Hi, everyone! To celebrate the release of book 3 of the Concordia Wells Mysteries, Unseemly Ambition, I’ve been hosting a random giveaway that ended January 31st. Here’s a refresher: The prizes: Ebooks, paperbacks, candy tins, and audiobooks, along with the opportunity to collaborate with me on a name/physical trait for two characters in book #4, tentative…
I hope everyone is staying safe and warm this January day! East Coast-ers are currently dealing with a blizzard named “Winter Storm Juno.” The grocery and hardware stores have been raided, gas tanks have been filled, states of emergency have been declared, and roads have been closed. Snow totals of two to three FEET are…
Happy Wednesday, everyone! As you can see from the title, today’s post is a bit different from our usual historical and mystery-based themes, and is just for fun. No policies or partisanship here. We want to talk about the stuff that people really care about. Preparing for the event: After all, what State of the…
Happy Winter! I thought you might enjoy this December 1896 article from The Sun, about the joys of indoor ice skating. Loved the comment: “…to say nothing of countless hordes of barbarians in the shape of small boys….” The advantages of indoor rinks were multiple. No worry about softening/cracking ice, no wind, no extraordinary cold or…
Happy New Year, everyone! Don’t worry, the cat isn’t part of the giveaway. She’s too adorable. The Cat Meet Tora, the newest member of our household (Tora is Japanese for “tiger”). When she’s not stalking squirrels and birds through the windowpane, she’s settled in my lap as I write. Sort of a furry critique-partner. This…
You know I love a good mystery, and Santa Claus is the ultimate mystery man, don’t you think? In order to get you in the holiday spirit, here’s a mashup of some fun posts about Santa Claus that may help clear up some things about this elusive gentleman. Merry Christmas, and enjoy! 1. Wonder how…
According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, retailers lose $13 billion (that’s a 13 with nine zeroes after it!) in merchandise each year. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is prime-time for such thefts, when professional and amateur alike hit the crowded stores. Such was the case in the 19th century, too. According to…
With Christmas only – gack! – a little more than two weeks away, I’d like to share a classic recipe from my childhood: butter spritz cookies. I make them every year. Only a few standard ingredients are needed, and recipe variations give you an assortment of different looks. Here’s the paper copy I refer to,…
