August Thoughts...

     Yes, we do still think in August here in Florida. Despite the thunderstorms, humidity and heat...thoughts still form and are put down on paper. I'm in the process of writing the 29th of The Falls stories. It starts off at a convention of law enforcement professionals around the county. Of course it wouldn't be a mystery without something happening...right in front of dozens of sheriffs, deputies, police and state troopers. 

     I'm also editing the paperback version of the 25th in the series, The Falls: Out of the Cold in the afternoons. I have to admit, I like editing a paperback better than doing it right on the computer for Kindle. But either one works. Not crazy about editing...but it isn't as bad for me as some others writers state it is for them. There's a certain order about it I like.

     Hurricane Harvey is about to hit Texas as i write. We used to own a house on North Padre Island although we never lived there. We originally thought we would retire there...but Florida's plummeting house prices and grandkids on either cost of the Sunshine state turned that plan sideways. Funny how life works, huh?

     Grandpa Burman, Jeb Smith and Zeke Peters would agree on that. They've all been around long enough to see the ebbs and flows in people's lives. There are times I wished I still lived in a small town...but thanks to being with them each day, I still feel like I do in certain ways.

     Here's hoping you all have a good weekend...stay safe if you're in Texas. May the dragons watch over you...

Summmmmmmmmer...

     It's summer in Florida. Jedediah and Ezekiel have stopped by and they are sweltering. I keep trying to tell them that Florida heat and humidity simply stays with us for about six months. They roll their eyes at me and tell me what I already know...if you don't like the weather in Vermont, just wait half an hour. 

     'Course the mosquitoes in late summer in Vermont are as big as Piper Cubs and the sun gets pretty hot...especially to all the Vermonters who have pretty fair complexions. (That would be most of them.) But there's nothing better than a cool fall day with foliage. The snow is even pretty cool...the first few days. Six months of ice and snow get a bit much however.

     Jeb and Zeke are going back home tomorrow. Flight to Albany, then a puddle jumper to Rutland where one of Zeke's grandsons will pick them up win the old pickup truck. They did enjoy the thunder boomers and the beach. But they winked at me and told me they prefer fishing in Lake Pumpkinseed. I understand...

     I'm working on the 29th Falls story...and it should be a good one. Starts off with a convention of sheriffs, deputies, state police in the Green Mountains of Vermont. It';s being held at Jeb and Zeke's fitness center. Jeb and Zeke are going to do it up right. But, as usual, there's a glitch.

     Have a great summer....may the dragons watch over you all...

Just Released!

     The 28th story in The Falls small town mystery series, The Falls: The Manuscript, has just been released at the Kindle Store, Amazon.com! A dark and mysterious manuscript shows up at Alice and Mallard's literary agency. It weaves a dark tale about four murders...all happening within The Falls' township...the catch being that they will occur in the future! 

     Danny and Franklin McFadden take off on a camping trip to New Hampshire as well. Louisa May doesn't have a very good feeling about it, but doesn't want to spoil Danny's dream of getting back into his older brother's good graces.

     Return to The Falls!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TKSFPZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499802463&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Falls%3A+the+manuscript

FOURTH OF JULY SALE!

     The Falls: Fourth of July, 6th volume in The Falls small town mystery series, will be on sale from Sunday, July 2nd until Wednesday, July 5th for only $.99!!! Have a great 4th from all the folks at The Falls and me! 😃

Summer's Here...

     Okay...that's tongue in cheek. I live in Tradition, Florida now...so summer is almost year round. People who say that Florida has seasons really haven't lived for any length of time anywhere else. Florida has two seasons...hot and warm. (With a few days of odd cool temps thrown in for novelty.)

     I'm working on the ending of the next Falls novel. The Falls: Manuscript of Revenge is the title...or maybe The Falls: Manuscript, or The Falls: Murder Manuscript. We'll see. I just finished setting The Falls: The Grass is Always Greener into paperback and I'm editing The Falls: Full Circle as the next to be transformed into paperback.

