When one road closes…

This spring, the rains washed out Mulholland Drive in several spots, forcing its closure for repairs. The opportunity this presented didn’t occur to me until I was making plans to meet up with friend and fellow author Nadine Nettman, who lives wonderfully close to me. She suggested we rendezvous on the closed stretch of Mulholland for a walk. Which we did. Los Angeles is blessed … Continue reading When one road closes…

Behind the Book: The Witless Protection Program

NOTE: I’ll be at Left Coast Crime when this publishes, so my response to comments will be slow today. Bear with me! When I finished the draft for The Witless Protection Program, I wrote to my agent, “This is a screenplay masquerading as a book.” I’m a very visual person. I don’t know if it’s because of my years writing theatre and TV but I … Continue reading Behind the Book: The Witless Protection Program

Happy Book Birthday to THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!

Yippee, it’s release day for The Witless Protection Program, the 5th book in “Maria DiRico’s” Catering Hall Mysteries. For readers wondering if Mia Carina’s philandering, presumed dead husband Adam Grosso would ever make an appearance in the series, this is your lucky day. And he couldn’t be showing up at a worse time for Mia! “An incredible cast of characters, starting with our lead, Mia … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday to THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM!

Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

Season’s greetings, beloved readers! We hope you enjoy the yearly sharing of our holiday baby Chicks cards.   We’re taking a break for the holidays, but we’ll be back on January 5th. Until then, we wish you and yours the happiest of happy seasons and a bright New Year! Ellen Byron Lisa Q. Mathews Vickie Fee Cynthia Kuhn Kathleen Valenti Becky Clark Jennifer J. Chow … Continue reading Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!

A cover reveal and a change of heart.

A few years ago, my cousin Marie and I met up for lunch at some trendy Manhattan restaurant. I don’t remember what we were talking about, but she suddenly went, “You’re a Californian.” My jaw dropped. I was appalled. I quickly corrected her. “No, no, no. I’m a New Yorker who lives in California.” I’m sure my instant reaction comes as no surprise. New York’s … Continue reading A cover reveal and a change of heart.

After a Medical Crisis: What They Don’t Tell You.

I’ve had three medical May Days in my life. (I’m not counting an emergency C-Section because the preeclampsia that necessitated it had been rearing its ugly head for weeks.) When I was twenty-five, a cramp that wouldn’t go away turned out to be a rare tumor. (You can read about that particular adventure here.) Five years ago, a routine angioplasty revealed 70% percent blockage in … Continue reading After a Medical Crisis: What They Don’t Tell You.

Happy Book Birthday, Maria DiRico, aka/Ellen Byron!

It’s Release Day for Four Parties and a Funeral, the fourth book in Maria DiRico”s Catering Hall Mystery series. Kirkus says “readers can’t help loving it,” and we agree! Congratulations, Ellen, we mean, Maria! You can pick up a copy through the link below. About FOUR PARTIES AND A FUNERAL… Agatha Award-winning author Maria DiRico returns with the fourth book in the Catering Hall Mystery … Continue reading Happy Book Birthday, Maria DiRico, aka/Ellen Byron!