyer
A Counterfeit Suitor by Darcie Wilde (Rosalind Thorne #5)

Hi, Ho, Hi, Ho, I'm seriously relating to a Disney cartoon

Sing along with me. . . 

Book edits and kitchen remodels don't mix!

I've been working on editing changes, proofreading galore on book two of my cold case series, all 

while engrossed in a kitchen remodel and choking on dust and chaos. To tell you how much I miss my sink, stove, and dishwasher is an understatement. It was supposed to be completed last Thursday. But, in the time of COVID, we all know supply chain is hit and miss--the sink didn't come in and my contractor can't do the granite without a sink.  Moreover, I'm constantly stopping my edits to deal with a subcontractor.

This morning, with my blog date utmost in mind, I waded through volumes of email for inspiration and spied something that did my heart proud--fellow Stiletto blogger Dru Ann Love's review of yet another Stiletto member, Lois Winston. 

Because I couldn't agree more with Dru's review of Lois's Stitch, Bake, Die!, I thought I'd repost Dru's musings giving full credit that her review ran on Dru's Book Musing first. I happen to heartily agree.

I also want to go a step further before I post Dru's opinion and say if you are a crafter interested in baking or stitchery, get thee this book. There's a baking and stitching competition underfoot in this amateur sleuth mystery and the recipes and instructions in the back of the book are just an added bonus.

With that said, here's Dru's review:

Dru’s Short Musing:

In this fast-paced and action-packed whodunit, Anastasia Pollack and BFF Cloris are hosting a workshop when murder interferes in the conference activities. The more they get to know the attendees, the more it becomes apparent that these people are not what they seem. With both on the case, they have some unraveling to do to find a killer hiding in plain sight where everyone is a potential suspect. The mystery was nicely executed, with bits and pieces of clues here and there as well as humorous interludes that enhanced the telling of this tale. This is another great addition to this engagingly entertaining series and I’m patiently waiting for the wedding of the century. 

Stitch, Bake, Die! by Lois Winston

Series Name: Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery #10
Genre: Cozy
Release: October 4, 2021

With massive debt, a communist mother-in-law, a Shakespeare-quoting parrot, and a photojournalist boyfriend who may or may not be a spy, crafts editor Anastasia Pollack already juggles too much in her life. So she’s not thrilled when her magazine volunteers her to present workshops and judge a needlework contest at the inaugural conference of the New Jersey chapter of the Stitch and Bake Society, a national organization of retired professional women. At least her best friend and cooking editor Cloris McWerther has also been roped into similar duties for the culinary side of the 3-day event taking place on the grounds of the exclusive Beckwith Chateau Country Club.

The sweet little old ladies Anastasia is expecting to meet are definitely old, and some of them are little, but all are anything but sweet. She’s stepped into a vipers’ den that starts with bribery and ends with murder. When an ice storm forces Anastasia and Cloris to spend the night at the Chateau, Anastasia discovers evidence of insurance scams, medical fraud, an opioid ring, long-buried family secrets, and a bevy of suspects.

Can she piece together the various clues before she becomes the killer’s next target?

Crafting tips included.

Purchase Link

About the Author:  Donnell Ann Bell is an award-winning author, including finalist in the 2020 Colorado Book Award, she is the author of Black Pearl, book one of a series, and is currently editing book two. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, or Bookbub. Sign up for her newsletter at www.donnellannbell.com

 

Clicking Our Heels - Summer Vacation Preferences

CLICKING OUR HEELS – SUMMER VACATION PREFERENCES

Can you believe summer is almost over? Three more days and no more white shoes or white pants! Before summer ends, the Stiletto Gang members thought we’d share our favorite summer vacations – indoors/outdoors, beach/mountains, or staycation.

Debra H. Goldstein:  The Beach! Something about the white capped swirling water and glistening sand is my nirvana.

Anita Carter: Definitely outdoors. One of my favorite vacations was when my husband and I traveled to Hawaii for 10 days. We island hopped. We had the best time at the beach and hiking through the mountains and around the volcanos. I’d love to go again.

T.K. Thorne: I have to see the ocean regularly or something inside doesn’t get fed. Also, I live on a mountain, so I get my tree and fresh air fix every day.

Debra Sennefelder: Staycation. I really don’t like summer weather. I much prefer air conditioning.

Kathryn Lane: My husband and I spend the summers in the mountains of northern New Mexico near Taos, where we enjoy outdoor adventures as well as watching wildlife drift by from our cabin deck.

