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!
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!
 |
| 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!
 |
| 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!
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!
