May 10th, 2008

Okay, okay, it’s been a long silence. My apologies! What a year!

I just returned from signing books at the LA Times Festival of Books. Thank you so much, those of you who took the time to come by a booth and wish me well. It’s a joyous amazing thing when people tell me they’ve read the book. Wow. In the Mystery Bookstore booth, I was signing next to Carol Higgins Clark and Mary Higgins Clark, beautiful, gifted, stunning looking women. Bobby McCue ran around in a straw hat and jeans, passing out waters, making everybody comfortable. Linda was in a T. Jefferson Parker hat. (Very cool, Jeff; great idea). Bobby and his team had a party for writers Friday night at his warmly appointed store in Westwood.

I know I’m sounding like a columnist for a social page, (down to the description of what everybody’s wearing), but it was a moment where it started to sink in. I’ve written a book that’s now on the shelf. In lots of countries. I saw my friend John Lescroart at the party Friday night. He’d blurbed The Timer Game and has a new book out made the New York Times bestseller list.

I am over the moon. And truly, one of the nicest parts, is meeting all of you. When I was signing in the Mysterious Galaxy booth (with Michael Connelly, Cornelia Reid, Rita Lakin) a reader came up with a Timer Game ARC to have me sign. And a book. It still makes me smile. That and the memory of Maryelizabeth (Mysterious Galaxy owner) under a beach umbrella.

There were over a hundred thousand people a day on the UCLA campus. To be there, signing in the same booths with authors I love and respect—wow. What a thrill.

I’m hard at work on book two. It is part of the Grace Descanso series and it’s great fun to be talking to these characters again who feel so real.

Thank you again, for your many kindnesses. And your patience. And your words of cheer about the book. I appreciate them all.

I’m still trying to get a handle on how to do things. (Which somewhat explains why I have never updated my Amazon site. The Internet is daunting. Ditto with my answering on My Space.
My plan, at this point, is to try and keep in touch more on the fly, but spaced closer together. . . Hope to hear from you!

Oh, and those of you who have encouraged your friends to buy The Timer Game, thank you!