Authors and Books

Here are just a handful of the authors that inspire me and the books that entertain me. Common amongst this list is the fact that each book serves not only to entertain, but also as a lesson on how to convey (meaning both to impart knowledge and to carry along) a reader from beginning to end. I’ve had the pleasure to meet some of the authors listed below. Overall I find mystery writers to be a wonderful, welcoming, supportive group. I receive encouragement not only from their books but often from the authors themselves (bordering on cajoling from some of these helpful souls). I can’t be certain that I’ll ever be published, but I can say with absolute certainty that I wouldn’t even be giving it a thought if it weren’t for some of the people noted below.

Donna Andrews – I’ve been totally taken with Meg and her crew since I first read Murder with Peacocks. The writing, the pace, the character development – this has it all. Plus, the author is a great person and one of the first people that told me I should write (I think she was just being kind, but that was the pilot light that waited until I was ready to put the kettle on to boil – so, thanks Donna!)

Sandy Balzo – Sandy is honestly one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. She is one of my biggest fans (and I don’t even have a book). We live in the same town, and on those (too few) occasions when we find a few minutes to chat and share a glass of wine she pulls out her virtual pompons and cheers me toward ultimate victory (one hopes). Sandy writes two series – I love both of them. The Maggy Thorsen Coffee House series and The Main Street Murder series. One of the most helpful things for me as a writer has been to see how Sandy has developed Maggy story from the beginning through the current novel. Additionally, as a reader, I’m enjoying following Maggy and her friends through this tale.