     This past week was a bit busy. My wife, Carolyn and I volunteer at the local hospital. She works in Labor and Delivery and I work in Guest Relations which is basically taking people being discharged out in wheelchairs. Anyway, I had a patient that started bleeding profusely from the arm where he had just had an IV. Happened out by the golf cart that's used to take people to their cars in the parking lot. I mean really bleeding. I sprinted to the nearby ER with the man, and after getting him taken care of and wiping down the wheelchair (which got covered in blood) I got him back to the golf cart and to his car. Had to let security know that maintenance should be aware of the blood on floors, out front and the wheelchair itself. Was a bit disconcerting but a hell of a story...which means you'll probably see it happen in one of The Falls stories. 

     Also had several sections of our new fence replaced because the incompetent road crew got tar on it when resurfacing our roads. Had to take out half of the soil in the long (twenty feet) raised bed that rests against the fence. Carolyn and I did that one day, then I put it back a couple of days ago. Today we got new tomato plants and pepper plants to go in the raised bed. Replaced a beautiful flowering plant as well. Have to admit...I love puttering in the garden and summer room. (We just refinished the long plant stand in there.)

     Jeb and Zeke would say that I probably would fit right in The Falls. There are parts of me in so many characters. And parts of people I knew when I was a child as well. I can honestly say that The Falls is in me as I am in The Falls. I hope you all enjoy the stories. That would mean the world to me.

     May the dragons watch over you all...

      

FREE...The Falls: Sanctuary

     Just to let you know...Friday, June 15th through Sunday, June 18th the 26th novel in The Falls small town mystery series, The Falls: Sanctuary will be free at Amazon.com! This is a THANK YOU to fans of The Falls and a good way for readers who've never read The Falls a chance to enjoy. May the dragons watch over all of you!!!!


https://www.amazon.com/Falls-Sanctuary-small-town-mystery-ebook/dp/B01N27IMTX/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497656504&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Falls%3A+Sanctuary

Universal Studios Trip!

     Hey there! Just got back from a short three day trip to Universal Studios in Orlando! Had a wonderful time! I got a Gryffindor hat and shirt, a Severus Snape wand and Carolyn bought an awesome minions shirt and a  Hermione Granger wand! Several new Christmas ornaments for the tree (a tradition when we go places) and stayed at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort Hotel with a lazy river. (Lazy rivers are just the thing after several miles of walking around a theme park!) The Cabana Bay is a 50's/60's themed hotel...kinda' fun.

     We went to Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, rode the train several times, and visited just about every themed area, such as Despicable Me!, Jurassic Park, Dr. Seuss, Toons, Lost Continent, Super Heroes,  etc. and City Walk where the finer restaurants are. Ate at the Leaky Cauldron and watched the dragon spew fire from on top of Gringots! 

     If any of you are thinking about going, you will have a great time. Just make sure you bring your good walking shoes and hydrate! Almost too much to see and do!

    Work update: At the moment, I'm about one third of the way through the 28th volume of The Falls small town mystery series and am working on putting The Falls: Full Circle into paperback. editing The Falls: The Grass is Always Greener at the same time. The Falls: Slave Trade is in Kindle form. Should be available in a couple of weeks.

     May your day be wonderful and may the dragons watch over you...thanks for stopping by!

It's Here!

     The 27th tale in The Falls small town mystery series, The Falls: Slave Trade, is now available at the Kindle Store on Amazon.com! It's the day after the terrorist attacks and Sheriff Cash Green has brought together the FBI, the Vermont State Police, the Brown Bear Junction Police Department and his own West Sugar Shack Falls Sheriff's Department for one purpose: to set up a joint sting operation focused on capturing and putting away the buyers who are scheduled to attend the human trafficking auction set up by Doris and Toby Dansby.

     The story centers around the preparation for and the actual auction. One fly in the ointment: the feelings of folks around town are so strong after The Sanctuary's bombings that Cash allows a number of citizens to be part of the task force. Risky, but he has to live with them after all is said and done.