Dru Ann Love: I like sightseeing various locations, so outdoors. Staycations are good as well.

Kathleen Kaska:  It’s the beach for me – anytime.

Robin Hillyer-Miles: Beach or staycation!

Lois Winston: I much prefer a warm getaway in the winter, but I’m not a beach person. I love exploring museums, ancient sites, and foreign cities.

Linda Rodriguez: Anymore, I’m a stay-at-home person most of the time, thanks to health issues. In summer, you’ll find me inside in the air conditioning or sitting on my spacious porch, spinning or knitting and chatting with my neighbors.

Shari Randall: I’m a culture vulture, so I’d love to somewhere with great museums and theater. I live near a beach, so I’ll admit it, I’m spoiled.

Mary Lee Ashford: My summer vacation preference would be outdoors with a beach and a book! Staycations are fun but since I’ve been working from home since March 2020, I am more than ready to see some walls that aren’t my own.

Gay Yellen: Mountains. Hiking in a cool mountain forest is the best break from summer in the city.

Lynn McPherson: I love the beach and the mountains. I'm home most of the time so when vacation time rolls around I'm ready to go explore new places.

Cathy Perkins: What is a vacation these days? When I can travel again, definitely the beach!

Caddyshack revisited by Dru Ann Love

We have pigeons. They can be annoying when they gather. Especially on my balcony railing.

I’ve tried everything. Shooing them off the balcony. Spritzing them with water. And yet the continue to land on my railing and make a mess. Now they come onto the balcony and walk around leaving a mess there as well. So the battle has begun in earnest.

Repellent ribbons, they worked well until rain caused the ribbons to shrivel up and lose their shine.

Repellent device #1, they did keep the pigeons away, but they made too much noise when it swung against the glass panel

Spinners, they worked fine until mother nature unleashed strong winds and spun my spinners from their pole into the ground below. Later I found remnants of my spinners.

Repellent device #2, same strong winds took these away as well.

Spikes, I took a gamble and bought these spikes. After losing the spinners, I put one strip up and watch a pigeon land on my railing, take a few steps and encountered my spikes and flew away. Victory, but now I have to wait to see what mother nature will do to these spikes before I put the rest down.

Do you have troublesome pests?

Rambles from a reader by Dru Ann Love

I have nothing.

I was going to give you stats from my blog, but decided it wasn’t important for this blog. Check out my blog at drusbookmusing.com. Would you like seeing those stats?

I was going to talk about return to the office – first week in July. Have you returned back to the office?

I was going to talk about my adventure last week – first time back in the city and met a few friends for lunch. Lots of chatting and hugs galore was given. It felt good to eat in a restaurant and laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Have you been in and about lately?

I was going to talk about the struggle with my reading. It still takes me a week and a half to read one book. One. Book. – How is your reading?

I was going to talk about movies – Have you seen “In The Heights?”

I was going to talk about streaming channels – my favorites are Netflix and Amazon Prime. What’s your favorite?

I was going to talk about TV watching – there is nothing on TV these days. My TV viewership is down, down, down. What about you? Are you watching less TV?

I was going to talk about traveling – I’m getting on a plane to visit my mom. What about you, any travel plans?

I was going to talk about virtual conferences – I’m looking forward to attending More Than Malice. Are you going? You can register here.

I was going to talk about reader convention – Bouchercon is in August and I’m going. It’s my celebration for the year I had and also I get to see my friends. Are you going? You can register here.

Thank you for reading my ramblings.

Anticipation by Dru Ann Love

The definition of anticipation is an emotion involving pleasure or anxiety in considering or awaiting an expected event.

So, what am I anticipating? How about books?

How does one become a reader? by Dru Ann Love

It starts when someone, most likely mom, reads to you

Then you are read from picture books, pretty pictures with words

Then you begin to understand the words

Then you realize different words make sentences

Now you know what happens on each page, sort of like you are reading even if you don’t know the words

You are older, and can point out the book that you want read to you

You know a few of the words by sight as they go along with the story

What is that on the table, a box of cereal

Lots of words but the picture tells what you are eating

And you know the words when you see them

Ahh, time for school where you will learn your A-B-Cs

Now you know what those words are in the book and on the cereal box

Look ma, I’m reading!

You are now a reader and let the fun begin.

What do you remember about your early reading days?

It's That Time Again by Dru Ann Love

where I have to come up with a post about whatever. And like always, I have nothing. So I'll ramble along until my word count reach 150.

