This week is kicking my butt. I have a feeling my butt is going to be kicked from now until December. As for getting that Christmas shopping finished early like I once thought I would… ha.
Tonight, I had the pleasure of being HUGELY entertained with a large crowd of other folks at Murder By the Book. My buddy and fellow author Dean James was there. Along with the Trailer Park Mysteries that Dean writes as Jimmie Ruth Evans, he’s started a new series, the Bridge Club Mysteries, which he’s writing as Honor Hartman. The debut novel is On the Slam.
Seeing Dean (who’s from my mother’s home state of Mississippi) at a signing is already like getting three witty, sharp-talking writers in one, but as an added treat, he was joined by another Mississippian (who now lives in my home state, Alabama), the fabulous Carolyn Haines. Carolyn is a prolific writer whose new novels include Fever Moon and Ham Bones. I got a couple of her books tonight, and if her writing is even half as entertaining as she is in person, I know I’m in for a treat.
As if these two writers weren’t enough, they had a third partner in crime, Mary Saums. Mary hails from North Alabama, near my father’s part of the state, so I was intrigued that she’s set a fictional town in that area in her new mystery (the first in a series) Thistle and Twigg.
I could listen to Southerners tell stories all night, and they threw in a bit of fun with some mystery trivia for prizes that had the crowd cracking up. By the time I left, I felt like I’d seen a good play. Their books are another of those treats that’ll be my reward for hard work when December rolls around–if I can resist them that long.
Dean’s first Bridge Club Mystery writing as Honor Hartman
Two new offerings from Carolyn Haines.
Mary’s first in a new series.
Dean, Carolyn, and Mary at Murder By the Book.
I can’t promise that every book signing is as entertaining as the one I attended tonight, but check out your local bookstores for signings and go if you can. And please visit Dean’s, Carolyn’s, and Mary’s web sites to learn more about them–and I hope you’ll read their mysteries!
You sound like you were in a very good mood when you wrote this. : )
Fatigue makes me giddy.
You know Dean James, the author of the simply fabulous Simon Kirby-Jones Gay Vampire Mysteries? I bow in your presence. I loved those books! I guess all the neat people live in Houston.
You should try his Trailer Park Mysteries. I’m reading the 3rd one right now.
Thanks, I’ll tdd them to by browsing list.
I honestly think that without Dean, there wouldn’t be a Coventry. But that’s a story for another time, when I have more time.
I’m SOOOO jealous. Next time, ask him if his Simon Kirby Jones books are a thing of the past?? Those were fun. I’ve almost picked up one of Haines books, but tell myself I have to big of a backlog. LOL
That series has most likely ended, but I’ll definitely pass on all words of praise left for Dean here.
I just KNOW I have read something by Carolyn Haines. I just can’t remember which one it was.
What a great crowd to be hanging with.
I hope you got a creative “kick” from it so your next book just flies. I am (not so patiently) waiting for Coventry 2.