
Tag Archives: Bait and Switch


Location! Location! Location!
I recently posted a blog on the Touchpoint Publishing Web Site discussing how real life settings inspire my writing as well as how ideas for my novel inspire me to seek out real life settings. Click here to read “Location! Location! Location!”

Tatnuck Bookseller Book Signing

Holiday Noir
So, Christmas noir? The opening of a lively chorus caroling and holiday cheering over Christmas cards displaying the credits evokes holiday spirit, except
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All Hail Dusty!

Plymouth, NH Trip – May
When we went to Plainfield for me to participate in the Sisters in Crime panel on creating mysteries, we stayed over night in Plymouth, NH at one of our favorite places, the Red Carpet Inn. For years Yang and I, myself alone, or myself and a pal had stayed there for the Medieval and Renaissance
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River Hawks Bookstore Lowell – Reading on My Old Home Turf
So, on May 28th I gave my final reading of the month at my alma mater’s bookstore, River Hawks. It wasn’t exactly a trek back to Tara, but it was a wonderful experience for seeing so many old friends at UMass Lowell.
First of all, the day was a scorcher: in the 90s! Of course, I had to have a hot cappuccino before my performance! Thank God this place is air conditioned – but the nice, comfortable kind of air conditioning, not the Arctic temps that make polar bears shiver, which you find too often once May rolls around.
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“We’re Not Making this Up”: Plainfield Library, Sisters in Crime New England
Last Saturday, I was lucky enough to participate with two other mystery writers in a Sisters in Crime New England panel, “We’re Not Making This Up” at
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Book Fair Nevins Library, Methuen
Last Saturday, I had the good fortune to be part of the local author book fair at the beautiful Nevins Library in Methuen, MA. This library is an elegant red brick building with gothic arches and lovely stained glass windows inside. What good fortune to be able to spend an afternoon reading or doing research in such classic surroundings. 
All the authors, about ten of us,
were set up in the Great Hall, an aptly named chamber with hard wood floors, tall arched windows topped with stained glass, and wood paneled walls. If you look carefully, I’m waaaay in the back right corner, contemplating how best to set up. The line of chairs in the front of the picture faced a podium where the audience (they really did pack the seats later – honest!) sat while each of us authors gave a little chat about who we were and what we wrote.
As you can see, I was very proud of my little table and brought plenty of books and book marks!
I did make some actual sales – and not just to people who were related to me! It was really fun to see people I hadn’t seen in years, since my brother lives in Methuen and his family and my sister-in-law have lots of connections there.
I even met a wonderful woman whom I hadn’t seen in years who used to work with my sister-in-law! Especially fun, at the table next to me was Liz Mugavero, who writes the entertaining Pawsitively Organic mysteries! I had met her at a reading and signing she did at Annie’s Bookstop, and got a kick out of her novels that revolve around a woman who reinvents herself from a high powered public relations sort to an organic pastry chef for pets – helping in animal rescue and solving murders along the way. Highly recommended reading – right after you buy and finish reading Bait and Switch!
Finally,
some of my family did show, including my brother. Here’s a picture with my nephew Geoffrey’s wife Jessica; daughter Noelle; my brother Leo; me; and the ever present, ever handsome Yang. Quite the rogue’s gallery, wouldn’t you say? This time Yang and Leo didn’t wear the exact same shirt. Really! At my niece Shana’s mother’s day brunch, I realized their shirts were perfect matches!
My thanks to the vivacious Sarah Sullivan who organized this fun and exciting event. Several authors wrote about gritty crime fiction, mostly with a New England setting; some wrote historical mystery and romance; another man talked about his memoir of growing up an African-American trying to find his identity and dignity in a society that denied it; and another man wrote on growing up in the foster care system in Massachusetts. The profits of this latter book by Jeff Ives and Larry Giordano will be donated to creating a bridge house for kids aging out of the foster system but still too young to be completely on their own. I’m already planning some summer reading from this experience! Here’s a link to the list of authors who were there.

