The Summer of Mary Poppins

I’ve heard about three summer productions of the musical Mary Poppins: two locally (at Town Theatre and New Heights Church) and one in Alabama (Debra Goldstein’s blog message on The Stiletto Gang described it). I had the privilege of seeing the delightful New Heights’ version, which used scenery featured in Town’s production. While the show has the songs I remember from the Walt Disney movie, it adds other plot elements that make me want to read Travers’ books to learn more about this fascinating nanny. Congratulations to all of the companies for bringing this character to a new generation.

Panel at Lexington County Library

I thoroughly enjoyed participating on a writing panel at Lexington County Main Library. Organized by the Lowcountry Romance Writers Chapter of RWA, the panelists included Synithia Williams, Susan F. Craft, myself, and Rebecca Bridges. We spoke with an enthusiastic crowd about genre, craft, agents, organizations, and avenues to publication. From our own experience, we discussed the different venues of contemporary romance (Synithia), historical and inspirational (Susan), short stories and mysteries (me), and prepublication planning and organization (Rebecca). With excellent audience questions, it was a delightful evening and time flew by. We ended as the library was closing. A terrific event!

Have to Celebrate!

I considered it a privilege when Robert Dugoni asked me to collaborate on a short story for an anthology to be published through Clay Stafford’s Killer Nashville organization. The writing process was like taking a personalized master class in craft and discipline. Then, today, I found the book available for pre-order through Amazon. The description includes the following statement: “This collection of new stories features some of the biggest names in suspense, from titans like Jeffery Deaver and Anne Perry to ferociously talented newcomers like Dana Chamblee Carpenter and Paula Gail Benson.” I’m truly humbled and grateful for this opportunity.

Janet Cantrell's Fat Cat Series

As fair season approaches, check out Janet Cantrell’s second installment in the Fat Cat series. Fat Cat at Large, Quincy’s latest adventure, has the overweight, butterscotch tabby accompanying his owner Chase Oliver and her partner Anna Larson to the Bunyan County Harvest Fair to publicize their Bar None bakery business. As usual, clever Quincy escapes his cage and, while searching the fairgrounds, discovers that a top competitor in the butter-sculpting contest has been killed and his vet, Dr. Mike Ramos (also, Chase’s object of affection), is implicated. Chase investigates to clear the good doctor’s name. Includes human and cat recipes!

A Fascinating Combination

The Star Trek and Here Come the Brides television series combine in Book 23 of the Star Trek novels. Published in 1990 and written by Barbara Hambly, Ishmael chronicles what happens when Spock encounters a Klingon plot to change history through time travel. To avoid the Klingon Mind Shifter, Spock administers self-amnesia, then is transported to Seattle of 1867 where Aaron Stempel rescues him and names him Ishmael. (The actor Mark Lenard, who played Spock’s father on television and in movies, also played Aaron.) Additionally, Hambly writes mysteries featuring a Creole physician and musician, Benjamin January, in 1800’s New Orleans.