Dear Readers and Friends,
I confess: August and February are my least favorite months. They both have crappy weather where I live. One is too hot and humid, the other is too cold and wet. But here we are, at the end of August, and keeping an eye out for hurricanes forming.
When I was a little girl, we didn’t worry about—or have—the monster storms we have now. Camille hit Biloxi in 1969. It eradicated that part of the coast, but it didn’t stretch all across the Gulf Coast states. Then Katrina came in 2005. Landfall was near Bay St. Louis/Waveland. It destroyed homes and businesses, bridges, highway ramps from New Orleans to Mobile. New Orleans flooded and the Gulf Coast still hasn’t totally recovered. The weather is growing bigger, stronger, more dangerous each year.
But Priya and I have been working our fingers to the bone to get some books up so you can read them. Harlequin Intrigue returned the rights of several books—a lot of them—of the romantic mysteries I published with them. Slowly, slowly Priya and I will be republishing them to bring them back to life.
The first one is a Pluto’s Snitch mystery that Thomas and Mercer returned my rights on. THE HOUSE OF MEMORY. I’m so excited to see this back in print so that now all FOUR of the Pluto’s Snitch books are available to read. Quick favor: My reviews on Amazon didn’t transfer over, so if you’ve read the book, I’d appreciate you posting a quick one there. I am blessed to have the sweetest and most loyal readers. Thank you.
And in addition, we have two books and one novella in the Blackthorn books—RIDER IN THE MIST and BABE IN THE WOODS are the books. And also DARK RIDER, a novella. If you have subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, all three stories are included in your subscription. Otherwise, they’re on sale on Amazon. So show my books some love, please, and read them. HOUSE OF MEMORY is both digital and print. But the Blackthorn stories are only e-books.
I started writing for Harlequin Intrigue in 1985. I was so fortunate to have that opportunity. I worked with terrific editors who were so helpful and taught me so much. Tahti Carter was my first editor. I was so afraid of her! Ha ha ha. But she was so nice. And she did teach me things I should have known, like how to write a complete scene and the importance of POV. Remember, when I started writing there was no Internet, no easy access to authors and editors like there is today. I was trained as a journalist, not a fiction writer. But I have always loved telling stories. I was so very, very lucky. And I was also very desperate. I did what it took—whatever it took. Long hours of sitting up all night alone and writing while my friends were having fun. Writing is hard. Publishing is very hard.
So this all comes full circle in a way. As Priya takes over more and more duties at the press, I am glad to ease up a bit. I’m tired. I think the deaths of my brother and sister took a lot out of me. And I also lost Eudora, Sorrow, Castor, Scooter, etc. That, added to all the losses over the years, has taken a toll. But I am still beavering away at my writing and loving the fact that I am a writer! I am a storyteller, and how lucky have I been to be able to do this?
Bouchercon, the mystery writer’s convention, is coming up the first of September. It is in New Orleans and I really, really want to go but I have so many sick animals, I may have to miss. My book, LIGHTS, CAMERA, BONES, is up for an Anthony award for Best Paranormal. There are five nominees in my category and whoever wins, it is an honor to be in that company. Keep a good thought for me!
Absolutely thrilled to be a nominee in this category!
It’s storming here now. Yes, I am glad because the rain cools things off. It also makes the grass grow, which is more work, but such is life. Little Pearl, my sister’s 18 year-old long-haired chihuahua, has chronic kidney disease. She had a near crisis this week, but the vet was able to save her and get her stabilized. Thank goodness Ashley is here to help me with the treatment for her. Keep her in your thoughts!
And now here’s Priya to share a bit of her life with you. Just remember, don’t let the sun catch you crying! Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.
Carolyn and the Critters!
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Dearest Readers,
Swoon. I was in the same room as Cary Elwes. Also known as the Dread Pirate Roberts and Westley from The Princess Bride. Both the book and movie are sublime and I encourage you to “storm the castle” and watch it again tonight. I wasn’t permitted to take photos, but Jim and I enjoyed the film on the big screen with hundreds of other Princess Bride fans and we all hollered and giggled at the best scenes. And then Mr. Elwes came out afterward and answered all of our questions and discussed what it was like to film this cult classic. Such a fun night.
And last week I was in Montgomery, AL and had a blast at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival! That’s where I saw The Wizard of Oz on stage and it was fantastic. A real dog portrayed Toto beautifully, the evil witch had a fiery broom, there were bubbles that floated around you when Glinda appeared, and the Wizard was terrifying. I wish I had photos to share but taking snapshots is prohibited. But if you ever find yourself near Montgomery, AL, be sure to check out the schedule. The festival does a stellar job in casting, set design, and acting. It’s located in a serene and sprawling park with ponds and walking trails, so you’ll have a grand time if you make the journey.
Speaking of Montgomery, AL, this city happens to be the setting of Carolyn’s newly re-issued book The House of Memory. So of course I just had to visit the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum. The Fitzgeralds lived in this home in 1931 and it was absolutely charming and I learned a lot. I was surprised to learn something eyebrow-raising about Scott Fitzgerald, so you’ll have to visit the home to learn more. But it made me more endeared to Zelda, I’ll tell you that much right now. Admission is $5 which includes a lovely short film. I saw original art, photographs, handwritten letters, and artifacts. And bonus, you can rent the bedroom suites on the second floor!
So please don’t forget to read Carolyn’s reissued edition of The House of Memory. And yes, this is a book that you can order at any bookstore. If you want to support your local library, you can make a “purchase suggestion” to your library. If they agree to your request, you’ll be the first patron to borrow this paperback when it arrives to your library! (Remember to give the library or bookstore this ISBN number: 979-8-9922928-1-7). The publisher is KaliOka Press and I’m so excited that Carolyn now has the rights to her book, so please help me celebrate by reading this new edition. Holler at me if you need assistance: priya@carolynhaines.com. Happy to be of service to you!
A few more weeks until summer ends. Have a blessed September and be safe and remember to do something nice for yourself this week.
Warmly,
Priya