     So hurry up and get on over to The Falls, grab your favorite hot or cold beverage and join in on the fun! Watch it as it all goes down! Slave Trade! Return to The Falls!

https://www.amazon.com/Falls-Slave-Trade-small-mystery-ebook/dp/B06ZYK23GS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492783297&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Falls%3A+slave+trade

Spring Has Arrived!

     That means only one thing...the folks of The Falls are out plowin', plantin' and working' from before dawn to way after dusk. Time to get ready for the new crops, the new grown season and everybody helps. It's the time of rebirth, birds' nests and Mallard's ducks returning to Lake Pumpkinseed! Might even be a sighting of Squashy!

     Also time for Mud Season. One of the five seasons back in rural Vermont. Got to be careful at this time of the year not to bog down the tractor, the old truck or even a child or two in that slimy, freezing, clay like mud that covers the whole state. Just have to let it dry out...no other way to deal with it. Here's hoping that you don't get stuck in the mud anywhere around your place!

     Just to keep you up to date...The Falls: Sanctuary is out at Amazon.com (number 26 in the series) and The Falls: Inferno (#20) is now released in paperback at Barnes & Noble, CreateSpace.com and Amazon.com. The Falls: Bad Penny is in it's last stages of editing for paperback and I've just started transposing The Falls: The Grass is Always Greener to paperback format. As for the new WIP, The Falls: Slave Trade, it's about three quarters done. And there's a joint sting operation in it!

     So, enjoy the spring. whether you are in Vermont, or New Mexico or even Florida! Take care and may the dragons watch over you...

Almost St Patrick's Day

     Day before St Paddy's...and Florida is a bit nippy! 43 this morning around 6:30 AM. Didn't walk...Carolyn and I went to the gym without braving the chilly temps. It's okay to chicken out sometimes. I think even Grandpa Burman would agree with me! In fact I think he would insist we head down to Federman's for donuts or off to Tina's for pie!

     Working on the 27th story of The Falls. As usual, the characters are busy whispering in my ear what they believe I should have them do and say. Makes it a bit handy. Also is the reason I've never...knock on wood...had writers' block. I simply write down the suggestions.

The 19th story in the series, The Falls: Prodigal Twin, is now out as a paperback at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com. Working on editing the paperback proof of the 20th, The Falls: Inferno, and getting the 21st, The Falls: Bad Penny, getting into the template for CreateSpace.

     Have had problems with squirrels. One got up under the hood of my car and chewed wires...resulting in over $700 in repairs and an almost accident taking it to the dealer. Trying to humanely trap the little bugger so I can take him miles away and let him go. In the meantime, we managed to trap five rats. Ugh. Had no idea we had any around. But then, it is Florida and we a re around palm trees, and lakes. Not a rat fancier.

     Okay, time to write the next chapter. I write a good deal better than I 'small talk'. Someone asked if I still use my standup desk. Always. I really think it makes a real difference in how my back feels and I burn off some calories at the same time.

     Hoist a pint tomorrow, wear green or orange and be Irish! (I'm actually English, Scottish, Irish and Welch) May the dragons watch over you...

Book Fair 2017

     Next Saturday, March 11th, I will be at the Ft Pierce Library, selling copies of the first nineteen volumes of The Falls small town mystery series. The St Lucie County Library has been nice enough to hold their annual local writers' book fair at both the Ft Pierce and Morningside Libraries again this year. Check out the attached advertisement for the address. Hopefully some of the fans of The Falls small town mystery series will get a chance to stop by! May the dragons watch over you...

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT

     The Falls: Cupid's Arrow, the 7th novel in The Falls small town mystery series, Kindle version, will be free at Amazon.com from Friday, February 10th 'til Tuesday, February 14th! It's a gift from the folks at The Falls and me of course! May your Valentine's Day be happy, filled with laughter, love and good cheer. Our thanks to all of our wonderful fans and readers. We truly do appreciate you!💖