The Book Lover’s Gourmet: Reading and Signing
The Book Lover’s Gourmet is a little gem of a bookstore and cafe in Webster, MA. I was fortunate to do a reading and signing there on March 19th! There’s a lovely selection of books of all kinds, with an especially nice section of children’s books and another of local authors (including me!).
Ah, the excitement of seeing your name and book title, well, not in lights – but at least in magic marker on the white board! There I am in turquoise, one of my favorite colors, third from the bottom.
So, let’s get started, in the cozy little room where people usually sit and enjoy scrumptious pastries – or quiche if they’re more in the mood for savory. And don’t forget the coffee, chai, lattes, and cappuccino – mine’s right behind me in this picture.
I must have said something profound, because Bill Graves (one of my sharpest students) is smiling and pondering, while another sharp cookie, Joanne Evans, is exchanging deep thoughts on the writing and publishing processes with me. You can tell it’s a profound conversation by the way we’re raising our mitts to make our points. I just wonder what brings that cat-that-ate-the-canary smile to Kathy Healey’s face. She’s probably thinking about finally being finished editing the Gothic Landscapes book – well almost finally.
The conversation continues. Elizabeth Gaumond listens with rapt attention. I look reflective. So does Joanne – or has my reading put her to sleep? No, not the adventures of Jessica, Elizabeth, James, and Dusty! 
Meanwhile, across the room, Pam Graves, Barbara Ingrassia, and Kate Zebrowski seem to be enjoying the reading
of Jessica Minton’s encounter with a mysterious stranger, his mysterious package, and a threatening chap who’s built along the “graceful” lines of a fireplug. Note the display case of goodies behind them.
My husband Yang seems to be having a humorous time for himself with them and Cookie Gaumond (Elizabeth’s Mom).
Maybe it was the line about Jessica fearing she might have to slug a G.I. for his Hershey bar. That’s not very patriotic of her! Barbara’s husband Tom gallantly rose to give up his seat for Cookie, so you don’t see him here.
Something that was particularly fun and informative about this session was that we had two other authors present. Joanne has authored and illustrated a marvelously beautiful, creative, informative and fun children’s book Seashells, Treasures from the Northeast Coast and graciously gifted me with a copy. I want to buy copies for the little kids in my life, now.
Tom Ingrassia has written two books, himself. One, Reflections of a Love Supreme, is a wonderful book on the Motown story “through the eyes of the fans,” as the subheading explains. It’s filled with unique pictures from the fans and fascinating, fun background stories of fans and artists that don’t bog you down in all the depressing scandals but still give you an intriguing insight into the bonds between the people on both sides of the stage. One Door Closes is an enjoyable and helpful collection of essays by people who have dealt with disappointment and misfortune by redefining their lives creatively and joyously. Then, there were also some neophyte writers with questions about writing, publishing, promoting – as well as legal aspects – so, we could talk about our experiences to help them with their questions on how to get their writing off their computers and into the hands of the public. Barbara had great advice on legal concerns.
So, why am I excitedly on my feet here? I was delighted to find my friend and colleague, Jim Foley had come with his wife Lois and his son James. Yay! Fellow MST3K and Shakespeare and music fans! How can things go wrong?!
The day draws to a close, and I get to sign books for my delighted fans – and, no, students attending did not have to buy a book to pass my classes.
Bill certainly seems pleased with whatever I wrote.
Elizabeth looks pretty cheery, too!
Well, I don’t know what cracked me up, but it must have been pretty good. Someone must have quoted a quip from those Smart-Talking Gals Jessica Minton and her sister Elizabeth Hennessey. Or maybe
someone asked me if I was going to pick up the coffee and pastry tab for the whole crew? Anyway, this was a lovely gathering: old friends, new ones, all mixing together and either renewing old ties or forging new ones. That might be what I love best about these signings. They’re like parties where you catch up with people, meet new ones, and share dreams and ideas – and, of course, people buy my book.