Well Hello Everyone,

I am so ready for FALL! Last year I missed out as I recovered from Covid. This year, it feels like we’ve finally turned a corner. I hope so. We all deserve a break.

My writing room’s door and windows are open. There’s a chill in the air when the dogs take us for our morning walks. Squirrel Patrol is now a full-time job for the pack. We’ve been watching college volleyball ON THE PORCH! It feels like we’re getting our fill of fresh air, and I love it!

Huck

But as I’m writing this, I’ve been watching Hurricane Ian’s path inch inevitably toward Florida. Deb tells me I shouldn’t obsess about it. (She’s an “original” Floridian and laments the prepare, prepare, prepare attitude constantly.) There’s nothing I can do to change the storm’s track. If you’ve been reading my books for a long time, you might know my first experiences with hurricanes (Ivan and Dennis) inspired me to write DAMAGED. The one thing I learned is that Floridians roll up their sleeves, pick up the pieces and help each other move on. I was—and still am—in awe of their resolve and resilience. My heart and prayers are with all who will be impacted by this storm.

Moving on.

JACK RUSSELLS MOVING INTO THE PALACE

It was well known that Queen Elizabeth loved dogs and didn’t go far without her beloved corgis. When King Charles III moves into Buckingham Palace, he’ll be bringing his two Jack Russell terriers. Bluebell and Beth will also be the first rescue dogs to live in the palace. They were adopted in 2017 from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organization that’s been rescuing dogs and cats since 1860. If you live in the UK and would like to check them out, here’s their website: Battersea Org

BOOKS DEB & I RECOMMEND

AFTER THE FLOOD, by Kassandra Montag
This is a debut by a fellow Nebraska author. From Publishers Weekly, “An intriguing and innovative woman-centered swashbuckling quest narrative. Readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction and strong female heroes will appreciate Myra, a super-survivalist who combines Wonder Woman prowess and the unsinkable Molly Brown’s resilience.”

A FLICKER IN THE DARK, by Stacy Willingham
Another debut that both Deb and I enjoyed enough we’re giving away a copy in our monthly contest (see below). Here’s a brief description from the jacket. Chloe Davis was twelve, when six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. Her father confessed to the crimes, putting him away for life. Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist preparing for her wedding when a local teenage girl disappears. Then another. The parallels are similar to the crimes her father committed. Is this a copycat or did her father confess to crimes he never committed?

HATCHET ISLAND, by Paul Doiron
I’m a longtime fan of game warden investigator Mike Bowditch, and I always look forward to returning to Maine. This is #13, but each can be read and enjoyed separately. From the publisher, “An eerie, windswept island off the coast of Maine. A community plagued by misfortune and murder. An investigator with no one to trust and miles from shore. Can he solve the case before the killer silences him, too?

RECKLESS GIRLS, by Rachel Hawkins
Deb sped through this book, and it’s on my to-be-read pile. From the jacket: One island. Six visitors. Countless secrets. Six friends embark on a blissful, sun-drenched vacation on a desolate island in the Pacific. When one of them goes missing and another turns up dead, the others are sent on a dangerous spiral to find the truth.

HAPPINESS PERSONIFIED

I usually include a photo of Finn’s wild and crazy adventures, but this time I’m sharing Maggie’s version of happiness: a shoulder dive followed by the roll and then, “voila!” The perfect spikey hair with just the right amount of morning dew.

AUGUST’S CONTEST WINNERS ARE…

The winners from the last eNewsletter NATIONAL DOG MONTH giveaway is: KRIS PAIGE & PURDY, BEVERLY HARTIGAN & BATISITA and BERNIE LEMBRECHT & MOXXIE

Purdy can’t go on a walk without smelling the “roses”-flowers along the side of the path.

Batista will do or say anything to get your attention! HEY HOOMAN!

Moxxie got her own FUNKY POPS this year!

ENTER TO WIN SEPTEMBER’S CONTEST

This month you could win an Alex Kava book bag, a signed hardcover of FALLEN CREED, and a copy of Stacy Willingham’s debut, A FLICKER IN THE DARK. To enter, send an email to [email protected] and tell us one favorite thing you enjoy about fall.

ANOTHER CONTEST

Here’s one more contest you might want to enter. FALLEN CREED is one of 55 Thrillers, PLUS you could win an eReader. Before October 8th, click to enter: BOOKSWEEPS GIVEAWAY

Thank you all, for taking time to read and recommend my books. Because of you, I’m able to share my twisted tales and support my Westie pack.

Take care,