PROLOGUE… When Becky’s power went out, she and her hubs realized their battery back-up for their important stuff wasn’t working. Hubs got a new one and hooked it all up before leaving for work one morning. ACT ONE BECKY ENTERS, a look of befuddlement fixes to her face, and remains for an uncomfortably long time. Why? Because while she is finishing her morning’s work, the … Continue reading The Teriyaki Salmon Saga

If you do, you’re probably cowering under your covers instead of reading this because today is Friday the 13th. Both of those delightfully king-sized words describe a fear of this supposedly evil and unlucky day. Paraskavedekatriaphobia comes from the Greek word for Friday, Paraskevi. Here’s how to pronounce it … Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from the Norse Goddess for Friday—Frigg— in mythology. Here’s how to pronounce it … Continue reading Do You Have Paraskavedekatriaphobia or Friggatriskaidekaphobia?

For reasons mostly related to my body falling apart, I’ve started swimming every morning at our Rec Center. I was on my high school swim team for, oh, about eight minutes, so believe me when I tell you I’m not what you’d call a graceful swimmer. I’d like to see video of my first day at the Rec Center because I suspect it was pretty … Continue reading Pish, Anyone Can Do This

My parents bought this coffee table in 1972 or so from the old Levitz Furniture store. It was simply a cheap necessity when we moved into a new house. It was always a reliable place in front of the TV to do my homework or mindlessly work my childhood magic in a coloring book. My older brother and younger sister and I played countless hands … Continue reading A Boring Old Table

I have recently discovered my love for jigsaw puzzles. Well, technically, I’ve always liked jigsaws, but haven’t done them since I was a kid when my mom would set up the card table and dump out a box. What changed was I found an online app—Jigsaw Planet—that is perfect for my iPad. At breakfast and lunch, I typically solve crosswords while I eat, but I’ve … Continue reading It’s So Puzzling …

When I first began writing, I wanted to get kids—reluctant readers, especially—to love books. So I told them entertaining, funny stories. At least that’s what I tried to do. I didn’t truly know I hit my mark until I got a letter—yes, this was back in the day—that said, “I didn’t like to read until I read your book.” Honestly? I could have quit right … Continue reading Those Little Grey Cells

Yesterday was launch day for BOOKED, the first book in the Sugar Mill Marketplace series. Yay! The early reviews are positive and make me very, very happy, because it’s scary to put a book out into the world! Until the world at large sees it, you don’t truly know if you’ve done what you set out to do. That said, reviews aren’t for the author. … Continue reading Stars in Our Eyes

Yesterday was release day for RAT RACE (yay!) But I’ll tell you, I never thought it would get here. Not because I was wiggly with excitement like I usually am for a new release, but because I honestly wasn’t sure I could make it happen. I’m sure you heard—because I whined about it incessantly and melodramatically—that I was sick for almost 8 weeks. And not … Continue reading Of Rats and Newborn Koalas

I really love the process of book cover art and working with my designer. Until recently, that is. I’ve worked with the same designer since I got the rights back to my Mystery Writer’s series. We decided we liked the idea of the chair on the cover of FICTION CAN BE MURDER which the original publisher had used, so we revamped that theme, using a … Continue reading Cover Chaos