MAY 2008

My dear Readers and Friends:

Well here we are in the merrie month of May. As you will all recall May Day was one of Henry VIII's favorite holidays. Both my late mother and one of my two godmothers celebrated their birthdays in May. Doris and Katherine would be 94 this year. "That's it!" I can hear my mother saying now. "Tell everyone my age!" One of her favorite expressions was that "Age is a number. And mine's unlisted!"

May is the official publication month of Book 4 in my "World of Hetar" series. THE SORCERESS OF BELMAIR should now be in stores, and if your bookstore doesn't have it, complain! For those of you who persist in ordering from Amazon, they are always late to get shipments. Barnes&Noble.com is usually, but not always better. HQN is trying out something new I will discuss with you later when I have more facts, and understand it better myself. But it may mean that you will be able to order directly through this website eventually. And that will mean no waiting! I've already titled the next book in the series, THE SHADOW QUEEN, and I do have the prologue written although I won't get back to work full time until our move is completed. I will be interested to know how you enjoyed THE SORCERESS OF BELMAIR, and if you liked the little surprises I had for you?

We had planned to move up the lane to the new "old" house on Monday, May 5th, but have changed the date to Friday, the 9th of May. This is the last newsletter I will write to you from the house in which I have lived so happily for 29 years. Next month we begin a whole new era. For those of you who didn't know, Tom, Megan and their children will be moving into this big house shortly. Tom tells everyone who will listen that he knew from the time he was ten that he would live in this house with his own wife and offspring one day. Our little subdivision is one of the oldest in the village. And there is something magical about it, I swear! Tom will be the 5th "kid" to come home. Two "girls" and two other "boys" have returned to live in the community in which they grew up, and now their kids are growing up here. And the grandparents are all still here too! I know there are a lot of you out there who can't wait to get out of your small towns, and see the world. But you'll come back one day if you can. There is nothing like small town America!

We got to Pittsburgh for RT 25, and had a great time. You can check the archives for April for all the details. But I will tell you it was lots of fun and 25 years have made an incredible change in both the genre and the conference. If my own friends hadn't been there I would have hardly known a soul! But Roberta Gellis, Janelle Taylor, Thea Divine, and Jennifer Blake were there. And so was Fabio! I was so thrilled - yes! THRILLED! - that he remembered me by name. I hadn't seen him in ages, but he was as charming and handsome as ever. He took both my hands in his, kissed both my cheeks in the European manner, and we spoke for a few minutes. I did bring him greetings from Elaine Duillo too. And George wore his WWII uniform, and was given a little jar of sand from Omaha Beach. While I had lots of people at the booksigning I was sorry none of my lively ladies could make it.

And now back to reality. The move is ahead of us. The school year is coming to an end. Tom may have a job relating to his graduate studies although he has a bit more to go. Megan celebrated her 35th on the last day of April.

She's had a busy winter. Little Evan was hospitalized for MRSA, and has been diagnosed with something called "Neutropenia". It's a lack of white blood cells. More later when we know more. Chandler, Cora and Sophia are all well. Sophia who turned 5 in March said the funniest thing the other day that I will share with you. She asked her dad if he had any chocolate. He said no, and asked her why she wanted to know. "Well, daddy," Sophia replied, "I need some chocolate, and you know how we women LOVE chocolate." Can you imagine her at 30? LOL!

Well, my dears, that's really all I have to share this month. Keep well. And pray for peace. And remember to support our military where ever they are stationed. A special prayer for all the sons, daughters, grandkids, etc. serving our country right now especially Tony Will. Come home safe, guys! God bless and good reading from your most faithful author..........................