Where Have I Been...Where Am I Going?

I have been speaking to civic groups, Senior Citizen centers and book clubs and book stores. It's exciting to meet readers, many of them have questions: Is the novel true? Yup. Except for the chapter where I needed to address Charmian's relationship to Netta and her true feelings the hurt Netta caused. Have you determined which one?

I've also been working on my first mystery. It is complete! Claudia Perry, a recently widowed travel writer in her mid-fifties returns to her childhood home in hopes of reconnectng with her family. But when her childhood crush, now the sheriff, arrests her brother for murder and counterfeiting, their mother pleads with her to prove him innocent. Claudia's investigation plunges her and her best friend into the world of white supremacy and neo-nazis.

It has been a difficult project due to the dark subject matter. Based on true background information, I did have fun creating totally fictional characters...although I did name some of the minor characters after friends (with their permission, of course). I'm calling it Counterfeit White.

Look for me in June at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference where I am a Manuscript Consutant. As an added bonus, I'll be on the New Book Panel with The Second Mrs. London.

In mid-July, I'll have a booth at the Carmel-by-the-Sea Book Fair in Carmel Plaza where every book is presented is by its author. Come by, say hello and get your signed copy.

I hope my AUDIO BOOK OF THE SECOND MRS. LONDON WILL BE RELEASED BY JULY 1.

I've spent the last few months editing the recording for pronunciation. Book Two, The Snark, gave the voice actor a true challenge! Look for it in you local bookstore, order from Barnes and Noble or buy on Amazon. I'll send out a shout when it is released. Many of you have asked for the audio version, especially those of you who have vision challeged or are dyslectic. Audio is the answer.

I listen to audio books when I drive. I was once pulled over for speeding when I was listening to Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility. When I explained that to the highway patrolman, he laughed and we had a nice chat about our mutual love of Austen.

This shot was taken by a reader at last year's Carmel Book Fair.

I'll be speaking at Monterey Peninsula College next December 2 as part of OLLI: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. If you are in the Central California Coast area, make a point to come by.

This is the 150th anniversary of Jack London's birth. There is a wonderful celebration all year long at the Jack London State Historic Park this year. If you have not explored Charmian and Jack's home, this is a great time to do it. Google the programs for details.

This is me pretending to play Charmian's famous Steinway in her private apartment above the "House of Happy Walls."

That's it for now. Look for the AUDIO BOOK!

Marlo