COASTAL CRIMES Anthology

 I'm delighted to share with you my latest short story. This one is a mystery published in the COASTAL CRIMES anthology by Sisters in Crime. There are 15 stories of seaside mayhem, all written by members of the Mystery by the Sea Chapter of SinC. My story is "The Inheritance."

Stories are by Angela G. Slevin, Teresa Inge, Jayne Ormerod,

Michael D. Rigg, Maria Hudgins, Ken Wingate, Adele Gardner, L.W. "Skip" McLamb, Judy Fowler, Sheryl Jordan, Karen Jean Osgood ... and yours truly!

Anthology published by Wildside Press, June 2021.

Coming soon to your favorite bookseller!

I got some great news to kick off the new year. Monique Patterson, VP/editorial director at St. Martin's Press, contacted me this week to tell me "Rosie's Curl and Weave" is being reissued!

It will be a trade paperback "as part of the ongoing promotion for some of our African-American fiction titles," Monique told me.

Look at this great cover!

It goes on sale Nov. 16, 2021, at $9.99 but you can pre-order now at your favorite bookseller.

The anthology features four novellas by some of my best writer sisterfriends: Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers and the late great Francis Ray. 

I hope you'll enjoy the read and the reissue! 

Here's the blurb from the book:

STEP INSIDE FOR A DAY OF BEAUTY, LAUGHTER...AND LOVE.

Whether you want a cut, weave or braid; a facial, manicure, or massage; there's always a helping hand-and a sympathetic ear-at Rosie's Curl and Weave on 125th Street in Harlem. And sometimes, when you least expect it, love walks in the door. So sit back, relax, put your feet up, and enjoy, as four talented writers render four magical stories about the love of beauty and the beauty of love.

Score!!!!!

So, you know that the stay-at-home reality is real when your curbside grocery delivery actually contains what you want and not a substitute!

Doing the happy egg dance!

Coronavirus Chic

A mask and gloves are required accessories in this pandemic. Social distancing -- 6 feet away from other people -- is the new normal.

Here are some of my coronavirus chic looks.

Hallelujah! He is Risen!

Easter 2020 blessings to you!

Today is unlike any Easter Christendom has experienced. But glory to God, COVID-19 has brought His word into so many homes than normal.

I began this Resurrection Sunday with Sunrise service at live.wc.org, followed by early service at my church newfaithchurch.org. Then regular morning news shows, "Meet the Press" and "This Week." I spoke with my Mom while the news shows were on. And then watched the live Easter TV broadcast from lakewoodchurch.com.

In normal times, I wouldn't be able to physically attend all three of those services on the same day because of Houston's drive times and traffic. Because of the coronavirus, it was made possible!

Glory be to God for enabling this Easter Sunday to be a powerful witness for Him.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. Be blessed.

COVID-19 in the Kitchen

My stove has been asking me: "Who are you and what happened to the lady who used to live here?"

I have honestly done more cooking in the last almost five weeks than I have in the last few years. Here's a bit of what's been on the stove and in the oven.

Yes, you CAN put too much ice and frozen fruit into a single-serve smoothie blender. 

Chili. Enough for that night and quite a bit in individual containers and put in the freezer. 

Bacon omelet. Yum!

Thank you to cousin Christina for the perfect tuna casserole recipe! But in true coronavirus stay-at-home style, I worked with what I had at home. Delicious!





Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. Wear a mask if outside. Be blessed.

Coronavirus and COVID-19

Coronavirus by CDC.gov

The worldwide coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has changed the way people live, work, love and mourn across the planet.

I've been working from home since March 12, the company response began March 11, but I had to go into the office to pick up my work laptop.

COVID-19, stay-at-home orders and social distancing are the buzzwords. People wearing masks when out in public is a part of this new dystopian landscape.

For me, personally, I miss seeing friends and coworkers. I miss my scrapbooking and writer pals. And I miss the simple joy of being outside and not feeling like I'm putting my life in jeopardy by doing so.

My heart breaks for the thousands of people who have died of this pestilence and for their families who are unable to see them or mourn in the traditional ways.

There are bright moments-- neighborhoods where kids play their instruments on the lawns, healthcare workers doing stay-at-home dances, and seeing how communities around the globe have come together to exercise on balconies, get married with a clergyman yelling out of a window to the couple below. For each of those flashes of joy and resiliency, there are videos of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers in the hardest hit cities breaking down with stress and lack of PPE (personal protective equipment), and lack of staff because their coworkers have COVID-19.

This, too, shall pass. Living through it is hell. We have hope though. Researchers around the world are working with one goal: find a cure or vaccine. It will take time, but it will come.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Wash your hands. Wear a mask if outside. Be blessed.