Happy Fall!

     Well, here in Florida, fall as arrived, temperatures dipping down to 89 or 90, the cool winds are...wait. What am I saying! It's Florida! Fall feels much the same as summer and much the same as spring. Winter, well we do get cool at times...but nothing spectacular. But in The Falls back in the Green Mountains of Vermont? Well, that's a whole other story.

     The tale I'm writing about The Falls at the moment is set in the winter. (Spoiler Alert! If you don't want to know anything about the 25th in the series until you actually start reading the book, skip this paragraph!) A good old-fashioned Nor-easter is blowing in. Our old nemesis Ruth Graham and her newly acquired partner, Ian Markus, a serial killer who uses a compound bow as his weapon of choice, are traveling along the interstate, cross country, leaving death in their wake everyplace they stop. A new group, named The Sanctuary, have bought up an old farm and are looking to indoctrinate teenage and disenfranchised young people including one of Zeke's grandsons. And Reggie Clark is about to take Mallard on a road trip out west to find his old nanny. Take my word for it, the story gets pretty exciting and keeps you hopping just following all the storylines!

     So wherever you are, happy fall! Enjoy whatever makes you feel good at this time of year whether that be pumpkin latte, pumpkins, county fairs, balloon fiestas, or getting ready for Halloween! Soon enough, the folks from The Falls and I promise, there will be a new Falls' tale out there for you to devour! May the dragons watch over you...

Good Morning!

     It seems as if I haven't been here for ages. Hmmm...actually it has been ages. I do apologize. I am in the process (about two-thirds done) of writing the 25th in The Falls series, editing The Falls: County Fair and The Falls: Prodigal Twin for CreateSpace, turning them into paperbacks, and as always trying to be my own ad agent on FB and Twitter. (I do wish I had someone to do that. It's just not me.) At the same time I'm working on the garden and patio outside as well as running two fantasy football leagues and volunteering at the hospital. We also just finished being poll workers for the primary election (I hand out ballots and Carolyn runs the EVID, the computer to check voters in)  and hopefully we will be working the polls in November.

     I know...I know. That still doesn't leave me a valid excuse for neglecting the blog. No excuses. But just wanted you to know that we are keeping busy. At times I feel a bit foolish writing here, to be honest. I am a very private man, and to think that you would honestly be interested in me and what I do or think is a bit far fetched. I am a storyteller, pure and simple. But I realize that there are readers, other writers, friends and fans out there who honestly would like to know what I'm up to. So, all humility aside, (bows slightly) here I am.

     I have to say, I am at a loss in dealing with politics on the national level at this point. There used to be some obvious choices, candidates I loved and wanted to vote for. Candidates I could root for and believe in. This year, I see none. I have what Jeb and Zeke from The Falls might describe politely as "no dog in this fight". It is, I'm afraid, a vote of attrition. Who do you dislike or distrust least. So, I believe I shall vote for someone other than the two major candidates. Most of the time I would think of that as a wasted vote. But not this year. I simply don't want to know that I voted for one of them and then watch them blacken our country in some idiotic way of another. I care too much about the United States and the people in it. I am a hopeless romantic about our great nation I'm afraid. I do hope that all of you have a better feeling about this election than I do.Whoever wins, may the dragons watch over them.

      I have lost about forty pounds in the last year. That's good, but I have hit something of a plateau. The fasting for a colonoscopy and endoscopy lost another five which helped, chuckles. Now we shall see. I love to eat. Pastries, cookies, cakes, bread of all kinds, ice cream, lots of things. Hard not to want them. The writing does help. I don't eat as I write...I drink water or tea, but don't eat. Or editing. Can't...hands too busy. Winks. Standing while writing and editing helps that as well. Burns calories too.

     Carolyn is off in NE for a few days, with her sister Joann, visiting relatives. I'll be glad when she's back. She is the rock that keeps me grounded. She is a much better and stronger person than I am. I'm simply an old stubborn and hardworking old Scotsman. She is the angel who watches over me.

     May your day be wonderful and may the dragons watch over you...

Happy Sunday!

     Just a quick note to tell everyone that I hope your Sunday is filled with wonder, excitement, delight and love. And is all that fails...may it be restful and comforting. Should that be out of the question as well, then here's hoping you don't have any meteorites plummeting down at you, or mammoths trampling your freshly sodded lawn.

     In other words: May the dragons watch over you...

Check out the Blog!

     A very good friend of mine, and The Falls, Miss Barbara Jean Coast, interviewed us recently for her blog. We were very grateful for the chance to talk with her! All the folks in The Falls have been clicking' on to the Internet to read all about it. Check it out if you get a chance. And thanks a bunch Barbara Jean! We do appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness. May the dragons watch over you...