How is everyone doing during this pandemic crisis? Me, I'm so-so. 

When you choose to live alone, it is nothing. You go about your business and life goes on. When you're in a pandemic crisis and live alone, you really are alone. Because I'm immune-challenged, no one could come visit and I was restricted to my home. Once things started settling down, I took that first trip to my doctors. Uber is my friend. I wear a mask, not for you, but for me. I limit going outdoors, not for you, but for me. If I go out, I go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and of course the doctor's office. I always get the first appointment - less people to encounter. I hit the grocery and pharmacy when they first open, again less people to encounter.

My reading has somewhat suffered. Sometimes it takes me longer to read a book for review, but if I'm reading a book to be read, I can read it in 2 days. When I'm not reading, I'm watching movies or a recorded TV show.

Books I've read/am reading:

What I last watched:

I'm also quilting more. It is keeping me busy, figuring out color patterns and designs. I'm always amazed at the finished product.

I miss seeing my friends. I miss attending reader/fan conventions. I miss my girl's weekend vacation trip.

What I don't miss is having to climb subway stairs.

How are you handling things?

Virtual Activities by Dru Ann Love

The year is almost three-quarters done and activities that we would have attended in-person are now virtual.

I’ve never gone to a noir before because 1) they are in bars, dark bars 2) they are at night 3) they are never in my neighborhood 4) I prefer not to take trains at night and 5) it is mostly authors I don’t read. Virtual noirs changed that, and I’ve discovered so many authors I would not have blinked twice at if I saw their name. So, hooray for virtual noir. A shout-out to A shout-out to Ed Aymar and Alex Segura.

Then there is zoom. Oh, how I remember the original TV show (%Come on and Zoom, Zoom, zooma-Zoom%). But we are not talking about that. I’ve participated in a zoom talk with Sisters in Crime - Central Virginia chapter, attended a zoom memorial for a favorite author, attended several zoom book launches, and attended many a zoom talks with authors and friends. With one set of friends, we played this game, Spicy Farkel. I like zoom the best because you can interact with people.

Then there are the indie bookstores that are holding book launches as well. I’ve attended several of those and enjoy listening to the Q&As from the book seller. I don’t buy print books, but I will donate to their virtual tip jar – what a great concept.

Then there is Facebook. I’ve attended a few Facebook Live video author events and you are listening to the author and to interact with them, you leave a question in the chat area and the host will ask it for you. Some have book launches in their feed, whether it’s on their page or in a group page, where you have to “refresh” the page. I’m not a fan of constantly having to refresh, but it is a way to interact with the authors one-on-one during the book launch.

Now, here is the BSP – my fellow blogger, Kristopher Zgorski and I have a joint YouTube venture called BOLO*Musings where we talk about books. Another example of being with our friends and talking books. You can see our YouTube videos HERE.

Have you organized or participated in virtual activities? Do you have a preference?

2020 and J.D. Robb by Dru Ann Love

2020 is here and we are already in the second month and with this post heading into the third month also known as my birthday month.

When 2020 starts, it means reader/fan conventions will soon be upon us. For the first time in several years, I’m not going to Left Coast Crime. I had planned to take an action, but the alignment that I needed wasn’t in the cards, so I’ll be missing LCC.

The next reader/fan convention I will be attending is Malice. This is by far my favorite event and 2020 is my eleventh year attending. It’s great to see friends you don’t see for a year and meet new ones that you meet via social media.

But before that, my first event of the year was attending a book signing with the one and only Nora Roberts aka J.D. Robb. The book signing was for Golden In Death, the 50th book in the In Death Series. The main reason for my attendance was for her to sign my book, and to see my photo in the inside jacket of the book cover. So how did that happen?

Her publisher put out a call for her J.D. Robb readers to submit a selfie with one of her book covers. When I first came on Facebook, I took a selfie of me wearing shades sitting in front a bookcase holding her book. I did not suspect I would win, because I never win a contest, but lo and behold, I got an email saying my photo made it in and I could not wait to see it.

So, my friends and I trekked to Boonsboro, MD and Turn The Page Bookstore and bought our book before it hit the shelves. It pays to own the bookstore and other properties in the area. I opened the book, scanned and gave out a yelp, because I found my photo. While waiting our turn to get our book signed, we dined at Vesta, yes, another location owned by Nora. But the best part was as I got closer to Nora, it was decided that she would stand, do I got my picture taken with a standing Nora.

