Flying By

It seems like I just wrote the May newsletter, and here it is, the end of June! I hope you are having a great summer, enjoying the people around you and making memories. I also hope you’re finding great books to read, since summer is a luxurious time for reading on the go.

I’m happy to announce that I’m almost ready to type “The End” on the manuscript of my new book, set in Galveston, 1905. As you know, I’ve struggled to find the right title for this book, which is an historical mystery/romance, and I think the title is going to be The Closest of Strangers. The cover artist is working on a very special painting that I will be able to share with you very soon, and you will be the first to see it.

Here are a few pictures that hint at the story, just to whet your appetite:

And here’s a quote that I found about promises, a theme of the book: “One who is fed on promises eats from an empty bowl.”—Marsha Hinds, Snow, Thorns, Apples

In other news, I’m honored to have been asked to interview author Lo Patrick about her new book,

. This conversation will take place at Then and Now Bookshop on July 14 at 6:30 pm. Admission is free, and includes private access to an after-hours event with the Atlanta author, who will answer questions and sign books, and light refreshments. If you are in the area, please join us for what I know will be a fun evening. But for planning purposes, please RSVP at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBdkXz1jflyKu1DMsjgFwGQ7h69q2kdYqEasDZDDwAQ-0bqg/viewform

While I’ve been working on The Closest of Strangers, I haven’t neglected my other books. Keeping them evergreen is a task all its own, and I’ve been thinking about some things that they all have in common:

· All of the mysteries, even the ones in series, can stand alone and be read in any order.

· All of the characters are neither all good nor all bad. They are human beings like all of us, who struggle to overcome obstacles.

· Although the settings are diverse and range from the wealthiest communities to the most impoverished, the economic and social status of the characters doesn’t determine their happiness, and money doesn’t protect them from trouble.

· Many characters carry deep secrets that burden their lives.

· The detectives usually find their cases intersecting with their personal llives.

· There’s always something to learn, some mystery, some romance, and some humor.

If you’ve read any of these books, even if you read them a long time ago, it’s never too late to honor them (and me) by leaving a review on Amazon. Just search for the book title, click on the reviews, and then rate and review the book. Every review means a lot to other readers, as well as helping the book’s algorithm grow. After so many reviews, Amazon automatically advertises the book. So even a four-word review is worth its weight in gold. Thank you so much for past, present, and future reviews!!!

And now, I’m asking for advice from any of you who have encountered barking dog syndrome. You may know that Nana, the narrator of Naughty Nana, the Old English sheepdog pup who just wants to have fun, had a very challenging puppyhood. She had a zillion bad habits, but incessant barking wasn’t one of them. (Fortunately, Nana turned out to be perfect in every way, as those of you who have read the book know.)

Now we have Cassie, who is also an Old English sheepdog, but she is seven years old and a rescue. She is much better behaved than puppy Nana was, but she barks and barks and barks. She watches TV, looking for other dogs, and when she sees or hears one, she runs up to the TV and jumps and barks. She barks at guests, the mailman, other deliveries, the vacuum cleaner, the lawn mower---just about everything and everyone.

Do you have a tried-and-true method for teaching a dog not to bark? Let me know, and you will have my undying gratitude, along with a sneak peek at the cover of The Closest of Strangers.

As always, I appreciate you and value your friendship and ideas. Whatever’s on your mind as you read this, please let me know. Your comments are very important to me!

Much love,

Saralyn