Mardi Gras Memories

MARDI GRAS MURDER, my 4th Cajun Country Mystery, launched on October 9th. Yippee!! It revolves around the Cajun tradition of Courir de Mardi Gras. I thought I’d update and re-share this post about my own personal Mardi Gras experiences while a student at Tulane University. Laissez les bon temps rouler!!! I went to school in New Orleans for a couple of reasons. One, I was a … Continue reading Mardi Gras Memories

“Shattered at Sea” at Sea!

The Chicks are so happy to welcome the delightful Cheryl Hollon, author of the bestselling Webb’s Glass Shop mystery series. Let’s join Cheryl and her husband on their Queen Mary 2 cruise. And yes, you read that right! This year my husband and I marked off one of our major bucket list items. We sailed transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2 from New York City … Continue reading “Shattered at Sea” at Sea!

Guest Book Blogger: Danna of cozy-mystery.com

Ever wonder about the story behind some of your favorite book bloggers’ websites? Well, wonder no more because each month we’re featuring an interview with a well-known blogger. Our September guest is Danna from cozy-mystery.com Ellen Byron here! Before I even committed to the idea of my Cajun Country Mystery series, the first thing I did was visit cozy-mystery.com to make sure no one was … Continue reading Guest Book Blogger: Danna of cozy-mystery.com

College Drop-off Made Me “Meme Mom”

A couple of weeks ago, we brought our daughter to Loyola University, New Orleans, to begin her freshman year in college. Before we left, friends asked me if I’d be okay. “Oh, for sure,” I said. I adore my kid but she’d been working my last nerve, as kids are wont to do before heading out the door. And while I’m a sensitive soul, I’m … Continue reading College Drop-off Made Me “Meme Mom”

Booktopia – the ALA National Conference

The American Library Association – or as I now like to call it, the Amazing Library Association – hosted its national conference in New Orleans last weekend. Because Sisters in Crime partners with the ALA sub-group, United for Libraries, SinC was offered a seat on the mystery panel.  When SinC asked if I wanted to be put on the list of potential panelists, I jumped … Continue reading Booktopia – the ALA National Conference

Parenting a Teen Cured My Fear of Flying

I’ve always been afraid of flying. I do it, but not without copious amounts of Xanax and wine.  I once burned through so many sedatives traveling from New York to Australia that I thought I’d have to check into rehab when we landed. Then there was the time I burst into tears on a particularly turbulent cross-country flight and was comforted by a ten-year-old girl … Continue reading Parenting a Teen Cured My Fear of Flying

Malice-iously yours: a photo album

Here it is, my obligatory Malice Domestic post! Actually, it’s my second. Yesterday I was over at Cozy Up with Kathy blogging about the fact that the thirtieth Malice happened to coincide with my fifth visit (although not in order), so it felt like a bit of an anniversary for me as well. Today, I thought I’d share a fun photo album. Let’s start with … Continue reading Malice-iously yours: a photo album

Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees: We Asked, They Answered

We put some interesting questions to this year’s nominees for the Agatha Best Contemporary Novel award. Here are their answers, plus a special mini-interview with nominee and legendary mystery author, Margaret Maron…   QUESTION: What would you do differently if you were starting out as a writer again? LOUISE PENNY: I think I’d enjoy it more.  I’d spent decades dreaming of what it would be … Continue reading Agatha Best Contemporary Novel Nominees: We Asked, They Answered

Ellen goes undercover.

I’m currently working on a stand-alone mystery where the protagonist is a private pilot, which necessitated research into the world of private aviation. I did an online search and located a few companies at nearby airports, then called them and explained I needed information for a mystery I was writing. And…. nada. No one would talk to me. The one-percenters will be happy to know … Continue reading Ellen goes undercover.