Barbara Jean Blog

Fun Facts

     Okay...working on the 25th The Falls small town mystery series and editing the 17th story, The Falls: County Fair for paperback form at CreateSpace.com. But the real fun fact right now is that I'm on a diet. No not that kind. The diet one uses before going and having a colonoscopy. Had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy about six months ago. But the colonoscopy wasn't clear...so here we go again. White grape juice, orange jello, broth (ugh) and a popsicle here and there. Coffee...no creamer...tea and soda. That's pretty much it. Tomorrow is the wonderful "this will clean you out royally" stuff. Can't wait.

     It's still hot here in Florida. Worked at the hospital today (we volunteer on Tuesdays) and the humidity was amazing when you stepped outside. I give patients who are discharged a wheelchair ride out to their cars. I like it...but have to wear a suit coat with the hospital's emblem on it. Spiffy. But hot.

     Today is Carolyn's and my thirty-third anniversary. We each were married before. Five kids between us...eight grandchildren...five great grandchildren. She is the reason I am who I am. She is my rock and my love. My best friend and my everything. Happy anniversary Sweetheart.

     May the dragons watch over you...

The Falls: Thicker Than Water

     The 24th story in The Falls small town mystery series, The Falls: Thicker Than Water, will be available at Amazon.com by tomorrow, July 9th! All the folks in The Falls, Brown Bear Junction and even as far as Silver Birch Landing hope you enjoy it!May the dragons watch over you as well...

Fourth of July

     May your 4th be filled with laughter, friends, family, food and fun! We're having a quiet holiday weekend. I know it's been a while since my last post...my apologies...but come down to it, I'm a storyteller. I spend my time writing stories. I just finished the 24th in The Falls small town mystery series, The Falls; Thicker Than Water. It deals with Maggie Barnes, Amy's sister, deciding to stay on in The Falls' Then something happens. Gareth Barnes, her stepbrother she's never met shows up. Things get dicey fast. Sylvia Jean and Jeremy are back at U of M and they find themselves in a strange and scary situation as well.

     I'm editing the book now and will put in the Kindle Store soon. I'm also editing the paperback proof of The Falls: Coldblooded.That will have to wait for me to get the kindle version of Thicker Than Water into Amazon however.

     Last weekend we went to our granddaughter, Juliana's, dance recital over on the west coast in Punta Gordo. She was amazing! Both she and Erin, our granddaughter Erin who does Irish dance have been phenomenal this year! Carolyn and I are very proud.

     I already have the basic plot for the next Falls novel. It will involve an old nemesis and a serial killer. Should be a bit of an cliffhanger. Spoiler alert...chuckles.

     Have a good and safe holiday and known that the folks in The Falls are thinking of you. May the dragons watch over you... 

Good Morning!

     It's almost summer in south Florida. Okay...let's be honest, it's always almost summer in south Florida if it isn't really summer! Our new patio (paved elevated patio with Old Chicago pavers, lots of new plantings,  huge pots with bromeliads and white birds of paradise, three wind chimes of varying sizes, decorative birdhouses and hanging plants in the trees, and a long raised bed for veggies) is doing well. We are harvesting tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and there are peas, beans and potatoes on the way. We have a new white wicker table with four chairs and little solar lanterns along the pathway.

     On the writing front, I am hard at work on the 24th Falls novel and am editing the paperback proof of The Falls: Boneyard for CreateSpace as well as converting The Falls: Coldblooded into the template for CreateSpace. I'm committed to putting all The Falls books into paperback within the next year or so.I may be retired...but I am a worker. It's in my DNA.

     I'm working on new covers as well. I haven't been exactly happy with some of the covers in The Falls series. I have to admit that some of them are what I came up with at the moment so I could get the stories out. Wish I was better at this graphic art thing. My daughter certainly is. But at present, I'm sketching some of the buildings in The Falls, to use as covers. What do you think? Is that something that would meet your approval, fans of The Falls?

     Well, I'm off to write. I'm sorry I don't blog more, but blogging about writing isn't anywhere as stimulating as writing itself. I'm just an old storyteller. Please forgive my shortcomings. Take care...enjoy the day. May the dragons watch over you...

Just Published!

     The Falls: Full Circle, 23rd in The Falls small town mystery series, is now at the Kindle Store on Amazon.com! 

     Amy Barnes has left the FBI, moved to The Falls, bought a home and started a business: an antique store named Tried and True Treasures. She has started her life over, returning to her small town roots. But fate has decreed that it is not to be. Join with Cash Green, Ericka Yamato, Horace Scofield, Doc Stone and Meg Monroe as they strive diligently to find her killer. The fact that she was murdered by the knife that Yamato carries with her on an everyday basis brings a new and nagging wrinkle into the mix. Add in three emotional and angry FBI colleagues and the case becomes heated and convoluted, threatening to boil over. Doc Stone and Jordan prepare for their first child, as Lorraine struggles with the death of the woman who had become her friend and house guest. A stranger showing up in town adds spice to the plot as well. Return to The Falls! Walk the town square, savor fresh donuts at Federman's and home made ice cream at The Scoop! Get reacquainted with all the characters you've come to know and love. Welcome back for the 23rd story of life in The Falls!

