Keeping me from doing too much is sort of a full-time occupation it turns out. Thank goodness for the online reservations at the library, Ravelry, online bookstores, and Netflix. Between the four, I am finding enough diversions to entice me to put my feet up and take a break.

I’ve been able to read the latest Laura Joh Rowland Sano Mystery, The Fire Kimono, which I found fascinating. This mystery series is set in feudal Japan, about a samurai who has little in the way of connections and family but rises up the ranks by his sheer … Read more »

Everyone has been so kind, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am slowly, ever-so-slowly, making a return to the land of the living, and let me tell you, it is good to be up and moving again. You know you are sick when you don’t feel like reading or knitting for over two weeks. But I’ve been doing a lot of both lately, mostly because my dad has been here pulling his turn in the rotating shift of “Keep Elizabeth from Doing Too Much, Too Soon.” I am sort of notorious in my family for … Read more »

I’ve had to cancel and reschedule so many things of late and one of them was the radio interview on Romance Radio with Avon. But I am happy to say that is has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, May 14 at 2:00 pm eastern. I’ll be chatting about Confessions and Memoirs, as well as talking about what I am working on next. If you can, call in and ask questions or just give it a listen. You never know what I might say!

But just in case you can’t call in, what questions would you like answered?… Read more »

Right after I left on my trip my last Wednesday an email arrived in my inbox from an astrology list I belong to that read: “This is a good time to be especially clear in your communications, agreements and travel plans. Mercury is Retrograde from May 7th through May 31st  and little mishaps can happen.” Of course, I didn’t take my laptop with me, so I didn’t get it until Sunday morning. But it explained a lot. Let me tell you what Mercury in Retrograde can do to your travels:

• Read a great book for a quote, and have only

… Read more »

In the category of crimes against men, I present the case of Rupert Evertt. I have always thought he was handsome, and as he aged, well, it was like fine wine. Then I saw the picture from Star recently and it stopped me in my tracks. Have you seen this?

 OMG! Can you believe that scary, line free fellow on the right is our Rupert? I sort of sobbed a bit, and then thought that whoever did this, whoever suggested that this was a good idea all ought to be taken out . . . well, taken out somewhere and … Read more »

I’ve got way too much going on right now. A deadline in two weeks. Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress coming out next week. Everyone still excited and writing about Confessions of a Little Black Gown. And, if all that isn’t enough, another round of events. Just call me the girl who can’t say no.

So in case you need to plug a few things into your social calendar, so you can get on this crazy merry go round as well, here is the Cliff Note version of what is coming up:

• Two Internet radio interviews
• Two booksignings

… Read more »

A few weeks ago CBS announced that it would be canceling Guiding Light in September. I’ve been reading all about its demise and pondering what it means to all of us who love soaps. I have to confess I’ve never watched GL, being an All My Children chick myself, but the loss of this venerable soap opera sort of took me aback. I mean after 72 years you just pull the plug. Harsh. And replace it with another talk show? Double harsh.

There have been rumblings for a few years online and in the soap rags that daytime dramas are … Read more »

‘Cause you never know where you will find them! And considering all the books I’ve signed recently, I sort of feel like an Easter bunny–hopping across the country and signing books wherever I go. And if you live in Wichita, you may find some of those signed books I left behind. And even if you don’t live in Wichita, there is a way for you to get your hands on one–but more of that later.

When an author travels, they love to do what is called “the drive-by.” Which means, you locate all the bookstores in a reasonably doable radius … Read more »

I have to say the number one thing that struck me about Wichita. The people are really, really nice. I mean, really nice. Polite, helpful, friendly, always ready to help and pitch in. Traveling with Niki Burnham, who hails from the Boston part of the country, and me coming from the West Coast, we met in the middle–and discovered where all the good manners have gone too. Now I am not saying there are no good manners on the coasts, but when you are just struck dumb by how kind people are, then you realize what is missing back … Read more »

Sometimes I know a book is going to be dedicated to a certain person before I sit down and write it. Other times, I come to that realization while I am writing the book. I know as I crafted the pages of Confessions of a Little Black Gown, that Tally’s book belonged to Jessica Burtt. And let me tell you why.

We met Jessica about seven years ago, when Matthew was a baby. He’d run through just about every babysitter I could find. He was one tough baby. He even sent the neighborhood’s alleged “baby whisperer” into a two hour … Read more »