When last I posted, my husband's retirement was imminent. Now, we're two months in and both of us are alive and well and still like each other. All good. I took advantage of having him around by taking a trip to New Mexico in September, leaving Kensi and her pills in his (somewhat) capable hands. She wasn't happy, but he did succeed in getting the pills down her throat. Meanwhile, I had a lovely escape and a nice visit with my dear friend, Leta. It was a relatively short stay and we didn't do a lot of exploring, but we ate out several times including some of the best fish and chips I've ever had. Yes, fish and chips. In Durango, Colorado. Don't judge. I also had chile rellenos and quesadillas in Aztec, New Mexico. I just forgot to take pictures. After a month of retirement, Hubby decided to go back to work. Parttime. Now, I have the house to myself for two days each week, which is working out well.  I took two road trips earlier this month, again leaving Kensi w...

Another one of my favorites of the Zoe Chambers series is No Way Home . Partly because I had a blast researching it, exploring New Mexico, learning about the Navajo people, but because the character Billy "Pony Boy" Yellowhorse really took on a life of his own. Created not by me, but by one of my dearest friends, Leta Burns of Aztec, NM, Pony Boy leaped from the page. Enigmatic, stoic, and with a super dry sense of humor, Billy left Zoe puzzling over his motives for much of the book.  “I hate to keep asking the same question,” she said, “but where are we going?” “You want to see that your friend’s son is safe. I’m taking you to him.” Allison half turned to Zoe with an eager smile. “I told you Pony Boy would take care of him.” Zoe didn’t reply and didn’t return the smile. Allison might trust the Navajo, but Zoe still did not. Here they were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by miles and miles of nothing in a truck driven by a man who knew the area and no doubt knew where to...

It's been a long, busy year, so I thought I'd share some of my photo memories from 2017. The year started on a low note with the passing of my mom. After laying low over the winter, I came out from grief-induced hibernation for a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia where I had a fun book signing for No Way Home ...  ...and got another hug from my favorite TV cowboy and Emergency! doctor, Robert Fuller. It's always great to see him! Back home, we launched No Way Home officially at Mystery Lovers Bookshop . And I joined my pals Joyce Tremel and J.J. Hensley for an author panel. In April, I traveled to Bethesda, Maryland for Malice Domestic . (Yes, that's Anne Hillerman at my left! I got to sit on a panel with her! Squee!) (Agatha Award Banquet fun with my Henery Press editors and friends) May brought a cross-state road trip for my first ever visit to Philadelphia.  From the big city, I headed to the small town of New Hope for a grou...

I'm running a little behind lately. Being out of town (out of STATE) for over a week will do that to you. Back on July 4, Hubby and I flew out to Durango, Colorado, by way of Denver, to visit my best friend, Leta Burns, who had helped me with the details of No Way Home . While there are no immediate plans for a follow-up to Zoe Chambers' New Mexico adventure, I'm definitely not writing off the possibility. Maybe even a short story to revisit those characters. That makes this a research trip. Right? RIGHT? Yes. The flight was lovely. While I was hemmed in for the Pittsburgh to Denver leg, I had a window seat for the flight over the mountains to Durango. Still snow-capped in July! We arrived safely at the Durango Airport, where Leta picked us up for the 45 minute drive south to what's become my second home: Aztec New Mexico. Prettiest drive ever. Meet our housemate for the trip. Elsa is Leta's fur baby. She's shy--run first, ask questions lat...