     The folks in The Falls and I hope you enjoy the new story. We've missed you...welcome back to The Falls! May the dragons watch over you all...

Hey There...

     Well, it's spring time on the Treasure Coast of Florida. That's a relative term. Spring = summer, just not quite so hot every moment of the time. Chuckles. I enjoy the colder moments. My wife likes hot all the time.  We just got back home from a weekend watching our grandkids in Lighthouse Point. Our daughter Dynese and her husband Rick had business and we had a great time with Ryan and Erin. 

     We are working on adding this, that and whatever to our new Patio. Carolyn wants to get a solar birdbath and I have ordered a number of solar pathway lanterns.She has a bunch of seeds we got at Home Depot the other day to plant in the raised bed area as well. Still looking for a few more potted plants to place here and there and a nice lantern for the patio table.

     I have finished the 23rd in The Falls small town mystery series. It's titled, The Falls: Full Circle. The story of ex FBI agent Amy Barnes. I'm editing it and placing in format for Kindle and it should be out within a week. I've ordered the paperback proof of The Falls" Boneyard, 16th in the series, from CreateSpace. Should be here in a few days and then I'll get started with that. I'll start transposing the next one in the seres, The Falls: Coldblooded, as soon as I'm finished editing The Falls: Full Circle.

     Time to start putting our names in for HGTV's Smart Home giveaway again! Maybe some year we'll win. Ah, well. Pipe dreams huh? But, if you don't dream...well...you never get your wings working and get off the ground. Right? May the dragons watch over you... 

Hey There...

     Well, Easter has come and gone...here's hoping that the bunny brought you something other than little brown nuggets. Although...bunny nuggets do help the garden grow. Our new patio is shaping up nicely. Check out landscapingbyanthony.com. Great landscaper. Planted veggies and herbs in the new raised beds. Carolyn is enjoying that. 

     I've been working on the 23rd The Falls small town mystery series story, and it doesn't even have a name yet, I just realized. Hmmm. Also working on editing the paperback proof of The Falls: Brotherly Love for CreateSpace and getting The Falls:Boneyard ready for CreateSpace as well. I'll order the Boneyard proof in a few days...tomorrow I'll place the Brotherly Love story on CreateSpace. My goal is to catch the paperback books up to the eBook version as soon as possible. That's for those readers who like the feel of a real book in their hands. 

     Watching the last episode of last season's Downton Abbey. We really enjoy the story. We already have the last season DVD and will dole it out sparingly, make it last. We tape a lot of shows like NCIS, Elementary, Bluebloods, Blacklist, Blindside, Mike and Molly, Big Bank Theory, etc. Then we watch them when we eat lunch. We usually have our bigger meal in the early afternoon and then just have frozen yogurt, fruit, etc. in the evening.

     Well, we didn't win the HGTV Dream Home 2016. We always enter every day and as most of you...never win, but keep trying. The Smart Home looks wonderful. It's in North Carolina this year. Good luck, to any of you who enter. Sure would be nice to win one of those beautiful homes some year. Chuckles...

     Take time to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you. Seriously, you never know what life has in store for you. Take care and be happy. May the dragons watch over you...

Top O' the Mornin'!

     Well, 'tis Sty. Paddy's Day again and the 40 shades of green washes over us all. I'm a quarter Irish, as well as being Scottish and English. Seems all my ancestors came from those little islands. Did a DNA match at Ancestry.com last year. Interesting. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about your heritage.

     My wife Carolyn and I worked the polls this last Tuesday, and it was a large turnout. She runs one of the EVIDs, the computer where you swipe your driver's license or manually find your name/address/polling place and whether you can vote or not. I give out ballots and direct the people to the voting booths. We were there from quarter of six until after eight-thirty that evening. The county governments actually have it all down to a workable science and pack up all the materials needed in a large blue cargo box on wheels. Anyone looking to volunteer, I would advise you to do so. We will work the polls in August and then again in November...with training sessions before each one.

     We have a new patio with Old Chicago pavers and I will include a picture when we're done. Working on book 23 in The Falls small town mystery series, and editing the paperback proof of The Falls: Brotherly Love as well as creating the CreateSpace.com template for the next in the series, The Falls: Boneyard. So I'm busy, as usual.

     Went to the Book Fair at the Morningside Library in Port St Lucie (there was another one in Ft Pierce) last Saturday. Sold and autographed a number of paperbacks and talked to lots of folks. Had my picture taken a few times as well. Chuckles...hope it didn't break the camera. It was a nice affair. Kudos to the Library Association for sponsoring such a nice event. 

     Trying to figure out the election and the candidates. More like a three ring circus than a presidential election, unfortunately. May the dragons watch over you all as you try and decide who you want leading and representing us over the next four years.

     Take care...enjoy the Wee Folk and watch out for the suspicious looking green alcoholic beverages!