fbpx

Category: Blog

Blog

Read Chapter 1 of A Pickle of a Murder

Chapter 1 “Will you welcome to the stage, the one, the only… Mr. Magic Mike!” ~Magic Mike North Carolina’s Outer Banks were legendary. From Cape Hatteras to the isolated island of Ocracoke, the place was ripe with legends and lore. The Graveyard of the Atlantic attracted treasure hunters, fishermen chartered boats, and sun worshipers flooded the place each summer. Albermarle Sound was to the north of Devil’s Cove. Roanoke Sound

Read More »
Blog

5 Star Reviews for Murder and an Irish Curse

  Reviewer Praise for Murder and an Irish Curse “I wholeheartedly recommend!…This book is rich with mythology and history with a bit of intriguing spell-casting and tarot, and the multi-generational characters add an exciting range of personalities from helpful to interfering, from sane to quirky, from open to secretive, from good to evil…Top contender for my Best of 2022!” ~Kings River Life Magazine “To say it’s a page turner is not

Read More »
Blog

Porch Book Signing Event at Buxton Village Books

Diane Kelly and I will be at Buxton Village Books on June 30th for a Porch Book Signing Event! I love this bookshop on the Outer Banks, and Gee Gee, the owner, is such a delight. She supports local authors and has made her bookstore a destination for so many people. If you’re in the North Carolina area, come to the Outer Banks and Buxton Village Books on June 30th

Read More »
Blog

Alabama Reader Events: Murder in the Magic City and Murder on the Menu

I haven’t done very many reading events, especially in the last several years. When I was invited to be a guest at Murder in the Magic City in Birmingham and Murder on the Menu in Wetumpka, both in Alabama, I jumped at the chance. It was so much fun to be around readers and other mystery writers. And–so fun!– the lovely Deborah Holt won the auction event to have her

Read More »
Blog

I’m Thankful For…

In my newsletter a few weeks ago, I asked my lovely readers what they were thankful for. So many people replied with really touching, meaningful, and often personal reflections. Thank you to those who shared. I am honored you shared your thoughts with me. I compiled these reflections into some fun holiday word art. I couldn’t decide which one I liked best, so I’m sharing several of them here. Feel

Read More »
Appearances

The Cozy Corner, Holiday Edition

Being a writer comes with the added bonus of getting to chat about your book with people like the fabulous Alexia Gordon on her podcast, The Cozy Corner. We sat down recently to talk about A Murder Yule Regret as part of her holiday series. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts, or on SOUNDCLOUD or on ANCHOR.

Read More »
Blog

My Grandmother’s Cornbread Stuffing

This recipe isn’t from one of my books (although it may end up in one someday). This is a MUST HAVE in my house for Thanksgiving, so I thought I’d share it. I didn’t realize how much of a MUST HAVE it was until, early on in my marriage to my husband, Carlos, we spent Thanksgiving at his parents’ house.  His mom made a white bread stuffing with green chilis.

Read More »
Blog

Thankfulness

For America, it’s Thanksgiving week. Whether you’re here in the U.S., or somewhere else in the world, I want to take a moment to share with you my gratitude, and to reflect on the year gone by. I have so much to be thankful for. My family, friends, my sweet pups, the forest, and that we’re all healthy are givens. I have so much more for which I have gratitude, especially

Read More »
Blog

A New Cover for Murder in Devil’s Cove

I’ve always felt that the Murder in Devil’s Cove cover lacked something. Umph? Color? Sailor, the rescue dog? All three? That’s fixed now. I got together with my cover design artist (who is amazing!) and we reimagined the cover. Now it has beach houses, a cove, Sailor, and the bike Pippin rides around the island. I love it! Check out the praise for this book and series. I think the

Read More »
Blog

Find a New Female Sleuth to Read!

Last week in my newsletter, I asked folks who their favorite female sleuth is. The responses came in for days! If you love a good female sleuth, check out the recommended list below. The Top Four Choices with the most mentions: Kinsey Millhone Miss Marple Jessica Fletcher Nancy Drew And the rest of the list: Aurora Teagarden Stephanie Plum Agatha Raisin Temperance Brennan Joanna Brady If you like Cat Mysteries,

Read More »
Blog

Nonfiction Book Recommendations

I recently finished listening to Leah Remini’s Troublemaker. I loved the book! Leah narrates it, and does a phenomenal job. I want to be her friend in real life. She’s strong, committed, feisty, and downright hilarious. The book is primarily about her time (30 something years) as a Scientologist. Fas.Cin.A.Ting. Reading (listening to) it got me on a bit of a nonfiction kick. I am currently reading (listening to) The

Read More »
Blog

A Tarot Card Epiphany

Epiphany! I was writing today, and a new character came to me. She burst onto the scene of Murder Through an Open Door. In my mind, I envision her a bit like Gillian from Practical Magic, just the way Nicole Kidman plays her in the movie (only with long wavy blonde locks instead of straight red hair). Lil Davis uses Tarot in the same way Pippin uses bibliomancy. You know

Read More »
Blog

The Most Delicious Blueberry Scones (Regular or Gluten Free)

  Devil's Brew is the café on the island of Devil's Cove in the Book Magic series. Ruby Monroe is the owner and baker of all the delectable sweet treats, including this yummy blueberry scone recipe. I make them gluten free with a one-to-one flour blend…or make them using regular old wheat flour. Either way they are delicious!

Read More »
Appearances

The Whole Sleuth

The Whole Sleuth is a new podcast all about cozy mysteries. I was honored to be the 3rd ever guest. Traci and I had a fun chat about my books. Take a listen!

Read More »
Blog

Book Excerpt: Murder at Sea Captain’s Inn

PROLOGUE “Seanabhean is ea mise anois go bhfuil cos léi insan uaigh is an chos eile ar a bruach.” / “I am an old woman now with one foot in the grave and the other on its edge.” ~Peig Sayer’s opening gambit, 1936 For Pippin Lane Hawthorne, being in her father’s secret study was akin to wrapping herself up in a cashmere blanket on a chilly afternoon. It had become

Read More »