Dear Friends and Readers,
It’s hard to believe that another year has rolled around. This year I will be 73. I say that fact over and over because it is impossible to believe. Where did the years go?
I look back over my writing career (I have had a number of OTHER careers, many I shouldn’t talk about in polite company!) Over 80 books. And I still have stories I want to tell. To that end, Priya and I are putting up some of the Harlequin Intrigues that I began writing in the 1980s and continued into the 2000s. I’m excited with the new edition of HOODWINKED. I used the pseudonym Caroline Burnes when I wrote for Harlequin Intrigue, but I am bringing the books back under my legal name. Caroline Burnes has retired. Carolyn Haines is still writing and kicking it!
REVENANT, originally published by Mira, is also available again, thanks to Michael Canales who helped me with the files, and Priya, who publishes them at KaliOka Press.
I recently got the rights back to many of my Harlequin Intrigues, and again with Michael’s help converting files and Pamela DuMond creating the covers we brought back Rider in the Mist, Babe in the Woods, and a novella, Dark Rider back to life. It’s kind of remarkable to see these books available for readers again—in digital form. Check it out on Amazon. All five titles are also enrolled in the KU program, so if you are a subscriber, you can read for free! Otherwise, they’re $2.99.
It’s setting up to be a very busy year. I keep thinking I’m going to take a rest, but then, as Eugene Walter would say, life intervenes. This year in the Sarah Booth series, ODE TO THE BONES will be published in May, and JOY TO THE BONES in October.
I don’t do a lot of book signings anymore. I have gotten older and all of my animals are older and sick. I signed on to take care of them, and so I will honor my word. That often means staying home even when I really, really want to go somewhere. But that’s okay. I love them all and I’ll honor my promise to the critters for as long as I can. I will be in Monroeville Feb. 27 for the annual presentation of the Harper Lee Award to writer and friend, Ace Atkins. I’m so very happy for Ace, who if you don’t know has also rescued a bunch of dogs! I will be speaking at 2:30 just before the awards presentation.
The crazy, restless spirits or fairies on my property have been at it again. In early January a county deputy showed up at the door and asked if I was okay. Well, sure, other than inhaling dog hair and being bossed by cats. (I didn’t say that, by the way.) The county had gotten a 911 call from my location. Not my phone, my location. He said when they tried to call the number back it was “disconnected.” So he nicely came to check—just to be sure. No one had an explanation for that one.
 I figured out how gossip spreads at my farm. |
 My cutie pie great-great niece Maylin enjoying her new bike on Christmas Day. |
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 Rachel prefers to huddle in the dark cabinet. |
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Then last night while I was playing on my phone and holding the feral cat Rachel in my lap, someone knocked on the front door—very sharply 3 distinctive raps. Neither the dogs or cats reacted. Nothing. And they always go ballistic when someone comes to the door. I got up and went to the door. Nothing. No one in the yard. No car in the drive. Yet someone had knocked. I didn’t imagine it and it wasn’t on TV. Yeah, that was a bit creepy, even for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next around here.
I have to say, the January weather has been beautiful. Crisp and dry. Back when I could ride my horse in the woods, this was always one of my favorite months. I sure miss riding, but at 72, it’s just not smart to ride. How I miss it. I wonder if my Dad is looking down and thinking—by god, she finally developed some common sense!
The coming weeks bring some hard anniversaries. Jan. 24 is my father’s birthday and also the day my sister Susan died. Jan. 11 Miss Velma died. I miss them both greatly. And my brother and Grandmother died in February. The turning of the seasons and time. It can’t be hurried or slowed, no matter how much we may wish it. I am very lucky to be able to do all my farm chores still.
Now I’m off to do some research on the Fae. I have an idea for a story.
Have a wonderful Imbolc. Take some time to honor the planet and the lengthening days, the approach of spring.
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This is one of my favorite songs, and this young woman has such a lovely rendition of it. Enjoy! Eva Cassidy. What a loss so young. Click on this: Somewhere over the Rainbow.
And until next month—Adieu from Carolyn and the Critters.
 The bird feeder has been taken over by the squirrels who use the rope like it's for military training. |
 Isn't this tree marvelous? |
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Now here is Priya!
Dear Readers,
Have you streamed the wildly popular crowd-funded historical drama series The Chosen about Jesus and his disciples? I must have been living under a rock when this show was gaining momentum during the pandemic because I discovered this show only a few short weeks ago. Jim received a stack of Blu-rays of this fantastic show for Christmas– and I binge-watched all five seasons. There are two more seasons to look forward to and I can’t wait!
You can stream this show today on Amazon Prime. The intro song is catchy and I have been immersed in how the story is being told. In this production, Jesus has a sense of humor and I find myself getting antsy if too many scenes pass without his appearance. The man who portrays Jesus does a masterful job– and I’m telling you, they got the RIGHT GUY in casting–a compelling actor named Jonathan Roumie who has a remarkable story of how he got the job. I’ve been listening to his podcast interviews because I’ve been intrigued to learn more. The cherry on top is that I’ll get to meet him and the cast and director next month! WoOoO HoOoO!! I’m headed for Charlotte, North Carolina for ChosenCon. Will any of you be there? I shall be roaming around with thousands of other fans while we get treated to special sneak peeks and panel discussions. I’m already saving up merch money because nothing makes me happier than shopping for a bunch of goodies to commemorate a fabulous experience.
I’m obsessed– can you tell? Please give a couple episodes a try to see if it grabs you. It captured my heart almost immediately and there’s no going back.
In other news, I ordered a space heater for my frozen legs to thaw out while I’m at the desk. Last night, I spontaneously placed my foot on Jim’s leg and he howled in distress from my cold-as-cadaver toes. Ha ha ha. Why am I gleeful when he yelps out? I’ll tell you why. It’s because he’s always warm to the touch, even when it’s chilly out. Must be nice. Meanwhile, my extremities continually have a low tolerance for this wintry air.
For now, my workday is winding down and it is time for me to relax with homemade shower fizzies that my sister-in-law Kimberly gave me for Christmas. Then a cup of hot soup.
Warmly,
Priya
P.S. We need to read more. Says the girl who just binge-watched (good) television. Please read Hoodwinked and Revenant as your next Kindle reads. The private thoughts that Lauren Sanders has about a character named Nicole Dupree made me laugh out loud. Sometimes when I was checking for wonky misprints from the file conversion, I’d get sucked up into Carolyn’s suspenseful storytelling. In fact, the past few nights when I was heading home, I’d scan the streets looking for a woman pedaling furiously on a kid’s bike. (A direct consequence of getting wrapped up in Hoodwinked). And bonus, the story is set in Natchez, MS. Below is a map that Carolyn drew herself to help you familiarize yourself with the place. Personally, I’d love to see this book featured as a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries production. It’s a dark mystery with a brush of romance. Chef’s kiss!
