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I've just returned from the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention where I got to hang out with a lot of very cool readers and writers.

On Tuesday afternoon, I headed downtown to meet up with two of my favorite writing buddies, B. J. Daniels and Joanna Wayne, to brainstorm our workshop "Killers to Die For", which we presented on Friday afternoon. I always get a little wound up before public speaking engagements, but the atmosphere was very casual, and we had a lot of audience participation, which helped calm my nerves. The presentation actually went really well and we had a lot of fun, despite the fact that I inadvertently gave away the ending of The Dollmaker. Turned out okay, though, because several members of the audience showed up at the huge book signing the next day and bought my book anyway. So it was all good.

And speaking of the book signing, I had one reader come by (Hi Pat!) who had brought over four hundred books with her to be autographed by her favorite authors. I was thrilled to sign my books for her, but the best part was getting to meet face-to-face such a devoted Intrigue fan.

The conference was great and I loved catching up with all my friends and meeting new ones, but as always, I was very glad to get home and get back into my writing routine. I'm working on my second thriller for MIRA Books, The Devil's Footprints, and I just got a sneak peek at the cover. I won't say much about it at this point except that it is very eerie and creepy and the concept is awesome. I love it.

The Dollmaker has been raking in some really good reviews. Check them out if you get a chance.

Amazon
Spinetingler Magazine
Mystery Books
Reader Views
Curled Up With A Good Book
Unspeakable Horror
Your Hub
The Best Reviews
The Romance Readers Connection

Theme Songs

As with reading, my TV viewing taste is eclectic. I love intense action/dramas like 24, Prison Break, and The X-Files, but oddly enough--considering what I write--I don't like any of the CSI or investigative shows. But I have been known to enjoy a few guilty pleasures now and then, like the O.C., As the World Turns and America's Next Top Model.

Back in the late 90’s, my guilty viewing pleasure was Ally McBeal, a show and character I loathed to the extreme, but couldn’t seem to stop watching. In Episode Seventeen, “Theme of Life”, Ally goes to see a therapist (played by the fabulous Tracy Ullman) who tells her she needs a theme song. “Something you can play in your head to make you feel better.” Hers was, appropriately, “Tracy” by The Cuff Links.

Ally thought the advice was nuts, but I actually quite liked the idea, mainly because I already had a theme song – “Rock the Casbah” by the Clash. No political motives intended, I just loved hearing the song.

Theme songs really work. If you don't have one, I highly recommend that you get one.

Contest Winners!

We have a winner! Lollie's entry has been awarded first place in the Creepy Doll contest. Dot is the runner-up with her harrowing story of a telekinetic psychic (see Creepy Doll entries below). Congratulations to both of you, and to everyone who submitted stories and photos, a great big thank you for your entries. They were all delightfully creepy.

The three winners for my March book giveaway are Jackie, Jana, and Lorrie. Autographed copies of The Dollmaker will soon be on the way!

I'll be running another contest in April with more prizes and book giveaways. For details, please check the contest page.