The photos below tell the story of a wonderful adventure.

Turn The Page Bookstore

The signage

The tribe. Photo courtesy of Eleanor Cawood-Jones

Inn BoonsBoro

Vesta Pizzeria and Family Restaurant

Golden In Death

Inside jacket cover of Golden in Death featuring collage of selfies with a photo of a J.D. Robb book

Nora Roberts and ME!

A photo within a photo. Courtesy of  Eleanor Cawood Jones

My photo within the collage. Courtesy of Michael G. Mueller

What adventures do you have waiting for you?

Writing

. . . by Dru Ann Love

I had an idea for a post and now I can’t remember.

It’s hard to write a post about writing since I’m not an author.

But if you visit my blog at dru’s book musings, I do writerly things on there, like my “day in the life” and my “get to know you” features. I also write up a list of upcoming books for the week and a monthly release blog. I also write-up information for cover reveals. I also write about the conventions I attend and miscellaneous reader events I attend as well.

Then there are my musings that I write. This year I slowed down on the number of musings I write – decided to go back to writing musings on books that I want to read as opposed to book other people want me to read and I think it’s working. I also try to give a shout-out on social media, okay Facebook, to books that I read but didn’t write a musing for. So, if you think about it, I guess I am a writer, as I write words and isn’t that what a writer does?

Can you believe the year is almost over?

I have two more conventions to attend, Bouchercon and New England Crime Bake. Anyone attending? Let me know and I’ll be sure to look for you.

Clicking Our Heels - Reliving a Moment or Time from Our Pasts

Clicking Our Heels – Reliving a Moment or Time from Our Pasts

Although we often talk about recent things in our lives and writing, the Stiletto Gang members recently contemplated what one moment or time in our lives we would want to relive.

Judy Penz Sheluk – I’d love to go back to high school, knowing what I know now, and knowing that all kids probably felt as lost and nerdy as I did. And I’d write stories down, instead of keeping them in my head for 30 years.

Dru Ann Love - My first day at college – it was so unreal and new to me. I was the first in my family to go to college so it was a big deal. Meeting different people from all socio-economic status and this from a shy person. The very first person I met at college is still my friend today, in fact I just met up with her before a book signing I was attending.

Linda Rodriguez - The years when my children were very small. That time of babies and toddlers and preschoolers goes by so fast, even though at the time, it felt like it was taking forever.
 Shari Randall - Putting aside big, important emotional moments like weddings and the births of my children, I think I'd like to go back and relive a research trip I took to the Boston Ballet. I toured their facility from top to bottom, seeing things only the dancers get to see - the dance library, the costume shop, the shoe room. Then I was invited to sit in during company class - an hour long workout with dancers people pay to see, except they were doing a private performance just for me. Magic. It was the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Kay Kendall - I would like to be 20-something and spend time with each of my four grandparents and my father. I would ask them all the questions about their lives that I have now that I am older that I didn't think to ask them back in the day.

Bethany Maines - There are a few moments in time that I feel like I botched and wish I could do over, but to just relive them as they happened?  I'm not so sure I would want to do that.  I think I'd rather concentrate on making the coming moments great.

Lynn McPherson - I spent a lot of time travelling solo when I was younger. I'd probably go back to that time to do and see even more. Thailand, Indonesia, and London were some of my favorites.

Cathy Perkins - Sure there are a few oops when I'd like a "do-over," but if I could go back and relive a time, it would be spending a day with my mother. Even better, if I could teleport her into the future, I'd introduce her to the wonderful men my daughters married that she never got me meet. But I really think we'd sit by the river and simply enjoy the moment. 

J.A. Phillippe - Oh man -- when I was 21, my family went on vacation to Hawaii for a family friend's wedding. It was sort of the last time we would all be together like that as my brother would pass away later that year unexpectedly. I'd love to go back and relive and enjoy it even more.

Julie Mulhern - There are a few moments of absolute happiness that would be fun to revisit. The call from my agent telling me about multiple offers for The Deep End comes to mind.

T.K. Thorne - Galloping my horse up a hillside, sharing his power and simple joy of running.

Debra H. Goldstein – Selfishly, I’d love to relive every moment of my life – good or bad because I feel like it is passing too quickly. That’s why, I’d go back to a day when I was sent outside to play for an hour before I could come in and read again. It was the longest hour of my life, but now I would enjoy time taking that long to pass.