Sunday, March 29, 2015

LRWA Celebration


The Lowcountry Romance Writers have a lovely tradition of recognizing members’ achievements every March. Whether a writer is beginning her journey, making submissions to contests, agents, or editors, or multiply published, she receives a certificate and group encouragement. This year, the celebration had a Mardi Gras theme with decorations of masks, beads, and coins. For dessert, we had a wonderful chocolate cheesecake with raspberries and whipped cream. Dorothy McFalls, our speaker, gave a terrific presentation that highlighted her own writing path and passion along with quotes from members past and present that influenced her. Thanks, Emmanuelle Murray, for planning everything!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Many Happy Events


Many happy events occurred this past weekend.
My cousin Heather Turner, a forensics expert, married attorney Bennie Crowe in Alabama.
Riley Miller had her first signing for her story “Teacher of the Year,” published in the anthology The Big Bad, II (Dark Oak Press 2015).

Gary Clark, husband of author C. Hope Clark, spoke to the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime about federal law enforcement organizations.
Emma Imholtz and Anna Brooks, who appeared in Once Upon a Christmastime for the St. Paul’s Players, were featured in Hairspray, Jr., at the Columbia Children’s Theatre.

Congratulations and best wishes to all!

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

A Portland Rose




Gigi Pandian

This past weekend at the Left Coast Crime convention in Portland, Oregon, Gigi Pandian’s Pirate Vishnu received the Rose award for Best Novel set in the LCC area. I began reading her novel The Accidental Alchemist, which takes place in Portland and features Dorian, a French gourmet gargoyle. Gigi originally wrote Dorian’s story the year she was diagnosed with cancer. The book reflects the dietary changes she made in her life and includes recipes. Due to her fascination with gargoyles, Gigi created the Gargoyle Girl blog, with images and background information. Although not a leprechaun, Dorian certainly provides magical reading!

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Congratulations, Cousin Cody Okes!


Cody and Brian Okes
My cousin Cody Okes, a Michigan high school senior who's going into the Air Force next year, has made his team and father Brian very proud by winning a wrestling match with a pin in the 3rd period to take 7th place at State Championship Tournament! Congratulations, Cody, that all your diligent work has brought such a victory. I’m sure you’ll continue to excel in achievements during your service career. Thanks so much Brian for letting us watch Cody’s journey and cheer him on through your fabulous Facebook pictures. Uncle Roy and other family members must be in heavenly celebration!

Thursday, March 5, 2015

British Invasion!




I recently read about Judith Flanders’ mystery A Murder of Magpies, featuring an editor amateur sleuth. It’s reminiscent of Bridget Jones Diary, only with a middle aged female protagonist. I love the character’s voice and wonder if Ms. Flanders may be the UK’s version of Hank Phillippi Ryan?





It must be the season for British mysteries, because I also discovered Alan Bradley’s new Flavia de Luce novel, which I couldn’t resist because the title, As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust, is taken from my favorite passage in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. Winter, blow, winds, crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow! I’ll read inside!