And The Goblins Will Get You!

Dear Reader,

October is one of my favorite months, and after the hell of September, I am hoping for a truce with Mother Nature for a while. This has been a tragic year, weather-wise, for all of the US. Hurricane Sally hit my area lightly (if you can call a week without power or internet lightly). But very little property damage. That can’t be said about Baldwin County and Pensacola. They were hurt. And the Lake Charles and Sulphur area in Louisiana are still in dire straits from Hurricane Laura. Don’t forget the wildfires in the West. I can’t bear to think about the poor people and animals there. I hope October brings relief to all.

This is also a very busy book month. A GARLAND OF BONES, set in Columbus, MS, releases October 13. You can pre-order it at your favorite online bookstore or you can contact your local bookstore and ask them to order a copy for you. Or…keep reading and come get a copy in person!

Covid or no covid, we’re going to have some fun with this book. I have challenged Dean (Miranda) James to a rematch of our water pistol duel. Dean, who is my adopted little brother, has been posting on Facebook that I am 75—a wild exaggeration of my age. I demand satisfaction. So on October 24 in the city of Columbus, MS, Dean and I will meet for a duel. Weapon of choice: water pistols.

Prior to the dousing Dean is going to take, he and I will host a book signing! Friendly City Books will have copies of Dean’s new book, CAT ME IF YOU CAN, and also copies of my book. The bookstore, which is brand new in Columbus, is not open for business yet, but Hope Oakes, my wonderful friend, is making arrangements for a downtown location. Emily Liner, bookstore owner, is working on a method of finding out who wants a book personalized and signed so Dean and I can do all of that before the event. No lines and safety for all is the goal. Here’s a link to an event page where you can sign up for a free ticket: Book Signing Event with Carolyn Haines and Miranda James (The tickets are FREE).

The duel, as of right now, will be held on The Columbus Riverwalk. Outdoors, plenty of social distancing, as safe as we can make it. So bring your water guns and come on. Everyone is welcome. It could be mayhem, but isn’t that a good thing? It’s all for fun and the weather should be perfect for a good soaking! Check my Facebook private page and author page—and also Miranda James Author Page and Dean James’ private page—for updates and information. We want to have some good, safe fun! And I am going to show Dean I’m pretty damn spry for 75! Ha ha ha.

In other news, Dean’s terrific short story in YEAR-ROUND TROUBLE is just right for the Halloween season. It’s a fine story that gives readers a taste of his main character in the Cat in the Stacks series—Charlie Harris—and the intrepid Diesel the cat. Diesel and Trouble truly are smarter than all the bipeds put together. Here’s a link to the book, which features Trouble the black cat detective working with various human mystery solvers on different holidays! To check out all the Trouble books, go to www.troublecatmysteries.com. There’s plenty of Trouble for everyone!

Since Hurricane Sally threw me off my regular newsletter schedule, I decided to hold Jitty’s advice column until next month. She’s brimming with sage advice for those who want a laugh, but I warn you, she’s always got an agenda!

Until next time—Carolyn and the Critters

P.S. Here’s a little Halloween music you can two-step to. Click on this: Halloween Monster Blues. Have fun. Before you know it you’ll be 75 and plotting revenge!

The squirrels are glad the hurricane generators are off!	Piper and Flicker are ready for breakfast.	Minimal damage from Hurricane Sally. No power/internet for a few days. But no injuries and all is good.