| I love the scent of hyacinths. They’re one of the first to poke out of the ground along with the daffodils and crocus. This year we’ve been watching them try for a long time. Waiting. Little by little. Then it snowed. The day before the spring equinox. Not just a dusting. A blizzard! Wind and ice then eight inches of snow.
In a matter of days all of it was gone. We moved on from blizzards to tornado warnings. It’s been crazy!
For those of you in areas hit by tornadoes and floods, I hope you’re doing okay.
This year to break up the winter doldrums, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of great volleyball. Most of you know that I’m a huge fan! Omaha now has two professional teams. It’s been fun watching Olympians and NCAA stars serving up some entertaining matches. Here are Deb and me courtside.
Is it Spring yet where you are?
MIDNIGHT CREED IS AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK
If you haven’t read it yet and prefer paperback editions, it’s on the retailers sites and at my WebShop. CLICK HERE
We also have all the Creed novels available in paperback (and hardcover as well a some in eBook) at the WebShop in case you want to catch up. Use promo code SAVE 10 and get 10% off.
COME CELEBRATE!
Registration is now open for the 2025 VIR Luncheon. GET REGISTERED
This year I’d love you to come celebrate my 25th year of being a published author.
Yes, WOW! Twenty-five years!
When I quit my job as a director of public relations for a Midwest college, I told very few friends (and no family members) that I was going to write a novel and try to get it published. Back then, traditional publishing was the only route, and the gatekeepers were fierce. I remember someone told me it was easier to win the lottery than to get published in fiction.
And here I am, twenty-five years later, and I owe so much of my success to all of you!
I hope you’ll consider joining me in Omaha this October.
2025 Very Important Reader’s Luncheon
- Saturday, October 25th
- 11am to 4pm
- Hilton Garden Inn at Aksarben Village
- Omaha, Nebraska
The hotel is giving us a great room rate. PLUS they are a pet-friendly facility. I think you’ll enjoy Aksarben Village.
Find all the details for registering and about the hotel here: HILTON INFO.
Seating is limited, so please get your registration in early to reserve your spot.
Come join the celebration!
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE DOGS OF CREED?
We’ve quizzed you about Ryder and Maggie, now it’s time to see how well you remember the dogs in my books. There are a lot of them, but I’m sticking with the ones that have appeared multiple times. As always, the answers are at the end of this email. (No peeking!)
1) This black Labrador puppy was the runt of an abandoned litter and was Jason’s first choice for his very own scent dog
a) Hunter
b) Kramer
c) Scout
d) Molly
2) Ryder’s very first K9 dog and partner when he was in the Marines still sleeps at the foot of his bed. Which dog is it?
a) Grace
b) Rufus
c) Winnie
d) Nuru
3) This dog is so protective of Ryder that he’s taken down anyone he believes is threatening Ryder.
a) Bolo
b) Cheyenne
c) Jake
d) Dooley
4) Ryder found this dog wounded by a gunshot from trying to save his original owner. Now the dog has bonded with Ryder’s sister, Brodie.
a) Scout
b) Hank
c) Knight
d) Diesel
5) Ryder has dozens of dogs he’s rescued and trained, but this multi-scent one is his favorite and is constantly at his side.
a) Rufus
b) Lady
c) Scout
d) Grace
WHAT’S REAL/ WHAT’S FICTION?
Recently, a reader asked why I have a waittress named Rita in all my books. Some of you already know this story, but new readers may be curious.
During my first book tour, a radio host was surprised that I liked to use the Alfred Hitchcock approach to building suspense. Hitchcock was a master of suspense and produced over 50 movies. Classics like “Rear Window” and “Psycho.” The radio host suggested I do cameos in my books like Hitchcock had in many of his films. We joked about it, but it made an impression on me.
After some research, I discovered Hitchcock considered his cameos as a symbol of authorship. I liked the idea of leaving a mark inside my novels, even if it was just for me.
His gimmick became so popular he worried audiences would get distracted looking for him, so he appeared in the first minutes of the film. In “The Birds” Tippi Hedren enters a pet shop while Hitchcock exits with his two dogs. (I love that he included his dogs!)
I certainly didn’t want mine to be a distraction either. In fact, I didn’t mind if anyone even noticed. I was doing it for myself. But it needed to casually fit into each novel.
My first job I waited tables in a small diner. I figured I could easily slip in a waitress. Of course, I couldn’t be so obvious by naming her Alex. Instead, I chose Rita. Honestly, I don’t remember why. I didn’t know anyone named Rita, and that was probably reason enough. And so, with the exception of my debut, “A Perfect Evil,” every one of my novels has a waitress named Rita.
ENTER TO WIN THIS MONTH’S CONTEST
The winner from the last eNewsletter giveaway is: JULIE BERTANI from Ohio.
This month’s giveaway includes signed copies of the first four paperbacks in the Maggie O’Dell series along with a book tote.
To enter, send an email to contests@alexkava.com and tell us what’s your favorite thing about spring.
BEFORE YOU GO…
Here are the answers to How Well Do You Know the Dogs of Creed: 1-c (Scout), 2-b (Rufus), 3-a (Bolo), 4-b (Hank), 5-d (Grace)
AND here’s a photo of Huck and Maggie in the spring snowstorm.
As always, thank you so much for reading and sharing my twisted tales.
|
