Where everybody knows your name...

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came ...

Okay, did you hear the ol' Cheers theme song make you think of a local pub? Not me. I heard it today and thought about my local bookstore.

I'm lucky. A lot of people at my local Chapters store (Canuk equivalent to, say, Borders) know who I am and not just 'cause I write books. I buy a lot of books. I buy books for myself, for my kids and as gifts for just about anyone. Every time a friend writes a book (and I've got a LOT of friends who write books), I run out and I buy a copy (even if they give me one). As a matter of fact, I usually buy more than one copy because I always know at least one other person who NEEDS the same book I'm buying for myself :)

I've noticed a lot of the people who work at my Chapters store feel the same way about books that I do. Man, oh man, can we get into some great discussions about what we've read lately. I love it! If my kids are with me they start rolling their eyes and groaning the second someone strikes up a book conversation.

Still, I have to admit that if I had a really great independent mystery book store nearby I'd do a LOT of shopping there. I have a real soft spot for the independents. How can you not with names like Poisoned Pen, Murder on the Beach, The Cloak and Dagger and Grave Matters? The names alone beg you to drop everything and buy a mystery book!

So do you buy books online these days? Or are you, like me, well known at your local bookstore?

Too Bad ... So Sad ... Someone's Gotta Die

I've been listening to the Dixie Chicks sing Goodbye Earl. Not because I'm a country fan (I'm not) but it's a fun tune that puts me in the mood for murder.

You see, I finished the first draft of book two. Yay! But even as I typed The End I knew it was only *ding ding* the end of round one.

So heading into round two I realized early on I needed another dead body. Someone has to die. I don't know who. Sorry Dixie Chicks it won't be Earl.

It really doesn't matter who, what matters is HOW. I'm open to your ideas.

In the meantime ... La la la ...
"And they don't lose any sleep at night 'cause Earl had to die"

Trailer & Updated Site!

My web gal, Rita, has been working hard on updating my site and creating my new trailer.

Click here to go to my site then let me know what you think!