The Knock Overs

Recently I've had a bad case of the knock overs, which is closely associated to the ailment called the dropsies. I'm not sure if it's contagious, but you best be careful just in case.

Last weekend, I knocked over Baby Girl's full glass of water, spilling water all over her bed and on her floor. Then, this week while I was dusting, I knocked over two cast iron bird statuettes, sending them plummeting to the hardwood floor. I still feel sick about the big gouges they made in the floor (as an aside: this is yet another reason I shouldn't clean). And just yesterday, I knocked Mr. W's glass (which was thankfully empty) off the kitchen table. It dented the floor, too (ugh!).

So, if anyone has tips for repairing wood floors, I'd love to hear them. And also, if I see you this week, and you stand next to me, this is your fair warning.

The New Book

Have you seen the cover for A POTION TO DIE FOR yet? Isn't it gorgeous? 

It comes out on November 5th, and I can't wait to hear what you all think of it!


A Potion to Die For
A Magic Potion Mystery
November 2013 (NAL/Penguin/Obsidian)

As the owner of the Little Shop of Potions, a magic potion shop specializing in love potions, Carly Bell Hartwell finds her product more in demand than ever. A local soothsayer has predicted that a couple in town will soon divorce—and now it seems every married person in Hitching Post, Alabama, wants a little extra matrimonial magic to make sure they stay hitched.

But when Carly finds a dead man in her shop, clutching one of her potion bottles, she goes from most popular potion person to public enemy number one. In no time the murder investigation becomes a witch hunt—literally! Now Carly is going to need to brew up some serious sleuthing skills to clear her name and find the real killer—before the whole town becomes convinced her potions really are to die for!

Indiebound | Amazon - Kindle | Barnes & Noble - Nook

The DeliciousTrap

I had a bit of A Christmas Story moment last night. You see, it all happened when I was scooping ice cream and decided I needed to lick said scooper to get every last bit of ice cream off it (everyone does this, right?).

Let's just say a hot tongue plus cold metal don't mix. I should have known better (after all I've seen this movie at least a dozen times).

However, I have to say...it was worth it.

The Unexpected Response

Son #2 and Baby Girl came home this past weekend, which made this mom quite happy. It was nice to set out four plates at the dinner table, and cook extra food, buy their favorite treats and just hang out with them. The only thing that would have made it better was if son #1 and my daughter-in-law were here, too (sooo looking forward to Thanksgiving!).

Anyhoo, I may have mentioned in the past that son #2 runs cross country for his college. He pretty much runs every day, rain or shine, blistering heat or below freezing temps (he has had icicles on his eyebrows before). He's very motivated and dedicated, which is a good thing, but I have to admit, his running gives me a bit of anxiety.

Some of his runs are on narrow streets with no sidewalks, and I have a mystery writer's brain, okay? I can imagine all kinds of bad scenarios in the blink of an eye. So, when he went out for a long run yesterday (I believe it was 13 miles or so), and didn't come back when I thought he would, I began to worry. Because we just moved, I worried about him getting lost in the surrounding area, and I worried about other things, too (no need to go into those). The later he was, the more my anxiety increased and my stomach churned. (BTW, he does wear a ROAD ID band when he runs, and if you have a runner in your life, I HIGHLY recommend them.)

So, I sent up a little prayer. Just your basic, "Please let him be okay, please if he's lost, help him find his way home" kind of thing.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

About a minute later, I heard a noise in the garage. I thought it was him (hurrah!), so I went to investigate and found the door leading from the garage into the house ajar, but no son #2. The wind must have blown the door open.

BUT just as I was pulling the door closed, I spotted son #2 blazing past the house, continuing on his run (he'd been "exploring"--ha!).

Ah. The door opening hadn't been the wind at all, but an answer to a plea. A "look, he's just fine, stop worrying so much" response to a prayer... A "thank you" just doesn't seem like enough gratitude in that kind of situation, does it?

The kids went back to school last night, and I'm back to planning dinners for two for a while. I can't guarantee I'll stop worrying so much, especially about my kids, but I'm going to try. No bets on how long that will last! After all, son #1 and my d-i-l are driving here from North Carolina for Thanksgiving...

Happy Monday, everyone.

The Time When...

I'm over at The Cozy Chicks' blog today talking about the time I was attacked by nature. Not cool, nature. Not cool.

http://www.cozychicksblog.com/2013/09/when-nature-attacks.html

The Look of Innocence?

Last week, I met a couple of new people who, when they learned I was a writer asked, "Do you write children's books?"

I get this a lot. I'm not sure why. Do people assume all writers are children's book writers? Or do I have an innocent look about me that automatically makes people think kids' books (which, by the way, IMO are the hardest books to write)?

I'm not sure. But I do love the stunned look on their faces when I say, "No, I kill people." Loooong pause. "I'm a mystery writer."

Ha! It's the little things in my life that make me happy.

The Absentee Blogger

That would be me! But I'm back now (I think) and ready to fire up this old blog again. Lots has happened since my last post (the one with cobwebs on it).

*Son #1 came back from Afghanistan in late July! Hooray! We were lucky enough to see his unit off the plane (at 1 AM!). It was a very emotional and happy return. His wife is due back in October from her deployment, and I'm not sure which of the two of them will be happier.

*Son #2 started his junior year of college. Time flies. It really does. All those silly cliches are true. And let me tell you, it does NOT get easier saying goodbye with each passing year.

*Baby Girl went off to college! I'm still adjusting to this. It's not easy, that's for sure. It helps that she's not that far away, and enjoys chatting on the phone with me.

*We adjusted to our empty nest by BUYING A NEW HOUSE!!! I know, right? This has been the main reason I've been away. So much to do, but sooo worth it. We love it here. It kind of reminds me of Goldilocks. It's just right.

*I finally finished and turned in THE GOODBYE WITCH (Wishcraft #4), which might be the most emotional book I've ever written (and longest!). It's due out in May.

*I'm currently working on the second book in the potion series which is due REALLY soon, which probably won't be turned in on time (ACK!). After that, though, I promise a new Lucy Valentine!

So, as you can see I've been a wee bit busy. Life's good. :)

Off to get some pages written and then paint a room. Wishing everyone a happy Monday.